Sandor stood in the early morning light at the back of his cabin, he took a long draw on the cigarette in his mouth watching the smoke dance and curl then fade away to nothing as he exhaled. He took a swig of his coffee grimacing as the bitterness hit the back of his throat; then relished as he felt the surge of caffeine through his veins. He sighed staring at the barn that was a few hundred yards from the back of his home.

"It's definitely seen better days" he thought.

The barn whilst tall and intact was peeling and looked decrepit. The white paint had faded to grey and the red tinge of rust showed through the metal fixings. Sandor dropped the butt of his cigarette extinguishing it firmly with the heel of his boot. As he walked across the uneven ground to the wide door of the barn, Sandor grabbed the bolt which slid swiftly and decisively letting the doors swing open. The smell of horses hit Sandor like a welcome relief. The smell of warm horseflesh, hay, straw and the acrid sting of the manure permeated his senses and Sandor felt a calm unfurling in his chest like a cat stretching in the sun.

Sandor walked up to the closest stable looking over the door which contained the small sorrel filly which he had been working with the previous day, the filly's ears pricked in interest as he held a handful of maize out to the animal. The filly took tentative steps towards him elegant head stretched out in front of her but Sandor could see the apprehension in her eyes. The filly got within inches of his hand before changing her mind rushing to the back of her stall snorting in fear Sandor smiled at the horse

"Not today then little one?" he spoke gently to the fearful animal.

Sandor let the maize run through his fingers and heard the soft patter as it hit the ground. The horse would find its way to the food in its own time. Sandor walked slowly down the alleyway of the barn checking in each stall as he passed. Sandor loved these early mornings where it was him and his horses the time allowing him to slowly appraise the animals and mentally work out the activities that he needed to complete that day. As Sandor neared the end of the stalls he took a deep breath and walked to the last door on the left. The tall black horse stood regally in the back of the stall resting a hind leg dozing in the early morning sun that filtered in through the slats in the side of the barn. Sandor watched for a few moments as the dust motes in the air floated in the sun. Sandor softly clucked his tongue and watched as the horse recognised him and sauntered over; ears pricked in expectance of some food. As the horse moved its head over the door it nuzzled Sandor's pocket expecting him to give him some small treat. Sandor ran his hand down the horses neck marvelling in the satiny finish of the horses coat and the powerful muscle that lay beneath the exterior. Sandor felt the horse nip at his arm when he hadn't been quick enough to feed him. This horse amazed Sandor, Stranger was a monster of a horse at least 17hands high, unknown breeding and very highly strung. The horse had been known to pin people in the corner of his stall and to try and throw himself over his stable to attack people as they walked by. However Sandor had a very soft spot for this horse. Stranger had found his way into Sandor's barn five years previously, a young 2 year old colt all balls and not much brain. The horse had been so aggressive that even Sandor was unsure if there was anything that could be done for the animal. Over time Sandor had gained the horses trust and watched as he settled into barn life. Stranger wasn't to be trusted and the only person who handled him was Sandor himself. However what the horse lacked in sweetness he more than made up for in skill and raw talent. Sandor had never known a horse so well suited to ranch life it was almost as if the animal new which way the steers would run before they knew it themselves, Sandor had harboured dreams of using Stranger to make a comeback into the world of rodeo the horse would be perfect for bull-dogging.

