Note to readers: Sorry for the wait but I haven't had some to finish this chapter until tonight. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 11

The next morning, he opened his well-rested eyes and felt a warmth pressed to his left side and chest. He looked down to see Sansa still laying on his chest with her left arm draped across his waist and felt her left leg lifted between his knees. He almost groaned aloud at the realization that she was pressed to him so intimately in their quiet cabin. He closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath to try controlling the increasing arousal he felt. He let the air out of his chest slowly and steadily to push down the bulge he was starting to feel against his britches. If she woke up to see him fully aroused, he was afraid he would terrify her to the point she would push him away. As he tried to eliminate his arousal, he also allowed himself to enjoy being with her this way. Gods, it was improper to the worst extent, but he was selfish enough not to pull away from her just yet. Instead, he slowly allowed his hand to skim across her shoulder. Careful not to wake her, he touched her slim frame as he moved his fingertips across her shoulder to her waist. She was like a well-seasoned wine he couldn't drink enough of. As he moved his fingers down to her waist and pressed his hand flush against her, he saw how her tiny waist looked in comparison to his large hand. His palm was almost on the small of her back and his fingers reached all the way under her ribcage. He realized if he were to place both hands around her waist, his hands would encircle her waist. He knew she was a slim woman and he a large man, but he now realized how much he could hurt her if he was inclined to do so. He had hurt and killed many people in his life but there wasn't a force on earth that would cause him to do any harm to her. She was like a delicate glass figurine that he was afraid to hold so it wouldn't get shattered. With that thought and the realization his erection hadn't dissipated, he slowly moved away from her so he could turn away.

As soon as he left her, he sat on the edge of the bed with his back to her and put his elbows on his knees. He put his head in his hands wondering what they were going to do now. He needed her acceptance and her friendship but the feelings she was beginning to stir in him, he hadn't ever felt before and he wasn't equipped to deal with them properly. He knew he didn't deserve any of this. He didn't deserve her kindness, her friendship, her endearment, her acceptance but he was so desperate for it that he didn't think he could turn away any of it anymore. Gods, what the fuck had happened to him? What had happened to them? Sansa caused a whirlwind of emotions in him that he wasn't sure which way was up anymore. They had started this journey as him, her protector, and her some damsel in distress. They had slowly turned into familiar companions who enjoyed the freedom and escape of the sea, and they slowly began enjoying each other's company. As he watched her become more of herself, the woman he had never known, he thinks now he was afraid of her confidence and her carefree nature. He was afraid she would realize she didn't really need him anymore once they reached sea and find a more suitable guard… maybe even a husband. Gods knows he wasn't prepared for when that day came. He wasn't prepared for any of this. When he had left her a week ago, he had done it out of cowardness. He didn't want her to see how she made him so vulnerable, and he didn't want her to see that she was his weakness. Fucking weakness. Sandor was sure he didn't have many weaknesses, other than fire, as he had never allowed anyone or anything to become close enough to him to allow it to become a vulnerability. He raised his head out of his hands and turned to look at her peaceful, sleeping form curled up on the bed and concluded she may be a weakness, and he knew with all his might he would kill for her, lie for her, steal for her, and if necessary, die for her. He knew then watching her as her shoulders rose and fell with each breath and her eyelashes fell over her soft cheeks as she slept, he was in love with Sansa Stark.

Five hours later, Sandor was putting away some barrels in the lower deck with one of the hired hands, Jamie. The boy was young, probably in his late teens and he was always talking and full of smiles. He annoyed Sandor most days but today his persistent chatter was a blessing so he could keep his swirling thoughts of Sansa out of his head. She had woken up this morning with a shy smile and it was just about Sandor's undoing. The woman had known they laid together all night since she was in his bed and even though she had woken up without him next to her, she still gave a pink blush at the realization. Her blushes and smiles would be the death of him…

