Megena and Sandor woke in each others arms the next day, just as the sun was beginning to rise. "Sleep well, did you?" he asked, watching Megena open her eyes.
"Fine. I slept fine." she answered.
"Good." he said, "you should take a bath before we return home."
Megena frowned, "I took one last night." she said, sitting up in the bed.
Sandor laughed quietly, "Trust me girl, you need another." he said, "you smell of sweat and-"
"Oh gods, stop. Fine, I'll take another bath." Megena said, as her face began to redden.
"Listen, I didn't mean to-" he began,
"Shut it, I'm fine, alright?" she said. "How are you on this fine morning?"
"Couldn't be better." he said, "I should...thank you, I suppose."
Megena raised her eyebrows, "For what?"
"For allowing me to...I never thought..."
Megena sighed loudly, "Don't. I do not want to speak of it."
As he watched Megena swing her legs out of the bed, and place her feet on the floor, realization swept over him. "You heard what I said last night, didn't you."
Megena nodded. "I did."
Sandor put his shirt over his head and said, "Listen, I meant nothing by it. It was just talk."
"I understand." she said. "I shall bathe when we return home. I wish to leave this place."
"You're not mad, are you?" he asked, pulling up his breeches.
Megena shrugged her tiny shoulders, "Why would I be? You are nothing to me. Just my future brother-in-law." she said, placing her gown over her head. As she began to place the rest of her things in her leather travel-bag, Sandor stood at her side and said,
"You're a liar. You begged me to take you last night, like some common slut."
Megena turned around and stared up at him, "I suppose so." she said. "I would rather someone I was familiar with claim my virginity, and not a murderous brute. Now, please, finish dressing so we can go home."
"You are an infuriating woman." he said, as he put his boots on. "Get your things together and get downstairs, I'll go fetch the horses."
Megena said nothing as she began to tie back her hair. She then gathered her things into her bag, and walked slowly down the stairs.
As she sat down at her favorite, secluded table the innkeeper walked over to her and offered her some food and drink. "I hear you and the big man are leaving us today." he said, setting a plate of biscuits before her.
"We are. I thank you for your kindness, ser." she said, smiling up at him.
"Anytime, pretty woman, anytime. Hope to see you again." the man said, returning to the long counter.
"Boy!" Sandor bellowed, as he entered the stables.
"Coming!" the boy answered. Moments later, he stood before the large man, his eyes looking around him in hopes of catching a glimpse of Megena. "Where is sh-"
"Don't worry about her, boy." Sandor said. "Just get our horses."
"You're leaving?" Robert asked.
"Yes, we're going home."
"Can I please say goodbye to her, Ser?" Robert asked.
"No. Just get our fucking horses, already."
"Please, I just want to see-"
"She's mine you fucking shit, you'll never see her again. Never. Now go and get our horses!" Sandor shouted, pushing the boy.
"I'm going!" Robert shouted, running towards where the horses of Sandor and Megena were kept.
Minutes later, after they had been properly saddled, brought them to Sandor. "Just tell her I said goodbye."
"Not telling her shit." Sandor said, as he took the reins of the horses.
When he arrived back at the inn, he saw Megena waiting for him outside. For a few moments he stopped and looked on her. He could not believe that this beautiful thing had given herself to him willingly, and was now greeting him with a smile. "Thought I told you to wait inside." he said.
Megena rolled her eyes, and walked towards her mare. "Stop being an arse, Sandor Clegane." she said, mounting her horse and riding off towards the Keep.
"Damn girl." Sandor cursed, riding after her.
Duilya sat in the window, looking out over the field for any sign of Sandor and Megena. At last, she saw them leading their horses by the reins, their other hand linked with each others. 'Ah, so it has happened.' she thought, as she waved happily at them.
"I'll take the horses, you go inside and get warm." Sandor said to Megena, releasing her hand.
Megena smiled up at him, "Fine, I shall see you at the table." she said.
