Never had she ever thought she would be in this position… hanging onto a naked man to prevent herself from drowning.
"Buggering hells…" Sandor cursed quietly even though Myrna felt she should be the one to curse.
They were still in the pond. He was beginning to act odd and Myrna hung on as tight as she could. She looked him in the face but he would not return any looks. "Is something wrong?" she decided to finally say something.
He grinded his teeth. The good part of his face was facing her as he looked off to the side at nothing. At first when he pulled her in he seemed playful. He laughed at her but in a way that seemed unthreatening. As if a friend had seen you slip and fall and they let out a chuckle before helping you.
The reels in his head were turning and he thought hard before he spoke. "I just… oh, seven hells… I did all of this because I just wanted to say something to you in private but now I don't know if I can," he grumbled.
That peaked her curiosity greatly. "Oh? What do you want to tell me?"
"Well… erm…" he muttered so low it was barely audible what he was saying even though she was right in front of his face.
Myrna grew impatient. "Tell me," she insisted.
He became grouchy. "Fuck. I'm no good at these things. Never mind!" he began walking towards the ground where his clothes laid, breaking through the water.
"No, wait. Please. Just tell me," she kept begging but he was no longer listening to her. Sandor lifted her up, clothes dripping everywhere, and sat her on the dirt. When he came out himself Myrna did not look away. Her shyness had disappeared, but she also did not have indecent thoughts. Right in front of her was his manhood but she paid no attention to it. What weighed on her mind was some sort of confession she almost had from him. Myrna grunted as she stood up quickly to confront him one last time. Her black wet hair dripped everywhere and her drenched clothes made it difficult to move but she paid no mind to that either. When he bent down to reach for his trousers she grabbed his shoulder and made him look at her. Red, scarred skin met her inches away from her face. "Tell me," she said in a soft voice.
Sandor looked her down. "Put on your dry clothes before you get sick," he ordered and returned to dressing himself. Seeing she was not getting anywhere she gave up and went to find the dress she put down somewhere. Disappointment tugged at her. Their relationship was something she had been trying to figure out since the first time they left Kings Landing. Both of them were so quick to anger. Both of them held onto a grudge that forbids them from completely opening up to anyone. Myrna never saw herself being in love like a maiden in a song. That was beginning to change, or maybe all of this was some sort of delusion in her head.
First she took off her boots and peeled off her red trousers. The sensation was gross, and the night that was closing in on them made the air chilly. Her legs were really cold and clammy. Since her undergarment was wet, too, she decided to peel that off as well. Last was her brown tunic was thrown off. When she picked up the green dress off the ground she brushed the dirt off of it and turned to see what Sandor was doing. He was sitting down, facing away from her. He looked like he was sulking.
After loosening the laces on the back she crawled through the skirt and pulled it down at her waist until it was all the way down. Her hands were just able to reach the lacing in the back and she knew she did a poor job at tying it but she did not care that much. Afterwards Myrna was impressed. The fit was almost perfect. It really was made just for her and she would even go the length to say it almost made her like dresses again. The neckline was in a shape of a square so some skin showed but not as much as a deep v cut would, which she often would wear when she was down at Kings Landing. Her slim waist was predominant in this dress thanks to the lacing and the skirt was extra flowy. She also loved the deep green color as it complimented her fair skin and dark hair. Myrna wondered if Thalina planned that.
She swooped up her damp clothes and tucked them underneath one arm. Then she put her dagger inside one of her damp boots and picked them up. She began walking barefoot towards the giant, sitting man once she was ready. "Are you ready to see our new home?" she asked as if nothing had happened to them. They had yet to see where Myrna actually lived, in Thalina's old daughter's lodge. It was not too far from Thalina's home.
Before she reached him he was already standing up. When he turned he almost spoke, but he left his mouth hanging open when he saw her. Any sulkiness he was experiencing disappeared. Myrna gave him an assertive stare almost as if she was proud of how she looked. When she put on the dress she felt nice, but now with Sandor's uncontrollable stare she actually felt pretty for once.
"You never looked at me like that back at King's Landing," Myrna teased.
Sandor managed a small smile. "You never noticed…" That made her blink and look away. Is he being serious? No, he can't. He liked Sansa back then. That was obvious. Her thoughts were interrupted when he towered her and picked her up while changing the subject. "Since you're too good to wear wet shoes I guess I need to carry you back," he sounded a little annoyed but Myrna could hear sarcasm in his voice.
"You're the one who got them wet in the first place," she informed him as she broke out in a smile of her own.
