AN: My apologies for the long delay between updates and also for any typos. I broke my hand and it is quite the challenge to type with a cast. Having a Jaime moment because it is of course my right hand haha. Anyway I am counting on spellcheck. Thanks always for reading and especially to those who have left reviews. I very much appreciate the kind words. :x

Chapter 7

Jaime had experienced many rough nights in his lifetime but the last was one of his hardest. Sansa was true to her word in ensuring he was escorted to private quarters where he would be guarded by the Oaf who was unfortunately for him a man of few words. Jaime had thought about taking Brienne's advice and just leaving the North for good. He could have used any of number of opportunities to escape his captivity but there was one thing holding him back—Brienne. Unfortunately he had not seen or heard any message from her since the other day when she told him she never wanted to see him again. He knew she had to be close because this was the only boarding house for miles but Jaime had resisted trying to find her primarily because he was still licking his wounds from their last confrontation. The woman really knew how to hit him where it hurt. Not only that but since she had been gone he was left yet again to stew in the haunted thoughts of his past crimes. Jaime questioned if he should have surrendered and faced his punishment back in Winterfell. Despite Littlefinger being a massive cunt the man was right in pointing out that Jaime had indeed killed a king and a queen. He had come to terms with killing the mad king, but the queen was his very own sister, a woman he once pledged to love and devote himself too for all of eternity. He not only broke that promise, he murdered her, his own flesh and blood. Jaime had never really cared what others thought but he did have to wonder what kind of a monster would kill his own twin, his other half? Despite her bout of madness at the end, Cersei wasn't always bitter and cruel. Once she married Baratheon she began to change. She was spiteful of her brothers' freedom, vengeful that Robert had so many whores and illegitimate sons and daughter so she vowed to give him none of her own, and hateful that she had to marry Robert instead of Rhaegar Targaryen. Cersei had faced many hardships and she felt as if she was a prisoner of the life that had been decided for her.

Now that Jaime was the last surviving Lannister, aside from his little brother Tyrion who went missing just after their father died, Jaime felt he had nothing left, nowhere to return to like the wind. Only he did not wish to flounder about any more. Jaime was a warrior through and through and despite his missing hand he refused to back down. Even if he had the smallest chance of winning Brienne's heart he knew he had to try. In those last moments before they were interrupted by Sansa and Baelish as he was inside Brienne and gazing into her eyes with pure adoration, he swore he saw something more than passion held deep behind the blue shields of her sparkling orbs, he swore it he saw love.

Jaime knew the only way to get Brienne to admit this was by returning her to Sansa Stark's good graces so he planned to tell Brienne about the document he found. If they could get Sansa to summon them then this would surely ensure Brienne's redemption.

Leaving his room for the first time since he arrived Jaime expected to be stopped or at the very least questioned but no one was guarding his door outside. Jaime thought things might have been looking up for him however when he descended the stairs that led to the dining hall he spotted his so called guard and the Lady Brienne seated next to each other—too close for his liking and both of them huddled together as if in deep conversation. Overcome by a wave of jealousy, Jaime stomped down the stairs to confront the Oaf.

xxx

Brienne had not only been disgraced by Sansa's dismissal and banishment but she also was dishonored and knew the only way to get that honor restored was to find a way back into the inner circle. She liked Tormund well enough, not as anything more than a friend, but she knew he was close to Sansa's brother Jon Snow so Brienne hoped by forging a partnership with Tormund that he might be an advocate for her return of service to Lady Sansa. It was embarrassing enough being escorted out of Winterfell but after a good night sleep at the local boarding house Brienne went to work on forging her alliance with Tormund. She asked him to give her a tour of the Wildling camp and other sites to be familiar with in town. She was impressed to learn they had their very own bath house powered by warm healing springs as well as a silversmith shop, fur trading, and the boarding house had their very own dining hall. In all of her travels it was rare to come across a small town such as this which offered similar services and amenities to the everyday people as well as the noble men and women. She had eaten an early meal at the Wildlings camp learning more about the Free people as they referred to themselves. Some things were downright shocking, such as they had no titles nor did they honor the institution of marriage. They also had a form of birth control, using a pig intestine (Brienne did not dare ask exactly how this was used although she had a pretty vivid picture in her mind, one which featured Jaime in all of his glory modeling it for her.) Brienne shook off the thought with a blush knowing she had to get Jaime Lannister out of her head allowing Tormund to continue explaining how these contraceptives aided in limiting offspring since they lived in such dire circumstances.

