Blue moonlight glimmers through the beveled windowpanes of Sansa's room. A howling snowstorm descended in the late afternoon, leading Petyr to bring out the Arbor Gold and Dornish red for his guests at a much earlier hour than customary. Her handmaiden lit the fireplace early and a warm glow fills the room; stretching out on the velvet chaise in front of the fire, Sansa tries to still the butterflies in her stomach while she waits for Sandor.
In spite of the ugliness of her quarrel with Petyr, Sansa cannot remember ever feeling as happy as she is today. Snow flurries glittered in the sunlight as it descended onto the godswood, giving the weirwood forest a magical quality as she walked hand and hand with her beloved toward the Heart tree. Sandor had broken character and confided in her about a woman from his past. While she was well aware he is a man with needs, his revelation interfered with her albeit selfish wish to be the first for him as he is for her.
Though she lovingly reassured him it was unnecessary, Sandor had wanted to go into further explanation about Petyr's lady friend Ros. Sansa did not wish to inhibit him but neither did she want him to think she needed details. Elder Brother was waiting patiently, just as eager as the couple to discuss their plans; when he saw they might be in the middle of an important private matter, he hastily retreated back to the Heart tree.
Sansa was well aware men had somewhat mysterious needs the women in their lives often did not understand; she had gathered that much from her mother and her septa. It was widely known that Theon had also made full use of Ros during King Robert's stay as did countless other men in the retinue as well as many among her father's own men.
Even her beloved father had another woman and eventually gave her Jon as a sibling. Sansa smiled to herself as she thought of her brother at the Wall; now that she had lived as a bastard herself she felt she had a better understanding of his life growing up. Should they be reunited, she had much to say to him and much to atone for. Her mother had never treated Jon well and recalling the unhappiness it caused between her parents, Sansa did not wish to impose guilt on Sandor for his dealings as a single man.
Taking her by the hand, Sandor guided her over to a fallen log and bid her to sit beside him. "Sansa, there's more you should know about the woman before we wed." Sighing, he cursed under his breath while she waited for him to speak. Is it possible he had feelings for this woman in the past? By the way Sansa had seen him treat her around King's Landing, she thought it unlikely; still his awkward behavior was beginning to make her uneasy. Wishing he would get on with it, she was also loathe to interrupt him after observing the struggle he was going through giving voice to his feelings.
"I…I was partial to buying her because well, with her fair skin and red hair…" Sandor paused again. "When I was drunk I could pretend she was you, for a few minutes at least." Every word dripped with bitterness and Sandor rubbed his knuckles down the front of his thighs anxiously as he tried to gauge her reaction. "But why Sandor?" Sansa asked; even after all she had endured living with Joffrey, Petyr and Tyrion, there was still so much about men she did not understand.
"Fuck me I don't know," he barked out angrily, abruptly turning away from her. After taking a few deep breaths he wretchedly choked out his feelings. "No that's not true Little Bird; the truth is I...I have loved you ever since I laid eyes on you in Winterfell. I wanted you to notice me-not the Hound. You hardly even looked at me, and when you did it was usually because I was drunk or scaring you, damn it. I wanted you so badly…I-"
Sansa reached for him, stopping Sandor in the middle of his confession. After tenderly kissing his hand several times, she finished his sentence for him. "You took me in the only way you thought you could; the only way you knew how at the time." Hanging his head, shamefully he averted his eyes. "How fucking pathetic does that make me?" he grumbled irritably, folding his arms across his chest.
"You aren't pathetic-you were just sad; I knew you were terribly unhappy and even though you thought I was chirping at you I was trying to show you I cared. I understood how it was to be so unhappy-to feel so unloved and unwanted. Your eyes were always so full of anger. I was afraid for you and regrettably much too young to know how to help you."
He jerked his face up to her. "You don't hold such against me? If you do I wouldn't blame you-think on it now." Shaking her head, she softly caressed his cheek. "No my love; I cherish your love and I will do all I can to make you happy. Let us speak no more of such things, alright? That is all behind us now." Sandor's burned side of his lips twitched into a small smile; he rose and led her toward the Heart tree and Elder Brother.
Catching sight of the couple, Elder Brother waved them over. "Lady Sansa, it does my heart good to see such a dramatic improvement in your countenance. No doubt it must be attributed to your choice of companion," he chided gently, glancing between her and Sandor. "And Sandor, never have I seen such a look of peace in your eyes as I do now." Disposing with the pleasantries, Sandor bluntly approached the matter at hand. "Are you planning on annulling Sansa's fucking joke of a marriage to the Imp? I'll fucking slit his throat if I have to…"
"It is already done. I have spent the time waiting for you in prayer and meditation. I am certain that neither the old gods nor the Seven ever acknowledged her union to Tyrion Lannister-in fact to have consummated such an abomination would have been a greater sin than a divorcing, I can assure you."
Sansa began to laugh incredulously. "Is that all there is to it? Nothing more needs to be done? No…examination will be required?" At hearing her words Sandor gritted his teeth and scowled menacingly. "Examination? What the hell kind of examination, exactly?"
