Yep. I'm aware it's been a year and a half since i updated. Explanation/apology at the bottom, but for now, if there is anyone still following, here is the next chapter.


He had to get away from this fucking girl. This was getting out of hand and he knew it. First he had been annoyed as hell at her and her loud mouth and the next he had been egging her on and taking them both to an edge where, once crossed over, things would never be the same again. Then again, perhaps they had come too far already.

He never should have fucking touched her. Once he had gotten a taste of her, she was suddenly on his mind more than he would ever admit. She had always driven him mad, but now it seemed to be in more ways than one. He did not know whether they could make it to Dorne before he did something they both would regret.

Yet here he was, with the very object of his fantasy and simultaneous pain in the side flush against him, her head nestled into his shoulder, snoozing peacefully. He couldn't get a fucking break. It was getting even colder - no doubt the bitch would want to snuggle up next to him "for warmth" that night. It was enough to drive a man over the edge... and that was what he was afraid of.

There really was nothing he could do about it now. It was a little late to start backpedaling. He knew he would not rest until he was either inside her or far away enough where he could forget the feeling of her body pressed into his or her soft lips. How soon could he get to the point where he dropped her off and left her? Could he even trust himself to walk away?

How the fuck had he let himself get this involved? It confused him and it also alarmed him. He had never been the type to grow attached. Having his brother shove his face in a fire had kind of fucked up that opportunity for him at a young age. Still, he found himself wondering how he could go back to the life he had before. It would seem a lot more empty. Perhaps his life had always been empty, but now that he had something fulfilling, he was finally coming to terms with this.

The girl was now asleep, leaning against him and snoring softly. Why was she sleeping so much? He figured it was from boredom and just let the brief flash of concern that crossed through his mind disappear. He really had enough to fucking worrying about without including the wolf bitch's sleep patterns.

It really was starting to snow even more heavily. He found himself brushing off the various flakes with great annoyance as they fell thickly. Finally, it was getting so bad that he could barely see in front of them. Fuck. He really did not want to camp out in the fucking snow, but what other options did they have?

He gave Arya a rough shake. "Wake up, wolf girl. We're making camp."

She jolted awake and turned to give him a glare. "Here?" she looked around at the snow in surprise.

"Yes, fucking here. I can't see a damn thing and this weather could get even worse. This place can be find until the storm lets up." He was in no mood for her bantering. He did not even want to interact with her at all.

He climbed off the horse and pulled her off as well, setting her down quickly before turning away to begin pulling things out of the saddlebag. "Clear an area and try to get a dry spot to build a fire," he ordered.

He heard her let out an annoyed sigh, but luckily she complied. Good. He really just wanted to set up camp and close his eyes. Perhaps escape her in his dreams at least.

The Hound busied himself with clearing more snow away and setting down the bed rolls. It was going to be a cold night and he knew that it was going to be even more difficult for Arya to keep warm. She was all skin and bones.

He grabbed some dried meat and bread and set some down by her bed roll, settling down as the fire was finally crackling. It was not unbearable, but the snow just kept falling. God damn winter.

Arya settled down on the bed roll, taking the jerky and bread and nibbling on it. She took a few bites, and then set it back down. "I'm not really that hungry," she confessed, laying back on the pallet and pulling the blanket on herself, still shivering.

"What do you fucking mean you're not hungry? You haven't eaten a thing all day. I know you just sit your arse on the horse, but you should eat something," the Hound said, annoyed.

"I'm not fucking hungry. Sorry to fucking disappoint. Now I'm going to try to get some fucking sleep," she snarled, settling back and trembling with the blanket pulled over her.

"You've been sleeping all fucking day," he muttered, but he did not press the issue further. He wolfed down the rest of his bread and settled back on his roll. He did not want to touch her or even be near her. He just needed some space to really figure everything out. However, she was shivering so much, he could hear her teeth chattering.

He moved over closer to her and pulled her against his chest, covering them with her blanket, then his. He wrapped his arms around her and he could feel how cold she was. Perhaps colder than usual? She just felt extra small in his arms and he felt himself slightly concerned. What more could he possibly do?

Her shivering decreased slightly as she pressed herself into him even closer. She was already half asleep and did not even bother reciting her bloody list. Perhaps once the snow let up, they could pick up more supplies in the next village. At this rate, they would not be able to beat the winter before it came upon them in full force. This was just the beginning.

He held the shivering girl close and he slowly let himself relax and fall asleep. He would need his energy to get them to a warmer place tomorrow so he needed all the rest he could get.


Arya could not remember a time when she had been this cold in her entire life. She couldn't eat nor did she want to. She just felt... exhausted. She had planned on trying to communicate more with the Hound about their encounter earlier, but by the time they had set up camp, she had wanted nothing more than to sleep.