Sandor dumped a bucket of grain out into the horses manger and watched for a few seconds as the horse ate heartily lazily flicking its tail and pawing the ground in frustration. Sandor turned and walked back down the alley and towards the cabin. He looked at his watch it was a little after 6am. Bronn's had said the girl would be there at around suppertime. She was in for a long drive she thought slightly impressed that the girl was hauling the horses herself, it wasn't an easy drive. Sandor's ranch was about an hour outside of Billings at the base of the Pryor Mountains a straight run but once past Billings the winding tracks that lead to Sandor's ranch were deep, rutted and not well maintained. Sandor stalked back into the cabin and looked around at the detritus of the previous nights empty bottles of beer lay on the kitchen counter, washing up was piled in the sink and the layers of dust across the surfaces were thick. Sandor grabbed a dish rag and began to scrub earnestly at the pots watching as the water turned murky in the sink. Once the dishes were on the side draining Sandor gathered the empty bottles throwing them in the trash and casually flicked a cloth over the dust on the surfaces. Sandor stood back and looked at his efforts, the place looked cleaner than had in weeks but it was still dirty. Sandor walked down the hall way past his bedroom to the small spare room next to his and opposite the bathroom, as he entered he looked at it. It was sparse, a narrow bed with an old patchwork coverlet, a single pillow greying with age and a worn rug on the floor. Covering the walls were pictures of Sandor's glory days of riding bronco's and a watercolour of the Pryor Mountains. It wasn't much but it was clean, honestly Sandor didn't give a shit what the girl thought but he thought he better try to make a good impression. Walking back to the kitchen Sandor opened the refrigerator looking at it's contents, an open tin of beans, a few bottles of beer and a container of milk that had definitely seen better days.

"Better go to the store" he thought to himself.

As Sandor shrugged into his jacket and gathered his keys he looked round and smiled at his home. It wasn't much but it was his. As he walked to his beat up Ford F250 the paint chipped and scratched Sandor patted the hood as he did everyday opened the door and swung himself into the drivers seat. Turning his head over his shoulder he slowly backed the truck up and turned around. As Sandor hit the road and started the drive to the nearest town, it wasn't much of a town just a few low houses, a trailer park, a general store and a bar that served food and drink. As Sandor eased into the main street, he parked up outside the store got out and shut the door behind him. He saw an old man sat outside the store and nodded to him as he walked past. He saw the old man look in confusion at him then look away when he noticed the scarring on his face. As Sandor entered the store he heard the shrill bell that rang out to announce him. The girl behind the register looked up and smiled at Sandor, Sandor grimaced back at her. Ros was probably one of the only women he knew who didn't draw back from his face in disgust. A long time ago Sandor and Ros had attempted to date but it didn't work out; they'd found that there wasn't the spark of attraction that they'd hoped there would be but found that they got along famously. The girls air of humour and dirty laugh the perfect foil to Sandor's severe countenance.

"Hey there Sandor" Ros smiled

"Alright" he replied gruffly

"Didn't think I'd see you here today, whats up?" the girl laughed

"Need to pick up a few things" Sandor replied grabbing a few items from the shelves. Sandor wandered the aisles grabbing some bread, beans and a pack of bacon. Sandor found himself stood in front of the shelf that had shampoo and conditioners. He wondered to himself whether he should get some to put in the bathroom, try and at least make the girl feel welcome? Sandor picked up a Bottle of lurid pink 2in1 shampoo and conditioner. Strawberry Surprise the label proudly read, the picture of a fat cartoon strawberry blazoned above it. Chucking it in the basket he was carrying Sandor made his way to the register. Ros rang up his shopping but paused when she picked up the bottle of shampoo. She looked at Sandor questioningly.

"Strawberry Surprise Sandor?" she asked sardonically

"Give it a rest woman, it's not for me"

Ros raised a questioning eyebrow in Sandor's direction

"Something you want to tell me?" she laughed trying to supress a laugh.

Sandor told her about the deal with Winterfell ranch in Saskatchewan and his impending house guest.

Ros let a long breath out from her nose "well, well, well Sandor aren't you the lucky guy? When does the girl arrive?"

"This evening" Sandor replied shortly

"Well that's good then, be nice to have some new blood around these here. Be sure you bring her to the bar once she's settled in. I'd like to meet this girl"

"Will do Ros, can I get a bottle of bourbon and a pack of marlboro as well?"

"Sure thing" Ros said turning to grab the items "you not getting anything for the girl?"

"Fine, whatever you think" Sandor replied becoming increasingly frustrated with Ros

Ros gathered up a six pack of light beer and put it in the bag with Sandor's other goods.

