Chapter 22.

As the days wore on, plans were made for Tyrion to go to Braavos. Prince Oberyn Martell had decided to gift Shalene a new, exquisitely made ship for her name day. It was huge and built by the finest craftsmen. It was fit for the Princess that she was. He also had the ship guarded by the remainder of Nolec and Jaxell's unit of Unsullied which, of course, she promptly gave into Sandor's command. He had grown to have great respect for these men, they were fearsome warriors. Behaviors that he found exactly as his own, were so ingrained in them, he felt his trust in them growing by the day. He allowed them to divide the unit as they chose, which they did evenly. He had trained with them, both learning their ways and teaching them his.

He was surprised one evening when Jaxell asked him if he would allow OnIeese to stay the night with him. Sandor agreed, if that was what she wanted also but let his curiosity get the best of him and had to ask why he wanted to be with her if he was a eunuch. Sandor had apologized, meaning no disrespect to the man. Jaxell assured him he didn't mind and said," This one just wishes to be held and touched My Lord. This one will never father children or know the pleasure of making love to a woman. This one would like to remember affection."

Sandor felt his chest tighten, remembering those same feelings in himself. He couldn't imagine not being able to make love to Shalene or his other women. It deeply moved him to see this side of Jaxell. He made it a point to make sure that his Unsullied had time for themselves, if they wanted it, after that. Bronn and Sandor had been learning about each other also and Sandor was stunned to find out who Bronn really was, even more so to learn that Sansa and Bronn were in love. He continued to feel very protective over her but with this new knowledge, he was happy for her and their friendship became even closer. Bronn had secretly contributed another ship for their journey. Shalene asked Sandor to name the new vessel. It became the Emerald Desert Rose.

Sandor had been looking for Shalene, he had been training, he was relaxed after a long, hot bath, and he wanted to fuck. He couldn't find her anywhere but he did find Kolenee, with her long, blonde hair. In his lustful state, he decided, she's mine, why not. She was in his and Shalene's chambers changing the linens when he found her and she turned to him, her eyes moving over his body and asked," Lord Clegane, do you see something you want?" Her green eyes sparkling. Sandor walked to her and started removing her dress, he loved it that none of his women wore small clothes.

He was slightly apprehensive as he hadn't taken any of them without Shalene there but he had to fuck, now, and with four women that were his, he wasn't about to start fucking his hand again! Once she was naked, he let his eyes take her in, totally, for the first time. She was a beautiful woman. Tall, long legs, large, firm breasts. Muscular body. He reached out to her, letting his fingers trace her body, she closed her eyes and he felt her body quiver. He stopped, unsure if this was what she wanted or not. She opened her eyes and looked at him questioningly," Is something wrong, My Lord? Do you not want me? Would you prefer another?" He saw what he felt was disappointment on her face and said," No, Kolenee. I want you very much. I just don't want to force myself on you. I don't want you to feel you have to be with me if you don't want to. I know I have a gruesome face. I just have to know what you want. I would never take you against your will. You are not my whore or some wench. You're a beautiful woman." She smiled at Sandor and eased up to him, slowly undressing him, and said," I always want you. I know I have a choice. I know you would not force me or hurt me. I have watched you, you are a very good man. I am honored and proud to be your concubine. You take care of me, you make sure I have all I could ever want. I am very happy. You are Shalene's man, you are her love but SHE loves you enough to know that a man like you has desires and appetites that are not always sated with one woman. Don't question what is given freely. Don't find fault in yourself. I am quite content." She led him to the bed and seemed to be able to read his mind. She crawled onto the bed, on her hands and knees and looked over her shoulder and said," Will you fuck me now, My Lord, or do I need to remind you how?"

