IN HER SLEEP, LILITH dreamed of the man in the hound helmet. His dark, brooding eyes stared into her soul and she woke up with the feeling of being watched. 

The sun had yet to rise over The Red Keep and the room was cold. It made the castle seem eerie. Lilith shivered, wrapping her arms around her torso as she stood. Everything about a morning in King's Landing was disorienting. Unlike at Highgarden, the view from her window was of cobblestone and brick. It was dark and dreary, opposite the bright golden roses of her home. 

The urge for freedom was painful in The Red Keep. Lilith wanted nothing more than to mount Cyrus and ride away from her 'duty' to become a wife. 

Her eyes widened. Cyrus had been left at Highgarden, but the King had horses. 

Lilith wasted no time getting dressed. She was not allowed to pack her riding gear and only dresses and gowns had been packed by her handmaid. It was frustrating but understandable. She picked a dress that was Tyrell yellow, a favourite of her sisters, and wearing it almost made it feel like Margaery was there with her. 

As Lilith exited her chambers, it dawned on her that she did not know where the palace stables were. So, she would explore.

She descended staircase after staircase until she reached the bottom, from where she walked out into the cool summer morning. There was no one in the courtyard, its emptiness unsettling Lilith. Even the birds were quiet, possibly for fear of waking up the King and Queen. 

The wind blew, causing the hairs on Lilith's arms to stand and bumps to form. She tucked her arms together in an attempt to preserve some body heat. 

As she walked across the cobblestone, her footsteps echoed. She wandered aimlessly, trying to enjoy her time exploring and ignore the uneasy feeling of King's Landing. 

As she turned a corner, she heard the familiar sound of a whinny. A smile crossed her face and she followed the noise. It wasn't long before she could smell the distinct scent of horses. 

The stable was half stone and half wood and was four times the size of what she had grown up with at Highgarden. It held the horses of the Kingsguard, so its size was necessary. Excitedly, Lilith approached a towering oak door, which took some effort from her shoulder to open.

She was hit with the smell of manure, sweat, and hay. It was pleasant and familiar being in the company of horses. Stalls lined the walls, stretching so far, Lilith could barely see the end.  

The heads of the horses peaked out to see who had entered. Their large eyes all watched Lilith with curiosity. The one closest to her was pure white, not a speck of dirt to be seen. She approached the large animal slowly and spoke softly. "Hello, lovely..." 

Its ears flicked, listening to her words. It allowed her to approach. "How are you this fine morning?" Lilith cooed, inching her hand out slowly. The horse sniffed it, then butted it with its nose. Taking that as an 'okay', Lilith began to softly pet its nose and up along its face. "You're a beautiful..." She craned her neck around to check the animals' behind. "Lady! You are a beautiful lady." The mare let out a huff of appreciation and Lilith giggled, continuing her stroking down the mare's neck.

Lilith had been so engrossed with the horses, that she had no idea that she was not alone. 

He had been feeding the horses sugar cubes, unable to have slept the night before. When the pounding on the door began, he hid, ducking into a pile of hay. He had expected the stable boy or a Kingsguard, not the Rose of Highgarden.

He crept around a stall, watching as she talked with the mare as if she were a person. Why was she here? Why is she alone? It concerned him. What if a Kingsguard were to catch her? He knew them, and any of them would take the opportunity to take the Rose. 

He did his best to watch her from afar, but as he stretched his neck to get a better view, his foot slipped and his head hit the wood of the stall. She turned towards him. He could not duck back and hide as her eyes fell upon his scarred face. At first, horror crossed her eyes, then confusion. 

Lilith's heart was beating so fast, she was sure it would burst out from her chest. Her eyes would not move from the large man on the stable floor. "Who are you?" She called out in her most demanding voice, but she knew she sounded meek and frightened.

The man did not answer. In silence, he rose to his feet and even from a distance Lilith could tell he towered over her. He stared at her, dark eyes unblinking. Her gaze moved across the left side of his face, its scarred and mutilated bumps intriguing her. But they also scared her. He remained silent and Lilith's nerves and impatience grew. "Answer me. Who are you? Why are you here?" 

