I've had a few private messages asking me about things with this fanfic, I have to say that it would ruin things a bit if I told you what was going to happen!
Though I can say that things are going to get pretty rough from here on out
Please review and let me know what you think :)
Sandor was getting changed in his rooms when he heard a noise at his window, moving over to it and seeing Kestrel's face looking in. If he wasn't surprised at the fact she was there, it was only increased by the fact he was on the fourth floor of the Keep, though he quickly opened the window and she clambered in swiftly.
He recognized the danger immediately, she had a sword in a scabbard at her hip, he saw the bow and arrows on her back and realised quickly that she must have scaled the tree outside and then climbed the ivy covered wall to get to him, her dark cloak blending her in to the dark night.
'What are you doing?'.
Kestrel pulled herself swiftly into the bedroom, closing the window behind her. She looked around quickly, as if expecting to see someone there.
'I- uh- Bronn and Tyrion know… they know about me, okay, and they have their proof… Tyrion said he wanted his revenge against Joffrey and Cersei for what they had done but I can't be sure. Sansa is ready to run at a moment's notice, I just wanted you to know… He has sworn to not reveal the truth but uh, I might have to run suddenly'.
Sandor looked confused 'what are you talking about?'.
'If they reveal who I am then... then I'll have to run. My father is sending Joffrey archers, but they are swearing fealty to me, not to the King. If I am found out then deny everything, I told you nothing, okay?'.
Sandor looked annoyed 'you think I am scared of what the King can do to me?'.
'I think you are a fool if you are willing to throw your life away for a woman who would be beheaded or run'.
Sandor moved towards her, closing the gap between them, forcing her to look up at him 'I won't let you be hurt Kestrel, is that really what you think?'.
'I don't know anymore Clegane, I need to get back to my rooms'.
She turned towards the door and he gripped her hand, turning her back and accidentally pulling her flush against him, Sandor's voice low and quiet 'I didn't think before I spoke earlier, I'm-'/
'You're what, you're sorry? Sandor I can't do this, not anymore'.
Sandor touched her hand gently and Kestrel felt herself unconsciously leaning into it. As she looked up their eyes locked and they were kissing suddenly, Sandor pushing her up against the wall behind them, her hands holding onto his arms as his own roamed over her.
Their breathing was quick and breathless as he pulled back, large hands fumbling over the front lacing on her dress. Kestrel was starting to do it herself before shaking her head and pushing him away slightly, both of them breathing heavily 'I can't do this Sandor'.
He blinked 'what, why, I didn't…?'.
'I can't marry you anymore. The things I will have to do, you made it clear you don't want to be married to a Queen, and even if I never take the throne… I am a princess, regardless of how much I don't want to be- I am. It's not something I can hide from Sandor, and I cannot have someone beside me who will be second guessing… Tyrion has said he will tell Cersei… I can only assume she will find…someone else'.
There was a silence between them as Kestrel looked down and tied her dress again, looking sheepish 'I'm sorry, I just… I have to go. I will see you soon'.
Sandor looked lost as Kestrel pulled her cloak back around her and opened the window, pulling her hood up and glancing back at Sandor for a second before climbing out of it and disappearing into the night.
Alone in his room, Sandor looked around and punched the wall, barely feeling the pain as blood trickled over his knuckles.
Kestrel barely slept that night, her sword beside her bed as she watched Sansa sleep relatively peacefully on the other side of her room. In the morning however she was called to breakfast by a servant sent by Cersei, and she found Tyrion heading in the same direction, walking beside her with a warm smile
'Good day my Lady'.
She looked at him closely and he shook his head, voice low 'you have nothing to fear Kestrel, I stand by my promises'.
Kestrel had said nothing back and walked into the hall, seeing that Joffrey, Cersei, Tommen, Rhonda, Margaery, Loras, Baelor, Tellen, Vanis, two of the Kettleblack brothers and a number of the retinue that Margaery and Loras had brought with them from the Tyrell's. Cersei greeted her warmly and genuinely, asking her to sit at the seat beside her.
Tyrion sat a little way down the table and nodded politely at Kestrel as Joffrey, Loras and Vanis began to talk about battles and swords over the women, though Vanis was amused that Kestrel was feigning ignorance over the topics, well aware that she easily knew more than Joffrey did on the subject.
Cersei looked over at Kestrel, seeing that she wasn't eating much 'Kestrel my dear, are you feeling well?'.
