"Ser, she needs to drink this", Jaime was awoken by the maester holding a cup. "It's warmed wine; it will help to take away her chills,"
Jaime squinted, the sun had now fully risen, Brienne lay nestled in his arms still unconscious. The skin around her left eye was purple and swollen shut, there was dried blood on her chapped lips, from which he could hear her breath coming in uneven gasping sounds.
"Get me Sansa Stark." Jaime commanded.
"Ser?" the maester looked at him bewildered, the cup still clutched in his hand.
"Go, now,"
The man scurried from the room.
Jaime reluctantly untangled his arms from around Brienne and covered her with warm blankets; he dressed in the clothes he had discarded at the side of his bed several hours before.
A rap came at the door.
"Enter," Jaime said as he adjusted the blankets around Brienne.
The maester followed by Sansa entered the room. Sansa's eyes widened as she saw the damage that had been done to Brienne's face, she looked genuinely concerned, her hand reached out as she approached the side of the bed where Brienne lay.
"Oh no..."
"Her face will heal, it is the cuts on the inside we must fear child," The maester turned to Jaime and continued, "She is a strong woman Ser, I do not believe her ribs are broken, perhaps bruised, there was much damage to her side, I cannot be sure how she will heal, but I've stitched what I could, and if she is still she may yet recover fully, but she needs to be warmed with wine." As if on cue Brienne shivered under her blankets.
Jaime convinced by Sansa's concerned reaction felt he could trust her.
"Sansa, go to the kitchens, have warm wine made. You choose the wine, and watch it being prepared, do not let it out of your sight. Do you understand?" Jaime held the girls gaze; she simply nodded seeming to comprehend his meaning. The girl may be sweet and simple, but she was not stupid.
As long as Cersei is under this roof, neither of them are safe.
Jaime beckoned to the guards outside his door, men he trusted, those who had been with him the previous evening when they had found Brienne. "Please escort Lady Sansa to the kitchens, and have a servant bring me warm water for the basin. Arrest my sister's men and servants, hold them in the dungeon. Post men you trust outside her door. Cersei is not to leave her rooms."
"Ser that is the Queen Regent..." Jaime looked at the man sternly, feeling as if he was evoking Tywin Lannister himself. The guard seemed to know that stare, and did not argue. His orders were promptly followed.
Sansa returned with the wine. He held Brienne's head as gently as he could, resting her upon his knee while Sansa delivered the cup to her lips.
"Brienne," Jaime whispered into her ear. "Wake, you must drink this." She let out a small moan; her eye lids fluttered but did not open. Jaime nodded and Sansa pressed the cup to her lips again. Brienne drank slowly, allowing a small amount to enter.
"Slow is best My Lord. Try again in a little while." The maester advised. Jaime nodded.
Sansa placed the wine by the fire to keep it warm.
"Please escort Lady Sansa back to her quarters. You are to stay outside her door until relieved; you will taste all her food and drink before she consumes anything. Make sure the kitchens know this."
"Yes Ser, come milady." Sansa and the guard left him alone with Brienne and the maester.
A servant came with the requested water for the basin.
"I will call if I need you," Jaime said to the maester, not looking at him as he smoothed a strand of hair away from Brienne's forehead, her skin was still slightly chilled.
Once he was alone with her he wet a cloth in the warm water, attempting to ring it out as best he could with his single hand. Perhaps it would have been best to ask for assistance with this, he thought annoyed. He had learned to sufficiently fight with his offhand but simple everyday tasks would still occasionally surprise and deject him.
He moved the wet cloth across her forehead, her cheeks, her bruised lips, and neck, rubbing away the sweat, caked dirt, and dried blood. Rewetting the cloth, he repeated the process, moving to her shoulders, careful to keep her body covered with blankets. Her scars were numerous and it broke his heart a little with each one he encountered. The terrible bear scratch on her shoulder, the mark around her neck from Stoneheart's noose, the savaged ripples of her cheek. Every scar was like a guilty stab to his guts, each one he felt he had allowed. When finished washing her Jaime grabbed the wine again and asked her to drink.
She silently obeyed, sipping a little more this time.
Jaime undressed again; naked as his nameday he rejoined his lady love in bed.
When Jaime awoke he smiled as her marvelous blue eyes greeted him, the left one barely open, so badly swollen and bruised. He kissed her there, and she winced.
"Sorry." He smiled caressing his thumb along her temple.
"You know this is not the first time I've awoken like this." She blushed and smiled shyly.
"Well seeing as you have yet to club me in the head with my boot, I'd hazard to say I'm faring better this time." Jaime replied with a grin.
"The day is young," Brienne returned his smile.
"Brienne! Was that a joke?" Jaime said feigning shock, delighted with her obvious improved health.
He kissed her on her lips, pulling her gently into his body with as much force as he dared.
She moaned as he did so, the sound a mix of pleasure and pain.
Despite himself he could feel he was becoming aroused, shamed by his excitement considering her current state of her health, Jaime pulled away. "I'll have something brought in for us to eat."
Brienne averted her gaze as he reluctantly climbed out of the bed. Jaime shook his head, amazed that she still felt the need for modesty.
She supped on barley and vegetable soup, as well as warmed wine, he a more hearty fare of venison stew and potato. She ate little and still occasionally shivered, but her colour was much improved.
"Why did you write that note?" He felt he knew the answer, but asked anyway.
Brienne looked down into her bowl and back up at him. "Your sister threatened my father's life. I'm sorry Jaime, I was so desperate."
"I'll admit the words stung, but I can... understand." Jaime could feel his anger welling up inside of him, he would have to deal with Cersei, and soon.
"What made you search for me?" Brienne asked.
Jaime looked to his table, remembering her gift. The book was gone. No one would dare take it from his quarters.
"Rest, Brienne. I'll be back soon." Jaime took her tray, and kissed her on the top of her head.
On his way out he shut the door and turned to the guards. "No one is to enter this room, but me. No exceptions." The guards nodded. As satisfied as he could be with Brienne's safety, Jaime made his way down the long halls to Cersei's room, a cold fury building up inside him with each step.
