Chapter 15.

Over the next weeks, preparation were completed for the arrival of Stannis Baratheon's assault on King's Landing. The atmosphere was tense and chaotic but thankfully, no trouble arose for the small group of companions. Under everyone's watchful eye, it seemed that Sansa and Bronn were developing a very close and trusting relationship. Sandor wasn't sure how he felt about this, at least Bronn could protect her if need be. Bronn knew his place, he couldn't be thinking of anything other than her safety, Sandor reasoned, so he didn't think on it beyond that.

He and Shalene spent as much time together as possible. Though they were nothing more than a Lady and her protector\escort in public, they made no attempt to quieten rumors that ran about The Keep. These had come to Joffery and Cercei's attention, of course, and one day during Court, when Joffery was in his usual bored mood, his choice of entertainment turned to these rumors, he called Shalene to the steps of the Iron Throne and with all his arrogant demeanor openly inquired of Shalene," Lady Shalene, it has come to my attention that my Dog has been spending quite a bit of time with you." Shalene had been waiting for this to happen so she wasn't overly concerned, unlike Sandor. She curtsied very low and then met Joffery's eyes then Cercei's. She gave Joffery a smile that made him start squirming in his inexperienced, boyish way and then replied," Your Grace, My Queen, if I have done anything to displease you, it was not my intention. The customs and rather frigid chastity that is the custom of Westeros is not the same in Dorne. I was given leave, by you, My Queen, to follow my interests and pursuits. And you, My King, did give me your own personal dog and bid him to do as I say, no matter what. I have done nothing more than that." Cercei offered up a sly smirk, inwardly she gloated over this. Gods, why can't I openly be able to fuck who I want, and not have to face scandal and scorn. I should have been born a man, I could bed every woman I wanted and not a word would be said. Or I couldv'e been born Dornish! She says, " Yes, Lady Shalene, I did give leave for you to be yourself. You have made yourself comfortable here I see."

Shalene replies," Yes, My Queen. I have, with all of your help and generous acceptance of one such as myself here, as well as offering your strength and knowledge, I have felt most loved here."

Cercei thinks, " What a clever one this one is. She and I could have so much fun playing the Game. I have to watch this one better."

Joffery bursts out laughing and says," So it's true then, you've been fucking my Dog! Was he worth your time? Did he satisfy you, My Lady. I've heard he has an appetite of late. Must be many bitches in heat to cause a poor dog to go sniffing around like he has been of late!" The people in Court find great humor in this. Sandor stares ahead, body tense, massive, brooding, he doesn't give any sign as to have even heard what was said although he is on the verge of breaking from anger and indignation. He has no idea what Shalene will say, all his thoughts are on how Joffery is openly trying to degrade Shalene. He, himself, is used to it. He's lived with it for years but even a dog can only be kicked for so long before it turns on you and he is close to that point.

Shalene smiles seductively at Joffery and licks those beautiful red lips and says," Why yes, Your Grace. I have fucked your dog. He follows orders well. You have done an excellent job in training him. He comes every time I ask him to. And you are right, he does have an appetite, as I am just a small, young woman, I'm sure he had to chase about to satisfy any baser needs he may have had although, I can't really say I blame him. In Dorne, the women from Lys are much sought after for their skills and carnal knowledge. I'm sure it's the same here. Surely we can't fault him for sniffing around after the scent of sex. After all, isn't that what dogs do! To finish your question, Yes, he has very much been worth my time and he is most satisfying. I am very much in your debt, My King." Joffery continues to find this all amusing and decides to bring The Hound into the fun, " Did you hear that, Dog? You were most satisfying! I didn't think you had it in you! I suppose that someone like you won't get another chance to fuck a Lady! Better enjoy it while she'll have you. Though I don't know why she would want you, with a face like that."

Sandor is privately humiliated and devastated. Deep in his soul, he feels the same way. He looks at himself as disgusting and vile but to be made to feel that way in front of the whole court makes him feel it even more, though no one could tell by just looking at him. It's as if he is made of stone. Shalene hides her anger at Joffery's comments and tries to soothe Sandor's rage as best she can at this time and says to Joffery," Your Grace, if I may say so, there is more to a man than his face. A man also has a mind, heart, body and soul. He thinks, feels, desires, and dreams. I find The Hound is quite intelligent and knowledgeable. His body is very pleasing and umm large. I know he thinks because he likes to argue, he feels because I have intentionally provoked him to anger, just for my humor. I KNOW he desires, but what it is, other than wine, sex and killing, I suppose we'll not ever know, past his animal behaviors...though we know his heart is as black as his deeds, surely at one time he had dreams. Don't be so cruel to him Your Grace, I beg you. He is what his masters made him to be." She gives Joffery a small, teasing wink.

