Okay so I'm sorry to say guys but I am going to take a small hiatus so that I can finish up the last remaining chapters. We're almost there. I promise! Thanks so much for sticking with this story even though I am so sporadic with uploading. You are all amazing! :)

Also Merry Christmas for those who celebrate it, and Happy Holidays to those who don't, I hope you all have a wonderful festive season!

Slightlynerdy.

Wolves and Hounds.

Chapter 28.

When the king had decided to start planning properly for a hunt, the queen had been much happier and kinder than usual. She commented on Tarynn's hair, complimenting the red tones and how they brought out the colour of her blue eyes. She was almost gracious to Arya as well. But these little compliments and kind words from Cersei only made Tarynn more wary.

Her father had not allowed Tarynn to be on her own for one second, Tilana was now a permanent companion who was to go with her everywhere, plus she always had two guards shadowing her. She never seemed to have a moment to herself and yet she understood her father's concern. Ever since they had been in King's Landing, which was now over half a year, her fits were increasing. She could hardly remember any of them, only snippets, small nuggets of information that may or may not be important. She hoped that Sandor would stay true to his promise.

Lord Stark also wanted his eldest daughter to see a maester, but the maester that he had requested to help diagnose his daughter's strange hallucinations wanted to experiment on her at the same time. He wanted to induce the fits and then catalogue what happened during them. She remembered being called by the maester a 'prime example of split personality that should be carefully recorded and used for scientific purposes' she had flat out refused to be a test subject and so her father had no choice but to send him away.

Tarynn had noticed how her father had become increasing distracted over the past few days, he hardly ever dined with his daughters, nor did he seem much interested in the wedding arrangements for her and Renly's wedding. Whenever she went to visit him in his study he would inquire about her health, tell her how proud he was of her and send her on her way, all without mentioning the thing that was obviously troubling him. She was worried, her father was growing thin and gaunt, and the lines which had always been a feature on his face were becoming more prominent. Tarynn hated to admit it but her father was aging.

The sun was streaming down in the gardens, Tarynn had led her retinue outside for some fresh air, in her hand she had her book of Valyrian letters which she was a quarter way through deciphering. She had sent a letter to Maester Luwin with some words that she could not for the life of her translate. He had sent back the appropriate translations and she had continued on with her work.

They were interesting snippets of what life and politics were like on Valyria before the Doom, she had a feeling that the book which she held in her hands was going to be one of the biggest discoveries of her lifetime. She had plans to compile the letters into a book written in Westerosi and then see if someone would publish it, even if she was married she would still be able to contribute to the world of academia.

"Do you wish to sit here Tarynn?" Tilly's heavily myrish accent lilted towards her.

"Yes this is a fine a spot as any." She sat down on the marble bench, "Why don't you take your helms off, it is too hot to wear them in this weather." Her suggestion was directed at her two guards, or shadows as she had taken to calling them. They took her suggestion and removed their helms. The man on the left was northerner through and through, dark brown hair, pale skin, and grey eyes. But the man on the left was tanned and lean, his eyes a dark green his hair a light brown, a southerner. She knew that her father had been recruiting more men into his guard but she did not know why.

The day was hot and humid, moisture hung in the air, causing Tarynn's hair to gently curl and tousle. Tilana's hair was frizzy, and even though she brushed in constantly she could not get it to straighten back out. Her father had left them to do some important business, business which yet again she had not been privy to. Instead she took the letters that had been sent to her from Winterfell from Tilana and began to open them.

My dearest Tarynn,

Bran still sleeps, I have had letters from Maester Luwin constantly informing him of my condition. You may be wondering why Luwin is sending me letters and not just telling me but that is because I am not at home. I am in the Eyrie. You must not tell anyone, not even your father, I have captured the dwarf Tyrion Lannister for I have reason to suspect that he was the perpetrator in an assassination attempt against Bran. I wrote to your father about it and I hope he has told you about it by now. Do not be alarmed or worried, I am safe, my sister have welcomed me warmly here and I plan on getting the truth out of the dwarf Lannister as soon as I possibly can.

I wish I could have been there for your wedding, truly my dear I do, but the Gods have willed it so that I cannot be there to see you on your special day. Your father has promised me that he will have a portrait painted of you beforehand so that I might have some way of knowing how beautiful you will no doubt look.

I miss you Tarynn, your knowledge would be useful to me if you were here. I pray for you and your sisters every night and day, pass on my love to them.

Love you to the stars and back,

Mother.

