Gwen pulled away from Jaime a few moments later, her hand resting on his chest as he looked down at her. He pushed her hair behind her ear and looked at her delicately as she remained where she was, unable to believe what had just happened between the pair of them. She failed to believe that she had muttered the three words to him. She had admitted it to him and it felt like a great weight had been lifted from her.

And then she waited, willing him to say them back to her. He had forced her to and he had kissed her with such passion she had never dreamt possible. And then he went silent, his forehead resting against hers, and his warm palm cradling her cheek.

"I promise you, Gwen," Jaime whispered, "I will not leave your side. I will stay with you through everything."

"Jaime," she sighed as a roar erupted from the inn below them as another drinking game came to light. "Do not make me promises which you may not be able to keep. Do not do that."

"I intend to keep it," Jaime said to her quickly, his eyes fierce as they stared at her. "I assure you, Gwen. We will continue on and go and find Arya. We will save Brienne and we will make our way through this. And when it is over then I shall stay by your side. I shall keep you with me."

She searched his gaze for a moment, coming to realise that Jaime could not say the words which she wanted to hear from him. She wondered if he had ever said them to anyone. But she knew the feeling was there. He was no romantic, or a knight in shining armour. But he was genuine and sincere.

"I believe you," Gwen said and pushed her lips against his one more time, catching him off guard and taking away some of his balance as Jaime smiled into the kiss. He pushed his hand through her soft hair, keeping some distance between the pair of them before he pulled back. The smile on his face was genuine and heartfelt, and Gwen had never seen him look at her in such a manner. She loved it more than she wanted to admit.

"We should retire for the evening," Jaime said. "We have quite a ride ahead of us tomorrow."

"If you insist," Gwen said and Jaime took hold of her good hand in his before the pair of them moved up the stairs. He stood outside her room for a few moments, quickly kissing her again before he let her be for the remainder of the night. Gwen entered her room and took a seat on the bed.

Sansa was sleeping already, her hair splayed on her pillow, and her eyes closed. Gwen looked at her and flopped onto her back. She looked to the ceiling and exhaled sharply, her body still warm and her mind a blur. She smiled to the ceiling and rested her hand on her stomach before closing her eyes, content taking over her for the evening.

...

Sansa noted a shift in the mood the following day. Gwen had been staring at Jaime like some lovesick lady and he had been looking at her with such protectiveness, Sansa wondered if the pair of them had finally declared their feelings. Gwen rode with him and Sansa rode to the side, keeping her mind focused on seeing her mother.

Ser Jaime had said that they should be able to reach her the following day if they rode well enough. Sansa had to admit that she had been scared. Gwen had said that her mother had changed. She just didn't know how much. She had missed her mother for so long. She had missed Winterfell so much that when the first snow fell she couldn't help but run out into it, whirling around with her arms spread out.

Baelish had soon seen to it that she had returned inside, informing her that she did not need to go around and catch a cold. She had frowned but obeyed his orders in front of the servants.

Sansa allowed Gwen to tend to her that evening, the three of them setting up a camp off the Kingsroad. Jaime had told them that he would attempt to go and find food. Gwen had agreed with him and he had kissed her quickly. Sansa took her opportunity to pounce as soon as he had disappeared from view.

"Did you tell him?" Sansa wondered as Gwen leant against a tree and the sun set over them. She shivered for a moment before pulling her cloak tighter around her. Sansa knelt in front of her, a look of excitement on her face as she did so.

"I did," Gwen informed her. "He...I cannot explain it, Sansa," Gwen shook her head softly, a dumb smile still held on her face. Sansa wondered if she had looked like this when she had been betrothed to Joffrey. Had she looked so content? She didn't think so. Her emotions seemed forced in comparison to Gwen's.

"You truly love him, don't you?" Sansa checked and Gwen nodded.

"It is odd, isn't it?" she wondered from the girl. "I met him one night at a feast. What if I had never bumped into him? What if I had never gone with your brother to battle? What if he had never been captured?"

"Then you would not have known him," Sansa replied simply. "The Gods work in mysterious ways sometimes."

"That is true," Gwen sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "He assures me that he intends to stay by my side."

"And is that a problem?" Sansa wondered and Gwen shook her head.

"But I intend to stay by your side. I intend to stay with you and find Arya. You know how much you two mean to me," Gwen said and Sansa sighed and moved on her knees to rest against the tree. Gwen turned to look at the girl as she sighed softly to herself.

