Sansa had gone quiet during their ride, her eyes continued to glance down to her hands that still had blood on them from the man. They had not been able to find a stream since they left the cave so they had been unable to wash. Sandor kept as close as he could to her, his eyes hardly leaving her as they rode. He knew she had never used her dagger before except to practice, so he knew she was in shock. His little bird drew her first blood, something a warrior would be proud of, but a lady should never have to experience.

"You're alright little bird…" He looked to her, "no one will hurt you, or I'll kill em."

His last words caused her to look up at him, they were the same words he had spoken to her back in Kings Landing, back when he had offered to take her away. There were so many nights she had wished she would have gone with him, and now that she had been travelling with him, she knew she should have gone with him. "I know…" She nodded then looked back to her hands once again. The sight of the blood still stunned her. The only blood she had ever seen on her hands was that of her brothers or sister when tending to their wounds, Sandors when she had tended to his, or her own blood. But never had she actually drawn anyone's blood before.

"Don't let it get to ya, it was self-defense girl, you did what ya had to." He could see the trouble in her eyes as she stared at the blood on her hands. "Kill or be killed, remember that when travelling the roads."

She went to speak but was quickly stopped when he grabbed the reins of her horse and halted them. He then nodded his head to direct her attention ahead of them. "Looks like there was trouble…" They could see the Saltpans from where they had stopped. The buildings they could see appeared to have been burned, causing Sansa to gasp out. "Stay close…" He drew his sword and they slowly approached.

…

Ser Lothor was not too far behind them, he had seen them as they entered what remained of the Saltpans. He didn't see their faces, but could tell it was them. "Two riders, a female with a large male companion." He knew the strength of the Hound, and he knew he would need to catch him off guard. He saw that the Hound had his sword drawn which meant now was not the time to go for Sansa. "Worry not my Lady, I'm coming for you."

….

They had explored most of the town, discovering that there were a few shops and inns still standing. Sandor had managed to find an inn that still stood that had stables for the horses as well. Once they had paid for a room at the inn, Sandor led Sansa to a nearby shop where they could buy more supplies for their travels across the water. He was careful to not allow her out of his sight, anytime a man even glanced at her, he would pull her close and glare at the man. No one was touching his little bird.

They quickly returned to the inn once they were satisfied with all their supplies. "Send us food to our room, and we both need to bathe." He looked down at Sansa who had still remained completely silent since they arrived. "Once we get to our room, you go in and lock the door. The innkeeper tells me where I can find a man to get us passage on a ship. Do not open the door for anyone except for me and the innkeeper, understood?" Sansa nodded as she looked at him then followed close at they moved to their room.

…..

Ser Lothor watched as they ventured the town, taking note on how the Hound would not let Sansa far from him. "Smart man…" he snorted slightly. He knew it would be difficult to get him away from Sansa, but he would somehow manage. He hid in the shadows as they entered the inn and waited, though he didn't have to wait long until he saw the Hound leaving the inn without Sansa.

Once he was out of sight, Ser Lothor quickly entered the inn. Looking around, he grabbed the nearest serving wench and handed her a gold dragon. "Tell me, that man who just left, which room is his?" The woman looked at the gold dragon with wide eyes, obviously she hadn't seen one before, or in a long time. "M'lord, his is the one at the top of the stairs, on the right." She grinned leaning into him, "though I'm sure I could be better company." Ser Lothor pushed her away with a growl and turned, quickly moving up the stairs.

He knew the door would be locked, and he knew that Sansa wouldn't just open it for anyone, so he would have to wait. He moved down the hall to hide, knowing that they would have asked for a bath for at least Sansa and some food. "Soon my sweet Lady, soon."

….

Sandor had spoken with the innkeeper, informing him that no one was allowed into their room alone and that the innkeeper must accompany them at all times. He then handed him a gold dragon with a promise of more as long as Sansa remained safe while he was away. He then quickly left the inn, heading to the docks to speak to one of the captains of a Braavosi ship that would be leaving in the morning.

"It is not normal for us to take passengers…" The captain looked at Sandor then to the gold dragons he held in his hands. "You must value this woman's life to pay such a price." He looked around at the men who continued to get the ship ready to sail. "The men are not used to a woman on board, you will have to keep her protected at all times. I will warn them to keep away, but cannot guarantee they will not try to get to her after a long voyage."

Sandor nodded, handing the coins to the captain. "I gave her my word, I will kill any man who tries to touch her." He then turned to walk away, "sunrise…" he looked over his shoulder at the captain, "we will arrive at sunrise."

….

Sansa had finished getting a fire started in the small fireplace in their room when there was a knock at the door. Quickly she grabbed for the dagger at her waist and approached the door, "who is it."

"M'lady, I am the innkeeper with two of my lady servants to bring you food and a bath."

Sansa slowly unlocked the door and opened it slightly, when she saw the innkeeper she nodded and opened the door fully. Her hand still held her dagger though. She watched as the ladies carried in a wooden tub filled with steaming water. They then exited and returned a few moments later with four more metal cauldrons of water. They placed them by the fire then curtsied slightly before leaving. The innkeeper had placed a large tray of food and wine on a table by the fire. He noticed the confusion on Sansas face as she eyed the cauldrons of water. "For your male companion m'lady, in case he wishes to bathe." He then bowed and quickly left.

