Hey guys, as usually support is overwhelming thank you. I'm glad to see a few new fans of this story as well, makes me want to write more. Chapter 15 is almost done. We are almost a King's Landing! Let the trouble with Tarynn begin! :D

Keep safe.

Slightly nerdy.

Wolves and Hounds.

Chapter 14.

When the first soft tendrils of light curled through the gap of the tent flap, Tarynn was only half aware that something sharp was digging into her face, the other half was still asleep, clinging helplessly to the dream she had been experiencing the night before. She struggled to reclaim it, her potions that she drank to clear her mind of nightmares also made it difficult to recall the rare good dreams that she had. Someone tapped on her shoulder;

"Tarynn? Tarynn are you awake."

She grumbled in response before pushing herself up slowly and turning to face Sansa, who was the one stirring her from her dreams, well Sansa and the sun.

"Yes I'm awake…" The girl looked forlorn and sad, "What is it Sansa?"

"I miss Lady that's all."

"I miss Tome."

"I don't understand why the queen would want Lady or Tome dead; they were both so sweet and precious. I wish it wasn't like this."

Tarynn reached out brushing a strand of Sansa's auburn hair behind her ear, "So do I." Tarynn stood, stretching, her arm clicked into place, "Has anyone come into the tent?"

"A blonde haired girl; your maid I think? And a man, but he backed away when he saw I was awake and here with you. I didn't recognise him either."

There were two piles of close folded neatly on one of the chests, a dress and undergarments for Sansa, and brown leather riding gear for Tarynn. "The girl was Bronte in that case… What was the colour of the man's hair?"

"Blonde."

Toby.

"Did he speak to you?"

"No, but he dropped a letter… Here I put it next to you."

Sansa held out a square envelope that had been lying beside Tarynn's pillow, it had obviously been the sharp object which had dug into Tarynn's face. She accepted it, and opened it, relishing the soft wind on her skin.

Tee,

We depart mid-morning, I wasn't sure if you had been told. No doubt someone will come tell you later but still.

I am also in talks with my cousin Jaime about being transferred to your father's guard, I don't like how you have hardly anyone to protect you and I feel that I would be able to do this job adequately.

Also stay away from the Hound; he is a murderer and an untamed creature. More beast than man, he could hurt you and I don't want to see that happen. I care for you too much to allow any sort of harm to befall you.

Yours,

Toby.

"Who is it from?"

"Oh just an acquaintance that I made on the journey, she promised to bake me some of that sweet bread that the queen had served us the other day, this letter was just telling me that she had done it and would deliver it to me later."

She felt guilty lying to Sansa, but the young girl didn't seem to twig that Tarynn was lying through her teeth, "Oh, I really could do with some lemon cakes; maybe if I befriended one of the cooks they would bake some for me."

Tarynn laughed, "I'm sure they would. Now come, get dressed, you are joining the queen in the wheelhouse today and you must look the part of a princess."

Sansa laughed as Tarynn tossed the dress to her, she caught it and shook it out. "I don't remember packing this one?"

Tarynn looked over the yellow linen dress, it would fit Sansa snugly and the neck line did look a little low, but it was no doubt a gift from the queen and her father had already told her about treating the queen with correct courtesy and niceties.

"It will look lovely on you Sansa, but it may clash with your hair a little."

"Yellow, yellow for my brave Lion."

Sansa began to strip as Tarynn aided her with her undergarments; Tarynn paused as she was lacing up Sansa's corset

"Joffrey's a Stag Sansa."

"But he's a Lannister as well and so dreamy," Sansa let out a girlish sigh, "Don't you agree Tarynn?"

"Oh yes very dreamy… This isn't too tight is it?" Sansa shook her head, her auburn hair bouncing. "There."

She moved away from Sansa and to her own clothes that had been laid out. Thankfully she wouldn't have to wear a corset today as she was to be riding. Bronte had given her a white top which laced up, a brown leather corset type clothing item, a dark green skirt with embroidery decorating the edges and her riding boots. Bronte was getting better at picking out clothes, but it was obvious that she was use to choosing clothes for little girls, not grown women. Still Tarynn dressed in what had been given to her and braided her hair. She braided Sansa's too after the younger girl started moaning about not having washed her hair and that the prince couldn't see her in such a state.

"Oh do shut up Sansa, you look extremely pretty," Tarynn kissed her sister on the cheek. "Now, we must go, they'll be wanting to pack up the tents."

