Chapter 19.

Sandor was slow to awaken fully, his mind was drifting between wanting to wake and not wanting to ever wake again. His body just didn't want to follow direction. He hurt so badly. The ache in his shoulders was beyond belief. There wasn't a part of his body that didn't feel beat beyond movement. He could feel the soft, feather bed beneath him. The haze slowly lifted from his weary mind and he began to wonder where he was, exactly. He knew it wasn't his bed or room. This was much too comfortable to be his chambers. He slowly opened his eyes and could tell that it was midday by the way the sun fell on the balcony. Shalene's room. The events of the battle and what happened afterward drifted back to him, his immediate thought was, " I shouldn't be here, it's too late in the day. Someone will know." He tried getting up but was wracked with pain and just ended up groaning instead and eased back down on the bed. He looked around for Shalene but only saw Lucian asleep on a pallet on the floor. He rasped," Boy, wake up! Help me up. Where is the Lady?" Lucian jumped up, dazed, and hurried to Sandor," Hound, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep. I'll get Lady Shalene." And he ran out the door without further words.

Lucian returned with Shalene, Sansa, and Bronn in tow. Sansa very, unlike her usual self, ran to the bed and jumped on it, hugging Sandor, crying," I'm so glad you are awake! We have been so worried about you!" Sandor was completely caught off guard because it was unlike Sansa to act as such, he was hurting so badly, he couldn't protect himself from her onslaught of affection and he knew he was naked beneath the sheets. Shalene leaned down and kissed him.

Bronn just smiled at him and stated," I'm not kissing you, Hound. But I am glad you're awake."

Sandor was desperately needing to take a piss and no one else seemed to notice so he said," Little Bird, please, don't squeeze me so hard, and just so you know, being as how you're in bed with me and all, I am naked under here."

Sansa looked at him for a second, looked down at his body and flushed all the way down her chest with embarrassment. " Forgive me, Sandor! I didn't think, I was just so happy, I...I." She hurriedly climbed off the bed and looked everywhere except at Sandor.

He couldn't wait any longer," Boy, help me, I've got to piss!" Lucian brought a pair of breeches and as Sansa and Shalene stepped out, Bronn and Lucian helped Sandor to the privy and helped him on with his breeches.

When Sansa and Shalene returned, Sandor was sitting on the couch, obviously in a great deal of pain. Shalene offered him a very mild dosage of Milk of the Poppy, which he grudgingly took. His body was covered in huge, purple bruises. He had a gash on his forehead that had been stitched, as well as countless other nicks and cuts. Although Bronn, himself, was bruised and damaged, he seemed to be in better shape. "How long have I been asleep? What has happened?" He asked.

Sandor looked at Shalene, remembering how he had treated her after he dragged her to the room, hoping he hadn't hurt her so badly that she would turn from him, but as he looked into her eyes, he saw no fear. He saw pride, fierceness, compassion and love. Shalene said, Well, you murderous beast, you have been asleep for six days. We were starting to think it might be kinder to just give you the gift of Mercy, but we just couldn't find it in us to put an old dog down!"

Sansa was aghast at this! She couldn't believe Shalene would talk to The Hound like that! He was hurt, he needed help, not someone talking about doing something else to him. She wasn't sure what the gift of mercy was, she was about to ask when she heard Sandor start laughing and say," Maybe you should have at that. I might feel a sight better than I do now! Bloody Hells, I hurt! Six days you say? What has been going on, how did I end up in your bed, naked?"

Shalene said," Yes, my Dear, six days. As far as why you're in my bed, why not? You and I are lovers, are we not? And as far as how you got in my bed, well, that was difficult. You're not exactly a small man. Between me, Lucian and several of the soldiers you had at your side in battle, we finally managed. Sansa stitched your head, as you about strangled the maester who tried. So between the four of us, we've tended to you. You ended up with a fever, but, looks like you'll live."

Sandor was taken aback, he had been around too many other soldiers and men to be concerned about being seen by them, but he had been naked. Did the Little Bird see him like that? As if she could read his mind, Sansa blushed anew, and looked away from him. She quietly said, " I uhh, I didn't..I ..Oh Bloody Hell! I have seen my brothers naked before!" Her hand flew to her mouth, stunned that she uttered such words!

Bronn laughed, "Lady Sansa, I think The Hound is rubbing off on you!" She was mortified, she walked out to the balcony. Bronn followed her and she leaned into his chest, hiding her face, he wrapped his arm around her waist.

Sandor watched this exchange and was about to say something when Shalene stopped him with a shake of her head. " We need to talk. There has been so much that has happened since the battle. Lord Tywin will be sending for you now that you are awake, so I need to tell you what to expect. You must act surprised by it all."

Sandor looked at Shalene for a moment, she handed him a flagon of the Dornish red he likes, but he just sips it, knowing the problems that can arise from mixing wine with the milk of the poppy. He said, " Woman, tell me what I need to know."

