Sandor had never traveled by ship before. He'd worried at first that he might get sea sick, but so far he was actually enjoying it quite a bit. They'd decided to take a ship down the coast by the narrow sea to Dorne instead of traveling by land. Seeing as Grey Worm would be making his encampment on the shores just north of Sunpear, coming in from the sea was a much quicker journey. They'd been traveling since dawn and were only just reaching the mouth of Blackwater Bay. From there they would turn south. Brienne walked across the deck to join him.
"It's been a fairly calm trip so far." She commented.
"We haven't even been out for a full day yet." He replied, "let's save the praising of the weather until we're at least in the open sea."
"Must you always be so negative?" She asked.
"I've learned it's better to expect the worst and get a rare pleasant surprise than to expect the best and be constantly fucking disappointed." He said.
The ship turned slightly and he heard the man in the crows nest calling down.
"Looks like we've come to the mouth of the bay." Said Brienne, "and there it is...Dragonstone."
Sandor stared, taken aback by the island in the distance. It's spiked towers and enormous walls jutting into the sky like some sort of temple of fire that grew naturally out of the stone and with the dull glow of the smoking volcano behind it. It didn't take much imagination to picture dragons filling the air around that mystical place. He'd never seen anything like it in his life.
"Seven fucking hells..." He muttered.
"Is this your first time ever seeing it?" Brienne asked. He nodded.
"It is quite impressive." She said, "I've seen it every time I come into port and it still never fails to take my breath away."
"I wonder who's it is now..." Sandor said, "Jon Snow's I suppose or whatever his real name is...Aegon the hundredth of his fucking name. You know the damned Targaryen's could have saved themselves a lot of confusion if they just stopped naming their children the same fucking thing over and over again." Brienne laughed appreciatively.
"Your home, Tarth. We'll sail right past it won't we?" He asked, and she nodded in answer.
"Will that be strange for you?" He said, "being so close and not going a shore."
"Not really." She answered, "My parents were never cruel or unkind. They were good people and they did their best, but I left for a reason. I've never had much of a desire to go back. Something Tess and I have in common actually."
At the mention of Tess's name Sandor felt himself smile. It was completely involuntary, it was impossible not to smile when he thought about her. It was absolutely ridiculous to him how much he missed her already. He knew logically that he hadn't even been away from her any longer than he was on a normal day of his City Watch duties, but the knowledge that he wouldn't see her face for weeks made it infinitely worse. It was such a strange feeling for him. He'd spent the majority of his life spurning most forms of human contact, and intentionally never letting anyone close. So to already be missing her touch, to know when he woke in the morning alone in his bunk that he would long to feel her curled against him, was surreal. He felt off kilter without her, like a part of him was missing. When he really thought about it he realized that wasn't new, that he'd felt incomplete his entire life, he just now understood that she was the thing he'd been missing.
"Sandor..." Brienne said, leaning in the rail to look at him, "do I even need to ask where you went?" She said with a smirk.
"Sorry." He said.
"It's my fault...I mentioned her name." Brienne teased.
"Gods I'm must seem like such a sad love sick fool." He said.
"You do..." Brienne agreed, "but it's nice. In a way. I much prefer besotted Sandor, to angry confrontational Sandor."
A young dark haired man came up to them.
"Commander...er...Commanders. My Lord, my lady. They're serving dinner below deck, the men sent me to see if we should wait for you." He said.
"You all go on and eat," Sandor said, "We'll come when we're ready."
"Won't be near as good as Elle's cooking." He said to Brienne as the lad left.
"Yes but I fear nothing ever will be again." She agreed. They stood on the deck watching the color draining slowly from the sky as the sun set behind them.
"You're very good at this you know. Commanding the City Watch. The men respect you. And this venture, creating a new force of elite fighters. People are saying it's the best thing to happen to the Gold Cloaks since Daemon Targaryen."
"Yeah...I guess we'll see won't we." He said.
"Have you ever heard about him? Daemon Targaryen?" She asked.