Elder Brother patted Sandor on the shoulder. "She speaks of an examination of her maidenhead, however..." Taken aback, Sandor interjects, "What the fuck kind of nonsense is this? Would her marriage be any less of a fraud had the Imp forced himself on her-isn't rape even considered in such cases by the so-called gods? If I had known that I would have cut off his…"
"Please, let me finish. Yes Sandor, in most cases she would be required to submit to an examination, but not in this particular instance. When I was going through my own training I was informed that the septons of the Vale are well aware of the Lannisters openly flaunting the spiritual laws of the Seven. It was whispered that they even go so far as to bribe the High Septon in Baelor."
Scoffing, Sandor barked out a sharp laugh; that was the worst kept secret in King's Landing. Sansa exchanged glances with him; she also knew this fact all too well. Sandor went on, "Excuse me Elder Brother; we've both seen this first hand. Must be how Gregor literally got away with murder all those years."
Elder Brother affirmed Sandor statement. "Indeed it is, Sandor. Under such circumstances there would be no justice in sending Lady Sansa to them for approval; therefore I will send a raven to the Vale septon and I will personally swear to her maidenhood."
Confused, Sansa clutched her throat. "But dearest Elder Brother…" Placing his hands on her shoulders, Elder Brother spoke definitively. "I will brook no refusals my dear-from either of you. No one need know that I did not examine you personally nor will I offer such information; it will be presumed I have done so as a necessary condition predicating the annulment." Wringing her hands, she looked at Sandor nervously. "But will you not place yourself in danger, Elder Brother? If it should ever be found out…"
Shaking his head he held up his hand to her, silencing her fears. "It shall never be found out my dear-only the three of us and the Seven know of this and I am certain they will bless our endeavors. The annulment is complete; I have presented it before the Seven and I am confident they approve of my decision. Informing the septon of the Vale is only a formality and as soon as we are finished here I will require a raven from Lord Baelish. Never have I been so happy to end a marriage as I am this day; you are free, my dear."
Sansa burst into tears of relief. "Thank the Seven! I will see to it at once," she managed to reply, kissing Sandor and Elder Brother on the cheek by turns. Drawing her into his arms, Sandor held her close, stroking her hair soothingly as he softly uttered, "Thank you." Sansa could feel Sandor was very pleased with Elder Brother's words as he gently brushed the tears from her cheeks, gazing at her with eyes full of love and intense yearning. "When might we marry, Elder Brother?" Sandor asked quietly, still cradling Sansa close to his chest.
All of Sandor's emotions were exposed to her in that moment: fear of losing her and desperate longing, passionate desire and abiding love. The holy man closed his eyes and spent several long moments in silent prayer. The couple anxiously anticipated his answer, clinging to hopefulness and one another as they waited for him to finish. When at long last he raised his eyes to them once more, a broad smile spread across Elder Brother's weathered face.
"You may marry at once, if you so wish. The bond you share has been made by the gods and I am certain uniting the two of you in marriage is the final requirement in this spiritual progression. However I must mention this connection will undoubtedly grow significantly stronger once you are wed. You must prepare yourselves and adjust your behavior accordingly or Lord Baelish will most certainly become suspicious; I would hate to see this entire endeavor all for naught."
Sansa felt Sandor's skepticism spike at the mention of the gods being responsible and yet in an unprecedented move he held his tongue. Turning to Sandor, Elder Brother tactfully continued. "I would only ask after your wedded night Sandor that you would confirm Sansa's maidenhood; are you willing to do this as a sign of good faith for an old friend?"
Confused, Sandor frowned and glanced at Sansa; she realized he may never have been with a maiden before and was not properly sure he understood what was being asked of him. Blushing, Sansa whispered in his ear a moment and soon comprehension filled Sandor's keen eyes. "Yes, of course," his tone indicating he did not want this rather personal conversation going any further.
"When would you like me to perform the vows?" Gazing into Sandor's stormy gray eyes Sansa gave her answer in a voice barely above a whisper, "Let it be now Elder Brother, please; I do not wish to spend one more moment of my life separated from Sandor."
They were married on the spot under the Heart tree, next to the deep gray hot springs pool where Sansa suffered the darkest hours of her life, mourning the man now at her side. Holding Sandor's hands she said her wedded vows and with those sacred words Sansa gained everything she had desired; her impossible dream had found a way to become beautiful reality.
Completely absorbed in her beloved, Sansa felt each aspect took on special significance for her: the feel of his callused hands enveloping hers, the deep love emanating from his steel gray eyes reaching into the deepest place in her heart, the rumbling of his deep raspy voice echoing through her body as he repeated his vows all called to mind many moments in their journey together.
After Elder Brother pronounced them husband and wife he offered prayer, making the sign of the Seven over them. "Let nothing separate what the Seven has joined together." With these final words he took leave of them and slowly returned to the castle. Through his words the couple was forever bonded as one in heart, mind and soul. Sansa instantly became aware of it as did Sandor and each recognized the marriage ceremony had completed the union that begun at Lady's death.
