In the courtyard resounded a chorus of blows and grunts. The fighters snorted, gasped, and swung blunt swords at each other under the watchful eye of the master-at-arms, a hulking man with a chest as broad as a bull's. The men of House Stark had been joined by Lannister bannermen and the queen's Dothraki. He saw that the Boar was fighting single combat against Sandor Clegane surrounded by cheering soldiers.

"The Hound will win," thought Jaime. He moved away from the noise of the courtyard, passed under a covered bridge and crossed a second courtyard where his men had pitched their tents.

He liked that atmosphere. He felt more comfortable among soldiers than in the court, and his men seemed comfortable with him as well. By a fire, three crossbowmen offered him a bowl of stew for breakfast. Next to another, a young knight asked him for advice on how best to defend himself against a flail. Further along, by the rake, he watched as two northern wenches learned to joust on the shoulders of a pair of soldiers. The girls were half-drunk, giggling and throwing blows at each other with rolled-up cloaks while a dozen men cheered them on. Jaime bet a copper star on the young woman riding Raff the Sweetling.

It never ceased to amaze him that Northmen and Lannisters seemed to have put aside the hostilities they had maintained since the War of the Five Kings. Perhaps fear of the dead had twinned the living.

''Fear and Daenerys'' - he thought.

It was evident to all that the queen had a certain... personal charming. He had dreamed of her sometime. In his dream they were always husband and wife, simple people living a simple life in a stone house in the middle of the countryside. In his dream they loved each other and didn't have to hide it from anyone.

It was another woman, a much more bigger , who came to greet him.

- Ser Jaime - she bowed slightly.
- I did not think I would see you again so soon, my lady - ''gods, she looks ten years older than when we said goodbye. And what happened to her face?'' - Were you wounded? -
- A bite - she brought her hand to the hilt of the sword he had given her. You entrusted me with a mission, my lord.
- And you have accomplished it, against all odds - replied Jaime - The Stark girls have returned home -
- So they have - answered Brienne, the Maid of Tarth - And you... Have you come to fight? -
- Who would have thought it, right? - he managed a smile - It seems the gods have willed that we die protecting the Stark girls -
- We may win," Brienne said, "we must at least try.
- That's the stubborn, idiotic wench I remembered -

She turned red.

- My name is... -
- Brienne of Tarth - Jaime sighed - Look what I've brought -

Jaime unsheathed his sword.

- Is it Valyrian steel? Where did you get it? -
- It was Joffrey's - he answered - Widow's Wail. An absurd name, if you ask me, but the blade is still sharp, it was forged from the same steel as your sword, so we will be defending Ned Stark's castle with Ned Stark's steel.

Brienne looked at the sword with eyes like saucers.

- Don't you train with the others? - they were interrupted by a voice behind them.

They turned to meet Arya Stark face to face.

- Lady Stark - Jaime greeted.
- My lady," Brienne bowed.

The girl put her hand to her belt and unsheathed a thin blade two fingers wide.

- Good steel," Jaime said, letting out a whistle as he admired the blue gleam of the weapon, "I knew a man in King's Landing who used one like that. I don't think he could cut anyone's head off, but he could make a sieve out of you.
- I want to train," the girl spat.
- The parade ground is full of weapons masters, you can go and look for one. I wouldn't recommend you to try your luck with the wench. She is very brutish, but knows how to defend herself.
- Neither Lady Brienne nor any of them is Jaime Lannister - she looked at him with her big dark eyes without a hint of emotion - I want to train with you -

It was the first time that a Stark managed to arouse her interest. That slender girl who did not reach his shoulders had just challenged the Kingslayer to a sword duel. Brienne nodded with a suspicious half-smile.

- I would gladly do so, my lady, but the queen would kill me if I harmed you.
- Don't worry about me," Arya replied, adopting the water dancer's stance, with which she only presented the enemy with one side.
- Very well - said Jaime laughing.

He held out his gloved hand to be handed a blunt longsword and turned to face his opponent. No sooner had he done so than Arya's sword whistled straight at his chest. He had just enough time to dodge it by taking a step back.

