So there are some sexy times, not much, and there will be more (I think). This chapter sort of got away from me and is much longer than expected so thank you for reading and please let me know what you think if you can.

The second day was no better for Esther. The gale that threatened the day before skirted round them but it was still a very bumpy journey.

Arya had slept well in the warm cabin and she walked into the tiny galley looking for food. Andor was stirring a pot over and looked up when she came in.

"What is it?" she asked, looking at the fragrant liquid bubbling away. Andor put his hands together, as if in prayer, and then waggled them too and fro.

"Oh…fish stew?" Arya said, he nodded and smiled.

"Are you a good cook?" and he replied by vigorously nodding his head and putting his finger and thumb to his lips and kissing them. He poured her a bowl and she went up on deck to see what was going on.

"All right there lass? Did you sleep well?" Dai called down to her as he hung off the rigging like a monkey.

"Yes thank you. Where's Esther?" she shouted up to him and he pointed to the side.

Her aunt was leaning over the rail, holding back her hair as the wind blew it around, throwing up. Arya walked over to her.

"Are you all right?"

Esther groaned, "no I'm bloody not and stay away from me with that food…oh balls…" and she threw up again.

Dai climbed down and put his hand on Arya's shoulder and shook his head.

"I remember the first time your aunt travelled to the convent, she was younger than you. She didn't want to leave home, didn't want to travel on the back of a horse, didn't want to go with us. We had to pick her up and put her on the deck; one Sister had to hold her arms and the other had to hold her legs so we could get under way without her jumping off the deck. As soon as the boat started to move, Little Red threw up all over the Sister holding her legs and oooohhhh she did not like that. That Sister was a sharp tongued one, no doubt, she smacked your aunt and told her not to be so silly. I remember like it was yesterday, Little Red looked her in the eye, looked down at the Sister's uniform, looked her in the eye again and puked all over that Sister's hair, face, clothes and shoes. I didn't think such a tiny girl could have that much in her."

Arya's eyes were wide and she turned to look at Esther again who was still throwing up and groaning louder than before.

"You don't seem to be troubled though…you must have salt in your blood somewhere. Do you fancy being look out for today?" and Arya nodded.

"Right climb up there to the crow's nest and tell me if we're about to hit anything; take this." and he handed her a small but beautiful telescope. Arya climbed the network of ropes like she'd been born to it and spent the rest of the day fiercely keeping watch.

"Here." came a gruff voice from behind Esther who was still heaving her insides into the sea and she turned to see Sandor holding out a steaming cup.

"What is it?" she asked feebly.

"Don't know, the young lad handed it to me and pointed at you."

"It can't make me feel any worse." and Esther took it from his large hand and drank it.

"Doesn't taste of anything much." she said and then, as he watched, her eyes fluttered, closed and she dropped like a stone.

"That'll be Andor's brew. Best thing for her." Dai said as Sandor grabbed her before she literally hit the deck.

"What's he done to her?" he asked, his hand immediately going to his sword.

"Well I don't know what he puts into it, he won't show me, but I know that she'll be out for the next 2 days. He makes a very potent brew does our Andor. Best take her below and let her sleep it off, we should be nearly there by the time she wakes up." and Dai watched as the huge, scarred soldier picked up Little Red as if she were made of glass and carry her towards the cabin. He shook his head at the memories it brought back and smiled.

Sandor laid the unconscious Esther out on the bed and thought about what to do next; should he take her boots off, her jacket, her trousers? He unlaced one boot and it fell with a clunk to the floor, he looked at Esther but she hadn't moved. He unlaced the other and placed it carefully next to its pair. He then stood up, entirely uncomfortable and unsure.

"I'll settle her." came a quiet voice from the doorway and he saw the young novitiate standing there, staring at him with cautious eyes. He moved out of the way and she came in.

"Is it true she's the Shard Witch?" she asked as she unbuttoned Esther's jacket and peeled it off her arms.

"I don't know." he growled and left before any more clothes came off.

