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Chapter Text

"How did you learn to fight like that?"

Arya asked as I was polishing my sword. Arya had just finished a little duel with me which I had been partaking in since we met because she wanted to get better

"My family got killed when I was young so every night I would go out alone and practice till my body couldn't take it anymore... So one day I can kill the bastards who did it"

Arya gave me a knowing nod before looking at me

"What about your body?"

Arya asked, I stayed focused on my sword but quirked an eyebrow

"What about my body?"

"The hound said you have the body of a whore"

I perked my head up and shot him a dirty look, he smirked

"The hound is an idiot"

I said but he just chuckled as he laid back and closed his eyes.

~~Flashback~~

I ran, my leg burning and spilling blood, I could barely take it but I had to. I was pushed by the sound of swords slashing, painful screaming and fire raging from every angle. I shouldn't have been on the battlefield but I couldn't help myself I just didn't realise how big Stannis' army was. I thought it would be a quick fight, I was one of the best fighters but I became surrounded, panic filled me and I made a stupid mistake. I hide behind a pillar, falling to my knees and looking down at my leg. The blood had painted my entire leg crimson and it felt like fire was ripping through my skin. I tore my skirt so it was shorter, giving me a better veiw of my bloodied thigh.

I used the discarded fabric to wrap the cut the best I could. I took a breath and stood up a loud cry coming from my lips as more blood rushed through the fabric and pain shot through my leg, buckling my knee. Before I even knew what was happening a scream came from ahead of me. I man rushing at me with his sword. I reached for mine but I wasn't quick enough in my injured state. I closed my eyes and raised my arms ready for the impact but before I was hit I heard a guttural sound. Moving my arms and opening my eyes I saw a sword pierced through the mans neck. Staring in shock the sword was pulled from him and his body dropped to the ground, lifeless. Standing behind him was a man of incredible statue, the Hound. I looked up at him for a moment before he spoke harshly

"If you want to leave get your ass up we are leaving right now!"

I didn't hesitate to stand and follow. I was a noble lady, why he was helping me, saving me? There was no point but I wasn't going to question him now, he was the only reason I was alive. I tried to follow as fast as I could but he took wide strides and I couldn't keep up.

"Wait! Please!"

I yelled trying to run after him but yelping and falling at the pain coursing through me. I heard loud steps walk over and I looked up to see the hound towering over me

"You're such a pain in my fucking ass"

He said before grabbing my waist with one hand while the other hooked under my knee, lifting me up to carry me. He didn't speak another word and refused to look down at me. I didn't dare say anthing either in fear that he may drop me. I just sat there oddly feeling almost safe in his arms, I blushed a looked down at my lap not noticing the small glances the hound would give me every now and then.

We later met Arya after being captured by the brotherhood without banners. They didn't tie me up or force me to go, they said they only wanted Sandor but with my leg still injured being alone out here would be a death sentence so I asked to follow which they allowed me to do so. I spotted Arya right away, her hair was short but her face was easily recognizable. Growing up in winterfell, I was close to the Starks and I was happy to see Arya was still alive. However the Hound didn't seem as content

The brotherhood forced Sandor to fight and though I didn't think I cared, seeing him almost get slashed caused my heart to drop and gasps to fall from me. I was afraid for some reason. I tried to blame it on needing him for my injury but I couldnt help this feeling burning through my chest.

~~back to present~~

I sighed. Sandor wasn't wrong I was quite fit, a small waist and curves from my hips. I could do without the tits though it just made it tougher to fight. I went back to polishing my sword after shaking my head. I finished cleaning off my sword and stood up speaking

"We should get moving, we only have a few more hours of sunlight"

I said looking at the placement of the sun. We were taking Arya to her mother and brother. I was doing it simply because she deserved to be with her family but Sandor on the other hand thought I would be an amazing idea to sell her off back to her family and get some gold. The hound grunted and stood up along with Arya. I hopped on my horse as Sandor did the same and than Arya hopped on behind me. We only had two horses and Arya decided it would be best if she rode with me. I couldn't blame her, Sandor was quite the intimidating man and though she would never admit it, she was probably a little scared of him.

~~~~~

We rode for the next few hours, Sandor stayed ahead of us and didn't speak a single word but Arya couldn't stop talking. She was young and had a lot going on, the least I could do was listen. The sun was going down, giving a warm glow to the wooded area as it peaked through the trees. We came across a small clearing

"Sandor this is probably the best place we will find for tonight"

He grumbled back

"We can go more"

I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes

"... you can go more but I'm not sleeping in a shitty spot again"

I said already hopping off my horse and tying her up to a tree that outlined the clearing. Sandor stopped and looked at me

"That's the fucking problem with girls, can you tough it through anything?"

I rolled my eyes and didn't say anything, I instead pulled up my skirt enough to show the large scar on my thigh before sending him a sly smile and dropping my short skirt back down. Sandor groaned but didn't respond to what I did other than getting off his horse. I smiled, knowing I had won. Arya grabbed a blanket off the horse and set up a small area near the edge of the clearing to sleep.

"Arya could you go find some rocks and sticks so we can make a fire pit"

She nodded and pulled out her sword before walking into the trees. I turned to Sandor for a moment. He leaned against a tree and looked up into the orange sky. It was a rare moment where he didn't look so scary... he looked calm. In these moments I remembered he was someone who got hurt by everyone around him and being feared was the only way to stop that. I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Arya emerge from the trees with an armfull of rocks and branches. She dropped them on the ground with a huff and I thanked her. She watched me as I created a circle of rocks and placed the branches in the middle. I pulled some tinder from my bag and within a few minutes a small fire lit up the clearing. The orange was slowly leaving the sky, being replaced with a darkness, speckled with beautiful stars. I sighed and sat down next to the fire as Arya sat next to me, she rested her head against my shoulder. I shivered and pulled my blanket around myself tighter. The days were always warm but when night rolled around a freezing chill ran through the air. With that thought I turned to look at the hound. He hadn't moved from his place at the side of the clearing, he was just staring at the fire. I just sighed and tried to keep myself warm.

Within the next hour Arya had moved over to our horse and fallen asleep on the ground next to her. Even with the long days I never could seem to find sleep easy. At least I wasn't the only one awake

"You should come closer to the fire, the warmth is nice"

I spoke without even turning to the hound. I heard a grunt and than he spat back

"Warmth always becomes scorching heat"

I sighed yet again and turned to him

"What is your issue, it's fucking freezing and you won't even take one damn step closer to the fire"

"Like you would fucking understand if I told you"

That took me aback slightly, I didn't realize there was an actual reason other than spite but I should have known with the scar. I swallowed before asking

"...What happened?"

He turned to me and huffed out a laugh. I saw through it

"I've been riding with you for months, I think I deserve to know"

I spoke and his laugh stopped, his next move surprised me. He slowly stood up and walked closer. Sitting next to me only a few feet from the fire. His eyes glistened in the warm light and his voice came out heavy...

~~~~~

"Shut up"

Sandor spat as I apologized for what happened to him

"Sandor seriously... it sounds horrible and I'm so sorry it happened... I wish I could change that"

I said my heart filled with hurt over something I had nothing to do with  That's when Sandor snapped his head towards me and I expect him to raise his voice but instead it was just above a whisper

"...why are you being so nice?"

I blinked and after a moment I laughed and Sander looked at me in complete confusion

"Stop acting like your a horrible person, you put on this show but you saved my fucking life when you had no reason to do so... I would be dead without you"

He huffed

"That's the only reason you stayed with me... what do you think you owe me something?"

I stood up shocked

"What?! No! I'm still here because I want to be, is it so hard for you to understand that I am actually kinda enjoying this little endeavor we are part of"

He shoke his head

"It is hard to fucking believe, everyone now does what helps them, all fucking cunts, nobody cares about anyone but themselves"

"I know the people you have been around but I'm not Joffery or Cersei or... your brother"

He looked up at me

"Maybe, just maybe I do actually give a shit about other people and how they feel, without people you care about... life is not worth living"

I spoke softly before walking back over to my horse and laying down. I sighed as I thought over the story Sandor told me and it made my chest tighten. I tryed to forget about it and get some rest...

I didn't remember falling asleep all I remember was tossing and turning and waking up the next morning... but it was odd. I was surprised by the silence and soft chirping of birds. Usually Arya would somehow wake Sandor and It would end in a yelling match that would force me awake but today it was silent... almost peaceful. When I sat up I saw Sandor repacking his stuff on his horse and Arya did the same. I looked at the scene for a moment before cleaning up my area. While I was rolling up my blanket Arya walked over with soft steps and whispered

"Why is he being so quiet?"

I looked at her and than him and shrugged my shoulders. I had an idea but kept it to myself. Within a few minutes me and Arya had gotten on our horse and another odd occurrence happened. Sandor sat on his horse waiting for us. He usually never bothered to and most the time made me rush to catch up to him. I smiled at him for that but he just looked away and I failed to notice the red that had found a way onto his cheeks. After a quiet half hour of riding I heard soft snoring and felt a head resting on my back, noticing that the young girl had fallen asleep. I tried to ride evenly to allow her to sleep, God's know she needs it. From my peripheral I saw Sandor kept looking over and opening his mouth as if he was going to say something but than would close it again and shake his head. I waited for him to do it a few more times before I spoke with a smirk

"Are you going to talk or keep gaping your mouth like a whore?"

