The next morning, as Brienne promised, Podrick came to wake her, but she was already awake and preparing for the day. Today they were going to begin their search for Sansa again and Joellyn found herself filled with a new sense of purpose. They had found Arya and it made her feel as if they were close to finding Sansa as well. She had a much better relationship with Sansa than she ever had with Arya, so it was more likely that if they found Sansa that she would come with them.

Podrick let her know that they would be having breakfast down in the dining hall of the inn in about half an hour, so Joellyn thanked him and finished getting ready and gathering her few belongings that she had gotten out. She took the letter from Oberyn and placed it back in the bottom of her pack with Oberyn's tunic. There was still a deep, raw hole inside of her because Oberyn was gone, but Joellyn began to feel it healing. It made her sad and glad all at the same time. She was tired of being sad and grieving all the time, but it also meant that she was becoming use to the fact that he was no longer in this world and that felt wrong.

She took one last look around the room to make sure that she had everything and left to find Podrick and Brienne. She found them both down in the dining hall, as Podrick had promised. She handed her pack to Podrick, who stood quickly and rushed out of the dining hall to put her pack with their horses and supplies. Joellyn took a seat in the booth that Podrick had vacated and greeted Brienne, "Good morning."

Brienne smiled in return, "How are you feeling? Do you feel well enough to travel today?"

Joellyn looked down at the porridge that had been ordered for her and her stomach turned a little as it didn't look all that appetizing, but they had ordered some fruit as well and that looked much better. Joellyn nodded in response to Brienne's questions, "I'm well enough, I think. My head does not hurt anymore. I think I just need to eat," then began to do just that. The porridge was as unappetizing as it looked, but it filled her belly and she knew that would bring some of her strength back. The fruit was much more refreshing and she began to feel more like herself as her stomach was filled.

Podrick joined them soon and the three of them ate in a comfortable silence. Joellyn just let the noise in the dining hall soak over her. After being alone with Brienne and Podrick on the road, it was nice to have noise surrounding her. She hadn't realized how use she was to noise being a constant thing from Casterly Rock and King's Landing. It brought her a small sense of comfort to lose herself in the noise. Through the noise though, she heard a female voice cut through that sounded familiar.

She stopped eating a looked around the dining hall to see if she could identify the voice, and while looking around noticed that Podrick was doing the same. He had heard the voice as well apparently. She looked to Podrick and he nodded toward a different table in the dining hall. Joellyn felt her breath catch in her throat. The table Podrick indicated was currently in use by Littlefinger and Sansa.

Joellyn said quietly, "Pod, do you see?"

Podrick nodded and Brienne finally noted the odd behavior between Joellyn and Podrick and asked, "What is it?"

Podrick said quietly, "Sansa Stark." Brienne began to turn around but Podrick whispered harshly, "Don't look!"

Brienne nodded and questioned the two of them, "Are you sure?"

Joellyn nodded in return and said, "She's dyed her hair, likely to disguise herself, but that is Sansa." Sansa's back was to them, so she couldn't tell how well Sansa looked, but she seemed to be mostly herself. Joellyn felt anxious to be able to see her.

Brienne questioned, "How is she? Who is she with?"

Podrick replied, "She looks well. She's sitting with Lord Petyr Baelish."

Brienne looked confused by this information and questioned, "Littlefinger?"

Joellyn was not as surprised by this as Brienne was. Littlefinger always paid too much attention to Sansa, likely because he had loved Catelyn Stark. It worried Joellyn to know that Catelyn was dead and that Sansa was now with the man that was in love with her mother. Sansa looked enough like her mom that it was likely that Littlefinger had transferred his feelings from the mother to the daughter. It also made sense now as to how Sansa was able to escape the capital without a trace. Littlefinger had just as many spies as Varys and would have been able to arrange for Sansa to escape. He was probably behind Joffrey's murder as well.

Podrick continued describing the situation to Brienne, "Aye, Littlefinger. He's got a bunch of knights with him. Look like knights of the Vale."

Joellyn thought Brienne's eyes were going to bug out of her head with Podrick's vague description, "A bunch? What's a bunch? 100? 6? 20?"

