Chapter 20.
Sandor sent Lucian to the Street of Steel to bring the smithy to him that he used all the time for his armor and weapon due to him being unable to ride just yet. When the smithy arrived, he and Sandor spent several hours together alone and once he departed, he had the great sword that Sandor had taken from Gregor, with him. It took both the smithy and Lucian to carry the weapon that Sandor had wielded with one hand. He still had many questions about what was going on, he would have his answers but he was well aware that they had to be careful. The walls of The Keep did have ears. He decided he had to rest. It was too much now.
He didn't hear Shalene come in, but he knew she was there, he kept his eyes closed and lost himself in the feeling of her soft caresses on his body and the sliding of her hands up and down his cock. He didn't know if he would be able to do this, Hells, he was still so sore, but he definitely wasn't going to tell her to stop! The motion of her hands was very smooth, he thought she must have used some of those oils she likes so much. He took a deep breath, and smiled, yes, it's the sandalwood she likes. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled at her. She was kneeling between his legs, her graceful hands smoothly stroking him, she smiled wickedly," Glad you joined me, Sandor."
He started to reach for her but she said," Just relax, let me do this, you lay there, watch, enjoy. Tell me if I hurt you."
He smiled at her, "You won't hurt me, Woman."
She eased up closer to him and leaned over, running her tongue all around the head of his cock, slowly taking it in her mouth. As she continued to slide her hands down and around his cock, she sucked on just the head of it. He let himself get lost in the bliss his woman was giving him. He thought, again, about all the years of just wanting to be touched by a woman who wanted him. He had always thought of what it would be like to have his own woman. Not one he paid, that really didn't want anything from him but his coin. He never wished for it just thought about it, he wasn't such a fool as to get lost in wishes and dreams. Everyone thought him uneducated and undisciplined. He was a well-educated man. What he wasn't taught by his maester, he learned on his own. The Keep had a massive library, he had spent untold hours there.
He brought his thought back to Shalene. His woman. Now he was free to live, to be with her, not to have to report to anyone except Tyrion. It was such a burden taken from him. He groaned as Shalene took his balls in her hand and softly massaged them, squeezing his cock at the base sending exquisite shivers through his body. He whispered to Shalene, " Grip it harder, woman. Yes, like that. Faster!" He started moving his hips in time with her hands. He watched her as she licked down his shaft, licked his fingers and then moved back to the head of his cock, he felt his body starting to tense, his breathing more ragged. He closed his eyes again and rasped," Shalene, woman, faster, I'm ready, taste me!" He grabbed a handful of her hair, wrapped his other around his cock to help her, she felt his body start shaking as he fucked her mouth and they both stroked his cock. He thrust his cock into her mouth and growled," Fuck, Shalene!" As he threw his head back and felt it from deep in his body as he spent his seed in her mouth! Wave after wave of blinding pleasure coursed through his body. He had no coherent thought, felt nothing except the blinding pleasure of his climax. Slowly, slowly, he felt himself becoming aware of her touch again. He was so overly sensitive he had to pull her away from his cock. Is was a glorious pleasure-pain, he couldn't bear it! He pulled her up to his chest and couldn't even make himself speak he was still so overwhelmed with the sensations in his body. He didn't even remember falling asleep.
Tyrion had not called for Sandor, giving him time to recover from his injuries and frankly, he just needing to become familiar with his new position and fast approaching wedding. It was more difficult to talk to the others with his Lord Father at Court, resuming his role as Hand of the King but there was the added bonus of Varys on his side. He had left the arrangements to Varys on their "escape" from King's Landing. That's really what it was, He to get away from the imploding force of his nephew and the controlling grasp of his Father. And to finally take Sansa to safety. He was thankful that Clegane had been quick to pick up on what he needed to do, and ask. That was a windfall, taking The Hound right out from under Joff and Cercei's noses. Poor guy, he deserved better. Now he would have it. Tyrion hoped that Sandor never had to go into battle again, but also knew that he would always be ready regardless. The man was already back in the training yard, Gods, how did he do it?
There wasn't much they could talk about as to be seen all together would have been suspicious. Tyrion left other communication to Varys, Shalene and Bronn. Now that had been a welcomed surprise, to find out who Bronn really was! Who would have guessed? Bronn Zeneek, eldest son and heir to one of the wealthiest merchants in Essos. He was as wealthy if not more so than the Lannisters and a line that was as old as the Stark line. Sneaky scoundrel! When Tyrion had confronted him about the information that Varys had passed to him, he laughed and jokingly said," Well, you never did ask for anything other than my blade. When you want to know something, you should ask the right questions. I was bored, I needed to have some fun!" Tyrion didn't fault him for that, it fell into his own version of if no one asks, don't tell. He felt very at ease, now with the fondness developing between Sansa and Bronn. He would be very worthy of her, if they chose to follow where he felt it was headed. If all went as planned, they would be leaving a few days after the wedding, and then the rest would go into play.
The day before Tyrion and Sansa's wedding, the smithy that Sandor had commissioned arrived and left several wrapped packages, Lucian was beside himself wanting to see, but Sandor just grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and they went to the stables.
