𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 || 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

Chapter 26

I was put in a cell because I was a Stark, because Brienne was accompanying me, and because we were holding a Lannister hostage. Within a few short hours, our prisoner had been freed and we had become the prisoners. But of someone much more unjust and cruel than either Brienne or myself could ever have been. The guards led us down the corridor and the ones holding onto me stopped at one of the cells. But the men holding Brienne kept walking on.

"Wait, are-are you separating us?!" I asked, glancing over at Brienne.

"It's alright, my lady. Don't give them any reason to hurt you. I'll go willingly." she said to me, her voice firm.

I didn't argue. Instead, I just nodded as the guards wrenched open the cell door and pushed me inside.

I fell to my knees in the cool dirt and the door slammed loudly behind me. Looking around at the dimly-lit room, I rubbed my hands up and down my arms to warm myself as a cold breeze whistled through. Then I glanced down at my dress. Fresh mud caked the bottom of it. I guess, it didn't matter much anymore though if my dress was dirty. We'd never be freed anyhow.

After all, who would even know we were here? The Lannisters? That would do no good. Even if Jaime would stick up for us, they wouldn't listen. Cersei wouldn't listen. No, we were stuck here.

And the only way we'd get out is if by chance, Robb would hear about it or if we broke out. But neither seemed very plausible. At least not at this point. The day dragged on then until darkness came. It filled up the corners of the room and soon, the only light to be had was from the small barred window at the top of the wall farthest from me and a small candle perched on a wooden table. I shivered as it got colder.

Would this night ever end? All of a sudden, there was a loud clang and my head shot up just as the cell door opened. A figure walked in and I immediately stood up. He stepped into the light as I did and I sighed in relief, recognizing him instantly - Jaime. The guards closed the door behind him and then, it was just the two of us. Nervous knots formed in my stomach.

It was the first time we'd been alone since our kiss back in the forest. For a second, I almost addressed the moment but I thought better of it. He was leaving anyhow....

"I thought you were gone," I told him honestly.

"Tomorrow," he said simply, his green eyes trained on me.

I was silent a moment before speaking.

"Have they told you what they plan to do with me?" I asked, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

But Jaime knew me better than that. He knew I was scared of what would become of me.

"Lord Bolton's traveling tomorrow as well. He's going to the Twins for Edmure Tully's wedding. You're to remain here..."

"With Locke?"

Jaime looked at me with a nearly unreadable expression on his face, a cross between sympathy, pity, and...an emotion I couldn't quite place.

"I owe you a debt," he said suddenly and I knew at once what he was referring to.

That day at camp when mother had almost killed him. She would have if it wasn't for me standing over him.

"When my mother released you, we both made a promise to her," I told him, my mind going to my sisters then, "Now it's your promise. You gave your word. Keep it and consider the debt paid,"

Jaime nodded slowly.

"I will return your sisters to your mother. I swear it." he promised solemnly.

And I knew he meant it.