AUTHOR'S NOTE-
What a perfectly cloudy day it was for writing! This is my favorite ship, I didn't realize how much fun I would have writing them and can't seem to stop. I'm willing to open a little award for you lovelies. I will write a one shot san/san story of your choice to the first 3 readers that leave the phrase "Fuck the king." along with their comment. Happy reading!
Stranger's thunderous footsteps trampled the dirt as Sandor rode him through the woods. He gripped the reins tightly as they passed trees so fast, they bleed together like brown and green clouds. The black horse was well past being worked for the day, but Sandor did not want to stop. He couldn't stop. The light from the sun had turned from the bright yellow of midday, to softer golden hues, bidding the sky farewell. Sandor knew they had to return to the keep soon. He didn't mind being out of the castle at night, but riding Stranger back in darkness put the horse in danger of hurting itself. He pulled back on the reins, and began slowing the horse down. He could feel Stranger's quickened heart and walked him around for ten minutes before coming to a complete stop.
Sandor dismounted and led the horse to a nearby creek. Both man and horse drank from the cool water. Sandor's thirst was quenched well before Stranger's so he plopped down on the ground as the horse continued lapping. He took in his surroundings. A tree shook as birds rustled in it's depths. A family of rabbits hopped by across the creek. Sandor decided against killing them, for their meat was gamey and the kitchens always had cooked meats awaiting him. The kitchen girls learned to always have something read in case he came storming in. Sandor preferred not to eat with the royal family. He was usually present at their dinners, to guard Joffrey, but he liked eating by himself.
A light breeze flew over the water and through the trees. The leaves were in the beginning stages of turning. The vibrant green was now surrounded by yellowed edges. iWinter is coming./i Sandor thought. The words of House Stark reminded him of what he was running from. He laid his back on the ground and looked up at the sky, pulling handfuls of grass out of the ground.
He thought about denying Tyrion's offer. Telling him to fuck off, and give back the gold...but keep the wine. Let someone else do his dirty work. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he wouldn't trust anyone else to look after the little bird. He thought of the kings guard and knew none of them to be decent men. They had all stood in the throne room the day Joffrey took out his anger from Robb Stark on Sansa. They all laughed and cheered as Ser Meryn Trant beat the girl, and tried stripping her. Sandor clenched his jaw and pushed that thought out of his mind. If it wasn't him guarding her, he would watch whoever did like a hawk. She would be on his mind if he looked after her or not. iDamn girl./i He let out a long breath, accepting his new duties.
Water droplets hit his face. He wiped them off and opened his eyes to find Stranger's face looking down at him.
"Alright then." Sandor sleepily said. He rolled up, his armor not making it easy. Stranger pressed his snout against Sandor's neck, nuzzling into him. Sandor pet his friend's nose and stood. He cracked his back, and took another look at the creek. Nature had a way of relaxing him. Mayhaps it was because of where he grew up. He loved playing with his younger sister in the fields outside the Clegane property. He grew up in a particularly long summer. They spent just about everyday out there. He always preferred the company of animals over humans. Animals never act out of spite, or revenge, he thought. They only do what's natural.
He mounted Stranger and began the slow walk back to the keep. Back to the place where the liars thrived, and the honest were displayed on spies as a warning to others.
As Sansa made her way to the Godswood, she noticed the afternoon breeze had a colder bite to it than yesterday's. She walked through the maze of flower filled shrubs, pleased to see no one else around. She wanted desperately to be alone, for the pain in her stomach seemed to have intensified since the morning. She followed the stone walkway until it turned into a dirt path, covered by a green canopy. She lifted the hem of her dress, and continued on the path. I should have brought my cloak. Sansa cursed her self for not thinking ahead. The canopy seemed to trap the cold air inside, causing goosebumps to grow on Sansa's arms. She walked faster, until she reached the other side of the covered path.
Trees surrounded a small stagnant river. She walked over to the water and tossed a stone in. It left no ripples as it disappeared below the greenish surface. Sansa once read that if a body of water lay so still, it meant it a psychic sea nymp called it home. She was no longer a child and didn't believe in such magical stories anymore, but still, she backed away from the river all the same.
She turned her gaze towards the trees until she found what she was looking for. In the midst of the tall dark trees, a white branch with red leaves laid nestled on the ground. iFather. /i Weirdwood trees could only grow in Winterfell, but some places offered branches, or even a single red leaf so those who believed in the old Gods had something to seek answers from. Sansa let out a smile and knelled in front of it.
She closed her eyes and began to pray. For her father, now peacefully resting. For her mother, who she knew must be broken inside, but remained strong for the young ones. For Robb, that he have the strength of the North inside him. For Jon, who had her father's dark eyes and was always so kind to her. For Bran, that his legs would soon heal and he could once again climb and run. For Rickon, sweet Rickon. She prayed he would not be afraid. And for Arya. She did not know where her ferocious sister was, but she prayed that she was looked after, and safe and mayhaps one day they would see each other again.
