The Traitor's Wedding

Chapter Ten

By the time she finally got back to her chambers, it was nearing dinnertime. Sansa knew that she probably wouldn't be seeing Sandor until much later at night, when he was finally done training. Her immediate thought afterwards was whether she would have to dine alone without him in front of Joffrey. But, as she waited, she wasn't called upon for dinner, so she figured she was free to have some food brought to her chambers instead. Not that she was feeling up to eating much still, she was still feeling pretty full and a little nauseous after the large midday meal Lady Olenna supplied... Well, she could probably stomach a few more of those peaches.. Just thinking about them got her stomach growling and made her wonder if she would be able to persuade her handmaidens to bring her a few.

Reluctantly, she called upon Shae to draw her a bath instead, with lavender and vanilla oils to relax in. She had the foreign girl draw the water extra hot, so she could relax and clear her mind. She didn't dwell on what had happened with her family, with her brothers, and instead thought of what it was going to be like in the future with Sandor. She stayed in the water for some time, eyes closed and enjoying the warm water against her skin.

The water beginning to chill got her out of the washtub.

Shae was back by then, and offered a drying cloth for her. Sansa patted herself down while Shae got her a gown for the evening. Once she was dressed and sitting down in front of the looking glass, Shae began braiding her hair quietly, to Sansa's curiosity. Finally, she asked, "Is anything the matter, Shae?"

"No, nothing is the matter, milady," Shae said stiffly.

Sansa frowned and turned to look at the foreign handmaiden. "It sounds like there's something the matter."

"It's nothing to concern yourself with, milady. Would you like something for dinner?"

The thought of eating again so soon still made her stomach churn just a bit, but she forced herself to say, "Maybe just a bit. Can you try to get your hands on some of the peaches the Tyrell have? I had some today and they were completely delicious."

For a moment, Shae's hand stilled, but then the girl was braiding her hair and agreeing to see what she could find. She left Sansa alone after that, where the girl could settle down in her window seat and stare out at the waters. She was still a bit nervous about all that was going on. Joffrey had been docile, calmer than she could remember in a long time. Sandor and she seemed to be meeting on a common ground, even if they bickered almost daily. Sansa found she didn't mind the bickering. Sure, it stressed her out, but in the end, she knew that they were there for each other. But life finally seemed like it was calm enough now.

By the time Shae returned, her other handmaidens had shown up as well. They fussed about her, made sure her table was set well, and had everything laid out to perfection when Shae brought it through. They settled Sansa in at the table, kept her company as she ate and chatted with them. She fairly moaned in pleasure again when she ate the peaches. Never had she tasted any fruit that was as good as the peaches she was eating now. She ate every peach that they brought for her by bedtime and then she lay, half sprawled, in the window seat basked in the setting sunlight. It made her feel warm and content and she ended up dozing in the window far easier than she originally thought she could.

For some time, she was able to doze in the windowsill, content and warm. She was woken up from her nap just as she was being lifted out of the window seat. She blinked her eyes a few times in the dark room, noticing instantly that it was the Hound who had picked her up and started taking her back to their bed. She mumbled thanks, smiling sleepily at him as she tucked her head up against his chest. "Gonna get you laid out in the bed, Little Bird," he rasped quietly. His face was indistinguishable in the dark, but Sansa imagined he was looking at her as if she were his wife.