"Brienne, it is going to hurt slightly," Gwen warned the knight as she knelt by her side that night. Jaime had told them that they would rest for the night again. Gwen had urged him that they needed to go and find Arya. Sansa had been confused for she had thought that her sister had been married to a Bolton bastard. Gwen explained that she was wrong and told her to rest.

She had been inconsolable for the entire day, crying on her horse which she shared with Brienne. The knight hadn't known what to do, and so Gwen had taken the lead. She had left Jaime and told Brienne to ride with him instead. She'd spent the entire trip holding Sansa and avoiding Jaime's burning glare which he seemed to focus on her.

They finally came to an inn at the Crossroads, unsaddling the horses before moving inside and asking for a room. The inn was quiet, only a few people drinking and eating as the party made their way up the stairs. Sansa was to share a room with Gwen whilst Brienne had her own room. Gwen had begun to tend to the knight, making sure her health hadn't suffered too much.

"Pain does not bother me, my Lady," Brienne promised Gwen who held her tongue and nodded. She moved slowly, pulling at the piece of wood which had managed to shallowly lodge itself into her shoulder. Her armour had been ruined at the camp with much thanks to Lady Stoneheart. Gwen admitted that seeing the woman in anything else other than armour was odd.

"I secured the wench some supper," Jaime's curt voice entered the room and he looked at Brienne who nodded gratefully. Gwen dropped the wood into the empty jug of water which she had used to tend to Brienne.

"Thank you, Kingslayer," Brienne said and Gwen saw the locking of Jaime's jaw before he rested the jug on her bedside table along with the plate of meats.

"You're welcome, wench," Jaime hissed back, looking down to Gwen for a moment. She cleared away the supplies which she had borrowed and looked at Brienne for a moment. She'd bandaged her hand for her knuckles had swollen. Her body had been bruised, but not broken. Gwen stood up and wiped her hands on the red dress, glancing to Brienne for a moment.

"Get some rest and eat," Gwen commanded her. "I will be back later to check up on you."

"Thank you, my Lady," Brienne said.

"It's Gwen."

Brienne gave her a rueful smile and nodded once, her lips closed before she rested her head on the pillow and allowed sleep to come and find her. Jaime helped Gwen with the supplies, walking her out from the room and onto the wooden corridor.

"I should go and check on Sansa," Gwen sighed as she and Jaime moved back down the wooden stairs to rid themselves of their load they held. "She's in a state."

"She's sleeping," Jaime informed Gwen. "I went to see if she needed anything to eat, but she was fast asleep on the bed."

"You went to check up on her?" Gwen arched a brow, handing the medical equipment back to the innkeeper who took them without a word. Jaime did the same and leant against the bar, his gaze fixed on Gwen who was tucking her hair over her shoulders.

"She's been through a lot," Jaime said. "Is it wrong for me to show concern? Besides, I thought you would have wanted me to be pleasant to her."

"It is nice," Gwen nodded at him. "It seems completely out of character," she smirked and Jaime chuckled, looking to the ground as his hair flopped into his eyes. "But it is nice."

He looked back up at her, his gaze finding hers as she continued to smile at him, her cheeks reddening under his gaze. Jaime doubted he would ever tire of seeing that colour on her pale features.

"Shall we have a drink?" Jaime asked her and she nodded at him. He ordered a jug of wine and Gwen shook her head. She didn't drink wine. It wasn't something which she had ever had the privilege of tasting often. She'd indulged in the odd goblet every now and then, but nothing like what Jaime drunk.

Jaime led her to a table in the corner whilst Gwen carried the two cups in her hand. She sat next to him on the small bench, looking out onto the quiet bar. Jaime poured the wine into the two goblets and handed one to her. She took hold of it and sipped delicately whilst Jaime downed his alcohol.

"If I had any idea that the farm boy had been in my family's guard then I would have killed him myself," Jaime said to Gwen. The maid rolled her eyes at hearing Jaime's brashness. She shook her head and looked at him, her fingers still held around the goblet as she did so.

