It was late in the evening, nearing morning when Brienne was finally able to see Sansa Stark. Jaime had arranged for her to meet the girl in her rooms where she was being held. She imagined it had cost him half a fortune to secure the rendezvous.

After their fight in the yard, they had spent quite some time discussing the knights of the Kingsguard, their individual strengths and weaknesses, he had been gathering as much information as he could that could be helpful to her. Brienne felt a great sense of pride knowing Jaimie believed in her prowess as a swordswoman, he genuinely felt she could take any of them, with his knowledge of how they fought, she had an edge. Now it was up to her to convince the eldest Stark girl to name her champion, Brienne was hopeful that Sansa would put her trust in her as she was in the service of her mother... a delicate topic she would have to be careful about.

As she made her way to Sansa's rooms, she counted six guards, a mix of gold cloaks as well as some sell swords. It was evident the queen did not intend on letting her prize escape her fingers again.

One of the guards opened the door, stepping aside for Brienne to enter. "Be quick."

The girl sat by a fire, she wore a small cap, blackend locks cascading down her shoulders. She looked at Brienne, she was young and beautiful, yet so full of sorrow. Brienne could see a resemblance to Lady Catelyn, the thought made her sad.

"Lady Sansa, I am Brienne of Tarth. I swore an oath to your mother to deliver you from King's Landing," Brienne had chosen her words carefully, if the girl felt any emotion her face did not show it. Brienne continued, "I implore you to forego a trial at the Queen's hands, I have great reason to believe it will not be a fair trial," There was a hint of something in Lady Sansa's eyes at that comment, but of what Brienne could not make out.

"Please request a trial by combat, select me as your champion." Brienne knelt before the girl.

"It does not matter," Lady Sansa spoke, her voice small.

"I will not fail you my lady, I am a good fighter". Brienne said earnestly

"My only consolation with whatever happens tomorrow is knowing that soon this life with be done," Lady Sansa continued to stare into the fire.

Brienne could feel a fire rising up inside of her, she wanted to shake this girl. What did I expect? She's lost her father, brothers, betrothed to an rotton King, married to an imp, held hostage by another... I do not blame her for not trusting me.

"Your mother is one of the finest women I've ever known, despite all her hardships she never gave up on you or your sister. It is my greatest hope to deliver you from the foul hands of this wretched queen. You life will be yours, what you choose to do with it when this is all through is up to you."

"Are you his whore?" Lady Sansa asked finally meeting Brienne's gaze.

The question hit Brienne like a slap, "No," Brienne did not avert her eyes from Sansa's.

"How do you know who I am referring to?" Lady Sansa challenged. Despite herself Brienne flushed, and her eyes looked down to the floor.

"Why should I trust a woman who beds Lannisters?"

"I have not bedded any man," Shocked and outraged by the girls blunt questions, Brienne grit her teeth, determined to carry on with her plea. This is not how she had envisioned this nights conversation going. "Lady Sansa, tomorrow you will need to name a champion. I hope you can find it in your heart to trust in me."

"I do not trust in anyone, and you have not seen the Queen's champion. You are a dead woman Brienne of Tarth. I am tired. Please go away." Lady Sansa turned her gaze back to the fire.

Brienne left Sansa feeling dejected. She made her way through the courts and down the halls towards her own rooms. Her meeting with Sansa was unsettling, the girl was like an empty vessel. You have not seen the Queen's champion... Jaime had been so confident that Brienne could take any of the Kingsguard in singular combat.

"Brienne!" Jaime called to her, he walked briskly his white cloak snapping behind him. "You can't go through with this." Concern was etched into his handsome face.

"What?" Brienne asked puzzled.

"There is another knight I didn't know about, a Ser Robert Strong, he was named to the Guard when I was out of the city. There are rumours he does not eat, does not sleep, does not bleed. Brienne I do not like this."

"Impossible." She examined his face, he truly believed what he was saying.

"He has decimated any challengers he's come up against, Cersei names him Tommen's champion for every trial, she has vanquished every enemy she's had at court with his sword. You have to promise me you will not volunteer for this suicide."

"You know I can't do that," Brienne said quietly.

"Damnit Brienne what good will it do to be slaughtered as well? There is always the younger Stark girl."

Brienne was shocked by his suggestion they forego Sansa's life. "I'd rather die trying than to walk away from here a craven! How can you even ask me to consider walking away?" Brienne hissed.

"I can't let you do this you stupid stubborn wench!" He was getting angrier as he realized she wasn't going to budge.

"Some of us don't forsake our vows as easily," Brienne regretted the words as soon as they spilled from her mouth.

His eyes reflected his hurt, she had cut him deep with that comment. "I'm sorry," she added, an attempt to soften the sting of her words.

"I'll have you chained to a wall if I have to... I can't let you do this, we'll find another way," Jaime looked desperately at her, trying to reason. "We can escape with her, tonight." Brienne could see by the look on his face even he didn't believe that was possible.

Brienne held her face to his cheek, it was becoming easier and easier to reach out to him. "I'm sorry Jaime, I have to do this. You know I do."