"Do I look like the kind of fucking person who would spend their time reading books about dead Targaryens?" he replied.
"No, I suppose you don't." Brienne conceded, "but I know Tess is...so figured. Anyway, I just bring it up because I find it ironic that you're being compared to him, because I do see similarities. He was second son of his house, brutal in battle, bit of a chip on his shoulder especially where his family was concerned, at least that's what the stories say. He was untouched as far as his fierceness was concerned and he made the Gold Cloaks what they are today."
"Sounds like my kind of mad fucker." Sandor said, "wasn't he also the last known wielder of Dark Sister?"
"I thought you didn't know anything about him?" Brienne retorted.
"I know about Valerian steel..." He said, and eyes inadvertently traveled to the blade at Brienne's side. He'd always envied her the Valerian steel sword gifted to her by Jamie Lannister, and he'd as much as told her that the first time they'd fought.
"Come on." Brienne said, "they won't leave us any dinner if we wait much longer."
It took four more days for them to sail to the shore of Dorne, and it got warmer as they went. By the time they were pulling into the dock at Sunspear, Sandor was sweating in his armor.
"I know it's important to keep up the appearances as Lord Commander, but I don't know how long I'll be able to keep my armor on in this damned heat." He muttered.
A procession came down the hill from the city. It was led by a young man who couldn't have been much older than Bran. He had dark curly hair and was wearing long silk robes of bright yellow. These fucking Dornish men, Sandor thought. Most of them were prettier and dressed more elegantly than half the women in Kings Landing. The young man on his light brown stallion rode up beside them.
"Greetings to you Lord Commander of Kingsguard and City Watch." He said, "I am Prince Damian of House Martell. We welcome you to Dorne. We find your purpose for being here most fascinating. Your comrades arrived the day before last and have set up an encampment about a mile North of here. We've taken the liberty of providing tents for both of you and your men that we believe will be suitable for your needs."
"You are most gracious, Prince Damian." Said Brienne, giving him a small bow, she was so much better with this diplomatic shit than he was. "If there is anyway we can repay your hospitality please let us know."
"It was my hope, that you might allow some of my men to observe the training exercises. The Unsullied army is renown throughout the world. The chance to see their methods is a rare opportunity." Said the prince.
"Of course, you would be most welcome." Said Brienne politely.
They turned away from the prince and his envoy and headed up the beach in the direction he'd indicated.
"You sure we want those Dornish twats looking on while we train?" Sandor asked, "could end up being a distraction to the men."
"I think it's probably wise for the men to learn how to hone their skills even in distracting environments. And besides what would have had me do, tell him to fuck off when he just provided us with our own personal tents and tents for our men." Brienne said.
"I probably would have." He pointed out.
"Which is why I am in charge of diplomacy." She retorted.
They had reached the encampment. Rows of tents in various sizes and styles stretched down the beach as far as the eye could see. There were cook fires scattered here and there throughout and Sandor could smell fish roasting somewhere close by. From one of the larger tents closest to them Grey Worm appeared. When he saw them walking towards him he matched their stride and came to meet them.
"It is good to see you have arrived safely Lord Commanders." He said, in his clipped and efficient way. "May I take you to your tents? You must be tired from your long travels. I will give you time to rest and we can meet for an evening meal to discuss strategy for the coming weeks.
Grey Worm led them slightly up the embankment and away from the beach slightly into a field of tall grass. There were two large, round, red tents side by side on the edge of the field.
"For you. Lord Commanders." Grey Worm said, "I will show your men to their tents as well. We will meet back at the beach at sundown for our meal and discussion. And Commander Clegane, a letter arrived for you by raven this morning. It is on the table in your tent." Grey Worm turned from them and led the group of thirty men that they had brought with them on down the hill.
"Who the fuck is sending me letters here already." Sandor said.
"Oh I wonder..." said Brienne with an eye roll.
"you don't think..." he began.
