Chapter 23.

King Joffery decided that Tyrion and the rest could not depart until after his wedding to Lady Margaery Tyrell. It was to be a couple of months away, which caused many angered feelings but nothing could be done. Tyrion and Sansa, for all intents and purposes, appeared to be a happily married couple. Much to Lord Tywin's angst, Sansa never became pregnant. If only he knew.

Sandor had gifted Shalene with a new weapons belt. He had taken the idea from the one that she wore when she was with the Unsullied and Bronn, practicing with her daggers, palm knives, throwing knives, and much to his amazement and interest, throwing stars. He had never seen them nor did he have any idea their deadly potential. He had watched her one day in the yard with a Dothraki that rode everywhere with Prince Oberyn. She had had the leather belt tied around her waist with all of that deadly steel and in mere seconds, he watched her and the Dothraki fling steel at various targets in such grace and deadly accuracy, he was left gaping and stunned. He had her new steel crafted from some of the sword he had sent to the smithy. He had a smaller version made that would fit around her thigh, as he had seen her commenting on the one that the Dothraki wore. When he had given it to her, he was very pleased that she liked it, he knew it was hard to change to new steel once you had gotten used to what you carried. It became part of you. Shalene showed no such qualms, she had even called 'her Little Lord Lucian' to her and given him her old weapons and belt promising him a new one that would fit him better and to teach him how to use all the weapons properly. Lucian looked as though she had given him the world. He was proud, Shalene knew that he had his own little crush on her, but she loved him in her own way. He was three and ten now and since he had become the Little Lord, he had grown much. He was tall, muscular and his shoulders were filling out well with constant use and practice with the longsword that Sandor had given him. He had also proven to be quiet the horseman as he had also been given his own destrier. Sandor was teaching him how to train his war horse to be as deadly as Stranger. Shalene had taught him some of the skills she had learned from the horse lords. All in all, Lucian was so well trained and had access to such teachers, he felt like a Prince himself, but he remained the sweet, humble, young man that they all loved.

Tyrion, Bronn and Shalene took the new forced delay as a chance to use their knowledge to teach Sansa and Sandor in trading, leadership, politics, and anything else that they may have had questions about as to their new roles as Lord of Emerald Bay and Lady of Winterfell. Sandor was surprised to find out what Emerald Bay was really like. It had it's own port, fishing fleet,and merchant fleet. It had well established trading with numerous ports in Essos. It was well known in Dorne for breeding the best Desert steeds. There were also vineyards, a winery, and field upon field of citrus and olive trees. Overall, it was one of the richest Holds in the Seven Kingdoms. More so than even Casterly Rock. Sandor was having difficulty absorbing this. What Shalene had given him, he couldn't help but feel unworthy. When he asked her about it all she said was, "It was mine to give. It's not like I won't be there with you. Unless, of course, you decide you don't want me." Her eyes
were mischievous and sparkling. He just pulled her close and rasped," Crazy woman, I love you. I will always want you."

Several weeks later Prince Oberyn had a private dinner, much to their dislike, King Joffery, Lady Margaery, Queen Cercei, Lord Tywin, Lord Varys, and Littlefinger were also invited. As it was prepared as a Dornish feast, there were no Western customs observed, it was very comfortable and relaxed. Prince Oberyn had his paramour, Ellaria by his side, Tyrion sat with Sansa. Bronn was at the end of the table, he seemed at ease, but Sandor could see the sadness hidden in his eyes. Sandor had Shalene by his right side and down from her was Kolenee, Jonete' and OnIeese. Lucian sat at his left side. Guarding the room were several King's Guard, Lannister guards, several of Sandor's Unsullied, including Norlec and Jaxell as well as the Dothraki
that was always by Prince Oberyn's side.