A low, deep chuckle reverberated from his chest. "Why am I here? Why are you here, my Lady?" Lilith's eyes widened and he chuckled again. "No need to be afraid. I won't do anything. I'm the sworn sword to the prince." 

Tilting her head, Lilith took in his words. The sworn sword to the prince? It dawned on her. "You...the one in the helm." He was attached to the Queen's side, the side that held the young Prince Joffery.

His head dropped. "Aye..." He seemed embarrassed at the notion.

"What is your name?" Lilith took a tentative step forward. 

He raised his head slowly, looking at her through his lashes. She noticed how weighed down his left eye was by his burn. He sighed. "Sandor Clegane, my Lady."

Lilith nodded slowly and Sandor straightened back to his full height. Lilith felt her nerves return. He was truly an intimidating man. "Could I ask a favour of you, Ser Clegane?"

Sandor cringed when she called him Ser. "I'm no knight, my Lady..." He looked at her with sad eyes. "What favour?" 

With a frown, Lilith fiddled with the fabric of her dress. "Tell no one of my presence here. My grandmother would have my head if she knew I spent my time in King's Landing with horses rather than Lords." 

Slowly, Sandor nodded, a whisp of a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. 

The tension in Lilith's shoulders dropped and she sighed in relief. "Thank you, Ser- Uh, Sandor." She smiled sheepishly.

He shrugged and huffed, then turned to walk away. 

Lilith found her mouth moving before she could stop herself. "Wait!"

Sandor paused and glanced over his shoulder, his only eyebrow raised in a question. "Yes, my Lady?" 

She placed her hands on her hips. "I suppose you know your way around the castle?" 

"Aye, I do," 

"I would appreciate an escort to the royal dining hall." 

Turning his full body to face her, Sandor crossed his arms and cocked his head. "Why me? I'm sure King Robert has arranged you an escort." 

Lilith faltered momentarily. He was right. But she couldn't tell him that she was intrigued and fascinated by him, that she wanted to know every little detail there was to know, and especially how he got his scar. She raised her chin and puffed her chest. "I don't know this escort that the King provided. I know you."

Sandor let out a sharp bark of a laugh. "You don't know me! Go back to your chambers, my Lady. Your escort should be there by now." 

He turned around once again. Lilith's body heated with frustration. "Ser! I demand you take me to the royal dining hall at once!" 

Sandor stopped dead in his tracks but did not turn around to face her. For a brief moment, Lilith questioned why she wouldn't let this man go on his way. His silence was terrifying. But then, he spoke. 

"Fine. Follow me." 

With a cheeky grin, Lilith made her way to his side and they exited through the opposite end of the stables.

As she walked happily along beside him, Sandor watched her out of the corner of his good eye. Her elegance bewildered him. When he heard word of the Tyrell's imminent arrival, all that the men could talk about was 'the Rose of Highgarden'. He wouldn't lie and say that he was indeed curious about how beautiful this woman could be. 

She lived up to the expectation and beyond. Beautiful didn't seem the right word to describe her. Ethereal. That was right. So, why would this ethereal woman want to be in the presence of a Hound? He was sure his mere appearance made her seem all the more stunning. 

"Where are you from, Sandor Clegane?" 

Her voice, as soft and as smooth as silk, snapped him from his thoughts. He glanced down at her. "The Westerlands." He answered sharply. 

Lilith smiled sweetly and Sandor had to look away for fear of her seeing his reddening cheeks. 

"It's lovely there. My family visited Casterly Rock when I was a young girl." 

Sandor nodded silently and kept his eyes forward. Lilith frowned. He wasn't much for conversation. She didn't mind, though. 

"How long have you been in King's Landing?"

"Four years," He once again spoke sharply and swiftly. 

"Do you miss home?" She leaned forward, trying to look him in the eyes as she asked. 

Unexpectedly, his eyes snapped to hers. "No."

Lilith blinked, slightly shocked by his answer. "I'm sorry-"

"Nothing to apologize for," Sandor interrupted. "I don't care anymore." 

She could tell by the tone of his voice that he truly meant it. He wasn't trying to hide his feelings toward his family. She could also tell that he was done talking. As much as she wanted to learn, she was raised better than to pry.

He led her swiftly through the castle grounds in silence and up into the Red Keep. When they reached a winding staircase, he stopped. "Royal dining hall is just up there." 