"You weren't to know. I didn't know," Gwen shrugged. "Besides, it doesn't matter. I admit I was shocked to see him stood there and watching me." Gwen paused for a moment as her eyes widened and looked down to the table. "He hadn't changed a little bit. I don't know what it was that even attracted me to him."

"We all have those thoughts," Jaime said and refilled his goblet once again. Gwen quickly drank her wine, wincing at the taste for a moment before offering it to Jaime for a refill. "I mean...why do you love me?"

"You don't have to keep reminding me that I said it," Gwen said through a smirk. Jaime watched her intently as she drank some more of the wine. He moved his arm out to rest against the wall, wrapping around her shoulders lazily.

"I like to remind myself," Jaime responded darkly. "I'm serious, Gwen. You know what I did. I pushed a boy from a window. I've killed innocent people. I'm not exactly a saint."

"But you're not a sinner," Gwen said. "Jaime, how many people have you saved? How many good things have you done recently?"

"Does that make up for the bad things?" Jaime wondered from her. He looked back to his lap and sighed to himself. She really did deserve better. But Jaime didn't want her to go and find someone better. He didn't want her to find anyone else. She was his.

"No," Gwen replied. "But you're showing that you regret it all. Jaime, you're not bad. I know you're not. Stop thinking like that."

"It's hard," Jaime admitted to her simply. "Especially when I have someone like you. Someone who is so innocent and pure. You're the complete opposite to me."

"We can't all be the same," Gwen said and drank some more of her wine. She rested the goblet on the table and leant her head back against Jaime's arm. After two goblets she was beginning to feel the effects. She knew it was pathetic, but she never drank.

"If I do see Beren again then I will kill him, Gwen," Jaime told her suddenly and Gwen shook her head, unable to stop him if he did see him again.

"He's not worth it," Gwen replied. "Honestly, Jaime, don't dwell on it. He won't marry me now that we've lost them."

"I would like to think that I am the only one who could have that honour," Jaime admitted and Gwen felt her pulse race. She sat forwards on the seat, turning her body and angling herself to face Jaime. She shook her head back and forth, a sad smile on her face.

"You're in the Kingsguard, Jaime," she reminded him. "I'm a maid, anyway. We do not mix."

"There is no one to say otherwise, is there?" Jaime wondered from her and she said nothing. "I am to be the Lord of Casterly Rock if I want to be. I am the one who is in charge now. Besides, my brother married a whore."

"Tyrion?" Gwen wondered and Jaime wished he had said nothing. He didn't want to think about how he had broken his brother's heart. He couldn't handle it. "He was married?"

"A long time ago," Jaime whispered to Gwen and she cocked a brow. "Anyway, it didn't work out. My father saw to that. What I am trying to say," Jaime changed the topic, "is that if we were to marry then there is nothing to really stop us."

"You're mad," Gwen snorted at Jaime and he looked at her with an amused grin. "Are you forgetting one thing? I'm barren, Jaime. I'm useless to you."

"No, you are not," Jaime replied quickly. "Besides, you do not know if you are barren. There may be a time when you can have children."

"At the moment it is not looking likely," Gwen drawled. "I cannot be with you. I cannot give you an heir."

"It does not matter to me."

"You say that now," Gwen spoke quickly, "but you may come to resent me for it in the future. I will resent myself...and then what? Do you find someone else?"

"Gwen," Jaime snapped at her as she begun to hyperventilate. He removed his arm from her shoulders, placing his hand on her cheek and forcing her to look at him. "Do not speak so foolishly. I would never do anything to hurt you. I am not Beren."

"Just do not say things which may never happen," Gwen urged him. "Besides, we have bigger things to worry about. I need to find Arya."

"I know," Jaime assured her. "I just do not want you to doubt yourself. I would not leave you because you are barren. I am not that shallow."