"Of course I think..." she said, "Getting a letter ready and then waiting to send it so it would arrive just in time for you get here. That sounds exactly like something Tess would do."
Sandor couldn't deny her logic. He bent his head to go under the tent flap. The inside of the tent was finely furnished. It reminded him of the tent that had been put up for them at the last tourney except that tent had been all greys and whites and this tent was covered in rich shades of blood red and gold. There was a large wooden framed bed on the far side of the tent and a round table with two chairs in the center of the space. Sitting on the table was a folded piece of parchment. He picked it up and opened it. He knew Brienne had been right before he even read the first line. He recognized Tess's small precise hand writing.
'Hello lover." He read, "if I time this right you should be reading this right when you get to Dorne."
Sandor walked over and laid down on the bed as he continued to read. With every line he missed her more, her words made him laugh, and roll his eyes, and also made him try to decide where he would hide the letter because some of the things she said were things he'd rather not have any other eyes reading. He read the letter three times through before finally setting it down next to him on the bed with a sigh. What was it that Brienne had called him a few days ago? Besotted that was it. He was absolutely besotted with Tess and he knew it. He'd gone from priding himself on never needing anyone, to knowing in his heart that if anything happened to that woman he wouldn't want to live a day in this life without her. She was his whole world, and he'd made sure she knew it. He hadn't been putting on a front when he told her he'd abandon this mission if she just said the word. He knew he would truly do anything for her, for better or worse. He sat up and stretched his back. Seven hells...he wasn't as young as he used to be and all those nights in the ships bunk were catching up with him. He began to undo the straps on his arm gauntlets. They weren't doing any fighting tonight, and he'd decided Dorne was too fucking hot for armor.
About an hour later Sandor made his way back down towards the shore. He saw that a long low table made of driftwood planks had been set out in the sand and was filled with various types of fish, bread and other foods he didn't recognize. Grey worm was at the far end of the table with Brienne who was still on her armor, and a man he did not know. He walked to them and they stood to meet him.
"Good evening Lord Commander," said Grey Worm. "We were just about to discuss our strategy for tomorrow. May I introduce Bronto Vaihris. He is a leading member of the Second Sons of Essos. He and a small group of his men have come here for the same reason as you, to learn from Unsullied.
Brontos Vaihris was a huge man. He stood at least two inches taller than Sandor with arms and chest as thick as tree trunks, skin as dark as ebony, and hair that hung in small braids almost to his waist. At his introduction he flashed Sandor a smile revealing brilliantly white teeth, and extended his hand.
"It is my pleasure to finally meet the infamous Commander of the City Watch." He had a deep booming voice, "What do the call you again, the wolf?"
"The hound." Sandor corrected.
They all sat down and began to eat.
"I have to say. I was surprised when I heard that the King was sending men from Kings Landing to train with the Unsullied." Brontos said, "you Westerosi are not usually inclined to learn new ways of doing things. Especially things like fighting."
"Well it wasn't actually the King who bid us here, though he did sanction it of course, this idea was all Sandor's" Brienne said.
"It wasn't that much..." Sandor said, "I've just seen the Unsullied fight, and thought their's would be good skills to add to our own."
"That's very outside the box thinking for a man of Westeros my friend. I will admit I am impressed." Brontos said.
Sandor wasn't quite sure how to react to that, so he simply shrugged and poured himself more wine.
"And what is your place in this my lady?" Brontos asked, "is it true what Grey Worm tells me, that you are the Commander of your Kings entire guard?"
"Yes, I am." Brienne answered.
"She's also the only woman in the whole of the seven kingdoms to be knighted." Sandor said. He wasn't sure why he was boasting about Brienne, he supposed because she really did deserve it and he knew she'd never do it for herself.
"My my..." said Brontos, "Fierce, powerful, and beautiful. I can see why men would have no trouble pledging themselves to a stunning creature such as yourself." Brienne's face flushed bright red.
"You do me great honor sir..." She said politely, but she did not meet his eye.