In all of his limited ability to understand the exact meaning of what Shalene has told him, Joffery takes it as a compliment to himself and gloats over her assumed praise, and says," You're right, My Lady. Maybe he is a good dog after all." He glances up at The Hound and says," Well done, Dog. Looks like you can do more than stand, drink and kill. Did you hear what The Lady said?" Sandor swallows down all feeling before he tries to speak, he doesn't move his eyes or body, his only response is," I heard her, Your Grace. Always happy to be of SERVICE to The Lady." Again, Joffery erupts in laughter and having grown bored with all of this, dismisses everyone.

Several hours later, Sandor finds himself in Shalene's chambers, he is so unsure now after the happenings in court today. He knows his woman, he knows that she says things to soothe over problems and to throw people off. He knows how they feel about each other but he can't pull himself away from the dark deep well of self loathing and disgust he is in. Ever since Gregor destroyed not only his face but his future, he hadn't seriously thought of many things beyond what needed in that moment. It was too painful. He had to spend what little time he had left with Shalene. Stannis and his forces were expected to storm the city on the next eve. It might be the last for all of them, he had to be near her.

Shalene was waiting, she knew the gloom he would be in after the little bastard, Joffery, had spewed his hate and she was determined to make Sandor see what she and those who cared about him saw. When he arrived, she coaxed him out of all but his breeches and lead him to her dressing table. He balked heavily because there was a very large mirror there and she understood his reluctance but slowly and patiently eased his need to turn away. She told him to close his eyes and sit down, she then walked behind him. He could feel her hands on his shoulders and arms, working his bulky muscles, urging him to relax. He felt her soft fingers as she moved his hair away from the scarred side of his face and he felt the pressure of her touch there though not the sensation due to the damage done so many years ago. He felt his body shudder, wondering why she wanted to touch that hideousness. She asked him to open his eyes and he did. She stood behind him, her hands covering the ruined half of his face, she asked him what he saw. He glanced away in disgust and said," Woman, what do you want from me? You know what I see. I am an overgrown, scarred, disgusted, low-born killer. I am vile, evil, cruel, worthless, I have no purpose other than killing. I am hated and I hate. I walk among men and they scatter, I walk among women and they turn away repulsed. I have seen and caused death, rage, horror and all manner of disgusting deeds I'll not share with you." Shalene looked at their reflection in the mirror and didn't move, all she said was," No, that's what The Hound in you sees. That's what you want everyone else to know you as. What you have done and how you have been made to feel. Look again and tell me what you see." She moved her hands from his face, he looked for a mere moment then looked away. " I see NOTHING."

Shalene turns his face back to the mirror and gently refused to allow him to look away. She tells him," This, that you see, this scar, you have let it make you be what others see. Others in their simple, useless minds have dictated to you how you should feel and you have let them. This is not a mark of shame. It is a mark of strength and endurance. It is a story told of a battle fought by one young boy. A boy who survived, lived, grew and became the most feared Warrior in Westeros. It is a badge of success and accomplishment. Proof that The Stranger came for you and you denied him. Proof that in doing so, you earned his respect and he graced you with all his abilities, to become what you are. You are not those things that you say you are, they are only the part of you that is The Hound. You have to have him or you would not be you. What you truly are, is what has drawn me to you. You are a man. You have honor, loyalty and you love as fiercely as you fight. You are gentle and kind. Rough and hard, you are all things positive and then also their negative. You are perfectly made in all ways. You did this. No matter what has happened to you, you are the one who drew the boundaries and didn't cross them, whether you know it or not. You are so used to hating what others made you feel you should hate that you forgot about the beauty inside. It's there, you've given it to me. Maybe you didn't mean to let me into the darkness of your soul, but I'm there and I don't find it so dark. I find it warm and caring. I find it mine. That's what I see, Sandor." Sandor continues to look at her in the mirror. He has listened to her words, drinking them in like they are the sweetest wine. He wants to believe her so desperately. Could it really be like that? He looks into her eyes, searching for lies or deceit but he sees only her honesty and love. He feels a new brightness in his heart, trying to fit these new thoughts into his mind after all these years of thinking another way and he does like the way it feels. He turns around to Shalene, picks her up and carries her to the bed. For the first time, they make love. Soft, sweet, tender. All of the ways that neither have been before.

