Sandor adjusted his footing as the sword collide with his armour. The steel clashes rang though the yard, drowning out the sound of cheers and jeers from the crowd.
When he found his distance, he kept it, only using his sword to counter. It was clear that the huge man's sudden attack had knocked him off guard.
Robert swung his sword high then brought it down again like a headsman. The blade caught the Hounds left shoulder as he tried to dodge to attack. Cursing heavily he fell sideways barely keeping on his feet.
His left arm looked limp but he still managed to block another attack from his opponent. Again and again, the clashes shrieking, the Mountain kept pushing Sandor around the ring, sometimes kicking up snow at him, other times just mocking him with lazy hits.
"He's like a frightened puppy" Sansa heard a boy who looked about Robb's age say. His friends laughed "Come on, kill the bastard already!" She glared at them till she heard the Hound groan.
He lazily dodged attacks, barely able to hold his sword with two hands. It had now turned into a game of cat and mouse. He was weak, probably injured. Robert landed a hit with the flat of his great sword against Sandor's leg which knocked him to the floor. A cackling grunt came from underneath the Mountain's helmet as he watched the smaller man try to use his sword to get himself up.
The crowd was laughing now. The boys were the loudest. Fathers shielded their daughter's eyes, clearly knowing what was coming. Sansa's heart stopped beating, she could hear her champion's panting breath from where she was standing.
"You buggering madman" Sandor rasped. He was still slouching on his sword like he was waiting for the final blow.
Robert laughed again. Rising his sword high, his pure white cloak flapped behind him in a godlike fashion. Cersei's eyes gleamed. Margeary was staring on with cold concern and Tommen hid behind his hands. Sandor tweaked. His head bent slightly like he had seen something odd about his opponent.
The Mountain was about to bring the sword down when a pile of brown snow hit him on the back of his head. Another landed on his shoulder. He lowered his sword and turned to the children who threw it. He roared and clucked unable to form proper words. The brown snow rolled off his helm and left skid marks down his kingsguard cloak.
Sandor's sword suddenlu slashed through the air whistling before hitting the Mountains helmet. The blow sent the huge man falling sideways in shock. Sandor grabbed the fluttering cloak of his enem and yanked it from his shoulder and threw it to the ground like a wash rag.
"Are you crying over a soiled cloak?" he mocked, taking on a pugnacious stance. "Shame you won't be here to see me paint it red" He leapt forward cutting through the air. The Mountain jerked away from the attack but it was clear, where he was stronger, Sandor was quicker.
Wielding his sword with his right hand the Hound took swipes at the Mountain's neck and chest. Trying to hack at him with wild flurry. He cut at the air, close enough to scrap against the white armor. Sometimes he hit but it barely affected the Mountain's stance.
When the Mountain raised his arm to attack, Sansa saw something that looked like exposed leather at the side of his ribs where his breastplate was coming apart. Sandor aimed for his brother's ribs but missed again when the Mountain countered, sending sparks flying as the metals scraped together.
The Mountain grunted and swung low. A haggard annoyed scream came from his helm, his blade hit, punching through the plate there and got stuck in Sandor's thigh. Gregor had to kick Sandor away to dislodge him from his blade. Blood seeped over the shattered metal. Sandor stayed standing but he lolled from side to side groaning.
Gregor swung his sword at shattered armour but he was too late. Sandor dodged the attack and drove his weapon forward. Catching Gregor under his arm he sliced down, scraping his blade along his ribs cutting through the uncovered leather and soft flesh.
The Mountain backed away. Black bile was now flooding from the wound but he didn't seem fazed by the pain, he just continued attacking. Recklessly whirling and slashing, he sent Sandor staggering. A final wallop to his wounded leg had Sandor to his knees barely holding his sword's handle.
The stillness of the yard as the Mountain placed his greatsword against his brother throat was unbearable. He brought the sword round over his shoulder and readied it to bring it down on his brother's neck.
Sansa screamed her champion's name. Slapping her hand over her mouth, the hulking figure turned his head to look at her. She felt her blood chill. She could almost feel whatever face under that helm smiling at her. The dagger in her hand felt heavier as she had an urge to hold it to her own throat.
Suddenly Gregor jolted forward, gasping. Sandor was on his knees now holding his sword in two hands. The blade of the sword was facing up and was stuck through his brother's throat.