The Hound had held her and kept her at least a little warmer, but she said nothing. She was just too tired. She figured she just needed a good night's rest before they carried on.

She awoke with a start, but was unsure what the sound was that startled her. She pulled herself up, disentangling herself from the Hound's grasp and she looked around. Nobody?

"What was that?" she whispered wearily, falling back down on the bed roll.

The Hound, who had woken up as well, just gave her a puzzled look. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Arya narrowed her eyes, "There was someone here." She could feel herself getting sleepy already and she let her eyes flutter closed.

She felt the Hound place a hand on her head and he cussed loudly. "Fuck, you're burning up."

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm fine. Just let me sleep, Hound."

"You need to get some food in you and we should find a maester. This weather could kill you."

Arya just pursed her lips and was already drifting into sleep before she could formulate a response.


It was all making sense now. The lack of appetite, the need for sleep... There was something seriously wrong and the Hound really was unsure what he could or should do. He knew that his own mother had died from some type of fever, but perhaps there was something else that could be done. They needed to get to a village with a maester and fast.

He let her sleep on the bed rolls as he packed up the rest of camp. He was alarmed at how delirious she had been when they had discussed and he felt guilty about stopping to make camp. It had seemed like the right decision to make at the time, but now, he was kicking himself mentally. If something happened to her…

He shook his head violently, forcing that thought out of his head. There was no use being a bloody cunt and worrying about things he could no longer change. He needed to focus on getting her to a village and getting treatment. What little he knew about fevers, he knew that the sooner they were treated, the better.

After packing up the camp as best he could, he finally had to rouse the girl. She was fast asleep on the bedrolls. He knelt down and gently ran his knuckles across her cheek. "Wolf girl…" he growled gently.

She stirred, just barely. Only after a second touch did she open her eyes barely. "Sandor…" she whispered.

"Aye. It's me, girl." He felt a flush of relief rush through him. "We are gonna go get you to a maester. I'm going to have to lift you up, but you can rest on me. Hang in there. I will keep you safe."

No response.

He grimaced his teeth and he grabbed her tenderly, half-assedly wrapping up the bed roll and shoving it into the saddle bag. Carefully, he hoisted himself up and positioned the girl in front of him such that she could lean against him and rest. She whimpered slightly, but otherwise, remained silent as she allowed him to settle her against him.

Fuck. She seemed so feeble and weak. He gritted his teeth and urged Stranger forward. "I've got you," he whispered as they took off.


Cold. Arya knew she was cold, but not much else. She knew she was moving, but other than that, her mind felt foggy. What on earth was happening to her?

She shifted and felt a strong hand wrapped around her waist, holding her in place.

"Easy, wolf girl. Just rest. We are coming up to a town soon. I'm sure of it. Hang in there."

Did she detect concern in the Hound's voice? Could he actually be worried about her wellbeing? It seemed so odd, but it was comforting. The warm feeling lasted seconds before another round of chills quaked through her body. Fuck. This was bad.

The arm holding her tightened slightly and the fingers lightly, gently caressed her. "A bit further, my little wolf."

Arya wanted to respond, say something, anything. She just couldn't find the energy. She just whimpered softly and let herself fall into another state of fitful dreams.


It was a few hours before the twinkling lights of a nearby village appeared on the horizon. It was the most wonderful moment he could possibly imagine. Finally! He could not lie to himself anymore – he was terrified. The fever that had taken hold of her was moving alarmingly quick. The girl barely registered his touch or his voice. Still, it was comforting for him to at least try to talk to her and assure her (and moreso, himself) that everything would be okay.

Arriving into the village, a quaint town near the harbor that would take them to Dorne, the Hound urged Stranger forward, glancing every which way until he saw the symbol for a maester's hut. Parking the horse, he pulled himself off the beast, cradling Arya in his arms. Hastily, he pushed open the door and moved up to the nearest cot, setting the girl down gently.

"Can I help you, sir?"

The Hound lifted his eyes to an elderly man, robed in maester's garb, who was making k his way toward the pair of them. "Yes. The girl… she is sick. Fever, weak…"

The old man raised his eyebrows and moved to rest his hand on the girl's head. "How long has she been like this?"

"Sometime last night… it must have taken hold. She was cold… can't get warm" He felt awful as he relived how helpless he felt. Gods, let there be a way to help her!

Pursing his lips, the man hurried to his counter and began to pull out various herbs and bottles. "I have these to help ease the fever, but unfortunately it will take time and it will take rest. She should live though."