I asked not turning my head and Sandor shot me a look, to which I replied with a soft laugh. He huffed and spoke

"I was trying to apologize"

I turned to him confused

"The Hound? Apologizing? For what?"

"For yesterday... it's just odd that someone wants to be around me without wanting anything from me..."

He stopped looking at me now and turned ahead only for me to now refuse to move my eyes away from him. I stayed silent for a second and listened to the sound of hooves hitting dirt before I took a breath. If he's going to be honest, the least I could do is give him the courtesy back

"...In all honestly I originally stayed with you because of my injury but..."

I took another breath

"...it healed a long time ago and unlike my plan... I stayed. Like I said im enjoying this "adventure" and... your company"

I said but couldn't keep my eyes on him anymore as I blushed at my own words. I saw Sandors eyes widen but he kept his mouth closed this time and the ride was left to comfortable silence.

~~~~~

"We can stop here if you can't fucking ride any longer"

Sandor said and I turned to him. Even with a curse thrown in there he was genuinely asking if I wanted to rest for the night. Another odd thing to add to the list, he was generally the one forcing us to continue pushing forward even when my body would cease to function due to exhaustion. I chose my next words carefully. Now that Arya was awake I spoke to him as I normally would... which was still quite decent.

"No, we can keep going. I believe there is a town ahead and probably an inn. I would not mind a bed to sleep in."

Sandor grunted and nodded, leading us ahead as Arya sighed happily at the mention of a real bed. The sky was dark by the time we reached the aforementioned town but loud music and bright lights came from a pub that rested in the middle of many smaller bulidings. This sadly also meant many men stumbling around, stinking of alcohol and bad decisions. We stopped infront of the inn and stepped off our horses to tie them up for the night. They deserved a rest too. Before I could finish tying the knot I was bumped into forcing me to knock into my horse causing her to rear back and almost crush my leg if not for a movement that I barely saw. I only realized what had happened a second later when I felt my back pressed against cold metal. I immediately flipped around to be met face to face with the hound. And his hands gripped onto my waist, now understanding that he pulled me away from her just enough that I was left uninjured. The next words he spoke made my heart rate increase...

"What the fuck?!"

Until I realised he wasn't talking to me, I went to apologize but his eyes were locked onto something behind me. I turned around again to notice a drunk man which only could have been the one that bumped into me. Sandor finally released his grip from my waist and walked over to the man. Before he did anything he threw me a bag. I caught it and heard the jingle of silver in it.

"Go get the rooms"

He said but didn't look at me

"But-"

"Did you fucking hear me!?"

He said sending me a glare. I didn't wait another second. I grabbed Aryas forearm harder than needed and pulled her in through the front doors of the inn. For whatever reason my heart was beating at an incredibly fast pace. I couldn't tell if it was from the terrifying look he gave me or how warm his hands felt against my waist. After that thought my eyes widened and I mentally slapped myself before whispering to myself

"No you're just scared... it's not because of his hands... or his body pressed against you or-"

I snapped out of my last thought and cursed, the thought fully leaving my head when I heard

"Ow!"

I looked to see Arya trying to pry my grip off of her arm. I immediately let go and pulled back with a blush of embarrassment

"I-Im so sorry"

I said and clasped my hands together rubbing my palm with my opposite thumb before pushing everything else out of my head and taking a breath,  walking up to the counter where an older man stood.

"Can I get two rooms?"

A few weeks ago we had agreed to get only two rooms when we got the luxury of inns. Me and Arya could share a bed and we didn't have unlimited currency so even having a bed was something I was incredibly grateful for. The man at the counter gave me a look of sadness before moving his eyes away from my now confused gaze

"I'm sorry hun but we only have one room"

He waited for my acceptance or refusal as I turned to Arya, before I could even speak Aryas eyes darkend and she spoke.

"Oh no fucking way, I am not sharing a room with the hound"

She said and I sighed.

"Arya please, we've been sleeping twenty feet away from him every night, how is this different?"

"Cuz I would be sharing a roof with a complete cunt"

"Watch your mouth"

I spoke with a slap to her arm and she just scoffed. Just than Sandor walked in and over to us. I noticed the blood on his hands but didn't say anthing about it and instead informed him on our problem.

"There Is only one room left and Arya refuses to share a room with you. I honestly couldn't care less though and really just want to sleep in a bed"

Sandor grunted in a sense of agreeing and I than turned to Arya

"The Hound won't give up a bed so don't even ask me to try, but you can take care of yourself. There is a stable out back which is probably decently comfortable to sleep in for a night   keep your sword close to you"

I whispered and Arya nodded, not seeming too upset with the option as she left through the front doors without another word. I sighed, feeling slightly bad at making her sleep outside but also too tired to think too much about it. I moved back to the inn keeper and pulled silver  out of the bag placing on the counter in a silent agreement that we will take the room. The man nodded and as he passed me the key he spoke

"What did your husband do to make your daughter so mad at him?"

I turned to him confused and even Sandor looked at him, I tilted my head and finally realized what he meant. I blushed darkly and quickly turned away from him, making my way towards our room, not before whispering

"He's not my husband"

I refused to give any meaning to the raised look the inn keeper gave me but couldn't help the warmth that flooded me at the accusation. I tried to push out the feeling once again but Sandor was walking directly behind me. I just focused on making my way to our room and unlocking the door with the provided key. When I finally walked in, I wished the God's would just kill me this moment. In my earlier embarrassment I refused to take into account that one room, meant one bed... I just sighed silently to myself and dropped my bag onto the ground. I believe Sandor noticed my embarrassment because his next words surprised me and I didn't fail to notice his demeanor had changed back to how it was when Arya was asleep. Soft...

"I'll sleep on the floor"

He said already beginning to set up his stuff there but before he could lay down I spoke up

"No, no its okay, I used your money to pay, I'll sleep on the floor."

I saw Sandor curse and whipser to himself for a moment. I only caught the last part

"... always makes this so hard"

He looked at me and gave me a look that made me swallow.

"Listen I'm not gonna be a complete cunt-"

He took a step closer and with a hammering heart beat, I took one back

"-so I'm not going to let a women sleep on the floor-"

Another step forward and my feet pushed my back even more

"-while I take the bed-"

My back hit the wall

"-so either I sleep on the floor-"

His body was inches from mine

"-or we share the bed"

He was so close I could feel his breath on me as he leaned down over me and I looked up at him blushing. If I didn't know better I would swear I saw his lip twitch up in a smirk

"I'll take that as we're sharing"

He said and finally stepped away, leaving me to catch my breath. He stared pulling his armor off and I stood oddly turning my gaze away. He was half way through getting his armor off when he looked over at me as I stood there akwardly. He looked at me and caught on quickly, turning away from me with a roll of his eyes so I could do the same as him. I turbed away and quickly pulled off my thin, leather armor that covered my chest and than my skirt and shirt. Leaving me In underwraps. I bent over, reaching into my bag to pull out an old shirt I had kept from my father but I heard a intake of breath and than a rushed out word

"Sorry"

I turned quickly to see Sandor covering his eyes and I almost laughed at his response. I shoke my head

"What never seen a women naked"

I said and placed my hand on my hip. My earlier embarrassment had been replaced with my natural demeanor at his childish reaction. His next move shocked me he moved his hand and looked at my body. I felt an instinct to cover but instead stood there as his eyes scanned my body. I now couldn't help but laugh

"Gods at least buy me a drink first"

I said pulling the shirt on and blushing but keeping up my appearance of unbothered.

"You basically offered"

He said and I laughed again

"I asked a question I didn't say you could look"

"Well what else could that mean?"

He said and I thought for a moment with a smile

"... okay you got me there"

He slightly laughed and my smile was stuck to my face. It was a very rare moment, one that I had never actually seen in our months together, it made my heart swell. Once he noticed the way I was smiling at him he stilled his laugh and kept removing his excess armor.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

He said and I kept smiling

"I've never heard you genuinely laugh... it was nice"

He pulled of the last peice and looked at me.

"This has been fucking irritating me"

He said and my smile turned to confusion. He spoke again

"I have know you for a lot less time than most people yet I have received the most... actually the first complements I have ever gotten in my life from you... why?"

The question took me aback and I thought before smiling at him

"I just say what I'm thinking, and I'll actually give you another one... ever since that night at the fire you have been oddly sweet to me when we are alone. Not something I expected but something I appreciate... I haven't felt cared about in a long time and even if that wasn't your intention, it's how I felt so... thank you"

I said and Sandor stared at me before he spoke

"You deserve to feel cared for... more than anyone I've ever met"

Was all he said before he blew out the candle and stepped into the bed. Now in the darkness I blushed but couldn't help the tears that burned the cornor of my eyes. I slipped in to the bed aswell

"Thank you"

I said softly

"Although you deserve it more"

I would have regretted those words if it wasn't for the large arm and hand that wrapped itself around me and pulled me to him. He didn't verbally respond but I couldn't feel his heart racing on his chest and he responded the same way. He voice cracking halfway through

"Thank you"

~~~~~

I had the best sleep of my life. Sandors arm stayed wrapped around me and the thoughts I tried to push out from last night flooded back when I woke up to his even breath and warmth wrapped around me. I stopped refusing the feeling and sighed almost disappointed in myself. Was I so depraved of care that a guy shows me kindness for one day and I was already falling for him. Not to mention a man that has killed many people and didn't show affection to anyone or anything... though that's what hit me. He was cold to everyone but me at this point... maybe it meant more than I thought. I felt him move and closed my eyes pretending to be asleep as to not seem weird for just laying on his arm.