Jamie had already shared his life story, three time over, with Sandor and anyone else who would listen. He was an orphan who was raised by a cruel, impoverished family who had evidently kept him in the barn behind the house. The family he had grown up with knew the mother, who had gotten pregnant out of wedlock by some unknown man. One day, when Jamie was only two years old, the woman left him on their doorstep and never returned. They had considered Jamie a burden to them, and he was given limited care including food for most of his life. When Jamie turned twelve, he had run away to King's Landing to escape the hell he was living in but once he reached the city, it became an even worse hell. He was alone and starving on the street for weeks until Hamish found him one day and offered him the life of a crewman. Hamish had evidently become like a father to him, and Jamie had been by his side ever since. Jamie was going on and on today about how Sandor had saved Hamish's life last night and he was falling all over Sandor and wouldn't leave his side for a minute. If Sandor had to hear another "thank you" or how "incredibly grateful" he was, Sandor thought he might butcher the boy, consequences be damned.

As Sandor was depositing a barrel behind one of the stalls, a man entered that Sandor was loathed to see. Standing there looking like he was ready to cause trouble was Mal. The man had his arms folded across his chest and was leaning against the opening of the entrance. Jamie immediately stopped to look at him curiously and Sandor rose to his full height to stare at the man. Something was afoot here and both men knew it.

Mal gave a sly smile at him as he addressed Sandor. "Quite a brave performance you gave yesterday, saving a man from drowning and all." He was looking intently at Sandor now and seemed to be sizing him up. Sandor never replied but kept no expression on his face as he stared at the man. "Not many a man would risk his own life to save another. I'm sure that woman of yours thinks you some hero now, hm?" What the man said was both true and false. Sandor had hesitantly told Sansa what he had done the night before, leaving out as much detail as possible. Sansa had furrowed her brow and scolded him for putting himself, and her, at so much risk. He knew she spoke some truth then because if Sandor were to have died or been severely wounded she would be without any protection. He had vowed to her he wouldn't put himself at any unnecessary risk again and she seemed satisfied with his answer. Before they had left to break their fast, she had surprised him when she told him how proud she was of him for being so selfless and saving another life. She had looked into his eyes with delight and Sandor wasn't sure how he was supposed to react, so he just gave her a grunt as a response.

Sandor never let his expression change but said to the man menacingly, "Watch your fucking mouth cunt."

Mal only grinner wider with his statement. "You don't seem to like it much when other men talk about the girl." He slowly moved away from his perch then and made his way to Sandor's left while keeping a safe distance away from him. "I wonder though if she knows the terrible things you've done with you being the infamous Hound and all."

Sandor knew some of the men had to know who he was, but Mal was the only one in all these weeks to say it aloud. Somehow the other men knew not to address him with the title and Sandor felt it was either out of fear of his reaction or out of some respect for the "man" the Hound was. He didn't know what game the man was playing now but he didn't like his fixation on Sansa. "The lady knows who I am and what I've done. I don't know what you're getting at but why don't you fucking spit it out of your cunt mouth before I come over there and squeeze it out of you." Jamie, who was to Sandor's right was watching the exchange with increased caution.

"Ah, yes I'm sure she does know exactly who you are, but I have to ask, what's a woman like Sansa Stark doing with a man like you, hm?" Sandor continued glaring at the man, but Mal just continued again. "This arrangement you have with the girl doesn't seem to be a normal one a sworn shield would have with a lady. I've seen you two together, day after day, and you seem to not look or act like her shield but more like her lover. I wonder what it is the two of you do together, alone in the same room night after night. Perhaps now with this voyage you have your brief time of privacy with her, so you're making a real woman out of her."

