Gwen looked at the small castle which sat in the town, completely dominating it and commanding it. She scanned the area and barely saw anything. It was nowhere near as grand as the places which she had come to visit.
"They say that the Hound was the one to plunder here," Jaime informed Gwen as they made their way closer to the Saltpans. She said nothing, looking around and noting the sea in the distance. It was shimmering blue with a tinge of green. Gwen had to admit that it did look enchanting. Jaime didn't think much about it. He did look at the water and it reminded him of Casterly Rock. The waters there were much better though.
Climbing down from the horse, Jaime offered Gwen a hand. She used her good hand to hold onto his shoulder before dismounting. Jaime watched as Brienne helped Sansa down. The young girl had paled terribly, her eyes scanning around her as they finally entered the walls of the Saltpans. Jaime looked around and saw nothing. There was no one there.
"It's like a ghost town," Gwen whispered, her hand moving to take hold of Jaime's. He didn't pull back from her. Instead he seemed to drag her closer to him until she was stood right by his side. Sansa continued to allow her eyes to roam around, the fear evident in her face.
"She cannot be here," Sansa complained suddenly. "There is no one here."
"They say that there is only an old knight in a castle," Jaime admitted. "I didn't know whether the rumours would have been true. It seems that they are."
"There could be someone on the Quiet Isle," Brienne spoke up. "We don't know for certain."
"We could maybe go down to the docks?" Sansa was the one to suggest the location. "There looks to be a ship docked there. Perhaps someone knows of Arya there?"
"If not then we go to the Quiet Isle. The only reason she would have come here would have been to get a boat somewhere. The Saltpans holds no attention for anyone," Jaime admitted simply and Gwen agreed with him. "Besides, if she got here and saw it was abandoned then she would not have dwelled here for long."
"None of this is good," Gwen whispered up to Jaime. "This place is creepy. Surely it is as haunted as Harrenhal now."
"Harrenhal is not haunted," Jaime replied to her. "Simply eerie. Although this place does have one up on it."
"Agreed," Gwen muttered.
The four of them continued moving towards the port, deciding to sit back on the horses as they did so. Gwen looked to the ship which sat in the port, its sails the colour of purple along with the hull. Jaime wrinkled his nose at seeing it. It wasn't the best looking thing which he had seen before. The colours were rather ghastly.
"You, boy," Jaime called out as soon as they neared the ship. He saw a boy stood by the ladders, waiting to go back on board. Apparently they were preparing to leave once again.
"Ser," the boy spoke, noting the white cloak which hung behind Jaime's shoulder. He had been travelling on the sea for what seemed like a long time. He did originate from Westeros and he had heard the rumours of the Kingslayer. Who hadn't? The golden hand only confirmed that he was speaking to the one and only Jaime Lannister.
"We seek a girl," Jaime declared, climbing down from his horse. Gwen remained sat where she was, looking down the stoned floor of the port which ran quite a distance. Barrels of merchandise had been overturned. She could make out broken pieces of wood and scattered possessions. Everything had been ruined. There was nothing at the Saltpans.
"She is young, called Arya," Jaime declared. "A small girl with a tendency to open her mouth and get in trouble."
"Jaime," Gwen snapped at him. He ignored her as he watched the boy rack his brain.
"She is not called Arya."
Jaime looked up to the top of the ladder where a man stood. His hands rested on the rope which lined the steps leading to the surface. Jaime eyed him with suspicion, taking in his grey hair and his square head.
"She called herself Salty," he spoke. "Small girl. Scared many of my men. Never been so afraid of a girl before. She was small with short hair. Is this the girl you seek?"
"I believe it could be," Jaime said and turned to look at Gwen. She nodded quickly. It was the only lead which they had and she was willing to take it. Arya was supposed to have been in the Saltpans. It was only natural that she had gone to the port. Why shouldn't she? She didn't think she had anything left.
"She went to Braavos."
