The Wolf and The Hound~*Sandor Clegane*~

Chapter 10: The North Remembers

***Season 2***

Today was Prince Joffrey's name day. Meaning Sansa and I had to get dressed up and sit there and watch as this bastard, sadistic, cunt of a King did who knows what to other people. All in the name of his name day.

Kill me.

Really. The last thing I wanted to do was spend an entire day with that psycho. But I had to. For Sansa.

Another handmaiden came into my room right as the sun came up. Running a bath for me and picking out a dress for me to wear. I nodded my thanks to her and moved from my bed to the bath. Sinking down in the warm water as I closed my eyes. I sat there for a moment before I actually started to clean myself. Enjoying this rare moment of alone time. Once I was finished I got out, drying myself and slipping into my small clothes. I moved to my bed where the handmaiden had laid out my dress. It was a black, floor length, silk gown. The sleeves stopping at my shoulders. There were silver metal clasp on the shoulders holding a black, silk cape to the dress. A silver metal belt with some holes sat just under my chest. The neckline of the dress dipping down until it met the belt. I slipped on my silver flats as I decided to do a loose braid of two strands of hair, joining them together at the middle and then letting the rest fall naturally, blending with the rest of my red wavy hair. The blackness of my dress bringing out the redness of my waist length hair.

With a last look in my small mirror I stood and made my way to the door. A knock on the other side had me curious as to who could be here. My handmaiden said that Joffrey had already gotten Sansa and taken her to the first events space. I assumed it would be a guard, Lannister or gold cloak probably. Never wanting the eldest Stark out of their eye sight for even a little.

Nevertheless, I opened the door and let out a defeated sigh.

"Good morning, Clegane." I stared up at the much taller than me man. It's been a few weeks since I almost confessed my feelings towards him. Feelings that could get both of us in trouble, and well, killed. When I was allowed to walk the castle grounds, with a guard of course, I would sometimes see Sandor. But when he saw me he would turn the other way or completely ignore me. A feeling that I didn't like.

"Good morning, My Lady." I clenched my jaw at the proper courtesy he was using. I hated being called a Lady. I haven't been one for 12, well actually, 13 years now. A year since we left Winterfell. Meaning I'm 23 and still not married. Something that, unfortunately, caught the King's eye.

"I haven't been a lady for 13 years now, Ser." I sighed again when I realized he wouldn't look at me, even after my small Ser gab. "I assume that King Joffrey sent you here to escort me to the first event." I clasped my hands in front of me as I cast my eyes to the floor. No longer being able to keep up the act I was before.

"Yes, Lady Stark." I cringed at the the Lady again. Somehow I knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, but because he had to. It was expected after all.

"Sansa?" I gave him a questioning look as I looked up to him again. Hoping he would know how she was.

"Doing well and already sitting by her King at the grounds. You are to sit next to her for each event...Mother Wolf." I smiled at the old nickname. One I missed hearing, something I never thought I would say. I looked to him just in time to see a small smile pull at the corner of his mouth. Something I haven't seen in a long time now. Something I missed seeing.

"Well, lead the way...Sandor." I said his name a little quieter than the rest of my words. Unsure of if he heard it. I just wanted to say it. I missed saying it. If that makes sense.

I looked up at him in time to see him staring back at me. His eyes dark with something I couldn't figure out. He said nothing else. Instead just stepping out of the way of the door to allow me to walk through. I gave him a final glance before walking out.