The atmosphere was tense and as the meal progressed, it did seem to ease, more so as music was played and several troupes of dancers had performed. Much to Sandor's enjoyment, those beautiful dark dancers that he had seen at Chatalaya's started dancing. This also seemed to catch Joffery's eye. Varys smiled his knowing smile and Littlefinger leered hungrily as he hadn't been able to attain any of these women for his own. It seemed that even Lord Tywin couldn't keep from glancing up at them. Prince Oberyn explained to The King," Your Grace, I do hope you enjoy these dancers. They came from Lys, but as you can see, they were not born there. The dancing they do was taught to them by Asshia teachers. It is called belly dancing. The histories say that the belly dance was used by The Goddess in Asshia as a ritual, for spiritual practices, childbirth preparation, communal bonding, celebration, entertainment, physical education, and simply for enjoyment. It is also said that to know the movements of the dance is to master the body in the art of seduction and ways to bring a man more pleasure than he could ever begin to imagine." Sandor felt himself getting hard, now he had some answers and he glanced at Shalene, she had the most wicked, sultry smirk on her face that he had to look away. He noticed his hand shaking as he reached for his goblet. "Seven fucking Hells! That was a mouthful of truth he had just heard."

As the dancers moved into another dance, this one even more seductive than the last, Prince Oberyn said, "Lord Clegane. I have something I want to present to you." This caught everyone's attention and all eyes were on him and Prince Oberyn. As the Prince came around to his side of the table, followed by the Dothraki, Sandor stood up. When the King's Guard and Lannister guard tensed, it caused the Unsullied to move into full protection stance. Prince Oberyn looked at Lord Tywin questioningly then at Sandor and asked Sandor to order a stand down on the Unsullied. Before Sandor could say anything, Joffery said," I'm the King, I command you savages to stand down!" The Unsullied stepped closer to Sandor. This sent Joffery into a rage, " I said to stand down! You will obey!" Sandor just smirked at Joffery, none of The Unsullied moved or looked away from Sandor
though he knew that they were taking in every word and body movement of every person in the room. Tyrion broke the silence with a laugh and said," Your Grace, you can yell and order until your last breath, they will not obey you. They only follow orders from Lord Clegane." Joffery looked at Sandor then at Lord Tywin. As if by design, Lord Tywin said," He is telling it true, Your Grace. They will not obey you. Lord Clegane, would you mind?" Sandor bowed and said "Of course, Lord Tywin. Jaxell, Norlec be at ease." The Unsullied immediately moved back to their original positions as if nothing had occurred.

Prince Oberyn turned and retrieved a wrapped parcel from the Dothraki and handed it to Sandor. Once unwrapped, Sandor held in his hands a great sword, it was sheathed in a scabbard made of ebony wood, evenly spaced rings of solid gold were embedded in the wood. There was a design, done in embedded emeralds, seed pearls, topaz, rubies, and amethysts, of a palace, seascape and the sun. He knew this was a likeness of his new palace. There leather belt, designed to be worn across his chest due to the length of the sword, that was a deep emerald green, the buckles were solid gold. He unsheathed the sword and was so amazed, he
almost had to sit down, but he controlled his awe. It was amazing beyond words! The blade rippled in the light, grey, silver, and overall, emerald green. The colors changed as he turned the blade in his hand. The crossbar was gilded gold, the hilt covered in the finest, softest leather. He held the sword, meant for two hands, easily with his huge one. It felt as if it were and extension of his arm. It was perfectly balanced. The pommel was made of black steel and shaped in the image of a snarling Hell Hound. Nothing fancy was here, this was a weapon for fighting as well as show. Although the Hound did have emerald eyes. Sandor was at a loss for words. As he watched the play of light move on the blade he stepped away from the table to a safe area in the hall and swung the blade in several of the swings he used in sparring. The blade sung through the air, just as if it were singing its sweet song for him, becoming a perfect extension of him. He turned back to the others and saw the envy in the Lannisters and the pride and love in the rest. As he started to re-sheath the great sword, he touched the blade and swore he felt it hum beneath his fingers. He realized then what it was, Valaryian Steel. So rare and magical. He looked at Prince Oberyn questioningly. Prince Oberyn laughed a loud and hearty laugh," Yes, it is Valaryian Steel. All great Houses have them. Forged for you, the new Master and Lord of Emerald Bay. May your line be long and healthy, My Lord." He slapped Sandor on the back and went back to his chair.