"I was willing to give my family up for Joffrey," Sansa reminded her. "I was readily willing to let them go. I look back on it, and I wish I never did it. But, if you truly love Ser Jaime, then you have to compromise."

"Jaime understands that you and Arya come first," Gwen said. "He's willing to see to that...and...I am grateful. I just do not know if I can give you two up. I remember your cries when you were a young girl...a baby...I've been there for you for years, Sansa. You cannot ask me to forget that and go off with Jaime."

"And I do not want that to happen," Sansa assured Gwen. "I want nothing more than to keep you wish us. But, you know as well as I, Wolves and Lions do not mix. I cannot go with you if you leave with Ser Jaime."

"Perhaps this is a discussion for another day, sweet?" Gwen wondered and Sansa nodded, resting her head on her maid's shoulder. Gwen sighed softly and kissed the top of her head tenderly. A part of Gwen didn't want to take Sansa back to her mother. She didn't want to scare the young girl. If she had her way then she would go and find Arya straight away. But, she did not have her way. She had Brienne to save.

...

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Jaime asked from Gwen as they rode the next day. She sat in front of Jaime, her good arm around his waist as she held onto him. He wore his Kingsguard armour, his white cloak flowing behind and over the horse. His eyes were set firmly ahead as he looked for any sign of a camp.

"I'm sure," Gwen promised him. "I vaguely remember where we were took, and this looks like the right road."

"Vaguely?" Jaime replied. "You do know how to fill me with joy, Gwen." He said sarcastically and she nudged him quickly. She looked around, her eyes narrowed and her heart beating quickly. Her gaze turned to Sansa, who was silent, her lips parted whilst she waited to see her mother again. Gwen looked away as faint cheers erupted in the distance.

Jaime's grip on her increased before he saw the first line of tents hidden in trees. He climbed from his creature, hauling Gwen down with him. The pair of them looked on as smoke erupted from the skies above them and Gwen smelt a fire brewing. Jaime aided Lady Sansa down from her horse and she looked into the camp, her eyes full of apprehension and wonder. Gwen took hold of her hand, holding it tightly in her own before flashing her an encouraging smile.

"Jaime," Gwen whispered his name. "Please stay here...just for a few moments...if she sees you then I don't know what she will do."

"She's bound to find out that you didn't kill me," Jaime reminded her. "I'm not letting you go in there alone."

"You have to," Gwen pleaded him, her eyes boring into his and he took a deep breath. "Just for a few moments. Please, Jaime."

"I'll wait behind a tree," Jaime told her; clearly not impressed with the idea, but understanding why she wanted it this way. Gwen forced herself to smile at him before walking with Sansa through the empty camp and towards the fire. Chants became louder as Sansa's grip on Gwen's hand increased dramatically.

"I'm with you," Gwen promised the girl. "Remember that...I'm with you always..."

"I know," Sansa said as Jaime took his hiding spot and the girls finally came into the clearing beyond the trees.

The chants stopped as their presence was noted and the men looked at them, apprehension on their minds. Sansa looked at them as they eyed her with suspicion. She longed for nothing more than to be away from their prying eyes. She finally moved her gaze over to trees which hung dead bodies. She gasped at the sight of them and Gwen encouragingly squeezed her hand again.

"Gwen," a voice rasped. Sansa looked up and she saw a hooded woman stood in front of the fire, the flames showing her shadow in the darkening sky. "I trust you have completed your task. Who is the girl you have?"

"My Lady," Gwen addressed Lady Stoneheart, her voice faltering slightly as she did so. She tried to keep her tone even, making her appear braver than she felt. "I found your daughter on my travels. Lady Sansa."

The hooded creature dropped her cloak from her head and looked at the girl. She sneered slightly as she took in her appearance and shook her head. That was not her Sansa.

"My daughter has the colour of flames for hair," she sneered and Sansa recoiled as she finally saw the woman who she had called mother. She looked nothing like her at all. She did not look human. Her mother would have known it was her. She would have known her daughter through any disguise. But there was no disputing the fact that this was her mother.

Gwen had been right.

"She is a young girl. She is not this peasant who you bring here."