Gwen felt her heart sink at that piece of information. She crossed the sea. She had gone to one of the Free Cities. Gwen closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. Jaime couldn't leave for Braavos. He had a duty to fulfil in Westeros. He was a member of the Kingsguard.
He hadn't been acting as if he had been a member. But he was. He was a knight who didn't need to go with Gwen to the Free Cities.
"We will require passage," Brienne was the one to speak. She had an oath to fulfil. She would go along with this mission, even if it did kill her. She climbed from her horse and looked to Sansa with query. The young girl took a moment to think before nodding her head, allowing Brienne to help her from the horse.
"And why should I grant you that?" the one who appeared to be the Captain asked.
"I am a member of the Kingsguard," Jaime snapped.
"That means shit to me," he replied. "We've heard rumours of the golden Kingslayer."
Jaime ground his teeth together, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword as annoyance came over him. Gwen was the one to speak before Jaime could threaten the man.
"Surely you came here with the intention of trade," Gwen called out and the captain nodded in agreement. "As you can see, there is no trade."
"Smart one, this one is," he called back. Gwen climbed down from the horse before Jaime could snap back at the man. She stood in front of the knight, her hand resting on top of his which sat on the hilt of his sword.
"Surely you have heard the words 'a Lannister always pays his debts'?" Gwen checked from him and he eyed her with suspicion.
"I may have heard it," he declared.
"Then surely you know that we do have much to offer you," Gwen spoke. "You do not want to return with the cargo which you came with, do you? No one in Braavos would want goods which they already own," Gwen said and the man watched her for a moment. The girl spoke some sense. "We could compensate you for your losses and for passage."
Jaime looked down to Gwen, his brow arched as he did so. He never knew she was such a quick thinker when she needed to be.
"And when do we receive this payment?" he asked her. "I don't see trunks of coins behind you. And there's no ravens for you to get the message sent."
"There could be," Gwen said to him. "We require passage here and back. By the time we get back then there will be gold waiting for you." Gwen said and the man chuckled, shaking his head back and forth.
"Do you think me an idiot?"
"No," Gwen replied. "I think you're an intelligent man. Believe me, Lannisters do repay their debts. You should know a good investment when you see one."
"How do I know that you're not playing me?" he wondered from Gwen and she shrugged.
"You don't," she agreed with him. "But if I am then you have my permission to cut my head from my shoulders. That is how sure I am that you will be paid."
The captain considered the girl for a moment, instantly taking a liking to her. She was bold, there was no denying that. She was also willing. He took a moment but nodded in agreement.
"I will take you up on that offer. It would be a shame to get rid of that pretty head of yours though," he promised her and smirked for a moment whilst she nodded. "Come on board."
Gwen nodded once and smiled at him. She turned to look at Jaime who was scowling at her. His green gaze full of anger as Brienne helped Sansa navigate the ramp onto the ship.
"Do you wish for death?" Jaime wondered. "No one will have any idea where we have gone. I've lost my squires and have no way of getting a message to anyone."
"There will be a raven in the Free Cities," Gwen promised him and he shook his head, his hand moving to wrap around her shoulder as he shook her slightly. "Send a message to Casterly Rock or Ser Illyn Payne...someone..."
"And if they don't get it?" Jaime wondered. "You have your head cut from your body. I have to stand and watch you die, do I?"
"It won't come to that," Gwen said. "I said what I needed to, Jaime. I did what I had to so that we could get on the ship."
"You really are a foolish girl," Jaime hissed at her. "You risk your life so easily. Does it mean nothing to you?"
"Of course it does," Gwen snapped, shaking his hand from her shoulder. "But Lady Arya means a lot to me, too."
"And what about me?" Jaime wondered. "Do you think I will stand by as they cut your head from your shoulders? Did you think about that?"
Gwen clenched her hands into balls by her side and shook her head at hearing him.
