Sorry it has been soooooo long since my last update, I've been finishing my second year of University which meant I've had tons of exams and essays- and I've had to pack and move back home.

But here we go

Sandor's men were in a state of shock for the remainder of the day, it seemed that Clegane was actually in what could almost be considered a good mood. He wasn't laughing and smiling, but he wasn't his usual morose and angry self, and when news got around about his renewed engagement to Kestrel Hightower they all knew that was the reason.

Except none of them probably guessed that the other reason for his lightened mood was the frantic sex they had had not long earlier.

Kestrel was finishing writing a message on a raven to Doran Martell and the bird was flying out the window when there was a knock at her door and Tellen entered, looking a little confused 'I just passed two servants bringing hot water for a bath to your room and a little servant girl with them who is apparently now living in your rooms… Have I missed something?'

'She's my servant girl now, I requested the water for her, I don't even know the last time she had a bath'

Tellen shrugged and moved aside, opening the door as two women brought in pots of steaming hot water and moved immediately towards the adjoining bathroom, silently filling the large bath as Beccas came in slowly, looking somehow even more filthy and grubby than before, looking shy and awkward as the two women did a quick curtsey to Kestrel and left.

Tellen smiled down at her 'don't be scared, she doesn't bite'

The girl smiled slightly and he saw how shy she still looked 'I'm Tellen, you're Beccas right?'

'Yes Ser'

'You don't have to call me Ser. I have to go and speak to your father, I'll be back later'

As Tellen left, Beccas looked over at Kestrel, twisting her hands awkwardly as the elder woman stood up, motioning to the adjoining bathroom.

'The bath should be nice and warm, there are things to clean yourself and your hair in there, and something to dry you off. There should be a dress in there too, I have some letters to write, I'll wait out here for you, I've got letters to write'

She blinked in surprise and Kestrel motioned to the bathroom again 'go on, before it gets cold'

Beccas couldn't even remember the last time she had had a bath, and it definitely hadn't been in one as nice and as warm as the one she'd just had in Kestrel's rooms.

She lay in there for a long time until the water began to cool down, after drying herself off she dressed herself in the dark grey dress that Kestrel had found from somewhere in her size and left her old dirty brown one on the side.

Beccas came back out into the main room, looking sheepish and twisting the hem of her sleeve until Kestrel noticed her, barely recognizing the pretty girl without the layers of dirt on her, seeing that she had light brown hair which was now clean.

Kestrel smiled kindly 'you look lovely, do you want me to braid your hair?'

The girls voice was quiet 'I… I'm meant to be looking afer you my Lady'

Kestrel rolled her eyes, lightly shaking her head 'honestly, I don't really need a servant girl, I just can't bear seeing a little girl doing an adults work. I'm from Oldtown, we don't have any servants younger than sixteen, orphaned children shouldn't be working, that's my opinion anyway'

Beccas looked confused and Kestrel stood up 'sit down, I'll braid your hair'

She sat down and Kestrel started to brush her long almost dry hair 'What… what do you want me to do if you do not want me as a servant girl?'

'I'll teach you to read and write, how to ride a horse, how to look after yourself- if that's what you want?'

Beccas looked confused and nodded slightly, voice incredibly quiet 'yes, m'lady'

'Call me Kestrel, I'm not much of a lady' In the mirror she saw the little smile the girl gave, relaxing slightly but still looking confused at the situation.

As the sun began to dip Kess, Tellen, Sandor, both her parents and all the GreenCloak's mounted their horses, with Sansa being brought along when they managed to find a spare horse for her. They rode quickly and quietly through the woods until they reached the crest of a hill, where they were met by a hundred men in Oldtown armour on horseback. As Kess moved to the front of their smaller group, all of the GreenCloak's –including those that had come from the Keep- dismounted as one in a flurry of green.

In a swift movement they were all on one knee in front of her, muttering together the words to pledge fealty to her, 'our queen, the rightful queen, and all those she serves to protect'.

There was a seconds pause before they all stood up, looking at Kess intently 'I put my trust and my life in your hands, and I swear I will not let you down'

They looked appeased and she nodded 'mount your horses, we have a long journey ahead'

They complied, all aware that she wasn't talking about the ride back to the Keep.

Sansa was riding towards the back of the retinue and Kess fell back so their horses were in step at the back, slightly behind everyone else.

'If you need anything, if you are threatened or endangered- they'll keep you safe, understand?'

She nodded 'when will you reveal the truth?'

'Time is running out, it won't be long'

Sansa faltered slightly 'what do you mean 'running out?'Kess twisted her mouth, glancing up at the backs of the men in front, her eyes wary and voice quiet 'There is a problem- I- I have a problem… I'm not sure yet but I… I think…'

Sansa's eyes widened as she realised what Kess was trying to say to her 'does Sandor know?'

'I don't even know for sure yet, I can't tell him. You're the only person I can tell, I can't tell my men- they've just sworn to fight for me to be crowned, and anyone at the Keep might reveal that this happened before I was married'

Sansa looked lost for words and they fell into a silent lull, the younger girl looking uncomfortable as Kess laid a hand on her stomach without really thinking, staring thoughtfully at the ground in front of her horse.

Pleae review and let me know what you think and want to see :) x