Thank the Gods. The Hound closed his eyes briefly and then opened them. "Thank you. How long should she remain in your care?"

Not bothering to look up as he smashed the herbs and huddled over the girl, pouring various medications in her mouth. "She needs a few days. I daresay she would fare better in the care of her sister and brothers though."

The Hound felt his body tense and his hand flew to his sword. "Aye? What are you getting on about?"

The man finally looked up to meet the Hound's eyes. "I recognize the Stark girl. I was training at Winterfell when she was just a babe. We have heard tell of her traveling with the Clegane exile from King's Landing. It wasn't hard to put two and two together. Now take your hand off your sword, Sir. I'm not a threat."

Ignoring the maester's reassurance, the Hound moved forward, feeling rage bubble inside him. "Why the fuck would I trust you?"

"For one thing, Sir Clegane, I'm in the midst of helping to save this girl. I could be poisoning her for all you know." The man looked slightly fearful at the murderous look on the Hound's face so he hurriedly added, "Sansa, Jon, Brandon Stark… they are alive. In Dorne. Rebuilding an army to take back the lands now run by the Lannisters and the Boltons."

The Hound was speechless. They had heard rumors, but this confirmation struck him deep. He knew the wolf bitch would be thrilled to finally have a place to go. She truly could be rid of him once and for all. The thought made him feel almost sick to his stomach. Still… she belonged with her family.

"We have been looking for her family…" he began, eyeing the sleeping girl who seemed to at least be in a deeper rest than before. "It's best we get her to Dorne as soon as she is well."

Clucking his tongue, the maester threw a blanket over the sleeping girl and he turned stare at the Hound. "She needs to go sooner. The warmer climate we can get her to, plus their medicinal storages are much more robust. I know of a ship leaving tomorrow. It could take her there and she could be with her family and in better care within a few short days. It would do her good."

The Hound frowned. So soon he would be shipping her off? "Aye. If you believe that is best, I will have to consider it. When can I talk to her?"

The Maester took one last glance at Arya. "I would say she will be coherent by sunrise. However, you best be prepared to leave. Make arrangements to be on that ship. I'll be sending a raven to the Starks tonight so that they may prepare."

Gritting his teeth, the Hound thanked the maester who left to attend other patients and settled back on a chairr, watching the girl sleep. Would their long journey be coming to such an abrupt end so soon? It could be what is best for her… but the uncertainty of carrying on alone made him uneasy.

"Get a grip, you dog," he snarled to himself. He was too damn soft and this was precisely why it was dangerous to give a fuck about anyone but himself. He allowed himself another minute to sit and watch her, but then pulled himself up. If they truly were going to Dorne the next day, he would have some arrangements to make.


I am so sorry. I was on a roll with this story and loving it. Time for excuses:

I had started this chapter, but I was experiencing a little writer's block. I got kind of caught up in finals and winter break and kept putting off updating. Then 2017 happened and it was quite possibly the worst year ever. I had some major spinal issues occur within a few days of the new year starting so I spent probably the first half of 2017 on pain meds in a haze and recovering from surgery - I barely finished my schoolwork and couldn't dedicate time to anything else. Then I just kept neglecting the story. I went back to school and was busy with that. I also got a boyfriend - he keeps me busy too what with needing attention, talking on the phone at night which is my usual time where I want to write. Suddenly it became 2018 and I was still putting off things like returning to this story. It's just been a long break, but I kept wanting to go back and finish this story and start writing new stories. I felt bad when I would get a review. I hate when I read a fanfiction that I absolutely love that gets abandoned. I don't want to do that with this one since I have a plan of how it will end. No more writer's block (besides the fine details). There is a direction.

Also, I don't tell all of that semi-personal stuff to get pity. It is a real explanation of why I fell off the writing wagon. Luckily, things are wonderful for me. My back is good (better at least) and I am graduating in just over a month and I have a job lined up after graduation. Everything is all going to be wonderful! Just wanted to have people not be mad at me for taking a year and a half break. I should have said something, but I just avoided the problem.

My guess is that this story will have a few more chapters at least. I am also dappling with another Arya/Sandor fic as well as a San/San idea that struck me. I want to get this one wrapped up and going first before I commit to another project.

I'm finishing up my spring break. I plan on working on the next chapter this week, but I would say updates every couple weeks is my goal. Hopefully sooner. I apologize to everyone who waited or was frustrated. I won't abandon this fanfic! I will update as soon as I can and I acknowledge this chapter is more transitional. I can promise more smut soon. Things are going to get bad, but then things are going to ramp up and take off. I have the scene in my head - just need to get there.

Have a wonderful night/day! Thanks for reading and I'm sorry for the delay!

~Pawprynt