The bile soaked the steel while Sandor twisted the sword. This brother gurgled, blood dripping from his helmet. Gregor's weapon feel from his hands. He stumbled further forward. More of the steel was engulfed in the grey flesh till a twink noise sounded when the tip sworded touched the back of his helmet. Sandor was looking up at his brother, his hands steadied. A blink of the eye later he pull sword down and torn it to the side taking part of his brother's throat with it. A fountain of black blood soaked the ground. The figure crumbled with a deafening noise of cracking bones and scraping steel.
Gregor was still as stone lying in a pool of his own black blood. Sandor wasn't moving either, just still, on his knees.
Sansa kept her face steady but warm tears were forming in her eyes.
She ventured forward letting the dagger fall from her fingers. She felt her feet again as she struggled to drag them across the frost covered ground. The soaked stockings had started to freeze and the crunched with every movement. She didn't tear her focus away from Sandor, he was trembling but at least he was alive.
Sansa heard the sharp intake of breath and looked to see Queen Cersei's eyes staring dully at her. She was lost now, looking like she was standing in a dream. "She has won" she exhaled. Cersei blinked away the water from her eyes and addressed the audience "Lady Sansa of House Stark has won her innocence along with the innocence of her... husband... Lord Tyrion" she hissed his name "She is hereby released from captivity" Cersei whipped around and left the yard in a cool silence that was only broken by the eruption of trumpets and cheers.
Sansa ran to her champions side then and fell to her knees. Thank you her mind whispered words that she couldn't say out loud.
Over the trumpets She could hear the Hound's rapid breath echoing in his helmet. His right hand clutched his bloody sword, and the other was gripping to the top of his thigh. Through the scrapes of smashed metal the skin had peeled back and Sansa could see layers of muscle and a hint of cream bone in the blood.
She leaned close putting her hand on his shoulder. He suddenly moved as if he was going to bat her away but his right hand went to his throat and pushed at his helmet. He was making a whining choking noise. Sansa help pull it from his head. He was soaked in sweat, his hair sticking to his face. The burnt side twitched violently as the unburnt side quivered. His sad grey eyes stared at his brother.
"Sandor?" Sansa asked not knowing what to say. He turned his head and gazed through her. His trembling hand went to her face and he stroked his mailed thumb across her cheek leaving a smeared bloody mark.
The noise was becoming unbearable around them, drums were sounding and the crowd banged on any object they had to hand. "Dead?" he mouthed. He rested his hand on her shoulder grabbing onto her white cloak. He started to fall towards her. Croaking "help" his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed backwards.
Oh gods, she swore, her uneasiness turning into terror. "No, please no" she said trying to wake him. "Sandor, wake up" she commanded in a way she had been taught but her voice had no strength. Weakly she pounded on his armored chest.
Her commands turned into pleading screams as she shook him. "Someone, please, get a maester, he's hurt!" she tried to shout over the drums but it drowned her out.
Her eye's caught Margaery's which sent the young queen from her seat. "Silence!" she boomed. The trumpets and drums stopped almost immediately and was shortly followed by the audience's drumming. "The winner is hurt, Ser Meryn find a maester. Guards, take the Hound to the Red Keep, he'll be treated there."
A man in the audience called out almost immediately "He's stayin' at my inn, he should be taken care of there, it ain't shabby and the girl can come and go as she pleases." the man was fat, with a beard and long messy hair that covered the most of his face. "also if the man does die you don't want it 'appening within your walls, your grace"
Margaery considered the man, glancing him up and down offended by his suggestion. Before she could retaliate, the young King Tommen cried "I don't want him dying in my castle, it is bad luck, take him to the inn and bring him our finest maester" The Queen looked as though she might argue but instead she bowed her head and took her seat.
Three men from the crowd came forward to drag Sandor up and onto his limp feet. Another had to pry Sansa's hands from his shoulders, he held her around the chest and lifted her to her feet. She had tried to squirm away but the sudden shock of ice made her feel like she had lost all the bones in her leg. She knew if she could of moved away she would have fallen to the floor again in an embarrassing heap.
The Hound leaned on two of the men, his eyes flickering. He gasped sharply when they started to drag him, his bloody leg staggering behind him. "He'll be fine milady" the man who held her said "Such a big man, it's nothing more than a scratch". She couldn't find the words to respond, her heart still beat frantically and bile still bubbled in her throat.