Sandor eased behind her, leaned down, trailing kisses down her back, tracing her spine with his fingers and caressed her ass, squeezing it a bit too hard to see what she would say, she just arched her back and moaned, pushing back towards him and whispered, " Please, I want you inside me, I need you." He grasped her hips and eased the head of his cock into her and felt her shiver and whisper, "More." He slowly pushed forward then backed out, each time he entered her, he slid a bit more in, wanting the feeling of her gripping him to last. He finally had his entire length sheathed in her and just held her there, his head tilted back, cock throbbing as he took several deep breaths, When he felt her moving against him, he began to fuck her, slowly at first, then more powerfully. He looked down between them and was lost, watching his cock sliding into her, feeling her wetness. He didn't hear Shalene as she entered the room and was instantly unsure when he felt her touch on his back, he knew it was her, he had felt those hands so often. He stopped his thrusts, buried deep in Kolenee, and was waiting on Shalene to be mad or something, but instead she leaned in and kissed him deeply and long. She caressed his arms, chest, leaned into him and rubbed her face in his chest hair and breathed in his scent. She raised her head and looked at him and said, " Why did you stop, my love? You are so beautiful when you take your pleasure. Kolenee was beginning to feel you found her undesirable." She was caressing Kolenee's ass and then up her back. Kolenee raised up to just her knees, with Sandor's cock still deeply inside her and smiled at Shalene and said, " He said I was beautiful, My Princess." Shalene kissed her. As Sandor was watching this, he began to move into Kolenee again, causing her to moan loudly." Shalene smiled at him and said to Kolenee," You know you are beautiful, my sweet Kolenee. I have told you so years. Enjoy yourself, love." She eased back to Sandor and kissed him, enjoying his taste and the sexual energy he filled the room with, she whispered as she moved away from him," Take your pleasure, my man. Have no worries, I will need you tonight." She walked away from him as he felt Kolenee roll her hips against him and scream her release, he felt his own climax explode from him as her wetness covered him, it took all he had not to just collapse on top of her, he knew he was just too massive and he would hurt her. He slowly eased himself to the bed and pulled Kolenee close to him, thinking about how different she felt from Shalene before he drifted to sleep.

A few hours later, Sandor was awakened by Shalene touching his foot. She had known not to touch him in a way that would startle him due to his battle instincts, her father had taught her that years ago. She was smiling at him when he met her eyes but he could see sadness in them and instantly thought she was upset with him. This thought was taken away when she climbed onto the bed and stretched herself out on top of him, kissing his chest. She said, "You should get dressed, Sandor. There has been something terrible news. Robb and Catelyn Stark have been killed at the wedding of Catelyn Stark's brother. Walder Frey and Roose Bolton killed them along with the majority of the Northmen. Sansa has been locked in her room for hours, she won't allow anyone in."

He held Shalene for a moment and then was up and dressed. When he arrived at Sansa and Tyrion's door, Shae was sitting on the floor and had been crying. Bronn was composed but very clearly worried. Tyrion had tears rolling down his face, Sandor was surprised to see him so upset but then he heard him say," I had no idea they would do this. My Father arranged it. I failed her. Clegane, she won't talk or open the door. I need you to help her, please."

Sandor went to the door, banging on it and roared," Sansa, Little Bird! Open this door! You know I can and will kick it down! Open it now!" He gave her a couple of minutes and heard nothing so he stepped back and kicked the door. They heard it groan. He yelled, "Sansa, open the fucking door!" Nothing. He kicked it again and wood splintered, he growled and put the full force of his body into the next kick and the door shattered and fell back against the wall. They all came into the room and found Sansa curled up on her bed with the doll her father had given her, she didn't move. Her skin was so pale, Bronn ran to her and reached to pick her up but pulled his hands back, covered with blood. He jerked her covers back and found the dagger that Sandor had given Tyrion. She had used it to make several cuts on her wrists and arms.

Shae immediately ran from the room, Bronn held Sansa against his chest and kept repeating, no no no, over and over. Tyrion stumbled to a chair, shocked beyond words. Sandor stood there, lost. All he could think was I gave him that knife, it's my fault! Shalene grabbed the water and started yelling orders at Sandor and Bronn. She had to push Bronn away from Sansa and cleaned the blood from her cuts. She directed Bronn to cut some sheets into strips and for Sandor to warm some wine. The men were looking at her, astounded and shocked. She had to yell at them to get them moving.