I heard a soft groan of him waking up and than I felt him tense. He stayed tense for what felt like longer than it was before he squeezed me to him and took a deep breath as he buried his face in the skin of my neck. My heart felt like I might stop when I felt his lips against the bare skin of my neck but as quickly as it was there, it was gone. He had pulled away and gotten up I pretend to be asleep till my heartbeat slowed and I tried to convince myself his lips pressed against my neck was my depraved mind's fantasy. I heard him begin to get dressed and I sat up off the bed. Acting as if I just woke up. I glanced over at him and than stood up to get dressed myself. I was not as worried getting undressed around him now, he already got an eyeful last night. I pulled my shirt off and didn't fail to notice Sandors eyes fall on my barley covered breasts. I just smirked and pulled on my top, corset and skirt but decided against putting on my armor just yet and shoved the leather into my bag. I finally pulled on my shoes and fixed my hair only to turn to fully look at Sandor seeing he was still not fully dressed and had paused to look at me. I quirked a brow

"You gonna keep staring or are we gonna get going?"

I asked with a hand on my hip and he just huffed and started getting dressed again as I left the room to let him finish up. I walked to the innkeeper and placed the key on the front desk but when I turned to the door my heart stopped and I turned away again. Standing there were four Lannister soldiers, obvious by the lion crest on the front of their armor. I could hear them coming up to the counter and I just stood there. Not only did Sandor leave his post but abandoned the army too, that's enough to be executed for and at this point I could only hope they wouldn't recognize me. As I stood there waiting for the innkeeper to come take the key. The soldiers were talking next to me and laughing. I kept a straight face despite the dread that filled my body. One of them glanced over at me and did a double take making me suck in a silent breath. He than fully turned to me and I refused to look at him. He than spoke up

"Aren't you a sweet little thing?"

He said and the other soliders turned to me. It wasn't much better but hitting on me meant the didn't recognize me. I put myself in the shoes of any common girl and smiled at him with a soft thank you. He took a step forward and I forced myself to keep my feet planted

"What is a girl like you doing out here all alone?"

He said turning my head up with a hand on my chin. I just smiled again and lied through my teeth

"I'm just from a town not too far from here, my father sent me here to grab some things for our shop"

I almost slapped myself. I couldn't think of a more basic story, at least they seemed to believe it. The main solider smiled at me again and nodded

"But you're all alone, no daddy around here right?"

My smile faltered but I quickly replaced it with a forced giggle

"Yep, just me"

He nodded and than turned to his men with a laugh before tightly gripping my hips and pulling me to him so I was pressed against him.

"So than he wouldn't be here to stop anything"

My breath stuttered at what he was implying and my facade was crumbling. My hand inching for my sword that I now realized I had left in the room. I looked down and thought of what to do. Without a sword there was no way I was beating four armed men. I tried to pull away with a quick maneuver But his hands just gripped me tighter making me wince at the way his fingers dug into my hip. I was now more worried as I tired to pulled away but one of his men walked up behind me and held me even tighter. Pulling my wrists behind me as the man infront of me leaned down licking a line up my neck making me let out a pathetic whimper. I closed my eyes and prepared for the worst. Only opening them when I heard heavy steps and felt blood spatter across my face. Looking forward the man had a sword through his chest making my eyes widen. The man behind me loosened his grip and I pulled away immediately to stand next to my two-time savior. He didn't waste time throwing me my sword and slaying the next man. I stepped forward and stabbed a man through the stomach, blood rushing out and painting the floor a bright crimson. Sandor dropped the last man and I took a deep breath before hearing something shatter and looking to see the shocked innkeeper dropping his glass. I stared for just a moment before saying

"We need to leave... right fucking now"

I said grabbing Sandors arm and pulling him out.

"Untie the horses"

I said and rushed over to the stables seeing Arya practicing sword maneuvers. I didn't have time to praise her as I spoke

"We need to leave, come"

She didn't question me and ran behind me back to the horses. When we got back I saw the innkeeper running to the pub, leaving no doubt in my mind there were more Lannister soldiers here. Sandor helped me and Arya quickly onto our horse before getting on his own and racing off. We followed closely behind he made a sharp turn instead of following the path, sending us into the thick forest. The horses moved as fast as they could through the trees and thicket but if they tripped at all, it would throw us off into the hard trees and leave us no way out.

Chapter Text

Luckily our unconventional path threw the Lannister soliders off our trail but we were now in the middle of a thick forest, branches scraping my exposed arms, wishing I had put on my armor when I had the chance. Arya was complaining behind me but I was too distracted keeping my horse from breaking an ankle on exposed roots that I barley heard her. I kept glancing up and than back down, checking each step.

"Sandor we can't keep going through this, we lose one horse and we are fucked"

I said and he grunted in agreement. Stopping his horse, so I did the same. I slipped off, not having much room with all the trees. Arya stayed up on the horse looking at us in shock.

"Are you stupid, they could find us any minute!"

"If you keep talking that fucking loud they will"

Sandor responded and I sighed looking at Arya

"They may be fucking idiots but they're also pussies, they wouldn't dare follow us in here even if they saw us come here in the first place"

Arya huffed

"Just stay here with the horses, me and Sandor are gonna look around to see if we can find a way out"

"You mean The Hound"

She spat out and I just shook my head, ignoring her and turning away, making my way into the woods. I pushed branches out of my way and kept my sword out incase but I was doubtful that a single person would be out here other than us.

"Anything?"

I hear Sandor call from not too far away

"No yet"

I called back but still kept my voice low. As I walked, more sun kept flashing through the trees and in longer streaks, the trees were beginning to thin out. I looked ahead and saw an open field.

"Over here"

I said and Sandor emerged from the trees, nodding at the path. As we started walking back to the horses I could see Sandor looking at the blood coming from the small cuts on my arms.

"I'm fine"

I said and he looked away

"I know you are, but you're still an idiot for not putting your armor on"

I laughed softly and I saw his lip twitch up. We got back to the horses and I hopped back up

"We found a opening east of here"

I told Arya as I carefully turned my horse and started heading to the exit. The closer we got the faster I could go till we finally were out of the forest. I paused when we got there for Sandor to catch up and when he did I looked across the horizon. Biting my lip before realizing where we were.

"Riverrun"

I said and Sandor looked at me before noticing the large body of water and than saw exactly where we were heading. The Riverlands.

Arya perked up and stared at the Castle in the distance. We headed in that direction but after a few hours. I looked over at Sandor and he nodded. We stopped our horses and hopped off.

"Why are we stopping?!"

Arya yelled out at us and I looked at her before speaking

"The sun I already going down, we need to get a fire started before we are stuck in darkness"

I said not paying attention to her reaction until she yelled back

"Its right there!"

She said pointing to the castle and I sighed

"Arya that's at least another ten... maybe fifteen hours, we'll start at first light but we aren't going any farther tonight"

I said and Arya stared at me than Sandor before jumping off my horse

"You are the fucking worst!"

She yelled out before walking off into the small forest that surrounded us. I sighed but built the fire before sitting down next to it. It was dark by the time I had finished and I assumed Arya was gone for the night. I was worried about her but tried to keep my thoughts to myself. Sandor sat down next to me, closer to the fire than probably comfortable for him but gently grabbed my arm and began inspecting it. I blushed

"What are you doing?

I asked and he tried pushing up my sleeve as far as he could

"Looking for where all this blood is coming from"

He said and I finally noticed my blood covered sleeve. I could feel the pain but it was radiating though my entire arm. I didn't realize I had any cuts larger than a scrap. He kept looking but my sleeve only rolled up so far so I finally sighed and pulled off my shirt he paused at my reaction for a moment but than cursed

"How did you not feel this?"

He said reaching into his bag and pulling out his wineskin before pouring water on my shoulder and the pain the shot through my shoulder made me pull away.

"Ow fuck"

"Sorry"

He quietly apologized as he pulled out some discarded fabric from his bag and pressed it to the wound. I winced again

"I didn't think the trees were that sharp"

I said and Sandor sent me a look

"That slash isn't from the trees, that's a sword"

I shot my head up at that, there was no way. Since blackwater I hadn't lost a fight nor been hit once

"There's no fucking way"

I whispered to myself

"One of the Lannister soilders must of hit you earlier, didn't feel it till you could relax"

Sandor spoke and I said louder

"There's no fucking way!"

He looked at me and the anger on my face

"Not a single scratch for months and than a fucking Lannister soldier gets me..."

Sandor looked at me amused and I kept talking

"Any pussy with a fucking stick could beat the entire Lannister army and I got hit by one of than"

Sandor finally laughed but I was too pissed to even savor it. I was fuming but Sandor finished wrapping my arm. I looked at my blood soaked shirt and sighed, I hung it up to dry hoping by morning I would have a blood covered but at least dry shirt. I grabbed my blanket and walked back over to the fire with Sandor and sat next to him. Without a shirt and only my underwraps, I was freezing and had completely forgotten about my earlier anger. I wrapped my blanket around myself but still shivered. Sandor looked at me for a good five minutes before he finally sighed and wrapped an arm around my body and pulled me to him. It was too cold for me to even think about anything other than the warmth radiating off him. I leaned into him and took a deep breath, he smelt like pine, probably from pushing through trees earlier but I didn't mind, it was calming. I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat, it was fast but steady. I was almost falling asleep when he spoke up

"Sorry"

I was shocked by his words and looked up at him to already see him looking down at my face

"For what?"