Her arm locked around his neck as the other held onto her traveling outfit and boots by pinching the inner sides of them together with her fingers. By now it was dark, but the town had a glow to it by the fires being lit in small homes. Also the stars were out. There wasn't a single cloud in the night sky. The flat land around them made them feel surrounded by stars. Myrna forgot how pretty it was. She could not stop looking up at the sky as Sandor walked them back to their new home. It was not a long walk, so soon they approached an entrance and he put her down on her feet. Myrna thanked him and felt the dirt squish beneath her feet as he followed her into town. The small roads were empty. When they made it to the most inner road they saw Thalina standing outside her home further down. They were already standing outside their lodge as it was the first one on this road, but Myrna felt the need to go down and speak to her.
"It's right here. You can go in, I will be there soon. Okay?" she spoke up at him. He nodded and walked around her, opening the door and walking in. Myrna watched his back disappear into the darkness of the lodge and she approached the old woman who looked lost. "Thalina?" she called out to her.
"Oh! My dear Ina! I was so worried! So worried! You promised you would come back here when you were done!" she began scolding her like a child. Myrna had completely forgotten that she had told Thalina she would return to her house immediately.
"I'm so sorry! I forgot…" Myrna trailed off not really wanting to say more. What would she say? That she was with a naked man in the pond all that time? It sounded bad but nothing really happened. Sandor and she just talked.
Thalina seemed to calm herself down. "Well, now that I know you are safe, everything is alright. You know, I was going to say, you remember that bed I have upstairs that is hardly used? It's still not being used. Why don't you spend the night with Ryler and I like old times? Hm?" her wrinkled face grinned.
How could Myrna decline as respectfully as possible? She did not want Sandor to be alone in a strange place. That was her real reason for not wanting to go. If she did say that she might come off as his woman, and that might not sit well with Thalina. Sandor and she were complicated anyway and coming out as his woman would be half untrue. "Thalina, thank you. It's just… I really missed that old lodge down there. It felt like my own cozy home…" she tried to word her excuse carefully.
"Oh. I see. And your friend, The Hound? Is he there?" she asked in a monotone voice.
Myrna could not lie about that. Anyone could go in there and see him sitting in there. "Yes," was all she said.
"Oh. I see. Yes. I see now. Well, go on. I will see you tomorrow, yes?" she grinned again but not as wide as before. Then she waddled back inside her own large lodge. Myrna felt guilty.
"That didn't go so well, did it?" she talked to herself as she turned back around and made it back to her old place. For a second she stopped and stared at it. It had been over a year since she had walked inside. By the darkness of it, it seemed Sandor had not attempted to light the fireplace. Myrna pushed open the pine paneled door and stepped through the black wall that covered the entrance. "Sandor?" she called out into the dark.
"Aye?" she heard him respond in the corner where the mattress should be.
How in the hells did he find the bed in this pitch darkness? Myrna rolled her eyes and dropped her clothes and boots down next to the door. "I'll light the fire," she closed the door behind her and snatched her dagger out of her boot that she dropped it in and walked straight ahead a couple steps. Myrna began to search for the flint. When she found it after feeling around the mantle where it normally was she began to try to light a fire on some wood that was left inside the fireplace. Myrna felt to make sure there was some there before striking the flint against her blade. It took a couple tries for a spark to catch but once it did the room slowly began to glow little by little. Once she was done she put the flint back and watched the flame. Within the fireplace was a cast iron stand to hold a pot of stew if she ever wanted to cook some. She had used it before.
"This place is bloody small," Sandor complained from the corner.
Myrna could see him now that there was some light. He took up most of the bed as he had to bend his legs so they wouldn't hang off the end. This was the first time she thought about that. There was only one bed in here and it wasn't that big. "It's better than nothing. Besides, it was perfect when it was just me…"
"Should I leave then?" he turned his head as he lied on the mattress.
Myrna approached the bed. "No, but you can make room for me," she crossed her arms.
He still could not help but let his eyes glide down her body. Then he had an unexpected frown. Myrna felt she did something wrong. Sandor turned on his side, facing the wall and made a little room for her. Then she frowned herself. When she crawled into bed she was just able to lie on her back and stare up at the ceiling. When she turned her head to the left she saw his massive back facing her. In fact they were so close her left shoulder touched him. Part of her wished he would face her instead of the wall. She still was very curious about what he wanted to tell her back at the pond. Today was only the first day, and Myrna prayed they had many more to come.
