⊹ Sansa ⊹

I sat in the godswood, allowing the tranquil serenity to envelop me in it's comforting embrace. A dull pang resonated through my slender form, the trees' watchful eyes reminding me of home. Of Winterfell. Certainly not the empty enclosed prison waiting for me back at the Keep.

As I closed my eyes, the memories awashed over me, and for the first time in a while I let them break through. My mother's soothing hand sweeping back a rogue auburn tendril, as she combs my hair smooth and sleek. Arya's troublesome ways, the scraped knees and unsightly bruises that perpetually marred her pale skin. The gruff smiles my father would always procure for me when I sought his solace. Robb and Jon wildly chasing after each other, emitting gleeful hoots when one caught up with the other, as their ever faithful direwolves trotted behind. Bran and Rickon's childish ways...

It wasn't fair. How we had to suffer, when awful corrupt people like the Lannisters got away completely unscathed. Pure and undulated rage bubbled up inside me, at the inequity of it all. I'll avenge them, I thought to myself, clenching my fists together tightly, someday I'll make them pay for what they did to my family. I'll have them begging at my feet for mercy. They'd rue the day they ever thought to underestimate me...

⊹ Jaime ⊹

I stood silently, watching her in the Godswood. She was beautiful, I allowed myself. With soft porcelain skin, clear blue eyes and a long fiery mane... She looked older as well, than the last time I had cast eyes upon her comely visage. The months I had been away had obviously blessed her with womanly curves and a maturity beyond her youthful age. No longer was the wide-eyed little girl enraptured by the wonders King's Landing had to offer. Tragedy had most likely wiped away the naivety and hopefulness I had sensed back then. Feeling a pang of empathy deep within my gut, I was subconsciously transported back to a time when I was a young lad. When I had loved the songs and stories as much as she undoubtedly had. I had longed to be an honorable knight more than anything, one just like from the old fables...

"There she is," Brienne stated, breaking me out of my momentary daze.
"Yes. There she is." I agreed, bobbing my head in acknowledgment. Brienne took a substantial step forward, in order to have a more direct view of our conversation's subject. "And?" I pressed, knowing full well what Brienne was hinting at.
"You made a promise," she began, in an accusatory tone.
"To return the Stark girls to their mother who is now dead," I retorted dryly, a sardonic simper playing at my lips.
"To keep them safe!"
"Well, Arya Stark hasn't been seen since her father was killed. Where do you think she is? My money's on dead. There's a certain safety in death, wouldn't you say? And Sansa Stark is now... Sansa Lannister! Bit of a complication."
"A complication does not release you from a vow."
"What do you want me to do? Kidnap my sister in law, and take her where? Where would she be safer than here?"
"Look me in the eye, and tell me that you think she'll be safe in King's Landing," Brienne murmured coolly, inclining her head so as to stare meaningfully at me, cerulean orbs diminishing dangerously. Her words did prove a valid point, piercing through the hard wall I had built for myself over the years. I averted myself from her scrutiny with a pained grimace, staring back down upon Sansa instead.

After a moment's thought, I reverted myself to look at her, a droll smirk manifesting. "Are you sure we're not related? Ever since I returned, every Lannister I've seen has been a terrible pain in my ass. Maybe you're a Lannister too. You've got the hair for it. You've got the looks."
And with that, I turned my back on her scowling countenance and began the journey back to my quarters.

⊹ Sansa ⊹

"You need to eat, my Lady," Shae insisted, sliding a small plate of fruit tarts towards me.
"I'm not hungry," I replied sullenly, fidgeting with my hands helplessly. Shae allowed a sigh to escape parted brims, and nodded finally when she realized just how stubborn I would be.
"Alright, if you're sure. But -" her words trailed off abruptly, sparking enough intrigue to raise my head in order to spot the source of disruption. Jaime Lannister was in the midst of striding towards our dinner table, his unannounced presence tensing up my lithe physique. What did he want?
"My Lady," Jaime started, bowing his head slightly, in greetings. "May I sit?" I lifted my shoulders in a shrug, and nodded halfheartedly, though he didn't seem to notice my lack in enthusiasm, as he settled himself down comfortably enough. "I wanted to offer my sincere condolences about your mother and brother... I had the chance to meet both of them, and although the setting wasn't exactly the most... pleasant, I respected them immensely. And I'm eternally grateful to your mother for releasing me. She made me promise I'd keep you and your sister safe."
"Didn't do such a great job at that, did you?" The words slipped away before I could comprehend them and the consequences I would face at their carelessness. But instead of a retaliation, he just laughed. "I'm sorry, my Lord. I don't know what I'm saying. The grief is getting to me -"
"Perfectly fine. Besides you're a Lannister now, which basically means you can insult me all you want." He winked surreptitiously, but I frowned at his reply.
"I may be married to one, but I'm no Lannister." That was the one thing I could never accept. My answer provoked silence from my cynical companion, and whilst he inspected me quietly, I examined him out the corner of my eye.

How ironic. Just a few years ago, I would have been over the moon that a gorgeous knight was talking to me, but I now knew how depraved and malicious he and his family were. The whole lot of them, with the exception of perhaps Tyrion. But him especially. Knights were supposed to be ethical, moral beings who stood for justice but this man sat before me was anything but. If it weren't for him, maybe my father would still be alive. Maybe my whole family would.

"...Aren't you something?" Jaime finally muttered, reaching clumsily for a discarded fruit tart with his metal hand. Forgetting my manners, I stared at the foreign object struggling to grasp the delectable treat I had refused a few minutes prior. He seemed to notice my perusal, and grinned. "What do you think?" He waved his new hand about.
Instead of faux pleasantries, I tried my hand at candor. "It's quite innovative... I've never seen anything like it."
"Neither have I. But it sure beats the alternative." He let out a bitter chuckle, rancour impairing his chiseled features.
"What was it like? Imprisonment?" I couldn't help it. I wanted to make him relive every last sordid detail, to have him feel how my father had suffered the last few pitiful days of his life. Jaime glanced over at me in surprise, but quickly recovered. "Your brother was a fierce captor, my Lady. Him and his direwolf." His emerald hues probed my visage, making me feel exposed to the world. Instead of avoiding eye contact though as I would have any other time, I maintained his gaze, my inner affliction and suffering making me feel foolishly brave. Eventually he looked away, clearing his throat. "I should depart, my Lady. It was a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance and again, I'm truly sorry."

Lies. All lies. Everything everybody said in this godforsaken city was a fucking lie.

⊹ Jaime ⊹

The poor girl was angry. And with everything she had been through, she had every right to be. I felt for her, I really did. But I couldn't allow my judgement to be clouded with pity right now. Shaking off the feeling of remorse, I focused my attention on Cersei, who was currently conversing with Joffrey, the little shit.

She had turned me away every single time I had approached her, spewing excuse after excuse on why we couldn't. Did she not realize she was the reason I had fought so damn hard to get back? That the memory of her touch was the only reason I hadn't given up long ago? Tiredly, I spun away from them both, feeling fatigue wash over me and the pull of my bed tugging me away from the meal.

Tomorrow would be an all new day, with new battles, but right now I just needed sleep.