Joellyn took over for Podrick, "I count 10, Brienne. There's too many to deal with." She didn't know how they were going to be able to approach Sansa. Littlefinger was unlikely to let his prize escape.

Brienne seemed to pause and think for a moment, so Podrick took advantage of the silence and said, "My lady, I don't think this is the right time..."

But Brienne cut him off and said, "Ready the horses."

Podrick looked like he wanted to argue, but nodded and left the table.

Joellyn sat with Brienne in silence for a moment before saying, "What are you planning?"

Brienne shook her head, "I don't know that it's really a plan," then left some money on the table to pay for their food and said, "Stay behind me. With Littlefinger here, you'll be recognized. We need to make sure you're safe too."

Joellyn nodded. She had never trusted Littlefinger anyway, so it was fine with her to stay back for a moment and let Brienne deal with the situation. However, Joellyn was eager to see Sansa and try to convince Sansa to come with them. The two got up and Joellyn followed closely behind Brienne, feeling nerves rise up in her. Would Sansa come with them? She had to think of what to say to convince Sansa to trust her, in spite of all her family had done to Sansa's. Especially since Littlefinger was the one who got her out of King's Landing. She probably trusted Littlefinger now, and that would make it harder for Joellyn to convince Sansa to come with them.

As Brienne approached the knights, the blocked her way and one said, "That's far enough."

Brienne stood taller than the knights, so she called over them and said, "Lord Baelish, Lady Sansa, my name is Brienne of Tarth."

Joellyn saw that Sansa froze in place, clearly not comfortable with being recognized. Littlefinger, however, was always a smooth speaker and said, "We've met. With Renley Baratheon. He said, 'Your loyalty came free of charge,'" then paused for a moment to survey Brienne's appearance and said, "Someone appears to have paid quite a bit for it since then."

Littlefinger motioned to the knights to let Brienne through and surprise registered in his features when he saw Joellyn behind Brienne. As Brienne got on one knee by Sansa, Littlefinger spoke again, "And now I know someone has bought your loyalty. Hello, Lady Joellyn. You are a long way from home." Joellyn felt uncomfortable with his attention, but she focused on Sansa instead.

Joellyn saw Sansa stiffen, then she turned and made eye contact with Joellyn. She saw emotion in Sansa's eyes, but was unable to read what emotion was held there. She smiled softly at Sansa before saying to Littlefinger, "Brienne's loyalty has never been paid for. She is too honorable for that. Other people can be bought and swayed, but not Brienne."

Littlefinger narrowed his eyes at Joellyn, clearly knowing that she had been talking about him. Before he had the chance to say anything back, Brienne spoke to Sansa, "Lady Sansa, before your mother's death, I was her sworn sword. I gave my word I would find you and protect you. I will shield your back and keep your council and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the old gods and new."

Sansa looked uncomfortable with all that was going on around her. She looked at all the people surrounding her, then looked to Littlefinger. It was going to be difficult to convince Sansa to come with them. Littlefinger had done too much for her already, and it broke Joellyn's heart to know there was likely nothing they could do to convince Sansa he was not trustworthy and that she should be with them.

Littlefinger spoke for Sansa, "Lady Brienne, there is no need for such formality," and motioned for Brienne to stand, which she did. He continued, "You are Catelyn Stark's sworn sword?" Brienne nodded in reply, so he continued again, "Strange. I knew Cat from the time that we were children. She never mentioned you."

Brienne paused a moment before saying, "It was after Renly's murder."

Joellyn had been pushing closer to Sansa and was now close enough to lay a hand on Sansa's shoulder. She squeezed Sansa's shoulder softly and Sansa pulled away uncomfortably. Joellyn felt her heart break all over again. Sansa still did not trust her.

Littlefinger saw the exchange and seemed pleased by it, but continued to speak to Brienne, "Ah yes, you were accused of killing him."

This set Brienne on the defensive, "I tried to save him. I was accused by men who were not there and did not see what happened."

Littlefinger questioned her, "Well, what did happen?"

This was something Joellyn had never heard Brienne talk about before. She knew that Brienne had been accused of killing Renley, but she knew Brienne well enough now to know that Brienne would never have done that. Not only was she too honorable, she loved Renley in her own way.