She took her sisters hand, snatched up the letter that Toby had written her and her soft brown cloak before departing from the tent. On her way through to where the horses had been stabled she noticed a torch that had yet to be extinguished. She made a detour, letting go of Sansa's hand and walking up to the torch. She held the letter next to it, burning the majority of it before allowing the fragment that hadn't been burnt to slip from her fingers and tumble to the floor.

"Let's find father Tarynn, I'm dying for a bite to eat."

"Yes lets."

Lord Eddard Stark had been given a room by the Darrys' due to his status. Tarynn had been offered one as well but she had declined. The weather was getting near unbearable as it was without being trapped in stone walls that retained the heat like something fierce. The room had then fallen to Sansa, who had jumped at the chance of sleeping near Joffrey. But their father had insisted that Arya had it, so that he could keep an eye on the rambunctious girl. Sansa had moaned and stalked off, but eventually, with the encouragement of Tarynn had allowed Arya to have the room.

"Ser Jory! A fine morning is it not?"

"It is indeed my Lady."

"Have you seen my father?"

"He is breaking his fast with his Grace, the Royal family and Arya. I do believe that a few members of the Kingsguard and Lord Renly are in there as well."

"Thank you."

Ser Jory nodded and went on his way. Tarynn pushed Sansa slightly towards the door, "You go on ahead, there is something I must do first."

Sansa nodded, "Okay, I'll tell father that you'll join us shortly."

Tarynn left her sister to go in to the hall alone, and instead went to the stables, the place that Lady had been… Tarynn didn't want to think about it.

She knelt in the same spot that she had knelt the other day and uttered a short prayer, touching the thin smattering of straw that was spread across the floor.

"Tarynn?" She looked up, her moment of prayer broken. It was Sandor, looming tall and imposing in the archway that led into the stable, "There's something that you need to…"

"I've had enough of your words Sandor, for they mean nothing."

He looked as if she had just kicked him in the groin.

"Will you not allow me to apologise, how long will you torment me with this?!"

"For as long as necessary… You killed a child!"

"Yes, I know. Why is it that some are praising me, and others are chastising?" He threw his hands up in the air before moving towards her, "Still, that's not what I wanted to talk about."

"You followed me in here?"

"I… Yes."

"Why? What is it Sandor?"

"It's about that Lannister bastard."

"Toby?"

"Yes him."

"What about him?" She sighed, and stood.

"He's not what he seems."

"Why do you have to be so cryptic all the time?"

He shrugged and Tarynn wanted to slap him, her palm itched.

"You've kissed him, haven't you?"

"And what if I have? It is no concern of yours."

"Don't… Don't trust him. He works for someone else."

"That's ridiculous, of course he works for someone else; he is part of the City Guard. He works for the king, as do you."

She moved towards the archway, but Sandor continued to block it, "Let me pass Sandor."

"Not until you agree to be careful around him."

She looked up and into his grey eyes, there was something in them, something that she had never seen before; concern, actual concern. Normally his face was a mask of stone, impenetrable and unreadable. Something inside began to flash, a warning.

What if Sandor's right, what if Toby isn't what he seems? The letter, although at first I thought it was sweet, does seem a little controlling… That's nonsense, Toby isn't like that.

"I cannot agree to anything… Are you jealous Sandor?" The Hound's eyes flashed with pain and Tarynn knew the answer without him even saying anything. She placed her hand on his arm, struggling due to her conflicted morals; he had after all killed an innocent child. "I can handle myself."

She pushed past him, about to leave the Hound behind in the stables; she didn't look back, and wasn't going to until he grabbed her arm, holding it tightly in an iron grip.

"Why are you so blind?"

"I'd rather be blind then a murderer."

"That's rich coming from the woman who also ran someone down."

The slap that hit Sandor across the cheek resonated through the stables, a couple of the horse pawed at the ground. He recoiled from her, letting go of her arm.

"Don't EVER compare the murder of a child to what I did. It's not even close."

Sandor was holding his cheek, his grey eyes burning with anger and suddenly Tarynn felt scared, extremely scared.

His voice was low, dangerous, angry, "I've killed women too."

Tarynn backed off her hands slightly raised, "Sandor I…"

He stalked towards her, "Scared of me girl? Good. That's how it's supposed to be. They don't call me the Hound for nothing."

She walked backwards until the backs of her legs hit something, he leaned into her and Tarynn's chest began to tighten.

No… I can't do this, it's too similar.

"Sandor…" Tarynn was on the edge of tears, "Please." With a shaking hand she reached up to caress the cheek she had just struck, as she did she saw some of the anger that had manifested ebb out of the grey eyes that enraptured her so much.