She looked up with evident surprise and nodded, reaching for more food automatically 'yes, my lady, I was just thinking'.
'When you are finished I wanted to walk with you by the river, we have things to discuss Kestrel'.
Half an hour later Cersei was walking beside Kestrel beside the river, the sun beating down on them on the unnaturally hot day 'Kestrel, my brother has told me that you are no longer willing to marry Sandor Clegane?'.
Kestrel faltered 'I- yes my Lady. I am sorry, I know you had your heart set upon the marriage but we… I do not think it would be in the best interests for everyone my Lady'.
Cersei stopped and turned to face her
'Kestrel, as I told you before, I want you to have a tie to the Keep, you are the heir to one of our biggest allies, and with the Greencloak archers coming to the Keep soon, it would be good if you are here whilst they are'.
Kestrel nodded 'Yes, my Lady'.
'You are lucky my dear, there are many men in the Keep who have expressed a keen interest in you. I must say that I will propose Balon Swann to your father. He is a good man and a good Knight, and he never misses a chance to talk about you. I feel that Balon would be a good husband for the Hightower heir, his brother is aligned with Stannis, a marriage to you will keep Swann here'.
Kestrel nodded politely 'yes, my Lady. Swann is a kind man'.
Cersei looked happier 'very well, I shall speak to your father'.
Tellen was waiting for Kestrel at the end of the path where Cersei left to find Baelor and Rhonda Hightower, her own sworn knights following her as Tellen waited for them to be alone.
'So, what is happening now then?'.
'Well, it looks like I'm marrying Balon Swann now. Sandor said he couldn't be married to a Queen, I can't be with him if he's not willing to support me for this…'.
'Well, you're already a Princess'.
Kestrel's response was a brief, vague nod. They kept talking as they headed towards the courtyard, where they stopped together, seeing Balon Swann standing there beside his large brown horse which was saddled, and he looked somewhat awkward and sheepish.
Tellen glanced between him and Kestrel before giving her a slight bow and muttering 'I'll leave you two to talk. Come find me if you need me'.
Tellen seemed to disappear and Kestrel walked towards Balon, stroking his horses face gently 'It's a beautiful horse'.
'He's from the North, they are the most powerful horse I find. Kestrel, Cersei Lannister has spoken to me today, and she has announced her 'intentions' for the two of us. Kestrel, you are a kind a beautiful young woman who seems to know everything from how to fire a perfect arrow to how to treat a wounded soldier, I cannot say that I would not jump at the chance to marry you, but I thought perhaps we could go for a ride- and talk?'.
Kestrel glanced up, seeing Sandor walking with a group of Kingsguard men through the courtyard, throwing Kestrel and Balon a dark look before fixing his eyes forward towards the Keep.
She looked back to Balon with a smile 'very well, I do not want to be around as Cersei and my parents work out a marriage alliance'.
Balon shook his head with a faint smile 'I can only agree, is your horse in the stables?'.
She nodded 'I'll be back soon, wait here'.
Kestrel leant up and kissed Balon lightly on the cheek and heading towards the stables. When she was halfway there Kestrel felt a hand on her arm as she was pulled into a dark alcove in a deserted corridor, pulling her knife out swiftly but dropping it to one side as she saw who it was.
The towering figure of Sandor was glaring down at her with a dark look, his voice low 'what do you think you are doing?'.
'You and I are no longer engaged Clegane, I thought that was clear'.
'I said I did not want to be married to a Queen, I did not say I wouldn't. You do not want to be Queen Kestrel, but you did not say you wouldn't. We are on the same page on that one'.
'Why do you pretend to care? We were an arrange alliance, I meant nothing more to you and let's not pretend otherwise'.
Sandor looked furious and Kestrel thought he was going to hit her but instead she felt his lips crashing against hers and couldn't stop herself from responding to the kiss in kind, her hands on his face as they continued to kiss as if life depended upon it.
As suddenly as they had started it stopped, both leaning against opposite walls of the alcove and gasping for breath. Kestrel was looking at him with a confused and wary expression 'wh- what was that?'.
Sandor's eyes were dark and his response brief
'You don't know what you do to me Kestrel. Now, get going, Swann will be waiting for you'.
Without another word Sandor turned on his heel and walked away from her, leaving Kestrel breathing heavily and watching him with confusion.
Please review and let me know what you think :)