"It won't come to that. You can send a raven, can't you?" Gwen checked. "Stop thinking the worst will happen."
"How can I think anything but the worst?" Jaime wondered. "I've had to sit by and watch the worst things happen. I've seen you raped...I've seen you suffer under my sister...and then Stoneheart...I've seen you almost married to another man," Jaime paused and took a deep breath. "And now I've seen you risk your own life. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Gwen listened to him for a moment, her eyes searching his before she shook her head at him softly. She moved her hand to rest on his cheek before speaking.
"Don't come," she urged him and he looked at her with wide eyes.
"And what am I supposed to do?" Jaime snapped at her. "Sit here whilst you sail off?"
"If you are so worried about not getting the money then don't come with us," Gwen urged him. "Go and bring it back yourself. Make sure it happens."
"Why do you put me in these difficult positions?" Jaime wondered from her and she smiled at him for a moment. "Do you honestly think I can watch you sail into the distance? I would have no idea what would happen to you."
"I'd come back," Gwen promised him simply. "Do not doubt that. I would come back and you would be here, wouldn't you?"
"No," Jaime shook his head. "I cannot do it."
"I have Brienne," Gwen said to him. "And the Free Cities are surely safer than Westeros, Jaime. Nothing bad will happen. I promise."
"You don't know that."
"I have an idea," she said. "If you leave then you abandon your duty on the Kingsguard. I know I was silly for suggesting my death if there was no payment. I know it was stupid. But...I care for Lady Arya, Jaime. Surely you see that I will do anything to get her back? I know I was silly, but it is too late to dwell on it now."
"And this is my money," Jaime grunted and Gwen felt slightly embarrassed. "Money means nothing to a Lannister. We have plenty of it."
"Please do this for me," Gwen urged him. "Then I will be indebted to you beyond belief."
"You would have to tend to me for the rest of my life," Jaime said to her and she smiled for a moment as he tucked her hair behind her ear.
He didn't know what to do. He truly wanted to go with her. He needed to go with her to make sure she would be safe. But he didn't know what would happen when she got back. He could send a raven but he did not know if it would be acknowledged. His scrawl was unidentifiable now that his right hand had been lost. He didn't know if his squires would hear him. He didn't trust anyone to deliver the gold.
"It's fine," Gwen promised her, resting her hand on top of his. "We've been split apart before."
"That didn't mean that I liked it," Jaime mumbled to her. "Gods, the things I do for love."
Jaime complained, the words instantly haunting him as soon as he had spoke them. But this time they had a different meaning to them. Gwen smiled up at him, pressing her lips against his cheek as her arm hooked around his neck.
"I'll come back," Gwen promised him.
"And I'll be waiting," Jaime told her before pulling back for a moment. "You know how annoyed I am with you?"
"I have an idea," Gwen whispered and Jaime snorted. She really did have no idea.
"You tell the wench to protect you," Jaime ordered. "You make sure she knows that."
"I'm sure she will," Gwen assured Jaime.
"Oi! If you want to come on this ship then I suggest you move! Now!" the captain barked at them.
Jaime closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head back and forth. He couldn't believe he wasn't going with her. The dilemma he found himself in scared him to death.
"Go," Jaime urged her. "Go and try not to get in trouble."
"You too," she urged him.
Jaime wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him before his lips rested fiercely on top of hers. Gwen closed her eyes, holding onto him, her hand bunched in his golden hair as her lips moved against his. She closed her eyes, trying to claim the memory of the kiss for when she was apart from him. She took a moment to hold him as his lips moved from hers and his forehead rested on top of her head.
"I love you, Jaime," Gwen whispered. "Never forget that. Despite everything...I do love you..."
He seemed to hold her tighter then, never really wanting to let her go from his grip. She finally pulled herself from him, pecking his cheek for a moment as he held her hand. He walked her to the ramp, staying on the bottom before he kissed her again.
