Hello, hi! Please allow me to introduce myself LOL honestly, maybe I should because it's been so long I barely remember who I am when it comes to my stories.

I have to start by saying how much I've missed all of you and that I have truly been thinking of everyone during this crazy and difficult year.

I also hope that you and your families and loved ones have been able to stay well and safe during the pandemic and this entire year that is really like a game of Jumanji.

To all of you who are still on this ride with me I appreciate you so much and if you had to reread the story or the previous chapter...me too! Haha

Read, enjoy and comment I'd love your feedback and to also hear how you've been.

All the love, always ️

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I had to join in laughing along with Sansa. Only this morning I had listed the fact I would take her name as a positive for her accepting my proposal. Never had I thought of myself at that point, I was simply trying to reassure my shaken nerves that this would go well.

Sansa seems to trust not only me but my opinion as well and on several levels. I'll have to allow her belief in my character to drive me in my new role. I could conquer the bloody world if I saw myself as she did.

"I'll tell Jon as soon as he returns and we can marry before the army leaves for the South?" She asks from where she's now straddling my lap.

Sansa is eager and happy, her face brighter than I've seen perhaps, ever. She really does want this, wants me. I tuck some errant auburn hair behind her ear and bask in this moment. "I'd marry you here and now if I could little bird."

She presses her cheek into my palm and closes her eyes and she's so fucking beautiful my breath gets tangled in my throat.

We sit in silence, enjoying each other and the soft Northern sunshine for some time before Sansa speaks. "I want to marry in the Godswood. Even if my beliefs and feelings have changed, it's still what I know and respect. Most importantly, I must erase my last memory of being there." Pain flashes across her perfect features and I quickly smooth away the crease between her eyes with my fingertips.

"This is different. It always has been with you." She finally meets my eyes again. "You and our marriage, they are my choices. I love you and I want to be your wife." I slide the hand on her cheek into her hair and pull her face to mine for a deep kiss.

Sansa pulls back just enough to talk. "And I already know our bed is somewhere not only safe, but good. I'm looking forward to relishing in what you do to me for many years to come." It's her turn to attack me, her hot, wet tongue licks immediately into my mouth and begins dueling my own.

"If you continue like this little bird I'll take you under this tree." I growl against the skin of her jaw as I trail my lips down to her neck.

Sansa's hands are tugging harshly at my hair as she lets out a low moan, staring into my eyes. "That's what I was hoping for." She circles her hips over my own. "I can't wait until tonight." She tells me, her voice full of need.

I let out a groan that's half lust, half frustration. All I want is to bury myself inside of her tight body but I wish I could lay her down, undress her and lick her from her upper lips to her lower. However, I know I can't.

The Lady of Winterfell must not return tousled from an outing with the bloody Hound.

There's always later and that thought placates me. For the time being.

"Fucking hells Sansa, you'll be the death of me." I murmur against her ear before biting the lobe, causing her to cry out and push harder against my erection.

She only stops to untie my breeches before helping me pull them down. As soon as my cock is free Sansa sits back and grasps my flesh in her hand, pumping me, making me shudder and moan.

While she's distracted, I slip a hand under her layers, ready to ruin another set of small clothes when I'm instead met with her wet womanhood. "Fuck, were you hoping for this little bird? You're bare and wet, like you've been waiting for me."

Sansa can't answer right away, my thumb and finger caressing and slipping into her channel, stealing her words. "I'm always ready and waiting for you Sandor." She moans out once she's caught her breath.

That's it, I have to have her. I remove my hand from between her thighs and nudge her own away from my aching length and then coat myself in her juices.

We both are frantic, pulling her clothing up and out of the way and positioning Sansa's body over my dick, all the while we're already panting for air.

Moans escape us when my weeping head touches her hot, wet flesh and then Sansa slowly lowers her body over mine, sheathing my length in her quim, never breaking our gaze.

My forehead falls to hers when I've bottomed out, as I attempt to slow my heart rate and also not cum immediately. Sansa is biting her bottom lip and mewling as she threads her free hand into my hair, seemingly needing to catch herself as well.

When I trust my body not to betray me and notice Sansa's breathing even out, I push her down, onto me even deeper as I swirl my hips. "Ah fuck. Little bird, this is going to be quick. If it's too rough stop me, I mean it." I choke out.

She is so bloody tight this way and on top of the emotions of knowing she will be my wife, I don't know how I've lasted at all.

Sansa's eyes are glazed over, her mouth open in pleasure, but she nods. She understands I take sleeping with her very seriously. I'll never hurt or scare her. I also know her body though and that she likes to be fucked. By me. She's safe and always cums. Two important points.