Lilith craned her neck up and could just see a flickering light at the top. She looked back at Sandor, who now stood at attention. "Will you not accompany me up?" 

He shook his head. "No, my Lady. It wouldn't be proper." 

Lilith scoffed at the word proper. She muttered it with venom. All her life she was trained to be 'proper'. She was tired of it. But, she decided against arguing with Sandor. She had a feeling she would not win. "Thank you, Sandor Clegane," She straightened her back, returning to the polite lady her grandmother moulded. "Your kindness will not be forgotten."

With a swift turn on her heel, Lilith began her climb up the staircase. Sandor watched her go with an intense stare and swore that the scent of roses lingered in her place. 

  AT THE TOP OF the stairs, Lilith could hear the laughs and jeers of her brothers. Stepping through the doorway, she saw them sitting at the large dining table, mouths full of food as they argued about something she didn't care to listen to. 

"Lily!" Garlan cheered as she sat across from him. 

"Sleep well?" Her father asked, raising from his seat at the head of the table to sit closer to his children.

Lilith nodded and hummed, reaching for the jug of juice that sat in between her and her brothers. Its liquid poured a deep red colour which could almost be mistaken for wine, if not for the distinct fruity smell of blackberries and figs. "I'm surprised you two are so awake," She pointed her chin toward her brothers. "At this hour, you're usually still in bed."

Willas chuckled. "Today is important, dear sister."

She tilted her head with a small quirk of her lips. "How so?"

Lord Mace Tyrell leaned over. "Queen Cersei has been kind enough to arrange some suitors for you this morning." 

Lilith took a sharp breath in and began to choke on her saliva. She coughed, watery eyes frantically darting between her siblings. Her father patted her back soothingly, easing her coughing fit slightly. When her throat cleared, she spoke one simple word;

 "What?" 

Her father frowned. "I know it's soon-"

"Soon?!" Lilith suddenly erupted. "We've barely been here a full day and already you're putting me up for auction like a horse?"

"Now, Lilith-"

"Father! We have months for this! Why must it be now?" She stood up from her chair, causing it to skid harshly across the stone floor. She knew she was acting childish, but her anger was anything but. She had planned on putting off marriage as long as possible, but with the so-called help from the Queen, she was thrusted into the deep end.

"I can't deny the Queen, and you know that," Her father's tone was harsh. "This is your duty, Lilith. You have been given far too much liberty. I will not hear these childish rambles. At dawn, you will be ready to meet suitors."

Silence engulfed the room. Servants had stopped bringing food, Willas and Garlan stared at their sister, and Lilith stood with a heaving chest.

Lord Tyrell stood slowly from his chair. "I have a meeting with the King. Sons, make sure she makes it to the Throne Room on time." With one last glance towards Lilith, he sauntered out of the room. 

As soon as he was gone, Lilith let out a shout of frustration, stopping her foot as if she were a child. Her craving for freedom had never been stronger. Her hands balled into fits and she sat back down roughly in her chair. Willas and Garlan continued to stare and continued to aggravate her. "What?" She snapped.

Willas frowned. "I pity you." 

"I don't want your pity," Lilith spat harshly. 

"I know," Willas nodded. "But still, I do. You deserve more than this."

She looked away from him as her chest tightened. Her brothers had never been this kind to her before. Lilith knew she was truly doomed. "...I know."

At her words, Garlan bellowed with laughter. "That's our sister! The strongest women in Westeros!" 

Lilith rolled her eyes, still avoiding her brothers' gaze. "There are far braver women than I."

"Bullshit!" Garlan scoffed.

"I mean it, Garlan," She finally looked up, eyes glistening with tears. "I'm not special. I'm 'The Rose of Highgarden'. I'm a prize meant to be won for the pleasure of men. You know that, I know that. Everyone in Westeros knows that. All that I will be remembered by is my beauty, not my bravery, or skill with a sword. I am nothing."

AUTHORS NOTE

Me with this whole book.

LMAO anywaysssssss, how do we feel about this? Sandor and Lilith first meeting????? (thank u to @VRPond for the inspo on that)

I both love and HATE the execution of this BUT imma stick with it cause I'm lazy lol. Thanks for reading and sticking around! Love yall <3