CHAPTER 5
The early morning light brightened the room despite it being a dull winter's day. Dust moats floated in the air, giving off a magical quality. Sansa found herself snuggling down into the familiar comfort of her bed to watch Sandor as he flipped back the covers and slowly unfolded himself to his full impressive height. She felt a sense of pride and joy observing him, his arms extended above his head, every naked muscle on his magnificent physic defined and twitching as he stretched. Her blood tingled, and she pressed her legs together, reminding herself of her slight discomfort their numerous couplings throughout the night had left behind. A keepsake for her to enjoy privately throughout the coming day.
He was pissing a powerful stream into the chamber pot when there was a sudden frantic knocking at the door. She'd laughed when the sudden noise had made him piss on his own feet and he was grumbling as he finished and shook his cock free of any droplets.
Unperturbed by his own nakedness he strode to the door and flung it open, barking "What do you bloody want?"
Ellyn looked like a startled deer when greeted by the sight of a giant naked man inches in front of her. Her eyes ran over the full length of him before she began making a concerted effort to keep her gaze towards the floor.
"I'm sorry ser. Ah, um - his grace requires both you and lady Sansa in his chambers immediately." She said, a blush blooming on her cheeks whilst she twisted her fingers amongst themselves.
"Will Lady Sansa be requiring my help to dress?" She asked, trying to peek past him to her mistress, without catching sight of his cock. She failed in her endeavour. Her eyes dilated with either surprise or excitement, and she quickly dropped her gaze to the floor again.
Sandor stepped backwards allowing the girl into the room, and closed the door behind her.
"You'd better help." Sandor replied, "If we are to get this bloody confrontation done and dusted."
He turned and started gathering his clothes from where they had fallen the night before. Pulling his breeches on first to save the girl her discomfort.
"I'm sorry, Ellyn." Sansa said. "Sandor can be a bit brusque at times. I fear you'd be better to get used to it and his language, rather than expect the old dog to change. He means nothing by his candour."
Smiling she added, "He is a simple man." Shooting a teasing look at her lover, as she rose from the bed and slipped into the dressing gown the girl was already holding out for her.
Quickening towards the door, Ellyn asked "Do you know which gown you will be wearing today?"
Pulling the door open she beckoned two boys inside. One carried an ewer of warm water, the other Sandor's meagre belongings. Ellyn ushered them towards a table to deposit the items, and tipped her head towards the door signalling for them to leave.
"The dark grey dress will do nicely, thank you." Sansa said, as she set about washing herself.
The girl was reaching into a large chest as she asked, "and will you break your fast after your meeting?"
"Yes." Sansa replied. "I think that would be for the best. I doubt Jon will have the patience to wait for me in the circumstances."
Sandor had himself washed and dressed in moments. He stood contemplating her for a while.
"Should I go ahead without you, or do you think it better we arrive united, little bird? I am not sure I should allow you to take any of his wrath, but wonder if he would respond better to me in your company?" Rubbing his hand along Sansa's spine as he questioned her, he seemed wary of doing anything to rock the even keel they had found.
"United." She replied.
"I shall handle him." She reassured him. "Jon and I have a long history together. Despite his age, sex and present position above me, it was not always so. I have always been a lady of Winterfell. He, however, was raised as a Snow and my mother never allowed him to forget it. I will command, if not demand his respect. I will not leave defeated." He nodded slowly in reply, although he appeared unconvinced.
She continued, "I won't be long. Pass me my brush please. I can get started on my hair whilst Ellyn organises my things. She's a whizz at the laces." She said as she turned to the girl with a friendly smile.
Seeing the concern on the girl's face she said, "Don't fret Ellyn. My brother was never going to be happy with this situation. You have brought us no ill-tidings this morning. We expected to be summoned."
They soon left Ellyn to tidy the room and make a permanent place for Sandor's items. Sandor walked a pace behind Sansa in deference to her status as they made their way along the dim stone corridor. It bothered her, but it was not the time to raise it. Their situation was clearly the talk of the castle. Hushed tones rippled ahead of them as conversations were suddenly swallowed. They reached Jon's chambers and knocked on the door, giving one another a quick glance of determined confidence.
"Enter!" Jon called out, anger betrayed in his voice.