He had been slowly starting to train again, knowing that the fastest way to get over his soreness was to work it out. He found a new respect and trust from the soldiers in the yard, there were still those who avoided him but for the most part he was given what he was coming to realize that he sorely missed, acceptance. He gave no quarter when he trained, one after another fell to his onslaught but they always came back, always there with slaps on the back, laughs, jokes, asking of advice from him and generally, just the sort of things that men do. Sandor thought," So this is what respect is like? So much different from men always avoiding me. They still come to get beat by me, but now, laugh about it!"
He had to admit that his new title, "Lord Clegane" offered him the ability to openly be with Shalene and Sansa. He still had feelings that he wasn't good enough for Shalene, but she had quickly made him not voice this to her any further when he had said as much one night after they had fucked like two wild beasts. She had looked at him with those deadly black eyes and said," Since it seems to be such a problem for you, you're worrying about being a landless Lord, I'll give you my palace and lands in Dorne. You are now Lord Clegane of Emerald Bay. He thought she was just trying to ease his mind but the next day, while in the yard, he was delivered official papers that had made it so. When he had found Shalene and threatened to tear it up she just told him to go ahead, there was a copy on its way to her Uncle, it was official now. He didn't have words to say about it. She had given him her palace and lands. She was his woman. How in the Seven Hell's had he ever deserved any of this? Maybe Shalene was right. All of these years of self loathing and hate, all of his feelings of worthlessness and anger were a product of his doing and allowing others to make him feel what they wanted him to feel. He hadn't ever had anyone show him a different way. He hadn't even thought there was another way to feel, until Shalene and Sansa. Funny how two small things, a Little Bird and a Desert Flower, could totally reshape a man's life and give him more in the months he had known them than anyone ever had in his life.
The day of the wedding dawned bright and beautiful. Sandor refused to dress as customary in Court, he wasn't some flowery knight and wasn't about to play the part. He had, however, allowed Shalene to have the tailor make him new clothes. They were very well made and expensive, the finest linens and fabrics. He had even given in and allowed her to shave him and trim his beard and hair. He really didn't mind, he just had to keep up his fierce demeanor somehow. Shalene never tried to rule or change him, he knew she wouldn't, she had to be free herself, it wasn't her nature to harness him, Hells, she didn't even use tack on her stallion. He knew she encouraged him to do these things for his benefit, so he complied.
Lucian was finishing up polishing Sandor's boots when Sandor tossed a package at him. Lucian looked at it clearly confused and Sandor bid him to open it. Inside was a dagger sheathed in a beautifully tooled leather casing. There were no designs on it, but it was still perfect. He removed the dagger and his mouth fell open, tears forming in his eyes. The knife was the finest thing the boy had ever seen. It was a bit too big for him but he instinctively knew that it was because he would grow into it. The hilt was wrapped in soft, new leather, the blade long and slightly curved upward. In the pommel was set a beautifully carved sapphire, the same color of his eyes. On the blade near the crossbar, he noticed writing, he knew enough of his letters to see it was his name but then he read Clegane. He looked up at Sandor and Sandor said, " You know what that says, boy?" Lucian nodded but was clearly confused. He was an orphan, He couldn't even remember his last name all he had ever been called was Lucian or boy.
Sandor said," Lord Tyrion has had it arranged, you are my boy now. You are Lucian Clegane. No one will ever talk down to you again, I will always protect you."
Lucian jumped up and ran to Sandor, throwing his arms around his neck, tears rolling down his face and cried," Lord Hound! No one has ever wanted me before! I won't let you down, I'll be a good boy, I'll make you proud!"
Sandor felt a rush of pride at how he had changed this boys life, he remembered his own childhood and how he had wanted so desperately to have someone be proud of him and want him. He patted Lucian's back and said," Alright, boy, that's enough! You're already a good lad. You make me proud. But don't go thinking you're going to have it easy now! Finish up my boots, and you have to change, you're the Son of a Lord now, we bloody well have to play the part today, but not everyday!" He winked at Lucian and pointed to a big chest across the room.
When Sandor and Lucian met with Shalene at Sept of Baelor, she was pleasantly surprised at how appealing Sandor looked. He was dressed in tight, black leather breeches that fit his thighs like a second skin, silk emerald-green tunic, black velvet doublet, with a cloak of black silk lined with emerald-green. She watched the way his muscles flexed and moved as he walked. Their eyes met and she gave him a sultry, appreciative wink. When he reached her, he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss and said," I only dress like this for you."
Shalene smiled, took his arm, and replied," But, Hound, you do it so well. Look, every woman here is looking at you." He glanced around and was surprised to see the open looks over surprise and even some of open lust. Shalene reached her hand towards Lucian and said," Little Clegane, you look so handsome!" Lucian blushed ferociously but held his head high and took her hand. Lucian was dressed in black, his cloak was lined with sapphire blue. Sandor leaned down to Shalene and said, " You look very beautiful, My Lady. It's almost as if you planned what colors I would wear." Shalene, herself was dressed in a fitted, flowing emerald gown with black Myrish lace on the bodice. Her hair was down and flowing as she liked to wear it.