"Come back, Gwen," he urged her, a soft smirk on his face. "I don't know what I'd do without you or your smart mouth."
"You'd be lost," Gwen said to him. She finally turned around and walked up the ramp towards the ship. Her legs shook as she held tightly onto the rope of the railings. She could feel Jaime watching her and she held herself strong.
It took every ounce of self restraint which Jaime had not to climb on and follow her. He took a step back, watching as Gwen stood at the side of the ship, her eyes never leaving him. He looked at her, remembering the way she looked and the way she smelt to him. Her blonde hair blew into her face in the wind, causing her to spit it out of her mouth and away from her eyes. Jaime chuckled, knowing that she was anything but graceful.
Jaime remembered the time that he had told his sister that she worried too much. He thought she had done. And now Jaime tried to offer himself the same advice. But it failed.
The ship finally pulled out from the port and Gwen remained where she was as Jaime became smaller. She did her best to remain strong, telling herself that she would see him again. She would see him stood in the same spot when she returned. Jaime would see to that. He would be there. She had faith in him.
"Why isn't he coming?" Sansa wondered from Gwen who shrugged quickly, her head shaking back and forth.
"He's going to secure the money which is owed," she told Sansa. The young girl nodded in agreement before allowing her brows to furrow together.
"And why could he not send a raven?"
"He could not be sure that it would reach anyone or be trusted," Gwen said. "He didn't want to risk my death on the ship."
"And are you okay?" Sansa wondered and Gwen looked at the young girl. She nodded once, running her hand down her arm slowly.
Brienne spoke to the captain as Gwen turned her eyes to search her out. Brienne stood opposite him, a small grin on her face as she did so and Gwen wondered what had made her smile. Gwen seemed unable to make her lips quirk with some of her comments.
"I'm fine," Gwen lied. "Jaime will find the money and he'll be here. We'll come back with Lady Arya."
"And then will you marry Ser Jaime?" Sansa wondered and Gwen chuckled, turning to look back onto the sea.
"Who knows?" Gwen said. "Let's just take one thing at a time."
Gwen rested her hand on Sansa's again and the pair of them looked back to the sea, keeping quiet and watching as they neared the Free Cities with each passing moment.
...
Jaime arrived in Casterly Rock sooner than he had anticipated. He did not know how long Gwen would be gone, but he intended to be back at the Saltpans as soon as possible. He would wait there.
Casterly Rock had barely changed since Jaime had been away. The fortress was grand, overlooking the harbour of Lannisport. He smirked as he saw the Sunset Sea which he had dived into before. Jaime rode up the hill, looking at the place he had called home as a young boy. He hadn't been back in years. He supposed it would not be the same. His father was dead and his brother had fled. His sister was a prisoner with no power.
Looking at the large building reminded him of everything that had happened. He supposed it held nothing but bad memories for him.
Jaime ignored the feelings and continued riding until he came into the courtyard. Servants still buzzed around the area as they watched Jaime. They all had to a double take as soon as they saw the eldest Lannister boy. They had not seen him in years. There had been rumours of him. He had slain the King, lost his right hand and had fathered his sister's children. But no one said anything. They all kept quiet as they saw him stand and settle his eyes on a young boy who was coming to help him with his horse.
"Ser Jaime," he spoke meekly, greeting the knight. Jaime nodded once at him and looked around as the sun blazed above him.
"I seek Ser Damion," Jaime said. "I believe he is Castellan?"
"He is, Ser Jaime," the boy spoke. "He should be in the main hall. He usually spends time there. Would you like for me to show you to him?"
"I think I can remember my way around," Jaime said. "Take my horse to the stable and see to it that there is sufficient food and water."
"Yes, Ser," the boy said and Jaime instantly began to move. His eyes looked on at the people who watched him. He stared back, silencing their gossip. Jaime took a moment to comprehend what was happening before he stepped inside. He made his way to the main hall with ease, wandering gazes still fixed on him.