"I wouldn't blame you-"

"-It is not up for discussion," Jaime interrupted her, moving his lips to fall against hers for a few brief moments. "Now, where do you propose we go and search for Arya?"

"I honestly have no idea," Gwen admitted. "I've heard nothing of her during the entire war. I do not even know if she is still on Westeros."

"She would not have travelled to the free cities," Jaime said confidently. "That would have been foolish of her."

"Can we not send ravens asking of her?" Gwen wondered and Jaime shook his head at her.

"Arya is supposedly married, Gwen," Jaime reminded her. "If we say anything else then it will look suspicious. We will find her."

"How?" Gwen wondered, draining some more alcohol. She tipped it down her throat and Jaime watched her, knowing that she needed to slow down. "She does not know where we are. We do not know where she is. I'm beginning to wonder if there is any hope at all."

"We will set out a plan," Jaime told her. "Is it possible that she went North to the Wall? She has a bastard brother there, doesn't she?"

"He is called Jon," Gwen said curtly to Jaime. "She could have gone North. I don't know, Jaime. Would she risk going North?"

"We'll find out soon enough," Jaime promised her before they heard a loud cheer erupt through the door. Waves of people streamed in and Jaime instantly rested his hand on his sword, waiting for someone to say something.

"Calm down!" a woman from behind the bar yelled as men began to demand alcohol to toast with. Jaime kept close to Gwen, both of them looking at the sight around them. Jaime remained where he was, lazily drinking his wine and Gwen moved her mouth close to his ear.

"What do you think it is?" she whispered to him. Some men slowly moved to sit down on benches in the inn, their goblets held tightly in their hands. They drained the alcohol off without issue, cheering and laughing loudly as they did so.

"Oi, fellow." It took Jaime a moment to realise he was being addressed in such a manner. He lifted his gaze up and arched a brow. He moved his golden hand to rest on the table and the man who had spoken looked at him with wide eyes.

"Apologies, Ser," he spoke quickly.

"I should think so," Jaime declared.

"I was just wondering if I could sit down 'ere?" he wondered. "My friend and I have no seats."

Jaime nodded in agreement as the man sat opposite Jaime and Gwen. The maid found herself being pulled closer to Jaime who wrapped his arm around her shoulders; obviously marking his territory against the man's wandering eyes.

"You can sit here so long as you tell me why there is such a noise," Jaime said and the man laughed, shaking his head back and forth. Another man sat beside him and clapped him on the back. His eyes settled on Jaime and Gwen before he felt his jaw hang open.

"Dear Gods!" he exclaimed. "Ser Jaime!"

"I'd prefer it if you kept your voice down," Jaime admitted to them. "Anyway, do tell me, what is there to celebrate."

"I was just getting to that," the boy who had first sat down spoke, throwing his friend a glare. The other man shrugged his shoulders, drinking his wine and allowing his friend to explain.

"Well, we've been travelling for a while, keeping low as Blacksmiths," one explained. "And we so happened to come across those lot over there," he pointed over his shoulder and Gwen felt her blood run cold as she noted the faces. Jaime followed her gaze and he realised he should have seen it sooner. He would have if they showed their banner. It was the sight of the black haired boy which startled him.

He moved his hand down from the table, hiding the shimmering gold. Gwen looked to him as he continued to stare at the two opposite him.

"Anyway...they were on their way to the Inn. Apparently they're looking for some traitor," he shrugged nonchalantly. "Then they said that they came across a body. Not just any body. The Hound."

"Now," the other man interjected, "we thought the Hound had died. They'd been some fellow going around with his helmet...but it turns out he was pretending to be him...this guy they found is the same Hound who created a mess in here a few moons ago. We came in for a quiet drink and he ruined everything. Had a young girl with him...made her kill some poor bloke. We heard them saying that they were heading to the Saltpans. Anyone would recognise his ugly face if the tales are anything to go by."

"And then the oddest thing happened," one of the blacksmith's spoke. "I recognised the girl! Well...I thought I did, but it turns out she's actually married. I used to be a blacksmith up North until I left. It was far too cold and my father was a drunken lout."