By the time Shae had returned with the healer that had come from Dorne with Prince Oberyn, Shalene had cleaned the wounds with boiled wine and wrapped them. Bronn held Sansa as Shalene changed her bed. He placed her back as gently as if she were made of glass, covered her and knelt beside her bed, stroking her hair, whispering in her ear. Sandor had collapsed in a chair and was shocked beyond words. As the healer unwrapped the wound to see what needed to be done, Bronn refused to leave Sansa's side. Shalene moved to Sandor and curled up on his lap, resting her head on his chest, he wrapped his arms around her and held her to him, kissing the top of her head. Sansa required stitching in three of the wound, a healing slave was applied and they were re wrapped. He had given her some Milk of the Poppy and left some herbal preparations for Shae to fix, as a tea for Sansa, to help rebuild her blood and to help with her sorrow. She slept throughout the night. Sandor had left but returned with Jaxell, Norlec and two other Unsullied and gave orders for two inside and two outside of the door. The carpenter had also come to replace the door and he worked as quietly as possible under Sandor's deadly gaze.

Prince Oberyn had come to check on Sansa, he gave encouragement and love. He praised Sandor for using his Unsullied to guard Sansa and advised him to also add them to his own door as well as throughout the wing, just to be safe. Sandor did see the wisdom in this and sent Jaxell to make the schedules and post the guards. He patted Sandor on the back and said," Stay strong, my Son. You are the one who is the rock. You are the strength and the one who will keep all harm from those you love now. Do not let this cause you to lose site of your goal. She will need all of you now. She is alone without you." Sandor was touched by The Prince's affection and sobered by the realization of his words. He looked into his eyes and nodded, saying," I understand My Prince. I will not fail."

The trip was delayed as Sansa healed. She remained withdrawn, as the expected. One afternoon, when Sandor came to check on her, he heard her talking to someone, a man, and was instantly alarmed, looking for Norlec, who was on duty. Then he recognized the voice as Norlec's. He eased the door open and found them sitting in to doorway of the balcony, he watched, fascinated, as Norlec told Sansa about his childhood before he was sold into slavery. He also noticed that Norlec was sewing with her, just as skillfully as Sansa was. He must have made a noise because when Norlec saw him, he jumped up, obviously distressed, and said," This one has disobeyed you, My Lord. This one must be punished. This one left his post." Sandor looked at the young man then at Sansa, who was looking at him pleadingly, and said," Norlec, boy, you have done nothing wrong. You are here, inside this room. You are a free man, not a slave. You will never be punished again. You make me very proud, you have gotten Lady Sansa to smile, talk to you and start her silly little sewing again. You have done what none of us could do. You are an honorable man."

Sansa had tears rolling down her face and jumped up and ran to Sandor, wrapping her arms around him. Sandor asked her, " Little bird, would you feel safer if Norlec was your private guard?" She nodded against his chest. He patted her back and looked at Norlec and asked," What say you, Norlec. Would you do this?" Norlec glanced at Sandor then looked forward and said," This one will do as My Lord commands. This one would be honored to be of service to Lady Sansa. This one would not dishonor your trust."

Sandor chuckled, "Alright Norlec. You are now Lady Sansa's personal guard, for as long as she wants you. You are to be with her during the day. Continue with the posted guards as usual, add another if you choose, to allow you time to practice your sewing." He had to laugh when he saw embarrassment pass over Norlec's face. He said," No worries, boy. I sure couldn't do it with these big hands!" Norlec let a faint smile pass his lips and Sansa squealed, " Did you see it, Sandor? Norlec smiled!" She ran to Norlec and hugged him laughing. Norlec was at a loss, he just stood there until Sandor said, " You are supposed to put your arms around her and pat her back. It doesn't hurt!" Norlec patted Sansa a few times then went back to his stoic demeanor. Sansa beamed at Sandor and said, " Thank you for everything, Sandor. I'm sorry to have been so much trouble." Sandor wiped the tears from her face and kissed her forehead, " You have been no trouble, Little Bird. Let it go. You are a special young woman and we will get through all of this together. You aren't alone. You have a new family and you are very much loved." She just nodded at him. He patted Norlec on the back and said, " I'll send Jaxell to you. I'll call for you when we make the final preparations so we can get your input." He watched Norlec swell with pride and he said," This one will be ready, My Lord Clegane."