The man loosened his grip on her and moved away. "Thank you" she whispered bowing her head to him.
He was a young man with black hair and a comely face, he was dressed in finer clothes than the average peasant. "Pleasure is all mine milady, do you need any help making your way to the inn?" he grinned.
Whispering "If it isn't too much trouble, I would like that" she took his arm and tried to walk while leaning heavily on the stranger. The crowd had parted for her wounded champion which gave her a path to follow. He was still being half dragged. Every so often he would try to straighten up and walk but once he tried to move his wounded leg he would grunt an fall again dragging his carriers down with him.
"Your champion sure is a strong knight, Lady Sansa" said her companion.
She considered correcting him he is not a knighy but instead she chose to walk in silence. Gazing around, she saw the smiles from the crowd and she attempted to smile back and possibly wave politely or bow her head but all her movements felt halfhearted and careless. This is how is must have felt to be Arya when we were at court, trying to act like a lady. She remembered that, Arya could of grew up to be a lady, but instead she ran, maybe I should of ran as well. Arya can survive out there, I have her blood, maybe I could of aswell?
Sansa halted. Arya? it had been so long since she really thought about her sister that now the image in her mind was a faceless child with scraggy hair, she looked like our bastard brother Jon Snow, and father, she had their eyes. She tried to remember the faces and the eyes especially but all she could think of was those blurred faces were now on corpses.
"Not Arya though, she is stronger than me, she's a real wolf. She escaped, she survived." Sansa whispered staring at the ground trying to imagine a face, or hear her voice. Petyr told me a fraud married Ramsey Snow, not Arya, no she ran, she lived.
"Milady?" said someone above. She looked up and saw the man who had been guiding her standing above. She was on her hands and knees on the floor.
She looked forward and saw Sandor had stopped as well. "Milady, we must keep moving, your champion is getting weaker but he has commanded to wait for you, so if it is possible, could you... stand up... Not much farther now" She took her companions hand and rose gracefully.
Taking a deep breath and straightening up, she turned forward "Forgive me, the cold must be getting to me." She smiled courteously and continued walking again "May I thank you now for helping me and my champion, though I cannot reward you for your sacrifices, I can assure you this will not go unappreciated."
"Don't worry yourself milady" called one of the men carrying Sandor "We'll do anything for a lady with a pretty face like yours"
Sansa blushed and giggled as what was expected from her.
The fat innkeeper appeared again, hair still covering his fat face. "Just this way"
He lead them into a fairly large inn. It looked much like the inns Sansa stayed in on her way from Winterfell to Kingslanding. The first room was a small hall with wooden tables and chair, various barrels of beer, and two lit fireplaces. The hall was all but completely empty apart from the odd child running around scrubbing floors and putting more wood on the fire.
"Are these your children?" Sansa asked, releasing her arm from the stranger's.
The innkeeper didn't respond, he was leading them through the hall to a set of stairs. "I'm sorry, but all our rooms are up here." With much difficulty they got to the next floor. There were more children, preparing rooms, holding pitchers of water. Sansa now doubted they were all belonged to him.
"A maester is waiting" the Innkeeper gestured to the room on the left and then quickly shuffled away, but not before grabbing Sansa's arm quite softly "I advise waiting outside, you don't want to see what is going to happen in there."
"Is he going to lose the leg?" She asked. She didn't get an answer though, he didn't even offer her a drink or food. He teetered down the stairs and out of sight. The men who had taken them there had also dispersed and within a couple of moments she was alone in the corridor.
She slumped on the wall opposite the door and went to the job of removing her stockings. They had frozen to her feet and the effort to pull them off was excoriating The rewards for my kindness she thought, but she remembered the smile on the girls face and it numbed the pain slightly. The dirt and cold blood on the bottom of her dress had stiffened from the ice but it soon loosened as Sansa sat in the pleasantly warm corridor.
She wrapped herself in her white cloak, the smell of fire filling her lungs with warm bliss. That night seemed so much brighter now, especially when the future looked so dark. She tried not to worry, it would do her no good, there was nothing she could do, only wait and she was used to that now. After the waiting she'll be with him again, and she will make sure he never leaves her, they will travel and hid until winter was done.