Tarynn gently traced her mother's curly handwriting with her index finger. She was startled by her mother's news that Bran had been the victim of an attempt on his life, her father had not mentioned it once but she had no idea why she was in the Eyrie, she didn't believe that Tyrion could be malicious towards a child. Sure he was a bit of a drunkard and was always chasing whores but to have it in him to send an assassin after a small boy, she didn't think that Tyrion would have been capable of being so monstrous.

She folded the thick parchment in half and slipped it back within the envelope. The broken seal was her mother's own personal one, a Tully fish. She took the other letter and touched the writing that was so obviously Maester Luwin's she turned it over and broke the seal which had an direwolf's head imprinted in the wax, the symbol of House Stark, she opened it and read its contents.

Tarynn,

With each day I pray to the Old Gods that Bran's strength will return to him and it appears that they are heeding my prayers. We know he dreams, his eyes are constantly flickering beneath his eyelids, but he has yet to wake. Still I hold my breath waiting for him to rouse.

Rickon misses you and your mother dreadfully, by now you must know that she left Winterfell quite some time age, she sends letters but does not tell us of her whereabouts, perhaps you know? Robb has been left in charge of Winterfell and I must say he is quite the leader, he will be a good, strong Lord once his father passes on. He has taken to it like a duck to water. I am quite impressed with how well he is doing.

And how are you my dear? Did the translations I sent you slot in to the overall letter fine? If you managed to translate that book you will be one of the most coveted translators of our time. What a feat for a noble lady to achieve! I hope that spurs you on to complete this task you have set yourself. If you wish another to proof read your work I will be more than happy to assist you.

Oh and congratulations on the wedding, I am sure you will settle in well to Storm End, and I shall write to the maester who resides there informing him of your medicinal requirements.

Gerta and her family sends you their love, as does Robb, Bran, Rickon and myself. Winterfell is not the same without you here with us.

Maester Luwin.

She must remember to write back to Maester Luwin with a couple of the translated letters included. The next letter didn't have any distinctive seal, in fact it was relatively unremarkable. On the front was a scrawl that she could barely read. Ink was splattered on the envelope as if someone had written the letter in a rush or in anger. She tore open the parchment, and the letter fell to the floor, Tilana stooped to pick it up before handing it back to her. She read it with raptured attention;

Tarynn,

I hear that you're getting married, I guess I should congratulate you but to be honest I don't know why I would have to. You never wrote me back, you seemed to have forgotten the fact that our betrothal was never officially dismissed. I am still vying for your hand in marriage, I still want you to become Lady Greyjoy and when I rule the Iron Islands I want you to be there beside me.

But instead I hear that you are to marry a southern Lord, Renly Baratheon no less, your father had promised you to me he can not take back that promise. An alliance between the Greyjoys and the Starks would be a great one. No more blood will be spilled between us, we will be tied by blood. Our children would be a symbol of that union. Reconsider Tarynn, come back to Winterfell so that we might have a chance at being wed.

Yours,

Theon Greyjoy.

She folded the letter and then proceeded to rip it up, she wasn't going to even contemplate replying to his letter, hopefully when he heard the news that she was married to Renly officially he would get it out of his head that they even had a chance together in the first place.

"Are you okay Tarynn? Letters from home not what you expected?"

Tarynn turned to Tilly, sighing before responding in Myrish, "A boy who was infatuated with me when I was in Winterfell still thinks that there is some chance of us being united in complete wedded bliss," She scoffed, "I don't think the fact that I am going to be married to Renly in less than two weeks has gotten through that iron head of his."

"Do not worry yourself, I'm sure that your heartbroken suitor will get over his grief. He'll see some whore and go after her instead and then you will soon be forgotten."

"I hope that it's sooner rather than later, I really don't want Theon gate crashing my wedding."

"So you have resigned yourself to this marriage now eh? You are not going to fight against it."

"There's no point, my father has made the decision, I have no choice but to go along with what he has decided."

Tilly clicked her tongue in disdain. "What happened to the Tarynn who use to sneak out of the Red Keep, who used to be so influential over the people of this city?"

"She decided that following the rules was a better way of ensuring her survival in this city. I am still passionate about travelling and about writing, but now my duty to my family must come first. And if that means marrying Renly without complaining and mustering a smile up on my wedding day then so be it." She stood up. "Father is out of the keep on important business and I need some time to my own, he won't be told I hope?"

"Of course my lady, your secrets are my secrets."

She looked at the guards, reverting back to the common tongue, "Stay here with Tilana, I shan't be long I just need to go to the privy and I don't need an entourage for that."

The guards looked away and nodded.

She left her shadows, glancing back only once only to see that Tilana had struck up a conversation with one of them. When she was confident that no one was watching her, instead of going towards the bathrooms that were usually reserved for guests who had come to the Keep, she went towards the stables taking care not to run into anyone or to draw any unnecessary attention to herself.

