The Hound was very drunk. At least Bronn hoped so, or else the fight would be much harder. It had started with harmless scornful remarks from both.

Almost every man had a whore sitting on his lap and a cup of ale in front of him. They laughed at the argument between the witty sellsword and the Hound.

The heat made the alcohol rise to his head even faster, although Bronn tried to control himself. A top-heavy girl with orangey blonde hair approached him, a seductive smile on her lips. "Enjoying your evening, my lord?" she purred, roaming her hands over her hips.

-"I'll enjoy it much more with your company." Bronn answered and grabbed her by her large hips. She giggled and settled on his lap.

-"This one is mine already." A deep voice interrupted and Bronn didn't bother to look up, distracted by the women's bare breasts.

-"Find another, mate."

-"I want the redhead. I pay double." Bronn frowned and tilted his head. "The dog likes you, my dear."

Bronn should probably stopped here. He and the Hound had argued enough and the woman wasn't even that pretty. Despite any reason, he kissed her deeply, shoving his tongue into her mouth. She laughed again, when suddenly someone grabbed her shoulder violently and pulled her away from his lap. Before Bronn could react, Sandor Glegace's fist hit him in the face.

With a swift move, Bronn grabbed the dagger behind his back. "Stop it! Go handle your problems outside!" a voice yelled and the Hound released the grip on his sword. "The scum here is to scared to fight like a man." He growled, and Bronn sneered "I can handle a mad dog."

OoOoO

Rebekah grabbed her dagger tightly under the dark cloak. She kept her head down, eager to return to the Red Keep after the frightening encounter with the red Viper.

The night was becoming colder, the city illuminated with various candles in every house she passed.

Luckily, she wasn't far away from the Keep since she had chosen to be careful. Inns and brothels seamed the streets when Rebekah passed next to a small passage.

-"No one will miss you if I kill you filthy rat. I can't stand your arrogant grin." A deep, raspy voice threatened, and Rebekah shivered. It was slightly familiar.

-"Oh come on, there are enough whores for everyone in this entire city, even for dogs. Why make a scene about this one?" another man answered teasingly, and this time Rebekah was sure she knew the voice.

The shadows in the passage were moving, one looking small next to the other. The big one was bending while the small one walked around him, like a predator waiting to attack his prey. Rebekah watched them silently, unsure how to react. "She does not even look like the Stark girl." Bronn's voice sounded again and suddenly, the tall men knocked him over simply by running into him.

With sheer force, Bronn was pressed against the walls of a near standing house, with a blade to his throat.

Bronn mentally scolded himself for drinking so much and not keeping his mouth shut. A brawl with the Hound was unpleasant enough, and now Bronn would have to take his knife and kill the dog. Back in the inn, Bronn had taken a hit. Outside, the darkness was an advantage for him. The Hound fought in open battles, being able to use his whole range and force. Bronn on the other hand used his wits and quickness.

-"Don't you dare talking about the little bird. Maybe I should cut your tongue out before I kill you."

"Let go of him." A voice commanded and a small dagger slipped under Sandor Clegane's throat. It took a heartbeat for Bronn to recognize her. "You." He sighed.

The Hound snorted with rough laughter. "Who are you, little bitch?"

-"Someone who knows how to take care of Cleganes." Rebekah hissed. "Just let him go so we can talk properly."

"Do you hear that? The Lady wants to talk. Thinks that talking gets her out of every mess." Sandor said to Bronn who simply rolled his eyes.

-"I can use your little knife as tooth pick. Why risk the pretty skin of yours for this scum?" with that, he released Bronn but pointed his sword towards Rebekah who had been standing on her tiptoes to even reach Sandor's throat and made her stumble back. She was covered in a dark cloak, hiding her figure and prominent features, but Sandor recognized her nonetheless.

"I do not want to risk it, but he is the captain of Tyrion's guard and leader of the City Watch. Murdering him would get you severe punishment." Rebekah said slowly, her eyes fixed on the sharp sword pointed towards her. Still, she kept her dagger in front of her body in a defense posture. "As it would even more if you killed me." She added.

The Hound grinned, his deformed side of his head stretching over his skull in abhorrent way.

-"You have balls, I give you that. Not many people are stupid enough to annoy my brother. You are that lady, aren't you?" he checked.

-"It does not matter who I am."

-"Aye, you are the redhead, I'm sure of it. The rat right here doesn't deserve your help. In fact, he would fuck you right here right now if I wasn't here. Or maybe you'd even like that. Wouldn't be surprised if you spread your legs for him, like you do for the imp. How much does he pay you, eh? Can't blame a man for wanting to tame that little cunt."

