An Offer of Marriage in Exchange for Winterfell
At dawn each morning Sandor exercises his great black warhorse, scouting the area for anything unusual. He has heard rumors his entire life about the creatures beyond the Wall-the undead White Walkers, giants, mammoths-but from what he has seen so far, there is little in the area as dangerous as he is, save for the Lord Commander's enormous white direwolf. Sitting astride Stranger on the craggy ridge overlooking White Tree, Sandor watches Stannis' small retinue approach Castle Black with apprehension, unable to dismiss the feeling the Baratheon soldiers signal things are about to change.
Since his arrival and appointment as Sansa's sworn shield, his presence has drawn a fair amount of curiosity, leading the villagers to ask many questions and severely testing Sandor's already limited patience. Everyone thus far has treated him well and, save for the initial stares, most people ignore his scarred appearance.
Many of the clansmen seek him out for sparring exercises and hunting trips, viewing his fearsome disfigurement as a sign of prowess and bravery. Earning the goodwill of his new neighbors has been fairly easy. Chopping firewood and assisting Sansa with assorted chores for the elder folk has already won him more friends than he cares to have.
By patiently educating him in the ways of the Free Folk, Sansa is preparing Sandor for an entirely new way of life that is a vast improvement over digging graves. Without uncovering any genuine threat to Sansa's safety, he passes the time peacefully with Sansa as she teaches him skills essential to survival in their new home. One day, he thinks he may even grow to like living in White Tree, if it wasn't for the buggering cold.
Spurring Stranger to a gallop, Sandor ponders the changes in his life and how he might help Sansa, ending his meditation with a prayer to the Seven. Never has he spent as much time in the company of any woman, except the time he spent guarding Cersei, but that was a very different duty. He is grateful to discover that despite her association with the Queen in King's Landing, the Little bird could hardly be more different from the Lannister lioness.
As gracious as she is compassionate, Sansa offers help generously to everyone. While helping him settle into the village, she gently paves the way for Sandor to make friends. Patiently she is teaching him the local customs and necessities of life beyond the Wall.
Sansa has changed since he left King's Landing and with the passage of time he learns the woman his Little bird has become. He cannot help but be proud of her. She is more reserved and wary, just as he always hoped she would learn to be. Sansa is less likely to yield to the will of others and whether she is speaking to her brother or the local people, the young woman willingly offers her ideas and opinions, no longer peeping the courtesies her septa taught her.
It pleases him to find her thus and even more so to discover the qualities that initially drew Sandor remain strong in the young woman. Yet for all that Sansa has changed, there is much that remains of the lovely girl he first saw in Winterfell. Each day he spends with her he observes the wolf-like strength of her family sigil. Generosity of heart and refined manners all remain a deeply ingrained in her, unbroken by living among the Lannisters. Serving the lions most of his life, no one comprehends better than Sandor how difficult a thing it is that she managed to do. He is proud to see his Little bird has not permitted her past sufferings to change her entirely.
To his delight, Sansa is more open and at ease around him. As of late, he catches her shyly smiling at him throughout the day and has taken to regularly asking for help and advice, holding his arm as they walk around camp. Sandor enjoys being with her more than he would have thought possible. Whether she is teaching, working or just walking quietly at his side, the man feels a sense of completeness he has never known. Most importantly, his lovely Little bird always looks directly into his eyes just as he always longed for in King's Landing.
The Little bird has not embraced him since that first day. Though he yearns for her touch, he does not press her and respectfully keeps his distance, hoping she will one day wish for more from him as well. As they spend more time together, Sandor patiently waits for Sansa to learn the man Sandor Clegane is no longer the Hound she remembers. Slowly but surely, a delicate bond gradually grows between the pair, steadily replacing the guarded encounters of the past. It is everything he has wished and prayed for since awakening on the Quiet Isle. Now having experienced such closeness with her, Sandor finds himself craving more of her time, more of her touch, more of everything with her.
A warmer, deeper sentiment has taken root in his heart and the new and entirely unexpected experience both thrills and terrifies the man by turns. At night he lays in bed and replays the time spent with her in his mind. The feel of her warm hand squeezing his bicep, her deep azure eyes twinkling in amusement as she watches him work, the rosy blush of her cheeks when he teases her-every part of her captivates him, body and soul.
The young man Podrick rides up from the west at a gallop, interrupting Sandors thoughts. Slowing to a trot as he draws near, Pod's new horse neighs and Stranger nickers low in response. "Clegane, Lord Snow desires me to tell you that Stannis Baratheon and his troops have arrived at Castle Black. In view of Lady Sansa's words, he requests that neither you nor she come to the castle until the men leave. Samwell will bring word once they are gone."
