CHAPTER 8

The colour flushed on Brienne's cheeks, and her eyes blazed, as she spoke harshly through clenched teeth at the wildling, "We did not stipulate the length of time I tell you!"

She looked ready to grab Tormund by the hair and smash his head on the table. He took her frustration with his usual good humour, refusing to bite back to her bark.

"That as may be, but your desire was that I leave you alone for a week. Tis only fair that my desire be met for an equal term." He refrained from adding - my love, although the words floated so near to his lips.

Instead he raised his eyebrows and looked to Sansa for support. She did a deep single nod of understanding, trying to show she was taking the matter seriously, despite its triviality.

"It is true there was no real clarity to Tormund's request at the time, nonetheless I do think he raises a fair point." She said, as Brienne looked ready to explode.

Sansa quickly continued, "I feel we can all agree that it was not intended to be an entire day, each day for a week."

Brienne smiled smugly at that acknowledgement. Continuing, Sansa said "But perhaps some time each day would satisfy the wager?"

Podrick stood behind Brienne, smiling at Sansa's efforts to keep the peace. He found clear amusement with both Brienne's situation and her obvious annoyance. Of all people, he knew what it took to get under her skin when she neither required you there, nor wanted you. He'd weaselled his way into her affections when she'd had no real need of a squire.

"Ugh!" Brienne exclaimed, as she planted her hands on the table and pushed herself up to standing.

She knew the proposal was far more than she wanted to give, but was suddenly aware it was far less than the shaggy ginger may demand of her.

"I will give you an hour now, and be satisfied with that for today!" She said. "If you survive it? Gods, If I survive it! We will agree upon a time for tomorrow."

She strode from the room steely faced with Tormund in hot pursuit, a happy grin spread from ear to ear as he came up close behind her.

"May I suggest a stroll around the winter garden?" Sandor called out after them, knowing full well it would anger Brienne further. Her peeved grunt in reply could be heard the length of the hall, despite the breaking of fast commotions throughout.

Sandor's mirth was apparent. "I do believe that fucker may well wear the bitch down." He said, almost surprising himself with the news.

Turning his attention to Podrick he said, "You may as well come with me lad. You can help me train the smallfolk with weaponry. It may even extend your education beyond what that woman has taught you."

"Yes, ser." Podrick replied enthusiastically, before taking in the terse look upon Sandor's face and realising his mistake.

"Yes, master?" He corrected himself questioningly, before throwing out another option, "Yes, Clegane!"

"That'll do lad." Sandor grunted, noisily scraping his stool along the stone floor as he stood.

"I'll see you at midday, little bird. If you find time to eat?" He said, pecking Sansa on the head and leaving.

Sansa watched him go, as she always did.

"It never ceases to enthral me, when I look upon the two of you." Jamie spoke, his silky voice making her ill at ease. "Not a match I would imagine possible, much less probable?"

"Neither of us saw the situation coming, although we unknowingly held torches for one another for many years." Sansa spoke honestly.

Jamie choked on his drink. "Really? Now that surprises me even more!" He shook his head in disbelief. "It is not to be unexpected that such a man would admire you, much less desire you, but you him? Unfathomable!"

Sansa squinted her eyes. "And what makes you say that, ser?"

"The position of him, no less the look of him?" Jamie replied, his tone implying it was obvious.

"I enjoy the look of him very much." Sansa quickly retorted.

Jamie nodded, "I suppose you must." His face indicating he was trying hard to believe it.

"His position matters not to me. I would think it should concern you far less? You have almost grown up with the man, surely you should be far more aware than most that he is a man of great honour and honesty?" Sansa eyed him, with a look that almost threatened to call into question his own honour.

"I suppose that is true." He said. "But when did this torch get lit?"

"When I was but a child in Kings Landing. He was very kind to me there, when others were not. He protected me, when others would not. He did no harm to me, when others did." She looked at him blank-faced, awaiting a response.

