Winters Night Chapter II, an a song of ice and fire fanfic

Chapter II

SANSA

Waking up upon the sheets and furs and the letters, now scattered among the bed after I had fallen into a deep sleep thinking of him. My eyes felt crusted and slow to open, the sun was blinding, in my desperation to see him in my dreams I had never pulled the curtains closed. Now, the sun broke through the frosted glass of the windows into the dark room, illuminating the furniture, throws and walls. Looking down at my sheets, I heard the crinkle of the letters I let slip from my grasp once sleep had taken me into a slumber. Collecting and sorting back into the small carved box. Gods how I wished to hear from him.

The maids gently knocked on my bed chamber doors, as dutiful as ever to come make the sheets, clean the fires and dress me for the day ahead. Although it wasn't always seen proper to thank the handmaidens, I never forgot how hard they worked in maintaining this place. I was also grateful for their company, as all the family I once had was now either long gone from this world or were half way across the world to far to call upon for comfort.

I remember the first few days Sandor began working as my sworn sword within Winterfell, he was almost coy in his mannerisms. Never wanting to put a foot out of place, he would follow every command; no matter how small or minor it may appear. His duties mainly being at my side or patrolling the grounds, and any other duties were nothing of note. At that moment, a grin came across my face remembering the times I would watch him from afar patrolling the grounds. This was months after he arrived to my service, when I was walking above the balconies, and I had been watching the everyday life of Winterfell happen below me. Sandor walked into the grounds, passing the vegetable stall when a young boy knocked into him, for a moment my heart caught in my throat that he might hit the boy. He stood like a giant to the little boy, grimacing above like a menacing shadow. I waited with baited breath, but all he did was mess with the boy, pretending to be angry and look down to him, then waved the boy on his way. Sandor simply walked on, and I smiled that the once hound had all but disappeared from him. It was the first time I had ever seen a kind side of Sandor, the first time I had seen the true self of a man who many feared.

Arya had been terribly conflicted when he had arrived, and she had debated whether she still wanted him dead or not, yet she never acted on those feelings. She also couldn't stay around with so many memories of a life that was no longer here. I understood, even if it pained me to not have her around, I longed to have any of what was left of our family around. Sandor was nervous around her, after the last time they had seen each other, yet his nature now was more forgiving and peaceful. I yearned for a quiet life, now I had it, I worried it would be lost to the cruel world once again. Now I had Sandor protecting me, it lessened the worry, but never took it away completely.

Ah, so many small moments I remembered since he came to my service. This was a time I would think on them for he wasn't here, and so his presence was felt more keenly. While he was in my service, noticing such small things like how he would open a door before me, or bow after I would say goodnight, the time he had helped me upon my horse and he held my hand; his hand was so large compared to my own, yet it made me feel safe knowing those were the hands that would always be ready to defend me. Their was always eye contact, no matter how fleeting. He had simply held my hand tightly, looked at me with a wry smile and said, ''You're all right little bird, you'll not fall'' as I was holstered upon my horse.

While I stood, walking the halls, my youngest handmaiden Clari approached, ''My lady, a letter arrived for you, it is from the guards''. Sandor. ''Thank you Clari'', taking the letter, I made a sharp turn back to my room so their would be quiet while reading it. Settling in the chair by the bed, I broke the seal;

My Lady Sansa,

Forgive me for not writing of late, or much. Many of the border inspections have gone successful, no sign of them and I hope never. Gods it's bloody freezing, only the dead could live this far North and any we have met might as well be dead for being this far North.

The men grow tired and hungry, food is scarce up here. It'll not be long now unless we run into anything, and we'll be back within the walls of Winterfell. I hope you are well little bird? I'll feel more agreeable once I have a warm fire, a steaming pot of stew and bread, and a bed that isn't made of branches and leaves!

One thought keeps me warm, and that is of my Lady's crimson hair. If I had a lock of that hair to keep with me, my night's wouldn't be as cold.

Kindest regards,

Sandor Clegane, protector and sworn shield to Lady Sansa Stark, of Winterfell.

It had been weeks since I received word from him, and now I had a letter, longer than many he had sent before, and one that I could feel his exhaustion from the patrols. I had thought it over while I reread the letter, and considered, 'perhaps it was time to call them back. Sandor and the guards would be better within the walls of Winterfell than out there. Besides, I can't bare for any of them to become more of those things'. I knew they had more land to cover, more borders to survey, but perhaps they could be checked again in a couple weeks time. No longer did I want them, especially Sandor out there suffering. I may even have some of the other houses survey the last of the borders.

I longed for his presence at my side, to catch a glimpse of his face in long thought. I would right a letter and have a raven to send before last light.

Your Lady Sansa of House Stark,

I send word that commander Sandor Clegane and his men are to return to Winterfell. I have sent ravens to House Mormont and two other houses to gather some of their guards to take your place in surveying the last of the North's borders. Your presence will be needed here at Winterfell more so as winter is upon us. The winter grows colder, and I would not have any of my men suffer any longer. Prepare yourself for the journey home, your families are waiting, I am for ever grateful for your duties to the house of Stark.