She had fallen asleep wrapped in the knight's cloak. Though, after what felt like an entire day of sleep, she was woken up by a young girl with blond hair taping her on the shoulder. "Milady? Are you alive?" she asked with a sweet voice.
Sansa lifted herself up and pushed loose strands of hair from her eyes. She had to blink a couple of time to believe what she was seeing. Behind the girl was a slender figure in blue cloak trimmed with white fox fur. When the woman lowered her hood, brown curls cascaded down and there appeared Queen Margaery smile. "You can leave us now sweet girl" the queen said bending low to hand the small girl a rose. The girl cautiously accepted it and scurried away leaving Sansa alone in the hall with the queen.
"It is ok" she beamed with a gracious smile "I don't expect you to rise, not after the day you have had."
Sansa smiled back sharply "I am glad, because I wasn't planning on rising for you your grace"
The Queen gave a breathy laugh which was more out of disdain than humour "Please, call me Margaery, Sansa, do you not remember a time when we were friends?"
"I remember a lot of things." Sansa paused pretending to think "For example, I remember a time several days ago when you stood up in front of the Gods and told them I am a kingslayer." She said, still smiling.
The smile dropped from Margaery's face "You would have done the same if you were in my position. The kingdoms is not strong enough for arguments over kingslayers. You would want to protect your family as well if you were in front of the Gods. You of all people must appreciate the notion of family after losing them in all in such... unfortunate ways."
Not tearing her eyes away from Margaery's, she tweaked her brow "'protect your family in front of the Gods'?" Sansa quoted with a chuckle "If your family is innocent, then you have nothing to prove to the Gods"
"Enough of this" Margaery hissed, she knelt down in front of Sansa, her hands clasped in tight fists on her lap. "I was wrong to accuse you of a crime you didn't commit. As your friend I should of believed you over that witch Cersei. Please accept my apology, I can't go on living thinking that you hate me."
So charming, so sorry, so innocent of everything, aren't you Margaery. How I wanted to be you, now you are pleading on your knees, I am sure my forgiveness isn't the only reason why you came. Sansa laughed lightly and took Margaery's hands playing the game as well "I could never hate you, remember we are like sisters. We came to the capital as children and look at us now. You're a Queen and I'm a Lady"
Margaery gave a winning smile. "I am glad you think that. I want nothing more than our alliance"
Alliance? Like I have something to offer you, now you have my attention. "I am sorry, your grace, but I fear I am not exactly a worthy alliance, I own no castle and my name is sullied." Sansa looked at her hands sadly.
Margaery excitedly grabbed her hands harder and pulled them to her chest "Oh my dear Sansa, The Stark name could never be sullied. I hear my good-uncle talk of the Northern battles with the undead and the Boltons alike. He says that even after all this time the Northerns whisper the Stark name in hope you will return." That brought the smile back to Sansa face "And even more, he says houses from Reed to Mormont and even houses from the Iron Isles are ready to stand beside the Stark banner. I can see why, I mean look at you. Such a brave, smart girl. Wearing your champions cloak... He was willing to die for you, like you were some kind of princess in a story" Margaery playfully laughed.
Sansa took her hands away then. I have been taught these tricks for too long to fall for them Sansa's mind scorned her mood changing, You wanted me dead just like the rest of them, but now you can't kill me you want to buy my silence.
Margaery must have mistaken this sudden change of emotion for sadness. "Are you scared?" she asked.
"Scared of what?" Sansa said back curtly.
Leaning on Sansa's legs the young queen said "Scared that your champion might not make it through the night" The touch made Sansa's skin crawl.
"Only worried if anything, I am fond of him" Sansa answered giving away nothing.
Margaery giggled like she was 16 years again "I don't know why, I must admit, I don't know him that well but from what I heard he is a frightfully unpleasant man and if you don't mind me saying, not the most comely."
Sansa pushed Margaery back slightly and looked in the eye "Is there another reason why you are here?"
Margaery gasped feigning offence "Just to see if you are ok, it was a gruesome fight, I had to look on when your dear husband had his trial. That was horrific as well, and such a shame about the Red Viper, he was incredibly handsome, though my father would scorn me for saying so" She giggled "they never got on very well, I guess the far south and the north have something in common, we don't get on very well with our neighbours."