I don't even allow her to try and ride me. Holding her left hip tight enough to leave behind marks in the shape of my fingerprints, I lift her up off of me and then pull her back down as I thrust my hips up. Over and over I slam inside of her sopping cunt, my balls slapping her ass, the noise deliciously erotic.

Sansa buried her face in my neck the first time I hit that spot deep within her, that bump of her womb that makes her scream every time. I can't make out much between her whimpers and moans, just my name and "so good so so good." Even though I doubt we could be heard out here, it's safer for her wanton cries to be muffled by my skin.

I drop her skirts, leaving her to hold them, and glide the hand instead to the top of slit and start rubbing her hard little nub. Sansa bites and sucks my collar bone to hide her scream as her cunt begins fluttering, telling me she's about to finish. On the next brutal push of my cockhead against that bump of flesh, deep inside her body, I hold her to me, not moving and fill her with my seed.

The heat, the pulsing, all of it, who fucking knows, causes Sansa to reach her peak as well. Her whole body shudders and finally our mouths meet once again and I tangle my tongue with her own, taking the sounds of pleasure from her.

Several minutes pass before either of us can even lift our heads, our gazes meeting and smiles tugging at both of our faces.

"Gods, that was bloody amazing little bird." I breathe against her face.

"Mmm so good." Sansa murmurs back, looking sleepy.

My chest literally constricts with love for the woman in my arms and it pains me to separate us, physically and from the moment of our engagement.

Sighing and rubbing her back I break our bubble. "Little love, I hate to say it but we need to go back. Your blonde shadow will come looking for us if we don't."

Sansa's face is still soft from her orgasm and happy from my proposal but disappointment fills her eyes. "You're right but I simply don't want to."

I kiss her soft, protruding lower lip. "Soon we won't have to mind our time or watch to ensure we're not being followed. When we're married those will be concerns of the past."

Her entire being lights up at my words. "And I can't wait." She presses her lips to mine for a soft kiss and then tries to stand. "Oh." She breathes out before biting her lip.

"What is it, what's wrong?" I ask her, worried she's in pain.

Sansa blushes before responding. "I'm not sure I can stand." She states, looking at me through her long lashes.

I groan, knowing what I can do to her body with my own is not helping to push me away from our sanctuary. "Bloody hells little bird, let's get you up, together, before I take you again and Tarth sees us." I cock my good eyebrow at her while giving Sansa my best smirk.

She giggles as she pulls herself up, using my shoulders for leverage and I push her to her feet by her hips. Sansa immediately whimpers and shifts on her feet, still using me to hold herself upright.

"Shit, was that too fast? Are you alright?"

The blush is back in full force when Sansa answers me. "I'm fine, let's just say, I'll remember our outing all day and evening." She finishes while looking down towards her covered quim.

When realization hits me, like an axe to the head, my cock which was at half mast all this time becomes achingly hard. Until her soak in the springs later, Sansa will feel my seed between her thighs and perhaps, even running down them.

With a speed I didn't know I possessed, I tuck my member into my breeches, tie them and stand, all the while balancing Sansa. "Don't go to the springs before bed. I want you just like this tonight." I growl against her mouth before kissing her soundly.

We both pull back before we can deepen it and Sansa nods to my request as I swing her into my arms to walk her to our horses. We're quiet on the ride back to Winterfell, a happy silence, basking in the feel of being betrothed.

Never thought I'd ever fucking say that about myself.

Once we're back at the stables, Brienne waiting for Sansa nearby, Sansa nods to me as I bow to her before we go our separate ways.

Thanks the gods the Lady of Winterfell had regained her wits about her and was walking fine again after our fucking or the blonde bitch would've beheaded me there and then.

Not being able to carry Sansa straight to our chambers, or even hold her bloody hand while escorting her to the solar can sour my mood right now.

Hells, Pod's eager face when he saw me making my way to the dueling group he was heading didn't irritate me like it has been these last few days.

I stay in the yard with him and his soldiers for a lot bloody longer than I have previously and he best not get used to it. It felt good though to demonstrate to the eager men, some still limping or covered in bandages. Eager to protect. Sparing with Pod wasn't entirely torturous either, damn little bird making me soft.

As soon as I can however, I leave, somehow going unnoticed. I know I can't see Sansa until the feast tonight so I instead decide to go soak in the soldiers hot springs and wash my sparring session off of me, leaving me ready for tonight with my future wife.

Fuck, that feels good to say even if it is only to myself.

I barely make it out of the courtyard before Brienne finds me. She's not running, her sword isn't drawn and her face is is as impassive as ever meaning there couldn't be anything wrong.

However, logic does not stay with me when it comes to Sansa and my heart sinks before racing inside my chest and I cover the space between us in three long strides because she just wasn't walking bloody fast enough.

