Chapter Nine

Everything was warm and silky soft and Sansa wished she never had to get up. The sun was already shining through the window, disturbing her sleep because of a crack in the heavy fabrics covering the opening. She grumbled and reached out to tug the fabrics closed. "What the hell is that?" Sandor rasped behind her, irritated. He buried his face into her hair and spread his hands across her bare belly. Sansa sighed in content and snuggled deeper into the softest pillows she had ever slept with.

"The curtains must have been disturbed last night," she mumbled, answering his question. "I'm sure we will have to get up soon. Willas wanted to break our fast together today."

"Fuck that. He can wait as long as we want." She giggled and cracked open her eyes so she could peek over at him.

"I told you last night we needed to go this morning. Maester Lomys is going to check how I'm carrying this morning and I need to let him know when that will be best. You did still want to be there as well… right? I know you were a bit distracted last night after the evening meal…"

"I remember," he grumbled, pressing his lips to her neck and tracing his fingers from her belly and up her ribs. His thumb brushed the underside of her breast, nearly making her arch into his touch. She could feel his hardness pressing against her and, for a brief moment, she played with the idea of letting the morning slide away. He had already taken her three times in the room; at the washtub last night after he'd bathed, when they'd settled into the bed for the night, and then sometime this morning before the sun had begun to rise. And, while she certainly would enjoy another round…

She wiggled away from his touch and told him, laughter in her tone, "Not right now. We need to get up." Sansa giggled at the displeased expression on his face and stood up. His eyes roamed over her nakedness, dark with want. She was unexpectedly pleased with his attention. Some days, she worried whether he truly found her attractive, rather than just the pretty she had always been complimented for. She was years younger than him and perhaps he had certain tastes that she didn't meet…

A knock to the door interrupted her thoughts. Frowning, Sansa turned around to find her shift. Behind her, the bed creaked and Sandor ambled up beside her. He had already found his breeches from the night before and he had her shift in one hand and his sword in the other. The shift was passed off and then the ex-Knight was walking towards the door. Quickly, she managed the fabric over her head and padded over to the chamber door. Sandor had opened the door with a heavy scowl, but his sword was lowered, so Sansa assumed it was safe.

A little girl scurried in, her arms laden with fabrics. She couldn't be more than nine or ten, with wide hazel eyes and dark locks of hair piled up on her head in a sort of bun. She looked a bit terrified, likely from Sandor's brash attitude, and nearly froze when she saw Sansa standing there. "O-oh, milady," she squeaked out, dropping into an informal sort of curtsey. "L-lord Willas asked to bring these up for you. He was afraid neither of you had any clean breeches or tunics a-and to let you know food would be served soon."

Sansa smiled kindly and asked, "What is your name?"

"K-Kyme F-f-Flowers," she stammered, her hazel eyes widening impossibly more. A bastard then, Sansa thought, crouching down so she could speak with her on an equaled ground.

"Thank you for bringing these up Kyme. I'm sure Sandor should be able to help me dress. Still, I don't believe either of us know our way around here. Would it be too much trouble to ask if you would be willing to escort us to the dining hall?"

"O-of course I can, milady. I will wait outside." She couldn't even look at Sandor as she handed off the fabrics, curtseyed and scurried out of the bedchamber.

Once Kyme was gone, Sansa shot Sandor a look of exasperation. "There's no reason to be so harsh here. I want to try to make a good impression in High Garden."

"As if I'd known the damn Lord would send a little girl here," he muttered, unlacing the breeches that he had yanked on hastily. "What do you got in the pile there?" Sansa found a plain dark tunic stitched with dark thread and darker breeches for Sandor, looking a bit on the large side. Underneath those, there was also a beautiful silk gown. The gown was made of beautiful browns and dark teals, very similar to one Margaery had worn in King's Landing, but, unlike the other gowns she'd worn there, this one was loose around her waist and gave her room around her rounding belly. It was a little big on her, but she certainly wouldn't complain.

It was easy to slip the gown over her head, but lacing it up properly proved to be another challenge. Sansa stopped and turned to Sandor, watching the ex-knight as he finished tying up his breeches. She cleared her throat and asked, "Is there any way you can help me with my laces?"

"Give me a minute, girl," he said, not looking at her yet. He slipped the tunic over his head, cursing. "The fuck does that damn Lord think? The damn tunic is twice my fucking size."

Sansa took one look at him and started giggling. "It swallows you whole." Because the tunic did, the dark fabric hanging off of him so much she could hardly make out his figure. Paired with that and the unamused expression on his face, Sansa only laughed harder.

Everything felt so light, so perfect. She was away from King's Landing. There was no terror to wake up in the morning to. No Joffrey to order the worst punishments upon her. High Garden was the first taste of freedom she had had in over a year. Now, Sandor and she were in a better place, they were expecting her first child and she started her first steps towards Winterfell.

She was glorious.