She found herself subconsciously praying for one more soul. A man so full of pain, she could see it in his clear as day in his cloudy eyes. A man who saved her countless times. From others, and from herself. The shadow who stalked the halls behind her. A man everyone feared, but somehow made her feel...safe? He was intimidating, and harsh. Why am I not afraid of him? He was the one person she found herself speaking freely in front of. She remembered a few nights ago looking upon the unburned side of his face. Northern features./i For the first time she really looked a him, she danced around the idea of him being handsome...
"My lady." Sansa gasped as a thin man in all black stood by her, watching carefully. His hands neatly clasped in front of him.
Sansa stood. "That's quite alright, Lord Baelish" She suddenly felt very claustrophobic. "I was just getting ready to go back to the castle." She finished, hoping her interaction with the secretive would go no further.
"How interesting, you took up your father's beliefs," He nodded to the weirdwood branch. "And not Lady Catelyn's."
"I was raised to freely believe in whichever I choose. i chose both." Sansa put plainly.
"One can not truly believe in more than one God, Sansa. " He said, stepping uncomfortably close to her, a mischievous grin grew on his face. " People are stubborn, there are few things that can alter a person's choices. It's different for everyone. Some are driven by love, wealth, revenge, even power. If you analyze every action you take, it always boils down to one reason. The gods offer nothing but false hope. How can a man pray for guidance and then go off to slaughter people? Did the gods give him that answer, or something inside himself he mistook as an answer from somewhere beyond?"
Sansa remained silent. She knew Lord Baelish had a gift with words. She didn't want to give him any information he could one day use against her. She tried to steer the conversation in his direction. "What is it that decides your actions Lord Baelish?"
He smiled at her. "I thought it was love once." He said as he eyed her red hair. "It's nice to believe in a higher power, but in the end we're the ones who have to face the consequences of our actions." His beady eyes went back to her blue ones. He held out his arm. "I'll escort you back to the castle."
Sansa had no choice but to take his arm. They began walking back, as they passed the small still river Sansa wondered out loud, "If I may ask, why did you come to the Godswood if you do not believe in them?"
He stopped and picked up a rock. "To seek answers." He tossed the rock in the water, and ripples appeared. He took her arm once more and they left the Godswood.
Stanger's coat was nice and shiny after Sandor gave him a good brushing. He unwillingly took part in Sandor releasing his anger, so he rewarded him with two carrots and a bucket of sweet oats. He pet his nose and whispered his thoughts to him, interrupted by the sound of laughter. Her laughter
He stuck his head out of the stable window and saw the little bird, arms intertwined with Lttlefinger, The snake. He would be damned if he made it easy for him to sink his fangs into her. Sansa was of great value, depending on how the war went, she could very well be the last Stark, and hold the key to Winterfell's power, and Littlefinger knew it,
He stormed outside and walked right over to them.
"Ah, Clegane." Lord Baelish started. "Have a little too much fun today?" He mocked eyeing the dirt on his hands and leaves stuck to his hair. "I didn't know you were so adventurous." He provoked,
"I wasn't with one of your whores if that's what you mean, Littlefinger."He spit at his feet. He noticed Sansa clutching her stomach. "What were you doing?" Sandor asked Sansa, who was looking at the ground.
"Praying." Baelish answered,
"Shut your cunt mouth, I wasn't asking you." Sandor snarled. He could've sworn he saw a smirk on Sansa's face.
"You speak with filth in front of Lady Sansa, you should apologize." Baelish hissed.
"I doubt my swearing bothers her more than your constant jabbering and wandering eyes." Sandor stood tall over Littlefinger.
"My lady, are you ready to go back to your room and change for dinner?" Baelish asked Sanasa with a kind tone. Before she could answer, the Hound interrupted.
"I'll take her." Sandor said, getting a look from Sansa.
"I don't think she wants-" Baelish started before being cut off.
"If anyone cared what she wanted, she'd be home with her family. I'm sworn to guard her now so i'll take her."
"What?" Sansa blurted out-loud.
"That's right, I'm to be your guard now bird, so I'll take you to you cage. " He said, and before she could protest he yanked her arm from Baelish, almost lifting her off the ground and started towards the entrance to the castle.
"I can manage by myself, thank you!" Sansa said before he released her sleeve. The material now wrinkled from his grasp. Once again, they found themselves alone in a torch lit corridor.
"Are you hurt?" He asked.
"No...why would you ask that?"
"Little bird can barely stand up straight." He observed.
"I must have drank bad milk this morning," She replied. There was silence between them as the walked down the hall. Sansa noticed it was almost comfortable, until she started paying attention to how silent it was. "Why are you to guard me?" She questioned. 'Who ordered that?"
"The half man."
Tyrion... She figured it would have been Cersei, sending him in as another one of her spies. "Why?"
"You never stop chirping." He avoided her question.
That silenced her, but only for a few moments. "Does that mean you are to follow me everywhere?"
This he would answer. "No, I'm still your betrothed's sworn shield, but I am to keep a close eye on you. Make sure no one harms you."
"Even Joffrey?" Sansa timidly asked. She noticed a glimmer of what she could only describe as hatred flash in his eyes.
"Little bird must learn how to keep her mouth shut. The wrong people could hear you." He rasped.
