Running

Chapter Fifteen

Brander had to wait until the next afternoon to talk to Jaime as he was up all night and needed some sleep. The Kingslayer hadn't been left alone since he'd gone to see Tyrion. He never was anyway as being a guard was always done with other people, but he'd been watched properly over the last few hours. Was it so wrong that all he'd done was see his own brother? He was allowed to perform his duties on the battlements with no sword and multiple guards alongside him. He wondered when Brander would speak to him and if he would ever see Tyrion again.

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Tyrion was unsure what Jaime's predicament here at Winterfell was. He was dressed as a Stark guard, but it was obvious he hadn't been allowed to see him. Jon Snow was letting him walk about. He would ask the young king when he spoke to him later that day. He called for Bronn.
"Keep a look out for Jaime today if you can. Just melt into the background. Tell me how he's being treated, what his exact situation is here. I'm confused and I'm not sure Jon Snow will tell me the truth."
"Sure thing. I want paid extra, mind."
"Whatever. Just do it. I already pay you enough as it is." Bronn nodded and left.

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Later that day and Jaime was near Brienne and Sansa with another guard standing opposite him, staring at him. Sansa's door opened and both her and Brienne were walking down the corridor. He glanced up at Brienne as she passed and whispered to her.
"Good day, my lady," he whispered teasingly knowing how much she hated being called a lady. Brienne turned to the Stark.
"Lady Sansa, if you would excuse me a minute, I will catch up with you."
"Of course, Brienne."
"You there," Brienne said to the other man. "Escort Lady Sansa. Jaime will be OK with me." The guard nodded and offered Sansa his arm which she accepted and they walked away. Jaime removed his helmet.
"How are you?" Brienne asked. "I heard about last night. Why did you defy orders? You knew it would land you in trouble."
"It was killing me, not being allowed to see him. He's my brother, my only remaining family. How is that fair that I be kept away from him. I owe him. He saved my life."
"But I'm sure given time you would have been able to go to him."
"You didn't hear the way Brander spoke to me. It wasn't going to happen. Anyway, even if I was given clearance to, it would be with multiple other people listening in, not giving us any freedom to talk alone. I would try again but I know until Tyrion leaves, I'm going to be watched all the time."
"Jaime, I'm sorry. I'll talk to Jon. Try to get him to allow you some time with your brother."
"You can try."
"I must go. I will see you soon. Walk with me until we find your companion. You're not meant to be alone and I won't shirk the duty. You'll get into even more trouble. You'll go looking for him. I know you too well. Come." Knowing she was right and knowing he was already in enough bother with Brander when he caught up with him, Jaime followed until they found Sansa and the guard. Brienne and Sansa walked on, the former offering Jaime a small smile and the latter completely ignoring him after the incident a few weeks ago as she had done since. Jaime and the other man returned to their original posts.

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Tyrion entered the main hall with Bronn. Jon was there with Davos. They sat opposite the table from the other two. Jon and Tyrion had met before. Tyrion was fond of the younger man. He'd been a naive boy the last time but he had grown and changed through the years.
"Why did Daenerys send you of all people for updates on the Kingslayer?"
"I didn't believe it myself when she first told me. But she said there was no-one else she trusted more. But I'm here. And I know who else is."
"Yes," Jon sighed. He'd heard that the two brothers had met last night, behind everyone else's backs. He decided not to make a big deal of it. Jaime would get shit from Brander later anyway. And other consequences. "I meant to keep that from you."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to give him back to Daenerys. I want him here. He could come in useful at any point."
"If you hurt my brother..."
"Then what? But no, unless he does something which warrants injury, he won't be hurt. I've already punched him. I got angry. Even if I did hurt him, Davos and Brienne will stop me."
"What exactly is his situation here? Because if you intend you keep him here as a hostage, I would expect to see some sort of thing to keep him restrained or locked away. How is it he has freedom?"
"He has little freedom. I've admitted him to my regiment of guards. He sleeps in the barracks with the rest of the men. He's armed when he's on duty but otherwise not. He follows out basic duties always with other people. When he's guarding places he could easily escape from he's with more men. He knows that if he's needed for political reasons he's to answer to me. He is essentially a hostage just with a bit more to do. A man like that's military experience shouldn't be wasted." Tyrion raised his eyebrows.
"I won't tell Daenerys he's here. It's for Jaime's sake as well as yours. Though I am loyal to the new queen, I care very much for my brother."
"I've seen." Someone else had joined them. "Lady Brienne. What can we do for you?"
"Perhaps it's better we talk alone?"
"Give me a minute, my Lord," Jon said to Tyrion. Tyrion nodded and Jon got up and followed Brienne out. Davos turned to the Lannister sitting across from him.
"He's doing well."
"Yes," Tyrion replied. "He is. Better than I expected. He's a born leader."

Whilst Tyrion and Davos were speaking, Jon was outside the hall with Brienne.
"I think to ease both of their minds, you need to let Jaime and Tyrion speak to each other. You can listen in if you want, but they both won't stop until you listen. I understand your reasons, and I agree, but they need this. Jaime won't come to your side if you stop him. Think about it."
"I will." They went back into the hall.