All of his life had been spent with people glowering at him. People whispered behind his back, some whispered whilst he was even present. But he didn't think that he'd ever felt a glare like he had from Sarah Baratheon the following morning when he went to collect her.
"Do you intend to be more cooperative this morning?" Jaime wondered from her. "Or do I need to take you over my shoulder again? Believe me; the men had quite a show from you last night. Some of them wouldn't mind seeing it again."
"Stop mocking me," Sarah snapped at him. "You know that I have no choice but to-"
"-But to marry the Stark boy," Jaime interrupted her. "Once I have you delivered to Winterfell then you are at liberty to do as you please. Besides, I have yet to see this danger that your father speaks of. Does he forget that you have the best men surrounding you?"
"Perhaps it is a different type of danger," Sarah lowly growled back to Jaime, tiring of listening to him and his taunting attitude. "My father will not be pleased about all of this, especially when I write back to him and tell him that you are denying his wishes."
"Tell him," Jaime said lazily, folding his arms over his chest and resting against the pole holding her tent in place. "I fail to care. I am doing my job for the King."
"Dear Gods, you are infuriating," Sarah hissed, standing up and throwing her belongings back into her trunk.
A smirk formed on Jaime's face then. "There is that Baratheon temper we've come to know. It suits you well, little stag. Your face reddens and a soft blush forms on your cheeks."
"You cannot begin to comprehend how annoyed I am," Sarah said.
"I don't think I've seen you annoyed before. What would your father say? High born ladies don't act like this."
"Knights don't act like this," Sarah sniped back, gesturing to Jaime and he tilted his head to the side, his white cloak flowing behind him as he glanced back to look at it.
"Believe me," Jaime whispered to her, "I'm one of the most gallant knights you'll know."
"Then there is not much hope left in Westeros," Sarah replied to him, gesturing to her closed trunk. "I trust that you can bring that to the cart."
She began to sweep past Jaime. The member of the Kingsguard acted quicker than her, grabbing her by the wrist and stopping her from moving anywhere.
"You'll wait here," he warned her, his gaze deadly serious.
Sarah snatched her wrist back from his gloved hand before folding her arms across her stomach and watching him grab her trunk for her. She still carried the letter from her father in her cloak, making sure that she had it with her in case she managed to speak to Beren.
She supposed he was her last hope. Of course it would be difficult to talk to him with Jaime closely watching her.
"Your horse bolted off last night," Jaime told her. "As soon as it saw the blade I assume it ran. Not that you'd notice. You were too busy trying to kill me. Unsuccessfully, I may add."
Grinding her teeth together, Sarah sweetly smiled at him and shrugged. "Then I shall have to walk."
"And run into the woods?" Jaime asked from her, the trunk under one arm before he offered his other arm to Sarah. "Do you think me a fool? No, you will ride with me. Like I said, you are not running off so easily."
Sarah knew that she had no option but to take Jaime's arm. She wrapped her slender arm through his muscular one, her hand resting by his wrist as he left the tent and looked to some of the lower men who rode with the horse and cart.
"We ride now. Follow the Kingsroad until you see us again."
"Yes, Ser Jaime," they replied.
Jaime continued walking after handing them Sarah's trunk. He kept his arm with Sarah's squeezing it tightly to make sure that she couldn't run off. He didn't know how a woman could cause him this much trouble. His sister would scoff with amusement when she found out about the situation.
"Come here," Jaime said once they reached his horse.
Sarah remained confused for a moment before she startled and his hands clamped themselves onto her waist. He lifted her onto his horse before sitting behind her, looking around as Beren commented to the rest of the men.
The guard to Stannis caught the eye of Lady Sarah and he wondered what last night had been about. He doubted she would have tried to run away without any just reason.
Jaime climbed onto the horse and grabbed the reins from around her body, holding them tightly in his hands before he bent down to whisper in her ear, his blonde hair tickling against her neck and his nose inhaling the scent of her black curls.
"Don't even think about running off to Beren to ask for help," Jaime warned her. "He knows what will happen if he even thinks about helping you."
Sarah vaguely remembered what she'd heard Jaime say the previous night. She frowned and turned her head around to look at him;
"You'll gut him from balls to brains?" Sarah checked.