The journey was uneventful but rough. On the night of the second day, they had to pull the sails in as the wind had become even worse. It took all of them working together to get it under control and after Dai was satisfied they decamped to the galley and ate and drank their fill. Arya sat next to Sandor and neither of them seemed to mind it.

The morning of the third day dawned penetratingly cold but considerably brighter, with slices of blue shining out of the grey cloud. The sea was much calmer and the boat carved through the water like a hot knife through butter. Sandor had not ventured into Esther's cabin again but had left it to the novitiate nun who appeared more than happy to look after one of the most famous Sisters the convent had ever had.

"I can see land!" called Arya from the crow's nest and Dai climbed up to her.

"Aye, that's Skane, we made good time. And we didn't see none of them bastards from Skagos. Should be there by afternoon."

Arya could see the huge grey cliffs spearing out of the sea, surrounded by flocks of birds looking like confetti circling the island. It didn't look very hospitable.

Esther opened her eyes and yawned. She looked around the cabin and was very pleased to see it wasn't lurching from left to right. She gingerly sat up and put her bare feet onto the wooded boards…it was all good so far…she stood up…still fine. She searched for her clothes but couldn't find them anywhere, only her boots neatly paired at the bottom of her bed, she shoved her feet into them; now she was in her underthings. She knew she needed food and a drink more than anything else so she wrapped the quilted bedcover round her and shuffled off to the galley.

Andor was there, tending his pot, and looked up when she shambled in. Immediately he pulled a stool up to the range and indicated she should sit down. When he was satisfied she was comfortable, he handed her a chunk of bread and a bowl. He mimed dipping the bread in the bowl and smiled when she followed his instructions.

The warm posset was sweet and delicious, tasting of milk, heather honey, almonds and wine. She nodded her thanks to the boy who beamed at her. He scurried out and she wrapped the quilt around her and enjoyed the quiet.

Sandor was watching the island get nearer when he felt Dai join him; he had come to respect the older man, perhaps in another life they could have been friends.

"She's awake and up Andor tells me." Dai said quietly and watched as the big man went to her without comment.

Esther looked up as Sandor filled the galley with his presence; she was suddenly conscious there was only a quilt between her and him.

"Still puking?" he asked.

"Not so far." she answered, "where are we?"

"Dai said we should be there soon."

"Do you know where my clothes are?" she asked him, not meeting his eyes.

"That young nun was looking after you." he said and saw the relief in her face but he wasn't sure what she was relieved about.

Once she had located her clothes that seemed even more the worse for wear, Esther went out onto the deck.

"I can see Skane!" Arya called down to her and Esther was pleased to see the young girl had obviously enjoyed her time on the boat.

"The harbour's round the other side of the island, just wait until you see that." called Esther and sat on a pile of sailcloth and rolled a cigarette.

"Hey! We got nothing to light that with and you're not to set a fire." Dai chastised her. She raised her eyebrow at him and the cigarette glowed into life all by itself. She smiled at his shock.

What she didn't see was the look of worry on Dai's face.

"How long's she been doing that?" he asked Sandor, out of earshot of Esther.

"As long as I've known her." he replied and watched the old sailor begin twisting his hands together.

"Ain't good, ain't good at all." he muttered.

"Why?" Sandor asked, aware that Dai knew much more about Esther than he did.

"I don't pretend to know as much as the Sisters but I keep my ears open and the fact she's doing that without any effort is a bad thing." Dai looked over at Esther who was watching the birds form a noisy welcome party for them, "she was powerful when she was little, that were the reason she came to us in the first place, but Mother tried to teach her NOT to use it; knew it would lead to something see? The Sisters worked hard to keep Little Red's magic under control. Sometimes it would seep out without any warning, a fire would start for no reason or the well would freeze but they could control it. When she were grown, Red didn't use it outside of her sisterly duties. She was scared of it, she been taught to be scared of it. It changed her you see? Made her even more different. But now she's using it like it were a tool. T'aint good." he repeated.

"It saved the Stark girl's life." Sandor said and looked at the horror in Dai's face.

