The Journey We Face (A Sandor Clegane Fanfic)

Good morning Sandor

As she opened her eyes, Nymaira awoke to a pleasant sight.

it was the sleeping face of Sandor, and the feeling of his strong arms wrapped tightly around her.

She stay stilled for a moment, admiring his features. The way he looked so peaceful, and how his chest softly rose up and down with each breath he took.

The night had been wonderful, it was filled with loving kisses, an slow touches. She had asked him to stay the night, and he gladly complied.

"How much longer are you going to stare, little bird?" He opened one eye, and looked down on her. "As soon as you get creeped out."

She laughed, and started to trace different patterns up and down his chest with her finger, tapping at his skin." I guess we will be here forever, considering that's my job."

He smirked, grabbing her hand in his, holding it gently. "You should think of a different job, considering you aren't very good at it, with me, at least."

She smiled, and looked up at him as she leaned her chin against their interlocked hands. "I am good, you are just stubborn."

She faked gasped, and pulled her hand away smacking him. "I should have you executed for such insults." She smirked, and he chuckled deeply, grabbing her and pulling her body ontop of him.

"Then I guess I'll enjoy you until the guards catch me." He smiled, and his once sagging eye lids perked up, he was fully awake. "I don't need guards, this one guy he is really big and mean. He taught me a few things." She laughed, and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in for a soft kiss and he pulled her closer, pressing her body into his.

"Mmm, for a killer, you sure do know how to use your lips. Anything I should know?" She smirked. "Well, I did visit a lot of brothels with that Tyrion Lannister."

She laughed, and jokingly wiped her mouth, spitting at the ground.

"Tell me that now do ya?" But they're shared laughter was broken by the sound of knocking at her chamber door. "Fuck." he quietly uttered and got off the bed.

"Be calm, it's okay." She tried to reassure as she rose from the bed.

"Okay? No one can know I'm in here." He walked over, closer to Nymaira and whispered as he looked back up at the door, when another knock occurred.

She nodded her head, understandably and ushered him over towards the end of the room that was out of sight from the door is view.

She dusted herself off, and opened the door a quarter of the way, pressing her body in the space that gave sight into the room. "Good morning, m'lady."

One of the handmaidens spoke, and Nymaira returned the greeting. "I've come to change your bedding, and chamber pots." She said polity, but Nymaira stopped her from entering, and instead gave a sweet smile, declining the need for it.

"It's quite alright, I can do it myself." Sweetly spoke Nymaria, as she heard Sandor give a sigh of relief when the girl turned around and made her way down the hall.

Closing the door, Nymaira locked it again, and breathed out.

"I have to go." Sandor walked over to the wooden rocking chair that held his armor from the night before.

"What? did the little puppy get scared?" She leant over the chair and chuckled at him as she went to grab a change of clothes for the day.

"Don't pick anything too pretty girl, we still have training today." Sandor reminded her, right before closing the door behind him, and sulking down the hallway as to not give away his true state of mind.

Nymaira rolled her eyes, and smiled. She picked out a simple shirt, along with boyish like bottoms.

She had always loved to get down and dirty, so she always had the perfect outfit for such activities. Hearing another knock, she tossed the clothes on her bed and went to open the door "Couldn't leave without a goodbye kiss?"

She joked, but was surprised when instead of finding Sandor at the door, it was her father Benjen.

"Well, maybe if we were Targaryens." He laughed, and she looked at him wide eyed chuckling nervously. Moving her body against the door to let him in. "Father, what are you doing here?"

"Well," he began and took a seat on her bed.

"King Robert, as you know rides for Winterfell," Nymaria noticed the tone in his voice was different.

"Yes, Uncle Ned seems very happy about." She walked over and sat at the empty spot near him.

"The two were like brothers, sometimes even closer then Ned and I." He smiled, almost sadly.

"Listen sweetheart, you know I never pressure you to do anything you don't want to. It is rumored, Robert wishes to wed your cousin Sansa to his oldest son Joffery."

"I know, poor Sansa." She rested her head against his shoulder, whilst he wrapped and arm around her shoulder.

"But, there is also rumor of another arranged romance, King Robert wishes to make."

She took her head from his shoulder, and looked at him, knowing what he was going to say next.

"You couldn't possibly." She chuckled, but his face did not hold the expression she hoped. "I am not saying you have to, I am saying when he is here, just spend some time with him. See what he's like, talk to him."

She got off the bed and stood, not bothering to look at him, for she didn't want to be angry at her own father.

He always wanted her to be happy, married or not. But as winter was coming sooner rather then later, Benjen knew how important it was to make these alliances.

To protect each other, and keep each other from the real danger of the world. "I have some lessons, if you will excuse me father."

He rose from the bed, nodding as he placed a hand to her shoulder, before existing the room.

She watched him leave. Trying to brush the conversation out of her thoughts.

So, she went back to her previous intention prier to his visit, getting changed and meeting Sandor.