Shalene begins by telling him that Joffery had his betrothal to Sansa put aside and that he would be marrying Margaery Tyrell. Petyr Baelish had been removed as Master of Coin and had gone to the Vale to marry Lysa Arryn; to secure the Vale for the King, since Gregor was dead, he was now Lord Sandor Clegane and that Sansa was to be married to Tyrion. The latter was not known by others.

It took Sandor a bit to take all of this in, Shalene pulled up a chair and sat in front of him, Lucian watched him from the floor. Sandor looked at the boy and thought again that this was a good young man, having stayed by his side and always doing more than what was required. Sandor winked at him, which caused Lucian to relax and give Sandor the biggest smile he'd ever seen on his face. Lucian said." Hound, I'm glad you won the battle, I'm glad Shalene didn't put you down. I've missed you."

Sandor was deeply touched by the words, he reached out and mussed the boy's hair and smiled. He took as deep a breath as his battered body would allow and was glad Sansa was free of Joffery but to have to marry Tyrion, He trusted the Imp, there had to be more to it. He asked," Sansa knows about the marriage? Why is she to marry him?"

Shalene called Sansa back in, she seemed to have composed herself, it was Sandor's turn to look embarrassed as he tried to apologize to her for her seeing him in the state he was in. She seemed to find humor in this because she smiled her radiant smile and said , "Sandor, you are always saying I'm so perfect, I am not. I am just a woman. I may be naive but I am not stupid. There are things I need to learn, I may be a maiden, that doesn't mean that I can't become more bold and be of use when I need to be. Things seem to be happening that are making it time for me become the wolf I was born to be. I can be a Lady and still be of use, Shalene has shown me many things, I can keep you safe and take care of you too, besides, my needlework came in handy putting you back together. I would venture to say that this won't be the last time you'll need that talent." Sandor wasn't sure he liked what she said, He knew Shalene well, he cut his eyes over to her but she gave nothing away in her expression.

She began again," Tyrion told us what Lord Tywin has planned when he ends my betrothal. We all have to act as though we are shocked. Lord Tywin plans on making Tyrion Master of Coin now, and when he and I are married, he will be Lord Paramount of the North once our marriage is consummated."

Sandor was becoming enraged, he opened his mouth to say so when Sansa sat beside him and took his hand and continued,"He and I will not consummate our marriage. He and Shae have that part worked out, you must trust me. Tyrion is to travel to Braavos to meet with the bankers there to deal with the immense debt that The Crown has, now that Cercei hasn't been paying it back. I am to be allowed to go with him. Once there, plans change, we cannot discuss it all here, you know that, Tyrion said that you know the walls have eyes and ears."

Sandor, of course, knew it to be true, he knew some of the secret passages himself. He nodded at Sansa. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek and whispered, " You have always been my protector and friend, even when you were trying to scare me. Please trust me. I know you worry about me and Bronn, he's more than you know, Shalene will tell you. I love him, Sandor."

Sandor sat up so quickly he almost passed out from the pain! He was dizzy and sweating, reaching for Bronn. Sansa, without thinking tersely stated," You will stop this! You are hurt and you will not touch him! SIT DOWN!"

Years of following orders over rode his first thoughts and actions so he eased back on the couch. Sansa was appalled that she had yelled at him, Lucian and Bronn just smiled, Shalene laughed and said,"Well done, Sansa! It's not so hard ordering others around is it!" Sansa just smiled meekly, bowed her head and blushed, shaking her head, no. Sandor was at a loss. He couldn't believe the Little Bird had ordered him around! He ended up laughing as he held his ribs and shook his head.

The next morning he awoke with his arms wrapped around Shalene, as he held her close, breathing in her unique scent, there was a knock on the door. Lucian, who had slept by the hearth on a pallet, refusing to leave "his Hound" answered the door. Sandor was being summoned to The Throne Room. After Lucian and Shalene had helped him up, he was able to move about on his own a bit. Shalene did help him bathe and wash his hair and between the combined efforts of all three, he was ready to go. Bronn had arrived to help him walk, if need be, but Sandor refused to show any weakness in front of the likes of those that attended Court.

Joffery was seated on The Iron Throne when he arrived, Cercei beside him, Lord Tywin and the members of The Small Council were seated at the foot of the stairs. Sandor acknowledged no one, only waited until King Joffery called him forward.

Once he was called forth, Sandor walked to the foot of the stairs leading to the Iron Throne and looked at Joffery. He gave a slight bow, which caused sweat to break out on his forehead and the pain caused him to grunt much to his indignation. He stated," Forgive me, Your Grace, if I don't bow, I am not in fit shape to offer you more at this time." He hated for anyone to see any sort of weakness from him.

Joffery offered up that smile that Sandor had come to hate, and said," Dog! It's good to see you up. You look worse than you normally do!"

