Gwen looked at her bandaged hand as she took her leave from the kitchen the next morning. The room had been deserted and food was scarce after the antics from the previous night. Lady Stark had seen Gwen as soon as she had re-entered the hall, the white bandage around her wrist and the Lady had asked what was wrong with her. Gwen did not have the chance to answer before the Kingslayer decided to become involved. He had been conversing with his sister before interrupting, telling the Lady Stark how she ought to find a more suitable serving maid.

Catelyn Stark had defended the girl, informing Lannister that Gwen had been in her keep for more than twenty years. Jaime had remained silent, allowing the woman to berate him after feeling his sister kick him from underneath the table, urging him to remain mute and say nothing. He had smirked then, informing Gwen that his goblet was in need of filling up.

He had watched with intrigue how the young woman had taken it from his hands, pouring the wine much too close to the brim and causing it to slosh onto his hand as she set it down with a thud. Catelyn had watched her with a stifled entertained grin whilst Jaime did nothing to retaliate. He had watched the girl for the remainder of the night as she went about her business. He took in the nervous ways which she tucked her hair behind her ear. He watched how she conversed politely with the Lady Sansa who was asking her questions of her welfare. He saw how men pulled at her flowing blue skirt, groping at her with any chance they could find.

Jaime almost felt the need to roll his eyes as he saw her slap one of their hands from her, turning and glaring at him. He often wondered why men felt the need to have their beds warm at night. Jaime knew it was nice. There was nothing like waking up next to a woman. Yet he preferred for it to be a woman who he cared for. And that woman had her burning eyes set on him, demanding an explanation for his behaviour.

He had chuckled at hearing her, almost witnessing jealousy. He had shook his head, slowly moving his hand to rest on her thigh underneath the table. She had stiffened at his touch, knowing only too well that they were in public. Jaime may like the risks yet she did not. The Queen had a reputation to uphold. She did not need it known that she was as bad as her husband. He'd assured her that they would be together the next day when the King went on his hunt. She had brushed his hand from her and stood tall, assuring him that rest would be required if she were to see him the next day.

Jaime had bid her goodnight, noting how her eyes lay on her husband for one moment and she seemed saddened yet determined. If he should be able to have his fun then she would have hers.

...

After deducing that a slice of bread was all the kitchen had to offer, Gwen quickly ate it. It tasted stale yet she cared not. She knew that she was not particularly hungry but simply needed something to line her stomach and keep her going for the morning. She did not know whether or not she should wake Arya and Sansa for both girls had a late night at the feast. Well, Sansa more than Arya for the latter had managed to be sent to bed for throwing food.

Gwen could not help but smirk at the thought, shaking her head back and forth. She looked around the deserted kitchen, realising that Winterfell must be quiet that morning. Everyone seemed too intoxicated to rise with the sun. She chose to leave the Stark sisters be, believing them to have earned a well deserved sleep for the night. She deduced fresh air and a simple walk would suffice to pass her time. And so that was how she found herself walking outside the walls of the castle, her eyes looking to the Broken Tower which Bran climbed almost every day. She had seen him a couple of times, each time pleading with him to move down from the height in case he fell. Yet he had not managed a fall yet. The air was rather pleasant considering that Winter was upon them. It was not warm yet it was warm enough for Gwen to simply wear a black cloak over her shoulders, keeping it pinned tightly against her chest.

"I admit my surprise."

Gwen startled quickly and turned around, looking to where he stood. He wore his white attire of simple taste, his green gaze focused on the girl before him.

"I did not think you would resume serving last night. I also admit I am shocked you are awake. It seems the majority of this God damned place do not want to see another day."

Gwen thought of what to say back to him for a moment, choosing to ball her hands by her side and push them into the cotton blue material of her dress. Her blue eyes met his and she spoke in a pleasant tone to the man before her.

"I assume the majority of them are tired," she simply responded. "A lot of wine was consumed. It is certain to make people drowsy, my Lord."

