Hi. I just want to say a big thank you to all the reviews I have been getting from you lovely readers, keeping me going. I'm having a lot of fun writing this story – Game of Thrones + Pride and Prejudice era = happy Vee :D

I hope to keep the updates as regular as possible as I have lots of free time to write now but bear with me and the curse of writer's block (I am her slave) – thank you guys for reading!

-Vee

V

"Now?!"

"Yes, now he rasped, getting to his feet and pulling her with him, "The sooner the better."

"But it isn't possible! We would need a priest, a witness – I need a dress, what about my parents!? My father would need to give his blessing I-"

"We have no time for any of that, but if you ask the right people and have enough coin, it is possible. We will steal away now, be married within the hour and you will be free."

She paused, "An elopement?"

"It is your only choice."

Sansa's face fell and she stared at the ground helplessly. A marriage to this man was one thing – but an elopement? That sort of thing was heavily frowned upon and would bring her family great shame, her reputation would be lost – she could jeopardize her brother's reputations, Arya's already dwindling one…she thought of Robb and how happy he seemed with Jeyne. Would she still have him after hearing of his younger sister's elopement?

She should walk away from Clegane. She should give him back his jacket, thank him for his generous offer and walk back to here family. But Joffrey's words swam through her mind; "If I wish to marry you it will be done, so there is no point in running from me. I will have you, you can be certain of that, my lady"

She looked up at the man towering above her. The man who had shown her friendship and had been the only one to stand between her and Joffrey when he hurt her. Each time he had saved her and now he was willing to sacrifice so much for her. This man was honest where Joffrey had told her horrid lies. He had been gentle when Joffrey's hands had gripped her until she bruised. He had made her laugh and listened to her speak while Joffrey had filled her head with dark thoughts, and spoke over her.

"Very well, an elopement it is."

V

Clegane had summoned his carriage and Sansa had hid within the hallway of the house while Gendry and the men had readied it. They had to keep this entire thing secret for as long as possible incase anyone should try to stop them. When it was done she hurried, covered by his jacket into the carriage and they had set off. She didn't ask where they were going, it hadn't occurred to her. The entire time her eyes were on the racing ground beyond the window, her thoughts a blur with everything that had happened. And everything that was going to happen.

Within half an hour or so – Sansa could not say for certain – they pulled into the drive of a manor; large but simple, surrounded by trees it was easy to miss and Sansa wondered if she had ever seen this place before. Her vision was limited in the darkness of the late hour and only a few windows on the first floor of the house were full of light.

"Where is this place?" she asked when they stopped before the doors to the house.

Sandor opened the carriage door and turned to help her out. She took his hand and pulled her skirts up with the other so she wouldn't trip, "Casterlyrock House" Sandor told her, "Tyrion Lannister's home."

Sansa looked at him surprised. She had always assumed Tyrion had stayed with Jaime and Cersei at the Baratheon's house.

Sansa noticed her confused look, "Tyrion doesn't get along very well with Cersei – Jaime's fine but Cersei holds the grudges of her father against him – but that's another story for another time," he explained as they hurried through the heavy doors into a grand hallway.

"Ah, Miss Stark, I must say I am surprised you agreed to this," a familiar voice greeted her and she turned to see Tyrion himself stroll out from a room to their left.

"Tyrion?"

The dwarf smiled and bowed to her, "you didn't think this entire thing was all Clegane's idea did you? The man has less brains than he does looks!"

"Watch it, Imp" Sandor growled beside her.

Tyrion simply smiled up at him, "oh come now, Clegane, you know I jest – you have the face of Apollo himself!"

Sandor rolled his eyes.

"what do you mean, that this was all your idea?" Sansa asked, dread creeping on her.

Tyrion smiled at her in an almost sympathetic way, reaching forwards to take her hand and patting it lightly, "Clegane here came to me in such a state after the Westerling ball, telling me all about dear Joffrey and his charming manners. I like you, Sansa; you seem like a smart and gentle soul, so when our Dog here came to me demanding we help you I couldn't resist. I proposed the idea to him and though he had his doubts – rightly so for I never dreamed you would agree to any of this! – and he agreed. We wish to help you, my dear" his voice was soft and his words sincere.

"Why would you work against the wishes of Joffrey? He is your nephew."

"And doesn't that say a lot about him? I know his tastes – we all do. And I have a soft spot for helpless souls and broken things."

She looked into his mismatched eyes. She had come this far already, if his words were true or false it made no difference – there was no possible gain for him from this so Sansa trusted him. He too had been a friend to her before.

"Very well," she said, turning to Mr Clegane who had stood silent and brooding all the while, "I am ready."

He nodded then turned to Tyrion, "everything prepared?"

Tyrion grinned and spun, "follow me!" he sang and led them into the room from whence he had come.

The room was a study – every wall was a bookcase stacked with more books than Sansa had seen in all her life. A large desk sat in the middle of the floor, a fat armchair behind it and papers littering the surface, falling to the floor. Apart from that there was only a large fireplace with a roaring fire in it's hearths at the opposite side of the room where an elderly man stood clutching a book.

As they drew nearer Sansa saw his priest's collar and the book he held to his chest was a bible.

"Everything set, Father Pycell?" Tyrion asked as they approached, Sansa and Sandor standing beside each other in front of him.

The elderly man nodded vigorously then seemed to remember her had a voice and croaked out, "yes, master Tyrion, I see the bride and groom are here, and you shall be the witness I presume?"

Tyrion nodded, grinning and standing beside the old man, "who better to be dear Clegane's best man?"

Sandor growled deep in his throat making Sansa smile.

Pycell nodded violently again then opened the bible, leafing through the pages with thin, wrinkled hands, "We may begin."

The sermon was short, they said their vows and exchanged second hand rings Tyrion supplied and with a soft press of scarred lips to her cheek and their signatures on a roll of paper – she was now Sansa Clegane.

V