"Well remembered," Jaime told her before the horse began to move. "Of course, you should know by now that I do what I say I do."
"You're not the only one."
...
It was another week before Winterfell came into view. Sarah kept quiet as she saw the walls grow larger and Jaime groaned as soon as he saw the place.
"I wonder why the King was on the Kingsroad," Jaime spoke. It had been going round and round in his head ever since he had read Stannis's letter to his daughter. "I trust Ned Stark may have an idea. He is a valued friend of the King."
"I wouldn't know," replied Sarah, not in the mood for conversation.
Jaime had begun to think that she had resigned herself to the fact that she was stuck now. She hadn't escaped him in a week, and she hadn't attempted to. Jaime had told Beren that he was not to assist her under any circumstance.
Beren had agreed, but he knew that things would change when they approached Winterfell and Jaime wasn't watching Sarah all the time.
"No, of course you wouldn't," replied Jaime. "Don't worry; in another five minutes you will be with your betrothed, and I will be heading back South."
"Thank the Gods," Sarah said to him.
"You are not my concern when I go back," Jaime informed her. "Try to escape if you want. It doesn't matter to me then."
"No," replied Sarah. "You get to keep your head."
"I'd keep that pretty mouth of yours closed, Lady Sarah," Jaime warned her. "I doubt your betrothed will care for your attitude. I haven't had much fun with it for the past few weeks."
"You wouldn't have needed to listen to it if you had let me go," Sarah whispered and Jaime shook his head.
"Now that would have meant my head on a spike," he informed her. "Honestly, I did think you were more intelligent than what you let on."
"Can you please be quiet?" Sarah wondered from him. "It's bad enough I'm about to meet the Starks. I do not need you going on every time you get a chance to."
Jaime refrained from the grin which wanted to form on his lips. He did nothing and chose to ride through the gates of Winterfell in silence, looking around before he saw a line of people stood by the wall, all of them looking sheepish.
He felt Sarah's back straighten against his posture and she balled her fingers into a fist. She was nervous beyond belief. Jaime slowed his horse as the other guards did the same. He slid down from his horse, offering Sarah his hand. Hers shook as she took hold of his and his other hand held her waist.
"Stark," Jaime drawled, no intention of being formal with the man in front of him. He detested Ned Stark. He always had done, and he always would do. "I see that the cold has done nothing to dampen your spirits."
Sarah glanced onto Lord Eddard Stark and he moved his glare from Jaime to Sarah, deciding not to give the Kingslayer the time of day. Jaime still kept hold of Sarah's hand, his other arm moving around her waist to push her forwards.
"May I present Lady Sarah of the House Baratheon, daughter of Stannis Baratheon, the Lord of Dragonstone," Jaime spoke and released the trembling girl. She gave an awkward curtsey, a snort of laughter coming from somewhere down the line.
Jaime's eyes snapped to the sound and he saw a familiar looking face next to a tall man. The dark haired boy nudged the other one and urged him to stop laughing.
"Lady Sarah," Ned spoke, holding her hand and pressing his lips to the back of her knuckles. "I welcome you to Winterfell with the greatest honour."
"Thank you, my Lord," Sarah said. "I consider it an honour just to be here."
The little stag has recalled her manners. Stannis would be so proud, Jaime thought to himself as another snort came from the boy down the line.
"May I present my wife, Catelyn," Ned said and Sarah looked into Catelyn's kind eyes as the woman curtseyed and Sarah did the same again.
"A pleasure, my Lady," Catelyn spoke.
"These are my daughters, Arya and Sansa."
The taller one dropped into a neat curtsey and bowed her head politely, a small smile on her delicate features. The other one stood tall, squinting up to Sarah before speaking;
"Is it true that Dragonstone is haunted?" she wondered and Catelyn moved with haste, her hand on Arya's shoulder.
"I am sure Lady Sarah will tell you all about Dragonstone at a later date."
Sarah couldn't even form the words to politely reply to the girl. It seemed nothing came to mind as she followed Ned further down the line.
"This is Bran," he motioned to a boy. "And this is Rickon."