Sandor gently held her face in his hands and reverently kissed her mouth. "I am yours, as you are mine, from this day until the end of my days," he whispered to her. Hearing his words filled Sansa's heart; now she felt complete and whole and instantly she sensed a healing taking place in her heart as well as body.
"I am yours, as you are mine, from this day until the end of my days," she whispered back, fervently returning his kiss. After several moments, Sandor muttered, "Well, we've got to get back but for this whole thing goes to hell; Littlefucker is already suspicious and I don't want to provoke him just yet." Nodding, she followed him out of the godswood, where they soon rejoined Elder Brother.
Entering the Eyrie, Elder Brother whispered close to her ear. "Meet me after dinner and I will give you the message for the Vale septon my dear," he smiled at her, then he and Sandor made their way toward the guestroom.
As Sansa was about to go upstairs, Ros called out to her. "My Lady Alayne, perhaps you would like assistance dressing for supper?" Sansa hid her suspicion and recently piqued jealousy with a smile. "Yes, thank you so much." They ascended the staircase in silence, only resuming conversation once inside her room.
"Ros, we have not been introduced; please forgive my familiarity but I am sure you remember me as I remember you. I know you are aware of my true identity; let this be the beginning of honest discourse between us as women, shall we?" Sansa smiled pleasantly, then turned so Ros could unfasten her gown. "I would like that very much Lady Sansa," Ros said softly, watching the young woman in the mirror carefully.
"This is much better, isn't it? Please let us speak freely; what is it you wish to convey?" Ros paused to gather her thoughts. "Lady Sansa, I understand you are unaware Lord Baelish means to marry you himself when he is fully aware you are married to Tyrion. You must be very careful with him; I pray you are ignorant of his more debased means of punishment."
Sansa laid her hand on Ros' arm. "I know full well what you and the other ladies employed suffered at his hand the day Joffrey killed his half-siblings. It was a horrific tragedy; I spent the day in prayer for each of you." Taken aback, Ros blinked at her, clearly surprised. "That is very kind my lady; forgive me but few highborns are so…open minded."
Giggling, Sansa nodded. "That is a most generous understatement. My handmaiden in the royal castle shared your profession and while in King's Landing I learned how wrong it was for me to judge women in difficult circumstances." Biting her lip nervously, Ros slowly assented. "You must be careful; I will try to help, if only because your kindness to Shae is well known amongst the…common folk."
"Thank you Ros; I know your offer comes at great risk." Raising her eyebrow, Ros helps her into a fresh gown. "Indeed. May I ask a personal question?" Shrugging, Sansa agreed, struggling to hide her mounting anxiety. "Petyr has mentioned how you suffered with grief for Sandor Clegane, King Joffrey's personal guard. Doesn't the Silent Brother remind you of him?"
Pausing in feigned thought, Sansa stared off into space a moment for effect. "I cannot say for sure. I tried to avoid looking him in the eyes, his anger always frightened me. He was always very good to me, however and very loyal to Joffrey."
"Yes, that does not surprise me; most of the…ladies were afraid to entertain him as well, though he never hurt any of them. Still, I cannot shake the feeling that the Silent Brother seems familiar, somehow…" Sansa forced her mouth into a taut grin. "Maybe he is a relation; I will inquire for you." Shaking her head, Ros demurred, "No, that won't be necessary."
As they head for her door, Ros stopped her. "Petyr will be speaking to you later. Please be cautious my lady." Squeezing her arm, Sansa gave her a genuine smile. "Your concern is most appreciated Ros; I am glad to have your help. Might I ask a personal favor in a private matter?"
"Of course my lady-what is it?" Smiling shyly, Sansa looked down as she spoke. "My handmaiden is a very sweet innocent girl and is quite in love with the stable hand. I believe she may be in need of some…moon tea. Lord Baelish would punish her severely should she find herself with child and I do like her so! I would not want this to become common knowledge, you understand-it would ruin her should anyone find out."
Noting Ros' shocked expression, Sansa went on. "You may well wonder how I know of such things but I assure you one cannot live with Tyrion and Petyr and be ignorant to such necessities." Smiling knowingly, Ros patted her arm. "Say no more dear lady Sansa; I will have some sent up at once and rest assured Lord Baelish will never be the wiser; I have plenty to spare."
Smiling inwardly, Sansa hugged Ros close to her; now she could enjoy her wedding night without worry. "Oh, thank you for your kindness Ros! I am so happy we had a chance to speak; I hardly ever get to enjoy female conversation." Laughing together, they both descended the stairs and made their way into the dining hall where the men awaited them.
As the long evening drew to a close, she hurriedly sent off the raven with Elder Brother's message and retired to her rooms. Joy and excitement fills Sansa's heart as her wedded night draws near. Now getting up and carefully dressing for bed in her most beautiful gown and robe she wonders eagerly how she will ever endure the remaining hours until Sandor comes to her, when her passionate dreams finally become a reality at last and the joining with Sandor will be complete.