They took a breath and entered, immediately feeling the tension in the room. Jon stood, his shoulders raised with stress, his eyes shone dark against his pale face, and he took no time in affixing his hostile gaze at Sandor, before turning to his sister.
"What in seven hells do you think you are doing under our father's roof?!" He said, without preamble.
Sansa stood tall, her chin held high. "Precisely as I desire and deserve, brother. You will be unaware of my history with Sandor. It is no new bond we share."
Sandor listened to the explanation with equal fascination to that her brother showed. He enjoyed hearing his true love outline so openly the depth of her feelings for him.
Sansa continued, "Our relationship goes beyond a sudden tumble in a bed chamber. We have known each other many years. He was my strength in Kings Landing. My only strength once father died. Sandor has always protected me and cared for me as much as he was able and at extreme risk to himself, when I had nothing to offer him in return." She stared her brother down with a resolute gaze.
"So, is it love?" Jon asked, almost scoffing at the concept.
"Yes." She replied. "Without doubt."
"And for you, Clegane?" Jon asked, turning his attention to Sandor and narrowing his stare.
"Wholeheartedly." He replied, without hesitation. "There is no other woman I have ever loved, nor will ever love. I have loved your sister faithfully for years."
Jon rolled his eyes in response before saying, "I will not bore you both with questions about your suitability. You are both more than aware it is not an allegiance House Stark would desire, nor require. Our parents would turn in their graves and, if they were still to be living, I doubt not that they would deny you your pleasure." Jon said in an authoritative manner.
Softening his tone, he continued "They would never understand your choice Sansa."
Shaking his head slowly he said, "I myself would struggle to understand it had I not had the faith and strength of the Hound's sword at my back beyond the wall. Your reputation in the seven kingdoms is unfairly bestowed in my view."
Appearing sincere as he spoke, he continued more serious, "I have been privy to the honour within you, Clegane, however your reputation remains as it ever was, and you have attached my sister to it." He finished, frustrated, running his fingers through his hair.
Jon began pacing the room. His turmoil obvious. He either chooses to respect his parents' memory or grant respect to a man and woman who stand alongside him in his current mammoth endeavours.
After a moment of pacing he said, angry again "Do you have to be so bloody obvious about it? To flaunt it in the faces of every lord gathered under our roof? It shames House Stark. If it is love, why not just marry if I would grant you leave to do so?"
At that Sansa's calm controlled demeanour abandoned her. Her fire matched that of her hair. "I will not marry upon instruction!" She said. "I have been forced into marriage twice over and I will not do so again, ever!"
Her brother immediately recognised not only the anger, but the pain behind her words.
"I understand you sister." He said quietly, adding "Surely you see how it looks to have a lover so openly under our roof?" An imploring tone defined in his voice.
"And, how does it look?" A voice said sweetly. The voice was one Sansa barely recognised, and she turned in surprise to see Daenerys step into the room from a side chamber.
Jon was dumbstruck.
"How does it look Jon Snow?" She repeated, more firmly. "Does it look any different to you and I sharing a bed? You seem pleased enough to set aside the issue of marriage each night when you climb into my bed." Her expressive brows raised questioningly. "I can assure you, it is widely known that your own bed is unoccupied at night."
Sansa and Sandor could not hide their obvious delight.
"I think she has you by the bloody balls mate." Sandor spluttered, a rumble of laughter underlining his words.
"But …" Jon tried, thrusting an arm towards Sandor and Sansa, and waving it around as if it would somehow encapsulate meaning.
Sansa stepped over to stand beside Daenerys. The women stood together, strong backed and united. "But what brother?" She said innocently. "Is it perhaps that a woman cannot be the social superior of her lover, but no – that cannot be so." Putting her finger to her cheek and furrowing her brow in mock contemplation. "Surely you are yourself out-ranked by a Queen, having given up your Kingdom?"
She smiled at him, tilting her head to express concern. "I fear your battle has ended brother, unless you too wish to give up your warm place in your lover's bed? I sincerely doubt you'd find another so beautiful or powerful."
The air puffed out of Jon's sails in a rush. "I cannot win!" He declared, before slowly allowing himself to smile at his three opponents.
"I am happy for you sister. You do deserve joy." He said as he proffered his hand to Sandor to shake. "Regardless, I cannot waste time with such matters. There is more work to be done and strategy to be defined than hours in the day."