He pointed at my face and I reached up feeling the splashed blood from the Lannister soilder he had killed now dried on my face. I thought for a moment before giggling

"I should be thanking you for saving me... again"

He smiled at me but spoke

"Still, pretty girls shouldn't have to be covered in blood"

I blushed slightly and noticed the light pink on his cheeks too. I looked up at him as he turned his face to the fire and in a rush of confidence I leaned up and pressed my lips to his cheek and whispered a soft

"Thank you"

I went to pull away but he held me too him and leaned over pushing his face into my neck a leaving a soft kiss on my neck... just like he did this morning. I blushed but pushed him away, before he could react I pushed my lips to his. My reaction wasn't thought through and he froze. I went to pull away, surprised with my own actions but hands immediately grabbed my waist and held me there as he kissed back. As a man who stated he never got much affection he was a much better kisser than I expected. I leaned into the kiss and placed a hand on his scarred cheek. He pulled away than and pulled my hand off his cheek, looking away. I started at him with glossy eyes before he spoke

"Sorry"

He said and I shoke my head finally listening to him. I scoffed

"I kissed you first if you remember"

"You should have just left after you healed"

Pain shot through my heart

"What?"

I whispered in broken words. At my broken voice he looked over and sighed, placing a hand on my cheek as I tried to keep my eyes from watering

"I'm not a man that someone like you should be with... I'm a Clegane, your noble... I can't give you what you deserve"

I looked at him and a tear slipped from my eye

"I deserve you"

He turned away and I saw the tears in his eyes as he tried to force them away

"I don't deserve you-"

His words were cut off by another kiss but this time when he tried to pull away I kept him there with a firm hand on the back of his neck. He gave up quickly and savored my kiss, only pulling away when I needed to take a breath. I looked In his eyes and spoke

"You have protected me for months , made me feel like I matter, when you had no reason to do so, so stop acting like you're nothing and just accept my fucking love"

I said and leaned into him again. After a second I heard him laugh and I smiled

"You really do make this so fucking hard"

Chapter Text

The next morning I woke up next to Sandor and smiled leaning into him. He breathed out and pulled me tighter to him, his eyes still closed. I wanted to just fall back to sleep. But I heard ruffling in the trees and quickly pulled away. I was up with my sword in seconds. He had barely sat up when Arya emerged from the trees. She paused when she saw me pointing a sword at her.

"We sparing?"

She asked sarcastically with a look of anger and I sighed dropping my sword only for Sandor to laugh. I shot him a look and he just kept laughing. I shook my head but packed up my horse. I was glad Arya didn't see me with Sandor this morning, she probably would have killed us both.

Once we were packed up, we were back on the road. Arya was basically throwing stuff on the horse and cursing at us to move faster until we were actually moving. We kept the horses at a steady pace

"If we keep going through the day we might make it there in time for the wedding"

I said and Sandor grunted, Arya wasn't paying attention to me but at the vast landscape. It was beautiful and a cool wind kept the heat from the sun bearable. It became a comfortable silence after that but after riding for a few hours my shoulder was beginning to hurt again. I kept adjusting trying to stop the burning but nothing was helping. All my squirming caught Sandors attention. He kept looking over every few seconds, I would never ask to stop because of something like this but damn was it killing. I reached back to see if I needed to adjust the wrap but when I pulled my hand back it was soaked in blood. When Sandor saw that he finally said something.

"Stop"

I immediately followed his order and I heard Arya intake a breath to speak but Sandor beat her to it

"Shut the fuck up before you even start"

Arya huffed and I would have laughed at the exchange if it wasn't for the pain. Sandor walked over and helped me off the horse before looking at the blood. I didn't hesitate to remove my top.

"I have to see you shirtless again?"

Arya asked in connection to this morning but was quickly ignored. Sandor looked at the cut and sighed before using my blood soaked shirt to tie my arm in a way that it was restricted but stopped a lot of the pain. Though I was left without a shirt. I wasn't going to complain until Sandor walked over to his bag and threw a white tie up shirt to me. It was way too large for me and I looked at him. He sighed

"Would you rather have your tits out?"

He asked pointing to my underwraps. I blushed and looked away before pulling the shirt on and tying it up as much as I could so it would fit at least a little bit. I got back on my horse but after only riding for a few moments Sandor kindly helped a man who came along by fixing his cart... before knocking him out and stealing his cart of meat which caused another hour of bickering between him and Arya. Luckily I could enjoy it this time as the pain in my arm had subsided. A few more hours of riding and before I knew it the sun was going down again and the castle was beginning to get closer. I could hear music and see lights coming from it, even talking as we got closer, laughing... than screaming. At that me and Sandor shared a look before speeding up as fast as we could. The screaming stopped before we even got there but the second we got there, Arya grabbed her sword and ran off. I went to yell her name but stopped myself not yet knowing what those screams were caused by. Me and Sandor got off and slowly walked around, Sandor grabbed a man and asked him what was happening and he simply stated that the wedding was over. While Sandor was trying to get more information, what I saw next almost made me fall over. Right through the front gates was Robs corpse, paraded up on a horse with Gray Winds head sliced off and placed a top his like a mask. I stumbled into Sandor but he quickly caught me before looking up to see what I was looking at. Even he seemed fazed. We were both frozen In place while the Frays chanted. After a moment Sandor was tugging on my arm.

"We need to go"

I couldn't move. He moved infront of me and grabbed my arms, forcing me to look in his eyes.

"Y/n we need to go or they'll kill us next"

I stared in his eyes but he looked away when people began coming our way.

"B-but Arya?"

I forced out but he grabbed my arm and dragged me over to his horse.

"There's no time"