…
Everything grew boring quickly. Myrna's first job back was to patch and hem some clothing for a family on the other side of the street. Thalina had told them to drop the clothes off at her place and she sent Myrna to work. Trousers and dresses were thrown on the dining table as Myrna sat threading needle through the current item. It was a small shirt, probably for a child. She knew the Woods family had a child and guessed this was their pile. When she would stop working on the shirt to look at how much she had left to do she made a whiney noise.
Thalina was busy cooking in the kitchen corner of the room and she must have heard Myrna complain. She let out a cackle. "Oh, Ina. It is not that bad," she sneered as she stirred her stew. Then she looked as she remembered something and began waddling towards Myrna. "Don't you know what tomorrow is?" Thalina questioned with an excited expression.
Myrna was truly clueless and stared down at her hands as she continued to sew. "No, I am afraid not…"
Thalina laughed. "It's the eleventh day of the fifth moon! Your name day! I remembered. Surprised you did not even notice your own name day approaching," she wondered.
Honestly Myrna had not paid attention to the days at all this past year at Kings Landing and traveling with Sandor. She glanced at Thalina. "Oh, I feel so silly now… I did not even know my own name day was approaching," she blushed.
"You will be twenty-two, correct?" Thalina guessed right and she went back to check on her food.
An even older maid now, Myrna felt even sillier now as she tried to occupy her mind by going back to work.
Thalina continued to banter but her tone grew a little sad. "I would celebrate your name day tomorrow, Ina, but I figured out a better idea. You see, the town is throwing a final celebration for my late husband and we are also going to celebrate my son becoming the new elder the day after your name day. Why not throw your name day celebration into the mix as well, hm? Your name day will be just a little belated but it will be fine," she sounded like the decision was already made so Myrna shortly agreed with her without taking her eyes off the shirt.
"Sounds beautiful, Thalina…" Myrna softly replied.
"Also, Ryler will probably announce his engagement with Rosie's daughter at the party. Do you remember her, Ina? I believe she is a couple years younger than you. Her name is Katherine," she informed Myrna.
Myrna did try to remember and she believed she knew who Thalina was talking about. After everything she went through it was starting to get a little fuzzy in her mind about the locals around here. "I hope they have a happy marriage," Myrna smiled at Thalina but she looked troubled.
"Lately they are having problems, I have to admit… but it's nothing any other couple hasn't gone through. I remember Dontin and I used to fight like the devils. Oh, if only I could have one more argument with him…" Thalina grew sadder.
"So it's normal to fight with the one you love?" Myrna asked putting the needle down.
Thalina's thinning eyebrows went up. "Yes, Ina. If you don't then something is wrong with the two of you," she cackled again. "But you have to be careful if children are in the picture. Ryler and Tysa hated it when we argued. Perhaps we could have been better parents…"
"Don't say that," Myrna blurted out.
The subject immediately changed as Thalina wiped away a tear. "So, Tysa's old lodge is still working for you?" Thalina questioned.
"It was always nice. Thank you again for letting us in…"
They heard a ruckus outside. People's voices overlapped and outside the window they saw a crowd begin to form. It was right outside Thalina's house. "Gods, what has happened now?" Thalina brushed her hands off on her skirt and made her way towards the door but it opened before she could reach it and the clamor of voices grew loud. Inside came Ryler being assisted by Sandor. Both of the men were sweaty, and when the door closed behind them the noise from the street muted. When Myrna got a closer look she saw Ryler's pants had been ripped from the knee down and were bloody. There was a limp in his step which was why Sandor had to help him walk home she assumed. Thalina screamed and touched her sons face as she peered down at his knees. "What happened to you!?"
"He… saved me, mother," he coughed and looked up at Sandor. Sandor did not look back and said nothing. He looked at Myrna almost as if he wanted help.
Myrna put down her needle carefully before lightly picking up the skirt of her dress so she can make her way to the three people in a hurry. "What exactly happened?"
"First put him down somewhere. Please! Oh, Ryler. You shouldn't scare me like this, not now…" Thalina rambled as she walked next to her son as Sandor set him down on one of the dining room chairs. He seemed relieved to be rid of Ryler and went to stand next to Myrna.
"The boy was unloading the cart in the field when a wheel broke and it toppled on him. I picked it off of him," Sandor recited briefly what happened. There was still beads of sweat rolling down his face from being out in the field helping the other men in the town.
Ryler still looked at Sandor as if he were amazed. "You should have seen it, mother. He picked up that whole bloody cart by himself! The Gods have sent him to us, I know it!" he boasted and had more enthusiasm than any other time Myrna could recall. He was usually a quiet boy who rarely showed emotion.
"Oh, for fucks sake…" Sandor whispered and looked up.