Sansa Stark, Lady of Winterfell, Warden of the North.

Now all I would wait for was his return. I would pray before last light to the mother to keep him safe and watch over all of them. When he first walked through those gates with Thoros and some other men, what a sorry old hound he had appeared. His hair was no longer than I remembered, just less clean and more unkempt. A beard that I could only call a wizard's had taken over his face. Although, a beard did suit him and he had still kept it. His face and eyes though, had aged. I knew how much the world had taken upon those large shoulders and how they weighed him down. I must confess, I did not have an open armed welcome for him, nor his men. I was more distrusting then, from now, and without reason. However, I did remember the night of the Blackwater. He had on several occasions saved from a worse situation. We spoke in private that afternoon, I'd welcomed Thoros and his men to the halls for food and ale while we talked;

'Well, I can't say I expected this surprise at our gates this day', I had said, as truly I never expected to see him again or that he was still alive.

He was silent. He dared not look at me either, he only say with his head down; hands clasped tightly. Inside, I begged for him to speak, yet he only sat in quiet retreat.

He wasn't going to talk, so I let him know what would happen, ' You and your men can stay, though if you have no purpose here I do not know how long you can be accommodated for.' Raising to my feet, brushing my dress down, I continued, 'I never expected to see you again, after you parted from Arya, we all thought you dead. Here you are, quiet and without voice. No matter, remain quiet for as long as you need, I'm sure you will speak when ready. For now, my handmaidens have prepared a room for you and your men. Sleep well Sandor'.

As I made my way to leave the room, I heard a small tremor of words leave his mouth as his head still laid hidden from view, 'Thank you little bird'. That name...how long it had been since I heard that name. He was no longer the hound I could see, I could feel the change.

That was a strange day, I remembered how he sat at the long tables in silence eating, while his men conversed in merriment and delight at the handmaidens so fair. He dared not look at me for so long after he arrived upon Winterfell, and I let him be, he would open up when he was ready. After I had finished the letter, I had one of the handmaidens bring it to the master to send off by the fastest raven. I returned to my duties to keep my mind occupied while I waited. Would he return? If or when he returned, how could keep holding these feelings that were growing for him? Did he even know of them in any manner? I would focus on having him returned home, then I would decide how to handle the situation from there. Gods, I never noticed how empty this place felt without him around.

SANDOR

It was morning, I knew that much; the smell of piss from where the men had gone by the roots of the trees and the stains in the snow. Their was no sleeping long in winters delightful bitterness, nor the glar of the sun beating on the snow below. Not a cloud in the sky, but still as icely cold. Gods what I'd do for some piping hot fish, potatoes and a warm ale to wash it all down with. All we had in our camp was some stinking bread that didn't last long, and bone broth from animals we'd caught seldom. It kept us going, but gods it was foul, nothing as delicious as what they made in the halls of Winterfell. They knew how to cook their food well, nothing fancy just good ol' wholesome meals.

I laughed to myself remembering his lady Sansa's love for those gods awful lemoncakes. Bitterly sweet to taste I thought, it was a wonder her teeth weren't black with rot for how often she had them. Sweetest tooth for the sweetest mouth I knew, from time to time I'd watch from the corner of my eye how she'd sometimes forget her manners; forget the fork and eat them with her fingers. I'd watch her lick her fingers after with a childish smirk on her face at their sweetness and nod in amusement at it. What a foolish thing to remember, though a sweet one.

It had been some time since we had word from Winterfell, or our Lady and with that a raven appeared to us from the west. A Winterfell raven, with the Stark seal. It was Sansa's, and an elation washed over me and my men, as a letter was not expected;

Your Lady Sansa of House Stark,

Sansa Stark, Lady of Winterfell, Warden of the North.

After I heard the words from one of the men that we were to return to Winterfell, I felt all the winter nights leave my cold and aching shoulders. Fortune was on our side, we would go home. Home I thought to myself, what a strange word that was to me. A place that I felt comfort and peace within. Thoros however, was of a different mind to returning to Winterfell.

'My god doesn't require me at Winterfell any longer. My service to the lord of light is needed elsewhere, further west than the known west. This is a sign my old friend, that my time here is at an end. Your place is North Sandor, by the lady's side, that was always where you were to find peace. I think I stayed longer than I needed; I wont lie, it was the glorious food'.

I laughed at his honesty, and admired that he had stayed out our entire patrol, perhaps he was to make sure I was to head back to Winterfell. Whatever his reason, I never questioned it. 'aye, the food is glorious. It is what you do Thoros, may your god go with you, wherever the fuck that is ha!', I just scoffed at him, as I'd always done. The men had become fond of Thoros, but I knew he was never one for settling and his ''lord of light'' was always on the move.

Some time after Thoros had left, myself and the men headed back home where we were needed most. Now my journey back to Winterfell would be thoughts of auburn red hair and alabaster skin of my lady. If gods be true, do not hasten my travel. My bones ached to be in her presence, to smell her soft winter rose scent and glance upon my lady's eyes once more.