Affairs of the Heart (A Modern Sandor Clegane Story)

Seven

"You did what? With who? Tell me it was with Loras?" Melody's voice went up an octave as she spoke. "Gee, Mel. Show a little enthusiasm why don't you?" Melody giggled. Everyone knew she shipped her brother with Loras Tyrell for years and the two didn't disappoint. "And yes, I married Loras. I certainly didn't want to risk Stannis putting me in the same situation you're in." Melody frowned and Renly gently chucked her chin. "Hey, it'll be okay."

"I don't know, Ren. Jaime doesn't seem the least bit interested in me. I'm at least trying. The only nice thing that he's done for me was hire Sandor." She looked over her shoulder at the bodyguard with a smile. Renly reached over and took Melody's hand. He pulled her close to him and whispered in her ear, "If I were you, I'd cut my losses and run away with the big guy." He pulled away and winked making Melody roll her eyes. "And that's about enough time with you today. Call me, okay?" Renly nodded and kissed his sister's cheek. "Come on, Sandor."

Sandor followed Melody from the room and back out to her car. "Why red?" He asked we he was seated in the passengers' seat. Melody glanced over at him in surprise. He hadn't said much all morning and he actually asked her a question about herself. "It's my favorite color," she replied before quickly telling him why. Sandor hummed in response. "Now, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving." Sandor chuckled. He noticed that Melody had been too upset to really eat at breakfast.

In fact, Melody seemed too upset to even return to the manor all day. Instead, the two of them spent the whole day running around what seemed like half of Westeros. As the day wore on, Melody's mood improved. She enjoyed spending time with Sandor. Away from his job and away from all the other people, he was just like any other man. He had opinions and thoughts on just about everything. Melody learned so much about him that day, she felt closer to him than ever before.

By the time the two returned to the manor, the sun had already set and it was well past dinner time. "Melody June!" Melody froze when she heard her brother's barking tone. She turned back toward the study. Stannis was standing the doorway, Davos right behind him. "Get in here, now. Mr. Clegane, you're dismissed for the night." Sandor glanced at Melody, who nodded and smiled. Reluctantly, Sandor left Melody's side and went upstairs.

Melody followed Stannis into his study. "Where were you?! You were expected to be at dinner." Melody rolled her eyes again. "I'm expected to do a lot of things, Stannis. Forgive me for blowing off one dinner for some peace before my life gets turned upside down marrying that jackass." Stannis' face turned red to the point it was almost purple with rage.

"Melody, I have tried to be patient with you, but I don't have the time or patience for this. Not when Robb Stark is breathing down my neck in the polls. You will behave yourself and you will NOT go gallivanting around town with no one but your bodyguard again." Stannis tossed something to his sister. A camera. "I got that off a reporter today."

Curious, Melody turned it on and flipped through the photos. Pictures of her and Sandor all around town. Even she had to admit it looked bad. "Stannis, this isn't what it looks like. Sandor is my friend. Nothing more," she told him while thinking to herself, "No matter how much I wish it was different." Stannis sighed. "Just the same. You need to be more careful. Now, I've managed to smooth things over with the Lannisters for now, but you owe Jaime an apology. In the morning. He's already retired for the evening."

Meanwhile, Sandor had made it upstairs. It was dark, but his keen hearing picked up the sounds of soft giggles. "Jaime," a voice Sandor instantly recognized breathed. Dotty. "Shh. Do you want us to get caught?" Sandor stayed hidden in the shadows, not wanting to draw attention to himself. When he heard Jaime's door close, Sandor moved to his place outside Melody's room.

How on earth was he going to tell Melody? How could he tell her that the man she was supposed to marry was already being unfaithful? Not only was he screwing another woman, but her maid. The blonde bombshell with green eyes. Sandor ran a hand over his face. This job was so not worth what he was being paid. He didn't want to keep this secret, but he couldn't bring himself to hurt Melody. He decided then and there to let her find out on her own.

"I thought Stannis gave you the rest of the night off," Melody's voice floated down the hall. Sandor shrugged. "I don't fuckin' answer to him. I answer ta ya and Mr. Lannister." Melody smiled and entered her room to get ready for bed. Sandor was just grateful there was plenty of space between rooms and that the walls were thick. All Seven Hells would have no fury like that of Melody Baratheon when she discovered what was going on in the room next to hers. Sandor wasn't sure he wanted to be there when that happened.    

(a/n: I know it's a short chapter, but I'm already working on the next one!! I've been hit with tons of inspiration so I'm hoping to get the action finally going in the story!)