They traveled for a few more days without much incident. Not much was said, and that seemed about right. Arya wanted nothing more than to make it to her family, and Clegane wasn't much of a talker. Lana still didn't understand the Hound, and she knew that wasn't a good thing. She rarely met people she didn't understand, which meant she had no real course of action here. Whatever happened would be out of her control, and that frustrated her as much as getting an itch and not being able to scratch it, because one's arms were bound by fucking rope.

When they stopped for a rest, he helped Lana off as usual, grabbing her hips like he always did. The tingling vibration in her body always grew stronger. His hands were large enough, and her body small enough, that he always got a good grip on her.

This time, as he put her down, he said, "You and the Stark bitch can complain all you want about my attitude, but you're lucky, in truth, that you got stuck with me."

"Oh, do enlighten me," she said with sarcasm as she stretched her legs.

"Most men would have raped a pretty little thing like you by now. More than once. Every morning and night, I reckon," he said with a grisly tone.

She slowly turned around, noting the darkness in his eyes as he tightened her saddle, looking her up and down, nearly challenging her. Perhaps trying to scare her? Either way, she was certain she was not the only one to think carnal thoughts when he touched her.

"You're right," she said, not terrified of that about him. She just didn't see him doing something like that, not after saving Sansa from rape herself. And he hadn't touched Arya, or Lana, this whole time. "That's why I want you to help me, and serve at my side. You are brutal, Sandor Clegane, but you're not cruel," she said, using Kari's line.

Maybe that'll fucking work.

She turned around, but not before noticing the way he gently raised his head, truly considering what she said. She sighed with relief, hoping that that was a step in the right direction. She needed it, as her arms were starting to ache.

As she walked around, it clearly took a moment for his words to sink in. He was right. So many men would have raped her by now. She was tied up and weak. It would be easy. Clegane didn't realize how much Lana respected him for not indulging in that violation. She felt a bit silly, but her major fear of being in Westeros, by herself, was rape more than physical harm. She had many scars, rendering her body no stranger to pain. Despite that, she had managed her entire life with her virtue in tact.

If it were up to her, she would have lost her maidenhead by now. Her master for the Crimson Company was fervent that she keep her virtue, insisting that men and women could sense it, even if they didn't know it. People in their world seemed to trust virgins, and the Crimson Company was never above taking advantage of human nature. And although it meant a lot to Lana's master, it didn't mean much to her. She already felt like she wasn't one, and had used her hands and mouth plenty of times. That didn't mean she wanted to lose it to a rapist.

After they stretched their legs and relieved themselves, Lana stood next to Clemmy, attempting to rub the horse's powerful thighs with her hands that could barely move.

The Hound returned to her and she went through the motions of her foot in the stirrups, her body leaning into his, and his hands back on her. At least she saw Clegane having to touch her every day as a bright side to all of this. Lana did not indulge much in romantic affection, only having done so once in her life. That man was similar to Clegane - mean, rugged, and emotionally layered like an onion.

Lana didn't really quite remember how it happened, but one day it just changed. The man grew softer when around Lana, and before she knew it, they were engaged in a romantic throw. He was of the Crimson Company, so he respected their wish of keeping her virtue in tact. Gods, how many nights she wanted him to ravish her.

Then he died. Just like that. One day he was there, and the next he was gone. It took her an entire year to recover from that loss.

Most people in her profession didn't live to an old age. It was her primary motivation for trying to establish another life.

So far she was off to a rough fucking start.

When Clegane was back on his warhorse and kicked Stranger to move, Lana kicked Clemmy. They rode in the warm sun, although the breeze was chilly. It was the only time she was really grateful for the ropes, as they helped keep her core warm.

They finally had come across an old man pulling a carriage full of of fresh pork for the wedding. Lana watched on while Clegane nearly killed the man, only to be countered by Arya, who was insistent on protecting the stranger. Lana saw both sides, but was still amused that Clegane let a little girl push him around. They eventually agreed to just knock him out, stealing the cart. They would use it as cover to get safely into the wedding. The sun was pushing past midday when Lana was riding next to Arya and Clegane, with Stranger now pulling the cart, leaving the donkey behind.

"You will like my brother, and mother," Arya said to Lana as she rode next to her, and the purity in her voice striking something deep and sad inside of Lana. It reminded her this was just a little girl, happy to go home.

"She won't be meeting them," Clegane said.

"What? Why?" Arya asked, truly pained.

"I am not bringing a Targeryen bastard to your brother. He's a king too, in his own mind, and won't just let her go. I still need a line of work after this. Once you're gone, I'll see how honest Lana is about her heritage."