A few hours later Sandor was sitting in the doorway of his tent. The sun had gone down and there was a cool salty breeze blowing in off the ocean. He'd procured a bottle of strong sour Dornish wine from their dinner that he was was savoring. It was very peaceful. He looked to his left and saw Brienne emerge from her tent. She'd also removed her armor in favor of a loose flowing tunic shirt and men's britches, her hair was mussed and she looked more relaxed than he'd ever seen her. She almost looks like a normal woman, he thought. She saw him sitting in front his tent and smiled.
"Care to join me?" He said lazily, the wine was making him slightly sleepy, "I may not be the most stimulating of company but the wine is strong, and the breeze is cool."
She walked over and sat beside him crossing her legs. He handed her the bottle of wine and she took a long drink.
"So what do you think of Grey Worm's plan?" She asked handing him back the bottle.
"I think it seems very to the point and sounds like it will be highly effective. I just hope these fuckers we brought are up to the challenges." He took another swig.
"I hope so too." Said Brienne, "and I hope they don't get too discouraged if the Second Sons seem better prepared than they are. It's a completely different style of fighting."
"Speaking of the Second Sons..." said Sandor shooting a bemused look at her, "that Brontos,was quite the talker wasn't he?"
"In my experience most men from Essos are." Said Brienne, "he was alright. Nothing too unseemly about him but I'm not sure I entirely trust him either."
"You don't trust him because he found you attractive." Sandor said, taking another drink of wine.
Brienne looked at him as if he'd grown a second head.
"Excuse me." She said grabbing the wine bottle back out of his hand, "what the hell makes you think that?"
"Because I see it in you. When you've been told over and over in your life that you're ugly. That no one will want you, your start to think anyone who shows any interest must have some dishonest motive, and you instantly mistrust them. I have some experience in that area as well, in case you forgot." He said.
"You seemed to accept interest just fine as of late..." Brienne pointed out, and Sandor laughed.
"Yeah...eventually. But how long did I put Tess through the fucking ringer. Challenging every word she said and pushing her away constantly before I let her in. Hell she had to almost die for me to pull my head out of my ass. Anyway I'm just saying, when you get shit, you expect shit. And when people are kind, it makes you distrustful. I understand that."
"When I was younger...I don't know...twelve maybe thirteen. My father held a ball." Brienne said, she was picking at the label on the wine bottle and not looking at him, "he invited all the eligible young men in the kingdom, and for the first time I felt like a real lady. All of them danced with me, told me how beautiful I was, fought each other for my favor. It was an amazing night. Until I saw them laughing in the corner. It was a game, they were daring each other to see who could win 'Brienne the Beauty'. I was just a joke to them."
"Fucking cunts..." Sandor spat, which made her smile slightly.
"I wanted to run out crying, but Renly Baratheon took me onto the dance floor, and told me to keep my head up high. That those little shits didn't deserve my tears, and he danced with me all night. I loved him for that. I was loyal to him from that day, until his last day. I know how everyone in court felt about him they mocked him and talked behind his back. But he was a good man, and one of the few people in this world that saw me."
"It may surprise you to hear this, but I never had an issue with Renly." Said Sandor, "he was a little too happy and friendly for my taste, but he was a good man. I never resented people for being kind, or having gentle hearts, you know. I just knew it meant they wouldn't make it in this world. As far as I'm concerned this world would be a better place if it had a few more people like Renly in it. And as for the other part...we'll a bit of buggery never hurt anyone." He chuckled slightly and reached out for the wine bottle.
"You're drunk Lord Commander." Said Brienne with a smile handing him back the bottle.
"What makes you say that?" He asked.
"Because we're having a meaningful conversation. Which I don't believe we've ever done. You are being, kind, and encouraging, and insightful. I'd say we might even be on the verge of becoming friends." She teased.
'"Well we can't have that can we." Sandor said, he took one more long drink and then tossed the bottle back to her, "finish that off Lady Brienne. I'm going to go to bed, to hopefully enjoy some dreams about another person this world would be a darker place without."