Her heart raced in her chest, if any of her father's guards were loitering near the stables she would be caught, they would know that she was supposed to have at least two guards with her at all times. She said a quick prayer to the Old Gods and touched the pendants at her neck before pushing open the stable doors.

"Sorry milady did you want me to saddle your horse? Are you going out riding?"

She whirled around on the spot and looked down at Teddy. His face was streaked with dirt and one of his eyes was beginning to blacken. His other eye was red and swollen, he had been crying.

"Teddy? What has happened to you?" She knelt down on the stable floor, and looked Teddy in the eyes, from what she could tell there was no permanent damage.

"I'm not, I can't… They told me not to tell anyone."

"Who did? Teddy I can't help you unless you tell me who did it."

"They… They wanted information. But I never broke my promise miss, I never gossiped. Honest… Please… Please don't be angry." The boy burst into tears and Tarynn took him in her arms.

"I'm not angry… I promise you I'm not." She had no idea what Teddy was talking about, but she knew that whoever had done this to the boy was some sort of monster, and she vowed she would find out who it was… Then a thought crossed her mind. "It wasn't the Hound was it?" She bit her lip, hating herself for even thinking that he could have done such a thing to Teddy. She knew, even though he never said it aloud, that he had grown fond of the little blonde boy.

"N-no! Sandor didn't do this. I like Sandor, he said that I could be his squire."

She cradled Teddy against her chest again, "I just needed to make sure Teddy, I meant nothing by it… I like Sandor too. We need to get some ice for your eye, come on I'll take you to the kitchens, someone will be able to look after you there."

Teddy nodded and so she stood back up and together they headed to the kitchens where she explained to one of the older maids' what had happened. She was a plump, graying woman whom Tarynn liked the best out of the maids who worked in the kitchens. She gave Teddy a reassuring pat on the back before fetching some ice wrapped in a scrap of linen for his eye. After she had made sure that he would be okay, she left the kitchens, drying her hands on her dress. She hadn't been watching where she was going and walked into someone, gasping when a glass bottle smashed on the floor.

The red wine glittered in the sun and began to evaporate as it spread across the hot bricked ground. She looked up at the person she had bumped into.

"Sandor."

"Tarynn."

She glanced down at the two remaining wine bottles still in his hands.

"I'm sorry about the wine."

"You should be…" There was a teasing glint in his eyes, "The last time I heard any news of you, you had been placed under house arrest by your father. Where's your personal guards?"

She looked around at the empty section of courtyard, "I told them that I had to make an emergency trip to the Ladies' room… Sandor someone's been trying to get some sort of information out of Teddy. He's been hit, by who I don't know, but I'm worried for him."

Sandor handed her one of the bottles and directed for her to follow him, she did so, staying close to him. "I can keep an eye on the boy, but if he won't tell you then he certainly won't tell me, where is he now?"

"In the kitchens having his eye iced."

"I can talk to him later."

"Thanks Sandor."

He pushed open one of the doors that led to the servants' quarters, the passage beyond was dimly lit, he took a left and Tarynn followed suit. When they had travelled a fair way down the corridor he stopped abruptly and she walked into the back of him. She could see but not hear the grating of a key in the lock and the sound of a door swinging open.

"Home sweet home."

Sandor stepped inside and to the left, setting his bottle of wine down on the table and allowing her to take in her surroundings. It was a small room, a straw pallet which was covered in furs and linens was in the corner. A wooden table with a chair was in the left corner and a chest of drawers on which Sandor's great sword was lain on was at the back of the room. The walls were bare apart from a ripped banner on which the Clegane's three dogs on a yellow field was depicted. She touched it gently, looking at the rips, before turning back to Sandor. He was watching her intently, his grey eyes focused on her and only her, she was relatively self-conscience. She averted her gaze and looked back at the banner.

"I could sew this up for you, if you wanted? It doesn't seem fair that it should remain in such a state."

Sandor moved closer to her, she could almost hear his heart pulsing, "It's the only thing I have left of home."

"Oh… Do you think you'll ever go back?"

"My brother lives there now and you know how much I love my brother."

She laughed, and turned to face him, but something on his face made her concerned, "Sandor, what is it?"

"If my brother died, the Keep would be mine, I'd be able to say that I owned some land…"

"Not this again, I've already told you that I cannot marry you, I won't go against my father. How many times…"

He kissed her, cutting her off, when they stopped he took her hands, "Let's not talk about it anymore."

"Yes lets… Just don't go doing anything stupid. Please, for my sake."