"What?" he asked.

"The Stark girl was…killed…in a fight. She brought her back." Sandor explained.

"Sweet Mother of the Sea!" Dai exclaimed.

"She's not the only one to be able to do that, I knew a Red Priest who brought a man back six times." Sandor wanted to get rid of the fear in the older man's face.

"T'aint the same!" Dai snapped, "that power comes THROUGH the priest, her power comes from HER, it's in her. She don't know, she can't remember what it was like…" and he stopped.

"What what was like?" Sandor asked but Dai shook his head.

"Not my story to tell big man, you'll need to ask the Sisters but they ain't going to tell you."

Sandor growled but the man refused to talk anymore.

They rounded the rocky headland and Arya almost fell from her perch. A narrow inlet lead to a curved harbour, lush and green even in the freezing cold. The convent was golden in the sunlight, nestled in the rounded hillside. She could see an orchard by its side, small thatched buildings with smoking chimneys, white sheep dotted the enclosed fields and all about were women and men working side by side.

"Why's it so green?" she asked and Esther smiled.

"This side of the island is heated by the earth, there is something down there that keeps the temperature kind even in the harshest winters. Thousands of years ago the Sisters believed there was a white dragon sleeping under the island that kept them warm."

"And now? What do they believe now?" Arya leaned forward.

"Oh they reckon that old dragon's still dreaming down there." Dai said over her shoulder and winked at Esther who grinned.

They moored just inside the cliffs and lowered the boat to row to shore. Sandor squinted into the sunlight and saw three women waiting on the wall.

As soon as Esther got into the little boat she looked green again. Dai dipped the oars in and rowed as quickly as possible but they hadn't got 10 yards from the boat when she was throwing up and swearing again. The young nun held her hair and Andor looked like he was about to cry.

They pulled up to the harbour wall and Andor jumped out with the mooring rope. The others got out but Esther crawled to the side and rolled onto the gritty and grey harbour walk, lying there like a leaking frog, hugging the ground.

"Esther Stark get up off the ground this instant, is that anyway to behave?" said an authoritative but warm voice. Arya and Sandor turned to see a tall, straight-backed and sturdy woman with dark hair turning to grey tucked under a simple hood, a piercing expression and a smile tugging at her lips. Her eyes were so blue they looked like sapphires. She saw Dai and beamed, revealing white teeth.

" 'ello love." he said and they embraced.

Esther groaned and struggled to get up on all fours but couldn't manage to get upright. Moranna, Mother Superior of the Moontide Sisters and leader of 40 Sisters in the convent and over 100 in the outside world, 20 novitiates, 30 lay people and their families, wife to her man Dai Moss and her woman Wenna Dismass, 58 years old, a skilled healer, Secret Keeper and Ice Witness prodded the Shard Witch with the toe of her boot.

"Get up…now" she said but Esther couldn't get to her feet. Moranna crossed her arms and stared hard. The other 2 women, Sister Elena and Sister Maud, hid their smiles behind gloved hands, they'd seen this all before 25 years ago.

"Did she take Andor's brew?" she asked to the assembled crowd, Andor nodded.

"It only lasted two days." Dai said, "then she got in the little boat and started again."

"Leave me here." Esther moaned but was ignored by everyone.

"And who are you?" Moranna finally seemed to notice the six and a half foot soldier grimacing with his half burnt face and treated him to a piercing glare. Sandor remained unmoved.

"He's The Hound." Arya said.

"And you are Arya Stark, I am sorry for your losses." Moranna said and tenderly stroked Arya's cheek.

"Well big man, do you reckon you can carry Little Red up to the convent, she ain't going to be able to walk it?" Dai said and Sandor sighed, scooped up the feebly protesting Esther and followed the group up to the huge wooden doors of the convent. Moranna pushed them open and they walked into a large courtyard with a cloistered walk leading through to a large arch. Trees and plants lined the golden paved walkway; carved wooden screens were placed in the stone mullioned windows. There were lots of people of varying ages scurrying about in a purposeful manner; most of the women were dressed like Esther but were considerably cleaner, some were dressed in everyday work clothes, all stopped and bowed to the Mother Superior and then greeted Dai and Andor like friends.

