Sandor was known for many things; for his scar and his large and formidable size, for being one of the most skilled and dangerous men in Westeros. For his violence, his aggression, for his fatalistic view of the world, and for his fierce demeanour; but what no one had ever really seen was his affectionate and compassionate side. A side that most of the time he kept well hidden under a growl, and a sneer, that would scare away anyone that would try and get close.

For the most part he was happy with his reputation, happy that he was feared; he had no need for anyone to care for him, had no need for a woman in his life, if he wanted a woman he would just go to one of the brothels in Kings landing and pay for what he wanted. He knew that no honest woman would want him, he knew that no one would ever love him, and he himself doubted that he could care for a woman in that way; but much to his own amazement he had found that change when he met her.

As Sandor stormed through the corridors of the Red Keep, everyone scurrying out of the way of the large man, he heard something that he had never heard before; a melodious voice drifting in the air, caressing his senses like a lover's fingers gently brushing over his skin. Following the angelic sound, he found his way to the gardens, his eyes widening when he saw a woman dressed in brightly coloured clothes, a large hat with a rolled brim that covered a head of flowing black hair, and a coat with long tails that brushed the floor.

He watched with interest from the shadows, as the woman sang and danced around the garden, obviously oblivious to the fact that anyone was watching. Sandor was aware that King Robert had hired a group of travelling troubadours to perform for his guests at a celebration that would be happening in the next few days; but he was amazed to find one of them wandering the grounds of the Keep without an escort or guard.

Sandor looked on in surprise as the king suddenly appeared, greeting the woman like an old friend; try as he may, he couldn't help but listen to the conversation of the unusual looking pair.

"Your Highness, it is so good to see you again." The woman said, bowing dramatically before the king. Robert chuckling at her exaggerated gesture.

"My dear lady, I did not believe it when I was told that you were with the travelling group; but I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised, you always were a performer, even as a child." Robert replied, taking the woman's hand and escorting her to a nearby seat.

"Now, my dear, you must tell me how your father is, it has been too long since I have seen him." Robert told her, kissing the woman's hand as he listened as she spoke.

Sandor remained in his spot, transfixed by the beautiful woman that was sitting with the king, her smile making his tough heart, beat quicker than he ever thought it could. As he secretly listened to the conversation, he found out that the unusual looking woman was called (Y/n), and was in fact the daughter of a lord that had fought by Robert's side on a number of occasions; he found out that she was the main artist in the troupe, a singer, dancer, and player of musical instruments, and that she and the others had already created a special performance for Robert and his illustrious guests.

For once Sandor found that he actually wanted to go to one of these stupid things; even though he was always invited to attend celebrations, he would usually stay away, preferring to drink the night away in his chambers. He hated songs about courtly love, or other silly love songs; he couldn't dance, and even if he could, it wasn't as if he had a woman to take with him, but as he continued to watch the pair, he actually found himself looking forward to the night.

"I should get someone to safely escort you back to the rest of your troupe." Robert said eventually, rising to his feet, and offering (Y/n) his hand. Sandor looking around and trying to work out a way that he could make it appear as if he had just arrived. Sure, that he had to get to know this woman better by any means possible.

As quickly and as quietly as he could he made his way back inside, holding his breath and waiting, before he made his presence more than obvious to Robert and (Y/n), by forcing the door open and stomping into the garden.

"Ah Sandor, just the man." Robert said, as Sandor bowed before him.

"Ser Sandor Clegane, I would like to introduce you to lady (Y/n)." Robert told Sandor, Sandor trying not to smile as she gave him the same dramatic bow that she had given Robert not long before.

"I would like you to take lady (Y/n) here, back to her troupe; they are camped just outside the city, and I wish to ensure that she is safe." Robert told the big man, looking at Sandor strangely, as he saw the Hound hadn't taken his eyes from those of his old friends' daughter.

Robert smiled as he gave (Y/n)'s hand to Sandor.