Sansa glanced down the dark hall to see if there was anyone listening players like this aren't going to tell the truth when possibly spiteful ears are listening Sansa remembered her training. The only thing lighting the hall was a few flickering candles and the rest was drenched in the white light of a low moon, no one was around. "And what other reason? A queen doesn't come to an inn in the dead of night for pleasantries."
Margaery tongued her cheek, seeing that her charm wasn't working "I was going to ask what your plans are after today"
"Sandor was going to take me away from here, I might go north and see all those houses that are willing to support me as I try to win back the north"
The queen giggled harshly "Are you planning to elope? You cannot tell me you love the man"
"I might, why is it your concern?" She cocked her head to the side.
"Well, my father is very busy here in the capital and my brother Willas as doing a fine job protecting the south for savages like the Greyjoys and that Targaryen whore... but we think we have much more of a chance of beating these monsters if my brother was to be married to a woman worthy of his love and worthy of the name Tyrell" Sansa's eye roll did not go unnoticed "You still have your name and your beauty, you are perfect to be the lady of Highgarden."
"I am still married to Lord Tyrion" she said.
Margaery snatched Sansa hand and held it tight, her soft warm fingers stroking her palm. "That marriage was never consummated and anyway, the gods can see Lord Tyrion was never good enough for you. You are so young, so perky and bright, you shouldn't be wasted on a dwarf. My brother would treat you like the Queen you should have been and when the winter is over and this silly war has ended I will visit you in Highgarden. We can be like sisters." Locking her fingers in Sansa's, she ran her thumb across her palm "closer than sister's even. You would be happy Sansa."
Sansa Stark looked down at their interlocked hands, she smiled and shook her head "The thought of being Lady of Highgarden used to frill me." She paused "Then I realized it is just a name, like Lady Lannister, or Alayne, or even Queen. Highgarden is just another beautiful tower to be locked away in, I'll just be a powerless woman to stand behind your brother. Surrounded by poisonous flowers and thorn-covered roses while my home up north is destroyed. If I am not savaged by one of the armies attacking the Reach, I will be trapped there with a stranger; he'll use me like a whore and then I'll bare his beautiful brown haired children. You see, I don't want to do that, not anymore. And I would appreciate it if you didn't insult my worth... And certainly don't insult my husband Lord Tyrion, he wasn't a knight but he was a better man than your father and all your brother combined."Sansa pulled her hand away in disgust.
The Queen looked as if she had just been spat in the face "Marrying my brother is not an insult… It is a woman's duty to stand by her husband, even if it is silently behind"
"A ladies duty isn't for them to be silenced. It isn't Queen Cersei duty or my lady mother's. It wasn't Rhaenys and Visenya…"
"Still a child thinking you are a queen, you aren't the same as Rhaenys or Visenya" Margaery interrupted.
"But I'm the same as you, a highborn girl living in Kingslanding." Sansa smirked leaning back on the wall "Only difference, I am a wolf, a Stark in the winter, and you are a little flower."
"Your home has been turned into a wasteland by the winter!" Margaey spat.
"And soon so will yours be" Sansa laughed harshly "do you know what happens to flowers in the winter?"
Margeary blinked a couple of times trying to understand the question "They die?"
"Yes, they die." Sansa hissed almost like a threat.
"But Tyrells are not really flowers"
Sansa gave a false look of shock "Oh really? Please tell me, how many flowers are still around?" Margaery didn't answer so Sansa answered for her
"Well, there is Loras, though he is still in Highgarden trying to lead an army against the dragon queen because the great Willas Tyrell is incapable. And then there is... your mother who is also in Highgarden but from what I hear dragon fire will soon be scorching their petals. -
"and then there is your father, but he is getting weaker by the day, all you cousins have been married off and sent way to all the corners of the kingdom by the command of Queen Cersei. Lady Olenna is dead and you brother Garlan died trying to protect the Reach. Soon it will be little you. Alone."
Margaery pursed her lips "You are not a wolf, you are stupid girl and you are really upsetting me" Margaery said through what may of been genuine sadness.
"How do you know I'm not a wolf? I am a Stark, the name is enough to bring hope to the houses of the north as you said. And anyway I have survived on my own through tougher things a simple flower like you could ever imagine. Look at you, pathetic weltering flower. If the winter doesn't kill you I am sure when the dragon queen comes to your gates she won't appreciate a fragile thing like you warming her seat."
Margaery rose from her knees and towered over Sansa "I only ever wanted to be your friend!"