Sarah was well aware that she was about to meet the eldest son. Her future husband. She instantly felt sick at the thought. She looked up and was introduced to Ned's ward, Theon Greyjoy. She disliked the look of him instantly before Jon Snow was greeting her. She recognised the name Snow to be a bastard's name. She didn't push the matter as she stood before the final boy.
"And this is Robb," Ned said.
Sarah's eyes met Robb's and she felt nothing. She felt nothing like Shireen had thought she would. There was no connection between the two of them. There was not even a trace of politeness. Of course, why would he want her? She was older than he was. She was nowhere near as beautiful as other high born ladies.
"Lady Sarah," he spoke, a gruff sound coming out from him as he kissed the back of her gloved hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
It didn't sound like it was a pleasure.
"Likewise," Sarah managed to whisper before she looked to Ned. She needed to get away. She needed to find somewhere to spend some time alone. "I'm afraid it has been a long journey..." she trailed off, hoping he would understand.
He didn't seem to understand, but Catelyn did. She rushed forwards and nodded to the young woman, extending her arm to escort her inside.
"I shall show you to your chambers before the feast this evening," Catelyn told her with a nod. "I am sure you must be tired."
Sarah nodded, catching Jaime's eye as she went past. He nodded at her before turning his attention back to Stark.
"The men will need somewhere to rest their heads and eat," Jaime said. "We'll be gone by tomorrow morning. I know that any longer could cause a rift between us."
"You have not heard the news?" Ned checked from Jaime and the blonde cocked his brow. "The King is travelling North. Jon Arryn is dead. He requests for you to stay here until his arrival."
Jaime didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A bit of both would probably suffice. He kept silent as he heard the news and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"I assume the King intends to make you the new Hand then," Jaime said, wondering how Jon Arryn had died. The man seemed positively healthy the last time he had seen him. "I can only imagine that to be the only reason why he'd want to come to this cold place."
"It has not been said officially," Ned responded. "So it seems that you shall be staying for a lot longer than you initially thought."
Jaime did his best not to look too put out by what he was hearing. He nodded in agreement and began to back away from Stark.
"I'll just take a walk. See to my men like a good host, Stark."
Ned said nothing back to Jaime as the Kingslayer walked away, his hand running down his cheek before he heard the chortle of laughter.
"Did you not see her nose?" a boy asked. "It was massive...and those ears..."
"There's no need to be rude, Theon," another spoke. "So what if she is not pretty? I am sure that Robb cares for her more than that."
"Jon is right," the gruff voice agreed. "She seemed quiet."
"She seemed dull. Then again, they do say that Stannis Baratheon isn't exactly a charmer."
"Neither are you." Replied Robb.
"I have my moments," Theon said. "Perhaps it won't be too bad, Robb. You can take her from behind so that you don't have to see her face."
Jaime stepped out of the shadows then, his hands by his side as the three boys looked at him and he titled his head to the side, an amused look on his face as he did so. He took a moment to look at the one he had identified to be Theon Greyjoy.
"It's true," Jaime said. "They do say that her father is miserable. Then what does that make your father, Greyjoy? I'm certain that people forget about the usurper. Besides, he doesn't have much to be happy about. I hear that Pyke is a pile of rock shit."
Jon stifled a laugh at what he had just heard, but Theon remained fuming. He refused to be treated in such a manner. He was a Greyjoy. He commanded respect.
"Lurking round corners, Lannister?" Theon dared to ask. "Why are you defending the girl? Have you taken a fancy to her yourself?"
Scoffing, Jaime shook his head and laughed lightly. "No, but I do not think you are one to talk in such a manner. She is niece to the King. I do believe she holds a higher status than yours."
Theon's cheeks seemed to tinge red before Jaime began to walk away.
"Besides, she may not be the most attractive woman, but at least she doesn't have crooked teeth."
Jon laughed loudly then as Theon opened his mouth and pressed his fingers to his teeth. Robb said nothing, his gaze staring after the Kingslayer as he wondered what he was getting at. Robb didn't know, but he did know that he didn't trust Jaime Lannister.
...
A/N: Thanks to everyone reading and I do hope you will review to let me know what you think!