He said pushing me up on his horse before getting on infront of me. He whipped the handle and the horse took off. I grabbed onto Sandor and leaned my head onto his back. I was still too shocked to feel the true sadness that this caused.

~~~~~

After Sandor decided we were far enough away to be safe he slowed his horse down to a stop and hopped off. I stayed seated on the horse staring forward at the rising sun. I was exhausted but I couldn't even force myself to sleep if I wanted to, my mind kept flashing to horrific scene I experienced over and over again. I finally noticed Sandor softly saying my name and the hand he had reached up. I looked over at him finally

"Come on, let's get you off Stranger and clean your arm up"

I let him help me off the horse and cleaned my arm but the one thing I couldn't bare was the silence, even the crickets didn't dare make a sound. No padding footsteps from Arya, the explicit bickering or the clinking of armor. At that thought I sighed. All of my clothes and other items had been forgotten with my horse when we fled the riverlands. The only thing I had left was my sword still resting on my hip.

"Its stopped bleeding but if we don't get this properly cleaned and bandaged soon it will fester"

He said helping me pull his shirt back over me.

"I didn't see anything on the map but if we keep going we are bound to find a village"

Sandor nodded and than we sat in silence. Usually moments like this with just us were sweet and lighthearted but neither of us could keep much focus on anything other than what we saw mere hours ago

Chapter Text

The only sound I woke up to was the soft crackling of the fire going out and steady breathing. I looked a few feet to my left and saw Sandor still asleep. I didn't wake him, we had no where to be now, no mission anymore. I sighed softly and kicked dirt over the final few flames before looking at the trees surrounding us. Just over the horizon I could still see the castle, we were still quite close but the trees gave us enough cover to not be spotted. I looked away from the castle as my throat heated up and I swallowed deeply, trying to suck in the cool air but my lungs refused. I shook my head and looked at Sandors shirt on me. I grabbed the strings and tried tightening them around my waist again, once it was secure I grabbed my belt and sword, making sure my small knife was still strapped to my thigh under my skirt. Once I was prepared I took another look at Sandor before pushing into the forest. I now wish I had eaten some of the meat from yesterday or atleast dried and packed some of it, my stomach was starting to hurt from lack of food so I was gonna see if I could hunt down a rabbit or squirrel, even berries, just something I could eat. I hadn't even walked for five minutes before I heard talking. I froze my steps and tried to listen but I was still too far away to hear anything. I yelled internally at my stupidity but I quietly stepped closer and peeked out behind  a tree to see about half a dozen men sitting around a fire. Once I spotted their armor my body burned with anger

"No I swear I was the one who put that dogs head on him"

"Bullshit, everyone says it's them"

"I'm serious, it was so heavy it kept falling off..."

I grabbed my sword, so hard my hand turned white. I was shaking with anger and I brought it up, about to make a stupid mistake before, quiet as the wind, a body grabbed my arm and the other covered my mouth.

"Are you fucking stupid"

He whispered in my ear and I pulled away to look at Sandor. Tears were brimming my eyes.

"They killed him, they killed Rob, probably Arya too"

I whisper yelled at Sandor and he grabbed my arm again telling me to shut up but it was too late

"Who's there!?"

We heard a man from the group yell out and Sandor just looked at me. My heart sped up at the unexpected yell, but he nodded at me and I nodded back. He walked ahead and I stayed behind him but followed him out. When the Fray man saw Sandor he stood up straighter with his sword but when he saw me, he relaxed again

"Who is it?"

One of the men said and the one infront of us yelled back

"Just some guy and his wife"

"She hot?"

Yelled back and I rolled my eyes. The guy smirked but when Sandor stepped infront of me to block his veiw the guy gulped. He looked up at Sandor and was looking for any words before asking

"Hungry?"

He pointed to the distance where the men were around a fire with a wild hog roasting ontop. Sandor didn't say anything but grabbed my arm softly and walked past the man, over to the group. The men all watched Sandor and as he sat down the ground almost felt like It shoke from the pressure. Now seeing Sandor next to a man it was easy to see why they all looked so frightened, it was like comparing a wolf and a mouse. After being with Sandor for so long I almost forgot how small men really are. After a few moments of silence one of the men perked up and spoke to us.

"You guys hear about the wedding last night"

I tensed and began itching for my sword but Sandor placed a steady hand on my back and moved it up and down. I took a breath and smiled softly

"What wedding?"

I asked and the men all laughed before speaking

"You must not be from around here, or anywhere important than"

Another laugh

"You know the brave King of the North?"

A rhetorical question

"Well let's just say, no one will underestimate the Freys again"

They all puffed our their chests as if they didn't betray a oath, didn't kill the people they supported for hundreds of years. I forced my smile to stay and forced my tears or anger away. I nodded but the man just kept talking

"Stabbed him right infront of his mother, of course not before killing his pretty little wife and the pup she was carrying"

My breath was beginning to come out uneven, Sandors hand was no longer helping

"His mother begged us to let him go, but we slit her thoart as well, killed his whole army, I'd love to see the look on his sister face when she hears about this"

I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed my sword, standing up and driving it into the neck of the man closest to me, Sandor cursed but stood up and did the same. In seconds all but one were dead, he raised his sword but Sandor punched him with an armor clad fist and he fell to the ground. He grabbed the man and pulled him to his knees. Sandor looked down at the man and as he looked at his dead friends he yelled out

"Fuck you!"

Sandor scoffed and started down at the man

"Those are your last words "fuck you" come on you can do better"

"...Cunt!"

The man stuttered out, Sandor rolled his eyes

"You're shit at dying, you know that?"

Sandor said before bringing his sword down into the mans head. Blood poured out like a beautiful crimson fountain and I sighed in relief. I looked at the bloody bodies and smiled, a real genuine smile. Never had murdering people felt this good

Chapter Text

We had stolen everything those men had. I took some of their shirts. they were smaller than Sandors so they fit slightly better and would work until we found another town where I could get some new clothes. My skirt was covered in caked on mud and dry blood but there wasn't much I could do about it. The men also had some food and silver which we packed into the saddle bag of stranger before we sat down. We left their bodies where they were, they didn't deserve any better and honestly deserved much worse but what else could we do. I stared at my blood soaked sword and sighed. I was shocked how I felt about that, killing had never been hard for me, just something I had to do but never once had a taken any true joy from it, until then. I kept replaying the moment in my head and kept having to suppress the smile that threatened to come to my face. What was wrong with me

"I feel kinda bad"

I finally said and Sandor looked at me confused before he rolled his eyes

"About those cunts?"

"No not about killing those bastards but because... it felt good... it made me happy... killing shouldn't feel that good"

"That's why I do it"

Sandor said and I looked at him, he kept talking

"I like killing, not many people deserve to live anyway, just ridding the world of worthless cunts"

I looked down and sighed again, was that how it was supposed to feel, good. I honestly didn't know or care at this point. We rode the next morning, I leaned my head against Sandors back as I watched the castle dissappear into the distance. I was just glad to be away from everything but I felt disgusting, being covered in mud and blood. I thanked the God's when I saw a small village up ahead. We hopped off the horse and Sandor tied him up.

"We should grab a room for the night"

I said staring at my skin, the colour barley visible under all the grime. Quickly realizing I would definitely need to wash off otherwise the innkeeper probably wouldn't even let me inside

"Looks like there's a bath house over there"

Sandor seemed to read my mind and directed his gaze to a building not far down the dirt road and I nodded, staying next to him. There was silence for a moment as he finished knotting the rope around a post and the he turned to me and I stared back before he gave me a look

"Are you gonna go clean yourself up?"

I looked at him with innocent eyes and blinked a few times before speaking

"Well aren't you coming with me?"

It was an innocent request especially since I needed him to clean the slash on my back that was not visible to my eyes but I still saw a blush rise on his cheeks. His mind seemed to to blank for a moment before he looked at me to see if I was joking but I just kept looking at him and he sighed but started walking over to the bathhouse. It took me a moment to realize he was moving and I quickly caught up, followed close behind. The sun was falling with speed and darkness coated the town by the time we had reached the bathhouse leaving the room only lit up by flickering candles. I sighed in needed relief as I pulled off my skirt, the fabric sounded like plaster as the dried mud cracked and fell off in chunks. I threw it only the ground and didn't realize the eyes raking over me as I pulled my shirt off, till I looked over and Sandor still stood there fully clothed. I still had my underwarps on, knowing I needed to take them off and buy new ones but as I met sandors eyes a blush rose on my cheeks. He noticed immediately with a grunt

"A girl asked me to come here"

He said and crossed his arms and I sighed looking away, with crimson cheeks, I spoke

"A girl has never been naked infront of a man"

That seemed to catch his attention. I saw him quirk an eyebrow

"You've never fucked?"

The bluntness of his question made a squeak fall from my lips and more heat raise to my face if that was possible. I refused to meet his eyes but tried to defend myself

"I didn't have time for that shit, I was training or working I just... I um..."

Sandor sighed but he held a soft look in his eyes that I only caught for a moment before he turned away. I silently thanked him and pulled off my underwraps, glad to get them off my body after what felt like forever. Only the skin underneath them managed to pertain its original color. I felt my hair drap across my back realizing that the mud had ran so far up my body that my hair was covered too but I wouldn't have to deal with it for too long as I sunk into the large bath. I sighed as heat filled my body, a warmth that I only remembered from sharing a bed with Sandor. When he heard the water settle he turned around, the hot water held a cloudy color allowing me to stay as modest as I could at this point. Sandor didn't hesitate getting undressed, pulling off his armor and his clothes which could compete with mine for how dirty they were, he didn't care one bit if I was looking but as he went to remove his trousers I turned away. My eyes directed to the stone wall as I fighted the urge to look until Sandor sunk into the water just across from me. A sigh left his mouth as well as he leaned back and closed his eyes. My eyes raked across his chest. It wasn't a surprise that he was built and neither were the dozens of small and large scars that decorated his skin. If I was closer I would have ran my fingers across them. I shoke my head at my thoughts and tried to focus as I grabbed one of the small towels that was left in the room and begun roughly scrubbing my skin, trying to get all the dirt off. When reaching for my legs I let out a whimper. Making Sandor open his eyes and look. I felt the gash on my back wanting to rip as I tired to reach my lower legs. I leaned back with a defeated sigh. Sandor looked at me for a moment before shaking his head and holding out his hand

"Let me"

Chapter Text

"Let me"

I raised my gaze to his face for a moment, confused. I tilted my head and he sighed again, speaking

"You can't reach your legs right?"

He said and I slowly nodded, he gestured again to the cloth in my hand and I blushed. After a moment of contenplating I slowly moved over to his side of the bath and sat on the underwater ledge. I gently passed him the cloth and slowly raised my right leg just out of the water. He glaced at my face one more time before he took my leg in his hand. His rough fingers surprising gentle against my skin. With his other hand he started delicately pulling the cloth across my leg, leaving strips of clean skin behind. He focused on what he was doing but I couldn't help to study his face as he did so. He looked so calm and the flickering candles lit his face beautifully. My heart stuttered past a beat, causing me to blush and look away. He set my leg down and I was confused by how when his fingers left my leg I felt cold despite the heat of the water. I was slightly disappointed till he gestured again and I caught on, raising my other leg. I relished in the heat I immediately felt again as his fingers met my skin. The warmth traveling through my body. I felt the cloth against my skin again and softly smiled at how gentle he was being with me. He was treating me like a porcelain doll, almost like if he held me too roughly, I would break. I kept smiling at him as he finished cleaning the rest of my leg. He delicately placed it back in the water but the look on my face remained and he looked up. When he saw the glossed over look in my eyes he blushed.

I finally looked away still smiling to myself and out of my preferal I saw Sandor look away as well and take a deep breath. I bit my lip and couldn't help the fluttering in my chest. We were left in a comfortable silence for a few minutes even the water seemed still as the beating in my chest slowed. It was broken when the water was disturbed by Sandor moving. He placed a bare hand on my right shoulder making me shutter softly before he turned me away from him.

"What are you doing?"

I asked softly as I saw him dip the cloth back in the water before ringing it out

"This needs to be cleaned"

He said, the deepness of his voice vibrating throughout my chest. I felt him place the cloth over my slash and I winced and the slight burn. He apologized softly before continuing to clean it as tenderly as possible. When he was done he gently tapped my uninjured shoulder and I turned back to my original position, right next to Sandor.

"Thank you"

I said and leaned over, placing a kiss on his cheek. I heard him softly laugh and I smiled

"I don't even get a real kiss?"

He stated and I playfully rolled my eyes before speaking

"If you want a kiss than take one"

I whispered. He didn't need to be told twice. Within seconds his hand was on the back if my neck as he pulled me to him. His lips were rough against mine and I didn't hesitate to kiss back. I gently placed my hands on his chest, my early thoughts coming back as I ran my fingers across the scars. The raised skin was softer than the calloused skin of his hands as I felt them move to my waist. He was careful to not touch me anywhere that would make me uncomfortable, being considerate about my earlier confession.

He only pulled away when he was forced to due to the hell we call breathing. I leaned my forehead against him, wrapping my arms around the back of his neck. I was sucking in breaths, the warm air of the room making it harder than it should be as I tried to regain myself. Sandors hands danced across my skin softly, his fingertips running across my thighs and hips. I was enjoying the feeling as I leaned my head into his chest and relaxed but it was short lived at the sound of voices outside our door.

"This is the only town for miles  where else would they have gone"

The voices were hushed but still loud enough for us to make out. Me and Sandor both stilled our movements, the air felt heavy as we quietly listened

"I don't have a good feeling about this, let's just tell them we didn't find anything and go back"

I heard a slash, some gargling and than a dull thud hitting the ground. My heart was beginning to hammer in my chest

"The Hounds bounty is good but I'd rather not split it with a pussy"

Soft laughs came from just outside the door and now there was no denying who they we looking for. Me and Sandor both looked at each other before he nodded at me. I nodded back and we slowly slipped out of the water. I couldn't care less about my bare body at this moment as Sandor grabbed our clothes and than my hand, pulling me behind a thin folding panel just seconds before the door slammed open. The sound made me jump but before I could gasp a hand was clamped around my mouth and a bare body pressed up against my back.

"Don't make a sound"

He spoke in my ear, almost so quiet I couldn't hear it. I softly nodded and he slowly removed his hand from my mouth before he peeked out. The men we looking around the room but the few candles only lit up so much and that's all we could depend on right now. I looked to the far cornor of the room, it was too dark to see but I knew both our swords were sitting there. If they came over here we were fucked. Naked and without weapons, hell we would be asking for it. Our dripping skin was causing a soft padding on the stone but the men were too busy bickering to hear it.

"Well someone had to be in here, the water is still warm"

"And how are you so sure it was him?"

"They said he was traveling with a girl, guy said a large man and a pretty girl were here, who the fuck else would it be?"

I could hear every footstep in my ears, it was almost too loud compared to the silence of the rest of the room. They were getting closer and we were running out of time. I looked at the cornor again and before Sandor could stop me I rushed towards them, using the men's loud voice to silence the padding of my feet. I knew Sandor would be calling me a fucking idiot if he could. I grabbed my sword and was betting on the dark room to cover myself but as I picked up Sandors sword the unfamiliar longer hilt made me scrap it on the floor, it wasn't much but my luck was beginning to run out and the men looked over.

"Did you hear that?"

The three men looked over to the cornor, unable to see me yet but it still felt like they were staring right at me. The men were in heavy armor, the golden lion plastered on their chests. I held my sword and tried to pause my shaking hands. Even as I good fighter I stood no chance without armor against three men. My breath was shaking and they got closer with ever second

Chapter Text

I closed my eyes and prayed to the seven to give me strength as I raised my sword ready to fight a losing battle until I heard a fourth voice from outside the room.

"Here!"

The men immediately turned towards the door before rushing out and I stood still almost shocked at my luck. I could not care less what that man found that was so important but we didn't have much time. Sandor was next to me in a matter of seconds

"The fact you haven't died yet is a fucking miracle"

He said, I could hear the anger dripping from his voice but the worry was all I was focusing on. He forcefully grabbed arm and his sword. Grabbing his bag and throwing me a towel. I wrapped it around my body trying to cover as much as I could. He wrapped his haphazardly around his waist and glanced out the door before he nodded at me. Sandor gently grabbed my hand making sure I stayed behind him as his other hand held his sword infront of him.

I tripped when my foot hit something, Sandors hand being the only thing keeping me steady. I felt warm liquid flood across my feet and the fading light was enough to show a dead Lannister soldier splayed across the ground with blood puddled around his neck, easily explaining the sound from earlier. If they did this to their own men I do not want to find out what would happen to us. I couldn't think much about it anymore because Sandor had pulled us out a side door, plunging us into full darkness.

"Get dressed"

He said and I didn't question him but was still reluctant as I pulled my dirty clothes back on to my freshly cleaned skin. A few building were lit up and we used it to guide our way back to our horse. Sandor helped me onto stranger and hopped on after me, only to whip the rains, sending us barreling away from the village at full speed

