The First Snow

PART X: Sandor

The girl was to be his undoing. She lifted a timid hand and started feeling the edge of his scarred face. Becoming bolder she swept her thumb, then her fingertips over it as if trying to erase it. "It's not going anywhere love."

Her eyes filled with unshed tears and she timidly moved to kiss him when bold knock shook the door.

He knew it was the little one, he had sent her off to find food and had told her to wait in the pub until it was ready, he didn't know why he thought she would listen.

Sansa released her legs and Sandor started to let her slide to the ground but without much thought he kissed her, when she didn't pull away and her lips parted he deepened the kiss then abruptly put her down.

Opening the door so Sansa was concealed behind it Sandor faced the little one she sniffed the air, "What are you doing in there?" "Food is ready--she keened her head toward their room further down the hall."

Before exiting the room Sandor looked at Sansa who was slumped against the door the back of her hand pressed against her lips, disbelief and curiosity alight in eyes.

"Oh fuck me" he pushed passed Arya shut the door and entered the room where a small table had been set with wine, bread, cheeses, smoked meats.

"Girl we don't have the money to eat like this." he growled even has he bit into chunk of cheese. When Sansa entered the room he was little appalled by his own behavior and not waiting for her. He never broke bread with highborns only lingered around their tables.

Arya paid no notice and smiled at her sister, Sansa smiled back until a shadow crossed Araya's face and they returned their concentration to their food.

Still he could tell the little one was jubilant her legs were moving around and her eyes were no longer deep pools of darkness.

When she was brave enough Sansa looked at him but quickly shied away.

"He says he saved you from rapists." Arya bit hungrily into a roll she had stuffed with meat and cheese.

"He did, more than once." Sansa poured a glass of wine but made no move to eat.

Sandor didn't feel much like eating either but not doing so would betray his emotions.

"Arya, how did you escape Kinglslanding? Cersi locked me away, told me you were dead but I didn't believe her."

"You should have believed her--everyone else is dead." Sansa nose flared with effort as she suppressed tears.

Blinking she continued. "I am sorry about Father, Arya I didn't know what was being asked of me. I thought I was helping him."

Arya's face contorted. "It's because you're stupid, you always were stupid with your needlepoint and pretty hair."

Sandor rolled his eyes waiting for Sansa to defend herself. Instead she whispered.

"You're right I am stupid." Arya stopped eating as Sansa took as sip of wine and nervously wiped at her trousers as though she was still wearing a dress.

"I didn't mean..." Arya couldn't find the words.

"Please excuse me," Sansa rose like the lady she was and gracefully exited the room.

Sandor only waited a second for the door to shut before he pounced on Arya who was too shocked to shout when he grabbed her by the back of doublet and hoisted her off the ground.

"Listen to me child then never speak of it again." Arya feebly slapped him. "Your sister put up with being beaten by a grown man in public, and slapped for asking questions and not saying pretty things. You don't know anything about her or what she has been through.