"Mother," Sansa spoke and Lady Stoneheart froze. Her snarl dropped from her lips and she closed her eyes. She recognised the voice. She would know that voice anywhere. She turned back to look at Sansa who was stood before her. Sansa offered her a small smile, a tear dropping from her eyes as she did so.

"It is me, mother," Sansa said and Stoneheart stepped forwards. She moved a hand cautiously, placing it on Sansa's cheek. The young girl froze at the cold contact, keeping her body where it was whilst Gwen continued to hold her hand.

"My Sansa," Stoneheart gasped; her other hand holding her throat. "My darling girl."

Sansa reluctantly found herself in her mother's hold and torn from Gwen. The maid looked behind her, noting Jaime's peeking head from a tree, his hand evidentially resting on the hilt of his sword. She exchanged a brief nod before daring to speak.

"My Lady," Gwen said, "I ask you to release Lady Brienne. We are no traitors."

"I promised to release the Maid of Tarth on one condition," Stoneheart replied to Gwen, pulling back from Sansa, but keeping her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Did you kill The Kingslayer?"

"I...I..." Gwen stammered for a few moments, wondering if she could get away with lying to her. Stoneheart sneered for a moment and folded her arms over her chest as Sansa looked back to Gwen.

"You didn't, did you?" she snapped at the girl. "You were always a terrible liar, Gwen."

"I found Sansa," Gwen cried out. Jaime mentally cursed her from his hiding spot, wishing that she could lie as well as he could. "I proved how loyal I was. You do not need Jaime."

"You did not obey me, Gwen," Stoneheart said and she clicked her fingers in the air. Gwen looked around as the men instantly took hold of her upper arms and dragged her forwards. Sansa watched with horror, looking around for Jaime and wishing he would come out of his hiding spot.

"Bring the wench!" Stoneheart called out loud. "Both of them shall suffer for this."

"Mother!" Sansa snapped quickly. "You cannot do this. Gwen has been in our family for years! She rescued me from Lord Baelish! She saved me! Don't kill her!"

"Wait!" Gwen cried out quickly as she was led to a small platform, her body squirming around. "Ser Jaime is in the forest!"

"Halt," Stoneheart commanded the men before she moved forwards to the platform, looking up at Gwen. Brienne suddenly appeared and the maid checked her appearance. She looked underfed and drained of energy, but she still fought in the men's holds. She did not appear to be harmed physically which made Gwen thank the Gods.

"Ser Jaime helped me to find Lady Sansa," Gwen admitted. "He waits East of the camp for my safe return...please...do not kill us...we are loyal to you..."

"It was you who I wanted to kill him," Stoneheart reminded her and Gwen looked west into the trees. Jaime still hid, his brow arched as he heard Gwen give Stoneheart the wrong direction to find him.

"I know," Gwen said. "But I have given you his location. Is that not me securing his death for you?"

Stoneheart regarded Gwen with curiosity. The maid held her gaze steady, her pulse fluttering as she did so. If she could get rid of some of the men then Jaime had a chance to save them. If he gave her a sword then she would help. Brienne would no doubt find adrenaline.

"She is right, mother," Sansa agreed with the lie, looking to the woman who stared back at her. "Ser Jaime did rescue me. He has lost a hand. He is not the warrior he once was. But he does have men waiting for Gwen's return. She thought that bringing me back would save her life."

"Did she?" Stoneheart wondered, a sly grin forming on her face. "I will spare the girl her life for you, my love. Her beloved Kingslayer will suffer and then she will."

"You said that you would spare her life," Sansa snapped at her mother and Stoneheart shook her head.

"I shall," she said. "Yet, she will serve out her days in punishment, married to the one man who she detests more than anything."

Gwen's brows furrowed together as she heard Stoneheart speak to her in such an odd manner. Sansa remained confused, willing for Jaime to show himself.

"Beren," Stoneheart called out and Gwen felt her blood run cold. The men continued to hold her tightly as she froze and all eyes were set on her. A man stepped out of the crowd, his black hair hung around his head in messy strands. His blue eyes were set firmly on Gwen, a smug smirk settled on his face.

Jaime remained where he was, every ounce of self restraint keeping him hidden and buying time.

"No," Gwen whispered.

"He's a new recruit to my men," Stoneheart said. "He fought for the Lannisters until we apprehended him."

"Lady Stark," Gwen cried out to her. "Please...you know what he did-"

"-I know," she interrupted. "And I know what you did. You went against my commands, Gwendolyn. You are not worthy to live in peace. The wench will die and you will live your days with the one man who hurt you, knowing that the Kingslayer is dead by your hand."

