The market was milling with people, stalls filling the streets of the small village. Merchants stood beside their wares, yelling in their language and gesturing wildly, desperately trying to make a good deal. Sansa wandered through the stalls, wide-eyed at the vast array of goods. Her eyes opened in surprise as they passed a group of people chained together, a thick metal collar around their necks.
"Free-bond servants." The Hound rasped in her ear, turning her towards a wine merchant. "Makes their masters feel better not to actually call them slaves." He stopped as a dark figure blocked their path, his scarred face darkening.
"Ah, my friends!" Sametyr cried, his bright eyes glistening as he assessed her before looking up at the Hound. "And how do you like out little market? Nothing as fine as King's Landing but it's not bad, eh?"
Sansa kept her face blank, staring at him with empty eyes. The Hound simply shrugged and looked around. "From what I've seen so far, it'll do."
"Do you want me to show you around? I can help you make a good bargain, my lady." He offered, his dark eyes flickering back to Sansa.
"No, thank you, my lord." She smiled brightly at him though her stomach was twisting violently inside her. "We wouldn't want to distract you from you're own errands. Besides, we must learn to make our own way here."
Sansa dropped an elegant curtsy to the man before glancing up at the Hound. He simply smirked down at the man before leading her away towards the wine merchant, leaving the irritated man behind them.
They wandered around the market, purchasing various supplies that were essential. Sansa was beginning to grow weary, her feet aching from the walking when she spied a cloth merchant. A sudden rush of energy flooded her body and she headed straight for it, not even checking to see if the Hound was following her. She fingered a bolt of cloth, her eyes drinking in the different fabrics.
"Those aren't the supplies we need." The Hound growled, prodding her forward. She turned, glaring up at him.
"We do need them. I need to have more than just one dress." She said insistently, tilting her head defiantly. "Was the wine we purchased a necessity?"
"Get what you want." He growled after a minute, cursing quietly under his breath as she grinned. Turned back to the fabrics, she carefully examined them under the merchant's watchful eye. After a few moments, she pointed out her choices and the merchant nodded. He rattled off a price and the Hound reluctantly paid the man as she gathered up her precious purchase.
"I think we should get back to the farm." The Hound steered her through the throng of people, his eyes straight ahead as they parted. Sansa could feel everyone's eyes on them as they passed, her cheeks heating under their stares. She peered up at him, noticing the slight tightening of his jaw as he walked.
He secured their purchases on the horse before swinging her up into the saddle. He mounted, kicking the horse to start down the path. They rode away, without even glancing back.
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Sansa rolled out the fabric, excitement fluttering up in her as she considered how to set about making the clothes. Rocking back on her heels, she caught a glimpse of the Hound chopping wood. She tilted her head, her eyes methodically studying his form. After a moment, she nodded to herself and spread out a deep blue fabric. She began to slowly cut out a shape, her lower lip caught gently between her teeth as she focused.
It didn't take her long to get her pattern cut out and then she set to work sewing her pieces together, her fingers deftly stitching the fabric into a recognizable form. After a few hours bent over her work, Sansa rolled her shoulders, working out her sore neck muscles. Laying aside the fabric, she stood up, streching her cramped back and legs.
Movement outside caught her attention and she walked to the open door, gently massaging her neck as she peered out. The Hound stood not far from the house, stripped of his customary armor as he chopped wood. Sweat dripped down his face, soaking through his shirt as he worked, pausing only to take a swig from his water skin. Or is that his wine skin. Sansa wondered as she watched him, his muscles flexing with every swing.
I'm so vulnerable. The sudden realization scared her and she turned her back to him, returning hastily to her sewing. She stabbed the needle into the innocent fabric, yanking her stitch tight before stabbing it again. At the very least, I should really have him show me how to defend myself before he leaves.
The hair on her neck bristled and she whipped her head around, startled to see him standing in the doorway. His frame filled the doorway, blocking the sunlight that should be streaming through. Heat rushed up her neck, flooding her cheeks as she stared at him, waiting for him to speak.
"Are you going to be wanting food soon?" He rasped, looking down at her with gentle eyes.
Wine skin, it was most definitely wine he was drinking. She thought as she spoke in a quiet voice. "Yes, that is probably a good idea." She looked down at her sewing. "What were you..." She turned her head to the empty doorway before sighing. One day, I'm just going to wake up and he won't be here. He'll just walk right out without another thought. She stabbed at the shirt again, snorting quietly at the irony of it all.