"I should suppose." Lannister drawled back to her, his eyes looking at the tower which the pair of them stood beneath. Jaime did not want to admit that he had ulterior motives to his morning walk for he was certain the girl would not want to hear them. Instead he took the opportunity to question her further, enjoying watching her hold her tongue reluctantly.

"I also profess myself to be taken back by the Lady Starks protectiveness over you," Jaime spoke, his hands moving behind his back and his fingers lacing together. She continued to watch him intently, her brow arched as he spoke. "I wonder," he drawled, "are you another bastard child? It seems the Snow boy was not permitted to be at the feast yet you were."

She winced at the word he used and she shook her head, her cheeks tinting red and she wondered how he could stand there, accusing her of being something she was not.

"The Lady Stark has provided me with work since I was a little girl. My mother used to be a maid, my Lord."

She stopped before revealing any information about herself, wondering why she should even divulge such personal matters with the Kingslayer. She should not be speaking to him. It was not the way things were done in the realms. Jaime took his turn to arch a brow, turning his back to the wall of the tower and leaning against it leisurely, his eyes glancing above at the ravens which passed.

"Used to be?" he questioned her. "I assume she is dead?"

He watched her nod curtly, her blonde hair bouncing around her shoulders as she did so. He could not help but admire how it tinted in the sun. Whilst his sister's hair was light blonde, fair like the Lannister's, hers was a dirty blonde, dull in comparison.

"She was taken by a disease. It was not known until it was too late."

"How old were you?"

"It happened just after my fifth nameday, Ser Jaime."

"And how old are you now?"

"Twenty three."

"And what of your father?"

"A farmer," she said without skipping a beat and he instantly recognised the distaste in her voice for he had heard it from his own mouth multiple times. "He left when he realised my mother was pregnant with me."

"Born out of wedlock," Jaime concluded and she nodded to confirm again. He leant further back against the wall, his own head moving back and forth as he thought about her. She rocked on her heels, keeping her mind occupied and trying not to think of her lost parents.

"And the Lady Stark allowed a five year old non blood relation to stay with her?" Lannister wondered. "Yet she denies the bastard son of her husband?"

"I was tutored until the age of ten," Gwen admitted, knowing that her upbringing had not been a poor one. She had been lucky, if she had to be honest. Her mother's friendship with the Lady Stark was a valued one by both parties and Catelyn Stark would not let her friend's daughter suffer. "Only then could I go to the kitchens and learn the role of a maid."

"Of course," Jaime said as if anything else were impossible. "You are not related to the Starks. I assume you were simply something they wanted rid of as soon as possible. They have enough children on their plate to deal with."

His words stung her for a moment for he saw her inhale sharply through her mouth, her pale cheeks tinting red again. She said nothing for a moment to him and then realised she should not be there, conversing with a Lannister as if it were the norm.

"Anyway...I assume I have bored you enough with my story, my Lord...I should be going..."

She curtseyed quickly and turned. She took a swift step before he called her again, stopping her from moving any further away from him.

"Who said anything about being bored?" he wondered.

Her feet managed to turn on their own accord and she looked back to the Kingslayer. He had removed himself from the wall, deeming it necessary to step closer to her whilst she stood on the grass, her hands still bunched up in her skirts.

"I assumed the story of a maid would hold no interest for a man such as yourself," Gwen admitted and he smirked quickly at her, his lips quirking up and causing her to instantly doubt him. The mischievous glint in his eye did not help matters either.

"You assume to know me?" he wondered, his hand pointing to his chest. "You know what I think?"

"Of course not, my Lord," she blabbered quickly back to him and he chuckled darkly, the sound ringing through Gwen's body as she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Because I was not bored," Jaime assured her. "Believe me when I say that you would know if I was. I am not one to suffer fools."

"Like the Mad King?"

