Running

Chapter Eight

Brienne was in her room, organising things. She hadn't ever expected to see Jaime again. She thought he was in the past, but he had now re entered her life. She was happy being Sansa's sworn shield. And she hoped Jaime didn't ruin everything. There was a knock at her door.
"Lady Brienne?" Brienne grit her teeth. She hated being called a lady. "Lady Sansa has requested your presence in her chambers immediately." Brienne dropped everything and made her way down the corridor. She knocked on the door before entering.
"Lady Sansa, is everything OK?"
"Yes Brienne. Please, sit." Brienne took the chair and Sansa sat at the edge of her bed. "I just... I don't know how to say this. I was just wondering about your relationship with the Kingslayer? It's just... It's just I saw you two together when he was in front of Jon and..."
"You don't need to justify yourself my lady. Ser Jaime and I have been through a lot together. I care about him."
"I've heard stories, but would you tell me the full one? You don't have to but I would like to hear it."
"Of course. Well, your mother entrusted Jaime to me to return him to King's Landing and exchange him for you and your sister. We left Robb's camp and started our journey through the Riverlands. Jaime was chained and I kept him close and he used to taunt and insult me but I grew used to it. We had a sword fight which I won. We were then captured by Locke, banner man of Roose Bolton. Jaime saved me from being raped and that was when I started to think maybe he could be different. Him helping me lost him his sword hand. He wanted to die but I managed to talk him out of it. We were taken to Harrenhal. Jaime told me the whole story about when he killed the Mad King. And it isn't the story you expect. I won't go into it, but he was honourable. Bolton released Jaime and gave me to Locke who threw me into a pit with a bear for his entertainment. Jaime came back, jumped into the pit and saved me even though he'd only just recently lost his hand. We went back to King's Landing. After you disappeared after Joffrey's wedding, Jaime asked me to search and protect you. He gave me his Valyrian steel sword, Oathkeeper. It's due to Jaime that I'm here now."
"Wow," Sansa said. "Brienne, come with me."
"Where are we going?" Sansa didn't say anything but swept out the room. Brienne got up and followed her. Sansa and Brienne made thier way up to the top floor. Jaime's room.
"My lady, are you sure about this?" Brienne asked cautiously.
"Yes. Wait here," Sansa said to Brienne. "I want to see the Kingslayer."
"He's not allowed any visitors but the King," one of Jaime's guards answered.
"Are you really refusing the Lady of Winterfell?" Brienne asked sternly, hand on her sword hilt. The guard was shocked and stammered.
"No, of course. I'll lock you in with him. He's defenceless. You'll be OK. Knock the door when you want out."
"Call me if you need me," Brienne reassured. Sansa nodded and entered the room. Jaime was sitting on the window ledge looking upon the bustle of the city. He looked over when he heard the keys jangling in the lock. His eyes widened when he saw who walked through the door. He saw Brienne lingering outside before the door was shut again, turning his focus on the red-headed Stark in front of him. He stood up.
"My Lady, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Sit, Ser, please."
"I'm not sure I'll be a knight for much longer."
"Don't speak that way. Ser Jaime, Brienne told me."
"Told you what?"
"The story of when my mother released you until you sent her out to find me." Jaime was shocked.
"She told you everything?"
"Yes." Jaime turned away and sighed.
"Look, Sansa, I was in a bad place. A very bad place. If I wanted to die, I'd just lost my sword hand. My identity. I wasn't thinking straight."
"Jaime," she said coming closer to him. She took his bad arm in her hands and ran her fingers down the golden hand. "It's OK to say that you're not alright. You do t have to hold onto your pride the whole time. I know that was what your father instilled in you, but you can be your own person. You don't have to put up the pretence all the time. You've changed. I've seen it in you." Jaime didn't know what to say. No-one, not Brienne, not Tyrion, had said these nice things to him. He was lost, confused.
"Sansa, I..." But his words were stopped when Sansa's lips crashed onto his. He left it for a few seconds as he tried to register what was going on, but as soon as he did, he shoved her off.
"What was that?" He growled.
"Oh I... I'm sorry." Sansa rushed to the door, tears flowing down her cheeks. She rapped on it loudly. A guard answered it.
"Brienne," she sobbed. "Get me out of here." Brienne looked between Sansa and Jaime, frowning. She turned to a guard. "Take her back to her chambers. I need to talk to him. Make sure she's OK."
"I can't do that. There needs to be a certain number of guards here."
"I can replace one for a few minutes. I have a Valyrian steel sword and he has one hand. I'm sure he'll be OK." The guard nodded and walked off with Sansa. Brienne was locked in the room. She stormed over to Jaime.
"What in the seven hells did you do to her? Why did she leave here crying?"
"Brienne, back off me and I'll tell you." She walked away him and he took a few moments to collect himself. Brienne gave him a questioning eyebrow.
"She kissed me Brienne. She fucking kissed me. And don't turn round to me and say I encouraged it or I started it because I didn't." Brienne turned away.
"How did it start?"
"Well, firstly she told me that you told her the whole story."
"I did."
"Why? I don't want people to know I wanted to die. It's not public knowledge."
"It's only Sansa."
"But what if she spreads it around. It's not exactly going to help me here. Especially now I've made Snow's sister cry." Jaime slumped in the chair and put his head in his hands. "I'm dead, Brienne. I'm dead."
"Firstly, Sansa won't talk. She's not that sort of girl. Secondly, I'm going to fight for you. You are a decent, honourable person. You deserve to live." Jaime snorted.
"I'm going to leave you to calm down. I need to see to Sansa." Brienne knocked on the door and it opened.
"Brienne?" Jaime called.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you." She nodded briefly and left the room.

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Sansa wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Lady Sansa?" Brienne asked, sitting next to her on the bed. Sansa buried her face in Brienne's chest and wept. Brienne wasn't sure what to do and just let the girl cry on her.
"It's OK."
"Tell him... Tell him I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."
"I will."