"We shall leave you then." Sansa said, as Daenerys leant forward to hug her.
She stepped over to give her brother a rare hug. He quietly said, "Know this Sansa, as the Snow I remain in my heart, despite others now choosing to see me as a Stark, I not only accept your choice and understand your unwillingness to marry, but I approve of your suitor. I know that Sandor will give his life in protection of yours without faltering, and no man be him lord or lowling has more than that to offer."
When they found themselves back in the corridor the chamber door shut behind them, they stood staring at each other in shock. As comprehension and smiles began to overcome their faces, Sansa leapt into Sandor's arms embracing him about the neck. He spun her around briefly before setting her down again to kiss her thoroughly.
"Bugger me!" He said, as he bent down to rest his hands upon his knees in shock and emotional exhaustion. "That was not how I expected that encounter to go. I had thought we may have to threaten to leave Winterfell to get our way. I feared I may have had to give you up."
"As did I!" Sansa nodded, exposing her secret concern, her own shock still apparent in her face.
Collecting herself, she said "Well, shall we break-fast in our chamber or the great hall this morning?"
"Our chamber?" Sandor repeated under his breath, his eyes twinkling at her.
"I do like the sound of those words upon your lips little bird, but today I feel we celebrate amongst all who care to look upon us." He winked, as a smug grin tickled his lips.
"I have secured the lady of Winterfell. Sansa Stark is mine." His disbelief apparent.
"You think too boldly, Clegane. It is the Hound that is mine!" She said, as she grabbed his hand and urgently pulled him towards the hall.
They'd recovered their stately demeanour before reaching the great hall and walked in nonchalantly to find a seat next to one another amongst the gathered masses. The hall fell silent, the rumour having worked its way through the entire castle at lightning speed before the sun was fully up. The thrum of voices returned, and was joined by the clattering of utensils and plates.
"May I be amongst the first to congratulate you both on your union of sorts." Tyrion said in a hushed tone, looking out from beneath his heavy brow with a broad grin.
"My nephew would without doubt be as purple as he was the day he died, had he heard this happy news. The thought is enough to warm one's soul in these dark and depressing times." He leaned forward to shake Sandor's hand briskly, his grin even broader when he finished.
"I can't say the idea distresses me. That purple prick stomping like the petulant child he was would be a delight to behold. The boy lacked the cock to secure or satisfy a woman like Sansa." Sandor replied.
"You are both behaving like boys yourselves!" Sansa chastised, before adding "Although, I am not in disagreement with the ideas you discuss."
The three laughed, and tucked into a hearty meal as Arya snuck up behind Sansa.
"You disappoint me sister." She said under her breath. "I felt sure we had a delicious secret to share between just we two, and now I find it is no secret at all. Then again, perhaps there is another secret, but it is for you to deduce what it may be?"
"That's easy." Sansa replied, before lowering her voice and looking her sister in the eye. "It is you who has a secret lover." Arya's eyes opened wide quizzically and Sansa smiled before tipping her head to the far end of the table where Gendry sat.
"You may be a master at disguise, but the boy cannot hide his fascination for you." Sansa said with satisfaction. Arya allowed just the slightest of smiles to wash over her face before it was gone.
Sansa beckoned her sister's ear even closer to her lips before she breathed "To think, it was me who was to have married a King, but it is you who chooses King's blood. The union of Stark and Baratheon may still have its time."
Arya gave her sister a hearty shove, before wandering off. Saying as she went, "Shit-face, you had best watch out for that one. She can be wily."
"You tell me nothing new wolf-bitch." He replied.
After a short meal. Sandor raised himself up from the table and said. "See you tonight."
Bending down, he placed a kiss on the top of Sansa's head. The room fell silent again, and he gave her a smile only she could see.
"You enjoy this too much." She whispered, as the rumble of activity returned to the room.
"Perhaps I do." He grinned, raising an eyebrow and was gone.
He'd had word sent to her during the day that they would dine together in their chambers, although it was still a pleasant surprise to enter the room and see a platter of food, wine and her lover already there.
A steaming bath awaited them both. "I thought you'd prefer to go first." He said as he gestured to the tub from his comfortable chair, surrounded by small pieces of armour he'd removed. "The water won't be fit for a lady once I'm through with it."