The words had tumbled from her mouth before her brain could process them. It took a few moments for it to sink in and she felt the change in the atmosphere. Jaime's grin was firmly removed, his lips set in a straight line and his green orbs wide at the boldness of the serving maid. He took a moment to recover and Gwen could have sworn she saw him flinch at her words. Did it upset him? Did he realise what he had done had been traitorous?

"You really are bold," he decided to say, taking a step closer to her and she shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"I did not mean to, my Lord...forgive me..." she whispered and Jaime shook his head at her.

"And why should I do that? This is the second time you have stepped out of line. You know of me then. You know what they call me?"

"I know, Ser Jaime." Gwen whispered, her eyes taking in the green grass underneath her feet. She finally saw his own boot covered legs come into her line of vision on the grass, his body closer to hers and she took a deep breath. He lifted her head to look at him, his touch ever so gentle as he curled his finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Then you should know that I would have no problem telling Lord Stark of your words," he whispered, his warm breath hitting her cheek as he spoke to her warningly. "You need to be careful, Gwen. It is not wise for a girl to speak out of place, especially a maid like yourself. I assume you do not know of the punishment?"

"No, my Lord," Gwen managed to mutter out, her gaze never leaving his and she wondered if he would harm her in anyway. She had never been so foolish in her entire existence. Daring to challenge the word of a Knight was madness.

"I assure you it would not be pleasant," Jaime promised her simply, his finger releasing her chin which caused her head to instantly droop downwards one more time. "You have no need to fear me, Gwen," Jaime said, taking a step back as the girl breathed heavily, gasping for air after holding her breath for so long. "I have no desire to strike a woman nor harm one in anyway. But if anyone else were to hear you then you may not be as fortunate as you are now. Do you understand?"

Gwen took a moment to ease his words into her mind and she nodded hastily, her eyes widening as she did so.

"Yes, Ser Jaime," Gwen said and he nodded, appeased with her response. He moved his hand into his pocket, grabbing onto his gloves which sat in there. He pulled them over his fingers, wondering if he should attempt to find his brother as the sun reached a higher level.

"Good," he said back to her. "Now, you should run along. I am sure you have duties to attend to. Try not to let that smart mouth of yours land you in any bother. I would hate to see that pretty face in a mess."

Gwen could do nothing more than simply drop into a curtsey before the Kingslayer and then scurry away. His eyes continued to remain fixed on her with intent, watching as she rushed back into the safety of the castle walls. He shook his head, chuckling at her and wondering about her.

...

Gwen took five minutes to recover from Jaime's words and realised how naively foolish she had been. She should never have mentioned the Kingslayer and the Mad King. She knew that it was trouble. But she hadn't expected him to act as he had done. His intimidation had gone no further than a warning to her. He had told her how he would not harm her even though any other man who have done just that.

She shook her head to herself and wiped the moisture threatening to pool at her eyes. She was well aware that Sansa was in need of being woken if she were to have time to prepare herself and make it to lunch. The castle was still quiet, some of the serving staff only deeming it necessary to move amongst themselves, tidying the mess from the previous night and grunting at each other as they went about it.

Gwen ignored their complaints and random stares, wondering why she was being looked at in such an odd fashion. She finally made it to Sansa's room, knocking rapidly on the door and receiving no answer. She sighed for a moment and then entered on her own accord, seeing the bundle still under her white covers and sleeping soundly. Gwen marched across the room, heading towards the shutters and she threw them open, light pooling into the room from the sun.

"My Lady, you need to rise." Gwen warned her and Sansa groaned, turning onto her front and pressing her head down into the cushion. "Your mother would not want you in bed for much longer. We both know that."

"I do not want to surface," Sansa snapped from her cushion and Gwen resisted the urge to roll her eyes before moving to the bed. She sat on the edge of it, placing her hand onto the girls shoulder and causing her to roll onto her side to face her.

"Whatever is the matter?"