Jamie suddenly found his chair uncomfortable, and squirmed somewhat as his finger discovered a crumb on the table to toy with. "I suppose that would fan a flame." He said convinced.

"He offered to steal me away the night of the Blackwater, but in the terror of that night I'd been a stupid child and refused him." She said.

The look upon Jamie's face delighted her. She could have pushed him off his chair with a blown kiss, and no doubt had to scrape him into a bucket after.

"Obedient Clegane was going to steal the king's intended from under his petulant nose? Well …" He spoke slowly and allowed his words to trail off, as he shook his head incredulous.

Jamie may have secretly sired the Baratheon boy king, but there was no love lost between them. He was not blind to the horror the boy had manifested upon everyone at court.

"I wish you every happiness together." He suddenly said, appearing genuine in the sentiment.

"Thank you, my lord." Sansa replied sweetly. "Now, if there is nothing of importance you wish to discuss with me? I must excuse myself from your company. My schedule is full, and I am required elsewhere."

Sansa stood as his arm swept before him, indicating that she was free to leave. She smoothed out her skirts, and holding her head high as she usually did, she made her way from the hall. A barely apparent smile upon her face as she went, knowing that he had read between the lines - a Hound was worth far more than any Lannister lion.

Joining Davos, Sansa set about her business. She'd been inspecting armour production when Sandor had snuck up behind her.

"You'll need more wits about you than that, if you are to survive this war, little bird." He said, catching his arm around her and lifting her off the ground.

"Put me down beast!" She said teasingly.

He did as he was told, only to grab her by the hand and pull her behind a workshop. He planted a passionate kiss on her lips, his arm leaning on the wall above her head, and was gently kissing down her neck, lingering on the soft skin which met her shoulder whilst she feigned annoyance.

"I have work to be done." She said, as he pushed his hips into hers, alerting her to his true desires.

"As do I, my love." He said, "But I can still find a moment for you."

She enjoyed the dalliance for some moments before finally insisting he let her go. She loved that she piqued his libido so much, but she was not about to fornicate around the back of a blacksmith's, no matter how much he rubbed his hard cock against her. At least she hoped she wouldn't.

He made a sound that rumbled between satisfaction at a fumble and annoyance for not achieving more, and let her on her way.

"Until this evening!" He called out to her, as she walked away smiling.

It was late afternoon when she was perusing maps with Davos. Scanning the areas Jon, Dany and Tyrion intended to set alight and a thought struck Sansa which had not previously occurred to her - Sandor cannot stand untamed flame. To see fire burn uncontrollably was his worst nightmare, his only nightmare. He was supremely brave before any threat, except that. He seemed to tolerate a fire in a hearth or torchlight well enough, but he'd lost all sensibility when the Blackwater had burned out of control. He had abandoned his post for the first time in his life. He'd also abandoned her.

Sansa felt a sickness fester in the pit of her stomach and heard a ringing in her ears. The day could not end soon enough, she needed to see him. What if he ran from her? What if dying in this war was not the only way she could lose him forever?

Someone spoke, but the voice could not break through her own thoughts, her all-encompassing worry. Davos held her above her elbows and was shaking her gently.

"Are you alright my lady?" He drawled, his face written with genuine concern. "You weren't with me for a moment."

"Oh, pray my apologies." She said, her eyes still glazed over. "What was it you were saying?"

"That's of no great consequence." He replied, "Are you unwell? Do you feel you should rest?"

"Perhaps. Yes, perhaps I should." Sansa decided.

"I'll escort you to your chambers forthwith and then seek out Clegane." He said.

Sansa was still having trouble focussing on his words. "Yes." She said, "No. By all means escort me to my chambers, but there is no need to trouble Sandor. If you could have someone fetch my maid, that will be enough."

He crooked his arm for her to hook hers into, and slowly walked her to her chambers, making sure she was comfortable in a chair before he left to have her maid called. Every step Sansa had taken along the way had reverberated in her head. She felt other-worldly; removed from herself and others.