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Sansa picked at the rabbit before setting aside in favor of the bread and cheese that sat on the table. She chewed slowly, the silence grating on her nerves as she pretended to study the cracks in the wall. The Hound ate the rabbit greedily, drinking deeply from his wine skin as she tried not to focus on him. Finishing her last bite of cheese, Sansa sat back, somewhat ruefully surveying the table.
"What's wrong, little bird?" The Hound asked, wiping his mouth across his sleeve.
"I wish that we had some lemon cakes." She said in a small voice, her mouth watering at the thought of them. "And I never learned how to make them myself."
The Hound laughed, swallowing more of his wine. Sansa stared up at him, dumbfounded as to what could be so humorous. Wiping his mouth again, he grinned at her, clearly drunk. Pushing back her chair, she swiftly stood, intent on leaving the room. Before she could make her escape, he was blocking her with his large body.
"You're drunk." She spat out, her nostrils flaring in anger as her heart beat faster. He stepped closer, his face unreadable in the shadows.
"I won't hurt you, little bird - you know that." He whispered as his fingers stroked her cheek softly.
Sansa squeezed her eyes shut, steeling herself against the emotions that raged inside her breast. "Then why are you leaving me?" She didn't even try to disguise the fury in her voice as she saw his face harden.
"So you abandon me to a fate worse than death?" Her voice cracked, tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she looked up at him. He stared down at her, his eyes full of misery.
"Because it's what's best for you." He said firmly, his hand falling back to his side. She gaped at him in open astonishment, her brows knit.
"I'm never going to be like all those knights you dreamed about as a girl." He hissed, his jaw muscles tensing with every word he spoke. "I'll never be the knight to save the little princess in danger. I'm a killer and that's all I'm bloody good for!"
"But you already have." Sansa murmured, stepping towards him. "You saved me. And I need you, right here, with me. Can't you see that?"
The Hound stepped away, shaking his head. "I've already made my decision. I'll purchase a free-bond servant to watch over you." He grabbed his wine skin, draining it in one long swig. Sansa stood, frozen in disbelief as he stepped to the door.
"Believe me, you'll be much happier with me gone." He muttered as he stepped outside.
Sansa rushed after him, grabbing onto his arm to stop him. He shook her loose, whirling around with a snarl on his lips. "Leave me be, girl!"
"No." She swallowed, standing up straight and looking him straight in the eyes. "I don't want a servant. If your so set on being a sell-sword, then so be it."
His eyes widened in surprise, all rage instantly erased and his face growing softer in the moonlight.
"I will pay you to stay here. As my protector." She hurried on before he could interrupt. "I know I don't have any money but I will pay you whatever I make from this farm. And I will even give you half the property, so you can sell it if you'd like."
He rubbed his face, considering her proposition before slowly nodding. Sansa felt peace flutter through her chest as she slowly breathed, all tension dissipating. The Hound moved off towards his campsite, leaving her alone beneath the canopy of stars. A smile curled her lips, her heart warming as she watched his retreating form.
Turning back to the house, she barred the door before retrieving her sewing from the corner. Stretching out in front of the fire, she set to work, her mind too full to sleep now. He'll stay for now, but how long will that last?
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The morning light streamed in, waking Sansa from a deep sleep. She rolled off the bed, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. She dressed quickly, eager to begin her work. She had almost finished her first sewing project last night and there were so many more to do!
Opting to leave her hair down, she went into the front part of the house, unbarring the door before setting out the leftover bread and cheese from last night. The door opened and she turned, smiling brightly.
All color drained from her face, fear seizing her chest as she looked at the man standing before her. Stepping back, she reached behind her, looking for the knife they'd used last night.
"Good morning, my lady. Where is you husband? I didn't see him when I rode up and I don't think he'd leave you all alone out here." A wicked grin covered the dark man's face as he stepped towards her, eyes brimming with lust. "Is he still abed at this time?"
Sansa moved towards the bedroom but the man was quicker, throwing open the door before she could stop him.
"Just as I thought." He turned to her, a cat-like smile playing on his lips as he scanned the room before settling his gaze upon her. "He sin't really your husband, is he? A pretty little thing like you wouldn't marry a dog like him."
Anger boiled inside her at his comments and she lifted her chin defiantly, staring him down. The lust was replaced by outrage and he grabbed her, dragging her out the door behind him. "Let's go find the dog and show him what I do to liars!"