Sansa glared up at her, not respecting her enough to rise to her level "Don't insult me! You feed me lies then you offer me the dying land of the Reach."
"I am not lying to you, if you don't take Highgarden you have nothing."
"I have a choice!" She shouted feeling years of anger bleed out "Which is more than what I would get if I went down south" I should have stayed North all those years ago, I had a choice then and now I have it again. I will not make the same mistake twice.
"Yes, of course Lady Sansa, you have a choice, either to die from the cold trying to travel back north or you'll be raped and murdered at the hands of any man in Kingslanding including you monstrous champion. What a fine choice you have Lady Sansa"
The door behind Lady Margaery swung open and the light silhouetted her face. The Queen spun around and curtsied to the figure in the door frame. "I am sorry, I did not wish to disturb you."
Toxic and sweet smells filled the corridor from Sandor's room, which almost knocked Sansa sick. She couldn't see the person in the door, but when he spoke he was obviously a man from Essos, though Sansa couldn't place it, her first guess was Pentos, but the more he spoke the less sure she was. "Your lady... or my lady. Many sorrys. I am still ignorant to your culture of lords and ladies. Are you waiting to see the man?"
Margaery gave a harsh sigh "No I am leaving, but I send my wishes that he fully recovers, goodbye, maester...?"
"Oh, not a maester my lady. A time ago I was a priest, but I am known as healer now, Mallaz was the name I was given." he said.
"Are you from Meereen?" Margaery asked lightly, "if you don't mind me prying, but the name sounds similar to those of that region."
Sansa pushed herself up from the floor and moved to the side of the queen. The man in front of her was an old partial-bald man with rough amber skin and striking deep brown eyes hidden under a heavy brow. He was short-legged which allowed Sansa to look over his head to see Sandor sleeping quite comfortably. "Excuse me, Mallaz" Sansa politely interrupted, "But how is Sandor?"
"Are you the girl? The keeper told me of you, he didn't tell me you were beautiful." The man beamed but it was short lived when he starched his neck with his dried-blood covered hand "A beautiful face that I don't want to make sad" he looked back at Sandor, who tossed slightly then groaned with pain, his face frowning. "He has been asleep for some time. Still moving is good. I have done all I can. I have treated the leg wound, all blood paths have been blocked, he should bleed no more, and leg should not rot, if he lives, he will have both his legs. But, he has lost much blood." Sansa gulped trying to suppress a choke. She stared on as Sandor continued to toss his head.
"Is there anything I can do?" She asked, looking back to Mallaz.
Mallaz beamed, "I must go, you must stay with him. He will wake soon and the blood loss will make him dizzy and confused. Stay with him and keep him calm, so he doesn't do more damage to himself." He touched Sansa's cheek lightly, "He may live, I have known many men to be healed by the faces of princess"
He looked back into the room and murmured something that sounded like High Valyrian mixed with another Essos language Sansa couldn't possibly understand. Though she did recognized Va oktio meaning city and bantis meaning night from her lessons in High Valyrian by Maester Luwin.
He went into the room and picked up a plate of bloody metal objects and thread. He pushed past Margaery, barely noticing she was there and disappeared down the hall. His footsteps down the stairs faded into silence.
Sansa was left in the doorway with Margaery at her side. Sandor was there, sleeping soundly again.
"He looks peaceful" Margaery commented. Sansa nodded and sighed, waiting for Margaery's final plead. She could feel the queens eyes burning into the side of her face. She felt a shuffle beside her and a feather light touch as Margaery leaned in and kissed Sansa lightly on the jaw. The skin there prickled and all the hairs on her body stood in unison.
Heat rose in her cheeks and her body went stiff. She couldn't find strength to push her away. Not moving her lips away from Sansa she whispered "Be a brave wolf, sweet sister."
As soon as the words exited her mouth Margaery whipped away. Her cloak flying out behind her and she scampered down the hall, away into the silence.
It took Sansa a moment to move again from the sudden warmth passing through her.
When she stepped into the room it was uncomfortably warm. The fire was blazing, with a pot of what looked like wine bubbling above it. The sweet smells were even more sickly in here but in here there was also the distinct smell of blood. She closed the door behind her and ventured closer.
She opened the window slightly and She took a seat by the bed. Sandor was lying on his back barely moving. The only noises were the sound was the crackling fire and Sandor's paced breath. Soon, this, coupled with the intoxicating heat, she found herself drifting in and out of sleep.