Unfortunately once Tormund had finished with his explanation of contraceptives he moved on to the act itself. In his own brute fashion he asked Brienne if she was interested in mating with him using the appropriate contraceptives of course. Brienne unsure of how to reply with diplomacy politely declined. To her relief Tormund let it go and then they returned to the town. Brienne was thankful that he didn't try anything because she would have been forced to fight him and she was also thankful that he seemed to make no mention about what happened with Jaime which meant either Sansa was kind enough to omit that mortifying detail or if he knew he said nothing.

When they arrived at the boarding house it was evening. Tormund suggested they have their meals together. Brienne agreed and while they were waiting for their food she asked Tormund what his thoughts were on Lord Baelish.

"The man who looks like a skunk? I have not spoken to him much other than this morning."

"If you do not mind my asking, what did Lord Baelish speak of this morning?" Asked Brienne taking a tentative swig of her mead.

"He wants my men to bring him as much of our powerful brew of spirits as we can carry by tomorrow night when Jon will be at House Mormont breaking bread with Lady Lyanna. Lord Baelish asked that we gather as many friends as we could find for a grand party he will host tomorrow at Winterfell in Jon Snows stead. He also asked if I knew of a place where one could find a seamstress here in town, one with experience with maternity clothing—whatever that means."

Brienne thought for a few minutes about Lord Baelish's requests thinking them odd at first. She questioned his motives and then her face fell when she realized just what he might be up to.

"By the seven Gods, he is planning a mutiny."

Tormund appeared confused and then Brienne explained.

"The other day Lady Sansa confessed to me that Lord Baelish is trying to convince her to go away with him to rule his land which is known as The Fingers—his namesake. With Lord Snow gone Baelish can try to petition to win the other houses over so Sansa can go away with him. He is trying to split up House Stark and by the look of it get Sansa pregnant before she has agreed to marry him, so if in case she elects not to marry him she will have no choice but to leave Winterfell if she is with child."

Tormund's face fell in realization as well.

"I must catch Jon before he leaves," Tormund stated with urgency and he stood knowing something had to be done. But before he could move away another body collided into him.

"Forgive my interruption. I hope I am not intruding but really what kind of operation are you running here Giantsboar? There are no clean towels, no prepared meals, no one guarding my door. It's bad enough the Starks asked a savage to chaperone two highborn officials but really an infant could do a better job."

"Jaime, not now," growled Brienne but it was too late. Tormund had already turned to face Jaime. Tormund a good half head taller towered over the young Lannister and asked, "Did you just compare me to an infant?"

Jaime shrugged his shoulders and glanced at Brienne remarking, "It is hard to get good help these days."

Unfortunately for Jaime, Tormund used his massive hand to punch Jaime in the face which sent the Kingslayer flying towards the main entrance. Several patrons dove away to avoid being tackled in the brawl.

"Stop! We have more important matters to tend to." Brienne cried in an effort to cease what was about to happen, but Jaime who was fast on his feet stood up and smashed Tormund's nose with his golden hand. Blood began to gush out.

"Take your grievances outside," shouted the bar keep while blocking both men from re-entering the dining hall. The men were ushered out but had now drawn a crowd. Brienne tried to push through in the hopes that she still might be able to break this up.

