Brienne

Her world seemed to shatter around her at Jaime's confession, replaced by fear, disbelief, and a longing that she'd never allowed herself to feel before; a longing to be loved, truly loved. She always figured that her father would eventually want her to retire as a knight, and reclaim her place as the Maid of Tarth, and if she ever did get married it would be to some hedge knight who was only interested in her position as the heir, so to hear the words 'I love you' spoken so sincerely… It filled her heart with a joy that threatened to overwhelm her. Jaime bit his lip nervously as the silence spread around them, until finally he could bear it no more, and he spoke.

"Brienne? I'd really appreciate a response from you, right about now." He tried to keep his tone light, but she could sense the urgency and desperation underlying his words.

"I-" she began, her voice cracking as she tried to speak despite the flood of emotions. "I need to go train." She finished, unable to express to him how she felt. She wanted to trust him, wanted it so badly, but she'd been played by men too many times, and she couldn't bear for this to be just a game. Not Jaime, please don't let this be just a game to him. Not after everything we've been through. She turned to leave, but her feet refused to move, and almost without a thought she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, before hurrying out of the door, with Jaime calling her name behind her.

She had been intending to go to the training yard to clear her head, but realised that what she really needed was to sit down and think things through. She considered just going back to her room, but she was afraid that Jaime would find her there, so she tried to think of somewhere else in this castle that she could go to be completely alone. The Godswood. Of course, she didn't believe in the Old Gods, they were for people of the North, but she expected that at least she'd have some privacy, and the cool afternoon air would be a pleasant reminder of what was real. When she got there she was relieved to find it deserted, as she'd expected it to be.

Jaime told me that he loves me. "Jaime told me that he loves me." She spoke the words out loud, allowed them to become real, as the gentle breeze swallowed her voice. This was the first time since Renly that she'd had feelings for a man. Part of her wanted to laugh at the fact that for once in her life she felt a love that was requited, but another part wanted to cry for what she knew could never be. Like he'd told her on their journey, he was a knight of the Kingsguard and she had an oath to fulfil. Their places were apart. Brienne silently berated herself for the way she'd reacted, and blushed furiously when she recalled how she'd kissed him on the cheek. It was such a girly thing to do. Maybe Cersei had been right, maybe she had only been playing at knight; a true knight wouldn't be fawning over Jaime Lannister the way that she was. She should have just admitted the truth to him… Or maybe she shouldn't, she just didn't know any more! A small gasp from behind disrupted Brienne from her thoughts, and she turned to see a young girl slinking away.

"Wait!" Brienne called out. The girl turned around.

Sansa

Sansa hurriedly stifled the tears that had been threatening to surface, as she turned to face the woman sat underneath the Heart Tree. She'd been hoping to go unnoticed, she needed to be alone, but clearly the woman had heard her, so Sansa took a deep breath and forced what she hoped was a realistic smile.

"You're Sansa Stark." The woman stated. It wasn't a question. Sansa nodded, desperately trying to recognise the woman, but she didn't seem familiar.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I know you, my lady." The woman stood up, and Sansa noted how incredibly tall she was, but was determined not to stare. Spending the past year in the Red Keep and taught her that she should never stare; it could cause offence, and if she offended the wrong people, then Meryn Trant's fist would soon remind her not to.

"I'm Brienne of Tarth." The woman extended a hand which Sansa shook, surprised at how calloused the fingers were, they felt more like a man's. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I've come a long way to find you… I knew Lady Catelyn." Sansa's heart ached with the grief that she always felt whenever her mother was mentioned.

"Why would you want to find me? I'm just the daughter of a traitor." It saddened Sansa to have to speak of her father that way, but she'd grown used to it during the time when she'd been betrothed to Joffrey. Much as she could never describe her own marriage to Tyrion as happy, at least The Imp wasn't a monster like the King.

"Ned Stark wasn't a traitor, he was an honourable man. I'm here to help you. I swore an oath to Lady Catelyn that I would bring Jaime Lannister back here, in return for your safe deliverance. I intend to keep my word. I am yours, my lady." Brienne sank to her knees, for once a movement that didn't seem awkward on the woman. Sansa allowed the woman's sincerity to give her the strength to speak honestly.

"My father wasn't a traitor." She confirmed. It felt so refreshing to admit that to someone else, she always had to guard her tongue whilst inside the castle, but here in the Godswood, there were no spies. She took a deep breath before continuing. "Can you really help me? Tyrion's not a bad man, compared to the rest of them he's kind, but I don't love him. Eventually they'll force us to consummate the marriage, and I really don't want that. Please help me."