The ceremony was strained but as far as everyone was concerned, it was supposed to have been. Bronn was in the back of the Sept, watching quietly. He was so taken with Sansa, he felt a momentary pang of anger and jealousy at Tyrion, he just had to be patient and not act the fool. So much was in the balance with this marriage and what would happen afterward. He knew his time would come.
Finally they were heading back to the Red Keep. Joffery took every opportunity to make hateful remarks towards Tyrion and Sansa. Tyrion was strained to his breaking point. Before the feast, Shalene had presented Sansa and Tyrion with a pair of the Dornish horses she loved so much. A Black stallion for Tyrion, the horse had been specially trained to follow rein instruction by Tyrion instead of the normal muscular training. And to Sansa, she gifted a chestnut and black mare, who was as docile and polite as Sansa herself. Sandor gifted Tyrion with a dagger, made to the specifications to fit exactly to him. The handle was gilded gold wrapped in the finest calf leather, the pommel was a solid gold lions head, mouth open in a roar with fangs of shaped pearls. It had an eye of emerald and an eye of onyx. Tyrion was very moved by the gift and nodded so towards Sandor. Lucian asked permission to approach and give a gift to Sansa, which Tyrion did allow. Lucian was the very epitome of grace and manners and made both Shalene and Sandor proud. He bowed to Sansa and gifted her a dual gift, earrings of sapphires and a necklace of gold that had every precious stone known in the world, set around its length. Sansa was moved to tears and hugged Lucian. Bronn gifted Tyrion with a chest full of extremely rare books and Sansa a weirwood chest to store her jewels in. It was a beautiful thing. Only Sansa, Tyrion, Bronn, Sandor and Shalene seemed to understand the meaning of the weirwood.
The gift giving finally ended and the feast began. Joffery was making every effort to get drunk and as the bedding approached, Tyrion asked Sandor to take Sansa to the chambers so she wouldn't have to suffer the degradation of the "tradition." As Sandor was trying to leave with Sansa, Joffery became irate and said," Where do you think you're going, Dog? We haven't had our bedding ceremony yet." Sandor said, "I am escorting the Lady to her rooms as Lord Tyrion ordered. I am in his service now." Sandor could feel is hate and rage surfacing and knew he had to control it this night, it was way too important for all to go well. Joffery said," Well, I'm the King and I say we will strip her down and do as we please." Sandor pushed Sansa behind him just as Tyrion drove his dagger into the table and said," My wife will not be violated. Not by the likes of anyone in this Keep. Clegane, I gave you an order!" Sandor again, took Sansa by the arm and as Joffery came down from the dias, Lord Tywin calmly, coldly stated," I believe we can do away with the bedding ceremony for once. There is no need for behavior such as this at a wedding ceremony. Clegane, see the Lady to Lord Tyrion's chambers and Tyrion, Grand Maester Pycell will be looking for the bedding sheets at first light. You know your duty." Tyrion half drunkenly smiled at his father and said," Yes, Father. I do know my duty, so well." And he waddled off after Sansa and Sandor.
When they reached Tyrion and Sansa's chambers, there were two of Lord Tywin's guards posted outside. Tyrion didn't seem upset, but Sandor was determined that there would be someone besides these guards there and decided to post himself across the hall from door, as was his duty as Tyrion's personal guard. As Shalene and Lucian passed him, she took his cloak. Lucian wanted to stay but Sandor sent him on to stay with Shalene.
Once in the room, Tyrion bolted the door and then to Sansa's amazement a panel behind the fireplace opened and Shae entered with Lord Varys. Shae smiled and hugged Sansa, Tyrion whispered to her," Go with Lord Varys, you honestly can trust him. He will bring you back before the dawn and no one will be the wiser." Sansa was thoroughly confused. Shae asked her," Lady Sansa, do you trust me?" Sansa nodded. Shae replied," Then go, You have your honor to guard and we will help you. You must believe." Sansa nodded and allowed herself to be led out the secret passage by Lord Varys. After so many twists and turns, she was totally lost and began to feel apprehensive, Varys opened a door and there was Bronn. The room was small and quiet but there was a fire burning in the brazier. He had a small blanket on the floor covered with different foods and wine. He smiled at her and said," Lady Sansa, I hope you trust me enough to spend the evening with me. I do swear to be on my best behavior." Lord Varys said," I'll be back before the dawn, I do so love it when all goes as planned. Lady Sansa, I am ever at your service." And at that, he left. Sansa and Bronn spent the night talking, quietly laughing, and learning about each other. Bronn was the gentleman he swore to be, minus a few kisses and caresses.
Shae and Tyrion enjoyed their night together, Shae had taken her dagger and made a small cut on the inside of her thigh before making love to Tyrion so the bedding was as it should have been, slightly bloody mixed with sweat and Tyrion's seed. As dawn approached, Lord Varys brought Sansa back to the room and Shae left after many hugs and thanks from Sansa. The guards collected the bedding as ordered and for those who didn't know better, it seemed the deed was done. Lord Tywin gloated, sure in his acquiring the North right under Robb Stark's nose and Joffery thought it was the funnest thing, Sansa married to the Imp.