~~~~~

We were both exhausted. We had been riding for the past few hours hoping to get as far away from that village as possible. My eyes were heavy but the rough rocking of the horse made sleep impossible. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding when Sandor slowed us down to a stop. We both sat up on the horse breathing deeply. Sandor seemed to snap back first and hopped off Stranger before picking me up and setting me down on the solid ground. My legs felt weak and I stumbled but planted myself enough to stand. I looked down and sighed

"So much for clean skin and a warm bed"

The moon lit up my shoes and legs enough to show the dirt and blood that painted them. Sandor turned to look before running a hand down my arm

"I know sweetheart"

He said but there was no bite or emotion to his voice as he was too tired to respond with much else. He layed down on the grass with a thump and I gently lowered myself down as  well, laying on his chest. With how stressful the night was the sky was mocking us with beautiful stars. My mind was failing as the soft chirp of crickets and my already aching body sent me into a dreamless sleep

~~~~~

I felt a drip on my forehead but my half awake mind disregarded it. But then another, and another and soon they were all over. I finally shot up and looked up... you have got to be fucking with me. Dark clouds painted the entire sky, rain becoming worse by the second. Sandor quickly sat up next to me and let out a grunt. As our clothes were quickly covered in cold rain

"Can't catch a fucking break"

Sandor spoke with anger as he stood up and we got back on Stranger. With all that was going on I was happy that I atleast got some sleep but I was now uncomfortably sitting on a Saddleless horse with soaking wet clothes sticking to my skin. The water running off my skin was dyed a dark brown as it washed the dirt and blood off my legs. The rain just got worse from then on. It was so heavy that Sandor was having a hard time seeing where we were going and it was pelting the slash on my back causing jolts if pain every few seconds. For whatever reasons the God's decided to show mercy on us after their sick little game with a town that was up ahead. A very large one at that. No one was outside except for a few farmers and low class workers pushing though the rough weather.

"Oh thank God's"

I said when I saw an inn up ahead. Sandor passed by it though and I sighed. He heard my disappointment and spoke

"Don't worry girl, we need dry clothes then we can go to the inn"

He said and stopped infront of a small store. We went inside and I smiled at the thought of getting some brand new clothes, it had been too long. I got a few different things especially since I only had one skirt after losing my bag. I got a few skirts and a shirt with a corset but kept on my wet clothes knowing I had to go right back into the rain. We headed to the inn and I hopped off but Sandor stayed on the dark horse. He held his hand out and I lifted mine up only for him to drop a few peices of silver in it.

"Get the room, I'll be back"

Was all he said before he headed in the opposite direction. I watched him ride before turning back and walking into the inn. I was slightly worried that he would just leave but I had to remind myself he would never do that and push the thoughts away as I walked up to the innkeeper

"Oh dear why were you out in the storm?"

The woman said and I shoke my head dropping the silver on the desk

"One room"

I said and the woman looked at me before taking the coins. She placed the coins in a lockbox before speaking

"What is a young girl doing all alone in this town?"

I didn't know what she meant by that but I responded

"I'm not alone"

I said and she looked me up and down before placing a key in my hand.

"Well you shouldn't be caught alone here"

She said before walking to the back. I stood there for a moment before scoffing at her odd behavior and waking down the hall, I was not going to deal with this shit today. As I was walking to the room two men were heading my way. They slowed when they saw me but I payed them no mind. I got to my door and fiddled with the key as the men whispered. I finally got the door unlocked but as I did one of the men pushed me into the room and immediately entered after I hit the ground

Chapter Text

I groaned as my elbows hit the ground and as I was about to stand up another kick came to my stomach causing me to let out a harsh breath as all the air was knocked from my lungs. The door to my room was slammed shut by the second man as the first began to unbuckled his pants. I groaned in my head, fucking pigs. My sword was too hard to unsheath in my current position so when the second man grabbed my right arm. I grabbed my knife from my hip with my free hand and slammed it though his boot and right though his foot, it buried itself into the wooden floor and kept him in place. I loud scream of pain came from him and I used their shock to my advantage. I slid my foot roughly across the other man's legs causing him to fall to the ground. I quickly got to me feet and finally took my sword out. I ended the already injured man but as I went to hit the other man he slashed at me with a blade I didn't see earlier. It caught me off guard and I jumped out of the way but I dropped my sword. The man went to slash again but his position on the ground was not helping him. I kicked the knife out of his hand and heard a loud crunch come from his wirst. I didn't hear the door open as I brought my foot down on his head. I louder crack now coming from his skull. My anger got the best of me as I brought my boot down his head till his face was unrecognizable. I finally planted my foot back on the ground with heavy breaths. I looked up to see Sandor looking at me with a smirk

"Barley in this town for five minutes "

He said and I stood up straight looking at him

"They were in our room"

I said with a shrug and Sandor chuckled. He ended up dragging their bodies to the stable right outside, giving the pigs a good meal. I was sitting on the ground when he got back to the room and he spoke

"and to think the rain washed off most of the blood"

He said pointing to my legs which were now covered in blood again. I sighed but Sandor just smiled at me.

"Lets get you cleaned up"

He said and helped me pull off my clothes. I put on clean underwraps and smiled at the feeling as Sandor helped me wipe all the blood and dirt off my body. Till I was left feeling clean again.

"Now let me see your shoulder"

He said and I turned away from him on the bed. He took a few things from his bag. He wiped the slash clean with water

"I saw I small shop when we road in so thats why I left you here, to get this"

He said before wrapping my shoulder with the newly bought gauze. It was a messy job but it would work

"That should actually start healing now"

He said and I was happy to finally have that slash properly wrapped up. I turned back to him and kissed him before pulling away

"Thank you"

I said and realized just how many times I had thanked him in the past week. He was doing so much for me. I made me smile and I started to put on my new clothes but Sandor spoke.

"Its still raining no need to put on clean clothes... plus you deserve a rest"

He said. I looked at the bed and realized with all this traveling I hadn't actually had a lesure day since back in Kings Landing. I bit my lip and put away my clean clothes again before walking over to the bed just in my underwraps and crawling under the covers. Sandor pulled off his shirt before slipping into the bed with me. I leaned on his chest and watched the rain out the crack in the shudders. The rain was much more comforting when I could watch it from a warm bed. Sandor brought his hand up to run it across my drying hair and I hummed in pleasure, snuggling into him more and closing my eyes. I ran my fingers across a large slash on his chest and as I thought, I giggled slightly. I could hear the smile in his voice as Sandor spoke

"What's so funny girl"

I stiffled my giggles as I spoke

"I almost killed a man while completely naked"

When I didn't hear a response, I looked up to see Sandor frowning down at me

"You almost got killed while completely naked"

The glare he was giving me made me laugh even more but he kept a frown painted on his features.

"Come on, you know I could take them"

"Yes but you're also small and there was more of them"

Now it was my turn to frown

"I'm not small"

I said offended and he raised a brow at me

"Do I need to stand up?"

Sandor said but it was already becoming embarrassing obvious how much larger he was then me when I realized the bottom on my feet barley met his knees while laying here. He smirked when he felt my feet moving, realizing the same thing I did. I scoffed and turned my head away

"Shut up"

I said but he still let out a bark of laughter and I tried to push down the smile that threatened to paint my lips. After a while his breathing had relaxed and his heart beat had slowed. I look up to see his eyes closed and I glanced at the burns that covered half his face. I couldn't help it and reached up but before I could even touch him a hand shot up and grabbed my wrist. I jumped and let out a gasp, not realizing he was still awake. He cracked open one eye to look at me and smirked.

"Stop trying to touch it"

I pouted

"I let you touch my wounds"

Sandor shot me a look, telling me that it was definitely not the same. And I sighed laying back on him

"And I thought you were asleep"

I said and he spoke

"Falling asleep right now would sinful"

I tilted my head and he kept speaking

"The feeling of you skin..."

His hand ran across my bare arm leaving goosebumps in his wake

"That pretty look on your face"

His free hand softly held my chin as I forced myself to hold his gaze

"The racing of your heartbeat"

He said and a smirk slowly came to his face

"How could I sleep when I got such a woman right next to me"

Chapter Text

The smirk on his face was causing my already racing heart to increase in speed. The only thing that would calm me would be pushing away but my body refused to move even an inch as his hand continued running across my arm before slipping into my waist and over the curve of my hip. He held my gaze with ease while I was finding it Increasing difficult to keep my eyes focused. They were becoming fuzzy as his hand slipped over my stomach and down to my thighs. The feather like touches were causing feelings I had never felt, I heat that I couldn't explain. No one had ever touched me like this and my body was reacting without hesitation.

I unconsciously let my thighs fall open and the smirk on his face grew wider before he leaned down, capturing my lips in a heated kiss. His lips moved against mine and I raised my hand holding it against his chest as the other held his face. Keeping his lips pressed to mine. I was distracted as his tounge slipped in my mouth that I didn't realized where his hand was targeting until I felt his fingers graze across the front of my panties. I pulled away from his lips letting out a gasp. His lips immediately attached to my neck and my gasp was swallowed by a moan that rose in my throat at the feeling of his teeth against the soft skin of my neck. His fingers moved to the band of my panties and he tugged. I caught on quickly raising my hips as one hand pulled my panties down and his other grasped at my waist. When his fingers grazed against my core my head fell back and I let out a noise I didn't even know I could make. I felt him smile against my neck and his slid his finger across my slit and when he reached the small bundle of nerves I almost fell over the edge. It was nothing I had ever felt before. Sandor immediately noticed my reaction and kept his fingers there, rubbing them in small circles. I was squirming, moans falling from my lips. Heat blooming through my body. Sandor manoeuvred his body so he was on top of me and that's when he moved his other hand slowly pushing a finger in my entrance. It was a slight stretch of pain but when he curled his finger, still using his other to make small circles, I lost it. Pleasure coated every inch of my body as my legs shook and my hands were gripping Sandors arm so tight I was sure I would leave marks. It took a few minutes to fully regain myself but when I opened my eyes Sandor was already looking at me, he smiled when I gave him a look of awe. I leaned up and pulled him into a kiss but as I did I felt something brush up against my leg. I pulled away to look down and I could see him straining against his pants. The fading heat in my body immediately came back amd I bit my lip. My hips buckled unconsciously and Sandor smiled at me.

