Brienne

Jaime pulled her into his arms and Brienne responded for sure. She was glad that he did this. "I love you too," she heard him whisper in her ear, and she smiled a little at these words.

"Don't ever think that I do not believe in you," she answered him. "Because I do for a long time and I will believe and trust you, okay?"

"Okay," she felt him nodding a little, and when he finally ended the embrace, he looked like he was about to cry again. But he cleared his throat and took a deep breath to calm himself.

"It's okay if you feel like you need to..." Brienne started to say when Jaime began to talk.

"No. It's alright. I need to clear my head," he argued, but Brienne shook her head. Some things needed to be spoken. Even she did that. But Jamie hid all the things that hurt him somewhere in his mind. Brienne knew it was important to talk about this stuff.

"I think you shouldn't push all these things in the back of your mind."

"I always did that Brienne. Why shouldn't I do that again? I need to talk to Queen Daenerys, to Jon Snow. They need to know what's going on. When I did that, I still can grieve. I still can think about what happens next, if they don't decide to kill me."

Brienne looked at him with wide eyes. She couldn't believe what he was saying there.

"They won't kill you. You're there to help the North, to fight with them, they won't do that."

He smiled in disbelieve. "You don't know that Brienne. You don't."

"I know that I won't accept that. I will speak for you. I will vouch for you. You have honor, you did the right thing, even if it's late."

She wanted to protect him, his life with every bit. He needed to know that he still was a father.

"I've always been a late man Brienne. Maybe I'm too late now."

"You are not!" Brienne accented louder than before, she wasn't angry, but she wanted to make her words very clear to him.

"You are not too late, we will fight together against these White Walkers and then we need to talk, you need to grieve. But you will make it, and I will make sure of it!"

"Brienne..."

"No, Ser Jaime. If it's not for me, then make sure to stay alive, because the reason I offer you will be enough for you. Enough to want to stay alive." She stood up from the bed promptly, headed to the table, where Podrick put the food for Jaime.

"You need to eat, then we can head to the north."

"Brienne wait, please." Jaime slid to the edge of the bed and watched her back. "I will make sure. Whatever you need to tell me can wait. I'm worn out, and I know that, but I'll pull myself together...for you."

Jaime

Jaime knew he hurt her, he knew he wasn't in the best condition. But Jaime knew he wanted to be with Brienne when all these things ended. He was glad that she found him, she made him feel worth at least a little bit.

How she wanted to protect him, it warmed his heart in a way he never thought was possible.

When he stood up, he felt a little dizzy, but it went away with the first step he took to Brienne's direction.

"Don't be angry with me, Brienne. I'm sorry."

Brienne just nodded and mentioned to the plate with food for him.

"Eat then. As soon as you are ready, we will leave this tavern and ride to Winterfell."

"Brienne, please, look at me."

She sighed and turned around, watched him with a calm expression. "What is it?" She asked him with a silent voice when he reached out to her hand, she didn't pull away.

"I hurt you with my words, I know that. But I meant what I said. I love you Brienne, and I will pull myself together for you. Don't be mad at me."

"I'm not angry, not anymore." At least, she was honest with him. She smiled at him, and he nodded while he responded her smile.

"I'm an idiot. Like you told me. I have to find a new way from now on. I thought it would be far easier."

"It's alright. As long as you apologize and let me know what's wrong."

Jaime nodded. He would try, for her.

"Thank you, Milady. I will do my very best."

He would do it, be the man she knew. He could do it.

Eventually, he sat down at the table and began to eat.

Brienne

While she put her armor on, she watched Jaime eating. She hoped he would honestly pull himself together. Brienne would stand for him, fight for him if it was needed. But he needed to fight too. She couldn't save him when he decided there was nothing worth living for.

"I know you are watching me. What is it?" Jaime asked between two bites, and Brienne could feel how she blushed.

"I'm worried. That's all."

Jaime looked up at her a little smile on his face which reached his eyes.

"I'm glad to know, Milady. But you don't have to..."

"Nothing someone says before the word but really counts," Brienne argued. "I do, and I have to. I want to. Nothing to discuss here."

Jaime looked at her, stunned, then faced his food again and ate the last bits.

"Thank you..." Was all he said after he pushed the plate away. She just nodded and waited for him, while she put on her sword. There was nothing more to say.

When he had finished his meal, he put his clothes, his golden hand on and the three of them headed to the north.

It was a long journey until they reached Winterfell. It wasn't boring after all. Brienne and Jaime shared their tent every night. They hadn't sexual intercourse, but at least, they were together, and Brienne enjoyed every minute with Jaime. He got more like himself with every day. Some days, even she felt how free he was, free of his sister's ghost. And Brienne couldn't be more pleased about it, she thanked the Seven every morning and every night for that.

And in Kingslanding? A Queen decided it was time for her twin brother to die. She sent out men to find Jaime Lannister, and to kill him.

Queen Cersei poured herself some wine and, satisfied with herself, she sat down on the Iron Throne, a mad smile on her face, one hand laid protectively on her belly. At least, something of Jaime was left in her.