Sansa had hardly a moment to realize what was going on before an excited Tommen came running to hug Tyrion.

"Uncle Tyrion! We thought you were dead!"

Tyrion chuckled at the boy's excitement, taking his hand and patting it lightly. "Beloved nephew, I am sorry that I had to let everyone believe I was dead, but it was the only way I could ensure I would remain alive." He then looked back to Sansa who now had Sandor standing protectively close to her. "Worry not Clegane, I am not here to cause any harm to the Lady, nor lay any sort of claim to her. I am not my father…"

Sandor frowned as he looked down at the dwarf, he never trusted any of the Lannisters. And now the one man who could truly take his little bird from him was back. His hand protectively went to Sansa's shoulder before he spoke, "then what do you want dwarf?"

"Sandor…" Sansa patted the top of his hand that was rested on her shoulder before looking to Tyrion. "I apologize for Lord Clegane." She smiled lightly, "I am glad to see you are not dead Tyrion."

Tyrion nodded to her with a smile, "thank you my lady, I appreciate it." He then turned to Tommen, "your grace, may I speak to you privately?"

Tommen looked to Sansa then back to Tyrion and nodded. "Of course." He then led Tyrion back inside as everyone watched, still obviously in shock.

"I don't like this little bird…" Sandor's hand on Sansa's shoulder had not moved.

"Tyrion is a good man Sandor, he has never done anything to make me think otherwise." She turned to look up at him with a reassuring smile. "Do not worry, I have a good feeling about this."

…..

"You are sure about this uncle Tyrion?" Tommen and Tyrion had been sitting in Tommen's chambers once they had left everyone.

Tyrion nodded, taking a long drink of the wine that had been given to him. "I am sure your grace, the Lady is a beautiful woman, and any man would be lucky to have her. But I cannot force her to remain married to me. She should be able to marry for love for once."

Tommen nodded with a smile, "I agree. She has been put through so much already." Tommen raised his glass to Tyrion's with a smile. "The Queen and I leave tomorrow, I shall make sure all the arrangements are made before I leave. And if the Lady is willing, I can name you Lord of Casterly Rock so that she may return to Winterfell."

Tyrion nodded, "I am not here for Casterly Rock, and I do not want Lady Sansa to think that. I am here to free her of me, to give her a chance at a life she deserves."

"I believe you uncle, as I am sure the Lady will as well."

…

"It is good to see you my lady." Bronn had requested to escort Sansa back to her chambers. Sandor remained close behind them though as they walked.

"As it is you Bronn. I am glad to see you and Tyrion are still friends. Shae had said so many good things about you." She sighed a bit as she thought about her lost friend.

"We heard about her death on our travels back here." Bronn looked to Sansa, "I do not believe I had ever seen Tyrion so upset in the time we've known each other. He loved that woman."

"And she loved him…" Sansa looked up at Bronn, "I wish I could have saved her."

Bronn gave her a reassuring smile, "Shae did what she swore she would do for you back in Kings Landing. She said she would kill for you, that she would die for you. She knew that you were meant for greater things."

"If greater things mean having people die for me, then I'm not interested." She sighed a bit more. "I do not want people being killed for me, or killing for me. I know that there can never be a world without fighting, but if I can keep it away from those I care for, then I will do everything in my power to make it happen."

"And that is why you will make a great Queen. Because you care for others above yourself." Bronn smiled as he opened Sansa's chamber doors for her. "I believe you will prove to be a great Queen indeed." He then took her hand and placed a light kiss on it. "Rest well my lady." He then turned to Sandor and nodded, "Hound…" he then turned down the hallway and walked off, leaving Sandor and Sansa standing in her chambers alone.

"Bronn has always been a good man." Sansa smiled as she moved to sit near the hearth, signaling for Sandor to join her.

"Careful little bird, you trust too easily." He moved to sit in the chair opposite of hers, "you may think he is a good man, but all men have an ulterior motive. They want something, and I am not leaving your side until I figure out what it is."

Sansa shook her head with a small laugh, "and you Sandor, need to learn that there is still some good in this world, and that even the Lannister family can have a good seed." She leaned forward to pat his knee, "Tyrion is a good man, as is Bronn, you'll see."

…..

Sansa had been woken early the next morning, her new handmaiden Maria was careful not to wake Sandor who had refused to leave her side and had slept in a nearby chair. "My lady, the King wishes to see you."

Sansa nodded as she sat up, frowning when she saw Sandor sleeping in the nearby chair. "I hate to wake him, but I promised I would not go anywhere without him." She sighed standing from her bed, nodding to Maria who had moved to her wardrobe to pick out a dress for her. "Sandor?" Sansa walked over to him, placing a hand to his shoulder, "Sandor the King wishes to speak with me."

Peaking an eye open, Sandor groaned slightly before slowly standing up. "This damn early?" He then ran his fingers through his hair, "you'd think the boy would want to sleep more before he traveled back to Kings Landing." He then saw Maria appear from the wardrobe with Sansa's dress and nodded. "I will wait for you to dress." He then walked from her chambers, closing the door tightly behind him before resting against the wall.

"He loves you…" Maria moved to Sansa who had sat down at her dressing table. "I am sure you've heard it many times, and I apologize if I am overstepping my boundaries my lady. But I wish us to be friends, and friends are always honest with one another."

Sansa nodded, looking at Maria's reflection in the mirror. "I would like that very much Maria, and no you are not overstepping." She sighed a bit as she watched Maria brush her hair lightly. "I know how Sandor feels, and he knows how I feel. But we both agree that rebuilding Winterfell and regaining order to the North is my main priority."

Maria nodded, "and with Lord Tyrion back, I am sure that can be accomplished much easier."

Sansa closed her eyes, "I hope so Maria… I hope so."

….

(((Shorter Chapter, sorry)))

~Huggles~