"Is she alright?" I demand as soon as I'm close enough for the blonde to hear me.

Brienne's eyes go wide and she looks me over from head to toe before answering, seeming shocked at my demeanor and question. "Perfectly fine, she is with Arya. Hence why I'm here." She raises an eyebrow, knowing I was about to challenge how well she protects my little bird.

I nod and wait silently for her to continue, she was obviously looking for me so she might as well get on with it.

"My lady wishes to meet with her small council directly after supper. She hasn't given me any further information about the matter, simply for everyone to go to her solar once they've eaten." Her eyes never leave mine the entire time she's in front of me.

I know she doesn't hate me like she once did and she even trusts me a bit but I also know it's eating away at her not being privy to exactly what's going on between Sansa and I.

"Aye, I'll be there." I respond, knowing a roll of my eyes won't suffice.

The woman sighs. "And, she wants you to escort her. Once she's ready, be up and prepared to take her there." It looks as though it physically hurt for her to tell me that last part.

Whatever this meeting is, Sansa might need more time than she has right now to prepare and she won't want to walk in the room last. I know all this, I don't need bloody Brienne to warn me that my dinner might be cut short.

I also have to stop myself from laughing at the expression of irritation on her face.

"Understood." I say as evenly as possible.

I expect Brianne to march off and seek out the rest of the members of the meeting, she's too close to Sansa's chambers to have found anyone else before me.

But she doesn't. Instead, she stands there staring at me and I stare right the fuck back. She will have to get used to me being around all the bloody time.

The strange contest goes on for too long but gods be damned if I give in first. Finally, Tarth heaves out a sigh and stomps past me further into the grounds.

I have time before the meal will start and it will take a while for Brienne to find everyone and return to this side of the castle. Quickly, I make the decision to stop by Sansa's room before going to the springs.

Once I know there's no one around I walk as fast as I can without it being deemed running and make it to her door in no time.

I knock twice loudly just in case someone else has joined them and almost immediately I hear my little bird's melodic voice on the other side. "Come in."

I open large door, scan the room and once I see it's only the two Stark sisters present I close and lock it.

"Wha-" I hear Arya begin to ask.

But I'm on edge and on a path, nothing will stop me. I stride right over to Sansa, wrap my arms around her waist and bury my face in her neck a moment before surveying every piece of skin I can see.

I know what her shadow told me, that everything was fine but not being in control of Sansa's safety is starting to eat away at my nerves.

"You're alright." I breathe against her face.

"And I'm right here!" Arya exclaims, hands on her hips and a frustrated yet light expression on her face.

"Right, hello she wolf." I address her before turning back to her pretty sister.

Sansa is laughing, her small hands holding onto my shoulders. "Yes I'm fine. The questions is are you?"

Even I have to chuckle at myself. "Aye, I am. Brienne told me of the meeting tonight."

Recognition floods Sansa's face. "I'm sorry I couldn't come to you on my own. Truly though, it's nothing bad." Now she's worried she's upset me.

I run one hand over her cheek and rub my thumb over her mouth to silence her fretting. "I'm not cross little bird, only concerned."

She relaxes at that and continues. "Sam came to find me not long after we got back. There was a raven from Jon, for me."

Well, fuck.

And who knows exactly when it got here since we've been intercepting every raven in or out of the grounds and the town since just before the Battle of Winterfell.

You never know who you can trust, usually it's not many bloody people. And with the crowds of commoners, soldiers and squires, we don't know who could be a spy for the South or easily be turned into one.

Sam and Gilly have been going through every bit of correspondence and having Arya ask questions if there were funny sentences or riddles used or if the raven was going long distances, anything that raised a flag was investigated. We haven't had any troubles yet but we can't let our guard down until we take Cersei out.

"They'll be back in three days. I want to ensure we're all prepared." Sansa continues.

I nod and caress her face again. "I understand little bird." I lean into her ear so only she can hear me. "I couldn't stop myself coming to you, seems I lose what little sense I have left where you're concerned." I press a soft kiss to her lobe before pulling back.

Arya grunts. "I hope one of you is prepared to tell Brienne why I've suddenly been sick all over the place." She complains.

Sansa quickly looks over at her sister before we both start laughing. "That was nothing." I tease the smallest stark sister.

Tilting Sansa's face up to meet mine I press my mouth against hers, our lips tangle in a chaste kiss.

"Ugh!" Arya groans and makes gagging sounds.

We chuckle into our kiss before pulling away, Sansa pressing three more pecks against my lips.

"I better leave before your Sworn Shield returns." I say, pulling Sansa in for a tight embrace, relishing in the sweet smell of her hair.

"And before I rip my eyes out." Her sister grumbles.

"You'd still be able to hear us Arya." Sansa quips.

