"I saw the lovely ending you gave to my entry," he says as soon as walks in. His grin is amused, but it doesn't entirely reach his eyes.
She unsheathes her sword and hangs right beside his. "What of it?"
He goes to help her with her armour. "It was alright until that last sentence. Died protecting his Queen?" His face contorts in disgust.
"I couldn't write anything that went against Tyrion's lie," she reminds him softly. "You know his scheme."
"His and the King's, you mean," he adds as the last piece of armour goes off. He offers her his hand. "I can't believe he was so willing to help me, after—" He doesn't need to finish that sentence. She very well knows what he's talking about.
He guides her to their bed, where they sit. As his hand caresses hers, she's taken back to that fateful day in Winterfell, and everything that happened afterwards and led them here.
She went back to her room, but didn't fall back asleep, afraid to close her eyes and relive that nightmare all over again. Besides, her tears and sobs wouldn't allow her sleep anyway.
When morning came, she didn't bother looking at the mirror as she helped herself with her armour—the one he gifted her, the one he helped her in and out of it during these days. She presented herself to Lady Sansa as if nothing had happened, and it's not until breakfast that she broke the news. "Ser Jaime left Winterfell," she told her, her brother Bran and Pod.
Her squire's eyes went wide, but the Stark siblings looked impassive. "We knew," Lady Sansa replied.
"It was my idea," Bran added. Before she could ask what he meant, he went on. "I am not a greenseer; I cannot see the future. However, with information about the past and the present, I can make very good guesses, almost as good as a greenseer—in fact, one would argue it's better, as my predictions are not enigmatic and ambiguous prophecies nobody understands until it unfolds before their eyes.
"That being said, I saw what has happened in the south. Cersei Lannister and Euron Greyjoy took advantage of our time here to perfect their weapons against the dragons, and Missandei's death left the Dragon Queen highly unstable in her grief. Anything can happen, but the Lion Queen has a real chance of winning."
Brienne frowned. "I… I don't understand," she said. "Ser Jaime, he—"
"I know what he told you," he cut her off, his voice softer than she ever heard before—more human than she ever heard before. "Personally, I think he was a bit too harsh, but I suppose I shouldn't judge when he did exactly what I advised him to do."
"W—what?"
Lady Sansa spoke over her brother. "After I delivered Ser Jaime news of the south, he went to speak to Bran. Apparently, he had assumed he'd die in the Long Night, thanks to my brother's own words." At that, she glanced at the Three-Eyed Raven.
He shrugged. "I asked him how he knew there was an after. I only meant I had no idea, so neither could he have it. It isn't my fault he interpreted my words in the most disastrous way possible."
"It nearly killed him," his sister replied, sounding like this wasn't the first time they talked about it. She turned back to Brienne. "Ser Jaime asked my brother if there was anything he could do. Bran instructed him to go alone to King's Landing to meet Cersei and find a way to bring her demise."
That startled Brienne. "Is he going to… kill her?"
"Perhaps," Bran replied. "Or perhaps he will abduct her and hand her to Daenerys. I sent a raven to Tyrion this morning. Ser Jaime is bound to cross her army's camp on his way to the capital, and it's unlikely they'll let him pass." She nodded in agreement. "I instructed Tyrion to guide him out of the Red Keep under the guise of running away with his sister—just in case someone overhears them talking."
"Wouldn't it be better if they overhear the two brothers talking about killing her?"
"Nobody would trust Jaime Lannister to kill his sister and former lover," Lady Sansa explained. "Especially when so few of them are aware you two got together here. And Tyrion has publicly shown a soft spot for her after she told him she was pregnant."
That was news to Brienne. "Is she?"
"No," Bran replied. "Ser Jaime had his suspicions and asked me to look. I don't know if she lost it or if she never had it to begin with, but the point remains that Daenerys will find it hard to believe that the Lannister brothers would conspire to kill their sister. Even if it brings complications to both of them, it's better to pretend they are conspiring to save her instead."
"But it's just to get Ser Jaime out," Lady Sansa repeated. "Whether he brings Cersei alive or dead, or leaves her in the castle to be found, this escape route is for him alone."
"We don't know what will happen," Bran repeated as well. "So I had to plan a way out in case Ser Jaime isn't seen killing or abducting Cersei. It is entirely possible that he has to run away, or fake his death. And that's when you come in."
She frowned once more. "Me?"
"We all know King's Landing won't survive this battle intact," Lady Sansa replied. "We need no powers to predict that. The realm needs to be rebuilt, and we'll need important figures."
"You are one of our most famous heroes of the Long Night," Bran added. "You and Podrick."
"There are many famous heroes," she argued, "many of whom are still alive."