"Take good care of her Sandor." Robert ordered before leaving the pair alone.

"So, you are Ser Clegane, the infamous and feared Hound?" (Y/n) asked, looking up at the big man, as the two walked through the corridors of the great Keep.

"I must say, I don't find you as scary as everyone said you would be." (Y/n) continued, chuckling as she heard Sandor huff.

"If ya had a sword in ya hand, it might be different." Sandor retorted, his eyes falling onto the smiling face of the lady next to him.

"After all my years with the troupe, I know a performer when I see one, and I must admit that you put on a good show; but I think that underneath that gruff exterior is actually a good man." (Y/n) told him as Sandor suddenly stopped, furrowing his brows in confusion.

"Don't I scare ya? I scare everyone else." He asked, standing up to his full height and crossing his arms across his chest, trying to look as intimidating as possible.

(Y/n) laughed. "You don't scare me in the slightest; not your scar, not your reputation, nothing. As I said, I know a performer when I see one, and you may be able to fool others, but not me. Now Ser Clegane, I believe that you are to walk me back to my camp." (Y/n) retorted, grabbing Sandor by the hand and pulling him along behind her.

"Walk? Are ya out of ya mind? We'll take my horse." Sandor told her, leading her towards the stables.

As they made it to the stalls, (Y/n) rushed up to the beautiful large black stallion who seemed to become more alert as Sandor walked in. Sandor staring at Stranger as he happily let (Y/n) rub his nose and stroke his neck, whining as the woman cooed over the heavy courser. Sandor couldn't believe his eyes, normally Stranger hated others, aggressive to anyone other than him; but here he was, enjoying the attentions of the female that seemed to be singing to him softly.

"He likes ya, normally he doesn't like anyone." Sandor said, grabbing his saddle to put on Stranger.

"Well I think that he is a lot like his master, he looks scary, but underneath it all he's a sweet thing really." (Y/n) countered, as Sandor saddled Stranger, pretending to have not heard her comment as he did so.

Whatever this woman was she most certainly had a way about her, not only had she captured his attention; she had also managed to enchant Stranger.

As the three travelled through the streets of the capital, the trio garnered some strange looks from the populace, especially as the feared Hound had his arms around the woman sat in front of him, cradling her gently as Stranger trotted past.

"Will you be attending the celebrations Ser Clegane?" (Y/n) asked, as they meandered their way slowly towards where her troupe was camped, (Y/n) singing softly as went.

"No." Sandor said, slightly more gruffly than he intended as he steered Stranger towards the mass of tents.

"And why not?" (Y/n) asked, smiling as she looked up into his eyes.

"Cos I can't dance." Sandor confessed quietly.

"Oh, is that all? I could teach you if you like, consider it a thank you to you and Stranger for bringing me safely home." (Y/n) said, chuckling as she saw the worried looks of the other troubadours as Sandor pulled Stranger to a halt, before he dismounted to help her down from the large animals back.

Sandor looked down at the smiling woman as he held her caged in his arms; she was actually offering to be near him of her own free will, offering to help him, him the Hound, the man that everyone else seemed to be scared of, except for the lady that was now standing on her tip toes and kissing him on the cheek.

"I'm sure that you have a lady that you would like to impress, so consider my lessons for her also, I would very much like to see you at the celebration." (Y/n) said, ducking under his arm so that she could kiss Stranger on the nose. 

"Tomorrow evening, bring Stranger, just ask for me." (Y/n) shouted as she ran off into the camp, Sandor watching dumbfounded as she left; sighing, he leaned against Stranger.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I think I like er." Sandor said to the stallion, as he mounted the beast and rode back to the city.

The next day passed slowly, much to Sandor's annoyance; all he had been able to think about was his troubadour waiting for him for his lesson, his thoughts distracting him from his duties.

"A beautiful creature, isn't she?" Robert asked an obviously distracted Sandor.

"But she always was, and that voice, it's quite enchanting don't you think? I swear that it could entice the birds from the trees, and soothe any savage beast." Robert said, smirking into his goblet of wine.

