We are picking up from the last chapter, of course! The arrival of Tyrion!

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My brother

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Tyrion looked out of the carriage window and saw the front gates of King's Landing. He smiled and looked back inside and when he caught sight of Victoria across from him on the Nursemaid's lap, she giggled and held her hands out to him. Her nursemaid tutted, "Lady Victoria, your drooling is a nasty habit." She wiped her chin and Tyrion snorted, "You act as though she is a young girl of ten drooling; the child is not even a year!" The carriage stopped and as a guard opened the door, he announced, "We are here, my Lord. Would you like me to have your belongings brought in now?" Tyrion stood and jumped out of the carriage, "Yes and have Podrick help you. He knows the rooms I prefer."

…...

Just as Tyrion was pulling through the gates with his caravan, Sansa was being helped with putting on a gown. She groaned, "This corset is going to be the death of me! Why must I wear it? I traveled with Tyrion for many months and wore breeches in front of him." Her handmaidens giggled and the oldest answered, "That may be the case, but here, you must wear one to show you are a proper Lady."

Sansa rolled her eyes and as her gown was tied in the back, she quickly put on her shoes. A knock was heard at the door and as one handmaiden braided Sansa's hair, the other answered; it was Bronn. The handmaidens left and Bronn smiled, "You look as pretty as you did when I first saw you." Sansa smiled and stood from her seat at the vanity, "I feel like a pin cushion. I've lost count of the pins holding this braid and this corset is so tight."

He laughed and took her hand, "I am to escort you to the steps to greet our little Lord. Sandor will be there to escort you to dinner." Bronn walked her outside to the steps and as she reached her side next to Sandor, Jaime and Tommen came out as well, standing only feet away from them.

Sandor looked over Sansa's head and to Jaime, who in return looked at him and bowed his head in respect before looking forward again. Sansa touched his arm and whispered, "Stop trying to intimidate him, Sandor." He looked down at her and growled back, "I'm making sure that fool doesn't try anything." Lancel Lannister came running out of the castle and down the steps, "Why did no one call me? I had made it clear that I wanted to be here to welcome the Imp!" Sansa watched as Jaime turned around and in a low voice spoke, "You shut the hell up or I swear to you I will feed you to the people of this city."

…...

Tyrion looked up and saw everyone on the steps awaiting him, but one person in particular caught his eye. He walked forward, allowing the nursemaid to exit the carriage with Victoria on her hip and when he reached the steps he looked at his brother, "Dear god, you are alive. I never doubted I, you know." Jaime walked down to his brother and smiled, "I missed you, little lion." He bent down and the two brothers hugged for a moment, before Tyrion spoke, "Who needs two hands? I only ever use one, myself."

…...

That night, they castle drank, danced and ate in honor of Jaime and Tyrion. Because Sansa was with child, she was not able to drink the wine, but Sandor gladly drank her portion. After several courses, Sandor had gotten up and went with Bronn over to Podrick and Tyrion to speak with them and soon after he left Sansa at the head table, Jaime sat down next to her. Sansa turned from Margaery and looked at Jaime,

"Ser Jaime, how are you fairing?"

Jaime smiled and leaned back in Sandor's seat, "Quite well. It is nice to be back. How are you feeling?" He motioned to her belly and Sansa placed a hand on the tiny bump that was there, "I am doing well. Maester Pycelle claims it will be a strong child; I claim it is too early to tell." Jaime nodded and looked at Sandor, "No doubt of it. Look who it's father is." Sansa giggled and whispered, "I am sorry about.." She motioned to his severed wrist and he smiled sadly, "It was only a hand; one less to hold a sword with, but my left is strong as well."

They were quiet for a moment until Jaime cleared his throat, "I wanted to apologize for what occurred when you were first here. Although I was not here for long, I could see the light left your eyes very soon after you were here." Sansa bowed her head, "It was not an experience I ever want to deal with again, but what can I do to change the past?"

Sandor looked up from talking with the others and saw Jaime take Sansa's hand in his one and she smiled at the gesture. Sandor excused himself from the group and as he walked to the table, Jaime kissed her hand and left her to her husband. He slammed down the goblet of wine he was holding, making Sansa jump and Margaery, who was speaking with another Lady, turn around in shock. She looked up at him and whispered,

"Sandor?"