Ellyn had not been located, but another maid arrived to check on her. "Could you have a bath brought in please." Sansa asked, and she sat quietly as the tub was carried in, and warm water bucketed to it.

The maid helped her undress and left her to her soaking. When the sound of the door closing echoed behind her, Sansa had broken down into a flood of tears. She was red-faced and still crying when Sandor burst in. Davos had ignored her instruction and sought him out.

"What is it little bird? What ails you so?" He said, tortured with worry, the words barely out of his mouth before he saw her face.

He was unused to a woman's tears. Wailing women distraught at a soldier's treatment of their men he'd seen often enough, but this was no stranger, this was his woman, her tears moistened her cheeks and he could formulate no quick solution or response to them. It had stopped him in his tracks. He stood staring blankly at her.

She splashed water over her face and said "I'm alright. I'm just tired."

He ventured close and knelt beside the tub, scrutinising her as he pulled off his cape and tossed it aside. He didn't believe her. There was something amiss. Her eyes were red and swollen, and yes – she did appear tired, but more than that she appeared deeply saddened.

"Do you need me to do something?" He asked quietly. "Is there something I can do?"

She looked up at him. "I just had a thought. One I could not shake. It frightened me."

His eyes were pleading at her, needing to know the cause of it. He wanted to question her, but he remained silent, fearful if he spoke a word she would withdraw into herself.

"I realised you must leave me. Travel to Essos. You must go!" She said, tears rolling down her cheeks as she spoke, her breath coming to her in gasps.

"By all the gods, why?" He demanded.

"We'll be burning the north." She said simply. She began shaking her head, "You can't be here for it. The Blackwater – it shattered you. You can't be here when we burn the north."

He stood up tall as his tunic came up and over his head, letting it fall to the floor. Yanking off his boots urgently he said, "Move over!"

Still wearing his stockings, breeches and shirt he climbed into the bath, pulling her on to his lap. He cradled her in his arms, tucking her head beneath his chin and took a moment to consider what she was saying.

"You think I can't handle the war?" He asked softly.

"It's not that I think you can't handle a war, it's this war. There will be so much flame." She said.

His hand ran over her head, gathering her hair as he began talking, "I have seen plenty of bloody flame you know? Did Jon never tell you of our time beyond the wall? A bastard dead polar bear burning as it tried to kill us. I'll not deny I damn near soiled my breeches, but any man would. Then, as we were trapped on a rock in a frozen lake, dragons flew all around us breathing great columns of flame, setting battalions of the dead alight."

His hand was rubbing her back as he spoke it almost as though a fairy-tale, "I bloody well rode on one of the fiery beasts to get away." He added. "I have seen plenty of flame and maintained my wits."

"But the Blackwater. You left me." She said solemnly.

"Is that what worries you little bird? Is that your true concern?" He spoke softly to her.

She remained silent for a moment. "Yes - but no. I fear for you, I fear the terror of the flame will disturb you so deeply that I will lose you anyway."

He took a deep breath and spoke, "No-one knows how this war will end little bird, or what twists it will take along the way. Only one thing remains certain, I will not leave you. I will never leave you. If I fall in battle, I fall. Any soldier knows that, and faces it unquestioningly."

He tilted her head back, so she may see his face, "Any soldier's wife knows it too, and must do the same."

Laying a gentle kiss on her lips, he realised he wanted to kiss her meaningfully, without intent to fan a flame. Bedding her was not on his mind. He wanted her to find peace, to believe his pledge that he would not abandon her.

Her hand squeezed the sodden fabric on his chest. "Look at you." She said, "You could have disrobed."

"Bugger that! Not with you like that. Not in your distress." He smiled an encouraging small smile, "You really should have spoken to me before you let your thoughts run wild."

"I'll not deny the flames disturb me, but I have you now little bird. You to come home to, you to love. It will ground me in battle." He said reassuringly.

