Game of Thrones: Imagines and one shots. Book four

The Hood - Part 6 - Jaime x Reader

The lady pulled her horse to a halt. (Y/n) slowly dismounting and taking her steed over to one of the many trees, before tying it to a sturdy oak.

"What do you hear, my lady.......?"

"Shhhhh...!" (Y/n) hissed back. Dismissing the foolish man with the wave of her hand, before taking the bow from her back.

She had been happy to find that the king's invitation had indeed extended to the hunt. The lady of Felwood the only woman to have joined all the men that rode with Robert, as they made their way into the Kingswood, in hopes of finding themselves a stag that would suit the reputation of the rotund monarch's House sigil. (Y/n) choosing to ignore Jaime Lannister who had insisted, much seemingly to the king's annoyance too, that he would join them. The group breaking up into smaller numbers in hopes of flushing some prey from the undergrowth, towards the king who, if the game was deemed worthy enough, would have the pleasure of dealing the final blow. But as much as she had no real issue with Robert, she had no intention of just being a glorified beater for a man that now struggled to get his portly posterior into his saddle. The lady aware that one of her men had fallen ill and his family was struggling to put food on the table. So, she was more interested in finding some smaller game, so that she could make sure they stayed fed.

"My lady............." (Y/n) rolling her eyes, before turning around to look at the squire that had followed her.

"We really should join the rest of our party........."

"You can join the others. I am perfectly fine. I know these woods better than most and know exactly where I am going and what I am doing. Please, I assure you I will be fine..........."

"But..........." (Y/n) once more dismissing the man with a wave of her hand, before making her way further into the woods.

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Quietly, she made her way through the trees. She loved it in the Kingswood, the smells, the sounds; the wildflowers that would bow their heads with the gentle breeze, as she passed. (Y/n) was sure that if she could live amongst the trees, she would. The grass under her feet, her bed; the dark starry sky above, her blanket. The silence of the woods, lulling her to sleep. But as much as she would just like to vanish into the trees, one day, she knew that she had responsibilities; responsibilities to not only her men and their families, to not only those that relied on her to help put food on their tables, and have their child seen to by a maestre if need be; but to her family name too. To her House. And even though she knew that her mother and father would not approve of what she did as the Hood, it felt like the best way to take care of all those that she cared about. And as long as she could do it, as long as Jaime Lannister could not prove that she was the bandit, she would continue to be the thief of the woods.

Suddenly, she heard something. (Y/n) moving behind the trunk of a large tree, a loaded wagon slowly making its way along the path, where she and her men would often wait to gather their toll. The lady smiling to herself, hoping that the merchant realised just how lucky he was that she was out hunting game, rather than men with their pockets stuffed full of coin. The lady about to turn and go back to her hunt, until she heard a loud shout; men rushing from the trees towards the wagon. Her eyes widening as she saw the merchant pulled from his seat and throw to the floor. The older man groaning loudly, as he was kicked in the guts.

These were not her men. Not a one of them. She knew all the men that stood with the Hood; she knew all their names and all their families, and not one of these fools, who were running around without mask or face cover; who were tearing at the goods in the wagon and throwing whatever they didn't want, into the dirt, had anything to do with her. It obvious that they were bandits from elsewhere, or perhaps sellswords that had grouped together and were using the reputation of the Hood to their advantage. The lady knowing that she was outnumbered; but she was not about to have the reputation of the Hood tarnished by these callous thieves. (Y/n) quickly taking an arrow and notching it; letting fly, as she stepped out from behind the tree.

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Jaime had separated from the rest of the hunting party. He wasn't interested in the hunt, he had other things in mind, the trap that he had set up in hopes of, if not drawing out the Hood, then the men that followed the bandit. The Kingsguard sure that if he could capture some of the followers, then sooner or later, one of them would give up a name, the name of Lady Fell, and he would be redeemed in the eyes of all those that doubted him.

Quietly, he hid behind the tree, waiting for the wagon. He knew that he should have had men with him, but it might have looked suspicious; and, after all, he was Jaime Lannister, a Kingsguard, so if he couldn't take on a few men by himself and capture at least one, then he did not deserve his reputation. Jaime moving as he heard the sound of hooves and wooden wheels, make their way along the path. The Kingsguard hoping that the old man that had paid more than generously to journey into the woods, would do his part.

Suddenly, there was a loud cry; men rushing out from the trees and over to the wagon. Jaime watching as they dragged the merchant from his seat and threw him to the floor, before kicking him harshly in the belly. The thieves jumping onto the back of the wagon and throwing the goods over the floor. The man that had kicked the merchant, demanding to know where the good stuff was. Where the coin was. Jaime tightening his grip around the hilt of his sword, before preparing himself to face the men. Yet before he could even step foot into the clearing, an arrow hit one of the brigands in the heart. A shout going out as another arrow flew through the air and found its target. Jaime's eyes widening as into the clearing stepped the Lady (Y/n). The woman notching another arrow with such speed, that he was sure that if he had blinked, he would have missed it, before she again let it fly.