"Thank you, my love." She said, pecking his cheek.
"You may want to get in and get yourself covered in scent before I crack open the rest of my armour. Without a rose wafting up your nose, you may not forgive me for the stench I produce." He said earnestly.
"I told Ellyn, that I'd get your clothes off." He rasped. "I'm not too sure if she was scandalised or annoyed by it." Wrinkling his nose as he pondered it further, and taking off his boots.
Sansa hung her cloak on a hook and pointed behind herself to the laces at the base of her neck. "We'll need to think about how this will work, for her and us." She said, as he stood and started unlacing her.
"She's no soldier you know. The girl is unused to a man's ..." She struggled for a moment to find an appropriate word, "... manhood, hanging about between his legs. You shocked the poor thing this morning." She finished, a small giggle erupting from her throat as he grabbed her arse in play.
"There is something bloody wrong with the world if a man cannot stand naked in his own chamber little bird." He replied gruffly, then said resignedly "Argh, she'll get used to me. Besides, she's bound to see cock one day. Better that it comes as no surprise."
"Well, if you won't see reason on that matter, then perhaps we can agree that she dresses me in the mornings and undresses me most evenings? It is part of her job to attend to mending and laundering, so it makes sense to inspect my clothing at the end of each day." She said.
"Aye, perhaps. I can still peel a shift off you for my own satisfaction." He said with a teasing growl, whilst he nibbled her neck. "Besides, these long laces are not exactly made for my fingers. They're bastard awkward things. I'd rather nick them with the point of a blade, than fiddle with them."
Before long Sansa stepped into the bath. He watched her as her breasts bobbed enticingly just below the surface of the water. "You're a sight to behold, my beauty." He said contentedly.
'It gives me pleasure to watch you strip too." She said coquettishly, placing her hands on the edge of the tub and resting her chin upon them.
"Go ahead." She instructed, raising her brown in insistence.
He reached for the leather straps of his final pieces of armour and tugged them loose and went about stacking all the pieces carefully in the corner of the room.
"I'll have them bring a stand for it tomorrow." She said. "Go, on. Next layer." Wiggling her finger at him.
"I'm not sure if you're wanton or just a bossy fish-wife." He said, squinting his eye to peer at her as he stripped himself of his remaining layers.
"Wanton." He declared.
She splashed some water in his direction. "You'd have it no other way." She said.
"Aye. You're damn right there!" He said.
Becoming reflective he said, "It's peculiar. There is horror out there to the north, but here alone with you the world is perfect." He stood silently looking at her for a moment, as if drinking in the view.
Suddenly, lurching naked towards the tub he said, "Right, now move over!"
"You can't!" She protested somewhat panicked unable to move fast enough herself to get out.
"Just watch me!" He said, as he stepped into the tub, placing a foot either side of her.
He of course couldn't fit and, as he lowered himself down, she was forced up and out. She stood dripping and pouting beside the bath, before he reached out and pulled her on to his knees which were poking a distance above the waterline. Initially, she balanced awkwardly side-saddle, before sliding happily down his lap, her bottom only just immersed in water. His arms embraced her, and she gave him a loving kiss.
"Did your day go well?" She enquired, as she pushed his hair from his face and stroked his temple with her fingers.
"Well, it certainly started gloriously." He said. "I still can't believe your brother was so easily swayed."
"Hmm." She agreed, "Although I doubt he would have been so easily persuaded had he not been keeping company with the Queen."
"That and where I put my cock is of no real concern to him at present, he has enough to consider without your antics." He teased, as he slid a finger inside her.
She groaned with the pleasurable invasion, and turned her head up to kiss him again. "I could get used to this attention." She purred.
"I hope you never do. I aspire to always excite you." He rumbled sincerely in an aroused tone.
They spent some time enjoying passionate kisses, their tongues dancing together, their fingers exploring their heated flesh. When they dried themselves off, Sandor stood looking between the plate of food and their bed.
"So, which will it be - a quick fuck and food, or quick food and a long fuck?" His head tilted sideways awaiting her reply.
She laughed, although she knew he was not joking. Mischievously she said, "Does it have to be one or the other? Why not a quick fuck, food and a long fuck?" The coarse words not even tripping her tongue.
"Oh." He growled, grabbing her and tossing her on the bed.
