All I Had Of You

Chapter 3

Sansa's reeling mind had barely come to terms with the fact that she was going to have a baby and all that entailed when she found herself living in hiding with Shae in a modest cottage near a small village far from Kings Landing. The only detail Shae would share with the bewildered girl was that they were near the Vale. Upon learning her relative location Sansa beamed, telling her companion that her Aunt was mistress of the Eyrie, and would surely help her. She was surprised by Shae's vehement reaction that they could absolutely not go to her aunt. That no one must know where she was until they were safe at Winterfell. Although she did not quite understand, Sansa had no choice but to agree.

Her temporary home was not unpleasant, and would be a peaceful place in which to bring her child into the world. However, she could not help but wonder how an unassuming servant had been able to procure such accommodations.

"I had a life before I came to Kings Landing. I made friends." Was all Shae would tell her. Still Sansa was a bit nervous at just who those friends might be. She tried to focus on the little life growing inside her instead of her suspicions.

One late night, well into Sansa's seventh month of pregnancy, Shae awoke to find her sitting near the fire crying. She hurried to Sansa's side overwhelmed with concern.

"What is it, Dear?" She questioned. "Is it the baby?"

Sansa sniffled and caught her breath through her sobs. "No. The baby's fine." She rubbed her large belly and smiled at Shae, touched by her friend's thoughtfulness. "I...It's just I..." She struggled to find her words. "I dreamed of him again."

Shae's concern turned to indignation. "Of Clegane?" She nearly spat.

"Yes." Sansa's tears began again. "I know it's pointless, but I want him here so desperately..."

Shae did not give her the opportunity to finish, "He's the last thing you should be concerned with!" Shae's disdain was obvious. "He got what he wanted, and left you there for the vultures. I'm quite sure he hasn't given you a second thought."

Sansa could not help but defend the man she loved. "It wasn't like that. He was hurting, I comforted him. It just happened." She sniffed. "I know you don't like him, Shae." Sansa acknowledged. "But please try to understand how much he means to me. How much he will always mean to me." She rubbed her abdomen to quiet the kicks his child was delivering to her insides.

Shae softened at Sansa's distress. She remembered how protective The Hound had been of Sansa in Kings Landing, and she despised seeing her so upset. Surely there must be something decent about him if a sweet soul like Sansa could love him. "Well, you are carrying his child." Shae conceded. "I suppose it is only natural you would think of him."

"I feel that he is so very close." Sansa lamented. "I wish he were here."

As Shae comfortingly embraced her, Sansa's thoughts continue to run wild with longing for Sandor. 'I need you, My Love. Please come to me.' Her mind said to the night.
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Closer than Sansa could have imagined, Sandor Clegane bolted upright, startled out his fitful sleep. He had seen his Little Bird again in his dreams. She was crying. There was something wrong. Something he could not discern. He had heard her sweet voice, but it was so filled with pain, "I need you, My Love. Please come to me." She had cried for him. Surely it was only a dream. Surely she had forgotten him, but it seemed so real. Sandor Clegane did not find sleep again that night.