Chapter 6

Brienne stumbled back when she locked eyes with Sansa Stark. She fumbled for her clothing and stood up feeling shamed and guilty.

"My Lady—"She begun but Jaime who was also now standing and had just handed Brienne her tunic which she quickly tugged over her head, then intervened.

"My apologies for not waiting for a formal invitation but I had to see what you did to the place once you took back your birthright." He looked around the room and remarked, "It is a bit drafty but otherwise quite nice, and hospitable too, I might add."

Brienne gave him a look that could kill and addressed Sansa once more. "My Lady, please accept my sincerest apologies. We did not intend to get so carried away. Sir Jaime Lannister has come here to Winterfell to pledge his allegiance to the Starks." Brienne shot Jaime a warning glare and turned her attention back to Sansa who was watching Jaime with interest as he pulled up his trousers. Brienne was certain Jaime was enjoying every moment of the extra attention.

"I do not know what to say," replied Sansa who appeared to still be stunned by what she had just witnessed.

"Allow me to assess the situation my Queen," replied Lord Baelish who was still smiling smugly. "It appears your security person has committed treason by allowing this heathen into your home. The Kingslayer as he called across the land was responsible for the death of your mother and brother, your father, probably your sister Arya as well. And to make matters worse there are rumors flying about that he killed his own sister too, the Queen Regent of Westeros Cersei Baratheon. The only question that remains is who does he plan to kill next? You or your brother Jon, or perhaps both?"

"I am not here to kill anyone, except enemies of the house Stark. I would also like to point out that I knew nothing about the deaths of your mother, brother, or father Lady Sansa. Your mother in her mercy freed me so Brienne could accompany me to ensure you and your sister Arya were safe. I did everything in my power to help your mother. Indeed I do not claim to be innocent because I know I have caused irreparable damage to your family." Jaime did not think bringing up Bram would help his case at the moment but that single action haunted him every day. "Believe it or not, we are on the same side at this strange juncture in time."

"He is a liar My Queen. Your mother may have set him free to help you and Arya but how did he thank her merciful actions? By killing her, your brother, and his pregnant wife in cold blood."

"No that is not true," argued Brienne. All eyes turned to her as she explained, "Jaime and I were in captivity during that dire some day. Sir Jaimie is telling the truth. Once we were free and back in Kingslanding he forged me a Valyrian steel sword, provided me with armor, a horse, and a squire all to ensure success in finding you and Arya. The only hitch is that you had disappeared before I could get you out safely."

Baelish scoffed and shook his head, "In my opinion a rat knows he is a rat when he has to run and hide instead of coming through the front door. Is it not true that even as recent as today you were also planning to steal one of the horses to flee and scheme after you had finished fucking?"

Brienne's face turned beet red and Jaime glared at Littlefinger.

"You are one to talk Lord Baelish. How many whores did you sacrifice for your sick and sadistic scheming? I heard about the mutilated corpse of the one you sent to Joffrey."

"I did nothing but provide paying customers with a companion for the evening. Your son was the one who disfigured her and in my opinion the apple does not fall far from the tree."

Jaime stood straighter and took a step towards Littlefinger in challenge clearly angered by his accusations. Brienne put her arm out to stop Jaime.

"My Lady, I did not intend to steal that horse, I merely planned to escort Sir Jaime into town," Brienne explained feeling the need to buffer the growing tension as well as justify her actions to Sansa.

"We should have known when you let him go sneaking around at the banquet that you were committing treason against the Queen of the North," added Baelish.

"She had nothing to do with my attendance at the banquet you half-wit," Jaime spat back in retort.

"Enough!" Sansa cried in outrage.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, all eyes now on Sansa.

Closing her eyes for a moment all was quiet until Littlefinger spoke, "My Queen."

"I said that was enough Lord Baelish!" Sansa snapped. He bowed his head and folded his hands.

"I need some time to think about how to handle this situation. For the time being I want you both to leave Winterfell," Sansa declared casting her icy blue gaze on Jaime and then Brienne.

"You are not throwing them both in the dungeon where they belong?" Questioned Littlefinger in outrage.

"I will ask Tormund Giantsbane to look after them," Sansa answered for the first time a wicked smile on her face. Brienne worried that was influenced by Lord Baelish.

Jaime rolled his eyes and shook his head, "You are treating us as if we are children. Does Brienne's sacrifice mean nothing to you?"

"Brienne's sacrifice is the reason she is not in the dungeon and you still have your head right now Sir Jaime. And do not fool yourself into believing you are a hero in this. I hated your sister more than anyone, but she was the Queen Regent and killing her is a crime punishable by death. I also do not trust you and think the world would likely be a better place without you in it, so this act of mercy is a one-time thing." Sansa looked at Littlefinger for support and she concluded, "You have on hour to vacate the premises. Let's go Lord Baelish."

Sansa lifted up her skirt and turned to leave following Littlefinger out but before she could go Brienne stopped her.

"My Lady, might I have a word in private?"

Sansa appeared annoyed but she gestured with a brief wave for Baelish to go ahead without her and she stepped onto the platform outside the tower chambers. Brienne joined her and closed the door behind her. When she was certain they were alone and out of anyone's ear range Brienne spoke.

"My Lady, please accept my heartfelt apologies for this afternoon. You must know my allegiance is to you and you alone. I made a mistake but my reason to wake up every morning is to serve you."

"Whether that is true or not Lady Brienne, I will never know. The crux of the matter is you lied to me, to my very face. I am not sure I will ever be able to trust you again. Until that time I hereby banish you from Winterfell, and if you or the Kingslayer returns before you are summoned by me or my brother, you will pay with your heads." Sansa shot her a glare filled with vitriol and then marched off down the stairs.

Brienne stood there for a moment in shock, when she was finally able to absorb the magnitude of what had happened her head fell in despair knowing she had failed. A few moments later the door to the tower chamber opened from the other side and Jaime came out. When he saw her sunken stature Jaime put his hand on Brienne's sunken shoulders.

"Brienne we will get through this. She will realize what a true asset you are when you are gone and if they do not, then fuck them. You did everything you could."

"No."

"Do not be so negative, of course things will work out." In fact Jaime was secretly hoping they would banish them because then he and Brienne could run away together and find some little cottage by the sea where they could make love morning noon and night. And maybe if they felt so inclined they could have children of their own. Jaime had always wished he could have young of his own to raise right and not have to pretend to be someone else while he watched in silence as the bureaucracy corrupted and killed his sons and daughter. He wanted that second chance and he knew Brienne would be an incredible mother.

"No, I meant there is no we," Brienne clenched her jaw and shoo k her head refusing to bring any more dishonor to herself or Sansa Stark. All Jaime cared about was himself and she wanted no part of that or him. Brienne was going to win back Sansa's trust if it was the last thing she did.

"This is over. I never want to see you again Jaime Lannister," Brienne concluded piercing his stare with a new fire in her eyes. But the emotion, the love for him and his life she had displayed so freely earlier behind that beautiful blue gaze was gone.

With a click of her boot heel she rushed down the steps leaving Jaime speechless and heartbroken as the deafening silence of her absence swallowed him whole.