Sansa had fallen asleep inside her carriage, Tywin had insisted they push as long as they could to take a little time as possible to get to Casterly Rock. The nights were growing longer and colder, and traveling on the roads was becoming more dangerous for anyone who dared travel them. When she woke up, the candles inside the carriage had been extinguished and she found an arm draped carelessly over her. The snores that came from behind her told her that Tywin had joined her for the night.

She sighed slightly, remaining still so she would not wake him. She had no idea how long she had slept or how far they had gotten. She knew that it would not take near as long to get to Casterly Rock as it would Winterfell, and she hoped this would be the only night she would have to sleep in the carriage. She found it difficult to fall back asleep, so many thoughts racing through her head. She wondered if Arya and Sandor had been freed yet, if they had begun their travels to Winterfell, and if they were alright.

She closed her eyes to hold back tears that tried to escape her eyes, saying a silent prayer to keep them both safe.

….

Arya crept through the makeshift camp as the men slept, careful not to make any sudden movements that would give her away. Once she was able to get to the trees she found Sandor standing with his horse Stranger. She looked around a moment then glared at him, "where is a horse for me?"

He shook his head, "no time to steal one." He patted the back of the horse where some packs had been tied to him. "Got as much food as I could."

Arya handed him another small pack, "that's all I had in the carriage."

He nodded, grabbing it and fastening it down with the other packs. He then quickly grabbed her and lifted her onto Stranger. He then mounted the horse behind her, then looked around for a moment, listening to the sounds to make sure there was no sign of the men waking. Then with one kick to the horse, they took off into the trees.

…

Sansa had been stretching her legs, walking through the camp that the men had set up hoping that they would be travelling again soon. As expected, each soldier she passed would bow to her as she kept walking. She would nod in recognition of them but continued walking. Her handmaiden Tyina remained with her, keeping close behind her but did not bother her.

"My Lady…" Sansa was stopped by a guard, "or should I say, mother?" The man grinned as he removed his helmet.

Sansa was surprised to see Ser Jaime standing before her. "Ser Jaime." She curtsied lightly, "I did not expect to see you here."

He smiled, dismissing her handmaiden as he offered her his arm to walk with him. "Well surprisingly enough, the King and my father both believe that you are in need of a personal guard. As I am no longer capable of being Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, I have been dismissed." He then held up his former sword hand, revealing a golden hand in place of his old hand.

Sansa frowned at the sight, "I had not heard of your wound, I am sorry to see this."

Jaime chuckled a bit, "such kind words my lady." He cast a sideway glance to her as they continued walking, "it's a pity really, that my father snagged you up. Had I known I was going to be dismissed from the Kingsguard, I would have insisted in taking your hand."

Sansa blushed slightly but tried to keep her composure, "that is very sweet of you Ser, though it seems your father was quite determined to have my hand."

He chuckled once again with a nod, "that he was, it seems you remind him a lot of my sweet departed mother." He then stopped their walking and turned to look at her closely. "I was only a child when she died, I remember so little of her. But they say she was the only person in the seven kingdoms who could make my father smile." He then tilted his head slightly, "until he married you."

Sansa shifted slightly, remembering the last time Tywin had smiled at her. It was a terrifying sight in all honesty. It had looked as if he were devouring her with his look, he looked even more evil with the smile than without it. "I am glad I can give your father happiness."

"Oh dear, sweet Sansa." Jaime shook his head as he began walking with her again. "No one here truly believes you love him. How could you? He's old enough to be your grandfather, and my family… well apparently the Lannisters are responsible for all the troubles that have fallen upon the Starks."

Sansa had to bite her lip to keep from agreeing with him. She honestly hated the Lannisters, every single one of them, except for Tyrion. He had only shown her kindness and compassion, he had refused to bed her and had protected her from Joffrey. Rumors had spread that Jaime was responsible for the crippling of her brother Bran, Cersei teased Sansa daily and reminded her of how stupid she was, and Joffrey… Sansa shivered at the thought of Joffrey.

Jaime could see the unease in her as he spoke to her of his family. "Worry not, I will not say a thing of this to my father. I agree that the Lannister family has caused you much grief, I hear that my nephew Joffrey had you beaten almost daily." He shook his head, "a pity I wasn't there, and I would have put a stop to it."

Sansa looked to him curiously as he spoke, "you would have defied the King? No one dared question him."

He let out a laugh, "Joffrey feared me, and he respected me. He would not have argued with me, I could have kept you safe. But I'm afraid I was a bit… tied up at the time." He grinned to her, obviously joking about the fact that her brother had him prisoner for a while.

"It seems we were both prisoners of war." She looked away from him, watching the soldiers as they worked around them. "So then you are here to be a personal guard for me?"

He nodded, "I am to be your sword shield my lady." He laughed a bit, "Though there is not much you need fear at Casterly Rock. All the men you see around you would die for you." He looked at her, seeing the shock in her face, "that is how loyal Lannister soldiers are." He then stopped in front of her carriage, "we should be returning to our travel soon." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly, "it will be an honor protecting you." He then smiled, turning and walking away.

Sansa watched him a moment before climbing into her carriage, the thought of having Jaime Lannister following her around when she was not with Tywin terrified her. 'A Lannister will always hold my leash'

….

They had ridden for hours without stopping, Sandor determined to reach them before they made it to Casterly Rock. "If we get to them while they still travel, it will be much easier to get her." Sandor had kept reminding Arya why they had to push themselves.

Arya had fallen asleep in his arms as they rode, though only for an hour before waking up as Stranger had jumped over a fallen tree. She looked up to him and shook her head, "we can't wear ourselves out completely, or Stranger. If he can't run once we find Sansa, then what good would we do?"

Sandor groaned but nodded in agreement, finally stopping to let Stranger rest. Finding a stream so the horse could drink while Arya and he ate a bit of the food they had been able to steal. "Sansa's carriage is much larger than yours, which will slow them. As well, their group is larger, they will travel much slower than you and I can."

Arya nodded, taking a bite of her bread, "when we get to the camp, she will be guarded. Do you think Tywin will be with her, or will he have his own tent?"

Sandor frowned, "he probably stays with her in the carriage at night." He then growled slightly at the thought, "if I have to kill him, I will." Though there was no doubt that he wasn't going to kill him. He wanted nothing more than to see Tywin dead for taking his little bird from him.

"Do you really think we can do this? The two of us against thousands?" Arya looked at him, a bit of worry showing in her eyes.

Sandor looked at her, and shook his head. "I doubt it, but we could get lucky. If you want we can always go back."

Arya shook her head, "no! I am going to save my sister or die trying!"

Sandor nodded, "as will I." He then looked to Stranger who was drinking from the stream. 'I would give my life for my little bird.'

…

(((Oh no, now with a new sworn shield, what are Sandor and Arya's chances?)))

~Huggles~