She wolf pales a bit. "I already have once and that was enough."

One last kiss to my little birds cheek, a ruffle of Arya's hair and I slip out the door. I breathe a sigh of relief when I am met with an empty corridor and make my way to my soldiers quarters to grab my things and head to the springs.

Thankfully more than half of us were given single accommodations. Bloody awful it's partly because of the amount of deaths but once the weather warmed the Dothraki decided to stay outside the castle grounds in their own camp. Lucky for me simply because I don't believe anyone has noticed I don't sleep here and the room is just a cover and also storage place for some of my shit.

I make certain that I am one of the first people in the Great Hall so that I can quickly eat and be ready for Sansa the second she needs me.

When the members of the high table enter the Great Hall, Sansa meets my eyes for half a breath and that look alone has my breeches tightening.

The meal passes by quickly, and I'm at the end of the table just as Sansa stands to leave, slightly early.

"Ser." She greets me.

"Lady Stark." I bow to her, smirking only for her to see.

I open the door and allow her to pass by me so I may follow behind her to the solar. Fuck, one of the best parts of protecting my little bird is the view.

"I've missed you today." She murmurs barley audible.

My heart squeezes in my chest. "And I've bloody missed you little bird. The day is almost over." I respond and drag my fingertips down her palm and feel her shudder.

When we reach the solar the door is already open and I quickly overtake her to survey the room. The old man Lord, what's his name? Right, Royce. He's already here and has things organized and prepared. He asked Sansa before the battle if could stay on in Winterfell as an advisor, Maester, anything it sounds like.

The man wants her to know his loyalty lies not only in the North but with the Starks as well. He will do whatever he can in his power to prove that.

I can see he cares for her, looks at her as a daughter, always puts her safety first and I was glad when she informed me of her acceptance of his offer to stay here.

"My lord." I greet.

He looks up from the papers on the table and take us both in. "Clegane. My lady." His face softening when he spots Sansa behind me.

"Good evening my lord. Are we ready?"

They speak about the upcoming meeting until Arya walks in the door, Brienne, Tyrion and Jamie pushing Bran behind her.

"Thank you all for coming." Sansa addresses the room. "I've asked you all here because, a raven was received from Jon and Daenerys." She pauses letting that sink in. "They'll be here in three days time."

She goes on to read the scroll word for word, even the more tender parts addressed to her and her siblings, Sansa is a completely transparent leader, never wanting anyone to think she's exaggerating or hiding any information.

"I want to ensure that we are not only prepared for their return and what decisions could've been made, but also that we know what each of us wishes to bring to the table when the Queen is making her preparations to take the throne." Sansa looks around at everyone present, awaiting any responses or rebuttals. The room is silent in agreement.

"Shall we begin?"

The meeting goes on for quite some time, but everyone has something to add, ideas, advice, planning or requests. We are a strong team and I only hope that when the two Targaryens return, we can all join as one and not have to be against them.

Sansa and Arya keep the independence of the North and the true lineage of their brother quiet for now. Otherwise, the consensus around the room is making certain that Daenerys doesn't turn out to be like her father or even Cersei.

No one wants any more loss of life, there's been enough of that to keep us going many years over. Some other power and ownership points are brought to the surface by the Lannister men that I hardly listen to. I don't give a fuck who's in charge of High Garden or other pretty places as long as they're no threat to Sansa.

Opinions on how the battle itself should be handled aren't set in stone yet and Brienne asks that each of us with relevant experience contemplate the best way to handle the Lannister army.

Sansa ends the meeting by requesting that we meet again two nights from now, the day before their return to finalize what's been spoken of this evening.

Everyone then bids their goodbyes and heads their separate ways until it's only Sansa, myself and Tarth left behind...

My little bird is too busy organizing the things she wishes to bring back to her chambers to notice her sworn shield pausing at the door, seemingly thinking something over before closing and locking it and turning her attention back to us.

Oh bloody hells.

"Lady Stark." She addresses my fiancé as she crosses the room back to where we are standing.

Sansa looks up, slightly confused. "Yes Brienne? Is everything as it should be?"

"Yes my Lady, I was only hoping to speak to you, both, for a moment." Before Sansa can respond the blonde goes on. "Openly."

My little bird tenses knowing where this is going, as do I. "Of course you may." She answers, calmer than I feel.

Brienne pauses, perhaps she didn't think the Lady of Winterfell would allow this conversation but she should know better. Sansa not only respects the large blonde but she cares for her too.

"Please know I mean no disrespect, I simply want to ensure I protect you in the best way possible. And to do that, I don't care for feeling confused, as if I am missing a piece of the puzzle, as I do now."

The two women stare at one another before she continues.

"Are you and Clegane in a relationship?"

And so it begins.