"That'll be $56.27" Ros smiled sweetly at him,

Sandor grumbled as he pulled three twenties out of his wallet and pocketed the change when Ros handed it back.

"I'll see you around Ros"

"You sure will big guy." Ros replied turning to read a magazine behind the counter.

As Sandor got back in his truck and started the drive back to the ranch. Sandor shook his head at himself laughing inwardly

"fucking shampoo and light beer" it'll be all over the town by sundown if Ros had anything to about it. That would not be good for his fearsome reputation. But Christ he needed this deal to pan out if it succeeded and he had a regular stream of Winterfell horses to work with he'd be set. If it took making the chit feel welcome in his home then he'd do it.

Around town he was known as the Hound, he wasn't entirely sure how he'd picked this name up. Ros said it's because he was always snarling at people. Sandor didn't give a shit what people called him behind his back, no one was ever brave enough to call it to his face. No one was brave enough to even look him in the face.

As he pulled into the driveway of the ranch Sandor looked at the clock on the dash showing it was 11:30am more than enough time to get some work done and take Stranger out on the trails. Sandor walked into the kitchen opening the fridge shoving his purchases into it and stalked to the bathroom putting the offensively coloured shampoo on the window sill. Sandor walked into his bedroom peeling off his jacket and replacing it with a red plaid shirt, he rolled the sleeves up to just above his elbows Sandor looked down at the scars that littered his lower arms each one told its own story of bar fights and steer wrestling. Sandor some days thought he was more scar than man.

Leaving the cabin he stalked to the bar and grabbed the saddle and bridle for Stranger, walking slowly down the alleyway. Once he reached Stranger's stall the big horse had his head hanging over the door eyeing Sandor and the tack with suspicion. As the horse lowered its head to allow Sandor to slip the headpiece over his head and ears he threw his head into Sandor's side.

"Oof, you big idiot watch what your doing" he said jokingly to the horse.

The horse just stared back without an answer for him. Sandor threw the saddle over the horses back and adjusted the cinch under his stomach. Leading him out into the mild afternoon Sandor swung himself up into the saddle adjusting himself as he sat down. Sandor clucked to the horse and encouraged him to walk forward. As Stanger found his stride Sandor let out a long breath and took in his surroundings; he liked it here it was so peaceful and different than the rodeo circuit that had taken up so much of youth and had taken so much of himself. At 20 years old Sandor was young, dumb and full of fire, piss and vinegar, Nothing was to much and he sought out the biggest thrills that ife could give him. No bronc was too bad and no stake too high. He chased every high he could find and found himself in too many situations with buckle bunnies who just wanted to chalk up a fuck and say that they had screwed Clegane. Sandor knew that he meant nothing to any of the women he had fucked during that time, he was glad for any tail he could get but afterwards he knew those girls would be sat around discussing who they'd screwed and looks of awe and horror would be bestowed on the girl that had fucked him.

Sandor remembered the wreck he'd had at the Stampede. The horse was mean and he was pissed after downing half a bottle of bourbon before his ride. Sandor's grip loosened as the horse twisted and threw him to the side. It was as if in slow motion that he saw himself falling and the horses hooves raining down on his head and body. The crowds said that he was lucky to have come away from that with his life. After 6 months recovery and physiotherapy Sandor moved to the ranch determined never to set foot in the rodeo ring on a Bronc again. He was too old for that sort of shit. Sandor was happy training cutting horses and working with the difficult horses that had reached the end of the line.

