The next day, Jaime paid a visit to his brother Tyrion in the dungeons, in order to give him the news.

"I'm not doing it for your brother." Brienne's words kept haunting Jaime every moment of everyday since she said them.

The fight was planned for tomorrow. Jaime was happy to have found someone to defend Tyrion, even thought it wasn't him and he hadn't really found anybody. He also followed his gut feeling and didn't tell anyone that Tyrion had now a champion for his trial; fearing his father or sister might attempt something.

"A woman?" said Tyrion in astonishment; almost choking on the wine he was drinking after hearing the news. "The one you told me about? The one who served in Renly's Kingsguard and brought you back to King's Landing?"

"The very same" answered Jaime.

"Well…" said Tyrion "I didn't see that one coming. Of course, I'm grateful but I still can't believe Bronn would betray me like this"

"You're too trusting dear brother. He's a sellsword"

"He was my friend," said Tyrion

"He made you believe he was." Said Jaime "He was after your money and you know it."

Silence filled the cell, as both brothers did nothing more than drink wine from the skin Jaime had smuggled in.

"So," said Tyrion "So, you've seen her fight; do I have a chance to keep my head?"

Jaime hesitated before answering. He remembered the first time he saw her, how he made fun of her for carrying two swords and for being tall, manly and… Gods, what a fool he was back then.

Yet, Jaime would always remember the way she push him away when the Stark men recognized him; how she fought the urge to kill the men immediately for making fun her. Smart and noble Brienne, always calm and righteous and strong…

She killed the first two in the blink of an eye with him standing on the side, shocked by what he had just witnessed. The woman fought like a true knight, as if she was born with a sword in her hand. And then, without mercy, she gutted the last one.

"I don't fight for the Starks," she had told him then. And it was the truth

Jaime wondered for whom she was fighting now.

Then they fought together; actually it was more him who was fighting her than them fighting together. Nothing like when she started sparing with him near the sea.

"You're good," he said to her, "Graceless, but good"

"Jaime?" said Tyrion, thus breaking his reverie "Jaime...Are you still there?"

"What? "Spat Jaime "Sorry, I was elsewhere."

"I can see that. So, any thoughts?"

"She's a brilliant fighter. She's strong and fierce and I trust her with my life…but"

"But she's fighting the Mountain." Said Tyrion

Jaime simply nodded.

"I fear I've lead her to her death"

Or worst, that she's doing it only to repay me for saving her from being raped, he thought to himself.

"Well, we'll have to wait and see then." Said Tyrion "I'm very grateful for what you've done for me."

"Nonsense, I'm your brother." Said Jaime

" I would have done you know. If it wasn't for this…" Jaime added whilst showing off his stump.

"I know and I'm grateful anyways."

A moment of silence filled the room.

"Father might forbid it you know. Once the word gets around about who my champion is, not a knight and secondly, a woman."

Jaime didn't answer. He knew Tyrion was right. The minute their father learnt the identity of his brother's champion he would put an end to it immediately.

"You know what this means Jaime, right?" asked Tyrion "It's a wonder she accepted this venture. I don't even know her."

"She didn't accept anything. She volunteered. And what exactly do you mean brother?"

"Well, she's certainly not fighting for me, that's for sure."

"I'm not doing it for your brother."

"I'm not doing it for your brother."

Gods, Jaime wished the words would stop ringing in his head.

"Brienne is not like that."

"Are you sure?"

Yes. Jaime thought to himself.

Then again, No, no I'm not.

With that, Jaime stood up, took a last sip a wine before throwing the skin back to his brother.

"We won't tell anyone who's your champion." Said Jaime "We'll invent a name so she can keep her identity secret. Then, father won't be able to do anything."

"The look on his face will be worth everything" said Tyrion

"I must go, I have things to prepare for tomorrow." Said Jaime

He then knelt to his brother level.

"I will see you tomorrow little brother." He said "I will see you tomorrow alive."

I hope some of you out there still enjoy this story. I would love your feedback

Cath