Nothing could take away that feeling, even as Sandor groused about her teasing and attempted to lace up the top of her gown. Sansa couldn't fight the grin off of her face nor could she quit giggling about the tunic hanging off of Sandor's frame, despite his threats to carry her off to their bed and keep her there for a week. Paired with their bantering and Sansa basking in the freedom of her gown (nothing to restrict her breathing!), the Clegane family was running a bit late. It was doubtful Willas Tyrell would care too much at least.

Kyme was standing beside the chamber door, waiting for Sansa and Sandor to emerge. She still looked a bit terrified as she stood there and stammered out polite words Sansa was sure someone drilled into her head. As the group started down the stairs, Sansa managed to coax the gentle girl out of her shell with a few sweet words and giving Kyme all of her attention. She was the sweetest girl Sansa had ever met. She talked rapidly and with much vigor and stared at both her and Sandor with the widest eyes, as if they were out of some story. Despite their initial greeting, Kyme didn't seem the least bothered by the ex-Knight, even as he said little to her. He watched the interaction between the two girls and, for the first time, Sansa noticed the warm look in his eyes that made her smile.

The halls to the Keep were surprisingly quiet. She had thought the halls would be filled to the brim of people, chattering and gossiping and staring at an ex-Knight and a fugitive that seemed to show up overnight. It almost made her tenser to be this alone. Who would know if someone was lurking in the shadows, following hers or Sandor's every move? What if they decided they wanted to take care of the pesky problem she had become? What about the Lannister? Would they decide to pay enough coin for her head that someone would turn against House Tyrell and try to take her away?

"You'll be dining just down this way," Kyme said, interrupting Sansa's thoughts. "Lord Willas thought it be best to sup alone with him and Maester Lomys. This'll be one of Lord Willas' personal chambers." She stopped outside of a massive, decorated door. Someone had chosen to paint a beautiful, gold rose on the wood door, surrounded by fields of greenery and trees.

Kyme knocked on that door twice and stepped back. The door was opened almost immediately and, on the other side, stood an old man. He was hunched over a wood staff, in a set of deep green robes. The Maester's collar hung down just past his collarbone. Far longer than Maester Luwin's had been, Sansa thought, feeling a twinge of sadness.

Remembering her manners, Sansa curtsied as best as she could and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Maester Lomys."

He smiled, his face losing much of its age despite his heavy wrinkles, and told her, "The pleasure is all mine, Sansa Clegane. And you as well, Sandor Clegane."

To Sansa's surprise, Sandor said, "Thank you." His tone was nothing, but polite.

"Kyme, go find something to eat for the time being," Maester Lomys told the young child. She nodded, suddenly quiet again, and hurried out of the room. Sansa watched her go, and then turned her attention back towards the Maester. Willas must have stood up and walked over to the entry, for he was there now. When he saw Sandor, his mouth twisted into a grin.

"I apologize, Clegane. I didn't believe I'd have any tunics lying around that would fit your frame, so I'd hoped one a few sizes larger would fit you. Clearly, I'd overestimated."

Sansa saw his mouth twitch, but instead of scowling like she imagined, Sandor stated, "I've seen worse. I'll assume someone'll be around later to take measurements to make some new tunics, a jerkin, and for the Little Bird's new gowns as well."

"Of course I shall. Would tomorrow be acceptable? I just need time to let the seamstress know…"

"That should be fine," he conceded. Sansa watched the exchange, smiling. She couldn't be more pleased with the way Sandor was speaking.

Maester Lomys beckoned them into the room at that moment, where a small feast had been laid out. Sandor took her arm gently and led her forward. To her surprise, he pulled out her seat so she could settle in and then he was sitting beside her. Maester Lomys took a seat opposite of Sansa. Willas sat beside him directly from Sandor.

Willas made polite conversation with them both while food was being passed around and drinks poured. He asked about the food at King's Landing, what she had done to pass the time, how Sandor enjoyed being part of the King's Guard, and any other interesting happenings they might have to share about King's Landing. That felt strange to make conversation about and sometimes Sansa wasn't sure what to say. When questions directed to any abuse she might have endured, she froze up completely.

Sandor scowled heavily and snapped quite rudely, "Don't see how that's any of your business there. She's been through enough without having to worry about damn strangers prying into her past."

Sansa hunched down in her seat, focusing on the food in front of her, as Maester Lomys quickly stepped in. "He meant nothing by it, Clegane. There's been little to no news from King's Landing of what all happened since Lord Eddard's tragic death. We've only heard about Lady Sansa's marriage and what Lady Olenna has been able to supply since the Tyrell family arrived at King's Landing."

"And that's all you need to know," Sandor said, looking ready to argue even more.

Sansa finally stepped in, saying, "There's more than you could ever know. What needs to be said is the fact I willingly married Sandor Clegane, let him bed me freely, and then took Lady Olenna's help to escape an abusive prison, to protect my husband and my child both. Nothing else matters aside from that. What matters most is the future; I have a child I need to plan for, a sibling who is missing, and a home that I want to take back."

Willas smiled at her and said, "That is the main focus of this meal. I should not have gotten off track. First, let us discuss Maester Lomys taking a look over and seeing how you carry."