"You fool. It can't be that girl. And what would you know? You spent half your life up North and most of that was being drunk."

"I know it could've been her. I didn't say it was."

"And who did you think the girl was?" Jaime wondered as Gwen continued to stare at them with wide eyes.

"Arya Stark. Could've sworn it. Anyway, doesn't matter, does it? That little Stark married a Bolton bastard."

"True," Jaime agreed and looked down to Gwen who had a questioning look on her face. Perhaps the Gods were in her favour and looking down on her. She didn't know. She only hoped that these men had not been mistaken.

"Anyway," Jaime changed the topic as the men became rowdy once more. "I need to ask a favour from you two."

"Aye?" one checked, laughing loudly. "What favour could a Lannister want of a lowly blacksmith?"

"Well, you see," Jaime said; leaning forwards with a small smirk on his face. "The men at the bar are the Brotherhood without Banners, aren't they?"

"Believe so," one said through drinking quickly.

"And the traitors they are looking for so happen to be us," Jaime admitted and Gwen wondered what he was doing. Was he securing their deaths? The two blacksmiths looked at each other with wide eyes. Jaime continued to glance between the pair of them.

"I'd appreciate it if you kept quiet," Jaime admitted. "You do know what they say about Lannisters and their debts; don't you?" Jaime wondered in a small voice and they both nodded. "If you two stay here and keep quiet then I shall see to it that you live out the rest of your life comfortably."

"Our lips are sealed," one man spoke and Jaime nodded; a small smile on his face as he did so. He stood up, and held his hand out, waiting for Gwen to take it. She did so hastily, standing closely by his side as he looked at the two men.

"Thank you, gentlemen," he said sincerely and moved through the inn.

He kept Gwen in his hold as they rushed to the stairs and ran up them. Jaime looked down again, seeing the two blacksmiths sat drinking, confusion evident on their faces.

"We need to go now," Jaime said. "I don't trust them."

"Agreed," Gwen said; the sight of Beren's black head swimming into her vision. Jaime pushed on Brienne's door and Gwen moved to Sansa's room. She barged in, slamming the wood behind her. Sansa turned on her bed as she heard cheers beneath her and then the shutting door to her room.

"We need to go," Gwen said quickly. Thankfully, Sansa still wore her clothes after passing out on top of the covers. She sat up groggily and Gwen placed her cloak over her shoulders.

"Why?"

"The Brotherhood without Banners are here," Gwen told her. "We also have an idea where Arya is."

"Fine," Sansa agreed. Gwen handed her a cloak and she saw the door open without warning. Jaime came in with Brienne following him, her eyes barely managing to stay open as she looked at the three of them.

"Let's go," Jaime said and Gwen nodded. She took hold of Sansa's hand and Jaime moved to the window in their room. Gwen looked slightly confused as he pushed the glass open and looked downwards.

"It drops onto the stable roof," Jaime said. "There's no other way down."

He pushed himself out the window and Gwen rushed to it, looking down the small drop as he stood on the wooden roof. She was unsure if it could hold all of their weight but she was not willing to wait and find out.

"Go on," Gwen urged Sansa who climbed delicately down. Jaime helped her to stand on the roof before Brienne forced Gwen to climb out next. Jaime held her tightly before the wench made her own way down.

The cheers from the inn could still be heard. Jaime looked to the ground and to the post which he could crawl down. He did so without a moment of hesitation, his body worming down the wooden post until he hit the floor. Sansa dropped to her knees and held the pole tightly. She closed her eyes before dropping her entire weight from the roof. Jaime grabbed her again and placed her on the ground before Gwen followed and Brienne behind her.

"If Beren sees me then Lady Arya suffers," Gwen warned Jaime. He took hold of her hand, quickly pressing her knuckles to his lips in a reassuring manner.