"Tarynn." The Hound sighed, reaching up and holding Tarynn's hand to his face. "Forgive me."

He's broken, and maybe I could fix him…

He moved closer to her, his lips almost upon hers, and Tarynn knew somewhere deep in her heart that this was right.

"Well, what do we have here?"

Tarynn jumped, and pulled back further from Sandor. Sandor stepped away from her, allowing her room to breathe and address the man who stood in the opening.

"Please, Toby, it was nothing. Nothing was going on here."

"I gave you explicit instructions not to go near him."

"Are you her father now boy?"

"No but I could gladly inform him that you were forcing yourself upon Lady Tarynn."

"Toby, nothing was going on!"

"Well something was the dog had you pressed into a corner."

"Why don't you just fuck off and press something into your cousin."

Cousin?

Tarynn looked between the two men, Sandor stood nearest to her, clenching his fists. Toby seemed to slouch indifferent in the archway but his eyes told a different story. They were green wildfire, he held out his hand.

"Lady Tarynn, come, your father is expecting you."

"No, she goes no where with you."

"You are not part of her personal guard. So stand aside."

"I'd rather see you on the end of my sword then have Tarynn go anywhere with you."

Tarynn wanted to scream, she stepped out from behind Sandor heading towards where Toby stood. "I have to go with him Sandor."

"Tarynn…" His voice was raspy and low, a torrent of mixed emotions, of pain and sadness.

"My father told me to perform my duty, and my duty is to return to my family." She looked over the Hound, the man who was so difficult to understand, who never wpree his heart on his sleeve. "I'm sorry Sandor." She turned on her heel, her skirts floating in a wide arc as she turned, and walked out into the glimmering sunlight.

*Sandor*

"Face it dog, you've lost. Give up the chase before someone puts you down."

Sandor stood rooted to the spot, mostly out of shock but partly out of anger. He so very badly wanted to smash the smirking Lannister's face against the stone of the stable floor but he knew that Tarynn would hate him even more than she did already.

"I know your little secret bastard."

"Oh? And which one would be that," the green-eyed bastard grinned, full of cockiness and confidence.

"If you harm her…"

"I can make her happy; I doubt that's really harming her. But you… You've already proven to her the monster that you can be. She hates you, get over it, and move on. Once we reach King's Landing there'll be plenty of barrels of wine to drown yourself in and plenty of prostitutes to fuck yourself into oblivion with."

She doesn't hate me, she wanted me. I could see it in her eyes, in her touch... She just doesn't realise it. Not yet.

He could kill the man; a couple of strides and a twist of the neck and the Lannister bastard would just drop dead at his feet. But he didn't want to see the accusation in Tarynn's eyes. He didn't want to see her cry.

Tarynn made him a weak man.

"I wonder what the king would make of you fucking his royal wife."

Toby's eyes narrowed, "Me? And Cersei?" He let out a laugh of disbelief, "You are more a fool then a dog. My cousin wouldn't even touch me she hates bastards. I do believe she culled a few just these past months." The bastard of Casterly Rock left the stables, "I do believe it will be extremely nice to have a she-wolf warming my bed."

Sandor smashed a fist into one of the beams that supported the roof of the stables, splintering the wood. The bastard was either telling the truth or very good at lying, he hoped it was the latter.

Tarynn would never crawl into bed with that parasite would she? She has higher standards surely. But would I be that higher standard? A disfigured mutt of a man. Ha.

He had to find a way to reveal the bastard's true intentions.

But how?

*Tarynn.*

As she pushed open the door she could hear laughter emanating from inside, the booming guffaws of the king, and the deep chortling laughter of her father.

At least I haven't missed breakfast.

She admitted herself into the hall, her eyes sweeping over the table and who were still seated at it. She made a note of Arya's absence and of the queen and her two youngest children. Sansa was sat beside Joffrey. Both had their heads dangerously close together. Renly Baratheon sat opposite the king whilst her father sat on the king's right. She had a limited choice, either sit beside Joffrey, the king or Renly. In the end she chose Renly.

The king's eyes raked over he body as she neared the table and Tarynn repressed the urge to fold her arms. The men stood, all apart from the king, as was custom. Renly seated her with a flourish.

"Nice of you to join us Tarynn, what a beautiful afternoon it is."

"Yes father, I know I'm late. I was saying my prayers."