Arya did not stand still and launched a new thrust. The swords clashed once, twice, three times, testing their strength. Jaime retreated a step. The girl followed him, launching one attack after another. He kept retreating, getting out of her reach. The needle followed him wherever he went, like a steel stain, piercing the air at high speed.

''This girl fights better than most knights I've ever met.'' He kept dodging, dancing around her, not hitting back, assessing his opponent.

- Not bad - he admitted - especially for a girl -''.

Arya took a deep breath, slowly, and smiled defiantly at him.

- Are you going to fight or would you rather keep running away? -
- As my lady commands -

Jaime stopped retreating. The swords clashed and the song of steel filled the courtyard and echoed against the towers of Winterfell. He parried a thrust from the girl and ducked to dodge the blade before thrusting his sword straight for the heart, protected only by skin and leather. The steel would have pierced flesh and bone had he not stopped half an inch from his target.

Arya grimaced.

- I'm dead - she said, smiling.

Jaime smiled back as he sheathed his weapon.

- The water dance - he knew - Who taught you to fight like that? -
- No one - she bowed her head slightly and left without adding anything else.

He watched her walk away until she was lost in the crowd. ''If the negotiations end badly, that girl is a danger.

- Is this the way you engage with the Starks? - said a voice that he immediately recognized as the queen's. "By seeking out a girl you've got two feet in front of you? -
- We were just getting a little exercise.

Daenerys looked at Brienne. The wench seemed to understand instantly, though he gave the impression that his face darkened. But, after a stiff bow, she turned and walked away.

- Who is she? - asked the queen when Brienne had gone.
- The most stubborn wench I know," he replied, "She took me to King's Landing alive and in one piece.
- I don't think she's as stubborn as the lady of Winterfell -
- Sansa still won't bend the knee? -
- Of course. She's been lovely, much lovelier than last night. You are the hope of Westeros, without you we would be lost... But we do not bend the knee.
- You know you don't need her," Jaime replied. "It only matters what Jon Snow decides. You can try the little sister -
- Arya Stark... - Daenerys was thoughtful - It is true that the sisters do not seem very close. But, if in the end they do not kneel... - - Jaime sighed.

Jaime sighed.

- If they don't kneel, you'll have to kill them... - Jaime sighed.

The queen looked shocked.

- Now you call me a butcher? -
- Better to be butcher than meat. If they refuse to kneel, what do you think they will do with you? -
- Do you want me to kill my own subjects? -
- Your own subjects might be plotting your death - Jaime pointed his sword in the direction Arya went - That girl could kill you as soon as your back was turned -
- How would I differ from my father then? I told you I wouldn't rule over ashes, that I couldn't bear to leave a trail of corpses behind me! Have you forgotten? -
- No. And you? Have you forgotten what it means to be queen? -
- I am of the dragon's blood. Don't you have the audacity to give me lessons -
- Did you learn nothing when you killed that Daario Naharis? -

Jaime regretted his words as soon as Daenerys turned her back on him.

- Your Highness, I... -
- Excuse me, my lord, I still have things to do - she said before leaving.

Somewhere, the gods must be laughing. Jaime did not understand why the queen found it so terrible to execute an insurgent. He regretted the deaths he caused in Essos, he knew that, and perhaps he could move her with better chosen words. But if the Starks did not kneel, they would try to kill her. And that was something Jaime would never allow.

DAENERYS

''He's a monster'' - she thought, in awe - ''A handsome one, but a monster anyway'' -

How can I conspire to murder the one who takes me under his roof? - If I follow his advice, I'll become a butcher queen, like my father... - But who am I kidding? - Jaime and I are not so different. '' ''He would kill them for me, to protect me'' - she said to herself - ''I would kill them for me, for the throne'' - Yes, we are not so different. We are both monsters.

She entered her chambers like a whirlwind. She ordered the fire to be lit and Ser Barristan to be summoned.

- I want you to send Ser Jaime to patrol the area -
- What do you say? - asked the old man.
- Patrolling, you know what that is, don't you? - the knight's surprised gesture made her reconsider - Forgive me, I shouldn't have spoken to you that way -

Ser Barristan came a few steps closer to them and sat down next to her.

