Rain fell in fat blobs from the dark clouds above the two riders, Brienne had not spoken a single word since she and Pod had left Winterfell. In the pit of her stomach Brienne felt the shadow of something terrible, as she looked up to the darkened sky she whispered a silent prayer for her friends, Sansa and Jon but allowed herself to think of Tormund. The familiar tugging in her heart that told her to go at full gallop back to Winterfell, if her mission in Riverrun was unsuccessful then they would likely march without her and if the Starks lost to the Boltons she would likely return to a mirage of horrors. Brienne pushed the morbid thoughts from her mind, returning her gaze back to Pod and she noticed that he was humming 'Bear and Maiden Fair' and flashbacks of when the Boltons locked her in an 'arena' to watch her fight a bear with no armour just a silly pink dress and a wooden broadsword. All around her, jeering faces sang that song as a literal bear was taking her apart, chunk by chunk. That was when Jaime had appeared and saved her, he jumped down and got her out of the pit. Brienne not often played the 'damsel in distress' and she certainly did not enjoy it.

Snapping back to the present, Brienne curled her lip at Pod, "Pod. Stop singing that song" she commanded, Pod pulled an expression of vague hurt before resuming his usual blank appearance. She nodded and as the forest opened up to the south, they pair pushed their mounts into a gallop across the open plains.

For two days the pair rode through sunshine and small showers of rain, by the time they got to Riverrun they were soaked through and shivering. As they got to the top of the hill it became apparent that the mission was going to be complex from the start, low and behold before them sat a fully equipped Lannister war camp. "It looks like a siege, my lady" Pod said as he cast his eyes across the many tents that spread out before them.

Brienne pulled an expression of mild annoyance "you have a keen military mind Pod" she said, her voice thick with sarcasm. She straightened in her saddle as she noticed Jaime Lannister commanding troops below them, two riders approached them and they stopped a few metres away from them.

"Who goes there?" the demanded, their red and gold embroidered flag waving in the gentle wind. "State your business!"

"I am Brienne of Tarth, inform Jaime Lannister I have arrived and wish to speak with him" she commanded, "tell him I have his sword" her expression and stature not giving an inch and the riders looked to one another before decisively rode towards the largest tent that was closest to the drawbridge.

Brienne dismounted and she marched into the tent, her blue eyes wide with anticipation. She left leaving Pod to be ambushed by Bron, it was a nice distraction for him, he did not have many friends outside King's Landing.

In the tent Brienne stood awkwardly at the entrance, Jaime turned to see her and as recognition set in a warm smile graced his fair features. "Leave us" he commanded and he turned to face the tall blonde warrior who entered his tent, "Lady Brienne, an unexpected visit" he said with a smile, Jaime only had fondness for the warrior who stood before him. He was surprised that she still carried 'Oathkeeper', but more surprised to see her alive. "How did you extract Sansa from Winterfell? I didn't think you'd find her; I had thought her dead by now" he said, his voice and body language clearly showing that he was impressed with her feats. But his words were only met with a sneer,

"Why would you think that?" she scoffed,

"In my experience, girls like her do not last very long-"

"I do not think you know many girls like her" she cut in, admittedly when Brienne had first seen Sansa she had been a mere child, but since she had left King's Landing Sansa's time with Littlefinger had been invaluable. The growth made Brienne's chest swell with pride, Sansa was a strong young woman and the world would tremble beneath her feet.

Jaime nodded, "well, I'm proud of you Brienne" he said warmly, Brienne averted her gaze not quite sure what to make of this, "I truly am, you kept your vows to Catelyn against all odds" he stated, as he raised his hand to the pommel of his sword. "Of course, my sister wants Sansa dead in regards to Joffrey's murder" Jaimie walked around the large wooden war table and stood before her, his gaze softening, "so there is that… complication" he said with a raised brow. Brienne stood fast, the grip tightening on Oathkeeper. "So what the hell are you doing here?" He enquired calmly, she told him she wanted the 'Blackfish' and the Tully armies to aid Sansa's conquest to win back Winterfell.

"The Tully army is a tad preoccupied at the moment, I need to take Riverrun which is currently being held by Tully rebels. Do you see the conundrum?" He stated, Brienne huffed and it was her turn to raise her eyebrows at him.

"They are fighting for their home"

"It is no longer their home, it was given to the Freys by royal decree-"

"Yes, as a reward for betraying Robb Stark and slaughtering his family!"

"Exactly" Jaime finished bluntly. Brienne was lost for words, once she had idolised him but it would seem when his hand was removed, his honour was removed with it. But then again, his honour had always been questioned. Jaime sensed Brienne's deep-rooted disapproval for his involvement in Robb Stark's death, "We should not argue about politics" he sighed as he turned away from Brienne and dissolved the argument.

"You are a knight Ser Jaime, I know there is honour in you" she said softly, she meant the words that she spoke. He would not have saved her from almost certain gang-rape at the hands of the Boltons if he did not have honour. "I have seen it mys-"

"I am a Lannister, don't ask me to betray my own house" he said firmly. But Brienne was impatient, she had other reasons to return to Castle Black that the Tully army. For a moment, she allowed herself to think of Tormund fondly, but quickly snapped out of it. Her negotiations must go well, and for that to happen she must focus.

"I do no such thing" she assured, "take Riverrun without bloodshed, ride south with your mission complete and your army intact" her chin was held high, but Jaime only looked perplexed.

"What do you propose?" he asked,

"Allow me to ride in under a banner of truce, let me try to persuade the Blackfish to give up the castle"

"But how will you get him to leave his ancestral home?" he asked, confusion washing over his handsome face,

"Because you will allow him to take his Tully forces safely North" Brienne felt quite hopeful for this mission, Jaime exhaled in exasperation.

"Have you ever met the Blackfish? He is more stubborn than you are" he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Alright, you can try and talk some sense into the old goat. He won't listen, but his men might" he told her as he moved back to the other side of the table "not everyone wants to die for someone else's castle." But as he walked, Brienne said something that made him freeze,

"I want your word that if I can persuade the Tully army to leave that they have safe passage north" Jaime nodded and gave his word that they would be safe if they left before sundown. Brienne set her jaw at his last-minute addition to his promise. She nodded and before leaving the tent she unbuckled the leather that held Oathkeeper, Jaime watched in disdain as she held the sword out to him, "You gave me this sword with a purpose, I have fulfilled that promise" she stated.

"It is yours" Jaime said simply, "and it will always be yours"

Brienne nodded and began to walk out of the tent, "one thing Ser Jaime, should I fail to persuade the Blackfish to surrender and if you attack the castle, my honour commands that I fight for Sansa's kin" she said with volition. Jaime was no longer the knight he once was now that he had lost his sword hand, Brienne would kill him before his unsheathed his weapon, should it come to that. "To fight you"

Jaime pulled an expression of uncertainty, an appearance that was not often seen by the Kingslayer. "Let us hope that it does not come to that" he sighed, Jaime knew that would be a battle he would not win. With all said and done, Brienne took her leave to go to the castle. As she got to the stables, she found Bronn pinning Pod into the mud. Brienne half chuckled, half sneered at the two, "come Pod, let's go" she huffed as she swung herself into the saddle. Pod scrambled up from the dirt, Bron stuck his leg out and watched with a smug look before meeting eyes with Brienne's glare before darting off. Once Pod had dusted himself off, the pair made their way out of the stables and towards the large drawbridge.

All Brienne could do as she watched the bridge come down was hope and pray that this would go well, gods know this could go horribly wrong.