Sandor watched Megena's tiny form run to the open arms of Duilya, before he walked to the stables.
"Hello there, you pretty thing!" Duilya said, hugging her close.
"Duilya." Megena said.
Duilya and Megena walked towards the house, "How was your trip?" Duilya asked as the entered the warm house.
"It was nice to get away. I have not been to that town in many years." Megena answered, as she sat herself by the fire in the dining room.
"Was he kind to you?" Duilya asked.
"Very." Megena smiled, "he is not as bad as people think he is, truly."
"He really is a gentle soul. He always was, even as a boy." Duilya said, setting a hot cup of tea before Megena.
Megena sipped at her tea, "Tell me, what was he like as a boy?" she asked.
"Oh he was a sweet little thing. Always playing in the fields, picking flowers for his mother, sister, and me. Such a loving boy." Duilya said.
"Loving?"
"Oh yes. After my son passed, little Sandor would come to my kitchen in his little nightshirt and talk with me. Always knew how to put a smile on my face, that boy." Duilya smiled.
Sandor groaned in the doorway, "Duilya...don't tell her all that." he said, sitting beside Megena at the table.
"Fine, you may tell me about that nightshirt." Megena laughed.
Sandor's face reddened slightly, as he took the tiny hand of Megena in his. "Shut it." he said.
"It was a sweet time, little pup." Duilya said.
"Aye it was." Sandor said, as thoughts of his sister passed through his mind. "What were you like as a girl?"
"I was a typical girl. I stayed in the company of my mother. She taught me everything I know. Reading, writing, sewing, dancing. I was quite happy then." she said.
"Are you happy now?" Sandor asked.
Megena looked to him and smiled, "I think I am."
Duilya looked from Sandor to Megena, seeing that way that they were looking at each other. "What has happened?" Duilya asked.
"Nothing. You were right, is all." Sandor said.
Duilya looked to Megena, "Little love, go upstairs. I've had the handmaid prepare a bath for you."
Megena smiled, she knew that she did need a bath after a day of horse-riding. "Thank you." she said, rising from her seat.
"I'll be up in a little while." Sandor said rising, taking her gently into his arms.
"Brush my hair?" she asked.
"Fine." he laughed.
Megena smiled at him as she was released, and as she walked out of the room Duilya took Sandor by the arm and said, "What did you do!?"
"Nothing." Sandor said, sinking back down into his chair.
"You will not lie to me."
"Fine. We...I...she and I, we did lay together last night." he said, "after I disposed of the body of her father."
Duilya's eyes widened, "He deserved to die. I am glad he is gone." Duilya said. "Do you love the girl?"
"Don't know." Sandor said, taking a sip of his ale. "Might."
"Poor little pup, what are you going to do?" Duilya asked.
"Pray that my brother is dead." he said.
"Go on, go upstairs and be with her." Duilya said, tucking a strand of his dark hair behind his ear.
Sandor rose from his seat, "Thanks. Goodnight, Duilya." He walked to the door, but before stepping over the threshold said, "I do love her, you know."
Duilya smiled, "I know."
Sandor ran up the stairs, to the room of Megena. He stood outside of her door knocked. "You may come in." she said.
As he entered the room, he saw Megena bare, sitting in the window, "You alright?" he asked.
"I'm alright. Just wish I was somewhere else, is all." she said.
"I understand." he said, standing beside her. "We'll make the best of it. Come, you need to get in the bath."
"I don't want to." she said, as Sandor took her by the hand.
"I won't have you sleeping in my bed, smelling as you do." he laughed, "bath, now."
Megena sighed, and stepped into the bath. "I am sleeping in your bed tonight?"
"I'd like it if you did." he said.
That night in the comfort of his own bed, Sandor was able to express his true feelings for Megena with his own body. He loved her with great care, and gentleness. He longed to say the words to her, but he knew that it was not the time, or place for it.