When Sansa woke the room was cold, and the fire was out. The room was a pale blue only lit by the moon. Dizzy from sleep she leans forward and touches Sandor's face with the back of her hand. His skin wasn't as rough as she remembered, and his burns weren't unpleasant to run her fingers over. He wasn't too hot or too cold. "You my live yet Sandor" she beamed feeling genuine happiness.
She leaned in close and kissed the burned side of his face and then his forehead. Stroking his hair she inspected her surrounding and only then out of the corner of her eye did she notice the room door was wide open.
Sitting up straight her head darted around the room to see if there was an intruder. She heard nothing and could see no one in the darkness. She moved to stand when a strong hand pushed her back into her seat and another went round her mouth. She tried to scream but the voice behind her told her to hush. The voice belonged to a woman, but the strength holding her down couldn't possible come from a woman.
A man came from outside the room. "Lady Sansa please don't scream. No one will hear and we wouldn't want to wake Clegane, he's had a tough day" Jaime Lannister shut the door behind him.
Sansa struggled more and bit down into the monstrous hand around her mouth. "Please my lady, we don't wish to hurt you or the Hound" the woman released her grip and Lady Brienne walked round and kneeled in front of her. "You are safe, I promised your lady mother I would never hurt."
Calming herself, Sansa looked at the intruders. "Why are you here? Did Queen Cersei send you?" she looked at Sandor "Are you here to kill him cause he deserted the kingsguard?"
"Any business Clegane has with the kingsguard is nothing to do with me, Cersei made sure of that." Jaime sighed "Clegane knew we we're coming, he asked us to take you after he won the fight but it was not safe. Cersei and the Tyrell have close eyes on you at the moment you left the arena"
"Why? what? I don't understand?" Sansa looked down at her champion and then to Jaime again. "Where are you taking me? I will not be a prisoner again" She felt her eyes filling with tears. Not again, why would Sandor let this happen to me again, we would let me get captured by the Lannisters again?
Brienne took her hand "Please Lady Sansa, don't cry, you are safe. The moment your location was revealed you had a following ready to take you home. There is a small army hidden outside the city ready to guide to the neck to meet Brynden Tully. Further instruction will be given then." for such a large woman she spoke gently but clumsily like she wasn't comfortable with this kind of situation.
Jaime placed his golden hand on Brienne's shoulder "As the last living Stark you are Warden of the North along with my brother, though I think he is occupied with Dragon, they were always his favourite." Jaime chuckled to himself then turned serious again "I must ask we leave soon, we will explain when we are out of the city."
Sansa didn't know whether to trust him, how could she, he was her enemy. "I...I... I don't know" she stuttered.
"Lady Sansa" Jaime softly said "you have good reason not to trust us, but I promise you, my word as a Lannister, I swore to bring you to your mother, that is no long an option but I will take you back home." seeing her unease he stepped closer and passed Brienne "I don't know how any of this ends. If I did I would have packed up and sailed to Essos moons ago and I would advise you to do the same. But. What I do know is the North needs a Stark. You have no reason to trust me. You may think there is a better life somewhere else. You may think you don't know how to rule or control and army. All these things are true."
"His point is" Brienne cut in "This is your birthright and your destiny. You have to do this as a Stark. It is your choice, but these is no other place for apart from in the north."
Jaime gave a testing look "It is your choice but please make it quick we have to leave before we are all caught."
Sansa looked to her champion. He was at peace finally. He knew this would happen, he may have also thought they were leaving without him. Like he was reading her mind Jaime spoke up. "Sandor is safe. He is safe here and will be rewarded once he has healed. You will meet again. But you have to come now."
She felt warm again, enough so that she was dizzy. Everything was settled she was free to travel and forget the past but now she was given the choice to go home, something she always wanted since she watch her father die. "You a promising me my home?"She asked steadily looking the Lannister in the eye.
"I cannot promise you that" he responded coldly "but I can promise you we will give the means to try and get it back along with your seat and your family dignity."
Putting her hand Sandor's shoulder, Sansa took a deep breath. She rose to her feet and steadied herself "Please can you get me some boots and a sturdy cloak, it's a cold night and I expect this to be a long travel." She commanded "That is an order from the Queen of the North"