Esther had hooked her arm round Sandor's neck and tried not to throw up again. She was in no fit state to notice her surrounding but it felt like home. Arya was staring about her in awe, trying to remember everything she was seeing. Moranna went through the archway and opened the carved wooden doors. To the right was another archway leading to the orchard were people were tending the trees, reading or just enjoying the last of the sun. Inside the large room, a huge fireplace roared with heat and a long table was placed in the centre.

"Put her on there." she ordered and Sandor unceremoniously dumped Esther at one end and stood back.

Moranna and the two other sisters stood over her and closed their eyes. Many moments passed, Sandor felt a shift in the atmosphere and Moranna cupped one hand over the other and walked to the fire, it flamed a dull brown and colour immediately returned to Esther who sat up and stretched her shoulders.

"Better?" asked Moranna and Esther nodded gratefully. She got down from the table and put her arms round the Mother Superior who returned the embrace with equal intensity. Suddenly Moranna pushed Esther away and wrinkled her nose.

"You stink." she said flatly and directed her gaze over Sandor and Arya.

"You all stink. You need to bathe."

"There's no time." said Esther impatiently, "Something is coming and I can't pull the threads together we need to…"

"I know." interrupted Moranna, "We've known since we got Rellet's raven and we've been working on it but it can wait until you don't smell like the dead." Esther opened her mouth to argue but the Mother Superior held her hand up, "You will bathe and eat and rest before anything else. You will put everyone off their dinner if you stay as you are." Esther closed her mouth and sighed.

"Dai will show you to the bath house." she said with a sweeping gaze over Sandor, "And you still know the way I presume?" she asked Esther who nodded.

"Come on big man." Dai said to Sandor, "I reckon I've got some Firemead stashed somewhere." he added under his breath and they left, Esther and Arya went in the opposite direction.

Dai saw his wife sitting with her back to the fire, looking pensive; Wenna was asleep in the chair, he was glad to be home.

"So who is the soldier?" Moranna asked quietly.

"He fought for King Robert and then guarded that little bastard Joffrey, a terror by all accounts. He's suffering and he ain't sure what to do."

"Why is he with Esther and the little one?"

"Because I don't reckon there's a force on this earth that would make him abandon them. He's a tough bugger and I wouldn't like to cross him but he'll be with her until his dying day."

"Good." said Moranna, "She's going to need that."

"She's bringing back the dead again." Dai said quietly and Moranna sighed and took his hand.

"We knew this day would come." she said, "I just hope it's better this time." and Dai nodded, hope was all they had.

Arya felt very self-conscious wrapped only in the drying sheet; one of the Sisters had come to take her clothes away but had left her Needle. She stepped onto the warm, terracotta tiles and looked down at her filthy feet, wiggling her toes. She looked nervously at the large sunken, orange tiled bath filled with steaming water; this was nothing like the communal baths she had seen as Harrenhall. It was lit with lamps, candles and the last of the natural light through big skylights set into the domed ceiling. Bars of Dornish soap made from olive oil were set in dishes round the baths. It smelt like clean washing and rosemary – this did not set Arya's mind at rest.

"Come on." encouraged Esther who was just as dirty as Arya, and she dropped the sheet and stepped into the warm water.

"You're not scared are you?" Esther asked, keenly aware that this would be the only way to get the girl into the water. She watched with a satisfied stare as Arya set her mouth in a defiant line and got into the bath.

Esther sunk lower into the warm water and felt it wash over her, she closed her eyes and, for the first time in months, lowered her shoulders and breathed out. Arya tentatively dipped down and also felt the benefit. They sat in silence and gently steamed.

After taking off his boots, Sandor dumped his armour on the wooden bench and pulled his shirt over his head, untied his trousers and left them on the wet floor. He walked down the steps into the square pool of hot water. He sat on the ledge placed under the water and spread his arms behind him. He was still unsure about the whole situation with the bloody Sisters, the convent, being on fucking Skane and the two Starks but right at that moment he was glad he was there.