Sandor took a step towards Rebekah who gasped in regard of the Hound's insults. But then he stopped, rolling his eyes. Bronn pressed his sword on Sandor's back and hissed "Get inside to your whore Hound and leave her alone. Tomorrow your head might be on a spike. Don't miss the chance of having a little fun before."

Again, Clegane laughed and put his sword away. Rebekah saw how truly drunk he was when he lurched doing so. He left them, much to Rebekah's surprise, tottering back to the inn. Only when he was out of sight, Rebekah allowed herself to exhale.

"I was doing fine without your help." Bronn said slightly annoyed while putting his dagger back. His head hurt from a wound directly above his eyebrow. Nothing severe, but Bronn would make the Hound pay later. "Would have killed him if you didn't show up. What are you doing here anyway?" he asked the cloaked woman. "None of your business." She muttered.

Bronn resisted the urge to take off her cloak just to see her womanly figure. He was way too drunk to be alone with her in a dark alley. The mercenary wished he could just take her, press her against the wall and push his hands under her skirts. He would taste her sweet mouth, hear her moan his name and ... "Bronn? You are bleeding. Let me check that." She offered, insecurity replacing her audacity when she noticed the way he stared at her. Hesitantly she put her hand on his arm, the dagger still in the other hand.

"Someone has to teach you how to handle that thing, kitten." He could sense her smile, although it was hidden under the cape. "Come on. Let's find a safer place." Bronn nodded, "Aye, but let that cloak on. I should not massacre every men we meet."
Rebekah sighed "No, you shouldn't"

OoOoO

Rebekah dabbed the wound with a piece of wet cloth. Bronn let her work, sipping from a bottle of ale from time to time.

"Why have you done it? Why help me?" he said after a while. She bit her lip and looked down for a second. Bronn had managed to get a room in a calmer inn, selling her off as his sister. His plan was to let her tend his wound, eat something and then get her as quick as possible back to the Red Keep.

"I am still mad because of what you said earlier, Bronn. It was cruel" she swallowed and took the cloth away to dip it in water again. "But I realized you were telling the truth. I was influenced by my failure to save Roran."

Bronn could hardly focus with the woman so close to him, almost touching his skin with her soft hands. He sat on the bed, Rebekah kneeling in front of him to be on his height. "Nonetheless it was not your place to tell me so. And it did not change anything about Tyrion lying over Lady Kenna. I would have wanted to help her even if Roran was still alive."

"That doesn't answer my question." Bronn said, suddenly grasping her wrist from his forehead. Rebekah did not flinch.

"I'm naive, stupid, soft-hearted and way to forgiving. Does that serve you as an answer?" she said challenging. The mercenary's blue eyes pierced her, and Rebekah could hardly tell what he was thinking.

"Aye, kitten, but that I already knew." For a second, Rebekah stared at him. Then she began to laugh, as lightly and unconcerned as a child. "I am sorry." She catched her breath again, but Bronn was smirking. "You should be, it makes it hard to keep you safe. A bit of fear would do you really good, kitten."

Rebekah became serious again. "I am scared of many things."
"Except of wildlings, trips in the wilderness, defying every given authority, Mountains and Hounds. And me." He enumerated, smiling at the last words.

Bronn turned her hand, stroking gently with his finger over her wrist. "So you think I should be scared of you?" Rebekah breathed, watching him. "Oh yes, m'lady. You and Tyrion, you tend to think I'm some kind of friend, keeping you company and doing you favors, but I am a heartless killer. If someone paid me enough, I would not hesitate a second to slit your throats in your sleep."

Rebekah neared her face to his. "I refuse to believe that. I am not questioning that you are a hard man, but you are not unnecessarily cruel either." She muttered, not letting herself intimidate by his ice colored eyes.

"You think that because I saved your life at least four times now." Bronn smirked, but there was no humor in his words. Rebekah mentally did the counting. "Three times."

"Tonight." Bronn raised his eyebrow, and Rebekah took her hand out of his. "I saved your life earlier, not the other way around!" she protested and Bronn exclaimed a short laughter. "Are you sure of it, m'lady? I never engage in a fight I can't win."

"No, he was going to kill you!" Rebekah stood up, making herself taller than the sitting mercenary.

"If you say so, m'lady." Bronn provoked, looking up to her with a satisfied grin. Suddenly, a glimpse of mischief appeared on Rebekah's features. "Do not dare mocking my rescue"

-"Oh you call it a rescue, but I was just fine until you decided to show up." The sellsword wasn't able to resist.

