Brienne III

Brienne had recovered from her near-frostbite the day Daenerys Targaryen invaded Westeros along with Jamie. She had heard the news from the knights in the in the castle as she limped by to greet Stannis Baratheon, the only king left fighting for the Iron Throne. As she neared the great oak doors that led to The Great Hall, Brienne heard the two knights whispering excitedly that the Dragon Queen, Daenerys Targaryen had invaded King's Landing with no resistance. Her army – the knights snickered – was eunuch men and had the beautiful silver-haired queen rode on a black dragon. One of the knights openly suggested they leave Stannis and fight for her – the generous queen would certainly need them. It was then that they realized that Brienne had listened to their entire conversation. Their alarmed and frightened eyes still haunted her as she bowed before the king of Westeros. Stannis was a big man as his brothers were, and had dark blue eyes. Balding hair crowned his head, and had a close-clipped beard the same shade as his hair. At the corner of her eye, she was Jamie also bowing to Stannis, and the king grinded his teeth. His eyes narrowed at both the golden-haired man and the huge woman who had been a knight. Brienne felt his stare, and withdrew his eyes from him. Stannis was not at all like his brother Renly. Stannis was older and solemn. He did not approve of a woman taking a knight's vows or was courteous to anyone he came across, unlike Renly, who had smiled at everyone and respected Brienne's decision. There was no love between the two brothers, Brienne knew. However, she had hoped that a part of Renly's kindness would live on in his brother. She was wrong.

Stannis stared down at both of them with a scowl and said, "It seems that both of you have lived. A woman's battle is in childbed, not in war, and a former member of the Kingsgaurd should not kill a king he was sworn to protect." He stared down at Jamie. "I hear you deserted the army to find the eldest Stark girl."

"Yes, Your Grace." Jamie's voice was strangely muffled.

"She is no longer a Stark, Kingslayer." To his credit, Jamie didn't flinch at his morbid nickname. "She was married to your brother, the Imp, in case you've forgotten. She is a Lannister, who is hopefully dead now."

Brienne was startled by his harsh words. Sansa Stark was forcibly married to Tyrion Lannister, and had been imprisoned against her will by her father's murders. The maid of fourteen had fled King's Landing when she was accused of murdering Joffrey Baratheon. Brienne looked into his eyes and saw that Stannis' eyes were cold as ice.

"Your Grace, Lady Sansa was forcibly married to her father's and brother's enemies and has not yet produced an heir –" she began.

"She is still a Lannister and a kingslayer, woman." Stannis did not bother to call her by her name. "She cannot inherit Winterfell. Her lord husband was her accomplice in the murder of King Joffrey, and they must be hunted down and executed as soon as they are found." Brienne was speechless. He is cold and stern as they say, she thought numbly. Lady Sansa was still a child. He continued, oblivious to her distress. "I am only saying this for honor and duty. Lady Lannister had murdered her king, and she must be punished likewise."

"You say that you are the true king, but how can she punished for murdering a usurper?" Jamie had spoken, filling in Brienne's silence. He looked up at Stannis now, and didn't waver his gaze as Stannis grinded his teeth, staring at him through ice blue windows.

"A king is still a king until he dies. Which is why you must be punished as well, Kingslayer. It is one of the greatest crimes of Westeros to murder a king. Any king. My men our not so foolish and desperate to murder me as I sleep. I know that my men do not love me. Even as I look at you, I see the detest in your eyes." He sighed and seemed to look far away from them. "The Wall had almost fallen with Jon Snow's assassination attempt, and the Lord Commander is slowly healing. I have to Stark boy in my hands, Wintefell, the stronghold of the North, and the Wall, and yet people do not love me still."

Brienne's heart quickened. What did he mean by "the Stark boy?" Except for Lady Sansa, the Stark family had died. She remembered when Lady Catelyn Stark had gotten the word that her two youngest sons, Bran and Rickon, had been murdered by Theon Greyjoy. Dark wings, dark words. Lady Catelyn and her eldest son had been murdered in the Red Wedding…only to rise as Lady Stoneheart to avenge her son's death. Robb Stark would have been a good king of Westeros, Brienne thoughts sadly while looking at the false king above her.

"What do you mean by the Stark boy?" Brienne asked slowly. She was careful to conceal her emotions.

"Theon Greyjoy didn't manage to kill the two youngest Stark heirs. The bodies were decoys, hiding the truth that the boys were actually alive." Stannis gritted his teeth at the mention of Theon Greyjoy. "My hand was able to locate the youngest Stark in Skagos and bring him to Storm's End. I have no idea where the elder Stark boy is, but neither does his brother." Stannis frowned. "The boy is wild, my Hand told me by a raven. His hair is long, tangled, and matted, and will not speak to anyone. The only civil relationship he had was with his direwolf, who is now dead." Seeing Brienne's questioning stare, Stannis continued. "Storm's End was attacked and ambushed by Aegon Targaryen, the price who did not die during my brother's rebellion. He died valiantly in the battle and now King's Landing is supporting his aunt Daenerys Targaryen with his untimely death, the so-called dragon rider. Many of my men were slaughtered along with the silver-haired boy, and the Stark boy's direwolf died protecting his master." Stannis' frowned deepened. "He almost tore off the rest of my Hand's fingers when Davos cut his hair. Now with his hair cut and free of tangles, the boy seemed to have calmed somewhat and is eager to come home. A fortnight has passed since Storm's End was sieged and overtaken. Davos and the boy a coming here for safety." He turned his attention from them and stared at the empty hall. "I sacrificed Greyjoy for his crimes along with his sister with fire," at that point he glared at Brienne, "and the Arya Stark fake as well. A woman should not leave her husband unless commanded to."

What a cruel king, Brienne thought to herself. He is unbending, unforgiving, and ruthless.

Minutes had passed before Jamie spoke. "What will you do now, Your Grace? Daenerys is now in Westeros intent on keeping the Iron Throne." Jamie spoke quietly now that Stannis had told them about Cersei Lannister's death by the Imp. "The child of incest had died as well. Her younger brother is now reportedly insane." Like her, Brienne did not mourn Cersei Lannister or her children. Jamie seemed shaken and subdued.

"Fight the usurper until my last breath. I will march to King's Landing on the morrow. My hand will hold Winterfell until I return."

Brienne now saw her chance to complete her quest. "Your Grace, since you have no need of me, may I be allowed the honor to complete my quest?" Hardly daring to breathe, she waited for Stannis' answer.

"You may continue with your folly, woman. The knights tell me that the as you were abed, you were murmuring about the Hound and the Stark girl." Stannis gritted his teeth. "Your body has now healed, and you may leave to find her. The Kingslayer must stay here. He will be a valuable hostage." Brienne nodded and bowed to him before she started existing The Great Hall. However, as she left, she heard Stannis' voice again. "If you come here again with kingslayer on your back begging for mercy, I will kill you." Brienne fingered Oathkeeper in her hand. The sword had never felt so light, and she was not daunted by searching for Sansa Stark on her own again. She hoped that Jamie would live out the war that was brewing again. Stark or Lannister or kingslayer, I must find her. Brienne remembered Lady Catelyn Stark's kind face. I have an oath to fulfill.