"You hit like my dead grandmother," spat Jaime whose eyelid appeared to be swelling. Tormund gestured for a couple men to aid him and to Brienne's horror they handed Tormund two broad swords.

Tormund tossed one to Jaime and replied, "Let's see who the real warrior is and who is the dead grandmother."

"No!" Cried Brienne bursting through the crowd she stepped in between the two armed men and she plead with Tormund.

"You will kill him."

"That would be an improvement would it not?"

"Brienne, step aside. I can handle the Ogre. I was the youngest ever appointed member of the Kingsguard after all."

"When is the last time you fought in battle?" Hissed Brienne lowly not wanting Tormund or anyone else to hear. "Because if it is before you lost your hand, your right hand I might add, you are at a grave disadvantage here."

"Oh Brienne, ye of little faith. I am flattered by your concern but I assure you I can still handle a sword."

To prove his point Jaime illustrated his fancy sword skills and then she saw the spark of metal as his weapon collided with the Wildlings sword. She truthfully wanted to strangle Jaime herself for foolishly getting into this situation but she knew a broad sword could do much more damage, fatal damage and Brienne knew she had no choice but to stop this fight. With heart racing Brienne scanned over the crowd and discovered a free standing horse. She had the notion to run it towards the two men in order to split them up but then out of the side of her eye she saw Jaime go down. Her heart stopped and she shouted his name before rushing to his side.

Brienne scanned Jaime's body for injuries and discovered the inflicted wound that sent him down because his tunic was now hanging open and stained with red. His skin had been sliced from chest to naval. Thankfully the cut was not deep only long but apparently Tormund was not finished because he stood above them and then asked Brienne to step aside. Jaime croaked something undecipherable. Brienne assumed he was going to get himself run through and so she jumped up with his sword in her hand in challenge.

Tormund paused aversely and said, "If he cannot fight his life is not worth saving."

Brienne looked into his stony stare and became consumed with an unbridled anger she had never felt before then charged Tormund.

He met her blow with his own sword and they continued the fight. Within minutes Brienne had Tormund on the ground. She held the sword to his throat and asked, "Do you surrender?"

Tormund, to Brienne's surprise smiled in reply and answered, "For you Lady Brienne, always."

Brienne removed her sword allowing Tormund to stand and then he concluded. "I cannot say the golden ass is worthy of a warrior as great as you Lady Brienne, but he clearly has worth to you." He glanced over to Jaime who was now sitting up but clutching his chest and Brienne followed his gaze. Jaime was staring at her his stoic expression had come completely undone and now his eyes were glazed over in genuine worry. Brienne fought her inner most urges to wrap her arms around him in relief.

"I will go after Jon," Tormund concluded breaking her concentration.

With a nod Brienne dismissed him and then she went to check on Jaime who appeared beaten down.

His dry lips were parched, half his face was covered in dirt, his eyelid bruised, his chest sliced, and she insisted, "You need to soak in the healing springs to nurse your wounds. I will meet you later."

Trying to stay strong, Brienne averted her gaze away from Jaime and turned from him before these foreign emotions of concern, relief, and the drive to nurture consumed her.

"Brienne?" Jaime spoke stopping her in her tracks.

Brienne turned back to face him reluctantly. She lifted her head and met his stare. If he wished to confess his own feelings to her she would not stop him this time.

"I did not mean to come between you and the Wildling. If he is the man you want I will not stand in your way."

Shaking her head in disappointment because she thought he was going to give an admission of gratitude and perhaps even love Brienne dropped the sword in front of Jaime. Wondering, is this what the man nearly got himself skewered for? A juvenile competition of masculinity?

"If you want to start pointless fights with the confidant and best friend of the King of the North then kindly stay out of my way. If you want to help me, then get better so you are ready for the undercover operation at Winterfell tomorrow."

Without another word Brienne turned on her heal and walked back to the boarding house to figure out how she was going to get to Sansa to warn her about Lord Baelish.