Lana got a pleasant and nervous surge of energy at the thought. They'd be alone, and him having his way with her would be easier. And as fun as the idea was to have Clegane's hands back on her, she quickly imagined him as no better than other rapers she knew. What if she had misjudged him, again? What if he was only behaving in any form of respect because of Arya?

"No, my brother is a good man. He might be able to get her home. He won't be a threat. I swear it."

"Don't make promises you have no ability to keep, girl," Clegane cautioned.

"But I want you to meet my family," Arya pressed, looking to Lana. That touched Lana, and she was surprised how much those words meant to her. It gave her a small sense of belonging, which was something she rarely experienced in her life.

"What am I going to do while you deliver Arya, Clegane?" Lana asked.

"Tie you to a tree until I get back."

She smirked, then looked at him, and saw he was being serious. She let out a sigh of disappointment. "And if you don't come back?" she asked with incredulity.

"I'm sure someone will eventually find you," he said with his own dark humor.

"That really warms the heart," Lana said with defeat. To her surprise, Clegane actually lightly chuckled.

"Shouldn't be a problem if he abandons you," Arya said with confidence, comforting Lana. "Once we go in, I will have some Stark bannermen come get you on the morrow."

"You will not. She is my captive, not yours," Clegane said.

"We'll be back for you, don't worry," Arya said, sounding like a child again, with such fervor in her voice, as if she was certain of the outcome. If only outcomes could be certain. "I understand you could nervous about being a Targeryen bastard too, with my brother being a king in the north and all. I would be too. But my brother is a reasonable man. My father raised him, afterall. Can't say what happened to Sansa, though," she said with a pep in her voice, making jokes again.

Clegane sneered. "What happened to your sister is a big wad of hormones and ignorance. If she survives Joffrey, she will be smarter for it."

"Yeah, well, I will kill Joffrey and free Sansa one day. When I learn to kill. The lion is nothing compared to the wolf," Arya said.

"You might have a chance if it's just Ser Meryn guarding him."

To Lana's furthered surprise, Arya actually laughed. It was the first time she had really seen them banter with little animosity. Lana was happy for Arya. She was happy she would get to return to her family. As the towers of the Twins came into view, gentle puffs of smoke coming from the grounds, Clegane stopped the carriage and made Arya get off. "Don't need you riding off without me."

He walked towards Lana, his heavy armor clinking. "You really don't have to tie me to a fucking tree," she said with a slight panic. She didn't know if he was serious or not.

"You have a bounty for fifty gold dragons, and are the bastard to the Targeryen king. I am definitely tying you to a fucking tree."

"I'll just tell them where she is," Arya interjected.

"Good idea. And see what they do with her. You really think they'll just give her a ship to Essos? Maybe a barrel of wine for her comfort?" Clegane asked, looking at Arya. "The northerners hate the Targeryens, for what they did to your grandfather."

Her face contorted with confusion. "They do?"

"Tell them she's here, and you'll find out."

"I don't want to be tied a tree," Lana repeated, the thought horrifying to her. A cell was one thing. There was a guard, and someone to feed her. Out here, it could be weeks before someone found her. She gripped the reigns, ready to ride for the Twins, as Stranger was tied to a wagon. It might give her the advantage she needed. Maybe I can brokerage myself. Promise them whatever the fuck they want if they don't kill me.

Clegane was quick, and grabbed her hands, his grip hurting her. "I'll stab your horse right now if you don't get off," he threatened. She panted and eyed his stubbled face, his brown eyes severe.

She let go of the reigns, but she didn't move.

"For fuck's sake," he said and grabbed her, wrapping an arm around her roped body. She writhed in his grasp, but without her arms, she quickly fell off the horse, and he easily caught her, tossing her over his shoulder, his hand holding her firm just above her ass.

"You do realize, if I hire you, this is the opposite of what a guard does!" she yelled, and he laughed. His laugh always caught her by surprise, even when slung over his shoulder.

"I am guarding my investment. Until I decide to work for you, my needs come first."

"Please don't tie me to a tree," she pleaded, wondering if trying from that angle would work again. She didn't have to fake the torment in her voice this time.

She was so tired of being a prisoner.

He put her down next to a large tree and as soon as her feet hit the ground, she tried to run for it. He dropped the rope he had and grabbed her by the waist, holding her close to his body. While a part of her welcomed the contact, every inch of her that didn't want to be abandoned fought back. "I will knock you in head again if I have to," he warned, and she could feel the rasp in his voice through his armor.

She ran her legs up the tree and pushed with all of her might, the only option she really had.

But he was nearly a tree himself, and he hardly moved.

He scoffed at her. "Gotta hand it to you, you know some neat tricks."

He let go of her, and just as she realized her freedom, something smacked her in the head, and she was out.