"That dirty word on your lips is perfect, and your ideas sublime!" He hovered above her, easing a knee between her legs, and allowing his erection to scrape her belly arousingly. He kissed her hard, his mouth dominating hers as his second knee slid between her legs. Her blood boiled with anticipation, and she reached her hands up behind his back to brace herself against his shoulders.
"Ready?" He asked.
She nodded an enthusiastic affirmation, as one of his hands spread her folds in expectation. Slowly he pushed himself inside, to the sound of her contented sigh.
"You asked for quick." He said, as he did a few long slow drives before increasing his tempo to a hard and fast pace.
She groaned her approval, as she struggled to brace herself from his power. He found another gear, and pounded her heavily. Her body aflame, she could feel the call of her peak as the impact rattled her brain, leaving her deliciously lightheaded. She bolstered her forehead against his chest, as her moans increased with each repetitive pound, before letting out a high pitched "Ahh" as her core clenched and vibrated around him. He too expelled a sound at his release and they huff and puffed their way back to normality looking at each other.
"First order undertaken." He announced, as he allowed his full weight to crush her for a moment.
She struggled for air beneath him, and revelled in it momentarily before pushing him off. His mass excited her. She loved his height, breadth and masculinity for so starkly contrasting herself. The feel and sight of his tough battle-worn skin, generously populated with coarse hair, flush against her invigorated her to her core and for a moment she struggled with the idea of doing anything other than lay beside him.
Reaching for an abandoned towel, she wiped herself clean, before tenderly wiping his manhood and tossing the towel aside. She stood and gathered the platter and wine, returning with them to the bed.
He'd sat up by then and was stretched out on the bed, is back leaning against the wall behind it. She wriggled into a nook next to him, and rested against his chest, pulling one of his arms to warmly drape around her shoulder. They ate slowly and chatted; poured many wines and laughed together. When the platter was empty he stood and dutifully put it back on its table.
Returning to the bed, he took up his position again, but this time not sitting so upright. Getting himself comfortable he pulled Sansa on to his lap, her back reclined against his chest, her head leaning on his shoulder. He ran his hands between her thighs and gently spread her legs, before running his palms up her body to find and fondle her breasts. Bending his head down, his hot breath puffed into her ear with a tickle as he kissed the side of her face and neck.
"It's time for the slow now, little bird." The words oozed out of him like syrup and her excitement built.
In terms of days they had not been long together, but in terms of moments and breathless feasting on flesh it had been a long while. Her body no longer knew what it was to go unsatisfied. She felt sure that whatever circumstances their flesh had of been brought together under, they would have matched in heat, but it was not just lust that joined them. Her deep respect for him, and he for her, heightened their bond. The pleasure they took from each other's words, or silent company could be brought by no other individual. No knight of storybooks could match what she found in him and they revelled in it. She'd even grown to enjoy his coarse nature; his words were like their flesh – opposite in appearance and made to complement perfectly.
His hands smoothed over her body and she felt transformed into silk. The heft of his bulk beneath her sparked excitement throughout her and his masterful nipple play had her breathless and squirming. A hand drifted to her mound and his fingers scampered amongst the curls. She was torn between watching them play and closing her eyes to the dimly lit room and escaping into her sensations.
She flickered between both. Gaining an intense thrill when she both saw and felt is fingers trail back and forth along her folds. Her body bucked with the luminous energy surging throughout it. His lips were pressed against her neck and she could feel the vibration of his desire as he moaned and kissed her. His fingers stretched long and ensnared her folds between them, curling his hand to pull the flesh away from her. The tension it created heightened her desire. He repeated the motion, but this time pulling the flesh away to an almost painful point.
Was it pain? – yes! She thought, but such pleasure with it. His other hand found her nipple and, taking it between thumb and forefinger he squeezed firmly. She called out in shock and desire, and she felt his lips curl into a smile against her neck. He cupped her breast more fully, gathering more tissue between his thumb and forefinger, rolled, squeezed, even tugging and she was lost. All the while his hand never lost its power in the playground amongst her folds. He massaged them with intensity. She screamed out again, there was no way to contain herself.
