I got very nice feedback on the last chapter...and I wanted to thank you all. In this chapter, a new character is introduced, Jaime does something stupid, and Brienne and Pod meet up with our trio. Hold onto your seats, folks!

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Safety

…...

Tyrion sighed to himself as he stood outside of Shae's cabin door. He raised his hand and gently knocked. Upon hearing her whisper, he slowly entered and closed the door to find her laying back in the bed, holding a book in one hand. She quickly sat up, "Tyrion." She closed the book and he smiled, "Catching up on some reading? I didn't know you knew how."

Shae smirked and handed him the small book, "I learned a long time ago. It is nothing but a small book I found on the ship. The captain said I could read it." He took it and saw no title before placing it back on the bed, "We should be reaching land any day now. What will you do?" She did not say a word as she stood from the bed and walked to the wash basin, cupping the water and washing her face, "I-I don't know-"

"Stay with me."

They both looked at each other, water still dripping from her chin until he handed her a cloth, "Stay with me and we shall learn to live together. I still love you, I have always loved you."

"Have you?"

Tyrion knew she was speaking of his marriage to Sansa, "When it reaches a year of my marriage, it will still be unconsummated and there will be reason to annul it. I trust Sansa knows that by now, as well as my father. All she needs is-

"All she needs is a Sept."

Tyrion smiled at her and took her hand, "Give me that year to make you fall for me once more. Let me make you happy, Shae." She looked down at her little lion and softly smiled, "We will keep no secrets from each other and I promise to try to make you happy as well."

…...

Jaime dressed in silence during that morning as the sun rose. He did not wear his golden armor, but only his golden hand, a belt, and his sword. His tunic and breeches were black and clean, but he knew they would not be for long. A knock on the door made him turn and he saw Oberyn Martell walking in, "You sent for me? Although it is not customary for a Lord to send for a Prince."

"I need a favor."

The Viper frowned and stepped into the room, "A favor?" Jaime nodded, "Call the council and all of the Lord and Lady's in the castle to meet in the throne room. The King must be there, my father, my sister...everyone." His words held no emotion as he spoke and Oberyn caught it, "Why? What are you doing?" Jaime knew he could trust the Prince of Dorne, so he walked to him, "I am saving my brother and his wife."

….

The council was called and when he reached the throne room, he looked inside and saw Tommen on the Iron throne and Tywin to his left. Cersei sat, leaning on one side of her chair, while Tommen's betrothed was trying to speak to her. There were nearly as many people in there as there was for Tyrion's trial which made him close his eyes and rethink what he was about to do.

"Lord Commander? They are ready for you."

Jaime opened his eyes and nodded for his announcement,

"Lord Commander Jaime Lannister, your grace!" Jaime walked down the steps and into the throne room, which went quiet at his entrance. The voices began to whisper as they saw him out of his armor. He stopped at the bottom of the steps and bowed to Tommen, "Your grace."

Tommen looked nervous, but smiled at his Uncle, "Uncle Jaime, Prince Oberyn gave word that you wished to speak to everyone in the castle. What is the news you wish to share?" Jaime looked at his father, who was gripping the Iron throne with his claw and then he looked to Cersei, whose eyes were narrowed at him.

He finally remembered how he would play out his plan and dropped to his knees and bowing his head, "I wish to confess to murder."

Upon hearing the words, the hall erupted into a frenzy with Lords yelling for explanation and women gasping. Tywin was breathing heavy of anger and yelled, "What in the hells are you doing?" Cersei was nearly standing from her seat as she watched him and Margaery looked to her grandmother in confusion. Tommen stood and hushed the room, "Uncle, you have committed a murder? Surely it was done in self defense-"

"Your grace, I do not wish for sympathy." Jaime looked up at his bastard child and spoke once more, "I confess to the murder of Joffrey Baratheon, the former King." As the hall erupted in shouts and screams once more, Cersei stood from her chair and screamed, "He's lying!" as Tywin stood staring speechless at his son and heir of Casterly Rock.

Tommen shook his head, "It has already been proven that Tyrion-"

"Pardon me, your grace. Tyrion Lannister did not murder Joffrey nor help murder him. Sansa Stark is just as innocent. I poisoned Joffrey's wine before it was served and then acted as guard." The hall did not go silent as the men shouted, but Cersei was in near tears and in a yell she said, "Arrest him! Take him and arrest him! He killed my son and your King!" Tommen looked from her to a stunned and silent Tywin before sitting back in the throne, "Guards, take him away."

Ser Meryn and another guard stepped forward, but before they could grab him, Jaime stood and removed his golden hand, tossing it to the ground in front of his father and Cersei, "I won't be needing this." Oberyn watched Jaime's calm demeanor and leaned forward in his seat as he watch him get dragged from the throne room. He looked down and saw Tywin Lannister whisper to Tommen before the boy was brought away. Cersei sat in her seat, her face in her hands, crying at the confession. But Oberyn was too smart for all of them. He knew Jaime would not have killed Joffrey and he knew this was only a plan to get their attentions off of Tyrion and Sansa.