Arya sniffed the soap suspiciously.

"It's made with rosemary." said Esther with her eyes still closed, "use it or the Mother Superior really won't let you have any dinner…and wash your hair, we've probably all got things living with us we'd rather not." Arya began scrubbing her hair with the soap and then disappeared under the water. Esther reached behind her and got another bar and did the same. When she was satisfied they were both clean and vermin free she sat back and closed her eyes again. The she opened one of them again as she heard Arya splashing about.

"If you're finished, you can get out and find your room." she said.

"I haven't got any clothes." Arya said nervously.

"Behind the screen are some long bath shirts, dry yourself with the sheet and then put one of those on, they'll probably come to your ankles, you'll be covered. One of the Sisters will be outside, just ask her where your room is."

"Aren't you coming?" Arya asked and Esther shook her head, "I've spent every living moment with you for the past few months, I've seen enough of you, I'm going to stay here for a bit." and Arya nodded, she understood.

Sandor took another gulp of the Firemead and sighed in satisfaction.

"I've brought you something to drink." said a voice behind Esther's head and she looked up to see Wenna holding a full cup, she took it gratefully.

"It's good to see you again." the woman said and they slipped back into their comfortable companionship that had just started to blossom when Esther had left the convent all those years ago.

"And you."

Wenna sat on the edge of the bath and put her feet into the water.

"You've not changed." she said enviously.

"Neither have you." replied Esther and meant it, Wenna was still the same with thick, brown hair, blue eyes set in a wide face and pale skin, "are you happy?" and she nodded.

"What about you?" asked Wenna, waving her feet in the water, "Do you have anyone?"

"There've been a few but no-one that was more than a port in a storm."

"What about your man you arrived with, I'll bet he's a great one." said Wenna with her usual bluntness. Esther took a drink of the Firemead.

"Wouldn't know." she said and saw the surpise in the other woman's face.

"What?" she asked, "you've not…"

"No, I've not." Esther interrupted quickly.

"Why?" Wenna's voice got louder with shock.

"Because…" Esther began, "because it's too complicated."

"Bollocks to that!" Wenna exclaimed, "I'd be on him quicker than a Dornish man out the window after hearing a husband come home."

"You're welcome to him." Esther said and was surprised to learn she didn't mean it.

"Aahh go on." Wenna scoffed and kicked water at Esther, "I wouldn't get a look in. I saw him looking at you…there's a man with a stone in his pocket."

"Shut up and roll me a cigarette.' Esther said and dipped under the water again. Wenna passed her the lit cigarette and watched as she blew out the smoke and drank some more.

"So you wouldn't at all then?" she asked, prodding Esther to see how far she could push her.

"I didn't say I wouldn't…I just said I hadn't."

"A fine big man like that? You're wasting." Wenna said and took a drag of the cigarette, "I bet he's got a chest on him and hairy…I like a hairy man, lets you know you're with a proper one."

"You're married to Moranna." Esther laughed and drank more.

"Aye well that's my woman, if I'd chosen a man, he'd 've been like your one through there." and she nodded towards the next bathing room.

"I can't say I've not thought about it." she admitted, "When there was a cold wind from the North…" and they both laughed again.

Sandor was drifting in a warm haze of alcohol when women's voices broke his peace.; he tried to block it out but the tiled rooms accentuated the sound. His face remained stony as he listened to the conversation between Esther and another woman; he didn't move and the water waves were the only sign he was breathing.

Esther got out of the bath a little unsteadily and Wenna handed her the sheet.

"Temperature's dropping."

"Winter is coming." replied Esther and felt her throat constrict as he remembered her father saying that many times; she must have drunk more than she thought. Wenna left her to get dried and Esther pulled a bath shirt over her head, it reached just above her knees but it would have to do.

She wandered out but there was no sign of the Sister and darkness had fallen. She headed towards where she thought their bedrooms might be, weaving a little as she went. She tried one door and it was locked so she tried the next and virtually fell into the room.

