Ser Jaime Didn't Die Protecting His Queen

In Which Jaime Realizes He Is A New Man

"Did you know what was going to happen?"

Bran stared emotionlessly at Jaime, as much as the new sworn sword tried to be submissive and respectful, he was dying to have a real conversation with someone. Growing up with Tyrion had made him used to be outsmarted, and use humor. He missed his brother, and he missed Brienne...the way she'd fluster when he was being insufferable, her cheeks turned red and she gave him a death stare, but he had learned to notice a small smile, or a twinkle in her eyes when she refused to laugh at his remarks, Bran Stark gave nothing.

"Yes"

"Everything?" Jaime asked again.

"Yes"

"Even what's not happened yet?"

"Yes, would you like to know?"

Would he? He'd be certainly glad if Bran were to tell him everything would be alright, that he'd have his honor back, that everyone would forgive him, but mainly that he'd be a better man; the fact that Bran might reveal the exact opposite made him refuse.
"No, thank you"

"People always seem to flee from their own destiny only to run towards it blindly" his Lord spoke.

Tyrion had always been smarter than him, but Bran was wise, truly wise. Jaime wasn't sure he'd ever get used to it.

"Has Lady Sansa received a letter from any of the Houses?" Jaime changed the subject.

"I thought you were going to ask Ser Brienne"

Was he hearing a mildly amusing tone? No, he must have taken it too personally. Bran Stark was dead, he wouldn't have been playing with him.
"And I did not, she was busy I didn't want to disturb her"

They didn't speak for a few moments, the silence was starting to grow on him. Jaime would come to Bran's chambers and keep him company, it was no secret that the Lannister was not liked by any of the Northerners and now he was too ashamed with Brienne and Podrick to go to them. Gendry didn't like him at all, and since Ser Davos was always with the lad Jaime wouldn't bother the old man. As for his Lord Brandon Stark or The Three-Eyed Raven, Sansa was the only person who wouldn't avoid him, perhaps he was a mythical being, but Jaime still worried he felt lonely.

"She asked for you" Bran suddenly said, Jaime was a bit taken aback, he had begun to stare at the fire and lost track of the conversation, his liege Lord continued, "Ser Brienne asked for you when you left"

"What did you tell her?"

"That Jaime Lannister died with his sister"

He frowned "But I didn't"

"He did" Bran added

Jaime blinked a couple of times, it was true, Jaime the great and pretentious fighter had died with his hand years ago, and Jaime the Kingslayer and oath breaker had been prepared to die with his Queen back in Kingslanding. House Lannister was dead, his legacy was too, the sick love he had shared with his sister was gone, she couldn't haunt him anymore; who was he now?

"Is that why you chose me to be your Sword? Because you knew I was not the same man who pushed you from a tower?"

"I am not the same man myself, I am no man at all, but you still are Ser Jaime, and what you lost will be what you will find"

______________

"Only the Iron Islands haven't responded to our petition, but the council will take place in Kingslanding. Daenerys forces have agreed and sent us Jon Snow's signature as proof he is alive and well, same as Tyrion Lannister" Sansa announced in the Great Hall, she explained to the rest of her people the decisions the council had taken and what proceeded next "we will retrieve our King, and ask for the freedom of Tyrion Lannister who fought in the Long Night beside us"

People shouted in approval, Sansa Stark was genuinely respected and loved by her people, Jaime noticed how Brienne stood by her Lady and seemed proud of what the girl had become, people would usually compare her character with the late Eddard Stark, but Jaime knew it was Catelyn Tully's spirit that she had inherited.

The hearing ceased and just as he was leading Bran back to his chambers, Lady Sansa called his name, and not only called his name, she had also added "Ser"

"Yes My Lady?" Jaime asked.

"It seems your input about the conflict helped the situation, my brother might have not been entirely wrong about you, however, we never have our guards down in the North" her tone was neutral but she intimated him more than he ever thought the Stark girl could, she might have threatened him but also gave him the possibility of future...trust?

Brienne walked next to him, she clearly wasn't expecting that Sansa would stop and speak with him, the two of them shared a brief glance before she left. 

He felt a strong shoulder hitting his chest, Podrick had almost caused him to lose balance, he probably deserved that, but he was a new man and he'd do anything to get them back, to give her what she had always deserved and he had not been able to give.