Chapter 1

"Brienne—I know that we've had our differences, but you must trust me. After all we've been through…" Jaime sighed, glancing down at his stump. Brienne's eyes followed before settling back on his own. She, of all people, knew the pain his deformity brought him.

Jaime stayed silent as Brienne peeked around the corner of the alley, making sure they remained unheard. They had stopped just before one of the entrances to the Red Keep, hidden in shadows. Jaime had insisted that Brienne stayed out of sight—after all, the Goldcloaks would show no mercy to a known ally of the dead usurper, Renly Baratheon. Cersei had seen to that.

"Let this be the one true vow you keep, Jaime," Brienne said, turning back to face him. "I will seek out the youngest stark girl, protect her, swear to her my allegiance. I am counting on you to do the same, to protect Lady Sansa here at court."

Jaime shifted uncomfortably against the stone wall before nodding. He had every intention to protect the Stark girl… and yet he still remained unsure as to what extent his duty reached. Some wolf-girl meant little to him, especially now that he was so close to the Red Keep. To Cersei.

"Well… this is goodbye, Ser Jaime. I hope that we meet again," Brienne said softly before turning her head towards the Keep. Jaime detected a faint blush on her cheeks before her face was again masked in shadow. "To reunite the girls, of course," she added hastily.

He had known of Brienne's feeling towards him for a while now. They had spent so much time together, especially after their encounter with Vargo Hoat. He had saved her from a terrible fate, and, in return, she has nursed him after losing his sword hand. Somewhere along the road Brienne had begun to fall for him, although he doubted that she would ever admit to her feelings.

Jaime recounted one night, just a week after they had been set free from the Boltons. Jaime had been sleeping on and off all day, his body trying desperately to break his fever. He remembered Brienne coming into the large tent they shared and sitting down on his cot, placing a cool rag across his bare chest when she thought he was asleep. Brienne had traced his many scars with her fingertips, surprisingly gentle for a woman of her nature. She placed a light kiss on his fever-stained lips before exiting slowly from the tent. Jaime never mentioned the night to her, not wanting to falsely encourage her. He admired Brienne greatly, not only for her strength, but for her good heart. But that wasn't enough for Jaime, and she certainly did not deserve a crippled kingslayer.

"Of course, my lady. Till we meet again." Jaime reached down and gripped her two hands with his one, giving them a small squeeze. With that, Brienne nodded, disappearing further into the shadowed alleyway.

Jaime watched as her form tangled further into the shadows, until the only thing he could make out was the gleaming sword strapped to her waist.

I promise," he whispered as her gleaming sword disappeared from sight.