Sandor immediately advanced on the man and grabbed him by his throat as he hoisted him in the air. Mal's eyes were bulging, and he was clawing at Sandor's hand that was stronger than steel around his neck. Sandor was glaring and snarling at him menacingly and he felt a twitch under his eye. He pulled the man's face close to his as his feet continued dangling in the air. "A small twitch of my hand will have your neck broken, cunt. Aye, I have done terrible things and I smiled while doing it. I've gutted men who were much more man than you, then laughed as I watched them descend into hell. I've butchered men, women, and children alike and never batted a fucking eye while doing it. I could gut you from cock to throat then smile down at you as I watch your guts fall right out of you in a steaming, red mess. I welcome the image. You couldn't imagine the hell I could rain down on you then walk away forgetting your fucking face." Sandor squeezed the man's neck tighter then as he looked about ready to shit his britches. "If I ever hear you dishonor the lady's virtue again, I'll kill you and rape your fucking corpse. That's a fucking promise."

Sandor let the man go then and stormed away as he heard him choking and wheezing behind him. Sandor saw red. As he went up to the fresh air to clear his head, he wondered why he didn't just kill the bastard. He knew the man was just trying to gauge Sandor's reaction mentioning Sansa to him. Now Mal knew exactly what Sandor thought of her. Fuck. He should have killed the fucking bastard when he had the chance. What the hell would have happened if he had though? The whole ship would be in chaos, and they may turn him in for murder when they reached land. Sandor wasn't sure of the rules of the sea, but he was pretty sure cold-blooded murder wouldn't be tolerated.

As he paced back and forth on the deck, Jamie approached him from behind very cautiously. "What the man said about the lady was dishonorable. He shouldn't have said what he did about the lady." Sandor didn't respond to the boy and just continued pacing. "Sandor, I must tell you that there are a few men on board who are quite… entranced by the lady."

Sandor whirled around on the boy then who looked like he was about ready to jump out of his skin. "Entranced, hm? What the fuck does that mean?... Speak boy!"

Jamie looked scared to death as Sandor growled at him. "Well, I… I've overheard some quite lewd remarks about her… well about her beauty I suppose. They comment how they would like to have a night alone with her as you do." Sandor took a step towards him and was about to seize him by the throat before he added hurriedly, "I mention it to you now to warn you. The men have been without a woman for weeks now and their comments have become more and more vulgar as the days go by. I worry for both the women's safety for the remainder of this voyage."

Jamie looked terrified standing there staring at Sandor's face as he finished. He knew he couldn't chastise the boy for what he said. He was only telling the truth to prepare Sandor for what may come. It wouldn't come. Sandor knew the longer they were at sea, the safety of the women would be more dangerous by the day. He had heard some of the men say women on a ship was unlucky as it made men think out of their cocks rather than their brains. Sandor knew the truth of that too well. Every man had a devious beast living inside of them and if they got the opportunity they would unleash it on their prey. Now Sansa had become Mal's prey and based on Jamie's account, she had become the prey for others. He suddenly felt an intense calm shudder through his body at the realization Sansa was in real danger now. Sandor had been a warrior for over fifteen years and had honed his body and mind for any battle awaiting him. One of the reasons he had been employed by the Lannisters and had eventually been assigned Joffrey's shield was because of his efficient, ruthless fighting skills and, maybe even more importantly, his ability to remain calm regardless of the number of opponents put upon him.

Sandor felt that same calmness now as he thought of one of the men attacking her. He allowed his mind to imagine her battered body in front of him. He pictured the scene in his mind so vividly it was like it was happening now right before his eyes. He saw her beautiful, gentle face he had grown to love swollen and jagged by a man's fists. He saw her delicate body beaten and bloodied as he had seen Eleanor so long ago. He could picture the image so plainly in his mind now, but he felt neither worry nor fear, only calmness. As he imagined the worst he could of her battered body, he slowly allowed the calmness to wrap around himself as if being slowly submerged in a cool spring. Though he knew in the back of his mind, Sandor was screaming at him to panic or fear the possibility, the Hound wouldn't allow it. The Hound would protect her and keep her safe. The Hound wouldn't allow Sansa to become this image he now had engrained in his mind so clearly. He understood now this would be his purpose. The Hound would protect her at all costs. With a sudden realization, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