Sandor just clenched his teeth and said nothing. This seemed to upset Joffery and Sandor could tell that he was about to do or say something to try to rile him, he tried to brace himself for it when Lord Tywin spoke up," Clegane, there have been many and more tales of your actions during the battle. Tyrion himself has told me how you went out time and again and then took the sortie out at The Mud Gate where Stannis Baratheon was trying to breach The Keep. I expected no less from you. You have always been loyal to House Lannister. As you did bring me the head of the Traitor, and since your brother went rogue during the battle and had to be "put down", reward is in order. You are now Lord of all the Clegane lands and The Clegane Keep."

Sandor glanced at Lord Tywin and said," My Lord. With respect to you, I do not want the title or the lands."

Lord Tywin looked at Sandor a moment and said," I thought as much, Clegane. You will accept and keep the title of Lord. Since your Keep and lands were prior Lannister lands and you are now a Lannister Bannerman, House Lannister will compensate you handsomely for your lands. As of now they are again, part of Lannister holdings."

Sandor nods and says," That is fine with me, My Lord. I care nothing for the lands or The Keep."

"Now, The Council has decided to reward you for your valor in killing the Traitor. We will allow you to choose it. What do you want?"

Sandor was stunned. He had no idea what he wanted, Hells, he didn't need anything. He was extremely well off. The Lannisters did pay well, and now he had compensation from the Clegane lands. He looked over at Tyrion, who cocked an eyebrow at him and casually rubbed his fingers on his left hand. Sandor knew then. He said, " My Lord, I have been and will continue to be loyal to House Lannister. I would ask to be released of my duty in the King's Guard. King Joffery has Ser Loras Tyrell now, The King seems to need Men younger than myself to watch over him, from what I understand. And as I am only a honorary member of The Guard, not being a Knight. I would ask that my services be transferred to Lord Tyrion. He is the new Master of Coin, correct? And being as he is a small Lord, I feel he needs someone other than a sell sword watching over him."

Lord Tyrion laughed at that, "You are right, Clegane. If trouble arises, you could just toss me in a bag and throw me over your shoulder!"

The Court bursts out laughing. Lord Tywin isn't amused and Joffery is livid. He can't back out now that he has allowed him to choose, in front of the Court, but, at least he will still be in service to the Lannister's. He agrees to the request," Clegane, you are now in the services of Tyrion, but you stay a Lord and a Lannister Bannerman."

Sandor inwardly laughs, but his demeanor doesn't change, and replies," As you say, My Lord. Will you require anything else of me?"

"No, Lord Clegane. You may go."

Sandor hates the name, the first person that calls him that is going to pay! He turns to Tyrion," Is there anything you require, My Lord?"

Tyrion grins, he knows Sandor hate titles and can't help himself, " No, Lord Clegane. I will send for you soon. Please, go rest and get well, you look like shit!"

Sandor glares at him and says," My Lord." He walks slowly to the back of The Court, waiting. He knows what is going to happen next.

Shalene was at the back of the Court with Lucian and Bronn. Even though he was loath to show any sign of weakness, he did allow Bronn and Lucian to help him ease down into a chair that Lucian had brought up. Shalene stood behind him and gently, discreetly, massaged his neck and shoulders. He was silently grateful.

The next announcement shocked him, his friends hadn't warned him about this one! Prince Oberyn Martell and several Houses from Dorne were on their way to King's Landing. He was to be a member of the Small Council and the forces were to be joined with the one's in King's Landing. Sandor turned to look at Shalene and she just smiled at him and leaned to his ear whispering," Later." Then kissed his neck.

The next announcement called Sansa Stark to the front of The Court. She was trembling, her eyes were wide. She curtsied low and bowed her head. Sandor felt sorry for her, even knowing what was happening. Joffery took over, gloating and ready to hurt someone, having lost his Dog. He was going to make Sansa pay for it. He said," Lady Sansa, it has been decided by The Small Council, that since you are the daughter and the sister of traitors, that I will be allowed to put aside my betrothal to you. As of now, our betrothal has ended. I will be taking as my wife, the Lady Margaery Tyrell. So, since you are still a ward of the Court, it has been also decided, that from now on, your traitor brother will be stripped of all lands and titles. You will be married to my Uncle Tyrion. He will be the new Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, when those lands have been secured. What say you, Lady Sansa?"

Sansa had tears rolling down her face, she looked trapped and shocked, all she could do was look at Joffery and quietly say, " If it pleases you, My King. I only wish to show you my loyalty." Her lack of defiance seemed to infuriate Joffery. He stated," It does please me, you will marry him, and he will bed you and put a Lannister baby in your belly. You will marry in a week, and to be sure it is a proper wedding, the bedding will be brought to Grand Maester Pycelle to prove he has done his job. I'm done here!" He then stormed off.