"Who?" Sandor asked, looking over to the King.

"Sandor please, I have seen that look in a man's eye before, I may be many things, but I am no fool. (Y/n) is not betrothed, and despite her eccentricities, she would make a wonderful wife; but I would be quick if I were you, the troupe plan on leaving the day after the celebration." Robert told him, patting the Hound on the back as he passed.

Finally, Sandor was able to ride out of the city, making his way to the encampment as quickly as Stranger could carry him. As he arrived, he was greeted by a little man who was even smaller than Tyrion.

"I'm ere for (Y/n), she told me ta come ere." Sandor said, glaring down at the tiny man who suddenly bolted, making his way into a tent returning moments later leading (Y/n) by the hand.

"(Y/n)!" The little man stated, before bowing and making his way back between the tents.

"You'll have to excuse Jarar, he doesn't speak common tongue very well, although I am endeavouring to teach him." (Y/n) said, taking hold of Sandor's hand, leading him and Stranger to a large secluded area of flat ground.

"Now, I suppose the best place to start is to see what you can and can't do." (Y/n) said, as she took Sandor in her arms, holding him close so that the pair could begin.

Hours later the sun had begun to set, and after many failed attempts, some shouting, and (Y/n)'s toes nearly being broken, Sandor finally seemed to able to dance, much to the delight of the pair as Sandor spun (Y/n) around, lifting her up into the air, as the two moved perfectly.

"Well Sandor, another lesson or two and you should be ready for your lady; I'm sure she will be delighted." (Y/n) said sadly, reluctant to let the lesson end.

"Aye, I hope so; I've only just met tha lass, but I want ta impress er." Sandor told (Y/n), trying to hold on to her as she moved away.

"I'm sure she will be, I hope she knows that she is a very lucky lady, and I hope she looks after you and Stranger." (Y/n) said, giving the large stallion an apple that she had had hidden.

"So, tomorrow, come again and we will keep practicing." (Y/n) told Sandor, as she kissed his cheek before running back towards the tents.

Despite himself, Sandor couldn't help but smile, if only she knew that the one he was practicing for was her.

The days had passed, and Sandor stood in the great hall, surrounded by all the other guests, waiting for the nights entertainment to begin. His lessons had continued well, and he had even practiced by himself in his rooms; now he just had to wait for his troubadour to appear.

With a flourish of applause the troupe entered, some spinning and twisting in the air, other's painted up as grotesque creatures, creeping around as though they were great beasts stalking their prey; then amongst the riot of colour, led by two small men, came (Y/n), beautifully dressed in a bright scarlet gown, carrying an intricately inlaid lute.

As the night progressed, Sandor stood mesmerized, by the beauty and voice of the lady troubadour; every song she sang touching something deep down in his soul, every song she sang making him like her more, every song she sang soothing his savage heart.

"Sandor. Where is your lady? I have not seen you dance once yet, and I don't wish you to waste our lessons." (Y/n) said, walking up to greet him.

"Well ya see, I've been aving ta wait for er ta stop singin so that I can ask er if she wants ta dance." Sandor said, holding out his hand for a wide eyed (Y/n) to take.

"You mean that you were learning to dance, for me?" (Y/n) asked, taking Sandor's hand, as he led her onto the floor, everyone else leaving the pair alone as the group began to play.

As the pair moved, the eyes of the others grew wide as the Hound and the troubadour danced as if no one else was there, alone in their own world, Sandor forgetting his fearsome reputation as he lost himself in a woman's smile.

"Don't leave when ya troupe goes." Sandor said, lifting (Y/n) high into the air, bringing her down slowly, as he placed his forehead on (Y/n)'s.

"Well, it would appear that you still need a few more lessons Ser Clegane, and I couldn't possibly abandon my best student, now could I?" (Y/n) said, as Sandor held her closer, the two continuing to dance, as the rest of the Seven Kingdoms vanished from their minds.