Running

Chapter Seventeen

Brander was in the barracks again.
"Golden Boy!" Jaime put down what he was holding and went over to his commander. "You've been allowed to speak with your brother."
"When?"
"Now. Come." Jaime did just that. He followed Brander to a small hall where Jon, Davos, Tyrion and a number of guards were waiting. Once Jaime was there, Jon, Davos and Brander stood at the door and the guards took up positions in the corridor behind them. Jaime stared at Jon who shook his head, telling him they were staying where they were. Jaime sighed. He was here for his brother. And that was who he had to focus on.
"People have come to me with concerns over you," Tyrion started.
"I'm fine," Jaime snapped back.
"Clearly," Tyrion replied sarcastically. "Listen, I know you hate it here. I know you want to go somewhere new and be free. I gave you that chance and you blew it..."
"But I..." Jaime cut off.
"Just listen," Tyrion said. Jaime quietened down and kept his eyes focused on his brother's scarred face. "You need to stay here. If you don't, Snow will send men after you along with the men Daenerys already has in pursuit of you, though that will stop when I return to King's Landing and tell her that you came North and took a ship to Essos. You won't make it out of the North. You'll never be truly free Jaime."
"It all comes back to Aerys," Jaime mused sullenly.
"Yes, it does."
"But Tyrion," Jaime began, leading his brother further away from Jon Snow. The King in the North also moved further forwards. Jaime sighed. "I don't know if I can. Constantly under control of other people."
"I know, Jaime, but it's what must happen."
"I know. I'll do it. But not willingly. I may have pledged my allegiance but that was essentially my only option. What happened to you anyway? We haven't been able to speak. The day Daenerys took King's Landing, I was thrown in a cell and when you helped me escape, it was such a rush. I never thought I would see you again. What happened after you killed Father and fled the capital?"
"Well, as you know, Varys got me out and on a ship to Pentos. From there we went to Volantis. There I was kidnapped."
"By who?" Jaime asked, curious.
"Jorah Mormont."
"Varys' spy?"
"At first. But he truly fell for Daenerys and was only loyal to her in the end. He loved her. But she found out he'd betrayed her so she exiled him. But by fate he saw her again in the slave fighting pits. And that was how I entered her service. After I was given as a 'gift'."
"Wow. I'm sorry about the kidnap thing."
"Well, that's me and you, isn't it?"
"What is?" Jaime asked, frowning.
"Forever getting captured." Jaime snorted and nodded his head in agreement. And laughed. And soon Tyrion joined him.
"Times up," Snow said. "Kingslayer, you have duties. Brander." Brander walked over to the brothers and tugged on Jaime's arm.
"Come on."
"Please, just five more minutes."
"No. Seriously Golden Boy, move it!"
"New name," Jaime said to Tyrion.
"Beats Kingslayer," his brother replied optimistically. Jaime shrugged and was soon pulled out of the room by his commander. They walked down the hall.
"So you got to speak with him."
"Hardly."
"Be grateful for what you got. Now, you're by the front gates. Yes, you will be with three other men. And here," Brander unsheathed his second sword. "Your sword. Again, it will be taken at night. I want no more wanders. I need, and my men need to be able to trust you. Otherwise your time here is going to be very difficult. Just... Just keep yourself in line."
"OK."