The mirth in her father's eyes faded as he looked over his daughter. Secretly on the inside he was proud that his daughter had inherited his pious belief in the Old Gods, something that he had never shared with Tarynn.

"I see… You'll be happy to know that King's Landing is less then a weeks ride away if we set a fast pace."

"Yes, but with all the hunting trips that my dear brother likes to put on, expect to see the city's gates in oh just over a month should we say?"

"Oh har har Renly, forever the clown."

"I'd rather be the clown than be Stannis."

The king gulped down a glass of wine before slamming the goblet on the table, "And that's why you're my neighbour rather then the miserable wretch we call brother."

It was common knowledge that after Robert had given Renly Storm's End, that Stannis had received Dragonstone, the former seat of the Targaryens. It had been some what of a short straw, Stannis had not appreciated it but he went to the fabled island anyway. Robert was his King and he had been commanded to keep Dragonstone and the surrounding waters free of slavers and smugglers; a duty which he had performed to absolute perfection. However despite everything Stannis had done he was still a subject of ridicule for his brothers.

I hope that Robb, Bran and Rickon don't consider me ridiculous when they grow up… Oh Bran, Oh Rickon, dear Robb, I miss you my sweets.

"Would you be so kind as to pass me the flagon of water Renly?"

The Lord of Storm's End did so, pouring her a glass himself before settling the water back down on the table, "You look beautiful today Tarynn may I say."

"Thank you, you're looking quite handsome yourself." It was just courtesy, if someone pays you a compliment then you give one in return, that was how their father had raised them…

"Our way is the old way."

"But father, what about these machines that the Maesters are making? The ones that haul heavy objects and move carts without horses."

She had been climbing a tree and was dangling from one of the branches. She was only eight, younger than Arya. Robb and Jon were playing near the pool that surrounded the heart tree, Sansa was still a suckling babe and Arya, Bran and Rickon were no more than stars in the sky.

"We are not so far back that we can't embrace new ideas. We just put our duty before everything else. That's what makes us old."

"I don't want to be old, I want to be young. I never want to grow up. I don't want to have to marry like mother did."

"If you're mother never got married she wouldn't have had you."

"But Jon's mother wasn't married."

"That's a conversation for when you're older." Eight year old Tarynn pouted before hauling herself up onto the tree branch that she had been dangling from, "Now, I thought you wanted me to teach you a few valyrian words? Well you can't do that from where you are up there." Tarynn had leapt from the branch with a squeal, her father had caught her and spun her round. When he had finished he held her tightly to his chest and she had put her small hands on both sides of his face. "I wish you never had to grow up, my little Tarynn, but the Gods make it so that we all grow up, and that we all die. It's our duty to so do."

"Our way is the old way." The young Tarynn said and Eddard Stark had kissed his eldest daughter on the forehead.

"Our way is the old way, and winter is coming."

The memory faded and Tarynn was brought back to breakfast table with a question directed at her from the king.

"What are the tongues you speak Tarynn?"

"The Valyrian of the Free Cities and Myrish your Grace."

"By the Seven, I'll have need of you then if I ever visit Pentos. Not that I will." Tarynn looked upon the king and bile rose up in her throat, he was a grossly fat man but traces of handsomeness still remained. It wasn't just that though; it was how he looked at her as if she was some sort of meal to be ravished. "Ned have you spoken to Renly about the possibility of a marriage contract?"

"I… Not as of yet Robert."

"What are you trying to do to me Robert? Sansa is already betrothed to your own son, and the other one, Arya is it?" Tarynn nodded, "Well she is much too young."

"Not them you fool, Ly – I mean Tarynn."

"I though you were going to give her to the Tyrells?"

Tarynn had had enough, she was not some prized animal to be traded and bartered, she stood from the table, taking an orange and a bread roll with her.

"If you would excuse me I must attend to my horse." She left abruptly, not waiting for her father's consent. As she walked out of the door a cool wind caught her, cooling down her temper. She breathed in and out for a few minutes before she was joined by someone else. He took the orange from her grasp, flicking it back and forth between his hands.

"If you would be so kind as to return my breakfast to me."

"Here, I'll peel it for you, part of my new job description."

They walked together to where the horses had been left, attached to a series of fences that lined the King's Road. The altercation that had occurred earlier that morning between Tarynn and the Hound was largely forgotten.

"I don't know how you did it."

"Well I asked my cousin to put a good word for me in with the king. Jaime came true on his word and so here I am, having been personally offered to Lord Stark to join his own guard. It also, sort of strengthens ties between Lannister and Stark; in a round about way. I am the son of Tywin Lannister's younger brother I'll have you know. Here."