"Yes," he agreed, "but you two are our best options to lead the Kingsguard."
Podrick choked on his saliva. Brienne rushed to help him. As he calmed down, Bran went on. "Ser Brienne is heir to Tarth. Its sole heir. But I don't need any special ability to tell Podrick needs guidance before taking charge of the Kingsguard."
"It'd be an honor," Pod gasped. "But—no, I'm not ready today."
"Which is why we are offering a temporary position for Brienne," Lady Sansa said with a smile. "Bran instructed Ser Jaime to go to Tarth after his work was done. Your task is to take over the Kingsguard for a few months, finish his entry as if he was dead, and give him shelter in your home. I assume you'd have no problem with it?"
No, she had no problem at all with protecting the man she loved. But… "Let me just make one thing clear," she said. "All the things he said to me… he didn't mean them?"
"No," Lord Bran replied firmly. "He even rehearsed them to me to sound remotely convincing. He hated the idea of leaving you, but he hated the possibility of Cersei winning and you dying even more. You couldn't follow him, I warned, and he agreed. If his sister even suspects you are near him… You may be able to defend yourself most of the time, Ser, but you'd be powerless against Cersei's preferred methods. Ser Jaime is painfully aware of this, which is why he was willing to break your heart and keep you safe here."
Staying in Winterfell, waiting for any news on Jaime, was torture. Lady Sansa released her from her vows and told her she was her guest, unobliged to do a single thing. She knighted Pod and helped with reconstruction, if only to distract herself from thinking of all possible tragic ends.
Hearing news from Bran nearly broke her heart.
"Ser Jaime fought Euron Greyjoy and got stabbed before reaching the Red Keep," he began. "He found Cersei as the castle began to crumble under dragonfire."
"Dragonfire?"
"Daenerys snapped," he said with a heavy sigh, "and launched her dragon onto the city. Ser Jaime guided his sister through the tunnels, claiming he knew how to escape. I don't know if he did this on purpose, but he led her to a section where all exists were blocked. He held her and murmured soothing words as the castle fell on their heads."
She sobbed. Her Jaime was dead and gone, and they were not allowed a last kiss, a last hug. She never told him she loved him.
"Tyrion found them afterwards," Bran said, calling her attention back to him. "Cersei was dead, but Ser Jaime wasn't." She gasped. "He's now currently under care of a healer who survived the city's destruction. No one in the healing camp knows who he is, and Tyrion told everyone both of his siblings died."
"How is he?"
"Recovering. I'm no maester or healer, but it seems that he is out of danger."
She smiled, but it fell when she remembered the rest of his plan. "How am I supposed to take over the Kingsguard temporarily, my lord?" She asked. "I know Ser Barristan Selmy, as well as Ser Jaime himself, were dismissed in recent history, but one can easily argues this was done by usurper kings."
"Indeed," he agreed. "But trust me, Ser, you'll soon find a very good and valid reason to be dismissed."
His tone made her insides twist, but she said nothing in reply.
She raises her other hand to cup his cheek and brings him closer to kiss him. "They did it for us," she whispers to his mouth. "All of us."
As always when the subject is mentioned, he smiles wide and bends down to kiss her (still flat) stomach. She takes the opportunity to bury her hand into his hair and massage his scalp. He slowly rests his head on her lap. "From roaring lion to lazy house cat," she teases.
"The roaring lion is supposed to be dead," he reminds in an equally teasing tone. "I have to skinchange now." They chuckle, but soon his face turns solemn. "How are we going to keep this up? The baby, your vows…"
"I told you, Bran knew before I did." She no longer shudders at the memory of his words, but it still startles her to have been so seen—to have somebody notice the life growing inside her before she did. "My service in his Kingsguard is temporary, only so Pod can grow more comfortable with his new knighthood."
He smiles. "He'll be a great Lord Commander," he says softly. "What, then? Tarth?"
"Well, I do have duties to fulfill there," she replies, smiling. "Along with a lazy house cat to give shelter to."
He actually purrs in response. "Will you cloak me with your colors?" He asks softly, with only a small bit of teasing mixed. "Will I take your name? I do like the sound of Jaime Tarth."
"So do I," she admits. "And I think you'll look dashing in blue and pink."
"I'm always dashing," he teases fully now, even winking. Then, he sits up and pulls her close, until her head is resting on his collarbone, and his chin is on her hair. "Thank you," he whispers. "I love you. Both of you."
His stump is on her belly. She caresses it and kisses his chest. "We love you too," she whispers back.
He hugs her tighter, and she smiles against his skin. There are many uncertainties still, many questions to be answered, but, whatever happens, her future looks bright with joy and love. All else is secondary.