Myrna nudged Sandor and scolded him with her eyes then turned her focus back on the mother and son. "It doesn't seem too bad from what I can see," she said hoping to reassure the neurotic old woman after she took a couple steps closer to Ryler. "Do you have bandages?"
"Can you clean him up?" Thalina clasped her hands together.
Soon after they were able to gather supplies for her to clean up his wounds. His trousers had to be cut so she could work on his knees. Another article of clothing I will need to fix later, Myrna thought annoyingly. After cleaning him off with water she bandaged him up. His injuries were small. Ryler just had some deep scrapes and nothing was broken but one ankle was twisted. After explaining that to Thalina and being thanked by Ryler she and Sandor were sent home. It seemed Thalina wanted to be alone with Ryler.
When they entered their lodge Myrna gave Sandor a mischievous smile and he groaned. "Don't even ask me…" he complained.
"But it sounds like you had an interesting day. I want to hear about it," Myrna went to the right and sat on the mattress while Sandor went to the chair that sat by the large window and table.
He looked outside and grumbled. "I'll pass on that…"
Myrna remembered part of the conversation she had with Thalina earlier that day. "Tomorrow's my name day," she announced.
Sandor gave her his attention for a second before looking out the window again. "Congratulations," he said with half enthusiasm.
Myrna pouted. "Really? That's it?"
He groaned before facing her and this time he actually seemed torn. "I have a job to do with some men outside the village. We're leaving soon and we're staying at an inn out at Fairmarket and won't be back until tomorrow night. Trust me, I don't want to travel out there…"
"Wait. Are you sure this is safe? There is a lot of people passing through in Fairmarket. Someone might recognize you and track us down!"
"You don't think I thought of that? But I need to be fucking useful here. Or else we might not be around much longer. Besides, Ryler got his scrawny ass hurt so they need me now," he rasped.
She stood up and began to pace, her green skirt flowing behind her. "Maybe I can speak to Thalina. Perhaps she can arrange some work for you around here instead? I am sure she is grateful for what you did for Ryler and could help you out…"
He shook his head. "It's done, Myrna. I agreed and I don't ever go back on my word," he boomed.
"Fuck your pride. If one of Gregor's pets sees you…" Myrna realized what she said to him and stopped what she was saying. Sandor's expression did not change. "I'm sorry," she apologized.
Sandor made the chair screech against the wooden floor when he stood up and went to sit next to her on the mattress. He reached for her jaw and tightened his grip. Myrna was forced to look at him even though he did not need to do that. "Don't apologize," he rubbed his thumb against her cheek. He stared hard at her. "Do you want to know what I was trying to say yesterday?"
Myrna's eyed widened. "Yes," she immediately replied.
His hand slid down and now touched her neck. Also his eyes went down there, and they were darting around. Myrna could tell he was nervous. "It's bloody stupid. You might not even remember this, but, when we were traveling with that Dornish whore and Arya we stayed at that inn that caught fire. When we first arrived I said something awful to you. And it was a buggering, stupid lie. I never lie but I was so pissed off at you…"
"You mean when you said Sansa was prettier than me? But…" she went to reach for his hand to remove it from her neck and she held it instead. "That's… not a lie…" she looked down at their hands.
A harsh, raspy laugh came from him. "She's very pretty. And I think you're prettier than the little bird. There, I fucking said it so don't be mad at me anymore…"
"I thought you were the one that forgot you ever said that. I apologized for what I said but you never apologized for what you said. I just decided to let it go," Myrna explained.
Sandor defended himself. "I knew I should have apologized. That was a shitty thing for me to do. But when you said you didn't like me that… that was hurtful," he looked down and the pain was clear in his dark eyes.
"I told you I did not mean that. You know that, right?"
He slowly placed his eyes on her again. "One moment we're alright like this, then the next we're at each other's throats. I don't know what to buggering think," Sandor softly rasped.
Bang. Bang Bang. Myrna and Sandor looked to the door and their hands no longer held. "You ready in there? We're about to leave for Fairmarket!" a muffled voice of a man yelled from the other side.
"Aye, I'm coming!" Sandor roared so the man could hear. He stood up and so did Myrna. She followed him to the door where he turned back around to stare down at her. "I'm sure the old woman will give you a nice name day tomorrow," he tried to reassure her.
Myrna frowned. "Just be careful," she nervously put her hand up to her chest.
He stared at her a few seconds longer, then turned around and opened the door. Myrna watched him close the door behind him, knowing she probably won't see him for a whole day. She looked forward to seeing him come back home. They were growing. Myrna could feel it.