The Traitor's Escape

Chapter Ten

Sansa was amazed at how quickly the days began to fill up. That first day in High Garden was so busy she barely got a moment by herself. Maester Loyms wasn't gone for long before he came and checked her over. He looked her over thoroughly, measuring the size of her bump with a thin cord, listening with a device he had created himself, checking her temperature, and then he began asking a series of questions; what she was eating, how she felt, when she had last bled, was she certain on her calculations...? The questions continued on and on. For a brief moment, she had almost panicked because the Maester looked a bit uncertain as she answered his questions. He had started using his listening device again, so she felt compelled to ask, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, yes, everything looks most well... I had thought perhaps you were further along... But... never mind it... I would just be certain to sew plenty of clothes for the child." He started to list a number of things that would need to be done, including a strict diet, things for her to do during the day and a list of books from the High Garden library that she could read.

As they were finishing up, Sansa felt compelled to ask, "I know, well more I remember Mother had told me Maester Luwin could usually tell if she carried a boy or a girl. Is that... Can you tell?"

"Most of those are wives tales. Normally, the Maesters can guess what a woman is carrying, but can never be certain. I wouldn't worry too much of it."

"Still, what do you think?" She was so curious to find out what she and Sandor might have. And looking over at Sandor, who had stood beside her protectively the entire time, told her he seemed interested as well.

"...Perhaps, you should start thinking well on boy names. I've heard it can be the hardest to think of at times." With a pat on her hand and bidding them both fair well, he parted with the words, "I shall come check on you again in a week's time, just to be on the safe side. I want to make sure everything is well."

Finally alone, Sansa tipped her head up and smiled at Sandor, whispering, "A boy. A beautiful, little boy." And he kissed her fiercely, engulfing her in his embrace, melting her with his mouth and the soft, sweet words he murmured against her skin.

Eventually, they walked together through the Keep, with Kyme's help, to find the corridor Willas told Sandor to meet him at. He was introduced to Ser Vortimer Crane, the master-at-arms, as well as Igon Vyrwel, the captain of the guard, and, after those formalities, the men swept Sandor away. Sansa was left in the company of Willas and Kyme. With an offered arm, Willas offered to show her around the inside of the Keep with Kyme at their heels. The rest of the day into the evening passed so quickly Sansa could barely believe it.

The next day proved to be just as eventful. By early morning, Sandor had risen again to meet with the Vortimer and a group of the youngest boys to train. He was to return afterwards, for the seamstress would be there to take measurements for their clothes. Sansa found she couldn't fall back asleep once he was gone, so she got herself out of bed, found her shift, and slipped the fabric over her head. She decided to spend her morning lost in a book, so she plucked one off of the shelf and opened it up. The book was filled with old wives tales, many of which Septa Mordane had told her while she was a child.

She wandered out onto the balcony and curled up on the cushions with the book in her lap. The early morning was washed away in an excitement of tales, only interrupted when Kyme finally knocked on the door and asked timidly, "When would you like to break your fast, milady?"

"Any time, Kyme," she told the girl with a smile. Food came soon enough, served by Kyme and two other girls, looking to be a few years older. They introduced themselves as Ambrosa, a plump girl with bright blond locks braided low, and Meliana, a willowy girl with the signature dark Tyrell hair tied loosely at the nape of her neck with a leather thong. They didn't stick around for long, but Kyme didn't seem to mind keeping Sansa company. The little girl ended up sitting beside her on the balcony, nibbling on bits of cheese and bread, as Sansa told her all of the stories she was reading.