"The Kingslayer is your sworn shield My Lady?" Her handmaiden Tyina looked at her with curious brown eyes. "He is so handsome!" She couldn't help but let out a giggle at her own words.

Sansa sighed with a nod, "Yes, Ser Jaime is my sworn shield now. And I will not have you calling him Kingslayer. He does not like that name and I do not wish anyone to call him that." She sighed again leaning back against some of the pillows in her carriage. She wasn't sure why she was defending Jaime, but she could see it in his face anytime someone would call him Kingslayer, he hated it. And she knew how it felt to be called something you were not, after all, people called her a traitor's daughter. But her father was not a traitor, never was.

"My Lady I meant no offence, it was only habit." Tyina looked down at the needlework in her hands for a moment before looking up at Sansa again. "The soldiers outside say we should reach Casterly Rock in the next day or two, depending on how fast we travel."

Sansa looked at her curiously, "how fast we travel? What do you mean by that?"

"Well, with our carriage, we move a bit slower than normal. But Lord Tywin has been pushing the men to try and move at a fast pace. But you can only force a horse to go so far." She smiled a bit as she looked to her needlework, finally returning to her work.

Sansa nodded, looking to the glass of wine in her hand. She watched as the red liquid moved around from the bumps in the road. She remembered something Cersei once told her, 'an unhappy wife is a wine merchant's best friend.' Sansa then drank the wine down and sighed, if she learned anything from the former Queen, this was one thing she could agree with.

…

"How long?" Arya watched as Sandor examined the remains of an old fire. His fingers touched the ash carefully noticing how cool it was to the touch.

"A day, at least." He stood to his feet, cursing for a moment before returning to Stranger. "It seems Tywin is not letting anything slow him down."

Arya frowned and looked around at the abandoned camp, "do you think we can still make it to them before they reach the rock?" She then walked to him so he could place her on top of Stranger.

Once Arya was on the horse, he mounted up behind her. "Only one way to find out." He then kicked the side of his horse, letting him run in the direction of the party they followed.

….

"My father sends his regrets that he has not been able to join you today My Lady." Jaime bowed lightly as he approached Sansa.

She had just emerged from her carriage as he walked to her. She nodded at him with a smile, "when you see him, tell him I understand and wait for him patiently." In the back of her mind, she could care less if he visited her or not.

"I am sure you both will have plenty of time together once we reach Casterly Rock." He teased lightly as he followed her as she began to walk.

Sansa gritted her teeth a moment before looking at him, "you do not need to follow me, and I am perfectly safe within the camp."

Jaime laughed then shook his head, "my Lord father commanded I stay by your side when you are outside of your carriage. We can never be too careful when it comes to his precious bride."

"Do you enjoy teasing me Ser?" She had stopped and spun to look directly at him. "Because I do not appreciate it!"

Jaime looked at her a moment, tilting his head to the side with a grin. "If you expect to survive in this family, you should try and get used to such teasing. I can tell you, I am being nice in comparison to my aunt. She will more than likely make a mockery of your marriage." He looked at her wide eyes before continuing, "Not everyone believes a Lord can take any woman he wants. She will openly show her disgust in your age difference."

Sansa sighed and nodded, she hadn't even thought of any more of the Lannister family. Gods how many more of them would she have to deal with. "I am sure your aunt will be gracious enough." She then turned and began walking again, rolling her eyes as Jaime quickly followed her moves. "Does it not bother you, to have to babysit your father's wife?"

Jaime shrugged a bit, "I don't mind one bit, and the view is quite pleasurable as well." He laughed as she let out a gasp at his statement.

"You should not be so forward with me!" She stopped again to look at him, her eyes widening as she could see him clearly looking her over. "You are not as charming as you think you are." She then quickly started back to her carriage, deciding a walk was not what she needed any longer.

"Trust me My Lady, if I wanted to, I could charm you all I wanted." He stayed close as she made it to her carriage. He took a hold of her wrist and turned her to him before she could climb in. Using his good hand to hold her, he placed his golden hand around her waist and pressed her into his chest. "You may find yourself needing the pleasure of my company once you've spent a few nights alone with my father." He leaned closer so that their faces were inches apart, "all you need do is ask."

He then released her as quickly as he had grabbed her, bowing to her he turned to walk away. Leaving Sansa completely lost for words. She then quickly moved to go inside her carriage and was determined not to leave it unless absolutely necessary.

…..

As Sandor led Stranger to the stream to drink, Arya picked up her sword and began practicing. Remembering how Syrio had taught her. 'Make yourself a smaller target.' She stood sideways, her arm held out in front of her as she danced with her sword, swinging at the cold air ahead of her.

Sandor walked back, stopping to watch her for a moment. The girl had learned a lot on her travels, though the sword she carried would not be enough if she were face to face with a Lannister soldier. "Where'd you learn that girl?" He finally walked closer to her.

"Back in Kings Landing, my father hired a Braavos water dancer, Syrio, to teach me." She held up her tiny sword, "needle, my brother Jon had it made for me."

Sandor nodded looking over the small thing, "wouldn't put up much of a fight if you were to duel with a man." He reached for his pack which was laying on the ground. He then pulled out a dagger, sheathed in dark leather. Handing it to her he nodded to her leg, "keep it in your boot, always have a second weapon ready in case you lose your sword."

Arya placed needle in her belt as she took the dagger, slowly pulling it from the sheath her eyes widened. "Is this Valyrian steel?"

Sandor nodded, "aye, the strongest steel there is."

She quickly held it as she did her sword, brandishing it to him. "I've never fought much with a dagger, only needle." She then moved around the same way she was with needle, but the movement was not as smooth. She then changed her stance, placing the dagger in her hand so that the metal was facing down, getting a nod of approval from Sandor.

"A dagger is meant to be brought down on a man, not as a sword. Keep that in mind." He then turned to ready their bedrolls. They would only sleep a few hours then would be quick to ride again.

…..

(((I figured Arya and Sandor needed some bonding time)))

~Huggles~