The pair were nigh-on shouting by the time they found their release, outside their door passing guards paused in their morning watch at the noise before continuing on their way with a smile. Brienne nuzzled into Tormund's chest, she bore a satisfied smile as he wrapped his strong arms around her, Brienne noted that few men could hold her this way without her looking like a giant. They had not spoken since they had separated, allowing a comfortable silence to fall over them. Brienne cleared her throat to clear the silence,
"Tormund… what do we do now?" she asked timidly, suddenly aware of how bare she was as she crossed her arms over her chest. Tormund looked down at her, brushing a stray golden hair out of her face,
"You have to ride to Riverrun to play messenger, we will talk about it when you return" he said, but the words bore no comfort to Brienne as they conveyed nothing of certainty. Seeing the look of doubt on her face, he pulled one of his necklaces over his head. It was a large animal tooth that was embroidered with fine black leather and small pale stones, he ran his finger over the smooth surface of the tooth before placing it around Brienne's neck,
"This was my mother's necklace, she gave it to me before she died" he paused, the warm memories of his mother flooding his mind, the smallest of smiles crept onto the corner of Tormund's mouth, "she was a fierce warrior too, I want you to have the necklace" he said quietly, not sure what Brienne would make of the gesture. He lifted his gaze and found that she was flattered by the gift, Brienne pushed herself up and sat up on the edge of the bed, the pendant sitting perfectly between her rounded breasts. Baring a pretty smile, she turned her body to face Tormund behind her,
"Thank you Tormund, I will keep it safe" she said gleefully, her smile fading as she remembered her task. Packing and then leaving to go south. Brienne didn't want to leave in the first place, but with recent developments she could already feeling the tugging that told her to stay and just send a raven but she was commanded by her Lady, and so to Riverrun she must go. "I must continue to pack, I have to leave soon if I am to make it in good time to Riverrun" she whispered as she began gathering up her clothes.
Tormund nodded, he understood how she felt, he didn't want her to leave either. Taking back Riverrun sounded like a big achievement, it surely would have drawn unwanted attention and that always means trouble. Brienne was capable, but she wasn't immortal, not everyone has the 'Lord of Light' on their side and the thought of losing her left a pitfall feeling in his stomach. Tormund sat up on the bed beside Brienne, planting a soft kiss on her bare shoulder before making a start on redressing himself while Brienne did the same. Once they were dressed, an awkward silence fell over the pair, neither of them wanted to go but Tormund wasn't going to distract her from her duties. He would never forgive himself if he caused her to make a mistake that cost her life.
"I will return to my quarters so you can pack in peace" he said as he walked over to her, Tormund cupped her face gently with his hands as softly as he could before he pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was hot, and needy but it was also filled with something else, a silent prayer from the both of them for each other's safety. "Stay safe, I will see you when you return" he stated before turning and making his way to the door, he looked back with a smile and made his way to his quarters.
The room felt huge and lonely now that Tormund was no longer in it, Brienne hurriedly packed her bags and then called for Pod to help her with her armour. A short while later Pod rapped his knuckles on the wood, she could hear his panting breath from the other side of the solid wood door from running from his quarters to hers. She called him in and within fifteen minutes she was fully armoured and ready for travel. Brienne walked into the courtyard with Pod, pulling her leather gloves over her chilled hands. Whilst checking the various straps on her equipment, she allowed herself to scan over the courtyard in hope of seeing Tormund before she went but alas he was nowhere to be seen, and her heart sank for it. Brienne frowned as Sansa strode over to her, she put her foot in the stirrup and swung herself onto the large grey horse. He was a magnificent beast, tall and strong but not too heavy either, another one of Jaime Lannister's gifts. Brienne looked down to the red haired girl who forced a smile for her, Sansa was sad to see Brienne go. They had become fast friends since they left Winterfell together,
"Good luck Brienne, I will pray that you return safely to us" she said, resting a small, warm hand on Brienne's leg. Brienne nodded,
"I will do everything I can to get you the army you need my Lady" Brienne stated, placing her hand over Sansa's, pausing a moment before trotting out of the courtyard with Pod in tow, soon disappearing into the snow-dusted trees.
Tormund sat in the archer's tower above the gate, he absent-mindedly carved at a chunk of wood as he watched the pair make their way south. He had wanted to say goodbye in the courtyard, but it was a public display of affection that he wasn't ready for. It had been long since he had loved a woman, the mother of his two daughters was his first but she fell to the cold. He could not bear another loss, but the compulsion to be around Brienne was intoxicating, he found himself constantly marvelling at her many strengths. Tormund smiled, recalling fond memories of a few hours beforehand. Even though he had no gods, Tormund found himself praying that Brienne would return to him unscathed.