He didn't answer her, instead he touched the wolf pendant that she still wore around her neck alongside the dragonglass and locket before tracing a line down to the tops of her breasts. "I remember when I brought this for you, it was from a woman, in the marketplace. I bought it thinking that if you wore it, it would strengthen the fact that you belonged to me. I guess I was wrong."

She covered his hand with her own.

"You weren't wrong Sandor, my heart belongs to you, but my mind and my soul knows that I have to do what is right… I should go, no one can catch us together."

She removed his hand from her neck and moved towards the door. "Meet me in the Godswood. Tonight, tomorrow, whenever. Just try to get away."

She turned back ever so slightly and nodded, "I'll try."

She closed the door and shook her head, it was getting too risky, someone was going to catch them together and then she would be ruined. What would happen if Cersei caught wind of it? What would happen if Sandor confronted her father and asked him for her hand in marriage? She put her hand to her head trying to physically push back the headache that she could feel forming. She stood there leaning against Sandor's door, her head in her hands, almost crying over the predicament she had managed to get herself into.

Why can't I just fall in love with someone who I'm actually allowed to marry? Why do I have to make everything so difficult for myself? I am breaking Sandor's heart and my own by marrying Renly and yet I can't do anything about it.

She could hear voices echoing from down the end of the corridor, female voices, and she knew how much women loved to talk. She ran to a door at the end of the corridor, pulling it open and throwing herself into the room beyond. It took her a couple of seconds to realise that she was in one of the many small dining rooms that were intermittently placed around the Keep. The one that she was currently in was the dining room which was connected to the small council room. She moved through it, heading towards the other door, pulling it open she stepped into what she had assumed would have been an unoccupied room, but which as it turned out wasn't.

"I admire you Littlefinger, honestly I do, but you of all people must realise when not to intervene with affairs which are so much greater than yourself."

"I don't plan on intervening, I will offer him my help if he needs it and then… Well we shall see which way provides me the most profit."

She pulled the door to, her ear against the crack, listening to the conversation that was being had between Littlefinger and Varys.

"Well whatever you think is best, my Lord, after all you always come out on top in even the worst situations."

She could almost hear the smile in Varys' voice. The Spider was anything but trustworthy… She was sure that everything he heard or came across he sold.

"Well, if you can keep a secret between two friends…" Littlefinger paused and she guessed that Varys was nodding or making some gesture for him to continue what he was about to say. "In fact no, you will just have to wait and see. Now if you would excuse me."

"Oh of course, I too must go, I need to check on my little birds."

She could hear their footsteps receding, but it wasn't until she heard the quiet shut of the door that she moved from her place. She had learnt nothing from the conversation between Varys and Littlefinger only that Lord Baelish was up to something.

She moved through the Council Chamber, it was bare, no letters or pieces of parchment were on the table. The long rectangular table was old and worn, a tapestry which bore the sigil of House Baratheon hung on the wall behind it. She had only been in this room once, when she had been called upon to translate the letters which gave consent to the assassination of Daenarys Targaryen.

I am partly responsible for the death of a 13 year old girl.

She could taste bile in her mouth as her mind ran across those thoughts. She didn't want to be responsible for another death.

But somehow the blood was still staining her hands.

*Sandor*

She was changing, he could see it, it had been imperceptible at first but as more and more time went by it became more noticeable. He knew something was wrong with Tarynn's father as well although Lord Stark was too stoic to admit what it was that was bothering him. But it was Tarynn that Sandor was truly concerned with, not her father, she was becoming increasingly more obsessed about the notion of duty. It ruled her every action, controlled her every thought, she was losing her grip on what she loved the most. What he had loved the most about her. She was obsessed with doing right by her family, and he knew that he should be adoring that quality, but it was causing a rift between them and he hated that.

He looked up at the ripped tapestry on his wall, the last remaining fragment of his past, the last connection to his father. His father had been a weak man, he hadn't been able to control Gregor, and after Gregor he had been unable to handle Sandor himself. He could also faintly remember a sister, but she was ghostly, like a hallucination and he couldn't remember her name.

He went to the table where he had set down one of the bottles of wine, he uncorked it, and drank straight from the bottle. The king was aching for a hunt and wanted his younger to accompany him on it, a sort of wedding present the king had said. They can serve the boar roasted at the wedding feast. Sandor had resisted throttling Renly until he stopped drawing breath.

He would go to the boy then, to Joffrey, the prince needed all the help he could get since his father was not going to act like an actual father.

But first he was going to check on Teddy and find out who had hurt him

He took another swig of wine and left it uncorked on the table. Grabbing his wineskin he filled it up with the wine he had pilfered from the stores and left the room.

Not once did Tarynn leave his mind.