Grunting, Sandor nods while eying the fine sorrel destrier the young watchman rides. "Give Lord Snow my thanks for the warning, boy," Sandor rasps, "Shoe that horse when you get back to the castle. I don't like the way he moves that back leg."
Surprised, Pod nods in assent, "Thank you, Clegane; I'll do just that."
"I'll head back now," Sandor says, turning Stranger toward White Tree and spurring him once more. "You let the Lord Commander know I got the message and will do as he asks."
As Sansa's cabin comes into view, he silently gives thanks to the old gods and the new for all that has transpired since he arrived two moons past. "The old gods be with you, Clegane." Several of the clansmen greet him as he enters the village. "And to you," Sandor grunts in response, remembering his manners for the Little bird's sake.
Sansa emerges from her cabin with Nan, the eldest member of the clan. Smoothing her hair and straightening her skirts, she waves as he rides up and greets him with a winning smile that lights up her lovely face. Grinning at her, he nods to the older woman as well before disappearing into the stables, where he curses himself as a besotted fool as he removes Stranger's tack.
Disappointed he did not stop for a visit, Sansa sighs sadly. She was thinking of surprising him with an invitation to worship with her at the Heart tree. Turning, she sees the old woman watching her closely, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Your man may not be anything to look at but he is right good to you, lass. You best not take such for granted."
Sansa blushes though her interest in Nan's words gets the better of her. "What do you mean? Tell me please-I've been so long without my mother there are many things I do not understand."
Jerking her chin toward the stables, Nan smiles knowingly. "That man loves you true, plain and simple. You best do right by him and let him know you feel the same."
Sandor loves me? Is it that noticeable? Sansa often wonders if he has feelings for her but never dared think he may actually be in love with her.
"You noticed he has feelings for me? Is it obvious that I have-feelings for him too, then?"
Laughing, the woman pats her on the arm. "Sweet, the whole village can see it. I'd best be off now. You do like Nan says, you hear? Take good care of that man and he'll make you a fine husband."
Sandor Clegane, a husband? And a fine one at that? The very idea thoroughly astonishes Sansa. She knew he visited Baelish's brothel in King's Landing and he admitted to her that he desires women. Still, the thought never occured to her that he would even want to be a husband, let alone that he might make a good husband for her. Sansa finds she cannot help entertain the notion now that Nan planted the idea in her mind.
Ever since Sandor came to White Tree, he has been so very good to her. Indeed, the changes he has made in his personality are very pleasant and their time together is most enjoyable. Recently, she finds he occupies her thoughts more and more and that she laughs and smiles more when he is with her. "Thank you for your help, dearest Nan. I will let him know, I promise. Thank you for the blanket," Sansa calls from the porch, glad for the chance to be alone with her thoughts.
By midmorning, the day is uncharacteristically warm for the north and Sansa has made up her mind: today she will do just as Nan recommended. Surprising the man, Sansa invites Sandor to walk to the godswood and soon the couple makes their way to the nearby weirwood stand while the afternoon sun shines high overhead.
"Where are your younger brothers now, Lord Commander Snow? We understood the Greyjoy traitor did not execute them as previously believed." Stannis Baratheon asks while surveying the spartan surroundings inside Jon's solar with derision, much as he had the rest of Castle Black during his tour. Flanked by four guards, Stannis is also accompanied by his bannerman Lord Adragon of House Celtigar. A young man close in age to Jon, and he is quite a wealthy one at that, judging by his fancy sword and armor.
"Lord Stannis, rest assured I know my brothers' whereabouts but beyond that I am not willing to divulge more information. Theon Greyjoy killed the miller's children in their stead. He was executed for his crimes against them as well as our family." Jon has no intention of telling them his brothers are with the Reeds at a safe distance from the fighting.
"Word came to us that it was Sandor Clegane who killed Theon and Asha Greyjoy as well as Walder Frey. Have you confirmed this?" Stannis struggles to stay calm but Jon can hear the impatience rising in his voice as he speaks.
"Yes, I have confirmed Sandor Clegane did indeed see the traitors to justice in true northern tradition." Remembering Sansa's words, he refrains from divulging that Sandor Clegane is now in White Tree. "Why do you ask? I sense there is more to these questions than just your effort at making polite conversation with the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch."