"Ser Damion," Jaime called out as soon as he saw the man in the room. He looked up, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Jaime. "I believe I have you to thank for the running of my home."
"Ser Jaime?" the man checked and stood up.
Jaime looked at the tall, thin man. His eyes were green and his hair was greying. He was a distant cousin of the Lannister family. However, his name did hold the title of Lannister. Jaime stood opposite him, offering him his hand out of politeness.
"I do not believe we have ever been properly introduced," Damion spoke and Jaime flashed him a smirk.
"We have not as far as I recall," Jaime replied with a curt nod.
"And I imagine your memory is better than mine," Damion chuckled and Jaime offered him a slim smile. "Anyway, is there a reason as to why you have graced us with your presence? We did not know you would be coming to Casterly Rock."
"Neither did I until this morning," Jaime snorted softly. "I require gold."
"Thank the Gods," Damion chuckled. "I thought you had come to reclaim Casterly Rock and leave me homeless."
"You're family," Jaime said. "If I did reclaim Casterly Rock then you would have no worries of being homeless. I do believe that is the Lannister way."
"It is," his cousin said and looked at the young knight. He had heard so many rumours about Jaime Lannister. He had heard all of his relatives talk about the Kingslayer which such distaste. Yet Damion was struggling to understand why. He seemed a pleasant man, nothing like his late father and his sister.
"Anyway, how much money do you need? And what for?" Damion wondered before extending an arm. He walked Jaime down the corridors of Casterly Rock, the member of the Kingsguard looking around him with wonder at his former home. He could honestly say that nothing had changed in the slightest.
"A Lannister always repays their debts," Jaime said. He didn't want to divulge with his distant cousin how the money would be going towards saving Gwen and securing Lady Arya and Lady Sansa's well being. He preferred to keep that information to himself. "I'm indebted to a woman. She saved my life."
"I see," Damion said, picking up on the reluctance of Jaime's tone. "So, how much is sufficient?"
"I've yet to ponder the amount," Jaime admitted simply to Damion. "Five hundred gold dragons should suffice."
"I don't see that bankrupting your family's vault," Damion chuckled. "Your sister warned me to stay away from it as soon as I was appointed protector of Casterly Rock."
"And I am sure she will see that you have done an excellent job," Jaime said, a smile on his face as they moved down the stone steps, their footsteps echoing around them as they moved quickly. Jaime did nothing for a few moments, choosing to keep himself quiet as he thought of Gwen. She would be in the middle of the ocean by now. She truly had gone away from him.
"Will you be staying at Casterly Rock long, Ser Jaime?"
"The night," Jaime said. "I need to freshen up and send a raven to my forces. After that then I shall be gone."
"Anywhere interesting?" he wondered and Jaime shook his head. The Saltpans were most certainly uninteresting.
"Not particularly," Jaime replied simply.
"And can I be expecting to see you in Casterly Rock anytime in the near future?" Darion asked and Jaime chuckled. Probably not. But who knew? Perhaps the next time he came back would be to claim what his father had always wanted for him. Perhaps he would be an heir. But it would not be for his father. It would be for her. It seemed everything he did was for her nowadays.
"Who knows?" Jaime wondered coyly. "Perhaps I shall come back one day."
"I do hope you will be able to," he smiled softly at Jaime. "Anyway, here," he motioned to the vault which two Lannister men dressed in red had opened. "Take how ever much you need."
"Much appreciated," Jaime smirked and looked into the vault at all of the glittering gold. His father certainly did keep this place a secret. Jaime inhaled sharply, looking around the room before taking the money which he needed. Hopefully it wouldn't go to waste.
...
"We are only halfway through the voyage, Lady Sansa," Gwen informed the young girl who was sat in their shared cabin. A double bed occupied the entire room, leaving almost no room to manoeuvre around it. A window looked out onto the sea which was calm at that moment in time. But, Sansa had still managed to find herself sea sick.