- Are you all right, your majesty? -
- Yes, I am fine- she answered - do as I told you. Let him patrol in the vicinity of Winterfell and offer protection to approaching caravans. From now on, Ser Jaime will report to you. See to it that he receives all the honors he deserves and that House Lannister is rewarded in its just measure, but on no account do I wish to have him in my presence.

He did not move.

- Your Highness, may I ask the reason...? -

He fixed his tired indigo eyes on her and somehow caused her to temper herself.

- That man would make me what I don't want to be," she whispered, "The Queen of Ashes," she settled back in her chair, "He suggested I should murder all Starks who refuse to kneel.
- May I speak frankly? - Selmy asked.
- Always -
- I was Ser Jaime's Lord Commander for many years. I watched him grow up and I know the man he's become. You know what I think of him. He's ruthless, implacable, a dangerous man... - he listed without looking away from her - But if there's one thing that redeems him, it's love for his own -
- Meaning? -
- Ser Jaime is impulsive, do not expect him to think things coldly, your highness. Whatever he said to you, he did it thinking only of you and your safety. He would murder every man, woman and child in Winterfell if he had to in order to keep you safe.

Daenerys closed her eyes - '' '' Why would I take him away from me, isn't that what I'm waiting for? - she thought - '' '' Someone who cares about me and will not betray me for a handful of coins '' - ''

- In King's Landing you told me I couldn't trust him - she reminded him - That he sullied the white cloak -
- In King's Landing I didn't know why he murdered your father - the old man paused - And, forgive me, your highness, but Ser Jaime did not look at your father as he looks at you -

''As he looks at me'' - he thought - ''And how is he supposed to look at me?'' ''Does he love me?'' ''Who could love a dragon?'''

- Forget what I told you -
- Your Highness? - ser Barristan encouraged her in a kindly voice.
- Don't send anyone on patrol," he sighed, "And tell Ser Jaime to come and see me.

The knight took a few minutes to come. He entered with a much more serious face than usual.

- Your Highness, I shouldn't have told you that before... About Daario Naharis -
- And I shouldn't have been angry with you. Sit down and drink with me. I want us to talk honestly - Dany himself filled his glass - I was about to send you to patrol the area, you know? -
- And what made you change your mind? -
- Ser Barristan convinced me that I shouldn't -
- Weren't we going to speak frankly? - said Jaime.
- I'm not lying to you - Dany sighed - He told me that you are ruthless, implacable, dangerous... But that you would kill every man, woman and child in Winterfell to protect me -
- Coming from him it almost sounded like a compliment -
- It is to me - she leaned toward him - I value loyalty above all other qualities -
- I am the Kingslayer, or have you forgotten? Trusting me is like trusting in the safety of a parchment bridge.
- Come on, stop doing that - Dany protested.
- Stop doing what? -
- Stop being like that all the time - sometimes he managed to make her very nervous - I want you to talk to me like that night in the Twins -

He tightened his lips. He knew Jaime Lannister would feel more comfortable fighting against a battalion of enemies than coming clean to anyone.

- I have a bad memory, but I'll try -
- I know you are a good warrior, the best - he said looking him in the eyes - I know you will get me many victories on the battlefield and I appreciate it. But I wish I could trust you -
- Do you want me to answer that? -
- No - Dany leaned toward him - I want you to tell me that you will never betray me -
- You have my word, your highness -

It was not enough for her.

- All my life I have been surrounded by men who also gave me their word that they would not betray me - she told him - One betrayal for blood, one for gold and one for love, just as the sorcerers told me. I believed... I always believed that I would never trust anyone again until..." she grabbed Jaime by the shoulders and shook him "Promise me that you will never turn against me. I couldn't bear it. Promise me -
- I'll never betray you, I promise -

She believed him.

- I... I have hated you for as long as I can remember. My brother used to tell me how we would torture and punish you for what you'd done. But when I met you... You didn't seem like the monster I was told you were. And now I need you with me. Without you I would feel... Alone. Alone and surrounded by enemies -

Jaime looked at the ground for a few seconds, seconds that seemed like hours to her. But as soon as he looked up, he took away any doubts she might have had.

- My life is yours, now and ever -