"Thank you would have been enough, you know." Rebekah said, smirked and grabbed the water pot, turning it upside down over Bronn's head.

With a dazzled expression, he stared at her. "Call it a payback." She shrugged apologetically, watching the water dripping from his black hair.

"You really are crazy." He mumbled and grinned. In a swift movement, he grabbed the woman by her waist, causing her to giggle and threw her over his shoulder. "What are you doing? Let me down!" Rebekah cried, laughing but completely helpless as he carried her to the bathtub. The innkeeper had prepared it, not knowing Rebekah and Bronn were leaving before the night was over. "Stop it!" Rebekah chuckled, seeing Bronn's wolfish grin.

The woman tried to draw herself out of his grip, causing him to drop her over the tub with a loud splash. She splattered the water to him, not caring that her clothes were completely wed, sticking to her skin. "I hate you!" she cried, but her laugh proved she was not meaning it. "There's nothing funnier than a cat thrown into water." He laughed and offered her a hand. She took it, pulling herself out of the bathtub.

"Come on, kitten, let's get you back to the Keep. Don't want ugly rumors about you wandering the city at night. What were you doing here anyway?" Bronn asked, while Rebekah wrapped the cloak around her, hiding the wet clothes.

"I shot a deer yesterday and offered it randomly to a pleasure house." She said casually, releasing her hair from the braid. Her red waves were dark auburn and stuck to her head, making her eyes look even bigger. Not for the first time, Bronn wished she was not highborn or not a friend to his employer. The Hound had been right. Bronn could not explain what was keeping him from taking what he wanted. Forcing himself on women was not his style, but sweet Rebekah could certainly be seduced. Being not considered as ovely handsome, Bronn had worked on many skills to impress women and lure them into his bed. Sadly, Tyrion would have his head if Rebekah returned at the Red Keep not longer a maiden.

-"Damn it, kitten, you're not lying. Don't you remember what happened the last time you were in the city?"

Rebekah looked down sheepishly, avoiding Bronn's look.

-"I will never forget. But those people, they are starving. I saw children starving and I could do something about it."

-"I don't need to tell you what I think about it." Bronn said with a slight look of reproach which made Rebekah lift up her head again. "No, you do not."

-"Good. Next time you decide to play the hero again, I come with you. You'll never sneak out of the Red Keep on your own again. Do you understand?" Bronn said, emphasising each word.

Rebekah nodded grudgingly and Bronn placed his hand on her shoulder to keep her attention.

"And you will never go with a man alone into an inn. Were you out of your mind to accompany me here?" This time, Rebekah shook her head. "You are not just some man, you're a ..."

-"What makes you believe I'm not exactly like other men, kitten? Don't think I have any other thoughts than they have."

The grip on her shoulder tightened uncomfortably "What keeps me from taking your virtue before killing you and letting your corpse rot in the streets of fleabottom?" he asked again, his eyes not leaving hers. Her stubbornness was slowly turning into fear, he noticed with satisfaction.

-"But you would never hurt me. You deny it, but I know you are a good person." Rebekah insisted and Bronn could only sigh in frustration.

With a swift movement, Bronn pinned her down on the floor, blocking her with his arms and his body. And Rebekah wasn't even trying to defend herself. Her eyes were widened, her breath was going faster, but she trusted him, even when he reached his hand to caress her cheek and wandered down to her throat, making clear she was completely at his will.

-"Open your eyes, girl. There are no good persons in this city. The sooner you realize that in your pretty little head, the more chances you'll have to stay alive a while longer."

Bronn slowly removed himself from her, using all the strenght he had to not roam his hands over her body, with the wet dress revealing her form and her obvious agitation coloring her cheeks and lips pink.

With the most dignity she possessed at this moment, Rebekah stood up and arranged her dress.

-"If you did that to prove what an amoral person you are, then you failed miserably. Again, you had the opportunity to hurt but you didn't take it, which only shows how righteous you are."

Bronn dropped his shoulders in defeat. He would probably have more luck arguing with a wall.

Hi, thanks for reading this chapter! Thanks to Anna.B, HermioneAndMarcus and Sparky She-Demon for your reviews.

Anna.B, If Oberyn's your favorite character, you should check out my OberynxOC story "Coraline"! This story will have some moments with Oberyn, but it stays Bronn centered, so I at this moment I don't think Rebekah will end up with him. ;)

Sparky She-Demon: 4 chapters left until the Archery tourney! I'm sorry my writing pace is so slow :D

Liebe Grüße & xoxo