A/N: You guys are seriously the best! You seem to like the tension between Ned and Sandor and I have to admit...it is fun to write. Please review! I do not own any characters.

Sandor was having a difficult time maintaining Ned's slow pace. Although the horses were galloping away from Kings Landing, the former Lannister man could not help but feel they were not going fast enough. On occasion he would look over his shoulder to ensure they were not being followed. The moon cast light into their dark world and sliced through the leaves and branches onto the ground. Sandor was grateful that no one had yet attempted to pursue them. I am sure that fuck Littlefinger knows something. He silently took in a large breath of air and as his chest rose, felt the fine linen of Sansa's gift against his skin. Nights were starting to become cooler now that the long summer was at an end, but the thought of that simple gift warmed Sandor to the core.

They had been traveling for several hours before Ned held up his hand and pulled on the reins of his and Sansa's horses. Stranger instinctively followed their lead and began to fall out of his gallop and into a trot. Ned had already dismounted and was helping a tired Sansa down when Sandor finally approached them. They were deep within the thick woods that surrounded Kings Landing where not even the moonlight could reach them. Lucky that Stark knows what he is doing.

Ned had led the group off of the King's Road an hour or so earlier into the dense wood, choosing to zig zag through the obscure landscape so as to throw off anyone who might follow them. Sandor jumped out of the saddle and leaves crunched under his boots. He noticed that Sansa was looking in his direction and was failing miserably to be discreet about it. Smiling to himself, Sandor made his way over to her side and offered her his wineskin. She took it daintily, but took several long gulps of the sour red as if she had never had a drink before. Sansa smiled when she was done and handed it back to him with a small thank you.

Watching this exchange from only a couple of feet away, Ned closed the distance between them and wrapped his arm around Sansa's shoulder and led her off to the side. "Sansa, do you think I could have a moment alone with your friend?"

Before Sansa could respond, Sandor took several large steps towards them and was standing behind Ned. "What is it you want now Stark?"

Ned turned around and gave Sandor an angry glare. "I want you to stay out of this Clegane. First, I need to speak with my daughter."

By now, the two men were squared off and neither said a word. Sansa could feel the tension between them. She had been standing behind her father, but went to stand between them, hoping to help alleviate the issue. One hand went out to Ned and the other to Sandor. He smiled, rejoicing in the fact that his Little Bird had willingly touched his arm once more. He came back to the present as he caught Ned's eye and snarled. "Whatever it is you want to say to me, you can say in front of her."

Ned began to protest, but Sansa interrupted him before he had a chance to say anything. "Please father, I want to stay."

He sighed and looked into Sansa's pleading eyes. I must do this, my dear Sansa. Ned's voice once more took on the spirit of the Lord of Winterfell. "Clegane, once again, I thank you for helping Sansa through such a difficult time in the Red Keep. I cannot begin to express my regret in not being there to help her myself," he paused, taking in a breath. "However, your presence here is no longer appropriate. I ask that you respect my wishes and not accompany us any further. We will part here."

Both Sansa and Sandor were taken back and shouted at the same time, "WHAT?!"

Sansa turned to her father and grabbed onto his arm, begging, "No father, please! He was the only friend I had in the world and he promised to protect me. You cannot send him off on his own now! We need him just as much as he needs us." Her voice was tight and tears threatened her eyes.

Sandor was furious that Ned would try to send him away, even after he had rescued him. I cannot leave her. The thought of leaving his Little Bird made Sandor's blood boil and he felt all the rage from battle come to the surface. With a growl, he drew his sword from its scabbard and pointed it at Ned. There was silence at first, and then Sandor said in a steely voice, "I will leave when she tells me to leave," gesturing to Sansa with a nod of his head.

Ned took Ice and mimicked Sandor, pointing it towards the Hound's armored chest. "You will leave now because I wish it so. You are no friend to the North, Hound."

Sansa looked to the two men and began to defend Sandor. "You cannot do this. He is a good man and—," but she was cut off when Sandor quickly lowered his sword and knelt down in front of her. Sansa didn't know what was happening. He looks just as he did when King Robert made him stop fighting the Mountain at father's tourney. That same humble look.

Pulling his head up so he could look at Sansa, Sandor cleared his throat. "My Lady Sansa, you know me. I have sworn no oaths and never wanted to do so. I have made no secret of my dislike of them and those who take them, but I swear to you now. My sword is yours. My life is yours. Allow me to become your sworn shield and I vow that no harm will come to you. These woods are dangerous and I would rather me forfeit my life to see you safely home then to watch you gallop away with no one to protect you," he glanced over at Ned and then quickly back to Sansa. "Do me this honor and you will never need to fear anything again. My allegiance lies with you and no other." Sandor bowed his head and waited for her answer.

Sansa was taken back with this sudden declaration. Never before had someone so gallantly offered to become her sworn shield. This is just like something out of the stories Jeyne and I would tell each other back at Winterfell. Before she knew what she was doing, Sansa squeaked out, "Yes."

Ned lunged towards Sandor, grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him on his back. "You would dare defy my orders?" The point from the greatsword dug into Sandor's throat. A small trickle of blood ran down his neck, but he didn't dare move. It wouldn't be good for me to kill her beloved father.

Rushing forward, Sansa placed herself between them. "Do this for me father. Sandor saved me more times than I can count. I know he will keep his word. Please, give him a chance."

Ned looked at Sansa and for a long time, did not move. It wasn't until he removed Ice and stormed over to the horses that Sandor let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Sansa dropped down to her knees at his side and Sandor used his arms to help him into a sitting position. He put his hand up to the spot on his neck where he had felt skin break and sure enough the small cut was still bleeding.

Just like before in the Red Keep, Sansa tore a little bit of her skirt and held the small strip of fabric up to Sandor's neck. Her fingertips brushed his skin and he relished in the feeling. Sandor closed his eyes and let her help him for a moment before he took the fabric from her and held it on the wound himself.

"No need to trouble yourself over me Little Bird."

She looked a little taken back at his gentle voice. "I do not mind so much." Why does he look at me like that? Sandor's eyes held an uncharacteristic tenderness whenever he looked at her and Sansa almost always noticed, but others did as well.

Ned walked back and pulled Sansa to her feet. "We need to keep moving. There is no telling when they will begin to search these woods for us." Sansa hastened over to her gray horse, but Ned stayed back as Sandor was pushing himself off the ground. "I am watching you Hound. Don't think for one moment you have won. You WILL be gone when I find the first opportunity to send you on your way."

Sandor only laughed, which annoyed Ned even further. Soon, the three travelers were once again riding into the unknown.