As Stranger walked back into the yard of the ranch Sandor glanced at his watch shit it was 5.30 the girl would be here soon. He'd been out longer than he'd hoped lost in the thoughts of his years gone by. Sandor led the dark horse back to his stall and removed his tack, rubbing the sweat marks from the horse he stroked the horses face gently and thanked him for a pleasant ride. Sandor stored his tack and made his way slowly back to the cabin. He needed a shower after his ride he could smell himself and it wasn't pretty. Sandor walked into bathroom and slowly stripped his shirt of flexing his back as he did. Unbuckling his belt and top button he drew the zipper down and shucked his jeans off before toeing his feet out of his boots. Sandor turned the shower onto full and waited whilst it heated up. Staring at his reflection in the mirror looking at the scars that ravaged his face he felt sickened. Sandor turned his attention to the toothbrush by the side of faucet picking it up and applying toothpaste he slowly started to brush his teeth the mirror started to fog up blocking his reflection only then did Sandor look up spitting the foam from his mouth into the sink and stepped into the shower. Sandor placed a hand on the shower wall and let the water run over his head and down his back and shoulders feeling the tension melt away under the hot water. Sandor gathered the soap and started to lather it across his chest and arms as he worked down to his groin he felt himself stiffen with the contact against his cock. Sandor took himself in hand and started to stroke his length with firm sweeping movements. Sandor thought back to the last woman he had screwed a pretty brunette with a foul mouth who he had picked up in the bar in town. The woman had rode him fast and hard in the back seat of the truck and as soon as it had started it had finished. Contact was minimal throughout the whole encounter and as Sandor leant in to kiss the woman she pushed him away.

"what do you think you're doing?

Sandor was speechless as she drew closer and whispered in his ear

"this was only a dare you ugly fucker! I needed to bag the big bad Hound. You think I'd let you kiss me? Look at you."

Sandor didn't know what to say. He snarled at the woman, opened the truck door and pushed her unceremoniously from the truck. Sandor stalked around to the drivers side climbed in and peeled out of the parking lot leaving the whore laughing in the dirt.

Sandor felt himself going limp at the memory and let out an exasperated sigh. Putting some shampoo into his hands he massaged it into his hair then rinsed it out watching the suds slowly be carried away by the drain at his feet.

Sandor stepped from the shower and grabbed a towel from the rail. Wrapping it round his waist he left the bathroom heading towards the kitchen he looked at the bottle of bourbon on the counter but decided he didn't want to be half pissed when the girl turned up. Grabbing a beer from the fridge and twisting the top off it he took a long swig the beer tasting off as it hit his freshly brushed mouth. At least it wasn't the piss water that Ros had told him to buy for the girl. Wandering back to his bedroom Sandor grabbed a clean pair of jeans and a white crew neck t-shirt hastily pulling them on; he shrugged into black shirt leaving it open. Taking another long draught from the bottle Sandor went and collected his dirty clothes and boots from the bathroom dumping them in a pile inside his bedroom by the door. Sandor pulled his boots on and went to sit on the porch to wait for the girl.

An hour and two beers later Sandor was sat on the old couch on his porch when he saw the tell-tale dust cloud of a vehicle approaching up his driveway. Sandor watched as the truck and trailer pulled to a stop in front of his cabin and the drivers door creaked open. Sandor couldn't believe the small dainty thing that swung herself down from the drivers seat. Wearing cut off shorts, a tank top and boots with a black baseball cap pulled low over her eyes she walked over to where Sandor was sat.

"Hey there, Mr Clegane isn't it?" the girl spoke

Sandor looked down at the girls face upturned towards him looking earnestly into his face. Interestingly she didn't flinch away when she saw the scars on his face, he thought. He noticed she had pale porcelain skin, vivid blue eyes, a full mouth and a pretty snub nose with a small bump on it giving away that some point in the past she had broken it.

"Mr Clegane was my father" Sandor replied gruffly "It's Sandor"

The girl looked a bit taken a back by the tone of his voice but he watched as she rallied her courage and stuck her hand out

"I'm Sansa, Sansa Stark" the girl replied

Sandor took the girls small hand in his larger one and shook it.

The girl turned and began to walk towards the trailer to open the gate to unload the horses. Sandor watched as the girl walked away her seemingly endless legs and small waist with a tumble of auburn hair pouring down her back from the pony tail sticking out of the back of her baseball cap.

"Damn" Sandor thought to himself "Bronn was right she is easy on the eye".

Thankyou for reading! Hope you like it! If you did or you didn't please review! Constructive criticism always welcome!