"You sure?"

I looked at him before slowly nodding. He lifted himself off of me and I immediately missed his arms around me but quickly became distracted as he removed his pants. I stared shamlessly at his member. Of course I had been part of talks between other noble ladies about their wedding night but hearing about it and actually being in the situation was very different. He was large, larger than anything I had heard from the stories. If his finger was already stretching me I couldn't begin to imagine how he would even fit... or if it was even possible. It seems Sandor saw the doubts flash through my eyes and raised a hand to run it across my cheek. I immediately looked up to meet his eyes, the dark blush evident on my cheeks. He smiled softly at me

"If you want to stop we can"

It clenched my heart about how considerate he was being and though I was nervous I was too stubborn to step out now especially when my body was practically screaming in desperation

"No, no... I'm okay, just... be gentle"

He chuckled softly and ran his thumb across my cheek.

"I'll be slow, just tell me if you want me to stop"

I nodded at him and he smiled. He placed on hand on the bed next to my head as his other hand lined him up with my entrance. I was already slick from the pervious "activities" and he looked at me one last time. I took a breath and nodded. He slowly slipped in and a whimper left my lips at the pain. He winced at my pain but I didn't tell him to stop so he slowly kept pushing in. My nails were digging into his skin as he finally got all the way in.

I was surprised he was even able to as I could feel him pressing tightly against every wall inside. I held my breath waiting for the waves of pain to wash over me. A dull burn settling in. I sighed and let him know he could move with a single nod. He looked in my eyes as he pulled out again and pushed back in with a heavy breath

"Lord's you are tight"

He said and his words caused a flutter in my stomach, the pain fading even more and as he repeated the motion I started to feel a transfer. The pain slowly become pleasure, my body becoming used to the foreign sensation. The motion repeated again and a moan finally fell from my lips, the pain now shadowed by the pleasure. My eyes looks up at him. As heavy breaths and moans forced themselves through my lips. I knew the look on my face was nothing but awe and love but it was truly all I could feel in the moment. His body rocked against mine and I could feel Sandor holding back. His hips stuttering as he tried to keep a slow pace

"You are so beautiful"

He spoke staring down at my body splayed out for him, all for him. His hand on the bed clenched into a fist as the one on my hip tightened enough to leave marks. I finally was able to find my voice

"Faster"

I spoke softly and Sandors eyes widened, his hips unintentionally snapping into me hard at the words.

"Dear I dont want to hurt you"

I whimpered

"Sandor please I need it"

The slow thrusts felt good but I needed to feel him let go and just use me. I got what I asked for in seconds as he finally gave up control, his hips ramming into me. It felt even better than before and I could not believe the sensations running through my body, like fire in my veins, pure pleasure. I couldn't hold back any of the noises as he thrusting in and out of me, the obscene sound of skin slapping skin filling the room.

"Oh lords, yes please"

I yelled out, my words seeming to spur him on as he let out heavy breaths and growls.

"That's it taking it like such a good girl"

His words made my body tighten and he growled at the feeling of me tighting around him. He met my eyes again and spoke

"You wanna cum for me sweetheart"

I whined at his words, feeling the build up again and nodded vigorously

"That's right sweetie cum all over my cock"

His words were enough to send me careening over the edge. I moaned loudly tightening around him and he loud out a deep groan. The pleasure painting my body was slowly fading as he pulled out and I felt hot ropes of cum cover my lower tummy and chest. Sandor stared at me for a moment as I stared with glazed over eyes. He leaned down planting a kiss on my lips before getting up and walking over to the bathroom. He came back soon after with a towel and cleaned me off before stepping back into bed. He wrapped and arm around me and looked down at me with a soft smile

"Are you okay?'

He asked in I smiled up at me

"I'm amazing"

He chuckled at me enthusiastic response and spoke

"You aren't hurting?"

"Well I'm a little sore and I'm sure you left a bruise on my hip but I'm fine"

I said and he smiled

"Left a few marks on your neck too"

He said and I reach up, obviously not being able to feel him but the gazing of his teeth earlier was bound to leave a mark.

"As long as they're marks by you, I don't mind"

He smirked

"Really?"

I nodded and he spoke again

"So you wouldn't mind if I left a few more"

He said his teeth running across my neck again as I let out giggles

Chapter Text

I woke up the next morning even more sore than the night before. A dull ache sat between my thighs but the feeling made my body tingle. I quickly had to suppress the sensation knowing if we went looking for another round that walking would be out of the picture. Sandors slow breathing let me know he was still asleep as I wiggled out of his arms. I quietly stepped over to the restroom amd shut the door when I stepped in. It was quite dark but a small sliver of sunlight that shot through the closed blinds allowed me to see my bruised body. My neck and chest were covered in dark marks and I chuckled softly at them before looking down to see the obvious fingerprint bruises left on my hips. I got dressed happy to pull on brand new clean clothes. As I was tightening my corset, Sandor stirred and opened his eyes. He looked over at me with a calm smile, one that I had rarely seen before saying

"Leaving me already like im some common whore"

He said playfully and I scrunched up my face with a laugh.

"No, but I didn't wanna wake you, sleeping beauty"

I said and this time he scrunched up his face before pulling the covers back and standing up. On instinct I turned away and I heard a chuckle.

"Its cute that you won't look at me, but you definitely can't be nervous around me anymore"

He said, pressing his bare body up behind me, making a small squeak fall past my lips. His brushed my hair over my shoulder and planted a soft kiss on my collarbone before pulling away, making my body feel cold but also allowing me to breath again. He pulled on his clean clothes and was was strapping his armor on when we heard a knock on the door. In instinct I reached for my sword. As I looked at the door and then him, he shrugged and I took a breath. He pulled his sword out and I stepped closer to the door. I opened it just enough to look out. Standing in front of me was the inn keeper. I relaxed, my arm dropping down to my side with my sword.

"Yes?"

I asked confused and she spoke softly and calm

"Lannister soilder are coming from the west"

I paused gripping my sword tight again. The woman saw me tense up before speaking again

"Don't worry dear, we aren't with them but they will search the rooms so you better move quick"

She said as if it was the most mundane thing before walking off. Being followed by the Lannisters was nothing new but there was and issue with her statement

"The west?"

I asked and Sandor picked up immediately on what I was hinting at

"So they're coming around the front too"

He stated. We were being followed from the East, if they were coming from the West, It was more than likely they were surrounding the entire area.

"What do we do?"

I asked as he finished strapping on his armor

"We keep going west"

He said and I looked at him tilting my head

"Sandor..."

I said and he spoke

"If there's too many we can sneak around them, we only have one horse. If there's not enough... we kill them"

He said and though I didn't agree with his logic, killing them was the best way to get them off our tails. I made sure I had everything packed before we left the inn. Sandor picked me up, placing me on our horse before getting on infront of me. We set a leasure pace. We were far enough ahead from the soldiers in the East and if we came racing at the ones in the West they would definitely see us before we saw them. Going slow was the smartest course of action. The rocking of the horse didn't help my heart rate. I couldn't tell if it was from what me and Sandor had just done the night before or the fear of the solders we were bound to run in to. I rested my head against Sandors back and watched the town slowly disappear into the distance.

"We truly never get a break"

I said and Sandor chuckled

"last night was a pretty good break"

He said and I blushed, nuzzling my face into his shoulder, he chuckled softly again before speaking

"You don't need to be so shy girl. I've seen and felt every part of you now, I like it all"

I smiled softly

"Honest?"

"The softness of your skin, the warmth of your body, your beautiful fuck out face staring up at me"

I felt the fluttering in my stomach against and lightly slapped his arm with a smile

"Stop"

I said trying to suppress the smile in my voice

"You wanted honesty"

He said but I gasped when the horse abruptly stopped, pushing my into Sandor even more than before.

"There"

He said and I sat up taller to look over his shoulder, Lannister soldiers, a large group of them.

"If we head south for a few miles we can cut into the trees and avoid them"

I said looking into the large forest the filled the path. Sandor was quiet before saying

"We can take them"

I looked at him and shock but his face was straight

"You have to be joking"

"I've taken more by myself, they're just pussy Lannister soliders, don't tell me they're better than you now"

He knew exactly how I worked because I immediately jumped at that

"I'm way fucking better than them"

Sandor laughed at my angry curse but I kept talking

"I bet I could kill more of them than you"

Sandor looked back at me with a raised brow

"Fine, well go around and come up from behind, try to keep up"

He said as we headed toward the forest, a fire now sparked in my bones.

Chapter Text

Once we pushed into the dark greenery we hopped off of Stranger and went on foot for noise sake. Our footsteps stayed soft and the only noise was chriping of birds and the light clinking if Sandors armour. I began to hear talking, laughing and hooves clicking against the ground. I slowed down even more and stayed hidden by trees, Sandor doing the same.

"Seven horses, twelve men" Sandor whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

Taking all dozen of them at once would be too much but big groups like that were easy to split up, we just needed to wait for them to stop for the night.