A few minutes later, Sandor found Sansa and Cara embroidering while chatting together in Cara's cabin. When Sandor entered the cabin suddenly unannounced, both women turned to him and grew silent. The smile Sansa had on her face slowly vanished as she looked at his expression. He saw some understanding cross her features as she continued looking at him. Cara for the first time in weeks looked truly frightened of him and she then looked at Sansa with a worried expression. Sansa never acknowledged Cara, but instead slowly rose from her seat while never taking her eyes from Sandor. She slowly approached him then and without a word Sandor turned to make his way back to their cabin while Sansa followed behind him. When they entered and Sansa closed the door of their room, Sandor continued staring at her. He could still picture the image of her battered body in his mind and with her standing in front of him now looking so innocent and vulnerable, he knew he was making the right decision.

He slowly dropped down to one knee without taking his eyes from hers. He unsheathed his sword at his hip and held it steadily before him. As he looked in her eyes, he spoke plainly and without any doubts:

"I, Sandor of House Clegane, do swear that whilst I have breath in my body, blood in my veins and strength in my arm I shall defend Sansa of House Stark against all foe, be they foreign aggressor or treachery within.

I swear that for as long as my soul resides within my body, I shall protect Sansa of House Stark from all those who would seek to harm her.

I do swear ceaselessly and tirelessly to uphold the honor and principles of Sansa of House Stark in thought, word, and deed and furthermore to be a beacon in the darkness and be without fear in the face of her enemies.

If ever I shall raise my hand against her in rebellion or fail in my duties, I ask that this sword I hold within these hands shall pierce my heart.

I, Sandor of House Clegane, do swear fealty and pledge my loyalty to Sansa of House Stark as her sworn shield from this day until the end of my days."

For many moments, Sansa stood dazed while staring at Sandor like he had grown a second head. Sansa knew he swore to no one, took no oaths so he's sure she must be shocked by his declaration. He had no doubts in his mind now what his purpose should be from this day forward. He guessed he had known it for some time now. He knew a man like himself could never hope to win her heart and he wasn't sure a man like him knew how to give his own heart back to her, but a man like him could protect her and shield her from any and all harm. He felt now he had been training all his life for this moment, and she needed his strength now more than ever from the dangers within this vessel as well as the dangers to come once they reached land. He was willing to lay down his life for her now and he was willing to give her all his ferociousness and might in her service.

Sansa finally seemed to realize he was waiting for her response as she came out of her dazed state. She approached him then to stand a foot in front of him and only had to look down a few inches to meet his eyes. She seemed to be searching for something within his eyes and when she was satisfied, she reached out her right hand to place on his shoulder. "That shall be your oath. Arise, Sandor of House Clegane, sworn shield to Sansa of House Stark."

He sheathed his sword then at his hip and rose to his full height before her. He continued staring at her and felt as though he had just given his entire soul to her, and only her. He had never cared for oaths and swearing to any allegiance but then again, he had never had something to truly believe in before. Looking into her blue eyes, he could see the wolf within waiting to come to the surface. He could see her strength and determination behind her eyes, and he knew she was made up of more than he had ever realized before. The woman standing before him now wasn't the same girl he had met so long ago. She was no longer filled with those girlish fantasies, and she no longer feared him. He would commit the rest of his life to her for as long as she would have him.

