The First Snow

PART II: The Plan

The plan was ill conceived, she feared that Tyrion would suffer even though he agreed to the scheme. He was at the tavern drinking loudly with Bronn, a whore on his lap.

Shae had departed hours before, sailing to Highgarden under the guise that she was resuming her old profession while Sansa was destined for the less appealing Braavos.

There was no war there, they had no care for the politics of the highborn.

The story would be that Sansa disappeared and Shae quickly followed fearing the Lanisters would blame her. Sansa knew that Shae was risking her life but bitterness still tainted her thoughts about the woman who had become her only friend. Sansa had felt abandoned after her marriage and though it was not logical, Shae blamed her for the union.

When the screams started outside of her room, Sansa didn't flinch. She lifted the hood on her cloak and draped her bag over her shoulder. The clothing Arya would have been at home in was foreign to her. Breeches and boots, leather gloves her hair pulled back tightly with no adornment or braids. Soot pocked her face and coal darkened her brows. She was no lady.

Sansa prepared for the door to be breached, instead there was a soft knock. Tentatively she approached the door and opened the view portal and found herself face to face with a towering women in men's clothing and a short cloak. She pushed her hood back to reveal short hair.

"Who are you?" Sansa asked curtly. This was not the man she was expecting.

"I am Brienne of Tarth, sworn to your lady mother please open the door." she spoke calmly but insistent.

"I do not even know if my mother lives why should I believe you." Sansa armed herself with the only thing she had, a small statue of a lion.

The large women suddenly stepped aside and she was looking at the Kingslayer. Sansa gasped and recoiled, he looked as though he had aged a century and his golden hair had grown dark his face was gaunt and covered in stubble.

Sansa fought the urge to cry out. She shut the portal on the door and stepped away. Sinking to her knees she cried bitterly.

The door was finally kicked in, Jaime Stark was before her and on his knees pleading with her to listen. Sansa couldn't hear him, her nose was filled with his stench he stunk, his breath, his very being.

It was only when he raised his arm in front of her mouth to quiet her that she realized he was missing a hand. Her vision blurred with tears his maimed arm shocked her into silence.

"Shut up you foolish girl, you have minutes to leave if you ever want to see your mother again." Brienne snatched her to her feet dragging her to the door.

She momentarily released her returning to the Kingslayer.

"Let me help you." her eyes darkened.

She reached into his coverlet and produced a small vial of milky liquid. Brienne brought it to his lips. Then gently placed his arm in it's sling. Not letting go she walked him over to the bed.

"I think the floor is better" his words were slurred.

"No, not after you have come so far." she laid him down and as if an afterthought kissed him soundly on the mouth. Jaime awkwardly cupped the back of her head his hand falling away as the drugs took hold.

"You won't remember anyway." Brienne whispered before turning to collect Sansa.

She dragged Sansa until she showed her own initiative and began to follow. Brienne released her and took the lead, quickly outpacing even Sansa's long legs.

"I don't understand" Sansa ran to keep up with her brisk strides.

"If you don't stop walking like a lady and keep up I will use my sword to persuade you." Brienne quickened the pace.