"Don't worry, Sansa. Ser Jaime is devising a plan to help you escape, and I-"

"Ser Jaime the Kingslayer?" Sansa gasped, suddenly fearful. If this woman was in league with the Lannisters, then maybe this was all a trap. She'd said too much already, if any of it got back to the Queen… I'm such an idiot! I should never have trusted her, I don't even know this woman!

"He's not the monster you think, I've travelled with him, and-"

"He pushed my little brother from a window!" If Sansa was going to be killed for treason, then she'd at least go honourably, in memory of her family.

"And I promise you he feels bad about that. Jaime Lannister doesn't often regret things, whatever else he is, he usually stands by his convictions, but pushing your brother is one of the few things that he feels truly ashamed of. He told me. He's a changed man, Sansa, he's a good man. He's kind, and loyal, and despite what people may think he's honourable too." Sansa saw the way that Brienne's cheeks flushed with pride when talking about him, she obviously believed what she was saying. Sansa exhaled, realising that she wasn't in danger after all. This woman was honest.

"I want to believe you, Brienne, but I can't trust a man like him just based on what you say. Especially seeing as you're biased."

"Biased? What do you mean?"

"Forgive me, but from the way you talk, it couldn't be clearer that you're in love with him. If you'll excuse me, I have a lot to think about, and my Lord husband will be wondering where I am." Sansa curtsied, and then quickly hurried away without another glance back.

Jaime

He watched his wench walk away, standing stunned, as he felt ultra-conscious of the cheek that she'd just kissed. He considered going after her, but decided against it, he wanted to give her time to ponder his words. He still couldn't believe he'd actually told her. He wasn't exactly sure what he'd expected her reaction to be, but it certainly hadn't been that. He thought that perhaps she'd slap him, run away, he'd even hoped that she might declare her love for him, but she'd acted so rationally that at first he wondered whether she'd even heard him. And then she kissed me. It was only on the cheek, but that meant more to Jaime than any of Cersei's kisses ever had, as he knew that Brienne had trouble showing her feelings, and so that must have taken a lot of courage. He wondered how long he should wait before going to see her… Probably not too long. Brienne was probably already trying to rationalise away his words, and he needed her to know that he truly meant them, that he hadn't just been saying that in the heat of the moment.

He put on his Kingsguard uniform before stepping out of his room; he'd only been back a day, but certain duties were expected of him, and he didn't want to seem to be shirking his responsibilities. Besides, if people saw him in his golden armour, they were less likely to question why he was visiting the Maidenvault. He didn't hurry, he was trying to compose himself and work out what, if anything, he should say to Brienne when he got there. She needs to know that I don't expect anything of her, that I don't want her to abandon her oath, or to change her ways. I just want her to be herself. Then an idea occurred to him. He smiled as he realised one sure-fire way to show her how much he respects her, and also an opportunity for her to let her guard down, and he stepped up his pace. Eventually he reached her door, and he took a second to clear his throat, before knocking.

"Brienne?" He called hesitantly. There was no reply, nor indeed any sound at all within. Is she simply ignoring me? "It's me, Jaime. Can I come in? We should talk." There was still no answer, and Jaime was beginning to become frustrated. He'd bared his heart to her, and she was going to leave him wondering like this? It was making him anxious, and he didn't like feeling like this, it was unsettling.

"Jaime?" A voice behind him asked. Finally, he thought, turning to speak to her. But it was not Brienne stood before him, but Cersei. She must have noticed the disappointment on his face, for she became suddenly annoyed. He pushed past her, but she grabbed his arm and turned him to face her.

"Leave me alone, Cersei." He didn't have time for her games, especially not right now.

"Jaime, where are you going? We need to talk, dear brother. I'm so sorry for how I acted yesterday, it was just shock. I hadn't thought to see you again, and then you were returned broken. It just made me feel sad, that's all. I want you back." She sounded so needy, so desperate. She really didn't get it; she couldn't understand that Jaime had moved on.

"Cersei. How much clearer can I make this? I don't love you. You have lied to me, manipulated me, and hurt me. I am going to stay and do my duty by that vile son of yours, but-" He couldn't finish his sentence, because as soon as he insulted Joffrey, Cersei swung her hand out to slap him hard across the face.

"Don't you dare speak of him that way," she hissed, "he is your king! Your nephew!" She glared at him, and Jaime leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

"We both know that technically he is neither." He leaned back again, and smiled mockingly. "Now go do whatever it is that you do, and leave me be. I have more important matters to attend."

