The Queen of Flames (Sequel to 'The Demon of Winterfell') (On Hold)

Chapter Fifteen: Cold

When they reached Eastwatch, Emmelyne walked with Sandor, Beric, and Tormund. Sandor carried the wight, throwing it down into a boat. He looked back, nodding to Tormund, who nodded in return. "We'll meet again, Clegane," Beric said.

"Fucking hope not," Sandor replied, starting to climb into the boat.

"Just wait a moment, Sandor," Emmelyne spoke up.

She looked pointedly at Beric and Tormund. They seemed to get the message, wandering away.

Drogon flew overhead, screeching still. Sandor barely looked at Emmelyne. "It's good to see you, after all these years," she said. "I've missed you."

He nodded stiffly.

"Why won't you speak to me?" she asked. "Out there, you couldn't stop being kind to me. Why are you being..." she didn't know how to explain him in this moment.

He looked up finally. "You're going to go back to Winterfell soon. You'll be with your noble knight, and I'll be forgotten."

She shook her head. "No, you won't. I'm still going to be seeing you. I'm going to be meeting with Cersei, and so are you. We'll be on the ship together to go to King's Landing. You won't be forgotten, I promise."

"I'll be forgotten the minute you return to Winterfell."

"You won't, Sandor."

"How long until you'll be having your baby?"

"Five or so months."

"Are you going to tell your knight?"

"He's not my knight. He's to be betrothed."

Sandor let out a humorless chuckle. "How many men have you been with since you left me?"

"I don't understand why- - " she began.

"How many?"

"Three."

"Exactly. You forget people, Emmelyne. You don't attach to anyone. You don't... you don't feel anything."

She stared at him, biting her lip. "Why are you being like this?"

"Because it's the truth," he stated.

"I do feel things. I hide what I feel. I don't... I don't always know what I'm feeling, but I know I'm feeling."

"Does this have a point?"

"I feel something for you."

There was that harsh chuckle again. "Really? And what exactly is that?"

Emmelyne stiffened slightly. "Sandor, I... I love you."

He froze. "What?"

"I love you."

Sandor turned at that. "You don't even know what love is."

Emmelyne managed a weak smile. She took a few steps toward him, taking his hand gently. "Let yourself be loved," she encouraged.

She leaned close, kissing him on the cheek. "Goodbye for the moment."

"Goodbye for the moment," he echoed.

She paused before kissing him again, this time on the lips. He kissed her back, allowing her to press herself to his chest. They didn't know how long they stood like that, Emmelyne entwined in Sandor's arms. When they broke away, Emmelyne was breathless. She smiled, looking down at the ground. Sandor hesitated before speaking again. "I love you, too, Emmelyne."

That was when Emmelyne heard a horn blowing, followed by a shout. "Riders approaching!"

Sandor offered her a smile before climbing into his boat.

The rider was Jon. Badly frostbitten and barely able to move, but alive, nonetheless. Davos and a servant stripped him of his wet clothes. Daenerys stood in the doorway, watching as Jon's furs came away, revealing the deep scars that still remained from his death.

In another cabin on the ship, Emmelyne lay in her bed. It had been hours since she fell through the ice, but her clothes still felt cold and damp on her body. The blankets were pulled tightly around her small form, and every breath released mist. Her core heat had vanished, and she lay shaking. She wondered briefly if this was how southerners felt when visiting Winterfell, but decided that she was far colder than they could ever be. There was a knock at the door, and she turned over in the bed. "Come in," she said.

The door opened to reveal Sandor. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking her over.

"Cold," she murmured.

He nodded at that. "I see."

She sat up slightly, keeping the blanket pulled tightly around herself. "What did you want?" she asked.

"I was just checking on you."

"Well, I'm all right. Just cold."

He stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. Emmelyne smiled slightly when he sat beside her. "I'll sit with you," he said. "If you want."

"I want you to," she replied.

Sandor brought his legs up onto the bed, laying back beside Emmelyne. She moved closer to him, resting her head on his chest. It wasn't long before she fell asleep.