Toby lifted a segment of orange to her lips and she accepted it, the fruit burst inside her mouth.

"Thank you and I wasn't objecting I just wondered how you managed it."

"I'm rather good with words. And people."

"Well you seem to have anger the Hound, he's a person."

Tarynn looked sideways at Toby before moving over to where her mare had been tethered, he followed her dutifully but there was a silence between them as Tarynn checked her saddle and patted her horse whilst muttering soothing words. There was no Tome anymore to frighten her.

"Barely. How can you call that a human? He's more beast than man and a mental one at that. He could harm you, and I do not want that happening."

Tarynn idly stroked her horse's mane before responding, "He is not a beast just… lost."

"Lost? Is that what you call murderers these days?" Tarynn flinched, Toby was right the Hound was a murderer; he had been one long before Tarynn had met him. He was dangerous and he was brutal. So why was she so inexplicably drawn to him? "I don't want to offend you, but it would be much safer for you, and put my mind and rest if you just kept clear of him, hmm?"

Toby looked around, checking for any people who might see him, before giving Tarynn a chaste kiss on the lips. She didn't object, if she did she felt that Toby might go off and strop and moan, or worse turn violent. And at the moment Toby was all she had now. Her father was too busy with the king and the girls… Well they were exactly that, just girls.

"If it makes you feel better."

"That's my girl, now you just hop onto your horse and we'll ride through the camp, to see if the servants are doing their job correctly." He squeezed her hand tightly and for a brief instant she saw Toby's features twist and crumble away, revealing Theon. She brushed the image aside.

I left Theon in Winterfell, with the rest of my family. Toby is not Theon, he isn't.

The day passed fairly quickly, Toby was a constant companion, and he had even spoken to her in front of her father. A daring thing to do, she thought her father was going to put him in his place, and she knew he would have done if Jaime Lannister hadn't ridden up and referred to him as cousin.

Part of Toby's job description as being part of her father's guard was that he had to don a cloak of grey and white with the Stark sigil of the direwolf adorning it. He had accepted it graciously and proceeded to put it on immediately, his gold one falling to a floor like a curving snake.

It was Jaime now who was riding with them, her father having moved further up the column.

"So what do you make of my dear cousin Lady Tarynn?"

"He is a fine soldier and a good guard."

"That all?" The Kingslayer grinned, cocky and arrogant, "Tobias does love it when the women compliment him."

"Don't call me Tobias Jaime, and that last part isn't true."

"Is it not? Perhaps I have the wrong Tobias then, you were quite a lady's man when you were at Casterly Rock." Jaime's eyes swept over her, "Perhaps you still are."

"I am a soldier now, and part of Lord Stark's own guard. My duty is to serve him, not serve women."

"Lady Tarynn is a dear sweet woman and it seems you want to serve her," The Kingslayer leant in close to Toby, thinking that Tarynn wouldn't be able to hear him as she was riding slightly ahead, "Or is it all just pretence for a darker scheme."

Toby's voice was menacing and quietly threatening when he responded, "Mind your tongue cousin, I do not scheme and I am acting in a good and honest nature."

The kingslayer laughed, "Have a joke Toby, I know you lust for our she-wolf, I can see it in your eyes." He ruffled Toby's hair. "Now I must return to my king. Enjoy the rest of your day, guard of Winterfell." He called slightly louder to Tarynn." Enjoy the summer's eve Lady Tarynn."

Tarynn decided to feign innocence, a test to see what Toby would respond with. "What did Ser Jaime say?"

"Oh nothing, just a few passing comments on my new position, he was… congratulating me."

And you're lying. Why lie Toby? Why are you hiding just one small conversation, you know I heard it.

"I see."

She said no more, turning her gaze to where the king rode, squashed in between her father and Lord Renly. Joffrey Baratheon rode beside Renly and the Hound was just beside him. The Hound was broad shouldered; a cape flowed down his back. He was wearing grey steel plate armor, his helm shaped into that of the head of a snarling dog was on his head.

"In less then a week we'll be in King's Landing, I'll give you a tour if you like. There is plenty to see and visit, it will be quite the adventure… Tarynn are you listening to me?" She wasn't listening, her attentions were else where, on the man who made her heart beat so fast she felt it was going to leave her chest. "Tarynn."

"I'm sorry Toby, you were saying?"

"That you look beautiful today, and to stop thinking of that… Animal."

How can I stop thinking of him though, when it is he who I want to understand most.