Pacing, Stannis affirms Jon's suspicions. "Indeed there is, my lord. I see bastard or not you share your father's inclination toward forthright communication. Let us speak plainly Lord Snow: with your brothers gone, your ancestral home remains occupied by outsiders. Your father was fond of saying there must always be a Stark in Winterfell as there has been for many generations." Eying Stannis, Jon studies the battle weary man closely. "I would wish to see a Stark restored to your family seat in Winterfell. It is a proud northern tradition that deserves to continue in spite of the war. As a man sworn to the Night's Watch, I am sure would not oppose the privilege falling to your eldest sister, Sansa."
So this is what he is about. Glaring at Stannis and Lord Celtigar, suddenly understanding floods Jon's mind. "That is correct. As Lord Commander on the Wall, I would not be able to accept such a privilege." Moving closer, Jon looks into Stannis' eyes with trepidation; the man is known for always having an endgame and Jon worries where he believes Sansa will somehow fit into his plan. "Why do you wish to give it to Sansa? Should she marry, she would not carry the Stark name."
Stannis' thin lips stretch into a taut line, a feeble attempt at a smile. "She is a Stark by right and by blood. I wish to see the girl return to her ancestral home as wife to my esteemed bannerman Lord Adragon Celtigar. It is an arrangement that will prove most beneficial to both of us."
The young man steps forward, nervous and ready to offer all necessary assurances of his fitness as a potential suitor for Sansa. "It would be an honor my Lord. Your sister comes from the most honorable families in Westeros. Be assured I would treat her kindly and make a loyal husband. Your sister may have full use of House Celtigar's means of gain to restore Winterfell to its former glory in any way she sees fit. I will make her happy my Lord; I swear it on the old gods and the new." His words are well rehearsed and Stannis nods approvingly when the young man finishes his offer.
"I would be most pleased to ensure your sister's safe return to her home after captivity at the hands of my nephew. Having a daughter of my own, I would not wish the trials Sansa has endured on any young woman."
Stannis' words send anger pulsing through Jon. "I am 'bastard born' as you say, but do not take me for a fool. You need House Stark to bend the knee Lord Stannis, I am well aware of that. This has nothing to do with Sansa, or having a Stark in Winterfell for that matter. To make sure the North won't contemplate rebellion, you would have Sansa marry a man of your choosing and not a northern lord. You believe any northern man would rise to her cause and challenge you, if she should so wish, so this is your compromise-the guaranteed loyalty of the north and in exchange the Starks will be restored to Winterfell."
"Yes Lord Snow, a very astute observation indeed. However I'm sure I do not understand why you should find this displeasing. We are both men of the world and you understand the duty highborn maidens owe their families. I swear on House Baratheon, your family will have Winterfell, should you agree to this arrangement."
Smirking, Jon icily regards the man. "You forget yourself, Lord Stannis. Lady Brienne and my father's wife both saw the wraith your fire priestess conjured murder your brother. Forgive me if an oath sworn on your house inspires little confidence on my part."
Frowning, Stannis shifts on his feet and narrows his eyes, struggling to control his temper. "As winter approaches, your sister will soon be in need of protection Lord Snow and the north needs security. They will unite under a Stark in Winterfell and will survive, of that I am certain."
Undeterred, Jon continues, "Rest assured my sister is most secure, my lord. As a bastard of House Stark, I am in no position to arrange a marriage alliance on my natural-born sister's behalf, nor would I wish to do so even if it was within my power." Sighing, the young man motions for his guard to open the door. "My Lord, I will make the offer to Sansa, on both you and Lord Adragon's behalf on one condition: I expect both of you will accept her answer and broke no refusal on the subject should she decline. You have our word Lord Stannis: Sansa and I have no interest in raising a rebellion against you. You will have your answer tomorrow Lord Adragon; I recommend you not to get your hopes up as my sister is quite through with being bartered."
"Might I expect an answer from the lady herself?" Lord Adragon asks.
"It is the least the young lady may do for such an honorable proposal of marriage," Stannis adds, shaking Jon's hand. "I would urge her in the strongest of terms, Lord Snow, to accept this most generous offer. Having been married once and engaged twice, she is unlikely to receive such an honorable proposal again, especially considering her time spent with Lord Baelish is now widespread knowledge."
Fury sweeps over Jon at his words; however, the Lord Commander manages to still his wrath and his calm exterior gives no indication of his anger. Motioning for the men to leave, he curtly replies, "I would expect no less from you. If I may return the favor I would encourage you, Lord Stannis, to give more consideration to the threat the White Walkers pose to us all and less to marrying off my sister." With that Jon shuts the door and leans against the structure as he contemplates Sansa's response. "Sam, we make for my sister's cabin at once. See to it the horses are ready at once."