His thumb brushed over her nub and her body clenched in shock, her shoulders thrusting backwards into him, her heels digging into the bed beside his legs. His erection was like rock between her buttocks and she was lost. Two fingers made their way inside her, whilst his thumb continued to glance over her nub. A touch so light it was barely there; but oh, how it was there! It punctuated the intense shocks her nipple sparked.
Her breath was shallow and her head light. He growled at his own pleasure and she called out again. She could smell his masculinity, almost taste it in the air. The fingers curling inside her, running a rhythm of delight to brush against her sensitive core had built, his thumb moving small circles of heaven on her nub. She could see in her mind the white heat sparking throughout her, building and then it hit; two – no three, places at once. He'd expertly brought her undone in her core and her nub, but her nipple hadn't been left behind and she was locked in the power of the clench at her core. She couldn't move, stiff above him, oxygen struggling to find her lungs.
"We're not finished yet, little bird." He said, his fingers trapped in her clenching core as it involuntarily continued to grasp, hoping to milk seed. His other hand gently massaging her breast as his tongue slid along her neck and shoulder. "I promised you long."
He allowed her time to come into herself once more, to step back from the abyss of pleasure. She slid off him and lay on her side next to him, her body buzzing but no longer overcome.
"I don't know if I can take more." She said honestly.
"You can." He promised, his voice heavy with arousal.
He rolled over above her and took her breast into his mouth. The wet warmth and suckle assured her she could indeed take more, and indeed she wanted it. Her hands gravitated to his head to rummage through his hair, and he made his way down her body with gentle licks and kisses as her body arched beneath him, breathless once again.
He bent down to kiss and lick her womanhood, a hand reaching under her to squeeze her cheek. She squirmed under his control. The licks languid and wonderful but she was stirred into a burning heat once more.
"I need cock." She said, the words escaping her mouth to her own surprise.
"And you shall have it, my lady. How do you need it, my love?"
"Hard; strong – now." She said, not recognising her own voice.
He flipped her over as she urgently gathered pillows beneath herself. She arched her back, pointing her bottom up to him. An unhindered moan, escaped him as he sheathed himself fully inside her. He indulged himself in a few long slow slides in and out of her; her own moans encouraging his dalliance.
Her ear enjoyed the grunts which escaped him when he started to power into his task. It excited her when his hand went to the back of her neck and he forced her down strongly on to the pillows, as he sought stability for his powerful thrusts, his pressured grasp intoxicating her. She could feel his balls slapping against her and the vibrations created pleasure in her overwrought groin. He was not holding back, nor did she want him to. He forced himself back and forth heavily, his speed creating sweat which dripped on to her. She was powerless to control her own response and let her audible pleasure excite the fervour. Her peak hit her along with a sense of extreme accomplishment. She'd wanted him strong; he'd given it and she'd taken it. He slapped into her with his own peak and his cock twitched manically deep within her, his hot seed spurting in pulses of pleasure.
It took a moment for him to relinquish his strong grasp, and he immediately became aware of his show of force over her. His hands soothed along her back, massaging her bottom as he apologised for his grip.
"I lose myself in you, little bird." He said, by way of explanation as his still hard knob rubbed her sweetly internally.
"It was perfect." She said, as he pulled his hips away from her. She turned to see, a look of surprise flash across his face.
"You didn't mind me holding you down so intensely? He said
She let an almost evil smile crawl up her lips, her eyes still hooded with passion. "I loved it." She said plainly. "If I wanted a delicate man, you would never have made it into my bed."
He was clearly taken aback even more. "Don't get me wrong, I love your gentle touch too, but your strength …" A sound of appreciation seeped out of her. "Your strength, makes me drunk. Makes me strong too."
He nodded, and she thought he understood. She hoped he had, because she wanted more of that unrestrained passion. They collapsed on to the bed together. Their eyes searching each other.
"I never dreamed there would be someone who could take me as I am." He said. "You accept all of me." The statement almost meant as a question.
"I do." She said.
"Not only accept." She said, shaking her head before smiling. "I love all of you."
They kissed deeply, meaningfully, as she ran her hands over his sweat slicked body.
"Have a rest." She said, as she stood and fetched a small iron pot from next to her fireplace. I'll warm some water and wash you clean of your exertion when you are ready.
AN: Thank you so much to all those taking the time to read this story, your time is appreciated. If you have a moment to review I would be very grateful. A recent review spurred on another flurry of writing.