Star

Chapter 3

When I woke up the next morning I carefully placed my feet on the cold floor before hesitantly standing up. I was careful to put most of the pressure on my left leg, scared that the pain in my ankle was still going to be there. Taking a deep breath I stepped forward. There was a dull ache there but I was thankful it was something I could work through. As long as I didn't overdo it I didn't believe it would get worse.

Quickly getting dressed I went about my day. First I readied Lady Sansa for the day, along with Arya before sorting out food to break their fast. Whilst eating I tidied their rooms before I went to check on the direwolves. Arya wanted to join me whilst walking them later in the afternoon, whilst making me promise to help her more with the daggers in the next day or two. Jon had very nicely agreed to wait a few days before helping me with a sword until my ankle was better.

That was pretty much it for me that day. Lady Catelyn had found out about my injury and told me to take it easy so I did very little.

Currently I was bringing some food to the Stark children as it was dinner time. Sansa and Arya were casually bickering whilst Robb looked on with a small amused smile. Putting down a new plate of fresh bread I heard my name being called. Looking up I saw one of the other girls who worked in the kitchen. Noticing the worried frown on her face I excused myself before rushing over.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, following her when she started walking when I got close. The girl, Prue, shook her head frantically.

"The Hound ordered dinner to his rooms." She informed me. "I'm the only one available to do so right now but I really don't want to. That man scares me, and I thought, you owe me a favour..." I tried to hide a smile when the girl bit her lip as though afraid of offending me in anyway.

"Don't worry. I'll take it." I informed her. Her body sagged in relief the moment the words passed my lips. "Is it ready to go?" We had just reached the kitchens as I asked. Prue nodded her head vigorously before grabbing a loaded plate and handing it to me.

"Wait!" She called out when I turned to leave. Pausing in the doorway I watched as she grabbed a decanter of wine. No words were needed as I retrieve the item. The fullness of it weighed me down slightly but I ignored it as I exited the room and headed towards the mans room. Thankfully Lord Eddard Stark had informed me of where all the guests were staying just in case of emergency so I didn't have to roam around and end up arriving with a plate full of cold food.

Shuffling the plate and decanter around for a moment I gave up and just hit the door with my elbow. Straightening up I could hear his heavy footsteps heading towards the door before it swung open with a surprising amount of force. Placing a smile upon my face I held up my delivery.

"Dinner, Mister Clegane." He frowned at the title but what did he expect? He had forbidden me to call him Lord or Ser, and I wasn't calling him Hound, or even dog which I had heard Prince Joffrey call the man once or twice. That was even worse than Hound. I didn't feel we were at a point in our none existent friendship to call him by his given name either.

He grunted in reply, but that didn't really give me any indication as to whether he approved or not of the new title. He opened the door to allow me inside so I could deposit the decanter and food. "I hope you enjoy." I said, turning back to face him. I noticed he had shut the door behind me. I watched as he moved to sit, first going for the decanter to pour himself some wine. "I wanted to thank you again, for yesterday."

"Don't mention it." He muttered and I actually believed he meant it. Smoothing my hands down my dress I cleared my throat before throwing another smile his way. Curtseying a little I bid him goodbye before turning to leave, only to be stopped when my hand grasped the handle. "How is your ankle?"