"Come on," Jaime said and dragged her into the stables. Brienne began to saddle a horse and Jaime took the other one. Sansa stood with Gwen, both of them looking out of the stable and wondering how much time they had before someone found them.

Brienne was the first onto a horse, holding a hand down to Sansa. The young girl sat behind Brienne, her arms around the wench's waist.

"We ride for the Saltpans," Jaime's told them and Brienne nodded.

"Gwendolyn."

Jaime was the one to turn around first. He looked at Brienne for a moment and then back to where the voice had come from. Jaime kept quiet for a fleeting moment and then moved his hand to rest on the hilt of his sword.

"Go," Gwen whispered to Brienne. She needed them to go and leave. Sansa couldn't be in harm's way anymore and neither could Brienne. "You need to find Arya."

"She's right," Jaime said reluctantly.

"No one is going anywhere," Beren promised them, his eyes fully focused on Gwen. The maid stood in the shallow depths of the hay, her gaze looking to the doorway which Beren stood in front of.

"I'd recognise that backside going up stairs anytime, Gwendolyn," he assured her and Jaime clenched his teeth together.

"I suggest you move out the way unless you want to be trampled to death. I'd much prefer to have the honour of ramming a sword through you," Jaime assured the young boy.

Brienne and Sansa continued to hesitate on their seat. Jaime moved quickly, his hand hitting against the horse and forcing it to race out from the stable. Beren jumped out the way, Brienne still swearing as she went on the creature.

"Long time no see, my love," Beren said as he picked himself back up. "You're still looking as radiant as ever."

"Shut up," Gwen snapped at him. "Get the hell away from me."

"You used to love me being near you," Beren reminded her and Gwen shook her head. "Besides, you're my betrothed now, Gwendolyn."

"Are you completely deluded?" Jaime wondered from him, drawing his sword and stepping forward. He didn't need his armour to beat this arrogant boy. "She's going nowhere with you."

"They say that you don't fight as well anymore, Kingslayer," Beren declared, drawing his own sword from its sheath. Gwen took hold of Jaime's arm, trying to stop him from doing anything brash.

Beren wore black attire and a fur cloak, a small amount of stubble specking his cheek. He didn't look like he could beat Jaime in a fight, but she knew Jaime was still building his strength with his left hand.

"Don't," she urged him. "We can get on a horse and go."

"You really can't," Beren answered. "Come along, Kingslayer. Let's see if you're a weak as they say you are."

"Jaime-"

Gwen couldn't finish her sentence as Jaime pushed her back, his elbow hitting her stomach. She sunk to the floor, her ears taking in the ringing of clashing swords. Gwen managed to push herself to sit up on the hay, watching with wonder as Jaime flung his sword against Beren's. The noise caused Gwen's stomach to churn and she watched on with complete fear.

Jaime stepped forwards, lunging towards Beren with his sword in his left hand. He moved skilfully and gracefully, ducking and diving when necessary. His blonde hair begun to stick to his forehead whilst his feet managed to hold firm in the slipping hay.

Beren had a smirk on his face, his features full of hatred and Gwen looked around, realising that Jaime was losing his strength. He fought well, but she feared it would not be enough.

Gwen quickly moved, grabbing hold of a wooden rake which sat in the corner of the room. She moved invisibly, both men too focused on each other to pay any attention. She was about to move before she had a gut wrenching scream. She looked across as Jaime fell to the ground, sinking down on his knees. She said nothing, watching as Beren stood opposite him, his hand on his stomach. She instantly thought the worst. Seeing Jaime sunk down on his knees made her heart pound against her chest. She rushed forwards, dropping by his side and resting her hand on his back.

And then she followed his gaze. He was looking at Beren who had a hand resting on his stomach, blood trickling down his breeches.

"We need to go," Gwen said quickly to Jaime who was exhausted from the fight. He didn't know what was happening to him. He had never been weak before. He'd always managed to last ages in a fight. He supposed he hadn't a real fight in ages since he lost his hand.

He stood up and watched as Beren fell to the floor, his hands still on his waist as he did so.

