Running

Chapter Fourteen

Two weeks later and it was the day that Tyrion was arriving in Winterfell. Jaime knew as the whole of the barracks were talking about it. Over the past few weeks, he had tried somewhat to get to know some of the men he was working alongside. The majority of them were hostile towards him. He eventually gave up. There was no point. He began to know faces though, and he could pick out the ones who got on his nerves most and who were best to avoid so there was no confrontations.
Brander was on especially high alert that day. Jaime was around Sansa and Brienne's corridor all day. It had been planned that way. Everyone knew this would be a hard day for Jaime and knew that being close to Brienne was the safest thing for him and for them. It was also known that even though they had a friendship, Brienne wouldn't let Jaime escape or do anything that defied his oath. Jon had told Brienne that Jaime was going to be there and to watch him as much as she could.

Tyrion and his party of thirty soldiers, including Bronn who had manoeuvred his way in. Tyrion was quite glad for his company though. It was good having a familiar face riding into somewhere he'd only been once before.
"How long are we here for?" Bronn asked.
"About a week," Tyrion replied. When Daenerys had first told him that he would be the one to ride to Winterfell for news of his brother, he looked at her incredulously. He'd been kept in the dark about all things Jaime until then. And now she wanted him to bring her back information on him. Hopefully, Jaime was staying somewhere safe in White Harbour, making a living, keeping his head down.
Tyrion, Bronn and the others were permitted entry and met Jon in the main hall.
"Lord Lannister. Welcome to Winterfell. You and your soldiers may rest now and we'll speak on the morrow."
"Thank you." Tyrion and Bronn were escorted to thier rooms.
Jaime was in the barracks after a day in Sansa's corridor. He was back on duty there the next day. The place was dark. It was late at night. One group of guards were getting ready to go on duty that night. They had slept through the day and now it was thier turn. Jaime, knowing that this would be his one chance to see Tyrion, quietly got changed and snuck out with the rest of them, putting on his helmet in the process. He also happened across the man sleeping across from him who'd left his sword out carelessly. Jaime snatched it up and left. Soon, he'd made it into the castle. Jaime wasn't sure where Tyrion's rooms were but came across Bronn turning the corner in front of him. Jaime threw his helmet down and grabbed Bronn's shoulder and spun him round.
"Jaime?" Bronn asked, confused.
"Where is Tyrion? Take me to him."
"Whatever you want. What in the seven hells are you doing here? And in a Stark uniform?"
"Long story." The men stayed silent until they'd reached Tyrion's room. There were no guards in the corridor which was good. Bronn knocked on Tyrion's door and Tyrion's voice answered him. The sell sword entered the room.
"Can I help you Bronn?" He said a little irritably.
"Sorry for disturbing your beauty sleep, but there's someone here to see you." Tyrion frowned as Bronn beckoned the mystery guest in. Tyrion looked up to see his brother standing in front of him. What? He was in Winterfell. But he wasn't in chains. He seemed... free. Jaime crouched and took Tyrion in his arms. His younger brother pushed him away, unsure what to make of it. Tyrion was shocked.
"What's happening. Why are you in Winterfell?" Tyrion wondered. How did this happen?
"After Addam got me safely to White Harbour, a farmer took me in, gave me work and a place to sleep. But it turned out he betrayed me for money. I was captured and brought here. Snow kept me prisoner for a while but decided not to send me back to you and the girl queen but have me here instead. So now, under an oath of allegiance, I'm serving him. I didn't exactly have another option."
"Oh, Jaime, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry. I'm not dead."
"I suppose that's something."

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Whilst Jaime was talking with Tyrion, Brander had entered the barracks. He needed a word with one of his guards. He glanced over at Jaime's empty bed. He yelled in frustration.
"Up! All of you, up!" The men woke startlingly and looked to thier commander, bleary eyed and dazed. "Where is he? Did any of you see him leave?"
"Who?" One dumb man asked. The rest of them groaned.
"The fucking Kingslayer you idiot!" Brander shouted back. "Is anyone missing a sword?" Everyone checked and the man who's sword had been taken raised a shaky hand. "Right eight of you who are actually armed go and find him. He'll be with his brother. Bring him to me. If you have to arrest him, so be it. But Jaime Lannister will be brought to me tonight." The guards Brander wanted quickly dressed and ran out the barracks. "Olivar! A word! That was why I came here in the first place," Brander muttered bitterly. He would deal with Jaime severely. And the King would need to know.

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"Tyrion, I should go. But if you're here for a week, I'll hopefully see you again. Please whatever you do don't tell Daenerys where I am. I'm begging you."
"Of course I won't. What do you take me for?"
"I take you for a man who's loyal to his queen. I don't hold that against you. Loyalty is a good thing." Jaime hugged Tyrion once more then left the room.
He was walking down the corridor when he heard shouts coming after him. They'd clocked he was missing.
"Stop!" One guard shouted. At this point Tyrion came out his room because of the commotion and saw his brother being surrounded. Maybe he wasn't as free as he thought he was.
"Drop the sword." Jaime unsheathed it and set it down on the ground slowly.
"Hands in the air!"
"A cruel jape. I was on my way back anyway." Jaime did as asked though. The guards surrounded him. Tyrion got one last look at his brother being shepherded away. It then became obvious to him that Jaime hadn't been allowed to see him and had defied orders. Brotherly love. He knew Jaime had risked a lot by doing that.

Jaime was taken straight to Commander Brander in the barracks. The man stood there waiting for him. He glared at him.
If looks could kill, thought Jaime. But then the man turned to the guards who brought him here.
"It's late. Put a guard on the barracks, men who are well rested. He does not leave here tonight. We will speak on the morrow." Brander left and a squadron of guards took up positions at the doors.
"What have you got us into Golden Boy?" One solider snapped. Jaime climbed back into bed. He'd seen Tyrion. That was all that mattered to him.