As the afternoon draws to evening, they find themselves on the balcony. Sandor has moved the couch there and is reclining naked, head cushioned on a pillow. Shalene is laying on top of him, her back against his chest, his arms are around her, fingers entwined across her abdomen. Her hair is trailing down his side, tickling him occasionally but he never wants it to end. They are content and are just enjoying being with each other. Sandor asks her in his deep raspy voice," Tell me what you think about. You're a Lady, do you think about being married or having children? Is there someone in Dorne that you're betrothed to that I am going to lose you to when you leave? What sort of dreams do you have, Shalene?"

She takes in a breath and answers," I think about living, Sandor. I think about all the places I mean to visit. The wonders of the world I want to see. The people I want to meet, the food I want to taste, the wine I want to drink, the horses I want to ride. The men I might want to fuck. I think of freedom. No, I never think on being married. It is only a contract. When two people love one another, there is trust, a bond is formed, respect is given and earned. It is given from free will. Words spoken to some man in a stone building because an alliance has been made doesn't give the things I wish for. I have no use for it. One day I would have children, perhaps. If that is what I chose to do. But not now. Sandor, you seem to forget who I am. I am the niece of the Prince of Dorne. I am the second bastard daughter of Oberyn Martell. My Father has never been married. He has been with his paramour for 25 years. They have four children. My Uncle is a hopeless romantic who believes in love and they both love me dearly. An arranged marriage is not something that would be done. You will not lose me to anyone. If you don't want me, feel free to walk away. It's one of the great things about being lovers and not spouses. I have no obligations except to my family. I am free to do as I chose. I am not the one who has to birth the next Prince of Dorne! I have my palace in Dorne, should I want to go there and anything else I might choose to want. Money is no problem nor will it ever be. Tell me, when all of this is done, would you see the sights of the world with me?" Sandor holds her tightly and kisses the top of Shalene's head. His heart is on fire with love for this woman, his woman, and he replies," Aye, my Desert Flower. I would follow you to the ends of the earth, gladly." He makes love to her again, under the stars.

The next morning, they both know what has been decided, if all does not go well. He desperately dares to hope that he will survive to come back to them, to Shalene. Tyrion is to be on the wall, in whatever role he is to play. Bronn and Sandor, of course, will be in the vanguard. The Ladies are to gather in Cercei's private chambers until the battle is over. Sandor has never feared battle, he doesn't fear this one. His anxiety is coming from the fear of losing what he has just found. He feels that Shalene will be safe enough, she can definitely protect herself. It's the feeling of betrayal, he realizes. If he is killed, he will have betrayed her trust and love. And he will have failed the Little Bird. He tries to shake those thought from his mind, " Best not die then," he thinks. Shalene is helping him into the last of his armor, she is composed, smiling and she even winks at him. Hells, he knew she wouldn't cry. Good woman he has, strong. He takes much pride in this. He picks her up and brings her eyes level with his as she wraps her legs around his waist. He adjusts his arms to hold her as they stand there looking at each other, knowing it may never happen again. They kiss deeply, passionately. She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him to her, turning to kiss his neck, she bites him softly, then more aggressively. Sandor laughs and is about to tell her to stop when he feels her sucking on his neck right below his ear. He can feel by the intensity of it, that he is being marked, and it is immediately arousing. Shalene pulls away, arches her eyebrow at him and kisses him one last time. He finally puts her down but has to do a bit of re arranging in the breeches area, which cause them both to laugh. Sandor says," Wench, you did that on purpose."

Shalene replies in that sultry voice he loves so much," Of course I did. I had to make sure you know that you have unfinished business so you'll stay alive to reap your reward! Hold out your hand, I have a favor for you to take into battle with you." He extends his hand and Shalene places in it, a thickly cord braided, made from locks of her own raven hair and Sansa's auburn hair. Entwined in the hair are two ribbons. One is pale blue, embroidered with red and copper birds in flight the other is emerald-green with deep purple vipers stitched on it. The braid is beautifully intricate. He looks Shalene in the eyes and tucks it behind his breastplate, over his heart. There is no more to say, he turns around to leave and Shalene slaps his on the ass so hard, he jerks around, astounded. He has never been slapped like that! She just laughs at the look on his face and says, " Sandor, it's time to let The Hound out to play. I'll be wanting that fuck when you get back. Remember what we say to the God of Death? " Sandor bursts out laughing and says," Aye, I do. NOT TODAY!" He can't remember ever having laughed like this. He can also feel The Hound clawing his way up and he likes the way it feels. He steps to Shalene and grabs a handful of hair, pulling her head back painfully and kisses her so forcefully he tastes the blood from her split lip. It fuels his battle lust even more. Instinctively he knows that she isn't truly hurt and she provoked this to draw The Hound out. As he pulls back from her, he sees a look of triumph and he feeds off of it. IT'S TIME TO KILL! So he leaves.