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CHAPTER 2

ALAYNE

It was late when she walked down the hill, leaving him standing there alone. Brienne would be worried about her long absence. Along the path, she passed Elder Brother, who was walking towards the cemetery. The idea of him spying on them made her feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

"How did it go, girl? Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes, I did, thank you Brother," she answered avoiding his gaze. She was certain she couldn't bear it. She could still feel his eyes at her back when she began to walk again, making her feel guilty without reason.

Brienne was waiting for her next to the small house the monks had prepared for them.

"My lady, are you okay? You were gone a long time; I was beginning to worry."

"I'm fine. I'm just tired; it's been a long day…"

"Yes, it has". Brienne also looked very tired, although she was stronger than any woman she had ever met.

"Brienne, I…" she bit her lower lip, "I wonder if we could stay here, on the Quiet Isle for a few days. We need to rest and think about what to do next, and no one would look for Petyr's bastard daughter here".

The woman frowned and gave her a doubtful looks.

"I think we should keep moving. Jaime Lannister sent me to find and protect you. I'm sure he will help us from now on".

"I will never, ever go to him. Never! The Lannisters destroyed my family; they plotted to murder my father and my brother. They held me hostage, let Joffrey beat me. They forced me to marry Tyrion. Jaime Lannister himself killed Jory, my father's captain of guard. Why would you want to take me back to them?"

"Jaime isn't the man he once was" she tried to explain, "He has changed; he wants to keep the promise he made to your lady mother and help you."

"I'm sorry Brienne, I do not trust him. Please, tell the Elder Brother we'll pay him for the accommodation. I took some money and jewels from the Eyrie. Please…"

Brienne sighed defeated, "Alright, I'll talk to him. But first we have dinner. I'm starving!" She smiled and put her arm protectively around Sansa's shoulders.

The Maid of Tarth was dazzled by Jaime Lannister. Brienne didn't know what the Lannisters were capable of, nor what Alayne had endured while in their custody. Alayne could not blame her, though, only those who had lived a nightmare knew what a monster looked like. Brienne was a good person, more so than any she had known for a long time. Alayne had like her since the first time they met. Brienne of Tarth had arrived at the Vale of Arryn asking for a meeting with Petyr Baelish on a cold morning ten days ago. Despite her unique appearance, she had liked her almost immediately. She looked like a man and even wore armor, though her warmth and gentleness were purely feminine. The woman had peeked at her suspiciously while she spoke with Littlefinger, and had taken the first opportunity she had to talk to her alone. Without saying aloud her real name, she talked about how she had sworn and oath to Lady Catelyn Stark to protect her daughters and how she'll do anything to help her if she was willing to leave with her. Alayne saw trustworthiness in Brienne's big beautiful blue eyes. The affection with which she spoke of her mother and Alayne's instincts told her to agree to her proposal. That same night she had taken her best cloak and a second gown, some coins and jewels from her aunt Lysa and under the cover of night, they had fled the keep.

They rode for hours until Brienne let the horses rest. That first night she told her about her quest and how hard it had been to find Lady Stark's daughter. It was then that she learned about the Hound and her sister Arya. Brienne had heard the news at the Quiet Isle, where a man called the Elder Brother claimed he'd buried the Hound himself. It seemed impossible to find Arya yet knowing her sister was alive comforted her in some way, and at least she knew for sure where to find the Hound, even if it was too late. At first Brienne didn't understand her need to see him and tried to dissuade her, but she quickly realized the Quiet Isle was a place as safe any other, and finally she agreed. She didn't understand herself either, but something strong pushed her to travel there, even if it was wrong. She was more scared than ever, but she had also the intuition that she was the only person who thought of him after he vanished the night of the Blackwater Bay Battle. She also was certain that no one else apart from her would pay respects to the grave of the man who once saved her life.

So there they had traveled, to pray over a ghost's grave just to find out dead men could be resurrected. The man was as impressive as she remembered and his voice was still as hard as steel but his eyes… those eyes and the way he looked at her didn't scare her anymore. She had changed and so had him, and somehow fate had made that their paths crossed again. Although she still needed to assimilate what had happened today and the complexity of feelings that were crossing her mind; she felt oddly alive.

She finally returned the smile to Brienne, and they began to walk to the monk's main hall. She realized was hungry too.

Sansa and Brienne took the last seats at the large dining table and waited for the novices to serve the dinner. The slowness of the monk's ritual meal exasperated her. The beef and carrot stew was tasteless and dinner went by in silence. Sansa watched the tall man moving slowly between seats, limping a bit. His massive figure stood above the rest. He wore a brown rough habit and covered his face with a hood, but even if she hadn't seen his face earlier she would have recognized the man and those heavy hands anywhere. Although he never once looked toward where they were sitting, she peeked at him from time to time. It was weird to see him so helpful and quiet, without his armor, and she realized she liked the warrior better than the monk.

When dinner was over Brienne left to talk to the Elder Brother as she had promised. Sansa remained at the table waiting for her until all the men had left the room. When Brienne returned some minutes later, they left the hall together.

"He agreed," she told her, "We can stay for a few days with the condition that we do not disturb the usual course of their routine. I think it's fair."

It was more than fair; it was all she needed for the moment. Outside was already cold; the sun was low and dyed the landscape in a soft reddish color.

"Brienne, I need some fresh air, I'd like to go for a walk," she told her.

"Fine, I'll go with you"

"No, please. I need to be alone. I-I need to think…"

It was obvious she disagreed, but she let her go anyway and Sansa quickly walked away before she changed her mind.

It didn't take Sansa long to make him out in the distance, sitting on a stone bench next to an old cabin. His head was uncovered now and he was drinking a cup of wine. She reached him and stood until he made a gesture with his head inviting her to sit next to him. There were many things boiling in her mind and plenty of questions she could ask him, but she didn't want to bother him and felt comfortable just sitting there, watching the sunset and taking a sip of wine when he offered.

"What happened to your hair?" he growled suddenly. "I like it better before."

The comment was so unexpected she couldn't help but look at him and smile, "Yes, me too. It's… a long story"

He drank again and she wrapped up tight her cloak. It was almost dark and she felt very tired. Instinctively she leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes until a deep sleep overcame her.