Sansa knew he was right, and she did keep her mouth shut around her hand maidens, and everyone else. iHe will not betray me./i She thought as she stared at him. He has the eyes of an honest man. It was strange how now, she barely noticed the scars and twisted skin that covered the right side of his face. The hole where his ear should be. Just like the wound under her left breast Ser Meryn Trant bestowed upon her, it had begun to look normal. like it belonged there. iHis face looks like it's supposed to be like that./i
"First you can't look at me with out shoving your tail between your legs, now you can't stop staring."
She immediately looked away. "I'm sorry Ser, I was not staring."
Her response got a laugh from the Hound. "Don't lie to me girl. You're no good at it."
"Neither are you." She felt his eyes on her and tried not to laugh. They continued walking until they reached her chamber doors.
"I'll be back in one hours time to fetch you for dinner." He informed her, gave a slight bow and walked away.
Sansa looked at herself in the mirror as Shae tied the back of her dress as tight as it could go, extenuating her waist. Sansa winced.
"Am I hurting you my lady?" Shae asked, voice filled with concern.
'
"No, it's just my stomach has been upset all day. I'm sure it will be fine tomorrow." Sansa reassured her.
Shae finished tying the last know and stepped back looking at Sansa. "You look beautiful my lady." She smiled
Sansa was raised to be modest, but even she could not deny she did look beautiful. The deep emerald dress she had chosen for dinner made her hair look as red and blood. Her skin looked like milk and her blue eyes, like stars in the sky. The dress was tighter than what she was used to wearing in Winterfell. The low neckline pushed her chest up high. It seemed like Cersei was slowly removing any old clothes from her wardrobe and replacing them with new gowns that showed more skin. Shae styled her hair in a Southern due as requested. Sansa wanted to avoid any problematic situations tonight, and knew Cersei liked her hair like this. Although Sansa preferred it down, the up do showed off her long slim neck.
\
There was a knock on the door. Sansa already knew who it was before Shae opened the door, and she rubbed a tiny bit of lavender oil on her wrist and behind her ear.
Shae opened the door and there he stood in his armor. "Hurry up now bird." He rasped. His lack of courtesies bothered Shae more than it did Sansa.
"Thank you Shae, goodnight." Sansa muttered before stepping out of her room.
"Good night my lady."
The chamber door shut behind Sansa and she stood before Sandor, who's eyes were on her neck and chest. Sansa could not move, she knew she should scold him for his roaming eyes, or turn away and cover herself, but she did not want to.
"The wolf is ready to play with the lions." Sandor observed.
"No, the pup is just learning how to be a wolf." Sansa replied.
Sandor held out his arm, Sansa took it, and they walked down the hall.
Dinner was thankfully uneventful. Cersei drank a whole flagon of sour red. Tyrion are quickly and left early saying he had somewhere to be and Joffrey was quiet. Sansa dared asked him if something was troubling him, and he replied by saying "Yes, but nothing a stupid woman would understand for they are the weaker sex." and then proceeded to plant a kiss on her lips. It made her sick. When she turned away from him, her eyes went to the Hound, standing loyally nearby staring at Joffrey.
Sansa thought about his face and she lay in bed. Happy the day was finally over and she could stay in bed for the next few hours, easing the pain in her stomach. A chill sent the curtains into a graceful dance. Sansa loved sleeping when it was cold outside, it made curling up under the furs all the better. But the furs could not keep out the dangerous thoughts of the day. Her interaction with Lord Baelish was strange and frightening to her. She knew he was in love with her mother, and seeing the way he looked her her made her nervous, for she was often told how much she looked like her.
Knock knock knock. Her eyes shot open. iOh gods,/i she thought. iIt's him, Lord Baelish./i She quietly stepped out of bed. Who else would be coming to her rooms at this hour. Joffrey? His name frightening her even more she grabbed the first thing she could find to use as a weapon. She unlocked the door and opened it slowly.
"It's about bloody time." Sandor whispered.
Sansa opened the door wider now. "What are you doing here?" She whispered.
"I'm to guard you now, remember? I have to stand out here all night" He said like it was perfectly natural for him to knock on her door this late in the night. "What's that for?" He looked at the brush in her hand. She quickly held it behind her back. "Going to kill her with a brush little bird?" He laughed.
"What do you want?" Sansa interrupted, not feeling like being mocked at this hour.
He held out his hand and gave her a small vile of a yellowish liquid.
Sansa took it. "What is this?" She asked as she held it to the torch light.
"Milk of the poppy." He answered. "For your stomach." His eyes went to the floor.
Sansa was shocked at his kind actions. "Th-thank you, Ser." Was all she could say.
"I am no Ser."
"Then what do I call you, now that you are to guard me?" She asked, blinking up at him.
"Sandor." He answered, swallowing hard.
Sandor... She mouthed. Yes, that's what she would call him.
"Sleep well my lady. And lock the door." He rasped.
"Do not call me my lady." Sansa ordered.
Sandor blinked in surprise. "What shall I call you then."
"Little bird." Sansa smiled before closing the door. She drank the medicine Sandor gave her and crawled into bed. She slept hard and well knowing she was safe with Sandor right outside her door.