Sandor and Shae had taken every precaution to keep Sansa as safe as possible as they headed towards the ship. She was still weak from her wounds, but had been able to hold herself up on Stranger. Sandor insisted that she ride him instead of her own horse since Stranger was trained to defend anyone who was riding him. Sandor stood close to Sansa as they walked to the docks, Shae held Lady's reins. Sansa couldn't help but look around, she hadn't seen much since they had arrived at The Saltpans, spending most of her time in bed after all.

The sun was just starting to rise over the remains of the city as they arrived at the docks. They were greeted by a larger man, he had a steel grey beard but a completely bald head. His eyes showed nothing but tenderness to them though. Sansa was not sure why, but she felt completely at ease with the man.

"Mornin' Ser, mornin' My Ladies." He bowed slightly at them. "Everythin' is ready. I ave' two rooms for ya prepared. As well as two stalls for the horses."

Sandor frowned a bit but did not say anything, he was careful when he lifted Sansa from Stranger's back, placing her carefully to the ground. "You'll need your best men to get this one in his stall. He hates boats." He patted the back of Stranger's neck. One arm protectively wrapping around Sansa's waist to hold her close.

The man nodded a bit and held out his arm to allow them to step aboard. "The captain is waitin' for ya on the deck." He then took the reins of both horses as the three of them stepped to the ship, Shae moving to one side of Sansa as Sandor held her close from the other side.

Once aboard the deck, they were greeted by another larger man, this one though had a full head of hair. It was a mix of grey and golden hair. His beard was not as long as the previous mans and was well kept. He smiled and bowed to the three of them. "I am sure my first mate has already let you know that your rooms are prepared?"

Sandor nodded, "he has been warned that my horse is not easy to handle."

The captain laughed a deep throaty laugh, "if he can handle my men and the seas, a warhorse will be nothing." He then turned to Sansa and gave her a deep bow. "My Lady, it is an honor to have you aboard. I ensure you all has been prepared for a safe voyage for you. Should you need anything, all you need do is ask."

Sansa smiled at him with a nod, "I thank you Ser, I fear I may still be a bit weak and will need to rest for a part of our journey though so I should not be too much trouble."

The captain laughed slightly as he turned to see the first mate arriving on deck with another man, carrying all of their belongings. "Perfect timing. Tymad here will show you to your rooms and make sure everything is to your liking." He then gave another bow to Sansa. "My apologies I have forgotten to introduce myself, I am Alian, should you need me, and my men will take you to me." He then smiled and walked off.

Tymad said nothing but gave a small snort to let them know to follow him. He led them below deck and down a small hallway. At the end of the hall were three doors. Opening the first he looked to them, "one of your rooms, the smaller of the two." He then moved across the hall and opened the second door, "the second room, and better to accommodate whoever is sharing." He then moved to set down their belongings in the room. "The third room is the captain's quarters, I'd suggest not goin' in there." He then bowed slightly and left.

Sandor waited until he was Tymad was gone then led Sansa to sit on the large bed in the larger room, insisting that she sit so that Shae could check her bandages. "They both seem very nice, don't they?" Sansa smiled at Shae as she lifted her tunic to check her dressings.

Shae shrugged a bit, "they are charming, but they have earned no trust. Be careful my lady, do not trust so easy."

Sandor stood against the wall and let out a snort, causing both of the girls to look towards him. "The captain is excited to have a Lady aboard his ship. Somehow word has spread of who you are, no doubt we'll have trouble when we arrive in Braavos."

Shae nodded again as she finished tending to Sansa, "spies at the inn, I could sense their ears on the walls." She moved to the packs, gathering up her own things. "I will take the smaller room." Before Sandor or Sansa could say anything, she quickly moved out of the room to the other room and shut her door quickly.

Sandor let out a small groan as he moved to sit in a nearby chair, he then examined the room. There was a small table, the bed and a small window for them to look out. Nothing worthy of his little bird, but enough to get her across the waters. "The captain says we should be at sea for about a month." He looked over at Sansa who had laid back slightly in the bed, her hand across her stomach.

"A month?" She looked over at him, "this is my first time on a ship, and I guess we can count it as a new adventure." She laughed slightly though she was truly a bit nervous.

Sandor nodded then looked away a moment, "I am going to go speak with the captain, lock the door behind me and do not open it for anyone except me or Shae." He then stood and looked directly at Sansa, "understand?"

Sansa let out a sigh as she stood from the bed, "I understand, I am not making the same mistake twice." She then waited for him to walk out and quickly latched the door shut before returning to the bed with a sigh.

…

"The Lady is headed to Braavos Your Grace." Ser Meryn Trant knelt before the iron throne as he reported to King Tommen. "She travels with The Hound, and her former handmaiden as well."

The boy king leaned forward slightly as he listened to Ser Meryn. He had always liked Sansa, she was kind to him and his sister Myrcella, and even though his brother Joffrey was cruel to her, she still showed kindness to him as well. Now it was his turn to show that kindness to her. "Meryn, Lord Baelish has lied to me, he has said that the Lady agreed to marry him. But it seems she fled him and now it seems he intends to go after her. Should he find her, he would most likely force her to marry him." He stood from the iron throne with a sigh, "Lady Sansa is a great Lady who deserves the world, and I will not let such a horrible man do such a thing to her. You and five of your best men will head to Braavos, there you will seek out Sansa and her party. I wish for you to bring them back to Kings Landing…" He looked at Meryn who already showed shock in his eyes, "you will bring them all back unharmed!" He then paced slightly, "my brother Joffrey, and my mother both caused her enough pain than most have suffered in a lifetime. I plan to atone for them, I will grant her the freedom to return to Winterfell. She will be given enough of our men to get her there safely and the assistance to rebuild. There she will be crowned Queen of the north until the time comes that her two brothers are found. Then the oldest would become King and she would been Queen Regent."

Ser Meryn slowly stood to his feet to face the boy King, "your grace, I mean no disrespect, but the Lady will surely not accept anything from the likes of me, given our past." He then lowered his head in a bit of shame.

Tommen nodded and stepped down from the dais that held the throne above the room, "it will be difficult, this will be your way of atoning for your sins against the Lady. You leave at first light." He then walked out of the room, leaving a stunned Meryn behind.

…

(((Ooooh… Who expected that twist? And I still have a few more up my sleeve)))

~huggles~