"Oh shit, sorry." she mumbled and then froze when she saw Sandor standing at the bottom of the bed in a shirt and trousers, it was the first time she had seen him without the heavy, black armour. Without the covering of metal and leather she could see how powerful he truly was; his shoulders were broad and massive, his arms were strong and his chest was all that Wenna had thought. She could see the dark hair creeping up his throat and joining his beard.

"What do you want girl?" he rasped.

He'd turned as the door had opened, ready to tell whoever it was to fuck off and then he'd seen Esther outlined against the torches in the corridor, wearing nothing but a thin bath shirt, the silhouette of her body clearly visible through the thin material, hair still wet. He was transported back to the courtyard in King's Landing with the twilight giving a dreamy quality, watching her laughing with the kitchen women. So much had happened and they had travelled so far since then but he was still no closer to her; he was the monster, The Hound, the burned man, fear mongerer, murderer, a blind follower.

"There's a question," she said quietly, not moving from the door but not leaving either, "I'm not sure what I want."

In one movement he had crossed the room and was standing, huge, in front of her. She stepped forward and matched him.

"Careful girl." he growled fighting to keep his hands down by his side.

"It's Mistress." she said and reached up to him. She pressed her lips to his but he refused to move.

"All you've got to do is surrender." she said against his mouth and he did.

His hands locked around the back of her head and he finally, finally returned her kiss as brutally as she gave it. He could feel the heat surging from her body, his own body responded in kind.

Esther was standing on tiptoes but still could not get all of him that she wanted, he seemed to know this and lifted her up. He slammed the door closed and leant her against it, still supporting her weight in his arms. One arm was round his shoulders, her hand was holding the burnt side of his face forcing him to stay where he was; it still wasn't enough, the other hand was gripping his shoulder.

"I won't be able to stop." he warned her, breaking the kiss, setting her down and breathing heavily. Esther gave a slow smile and leant her head back to look him in the eye.

"I don't want you to." she breathed and he gave in for a second time. Her hands gripped his shirt and pulled it over his head, she placed her hands flat on his chest and pushed him backwards until he was sitting on the edge of the bed. She knelt over him and kissed him again. He could feel her wetness.

Esther trailed her mouth down to the dip of his collarbone, tasting salt and warmth. His skin was rough and hot. Her hand curled over his shoulder and she could feel the muscled power underneath. His breath was quick and scalded her. She rolled her hips and was rewarded with a growl that heightened her even more. She moved again and knew he couldn't hold back much longer.

He desperately tried to control himself, knowing he could hurt her no matter how powerful she was but, fuck, she was not making it easy. Every time she moved she left white heat trails over his body. She rolled her hips and he gritted his teeth, she did it again and he couldn't stop himself. He gripped her waist and flung her onto the bed.

Esther threw her shirt onto the floor and watched his hunger grow. He leant over her, bracing himself with arms either side. Looking up at him she saw a moment of doubt, her fingers dug into his shoulders and she brought him down to her so he covered her

With one movement he was inside her, large and so hard. She gasped with pleasure and matched his rhythm. All the chained desire and need was released in both of them. She looked him in the eye and smiled then brought his mouth to hers but the kiss didn't last long. She tightened around him and was rewarded with another growl.

"Fuck girl, do you want this to end?" he gasped.

The heat and need began to build in both of them, neither held back now. He began to move faster and Esther's gasps became moans and then uncontrollable cries. He could do nothing but repeat her name again and again. They broke together and the room shook with their desire.

When it was over and they could breathe again, he looked at her face flushed with yearning for more and spent passion; never in his life, he thought, had he seen anything like Esther Stark.

Outside the room containing the whole world for that moment, lamps and candle roared with a blue flame, the fire in the hall thundered up the huge chimney, the wells and the harbour flash froze with thick ice and the orchard bloomed, fruited and withered in an instant.

Far beyond The Wall, the Night King raised his head and tasted the air, The Shard Witch had woken.