He spoke loudly, "What in the hells were you doing talking to that pretty boy?" Sansa frowned and looked around her to see a few people watching them with profound interest. She shook her head, "I don't have an idea as to why you are angry with me for speaking with him." Sandor grabbed her arm and pulled her up from her seat and at the same time, quieting the room when her glass fell over and crashed onto the floor.

The King and Queen both watched them and as did Tyrion, Jaime and Bronn. Sansa turned red from embarrassment as he dragged her down the stairs and out of the room. As he pulled her down an abandoned hall, Sansa cried out, "You are hurting my arm! Let me go, Sandor!" He let her go abruptly and looked down at her, "I saw him kiss your hand! That fucking snake in the grass." Sansa shook her head, "How dare you! He was apologizing for what I had went through under his sons and sisters rule here. Jaime is kindhearted unlike his twin was!" Sandor swayed in his place and that made her angry, "You are absolutely drunk. How dare you treat me like some child you can scold. I am your wife and I carry your babe inside of me, do not forget that."

Sandor looked down at her and leaned forward, resting his forehead on her own before kissing her lips, "I am sorry, little bird. I will let you enjoy the feast and I will go outside." He left her then leaning against the wall, holding the arm he had dragged her out by. Could she go back in there and explain what had happened? Of course.

Sansa took a deep breath and composed herself before walking back through the doors. But it was not long before Margaery came running to her, "Are you alright? Jaime feels terrible for having caused such a scene." Sansa dismissed that and for the rest of the night, she spent her time with Tyrion and Bronn.

…...

Later that night, Sansa sat alone in her and Sandor's chambers, waiting for him to return. No doubt he felt horrible for the way he had treated her only hours before. Sansa slipped on her slippers and walked tot he balcony, yearning for the fresh air and wind to blow through her hair. A noise from down below startled her and upon looking down, she saw a large, dark cloaked figure walking towards to stables. Sansa frowned and upon better judgment, she decided to grab a lantern and place her robe on before descending down the stairs from her room.

Upon her arrival outside, the stables were lit up and a shadow was moving about the walls. She walked to the stables quickly and quietly, dimming her lantern and dropping it on the ground just outside the doors. Inside, Sansa saw a large man lifting a saddle onto a familiar horse, "Ulric?"

Her once captor and savior turned quickly around and saw Sansa in her nightgown and open robe watching him with confusion in her eyes. Only a few days ago, he was walking her in the gardens and speaking of the life he wanted to start in Kings landing. Ulric watched as she made her way to him, "You shouldn't be out here, little one." Sansa shook her head, "Neither should you. Why are you out here so late? You'll catch your death." He chuckled, "Don't worry about me." He turned back to the saddle and pulled on its buckles before stopping and without turning around he whispered, "I am leaving." Sansa grabbed his arm, "Leaving? But only days ago you said.."

"I know what I said. This place isn't for me, girl. I need to go home; back to the Twins." He felt Sansa's warm hand leave his arm, "Back to the Frey's." He turned then and sighed, "You know. I'm sure when I return they will try to kill me, but don't worry about me. I plan on grabbing the rest of my things and leaving quickly." He watched as her eyes became bright with tears, "You promised me yo would stay with me, to protect me. You promised to come to Winterfell. Sandor and I will treat you well and you will never have to worry about anything like that again! Please, do not leave, Ulric. You are my friend and I need you to stay." Ulric could hear no more and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close to him, "I will never be far away from you, Sansa." He placed his hand gently on her belly, "I will never be far from either you or your babe. Should you ever need me, write on a scroll and send it to the Neck Inn. Do you understand?" He felt her nod against his chest and he knew he had to left go of her now, or he wouldn't be able to leave her.

He pulled away and Sansa watched him mount his horse and bring it towards her. Ulric reached down and placed his hand on the side of her face, "I'll never forget you, Sansa. Tell Sandor thank you, for not killing me." He saw her smile and he gently rubbed her face before removing his hand and kicking his horse forward. As she cried and watched him ride away and through the gates of King's Landing, Sansa felt a arm snake around her waist, the hand rest on her hip. She looked up and saw Sandor watching in the direction Ulric was riding, "Don't worry, little bird. I think he'll be alright."

She was not sure how long he had been watching in the shadows; she did not care. But as Sansa wiped away the last of her tears, Sandor lifted her in his arms and carried her back inside the castle, where she would be safe and out of the cold.

She had lost her friend that night and although many would call her crazy for calling a man like that her friend, she felt as though she would see him one day soon.

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hey, its better than killing him off. I liked Ulric and I'm sure we'll see him again!