As the innkeeper exited, Ser Lothor watched, listening carefully he grinned when he did not hear the lock on the door. He slowly approached as he looked around, making sure there was no trace of servants, the innkeeper or the Hound. He then opened the door quietly, his grin widening when he saw Sansa had her back to the door. He then closed it, this time latching the door shut. The sound grabbing Sansa's attention. She quickly turned on her heels with a gasp.

"Ser Lothor?" She had just finished loosening the laces of her dress when she heard the door shut and lock behind her. She had expected Sandor, but it was not him. "How… what are you doing here?"

"Why I've come for you my Lady…" he grinned as he stepped closer to her. "There are so many people looking for you." He reached out and took a hold of her arm and pulled her close to him. "I swore to always protect you, and somehow I had failed you."

Her eyes widened when he pulled her closer to him, she had grown to trust Ser Lothor after her time at the Eyrie, but she knew he was there to take her back. "Ser please, I cannot go back to the Eyrie, I am safe here." Her blue eyes locked with his, pleading silently with him.

"I haven't come to take you back to Lord Baelish, he intends to marry you, and that would be a waste." He smiled as he moved to push a stray strand of hair from her face.

"Then…" she shivered slightly, "why have you come?"

He smiled as he released her, looking around the small room a moment. "Sansa my dear, you are the key to the north, now that your brothers are dead. Do you think The Hound is simply helping you out of the goodness of his heart?" He chuckled a bit as he shook his head, "he wants your claim dear girl."

Sansa shook her head, "no! If he did, we would have gone straight to Winterfell. He's never wanted lands or a title, that's not who he is."

"Not until he met you." He looked over to her, "he's in love with you my Lady. Why else would he do all of this for you?"

Sansa blushed slightly at his words, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. She had a feeling, but had been denying it for some time. "Even if… He is not doing this for my title."

Ser Lothor quickly moved to her, grabbing both of her arms to pull her up to him causing her to cry out slightly. "Maybe you are a stupid little girl like your Aunt Lysa said." He shook her slightly as he spoke, "you are not going across the waters, and you are not staying with the Hound. Now gather your things, we are leaving!" He then pushed her back down on the bed and stepped away.

Sansa's eyes filled with tears as she looked at him, crying out as she fell back to the bed again. "No! You are the one who is leaving! I am not going with you now or ever!" She stood to her feet and started to move to the door when she felt his hand grab at her arm.

"You have no choice in the matter!" He then suddenly backhanded her, causing her to fall to the ground with a loud scream.

….

Sandor had been downstairs talking to the innkeeper when he heard the scream, he knew that scream. "Sansa!" He hadn't meant to use her name but he didn't care. He quickly ran up the stairs to their room, but when he made it to the door he found it locked. "Sansa!" He started banging against the door trying to break it down.

"Sandor help!" Ser Lothor had grabbed Sansa and pulled her back to her feet. His anger had reached its peak. His lack of sleep to try and catch them finally caught up to him.

"Shut up girl!" He smacked her again, this time throwing her to the bed. He then grabbed his sword and moved to the door, "prepare to watch your precious dog die."

In one quick motion he unlocked the door, and let it open just as Sandor moved to hit it causing him to fall into the room.

"Sandor behind you!" Sansa had jumped up from the bed as she saw him fall into the room.

Sandor was quick to jump to his feet and turned to see Ser Lothor bringing his sword down. Somehow he managed to deflect the blow with his own sword in time and push him off. He then looked to Sansa and saw her lip had been split open. His eyes quickly filling with rage as he looked to Ser Lothor. "You are going to regret laying a finger on the girl!" He then lunged at him, swinging his sword with all his strength.

Sansa watched in horror as the two men battled, their swords clashing with one another, hitting so hard at times sparks would fly.

"Have you taken her yet dog? Have you experienced her sweet touch?" Ser Lothor was taunting him, knowing that he could weaken the Hound by talking about Sansa. "I bet she would be quite a pleasure to have, especially if she is still a maiden. Tell me, how have you kept from ripping her dress from that perfect body of hers?" He laughed as he swung his sword once more.

Sandor let out a ferocious growl at his words, swinging his sword wildly. His anger starting to get the best of him.

"Sandor don't listen to him! He's doing this on purpose!" Sansa looked on in horror, she knew that Ser Lothor was weakening Sandor with his words. She then looked down with a gasp, realizing her boots were next to her. Reaching down she grabbed her dagger and ran at Ser Lothor. Raising her dagger she quickly slammed it into his upper back with a loud scream. "You will not hurt him!"

Lothor let out a loud groan as the dagger sunk into his skin, his sword arm swinging backwards on instinct. The metal making contact with Sansa across her stomach, ripping her dress and tearing her delicate flesh. She let out a painful scream and fell to the floor as Sandor advanced on Lothor, his eyes now red in a rage as he took of the man's head.

"Sansa!" Once Lothor's head fell to the floor Sandor ran to Sansa, he quickly picked her up and laid her on the bed. Lifting her arm that was holding her wound he let out a loud groan. The wound was deep, he knew she needed help, and fast.

…

(((Don't kill me! But you have to wait til tomorrow for more! Hehe)))

~huggles~