"Prince Joffrey," Sansa mumbled, her tone holding one of distaste as she stared at Gwen for a moment. "He looked my way last night but not once did he ask me for a dance. He must think me a complete fool for Arya's behaviour."

"I am sure the Prince thinks nothing of it," Gwen promised her. "He will understand that children will be children."

"What she did was totally barbaric," Sansa decreed and Gwen smiled softly at her, stroking her stray locks away from her cheek and trying to sooth her foul mood. "It was the actions I would expect from Bran, not her."

"And I am sure she shall apologise later," Gwen said, knowing full well an apology would have to be forced from her. "Besides, if the Prince cannot see your beauty because of a ruined dress then he does not deserve to have you."

Sansa beamed at hearing her, loving the talk of her beauty as Gwen stood up and the girl pushed herself up, resting against the headboard. The maid pulled a dress from the wardrobe and set it out for the Lady as she continued to speak.

"Of course, if I am to marry the Prince then I shall have to travel South."

"Has your father agreed to this arrangement, my Lady?" Gwen enquired, closing the wardrobe and Sansa frowned for a moment before waving a hand nonchalantly.

"I am sure he will," she said without a second's hesitation. "It would be sensible, would it not?"

Gwen took a moment to think, trying to remember her impressions of the Prince from the previous night but she could not find one. He had remained quiet and passive, not like how she expected him to be.

"I do not know for sure, my Lady," Gwen said, forcing herself to smile for the Stark. "I know nothing of the politics of the realm."

"Well it would be a great match," Sansa said without a moment of hesitation. "I only hope that he feels the same." Gwen refrained from saying anything about feelings. She doubted Sansa could love the Prince after some brief sightings. Of course, she knew the girl was a hopeless romantic but this truly was hopeless.

"Oh!" Sansa gasped loudly, moving back onto her bed and sitting on her knees. "I forgot to ask you something!"

"Me?" Gwen checked, tidying Sansa's dress from the previous night. She folded it as neatly as possible, her eyes focused on that task.

"Yes," Sansa said. "Why were you and the Kingslayer alone in a deserted corridor?"

The fabric fell from her hands, tumbling to the ground as her eyes found Sansa's concerned gaze on her. A look of condescending passed the young Stark's face and she worried for the maid.

"How...how..." she stammered in response and Sansa shook her head arrogantly.

"I noted you had been absent for a long time and so I asked Mereli where you were. She told me of how you had been with Jaime Lannister and had injured yourself on a broken jug."

"Well...yes..." Gwen agreed, bending over and picking the dress back into her hands. "It is nothing shameful, my Lady. Ser Jaime bumped into me and I cut my hand. He escorted me to the maester and here I am now. No need for gossip."

"Hmm," Sansa responded with scepticism in her tone. She eyed the elder girl with suspicion. "Is that all there is to it?"

"Of course," Gwen said; the thought of anything else incomprehensible to her. "You need not worry, my Lady. I know my place and Ser Jaime certainly knows his."

A giggle was then elicited from Sansa who shook her head back and forth, willing for Gwen to be careful. The reputation of the Kingslayer was not unknown.

"I do not doubt you, Gwen," Sansa promised her. "I am simply looking out for your wellbeing. You know how the Kingslayer is the most handsome man in the realms and you know how people love to gossip. I do not want to see you hurt."

Gwen felt an overwhelming desire to hold onto the Stark girl for a moment as she heard her words. She settled for smiling softly at her, placing her dress away for another day before she spoke;

"Your concern means a lot to me, my Lady," she said and moved over to the bed, soothingly running a hand over her forehead and down her hair. "But you need not worry of Ser Jaime and gossip. Now come along, your father leaves for the hunt and I am sure you will want to see him before he goes."

...

A/N: Two chapters in one day is a rarity at the moment but I was so happy at five reviews for only one chapter! Literally so happy! Anyway, if you would review then it would mean a lot!