"Mother," Sansa cried out. "Please, do not do this to Gwen. You are better than this."

Stoneheart ignored her daughter as she turned to look at Beren. His eyes were still focused on Gwen, looking at her in a way that made her stomach churn and bile rise in her throat.

"Beren," she spoke. "Go east and bring back Ser Jaime's head for your betrothed."

"I would love nothing more," he informed her. He dared to move onto the platform as Stoneheart took hold of Sansa who had begun to move to Gwen.

The maid squirmed around in the guard's hold, Beren making his way to her with intent on his face. He hadn't changed at all. He still looked like the rueful farmer boy who had stolen her heart. His fingers rested on her cheek, pushing her hair from her face.

"Get off me," Gwen warned him.

"It's been a long time, Gwendolyn," he reminded her.

"Not long enough," she snapped back. "Get the fuck off of me."

"You never were a real lady," he mumbled, pressing his lips against her forehead. "Worry not. I will treat you as I did all those years ago, but it will not be brothels providing me with what I need."

"I'd rather die than marry you," Gwen assured him.

"I don't doubt it," he said and smirked before turning to look at the crowds of men around the fire. He spoke louder to them, addressing them and causing cheers to erupt; "We head east! We find the Kingslayer and we bring his head back on a spike for my betrothed!"

The men raised their swords in agreement as Beren looked back to Gwen for a moment, winking once at her and then moving from the platform.

Jaime felt anger build within his body at the sight of the arrogant young pup. He wanted to do nothing more than ram his sword through his stomach and give him a slow and painful death.

Most of the men soon evaporated from the camp, heading in the wrong direction to which Jaime was lurking. The knight slowly moved from the shadows as he saw only a few guards left holding Gwen and Brienne. He could take them easily. And then he would kill Stoneheart.

Jaime moved out from the shadows and his eyes found Gwen.

"You know, you really shouldn't believe the word of a bad liar," Jaime drawled out and Brienne looked up at his voice. She didn't think she had ever been so happy to see him before.

Stoneheart turned around as Sansa watched Jaime advance towards them, his sword held tightly in his hands in front of him.

"Guards!" Stoneheart yelled and two men left Gwen alone on the platform. The other two continued to hold Brienne. They moved closer to Jaime and Gwen watched in horror as he fought them, his sword clashing with theirs. She moved quickly, jumping from the platform before one of the guards holding Brienne could stop her. She unsteadily landed on her feet before she saw a sword clatter to the ground.

Stoneheart moved first, reaching for the object on the grass. Sansa saw her movement and instantly pushed past her mother, dropping to her knees and holding the object in her own sweating palms. She picked it up and stood on her feet. The sword dangled in her hands as she struggled to hold its weight.

"Sansa," Stoneheart snapped at her daughter. "Gwendolyn is a traitor. She needs to be punished for what she has done."

Gwen said nothing as she heard a guard shout out in pain. She knew someone would have heard him and they would return to the clearing without a moment of hesitation. She turned her head over her shoulder before seeing Brienne manage to stand on one guard's foot and then elbow him in the face. Her other hand moved and balled into a fist before she punched the other guard, stealing his sword and running it through his neck.

Jaime had managed to disarm the other guard, his sword deciding to go through the man's eye. Gwen winced as she saw it and Sansa continued to hold the sword, pointing it at her mother. Gwen moved over to the girl and stood by her side as Stoneheart looked genuinely hurt at her daughter's threatening position.

"I'm your mother!" she called out. "Gwendolyn needs to suffer for her betrayal."

"What has happened to you?" Sansa snapped, unable to believe the woman in front of her was her mother. "You aren't my mother...you're evil...horrible..."

"This is war, my love," she informed her daughter. "You cannot be nice. Now drop the sword. My men will be back soon and they will kill the traitor's. I will keep you safe."

"In case you haven't noticed," Jaime drawled, "your men have dispersed and you have three swords pointing at you."

"All I want is my daughter," Stoneheart pleaded.

"No," Gwen shook her head. "You'll hurt her...she's scared already..."

"I would never hurt her," Stoneheart drawled. "I love her more than you can imagine."