Brienne looked like she didn't want to answer, but said, "He was killed by a shadow. A shadow with the face of Stannis Baratheon."

Littlefinger scoffed, "A shadow? With a face?" then he turned his attention to Sansa, "This woman swore to protect Renley; she failed. She swore to protect your mother; she failed," then he turned back to Brienne, "Why would I want someone with your history of failure, and accompanied by the Lannisters of all people, guiding Lady Sansa?"

Joellyn questioned him, "And why do you get to decide who she should go with? Why should you have anything to do with her affairs?"

Brienne nodded to her, as if to confirm her questions, and Littlefinger replied, "Well, Lady Lannister...or do you go by Martell still…Regardless, I am her uncle now. I married her aunt Lysa shortly before my beloved's untimely death. We're family now, and you're both outsiders. Forgive me, but experiences have made me wary of outsiders."

Joellyn took a deep breath to steady herself, "Sansa, please let us speak with you." There was no way this was going to go the way she wanted it to.

Brienne added in, "Yes, could we have a moment alone, my lady?"

Sansa spoke for the first time in all of this, "No. I saw you at Joffrey's wedding. Bowing to the king."

Joellyn felt her heart fall as Sansa turned to her and said, "And I had already told you to not seek me out again."

Brienne's eyes reflected the sadness that Joellyn was feeling, "Neither of us wanted to be at the wedding. Sometimes we don't have a choice."

Sansa shot back, "And sometimes we do. You should both leave."

Joellyn said softly, "Sansa, I have been worried about you."

Sansa looked back at her, and Joellyn saw that tears were starting to form, "You should not have been. Your family has done enough already. You really should leave."

As Sansa turned away, Joellyn knew that it was over. Sansa was not going to go with her and Brienne. She felt that she could trust Littlefinger and, as much as Joellyn knew it was a mistake, there would be no way to change her mind right now. Joellyn nodded, though Sansa could not see her and said softly, "As you wish, my friend." Giving her what she wanted was the only thing she could do to begin gaining her trust again.

She went to turn away, but the knights blocked her and Brienne as Littlefinger said, "Now, we don't want our new friend wandering the countryside alone. These roads aren't safe. Why don't you stay, Lady Brienne? And Lady Joellyn, I'm sure your sister would be interested to know about your whereabouts, since you did disappear from the capital so close to your brother's escape and your father's death."

Joellyn felt her discomfort go from a tolerable level to pure anxiety. Littlefinger would send Cersei news about her if he felt like it was in his best interest, and he would likely be rewarded for sending information about her runaway sister. Brienne pushed toward the knights again as one of the knights said, "He asked you to stay."

Brienne looked at Joellyn nodded toward the knights. Joellyn read the situation and realized what Brienne was about to do. Brienne was going to fight her way out. Joellyn looked to Sansa one more time then nodded to Brienne. Joellyn watched Brienne elbow the knight in the face and then knock the other two knights out of the way as she grabbed Joellyn by the shoulder and pushed her forward saying, "Find Pod!"

Joellyn didn't need to be told twice. She knew how to fight, but Oberyn had not taught her how to fight when a man was wearing armor to defend himself. She ran out of the inn and found Podrick with the two horses. She yelled, "Podrick, we have to leave. Now!"

Podrick acted quickly and helped her up on the horse then jumped on the horse in front her. They saw Brienne rush out of the inn. She used the sword Jaime had given her to cut through the post that horses were tied off to and scared the horses away. She ran over to the two of them, mounted the remaining horse and then took off. Joellyn held onto Podrick. She was use to riding horses, especially after all this time on the road with Brienne and Podrick, but she was not comfortable with being on a horse, with another rider, going this fast.

Podrick followed after Brienne into the woods. Joellyn could tell that Podrick was struggling with controlling the horse, but had to trust that he would get them to safety. Unfortunately, when Joellyn looked up, she saw that Brienne took one fork in the road and Podrick, unable to control their horse, took a different one. She head Brienne yell, "Podrick!" but Brienne was soon far away from them and Joellyn knew that they were one their own.

Podrick kept struggling to stop the horse and turn around, and Joellyn, in frustration, yelled, "Podrick, we have to turn back! Don't you know how to ride a horse?"