"You mean that ugly beast, Brienne?" Cersei chimed in. It took all of Jaime's self-restraint not to hit her at that, but he would never be provoked into striking a woman.

"Brienne is far more of a woman than you will ever be, Cersei. She may not be beautiful like you, and she may not have your understanding of political intricacy, but she has honour, and loyalty, and they are far more admirable qualities." Jaime could have listed so many more things that he loved about Brienne, but then he remembered that he was supposed to be playing down his relationship with Brienne so that people didn't grow suspicious. "But actually no, I said good bye to her yesterday, she's going to be joining the City Watch. I was on my way to the training yard, and wondered if I might find Ser Addam here, as Brienne had an incident earlier. I wanted to ask if he would spar with me, as we used to before the war."

"Oh." Cersei sounded convinced, and Jaime was always amazed at how quickly she'd believe something if it was what she wanted to hear. He took her silence as a chance to leave, and he headed towards the training yard, disheartened.

Brienne

Her encounter with Sansa had reminded her of her real duty; Jaime was just a distraction. She should be focusing on working out a way to rescue the young Stark girl, and to do that she'd need to work things out with Jaime. I'll have to tell him I don't love him. But the thought of lying to him made her stomach churn, and to tell him that she didn't love him would definitely be a lie. Even Sansa had picked up on it. No, lying definitely wasn't an option, but neither was telling the truth. Avoiding the subject entirely might just be the best course of action here. Brienne sighed deeply, and made her way to the training yard, hoping to take out her frustrations on a practice dummy.

When she got there she headed straight for the armoury, and took one of the blunted swords; it was probably better for her to not have a sharp edge right now, her mind was all over the place. She kept her eyes firmly on the dummy in front of her, not wanting to be distracted by any odd looks that she might be getting. She wasn't wearing her gold cloak, as she didn't officially start until tomorrow, and she wanted to enjoy her last day of freedom. Every other man who's ever made a move of me has been making fun of me. She swung hard at the dummy, recalling the cruel mockery of the men in Renly's camp. I'm ugly and unladylike. She lunged this time, piercing the dummy despite the lack of a pointed edge. Jaime wouldn't tease me, he wouldn't. She swung again, a little less forcefully. Even if he did truly love me, it wouldn't matter. He's a knight of the Kingsguard, and I've sworn an oath. The same phrases had been running around in her head all afternoon, but that still didn't make the truth any less hard. She took another swing, wondering where Jaime was.

"Brienne." It was him; his voice was muffled, and he sounded slightly out of breath, but she always recognised his voice. She turned to face him as he removed his helm, his piercing emerald eyes gazing deeply into hers, and she felt her grip on the sword weaken.

"Ser Jaime," She replied awkwardly, still unsure of what to say to him, despite having thought of little else all day, and she watched his mouth twitch upwards. She decided to bring up an entirely different subject. "I spoke to Sansa earlier, I told her of…" She became suddenly aware of the other people in the yard, and lowered her voice to a whisper, "I told her of our plan."

"And what did she say?" Jaime asked. She said that I was obviously in love with you, Brienne thought, but she figured it best not to mention that to him.

"She's been here for a long time; she's learned not to trust anyone too easily. I think she believes me, but she's having trouble trusting you, I'm afraid." Jaime nodded sadly at Brienne's words.

"I don't blame her, she's probably suffered enough at the hands of our family. I'll seek her out tomorrow, to try and gain her trust." The inflection at the end of his sentence told Brienne that this conversation was over for now, and she shuddered at what she knew was about to come. But to her surprise, Jaime raised his sword, and tapped it playfully against hers. "I've been a long time away, and since losing a hand, my sword skills have become a little rusty. Might I have the honour of sparring with the best new knight in the City Watch?" Brienne felt unspeakably touched by his words; it was the kindest thing he could have said. Not only did he not try and force her to talk about her feelings, but he called her a 'knight', and that meant so much to her. It showed that he truly accepted the life choices she had made for herself, and she knew then that he would never try and make her act like someone that she wasn't. He hadn't been asking for commitment, or trying to limit her when he'd told her he loved her, he was simply giving her the truth. She finally knew what she would say to him.

"Jaime?" He raised an inquisitory eyebrow at her in that adorable way of his, and the sight boosted her confidence. "I love you too."

I had so much trouble with this chapter, I can't even begin to tell you. Because Brienne is usually so stoic in the books, it was very hard deciding how she was likely to react to his declaration, so I hope I've kept it in character. I needed to have her make a realistic decision, but also one that would keep the fic moving along at the right pace. Please let me know what you think! :)