"But you would hurt Gwen," Sansa whispered as she struggled to hold the sword. She allowed it to tumble to the floor as a pain shot through her wrist. Gwen moved her arm around the girl's waist. "I cannot stay with you if you hurt her."

Stoneheart looked to her daughter, her teeth gritting together in anger before she moved quickly. She dropped to her knees, taking hold of the sword which her daughter had dropped. She picked it up as Gwen pushed Sansa out of the way and to the floor and she froze where she was. Jaime moved faster then, his own sword running through Stoneheart's back. She yelled out in pain before tumbling to the ground, the sword slipping from her hands. Sansa shrieked loudly, her hands covering her mouth.

Jaime held Stoneheart's shoulder, his sword still lodged in her flesh. He pulled it out quickly, watching as she tumbled to the floor and took her final breaths.

Sansa continued to cry softly at the sight which she had seen. Gwen stood where she was, looking at Lady Stoneheart. She failed to believe that she had tried to kill her. She had wanted her dead. She had truly wanted to kill her.

"Wench," Jaime spoke quickly. "Take Lady Sansa to the horses outside of the camp in the west."

Brienne nodded and looked at the corpse for a moment. She took hold of Lady Sansa by the arm, hauling her through the camp. She continued to sob, wondering what her mother had turned into.

Jaime moved to Gwen's side, standing in front of her and resting his hand on her cheek. He forced her to look at him and pressed his lips on her forehead.

"You're safe," he promised her simply. "I have you now."

"She really wanted me dead," Gwen whispered. "And she was so close...so close to killing me...disregarding me..."

"I know," Jaime said. "But you're safe. I need to take you back to the horse."

"You need to come to," Gwen said, confused at his choice of phrasing. She noted the tensing of his jaw and the clouded look covering his eyes. "Jaime...what are you going to do?"

"The boy," he drawled. "He was going to hurt you. He is the one who hurt you, isn't he?"

"And he is not worth your time or your life," Gwen snapped at Jaime, taking hold of his hand from her cheek. She held it tightly and squeezed his fingers. "When the men come back here then they will kill you easily. You're outnumbered. Do not let your anger cloud your judgement."

"I'm not," he denied.

"It looks like you are," Gwen spat back. "He is not worth it. We're safe now. We need to leave before they come back."

Jaime knew she was right. They did need to go. Yet Jaime wanted to do nothing more than kill the boy who had hurt Gwen.

"Please," Gwen urged him and dragged him away from the fire in the clearing. "Come on, Jaime. We need to go now...please...for me..."

Jaime's eyes found hers once more. For her. And he would do it for her. It was only then when he came to realise that he would do anything for her. He truly would. He caught up with her, his arm wrapping itself around her waist before he scooped her into his arms, cradling her against his chest.

"For you," Jaime repeated. "Only for you."

"Thank you," Gwen whispered and pressed her lips against his quickly.

...

He stood in the camp and looked at the five corpses. She had lied to them. There had been no camp in the east. There had been no Jaime Lannister. He always thought that she had been a terrible liar. She normally was. Apparently she could force herself to be convincing when it came to the Kingslayer.

He kicked at the guard's helmet which lay on the floor, his foot instantly regretting the action after it had been completed.

She had no idea what she had done to him. She had disregarded him as soon as she had found out he had certain needs which needed fulfilling. He had tried to have her. If he had her then he would have been satisfied. And then she had cried rape. Ever since that moment she had refused to come out from the Stark's castle. She had hidden away and he had been banished from Winterfell.

Seeking refuge in a Lannister camp had been easy. He had gone to Casterly Rock and trained as a farmer's assistant. He had been good. And then war had dawned and every able body was needed. He had been riding with his entourage when the Brotherhood with Banners had apprehended them for execution.

And then he had seen her. She had been the remainder of Catelyn Stark. He'd told her who he was, thinking it could save him. And it had done. He'd been shocked. The woman had always loved Gwen. Apparently times changed.

And then he had been promised a marriage. He'd been promised Gwen.

He could have his revenge. She had pushed him away. She had him banished and he wanted vengeance for that. He'd seen her and the longing and anger had come back to him as if it were still fresh.

Yet she was nowhere to be seen. She was nowhere to be found with the five dead bodies. But he didn't worry.

He'd find her and have what had been promised to him. In the name of the new Gods and the old Gods, he would find her and have her for his own.

...

A/N: Anyway, another chapter for today! Do hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think! Pretty please!