As Jaime was walking out, Tywin spoke in a shaky voice, "Th-There will be a trial for Jaime Lannister in two days. The King will meet with the small council until then."

…...

At the Wall, Jon walked out of Castle Black with Sam to meet the new recruits. They walked to where Ser Alliser Thorne stood, staring down the twenty recruits. He turned to Jon and Sam, "A bloody fine group, right? Bunch of them are young boys who have never used a sword. Each of ya will pick a boy or man to train. Snow, you get first pick." Jon nodded and stepped forward, silently looking at each one while walking down the line. He stopped in front of a tall boy that had long hair tied back. His face was dirty and his clothes were tattered, but he must have been only ten years old.

"You."

Jon pointed at the young boy and he went wide eyed before stepping forward, "I'll take this one. He looks like he'll being easy to get to use a sword." Alliser nodded and pushed Sam forward to choose as Jon gestured to the boy, "Come on, boy. We've got to get you into warmer clothes before we do anything else." He nodded and followed Jon up the steps and into Castle Black. Jon brought him to his chambers and had him wait near the door as he dug out a black vest and long sleeved tunic before tossing it to him, "Put those on. I can't help you with breeches or boots just yet."

The boy smiled, "Thank you, my Lord." He quickly disrobed and pulled on the tunic and vest, feeling warmth for the first time in months. Jon smiled and questioned, "Where you from?" The boy in front of him paused while tying the laces of his vest, "I-I am from Kings Landing."

Jon froze. Kings Landing? That was where Sansa was. He wanted to question the boy, but he knew the child would not know anything about her. Jon walked to him and handed him his practice gear, "You've come a long way. Do you have a name?"

"My name is Tarrant Waters."

"Waters?" Jon smiled, "You're a bastard, ya?" Tarrant sighed, "Aye. A bastard. My mother was from Kings Landing and my father.." He trailed off but Jon persisted, "Was he a knight?" Tarrant chuckled, "No. Mother always told me he would make sure everyone knew he wasn't a knight. She-She was a wh-whore and she told me that one night he left her with a child in her belly and left. He never came back and she left Kings Landing to get away from them all. My mother was only ten and six when that happened. When I was six, she died from sickness and I was passed around from family to family until finally I was recruited to come here and fight. I was always told who he was and what he looked like. She even told me his name."

Jon understood the boys sadness and pain. He was a bastard as well and could relate, but his curiosity got to him as he walked Tarrant back outside to the court, "What is his name?" Tarrant gave a sad smile,

"Sandor Clegane"

Jon froze in his spot as he realized he was about to train the son of one of the most fiercest fighters in Westeros. He watched Tarrant walked down into the court and finally was able to see resemblance on the boys face. Jon had only seen the Hound once, but the long hair, the strong nose and jaw, the height; it was all there. Tarrant looked up at Jon and grabbed a sword from the ground, "I'm ready, my Lord."

Jon smiled and nodded, "I am sure you are."

…...

After the incident near their camp, the group moved on. Sansa's wound on her head was already healing, but Sandor's cut to the leg was causing him pain and no matter how many times Sansa tried to clean it or wrap it, it would reopen and bleed. They moved west and away from the Twins, but did not get far before they had to rest,

"We've got to stop, Sandor. You are becoming hot."

Arya watched as Sansa slipped down from Stranger and tried to get him down, "Arya, help me!" The small girl dismounted from her mare and as Sandor dismounted, the two girls grabbed his arms, helping him walk to a boulder to rest on. He looked at them and pushed them away, "I am fine! Just help me dress it up again." Arya handed Sansa a wine skin and water skin to help clean out the wound, but when Sansa pulled back the cut cloth and removed the old bandaging, she made a face and covered her mouth as Arya groaned, "Oh, gods! It smells so bad."

Sansa blinked her eyes and grabbed the wine skin, pouring the wine over the infected wound. Sandor bit his lip as groaned as the wine cleaned it out. "I'm sorry, Sandor, but it was to be done." She quickly rinsed it with water and ripped a piece of her skirt, tying it around his leg. She stood and nodded,

"That should get you a few more hours. Sandor, we can't keep moving on. We need to find someone to help you, or you will either lose your leg or die." Sandor shrugged and stood, "I ain't getting' ill, little bird. Stop worrying about me and start worrying about yourself." Sansa said nothing as she grabbed a satchel and gave him some fruit, "Here. Food will help you."