Sansa continued looking into his eyes and he's not sure she had ever looked at him as she looked at him now. It was as if she could hear everything in his mind as he thought it, and she was just coming to the realization he believed in her and cared for her more than she ever knew. Suddenly, she raised her left hand to grasp his in hers. She was grasping his fingers tightly then looked down at their entwined hands. She seemed to be dazed again at this moment and he was about to ask her what she was doing when she suddenly looked back at him with a determination in her eyes. She raised her right hand to the burnt side of his cheek which made him flinch. He couldn't feel her hand there as she was stroking his craters since the nerves on that side of his face were gone, and he was too anxious and shocked by the gesture to pull away from her. Then to his amazement, she pulled his head down with her right hand now cupped behind his head while raising to her tiptoes. She gave him a soft kiss to the corner of his unburnt lip then pulled back slightly to look in his eyes. He could feel his heart racing and his breathing becoming rapid knowing she had just kissed him. Just a chaste kiss as a thank you for swearing allegiance to her, he reasoned. Then to both his horror and complete delight, she raised her face to his again to kiss him on the lips properly. Her lips were so soft and plump that he almost felt dizzy with the realization they were on his mouth. For several moments, he didn't return the kiss or even react it but then she moved her lips slightly against his and he returned the kiss tentatively. Gods, he had never felt something so sweet in all his years. Her lips were so plump and wet that he just wanted to savor each feel of her soft lips against his rough ones. As their lips began moving together his ears suddenly felt full of cotton and his mind was beginning to swirl. When she surprisingly moved her tongue across his lips and opened her mouth as an invitation, it was his undoing. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up to his height as he gently pushed her against the door behind her. He began to kiss her like a man in a desert starved for water. His heart felt like it would burst as he tasted her. She had put her arms around his neck, and he could feel her feet dangling at his shins. Sandor could die and burn in hell for the rest of his days, and never regret or forget the feelings coursing through him now. She was everything kind and perfect in the world and her mouth was proof of that fact.

What began as a sweet, almost innocent affair was rapidly turning into something animalistic and possessive for Sandor. He had never felt closer to her than in this moment as his lips seized hers and their tongues moved together. It was like he had finally found the sustenance in his life that would give him breath and give his torturous life any meaning. As he felt the kiss starting to boil his blood, and a bulge growing in his britches, he knew he needed to get himself under control now before he lost it.

He pulled away from her then but continued placing kisses on her cheek and her neck just below her jaw as he breathed heavily. Sansa was breathing heavily then as well and was clutching the hair on the back of his head as he continued kissing her face. He stopped then to tell her against her neck, "Sansa, by the Gods I've wanted this moment for longer than you know but if I don't stop now, I might just break the oath I've just sworn you by taking your virtue." He pulled back from her then to look into her beautiful blue eyes. "I've no desire to ruin you and if I don't pull away now, I'll do more harm to you than any of the others could."

She was looking at him with flushed cheeks and he noticed how pink her lips were now from his rough lips against hers. Gods, he had never seen her so beautiful before. She nodded then without a word, and he slowly lowered her to the ground as he took a step back from her. She smoothed out her skirts then said to him, "Yes, of course you're right…" She seemed nervous now that they both had their heads back. "I just… well I've just been thinking of kissing you for some time as well, but I figured you wouldn't want to… but when you swore your oath to me just now, I realized maybe you cared more for me than I realized so… well so I took a chance you would enjoy it."

Her cheeks and neck were aflame after her declaration and Sandor stood there completely dumbstruck. "You thought I wouldn't want to? That I wouldn't enjoy it? Gods Sansa, whatever made you think that? You're the most beautiful woman in Westeros and the only woman whose ever been willing to kiss a dog like me. I'd be the stupidest bastard on the planet if I didn't enjoy that."

Sandor was too shocked to think she thought he wouldn't want to, or even enjoy it, to completely comprehend she had been wanting to kiss him for a while. Where the hell did that come from? Suddenly, this realization was almost too much for him and he needed to put some distance between them now before he completely lost his head.

"Sansa, your lips on mine is more than a dog like me could ever want or deserve… I need to go now before I lose my head with you. I'll be back in time for dinner." He stroked her cheek then which was still blushed furiously. She just nodded at him and gave him a small smile.

She moved away from the door so he could exit but just as he was turning the handle, she stopped him. "Sandor… I" He turned to look at her. She was wringing her hands together in nervousness and wasn't looking directly at him in the face. "I… I don't wish for you to continue calling yourself a dog… you're not a dog, you're a man and now my sworn shield so you should respect and serve that title with dignity… which doesn't include you or anyone else referring to you as a beast."

She was looking determinedly at him, and he quirked his mouth at her for speaking her mind. "Aye, as you wish." With that he turned to leave and try to come to terms with the reality he had just kissed Sansa Stark.