~~~~~

We followed close behind for the next few hours, they were keeping a leisurely pace moving back and forth across the tree line, most likely waiting for us, completely unaware that we had already broken through their shitty blockade. They finally decided to make camp, the horses were tied to a tree while the men made a fire. We watched, quiet, calm, wait for a chance but the crack of a snapped branch made both of us freeze. It didn't come from the small group, it was too heavy, too deliberate. Sandor grabbed the back of my shirt and pulled me down, pressing me onto the dirt behind a fallen log as a new sound rolled through the trees... dozens of hooves, the steady clatter of riders who weren't trying to hide their numbers.

"Seven hells..." I whispered my heart beginning to pound

Sandor's jaw flexed "Another patrol. Bigger."

The light of the fire flickering from the camp infront of us suddenly felt far too close. We were closed in, twelve men infront and gods know how many rushing in from behind

"We need to fall back" he said, breath ghosting over my ear "Quiet"

We moved as shadows, slipping into the dense forest where no light could reach us and kept moving until the noise of the riders softened till barely audible and stranger was back in our view. When Sandor finally stopped, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. I could see his jaw tense

"What is it?" I asked, fear already building again

He looked at me with a flat stare before speaking quietly

"They're sweeping the whole forest. Every path east and west. We can't outrun them and we can't fight them."

There was a heavy pause "So what do we do?" I asked barley above a whisper

Sandor exhaled sharply through his nose, almost as if he was laughing "We stop being soldiers"

I tilted my head, not understanding, until he started unbuckling his armor

"Sandor-" he cut me off

"Drop yours too" he said. "We're just a married couple out to trade in the next village. Nothing more."

My heart skipped "Married?"

He glared "Unless you'd rather explain the armor and weapons to the lion banners"

I sighed but nodded, loosening my gear

~~~~

We untied stranger, we couldn't bring him with us for now but he wouldn't stray far from where we were leaving him. Sandor scooped up a handful of mud, smearing it over the clean steal of his armor befire fully removing it and stuffing it behind a bush

"Shiny metal draws eyes" he muttered quietly

I unclipped my own armor piece by piece, the forest air cool against my bruised skin. Sandirs eyes on me were quickly heating up my skin but the usually welcomed feeling was not what I needed in this situation. But his eyes, unbothered, like he was trying to memorize every inch of me without the steel between us... it was distracting.

When I finally stood in onmy my corseted top and skirt he stepped close and tugged the collar of my shirt sideways.

"You look like a fighter," he said flatly. "Need to look like a wife." he reached into his bag.

Using a small strip of cloth, he tied it loosely around my neck, blocking the view of the bruises that decorated my chest. He didn't smirk or comment on them just worked with gentleness that a recognized from the night before.

When he finished, he brushed a thumb along my jaw, looking across my face like he was memorizing every detail
"Better" he said "Still too pretty for your own good, but better"

I snorted, and I could see him holding back a laugh, but heat still rose to my cheeks at the compliment. He finally straightened his clothes and brushed my hair back so it wasn't as tangled. Making sure our armor was covered and remembering the spot it was. We could always come back for it... if we lived long enough.

"Stay close" he said and offered his hand. I took it, and he threaded our fingers together like it was nothing, like he'd done it a thousand times. After everything we had done I couldn't figure out why my heart still picked up the pace at that small action

"Do we really need to hold hands?" I whispered, with a blush

"Yes" he whispered bacm "Married people do that."

"Some don't"

"The convincing ones do"

Before I could argue back he pulled forward. We moved silently through the trees before the faint outline of a snall trading village filled out gaze. It wasn't much more then a few houses and multiple small stalls lining the streets. People busted around and smoke curled up from all the chimneys. It felt familiar, should have felt safe but the glimmer of red and gold armor weaving through the street stole any illusion of comfort. Lannisters. Already here.

Sandor's grip on my hand tightened "Act normal," he murmured, I looked up at him

"What's normal?" He glanced back, catching my eyes "Look like you love me."

My breath caught. "I-I don't know how to do that on command"

"You did last night," he said, deadpan.
I blushed dark and stepped on his foot.

He didn't flinch, but his mouth twitched like he wanted to laugh

"Good. That's normal enough"

We cleared the treeline onto the dart path. A small group of Lannister soldiers were already stationed at the village gate, checking travelers, questioning anyone who lingered too long.

Sandor leaned in, lowering his voice to a rough whisper against my ear.
"Wife" he said "stay close. Keep your head down... and keep your hand of your sword unless it tell you otherwise"

I nodded noting my sword, now hidden under my skirt, ladies like me weren't supposed to have swords, it would draw too many eyes if it stayed visible. He brushed his thumb across the back of my hand again. I took a breath, the soft touch calming me. I plastered on a soft smile as Sandor pulled us into the open, almost immediately a group of Lannister soldiers turned towards us.