"How long do you suppose it will take for you to bleed to death?" Jaime spat at the boy and he glared at him before watching Gwen. Her blue eyes purposefully avoided hers as Jaime helped her onto the horse. He watched the Kingslayer climb on behind her, his arm snaking around her waist.

"Gwendolyn," Beren called her. "This isn't the end. You know that and so do I."

"I disagree," Jaime was the one to speak, his voice low and curt. "You'll be dead soon enough."

"You think so?" Beren wondered as Jaime pulled at the reins and the horse began to trot forwards.

"I know so," Jaime said. Gwen avoided his glare, her eyes focused in front of her and finding Lady Arya. Only then could she feel complete again. Jaime looked back at the bleeding Beren, a small smirk on his face before he looked to Gwen.

"Are you safe?" he checked with her.

"I'm fine," she promised him, the image of seeing Jaime on the floor one which she wanted to erase from her mind. The fear that he had been the one injured cursed her vision and made her pale to the point of becoming unhealthy. Jaime continued to watch her for a few moments, moving his lips to press against her head.

"We'll go to the Saltpans and find Lady Arya. At least she managed to escape the brute that is the Hound."

"True," Gwen whispered to him before finally looking up to him. "Do you think Brienne and Sansa got far?"

"Not at all," Jaime promised her. "We'll catch them up in a few moments. We need to stay low. The Brotherhood without Banners will be looking for us. At least the farm boy won't be giving us any trouble."

"Yes," Gwen said, thinking about Beren bleeding to death in the stables. She said nothing, not truly knowing how to feel at his death. She supposed it didn't bother her that much. Besides, he would have killed Jaime if he had the chance. This was war. There was no time to show mercy.

Jaime had been right and they had managed to catch up with Sansa and Brienne. The pair of them had contemplated going back to the stables, but Brienne had decided against it. She had a mission to fulfil. Jaime respected her for that decision. Sansa had spent her entire time holding onto Gwen, telling her how she feared that she had died. Gwen had smiled softly at the girl, shaking her head back and forth, assuring the girl that she was safe.

Gwen took a few moments to contemplate as she sat and watched Jaime speak to Brienne. They were having a break to rest, Jaime and Brienne taking to discussing tactics. Gwen thought of what Jaime had told her and wondered if she would be selfish to actually consider marrying him. She would make him give up the Kingsguard. She could not provide him with children. Did he truly want someone like her? People would talk. They would look at her in disgust. Some pathetic little maid who had managed to take the Kingslayer's fancy.

Gwen didn't entirely know what to think about the entire situation. She supposed she was confused. Deeply confused.

"We will make the Saltpans in a few days," Jaime said as he moved back to Gwen and Sansa. "Until then we ride as fast as possible. We don't need any more encounters with people who want us dead."

"Makes sense," Sansa said, squeezing Gwen's shoulder tightly and then moving to Brienne. The knight helped the lady onto the horse, her eyes set on Jaime and Gwen for a few moments as she did so.

"Something's happened," Jaime commented and Gwen looked at him.

"A lot has happened."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it," Jaime replied harshly to her. "What is it, Gwen? You look distant."

"I'm thinking," Gwen mumbled.

"You can talk to me," he assured her and she forced herself to smile at him.

"I know," Gwen whispered. "I'm being silly. Come on, we need to go."

Jaime was about to speak, but lost the chance as Gwen led him back to the horse. He helped her to climb up onto the creature, holding her tightly as he sat behind her. She did nothing as she closed her eyes and rested against him.

Lady Arya was the one who she should be thinking of. She shouldn't worry herself of marrying Jaime Lannister. It was not important at that moment in time. And, besides, she couldn't see it actually happening, regardless of how much she truly wanted it.

...

A/N: 212 reviews! I'm so, so happy! I cannot thank you all enough for helping me make it. And thank you for sticking with this story. I do hope you continue to do so. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the update and your thoughts would be amazing!