She lay on the bed whilst Gwen sat on the edge of it, reading through a book which she had been given from the captain. He had smiled at her, telling her that he hoped her beloved knight had the money when she came back. Apparently it would be a waste to kill her. Gwen wondered if he was being truthful. She should have known better. Of course he was. No one joked in a time of war.
"It feels like we've been on this boat for years," Sansa complained to Gwen, her eyes looking to the ceiling which swayed slightly in her vision. "I don't know how much more I can cope with."
There was the melodramatic Sansa that Gwen had come to love in her years at Winterfell. She smirked and closed the book, dropping it on the foot of the bed before turning her body so that she could face Sansa.
"What is it that you want to do when we return to Westeros?" Gwen wondered from her. "Going back to Winterfell is suicidal. It is under Bolton's control."
"I suppose we need to remain hidden," Sansa mumbled, the back of her hand over her forehead whilst Gwen smiled at the sight of her. "Is anywhere safe for a Stark? Lord Baelish said that it wasn't."
"I think he may have been correct," Gwen replied to Sansa. "We'll find somewhere. We'll call you something else. Many moons have passed and your appearances have changed."
"That is an understatement," Sansa said and moved a hand to her black locks. "I wish I could have my auburn hair. Mother said it used to show my eyes."
"Perhaps the dye will wear out in time," Gwen said to her. "Your hair was lovely, my Lady."
"Gwen, you don't need to address me so formally," Sansa responded to her. "I think enough has happened to change that."
"Old habit to break," Gwen replied to her and Sansa smiled softly. She didn't know where she would be without her maid.
"I saw you with Ser Jaime," Sansa changed the conversation. Gwen rolled her eyes, reaching for her book again and earning a giggle from the girl. "I've never seen a kiss quite like it. It was so passionate."
"I thought you were ill?" Gwen arched a brow. Sansa sat up quickly. The only love life she had to live was Gwen's now. She needed to believe that love still existed. She thought it had been with Joffrey. She had been so convinced that she had loved him. And then she had been forced to marry Tyrion. He had been kind to her. He had been sweet. But she did not love him.
She came to believe that there was no such thing as love. The sheltered life of Winterfell had lied to her and given her false hope.
"Jaime and I...you know that I cannot marry him, Lady Sansa," Gwen whispered. "I cannot ask him to give the cloak up. I cannot become a Lady of Casterly Rock. I could not take you or Arya with me. Someone is bound to recognise you, and then what? I end up getting you killed. It is not practical."
"You really are willing to stay with me?" Sansa checked with Gwen. The maid looked at her, realising how scared she truly was. She needed some security in her life and Gwen would be it if she had to be. She would protect her from anymore harm. Sansa and Arya had always come first. Jaime knew that. She had told him that.
But she couldn't help but feel as though he was slowly becoming as important to her as the girls. And it still scared her. The thought of having to live without him made her sweat with worry. But the thought of feeling so deeply about him also scared her.
"Of course I am willing to stay with you, Sansa," Gwen whispered. Sansa sat up and Gwen pecked the top of her head. "You know that I won't abandon you."
"I don't mean to be selfish, Gwen," Sansa assured her. "I just...I don't..."
"You do not have to explain to me," Gwen said in a small voice. She held her head in the crook of her neck as Sansa contently rested there, closing her eyes and wishing for her sister back. She wished for the cold of Winterfell once more.
But the cold was so far away when they travelled to the warm climate of the Free Cities.
...
A/N: So thank you to x XRoweenaJAugustineX x, moonlight1ify, Guest, chen, Sarai Hawke for reviewing the previous chapter. I do hope y'all will let me know what you think! I also have two endings for this story, basically a happy one and a sad one. I know that Game of Thrones tends to favour sadness but I'm unsure. If you could let me know your thoughts then it'd be immense! Thanks for reading!