They sat in the water for a long time, both silently contemplating the future. After some time, he lifted her up, peeled his wet clothes off and dried her. He found a clean shift for her and encouraged her into bed.

"I'll seek out a meal for you, little bird. I did not see you at midday. You must eat properly and rest." He said.

"You work so hard, and must take better care of yourself." He said, kissing her forehead.

He quickly dressed and left. When he returned she was sleeping and, putting the meal down next to the bed, he disrobed once again and climbed in next to her. It was early, but he could think of nothing better to do than just be with her. It was near midnight when he awoke to the movements and sounds of her eating.

"Thank you for the food." She said.

The glow of the fire cast enough light for him to see she was still not herself. A shadow of sorrow, hung over her, although she was no longer in the abject misery he had found her in earlier. He sat up, and reached for some bread and cheese, nodding when she gestured towards the wine.

"Do you feel better?" He asked tentatively.

"Yes." She said, "And I am sure I will feel better still, once I have eaten more."

They sat in quietude, sipping on their wine and eating.

Breaking the silence, she said "Jamie quizzed me about us today?"

"Really? And what did that smooth prick have to say?" He said.

"Oh, not a lot. Just that he was surprised we were together." She moved over to lean against him.

"I bet he is." He huffed.

Struggling to find anything to say, he said "I saw Tormund when I was on the way to the kitchen. He was delighted with his time with Brienne. He feels sure he is cracking her. They've agreed to another hour in the morning. He's aiming to get to afternoons within a couple of days, and in his words - by the time we get to evenings she'll be begging for a wildling ride."

Sansa let out an unbidden snort, making them laugh. "Does he realise she's a maid still?" She asked.

"Fuck! I doubt it, that's not the way of the wildlings. They hump anything that moves whenever they choose. Do you think I should warn him?" Sandor asked.

"I think so." Sansa said, "He may stand a chance with her if he understands her better. He does like her properly, doesn't he? He's not just after that is he?"

Sandor nodded. "According to him she is it. A truer goddess never walked the earth. He wants to make giant babies with her." He said smiling. "He thinks they will be glorious together."

"I think Jamie likes her too." Sansa said.

"What the fuck? Surely not?" Sandor exclaimed, surprised. "I thought the only place he wanted to keep his cock warm and wet was in his sister."

"It's not like he's said anything to me. I've just noticed the way he looks at her when she is not watching him. He's always got his eye on her." She said.

"Does she know?" Sandor asked.

"I doubt it." Sansa replied.

"Bloody hells, I know I call her bitch." Sandor said, looking a little awkward, "But, I'd rather she ends up with Tormund. He's a good man."

"I don't think Jamie is as bad as he is portrayed. The Kingslayer taunt is unfair. If he hadn't killed mad King Aerys all those years ago, so many more would have died unnecessarily. Even Dany knows that. Jamie was so very young at the time. It is a heavy burden to carry for a lifetime." She reflected. "He was certainly true to the word he gave mother, or at least tried to be. And, he's stood by the truce."

"You're forgetting he tipped your brother out a window." Sandor said bluntly.

"Hmm, Bran doesn't seem to hold it against him – so what right have I to? Bran seems more aware than anyone that he had his own path to lead in this life, and his fall was just a step along it. What I suppose I mean is that Jamie has changed. Perhaps it is Brienne who has changed him? They certainly spent a long time in each other's company when he was Robb's prisoner." She suggested.

Having finished their meal, they snuggled down under the covers again. He pulled her close, reaching his arm over her, she clasped his hand.

"Every man is capable of change, Sandor." She said.

By the time morning broke she was even further back to herself, and he was relieved. They broke their fast together in the great hall, but when Sandor spotted Tormund walking in he was quick to get up and pull him aside.

"I need a word." He said, "Somewhere quiet." Gesturing that Tormund join him, he left the hall.