"When will the best time work for you, Maester?" Sansa asked, turning her attention to the aged man.

"I have someone who needs to be seen directly after this, but I could come to your chambers as soon as I am done? If that works for you, my lady," he said, smiling. His smile seemed to take the years off his face, despite his heavy wrinkles.

"That should be perfect," she agreed, grinning back. "Sandor wanted to be there, to see how everything looks…"

"If you wouldn't mind," Willas interrupted, "I'd like to take Sandor with me to our master-at-arms, in hopes that he would be able to help train some of our younger lads. After Maester Lomys is done with him, of course."

Sansa looked to Sandor, who had been busy eating his breakfast. At Willas' words, he paused, eventually, agreeing, "I can see to that."

"Excellent! Now, regarding Robb Stark…" Willas said, folding his hands in front of him. "We have no clue where he could be at. He and his direwolf were seen fleeing into the Riverland forests, but so far there has been no word of his capture or current whereabouts. There are a few options we have; I can send out a raven, see if perhaps word can reach him. It's unreliable, but a possibility all the same. Another options is I could send out scouts to the forests, it shouldn't take more than a few days for them to travel by horseback, and have a rotation every couple days to send my men home to rest. If that is best-"

"I think scouts would be best," Sansa interrupted her brow furrowing. "As a possibility, I could go with them, see if-"

Sandor growled, "Don't you fucking dare. I won't let you out there to be put in danger. You're likely wanted by the Lannisters, even after Joffrey's death."

Sansa started to protest, but Willas cut in, "Clegane is right. Word has already spread about your disappearance, as well as a rumor you were the one to kill Joffrey Lannister. We will keep you safe here, but out there in the forest, I can't guarantee anything."

"I don't believe it will be safe for the child to ride as hard as they would," Maester Lomys added.

"He can't just be surrounded by strangers," she argued. "If you find him, he won't trust-"

"I'll go with them," Sandor rasped, startling Sansa. She turned and looked at him. "He knows we are married, Little Bird. He'll at least trust that. And, if you have a letter to offer…"

Slowly, Sansa nodded in defeat, slumping back in her seat, her brows furrowing together and her hand gently rubbing against her rounded stomach. "Without word of Robb, I don't think we can worry about Winterfell for now. One of these days, I would like to sit down and discuss the news that has traveled from Winterfell. I want to know what happened with Theon and my brothers and any other rumor that has spread from the North. Nothing today, but soon." Absently, she reached out and touched Sandor's hand. Thinking of her home, of her lost family, made Sansa's eyes sting and a pool of dread settle in her stomach.

"Anything you need, Lady Sansa, we will provide," Maester Lomys told her. "And that reminds me…" The Maester pushed away from the table and stood up. "Lady Olenna had told me you paid a heavy price, carrying in the hairnet and helping assist with Joffrey's… end. She had offered passage with our ship and a safe haven from the Lannisters, but she thought you deserved more. So as a token of our gratitude…"

He found whatever he was looking for on a small table near the door and slowly made his way over to the Clegane Lady. A dark leather satchel was set beside her nearly empty plate, jingling quietly. She opened the satchel slowly, her eyes widening at the sight. Hundreds of gold dragons stared up at her, catching light from one of the open windows. "This is… I can't accept this," she stammered, looking up.

"Would more be suffice?" Willas asked, a smile forming on his face.

"No, none at all-"

"Please, my lady, accept this token. You have done much for our family, it's the least we can do."

"But I can't…"

"You will," Maester Lomys told her firmly. "Use it for your child, to rebuild your home, find safe passage for your family, whatever you need. This is yours now."

She looked to Sandor helplessly, but the ex-Knight shrugged and told the men, "She will find good use for the coin, I am sure. Thank you."

Shoulders slumping, Sansa said her thanks and closed the satchel once more. They finished eating their meal in silence, where after, Maester Lomys departed for the time being. Sansa agreed on a time for him to come and see her. Willas set up a meeting place, to go to the master-at-arms, and then asked Sansa if she would like to accompany him around the Keep for a brief tour while Sandor was busy.

After all plans were set and established, Sansa asked pardon from the table. Sandor followed her example, his face impassive, until they were out in the hall and far enough away. Then he cursed and groused out, "Never liked being the center of attention in King's Landing. Too much work and not enough drinking."

Sansa stared at the satchel in her hand and agreed, "I don't believe I enjoy it any more than you do." It was definitely something I'll need to get used to, she thought with a sigh.

~A/N~

Well, here's a late night update (at least where I'm at). Usually, I try to update on the weekend but my great grandma was celebrating her 90th birthday! So between celebrating and catching up with old family members I couldn't really get to a computer. I did one last read over for the chapter today and thought it was pretty good! Hopefully you all enjoyed. I'm working between chapters 11 and 12 right now so I should have another update this week (yes, Chapter 10 is complete! Just needs its final touches to it!). Thank you all for your continuing support.

For those reading my Hound and his Little Bird story, I promise I will update it eventually, it's just this story has taken over like a rabid plot bunny!

R&R

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