Podrick yelled back at her, "I'm trying to stop us, my lady. The horse isn't listening!" She simply could not understand how Podrick still struggled with the horse this much.

They soon came to a river and Podrick yelled, "Stop! Stop! Stop!" pulling on the reins. The horse entered the water, splashing water up on them, but the horse finally did stop. Joellyn breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Thank the gods." She saw Podrick nod in response to her statement and turned the horse around to go back on shore. Unfortunately, Podrick struggled with the horse some more, and it reared back and the two of them fell off, Podrick landing right on top of Joellyn.

Joellyn sat in the water for a moment, not believing what all had just happened. They had found Sansa, but she was with Littlefinger and did not trust them. Then they had to escape because Littlefinger would likely have used his knights to send them back to the capital, which would not have been safe for any of the three of them. The hope that Joellyn had felt this morning while getting ready had been squashed out. Podrick got off of her quickly, stood, and offered a hand to help her up as he said, "I'm sorry, my lady."

Joellyn took his hand and shook her head, "I'm the one that is sorry, Pod. I should not have yelled at you."

Podrick shrugged as they began trying to follow the horse, but as they entered the woods again they saw a knight not too far away from them. Podrick quickly pushed Joellyn behind him and picked up a large rock. She was impressed with the bravery that he was showing, but it was likely not going to keep either of them from being killed. Podrick threw the rock at the knight, but missed by a long shot.

The knight laughed, "I guess that means you're unarmed," then pulled out his sword before saying, "Means it'll be easier to kill you then have a little fun with your friend here." Joellyn felt nausea coming on. His definition of fun was certainly not going to be fun for her.

As the knight began rushing toward them, she heard Brienne yell from behind them, "Down, get down!"

Joellyn reacted faster than Podrick and crouched down and rolled out of the way. Podrick was slower to react, but had soon gotten out of the way as well. Brienne used Oathkeeper to easily dispense of the first knight, then another knight soon came up on them. They fought for a moment before Oathkeeper broke the other knight's sword into pieces and Brienne was able to stab him through the neck. As the knight fell from his horse, Brienne said calmly, "Podrick, Joellyn, you can stand now."

The both stood slowly and Podrick asked, "Sansa Stark?" Joellyn tried hard to not look at the knights dead on the ground. Death was not something she was ever going to get use to after having to see Oberyn's death.

Joellyn shook her head to answer Podrick's question and shake away memories of Oberyn's death, "Wary of strangers, as she should be. She's not stupid."

Brienne nodded and added, "When we separated, I saw her riding on the East Trail with Littlefinger. We'll be able to follow behind them."

Joellyn nodded, feeling relieved that they at least knew where Sansa was going, even if it still hurt that Sansa refused to trust her. Podrick didn't look as relieved as he said, "My lady, both Stark girls refused your service. Maybe you're released from your vow."

Brienne a chance to respond and Joellyn responded quickly in anger, "You cannot be serious, Podrick! Just because they refused Brienne's service doesn't mean that they don't need help still. We may not know where Arya is, but we can follow behind Sansa and make sure that Littlefinger doesn't do anything to hurt her. You can't trust her with Littlefinger, can you?"

Podrick shook his head then bowed his head. Brienne spoke softly, "Joellyn is right. I swore that I would protect them, but that is not the only reason I still want to follow Sansa. Littlefinger cannot be trusted. She's not safe with him."

Podrick nodded, "Aye, my ladies."

Joellyn felt a little bad for her outburst, but not bad enough to apologize. Podrick had suggested that the abandon Sansa, tuck tail, and abandon their mission. That was not going to happen.

Brienne said, "Pod, go get your horse. Joellyn, with me."

As they mounted the horses and took off again, Joellyn found a little bit of comfort in knowing that they were on Sansa's trail, but it was still hard to know that Sansa was with Littlefinger and all they could do was follow.

Joellyn said quietly to Brienne, "Thank you for not giving up on her."

Brienne was silent for a moment before saying, "Thank you for agreeing that we should continue on."

As silence fell over them again, Joellyn only hoped that they would be able to monitor Sansa from a distance and keep her safe that way. Maybe one day, Littlefinger would break her trust enough to send Sansa back to them and then they could take her to safety.