Unable to sleep, Megena rose from the bed and placed her pink sleeping over her head. "Where are you going?" Sandor asked.
"I cannot sleep. I wish to go downstairs and do some sewing. You rest." she said, kissing his cheek.
"Right." he mumbled, as he quickly fell back asleep.
The mountainous form of Ser Gregor Clegane had ridden seven days wounded, in want of a soft bed and treatment for the wound on his side. Rumor had reached him of the arrival of his soon to be wife, when he stopped in a town to the East of his Keep. Gregor wanted to get home as fast as he could. Though wounded, he felt that luck had been with him. Not a single migraine had plagued him that week. At last, he spotted the familiar shape of his Keep. "Move, you useless animal." he said to his mount, a large creature, the only one able to bear his masters' massive frame. When he reached the stables, his dismounted his horse and handed off the reins to the stablelad. "Make sure he's properly washed and fed." he commanded.
"Yes, Ser." the boy replied.
With an unnatural amount of care, he entered his home. He walked slowly into the dining room in hopes of finding food and drink. What he did find, was his bride. He stood silent and hidden in the darkness, and watched the girl sew by the fire. As he continued to stare at her, he found himself being taken aback by her beauty. A thing that would most usually frustrate him to the point of committing rape and murder. But, as he looked on her, he did not wish to take her by force, nor did he want to kill her. This tiny, pretty thing was no simple object to him, and for a moment he wished that he was not the monster he had become. Monsters like him destroyed all that was beautiful, they never cherished beauty. 'Pretty maids don't want monsters.' he thought, as he watched the flames dance across her pale skin.
"Who are you?" his deep voice boomed.
Megena, startled rose from her seat. To meet the eyes of Gregor, she had to raise her head back as far as her neck would allow. She then dropped into a low curtsy, "I am Megena, Ser." she answered.
"The farmer's daughter. He's dead, you know. Some bastard flayed his face." he laughed.
Megena's fear mingled with curiosity as she took in the might of his giant frame, and she remained silent. "Get up girl, let me look at you." he commanded.
Megena slowly stepped into the lantern light, and stood before Gregor. As his coal colored eyes critically stared at he face and figure, he blurted, "Pretty thing." he said, "How old are you?"
"Sixteen, Ser." she answered.
"Been here long, have you?" he asked, as he sat in a large chair, the only one able to bear his weight.
"No. A week."
"You know why you're here, right?" he asked, taking off his boots.
"My father sold me along with his land." she said.
"I would have paid him more, if I had known how pretty you are." he said. "you are to be my wife."
Megena bowed, "As you wish, Ser." she said.
"Get me soe food and drink, would you?" he asked.
"Yes, Ser." she said.
Megena walked slowly into the larder, where Duilya stood waiting for her. "Love, you are as pale as snow."
"He's here. Gregor. He's...I cannot...he's a giant." Megena brokenly said.
Duilya took her hand and said, "It'll be alright."
With the help of the older woman, Megena set food and drink before her betrothed. "Sit." he said.
Megena did as she was told, and sat before him.
"You any good with tending to knife wounds?" he asked.
Megena nodded, "Yes."
"Good. When I'm done eating, you'll follow me to my chambers and tend to the wound on my side." he said.
"Yes, Ser."
His lowered his eyes, so that they could better see hers. 'Blue. Like the sky.' he thought. "You don't talk much, do you?"
"No, Ser." she answered.
"That's fine. Know where my room is?" Megena shook her head, as he fetched a key from his belt. "It's at the end of the long hall. Prepare what you need in there for the wound. I'll be up in a bit."
"Yes Ser." Megena said, rising from her seat.
As she walked from the room, Gregors eyes followed her. 'This one, this one shall live.' he thought.
A/N:
Gregor! Ahhhhhhh! I would love to know what you all thought of his reaction to seeing her for the first time. What do you make of it? Let me know! As always, thanks for reading! -M