Lord Tywin was livid. House Lannister did not have such an heirloom theirs had been lost so many years ago. He had never been able to buy or acquire another one. How had all of this happened that The Hound was now the Lord of a palace that rivaled or exceeded the wealth of Casterly Rock, was the master of a unit of Unsullied, had connections to the most powerful merchants in Essos, was the owner of that magnificent sword, and was sitting there with not one woman but four! And he had done this in mere months! He looked long and hard at Sandor, thinking of how he had vastly underestimated this man.

Cercei took this all in, silently fuming. Not only had she lost Sansa to Tyrion, they seemed to be happy; she had never truly suspected what a weapon and ally the Martell bastard was. She thought she could control her and bend her to her will. Gods, how she had misplayed her! She had never dreamed the woman was capable of what she had accomplished. Cercei hated and admired her at the same time.

Joffery was just his usual, hateful self. Wanting to hurt someone because he still hadn't gotten past the episode with the Unsullied. He hatefully said," So Dog, you really must have fucked your bastard whore just right for her to give you a palace as well as three more whores to fuck. I never thought you smart enough to do more than drink, kill, and piss on a tree." The room went silent. Shalene felt Sandor start to move and squeezed his thigh, she looked directly at her father, deadly and with a tilt of her head bade him to not say a word. She turned to Joffery and looked at him and Cercei and said," My King, My Queen, Lord Tywin, I beg your pardon, but that was uncalled for. Though Lord Clegane is no longer in your Guard, he remains faithful to the service of House Lannister. Who he chooses to share his bed with has not betrayed that loyalty. It isn't
news to you that Lord Clegane and I have been lovers for many months. It was by leave of yourself and Queen Cercei that first began our trysts. You had no problem then. You also know that I find him very satisfying, as I also shared such information with you both on that same day. I am a bastard, as the whole world knows, but I am a princess and unlike the narrow minded, self-serving, archaic attitudes and ways of thinking here in Westeros, the vast, rest of the world is open and accepting of others regardless of their birth. Emerald Bay was mine to do with as I chose. I did not need permission from anyone to gift it to Lord Clegane. My reasons were my own. To satisfy your curiosity, it was not because he 'fucked me right'. It was because I found him to be very intelligent, knowledgeable in trading, breeding of horses, and highly capable in the mastery and running of a holding such as Emerald Bay. He is hard working and loyal. If he would have been seen as anything more than a sword, a drunk, a killer, a dog to be kicked; it would have been easily seen what an enormous asset to the crown he could have been. He deserves Emerald Bay, that is why I gave it to him. As far as whores, I am not a whore nor have I given Lord Clegane whores. I am Lady Shalene Martell, Princess Shalene Martell. Kolenee, Jonete' and OnIeese are very willing and happy concubines. Unlike here in Westeros where men hide their mistresses, in Dorne, it isn't unusual for them to live in the Lord's palace. Why should he or they be ashamed? Yes, I brought them to him, as you well know, he not only is a massive man, My Lord also has a rather massive sexual appetite. Why should he visit a brothel and risk his health any longer when he has willing women at his side? They stay because they desire to be with him, not because he gives them coin to service him. They are free to do as they please. Feel free to ask them. I do hope I haven't offended any of you. You did bring it up and I was raised with honesty and taught that if you don't want to know the real truth, don't ask the questions that will lay it at our feet."

Her eyes never left the three at the top of the Dias. Joffery was at a total loss. In his limited ability to think ahead, he didn't know how to answer this. Cercei was looking at Shalene calculating and then at Sandor openly, lustfully. He returned her gaze but it was a bored, lazy gaze which she seemed offended by. Lord Tywin took all of this in, his eyes hard and guarded. He said," Princess, please forgive the hateful words spoken. There has been much stress and with an approaching wedding, I feel Our King might be overtaxed. I beg your pardon. Might be it's time to retire, Your Graces." It wasn't a suggestion. With that the three of them exited taking the Lannister and King's Guard with them. Tyrion raised his goblet and said,"Well struck, My Lady!" They all had a great evening after that.