Arya had already climbed the nearest ledge and began to practice her dancing, leaving Sansa and Sandor alone. It was not long until they heard Arya growl down to them, "There are people coming." Sansa stood and as did Sandor, but not without help from his little bird. She looked up at him, her hand on his chest, "What if they try to hurt you? What will happen to us then?" Sandor looked down at her and smirked, "If they get me, you best run for your pretty life." He watched as she sighed and placed her forehead on his cold and armored chest, "I wish you would not be so-so-serious." He chuckled and was going to respond, but Arya jumped down, "You can do that later. People are coming!"

Before either could do anything, Arya walked out to them, her hand on needle's hilt.

Brienne and Podrick led their horses up the rocky terrain, but stopped when a young girl came out from behind a boulder. Brienne motioned for Pod to stay back and she stepped forward, "Hello there. What are you doing out here?" Arya said nothing, but eyed the large woman and the sword on her side, "I like your sword." Brienne looked down at Oathkeeper and smiled, "Thank you. I like yours as well. Can you tell me if you have seen-"

"I call mine Needle."

Brienne nodded and smiled, "I am looking for a girl by the name of Sansa Stark. Do you know who she is?" Arya said nothing, but backed away a bit, making Brienne step forward, "Please, don't be afraid." She stopped speaking when she saw a large man walk out from behind the boulder. Brienne sighed and smiled, "Many blessings onto you, Ser. Is this your daughter?"

But behind her, Pod whispered, "That's the Hound." Brienne looked at Pod and back to Sandor before her hand went to the hilt of her sword. She stood open mouthed and then looked at Arya, "You-You're Arya Stark." Arya frowned, "How do you know my name?" Brienne stepped forward, but Sandor did as well, "Not a step closer, Brienne of Tarth. Aye, I know who you." She continued, "I swore to your mother I would find you and get you to safety."

"Safety? Where the fuck is that? Her whole family is dead and I am all that she has." Brienne looked at him, "Her sister is very much alive and I am trying to find her. I promised Catelyn Stark I would get both of her girls home." Arya shook her head, "I don't believe you. I have no home, not anymore. Move on." She turned away and Brienne went for her, "Arya, please!" Sandor unsheathed his sword, "You have Lannister gold on that hilt and that means you work for the Lannisters. Do as the girl said and move the fuck on."

"Should I honestly believe she will be safer with you?"

Sandor growled and smirked, "Aye, I am the safest thing she has." Brienne unsheathed her sword and whispered, "I have no wish to kill you, Ser." Sandor stared at the sword she held at shoulder length, ready to fight and he raised his own, "I am no knight." Arya ran back as Sandor charged at Brienne with a yell. She ran behind the boulder and saw Sansa, who ran to her, "He's going to get himself killed, Arya! Of all the people in Kings Landing I have trusted, Brienne is one of them. She would never hurt us, please help me stop them." Arya grabbed her sisters arm, "Are you crazy? She works for them, Sansa."

Sansa grabbed her arm back, "Just help me stop them before Sandor gets killed."

As they fought, Sandor could feel his energy leaving him as his wound began to burn and sting. Brienne saw his slowing movements and pushed him back, making him lean on his back against a cliff. He watched the large woman in front of him grab a rock from the ground, "The girl belongs with me, Hound." Sandor, weak from fight and infection watched as she raised the hand with the rock in it and waited for her to slam it down.

"No!"

The hit never came. He looked down at his chest and saw red hair and he felt hands on his waist. He looked at Brienne, who let the rock fall from her hand and back down to Sansa, who threw herself in front of him with her back to his chest and her hands reaching behind her to hold his waist. For a moment, he felt relief flood over him.

"Sansa?"

Brienne was in shock to see the girl she was searching for standing before her. Sansa shook her head, "Please, don't hurt him. I beg of you to let him be." Brienne looked from the Hound to the girl protecting him, "Sansa, I am here to take you North. Your brother is at the Wall."

"I am not going North. There is nothing there for me. I will stay with whom I choose and where I know I am safest. But please, do not hurt him. I-I-" She could not finish because she heard a gurgle come from Sandor and felt his weight falling onto her. Sansa spun around and tried to catch him, but Brienne ran forward and grabbed him, "What is wrong with him?"

"He's wounded on the leg from when we were attacked two days ago. He needs a Maester of some kind. Please, help us to the nearest village?" Brienne nodded, "Alright. We passed on a few miles back. But once he is seen, you and I must speak, Lady Sansa." She nodded and they gathered Pod and Arya to help get Sandor onto a horse. Sandor groaned as he was placed on Strangers back. He was able to sit up right and he looked at Sansa, who was mounted in front of him, "Little bird? They'll take you away from me." Sansa held Strangers reigns in her hands and felt his arm wrap around her waist. She smiled and leaned back to him, his face coming down to her ear, "I won't let them." She snapped the horses reigns and the large group headed towards a village to get Sandor the proper help.

…...

I wonder what will happen to Sandor?! Don't worry. I hope you guys enjoyed it...What do you think of Tarrant? Hmmm.