Tormund followed him along the corridor, all the whilst moaning that precious moments which could be shared with his quarry over the morning meal were being lost to him forever by wasting time in the presence of a big scarred ugly bastard instead.

"Shut up and listen, you annoying fuck!" Sandor said, when he finally deemed a spot suitably private, "It's about that precious bloody quarry of yours that we need to talk. Sansa said something that you should know about Brienne."

"I'm listening." Tormund said, unable to disguise his interest.

Sandor took a breath and started, "It's just that, well she … it's just that she's a …"

"Just say it." Tormund said, frustrated.

"She's a maid. The big bitch is a bloody maid." Sandor spat out.

Tormund's eyes could not have been any larger. He gasped in shock, while a cheeky smile began to curl his lips.

"Well, is that why she plays so damn hard to get?" He said.

"Perhaps, or maybe she just doesn't fancy a big hairy savage? Either way, I thought you should know that you can't expect her to act like wildling lasses." Sandor said.

Tormund slapped his hands on to Sandor's shoulders. "Thank you, brother, thank you!" He said genuinely.

"To think my cock will be the first to be hugged by her undoubtedly glorious cunt! What joyous news you have brought me this morning." He said. "Oh, it shall fill my dreams, that pink untouched flesh." He was lost in his own imaginings.

"Is that all?" He suddenly said.

"Yes, that's all." Sandor said, bemused.

"Well, I'm off to try and sit near her for the meal. We're due our alone time immediately after. Wish me luck, brother!" He said.

Sandor grunted, an acknowledgment, as they turned together and headed back to the great hall.

When they arrived, Brienne was indeed there, and she did not show complete abhorrence when Tormund made his way to her side. Neither was she welcoming, but the simple severe stare was at least an improvement in attitude. There had barely been a huffy display from her when she later stood.

"Well, are you coming?" She'd said, glaring at him.

"Naturally!" He'd said with enthusiasm.

He still walked behind her as they left, but it was just slightly to her side. One could even surmise he was within her peripheral vision.

"An impressive step up, don't you think?" Sansa said, knowing Sandor watched the exit keenly as well.

Sandor spoke through a mouthful of food, "We'll see how well he's going when we know what agreement has been reached for tomorrow."

"It's quite lovely to watch." She said.

"Bah! Hardly a great romance for the poets, little bird. They damn near ripped each other's heads off two days ago." He scoffed.

"Yes, but I think there lies a seed. Besides, I think that was their way of flirting." Sansa said confidently.

Sandor laughed. "I'd much prefer you flirt with your eyes, hands and words, little bird than hold a dagger at my neck or try and stab me in the balls."

"Well, perhaps not flirting per se, more a display of strength like animals in a forest. An elaborate show to entice a mate to breed." She said.

He stood laughing again. "Well, don't fucking think you will make yourself more attractive for breeding by putting a knife anywhere near my cock."

"I wouldn't risk it my love, it's far too precious to me." She said quietly, as he bent down and kissed her goodbye.

When Sansa later made her way to Jon's chambers for a meeting she couldn't help but smile when she saw Tormund and Brienne standing together in the courtyard below. It was well past their allocated alone time, and although she doubted they had spent the time between then and now together, she suspected Brienne was not annoyed by his presence and perhaps even liked his company.

"Fuck me sideways!" Sandor announced when he'd come to the chamber that evening. "The hairy sod has managed to get two hours tomorrow morning." He said, as he removed his cloak and hung it up.

"He says, they will be training for part of it, but he intends it to be as hands-on as possible." Sandor sat down with a decided glow about him. "The world really is turning upside down, little bird." He remarked, shaking his head, "At this rate Tormund may even snatch her maidenhead before we all die."

AN: No sex this chapter on purpose. I feel genuine love doesn't involve jumping each other at every moment. They have a deep bond and respect for each other, and I wanted to show it a little. Please let me know if you feel let down. THANK YOU for the new reviews! I gained a few which makes me very happy as it's the only feedback I get.