Thank you all so much for the reviews! I appreciate the feedback and I'm glad that you are enjoying the story and Jaime and Sansa's relationship. This is kind of a filler chapter, and it lays the foundation for the next one – Joffrey and Margaery's Wedding….enjoy!

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Chapter 12

After Sansa was told of her brother's death, Jaime had managed to convince his father that it would be unseemly to force her to attend the wedding festivities, but two days was the longest Lord Tywin was willing to allow her to avoid her duties to House Lannister. Sansa was surprised that she was allowed to hide away from everything for that long, since she wasn't given a moment alone to grieve when Bran and Rickard had been killed. Not to mention her father.

She was grateful not to have to paste a fake smile on her face at the nightly feasts, though she had not expected Jaime to stay back from the feast with her the second night. She told him to go, but he had insisted on staying with her, having a quiet dinner in their bedchamber and letting her cuddle against him in front of the fire. He'd told her all about Casterly Rock – which would be her new home once Joffrey and Margaery were married. She knew he was trying to distract her and she appreciated his efforts.

After her two days of solitude, she was expected to attend a pre-wedding tea for Margaery Tyrell. Sansa sat at the long table in the dining room of the Maidenvault, with more than three dozen ladies who had been invited to honor the future queen. The Tyrells served many different exotic teas, and sweet confections – some almost too pretty to eat – and huge roses covered the walls of the room. Margaery sat at the head of the table and smiled sweetly as she opened the small tokens the women present gifted her with – mainly hair nets, combs and frilly bedclothes, the latter of which caused Margaery to blush prettily. Sansa went out of her way to avoid speaking to the Queen Regent, and was grateful to be seated as far from her as possible.

As Sansa watched Cersei and the others fuss over Margaery, she thought about how Jaime had comforted her after telling her that Robb was dead. He must care something for me. Jaime would not devote so much time to my comfort if he did not. He wouldn't hold me so tenderly if he didn't care.

Sansa's thoughts were interrupted when Margaery sat beside her, taking her hand. The future queen leaned close, whispering in Sansa's ear. "I was so sorry to hear about your brother." Sansa opened her mouth to say that her brother was a traitor, as was expected in the presence of the queen regent, but Margaery placed a finger to her lips. "Don't say anything."

Sansa saw Cersei watching them with narrowed eyes. Margaery shared a look with her grandmother, who yelled for a song from Butterbumps. Cersei seemed annoyed by the fool, but it was clear to Sansa that the queen regent was trying hard to make a good impression in front of the Tyrells and wouldn't dare make a scene. As Butterbumps screamed at the top of his lungs, Margaery spoke low in Sansa's ear.

"I know how heartbroken I would be if something were to happen to one of my brothers. Has anyone here offered you any comfort? Ser Jaime, perhaps? I noticed he was not at the feasts these past two nights. I expect he was with you?"

Sansa nodded, sipping her tea. "He has been a great comfort. And a very kind husband. He's not like…," Sansa trailed off, but felt certain Margaery would know she meant Joffrey and the queen.

"I'd like us to be friends, Sansa. I'm glad that you have someone to care for you – that your marriage to Ser Jaime is a happy one." She paused, glancing at Cersei. "This is very important, so listen carefully. At my wedding feast, you must stay beside Ser Jaime the entire time. Do not leave his side for even a moment. Keep hold of his arm, if you can, and do not stray for any reason."

Sansa looked at Margaery in question. "Why?"

"Just, please, trust me and do as I say." Margaery rose and Sansa puzzled over her words, wondering why it was so important that she stay at Jaime's side for the entire wedding feast. She began to feel fearful about the royal wedding. It seemed that Margaery believed Sansa would need some sort of protection. As if I did not have enough reason to dread this wedding.

...

Two of Lord Tywin's guards escorted Sansa back from the Maidenvault, and as she walked past the library, Tyrion called out to her and beckoned for her to join him. She sent the guards on their way and walked into the library, sitting on the sofa next to Jaime's brother.

"I didn't have a chance to speak to you earlier, but I am very sorry for your loss, Sansa."

She nodded, looking down at her hands, not especially wanting to talk about the loss of all of her family members. "Thank you. I know that you do mean that."

"And how was the bridal tea? Was it has horrible as I imagine?"

Sansa smiled at his tone. "Lady Margaery is very nice. Cersei didn't even speak to me…and I didn't see Joffrey so…."

"So, even better than expected? Sansa, you cannot allow my horrible sister and even more horrible nephew to scare you. You need to remember who you are – you are the wife of the Kingslayer."

She looked at Tyrion in surprise. "You must know Jaime hates being called that."

"He does, but, what's important is, the name inspires fear. And if people want to whisper "Kingslayer" behind your husband's back, you can at least use it to your advantage. You should not walk around this castle in fear anymore. People should fear upsetting you, my dear."

"Why should anyone fear me?"

"I think you realize by now that Jaime cares for you very much."

She couldn't help smiling in pleasure at his words. "Do you think so?" Sansa had thought that Jaime cared for her, but she wanted to hear Tyrion's thoughts, since he did know Jaime so well.

Tyrion smiled warmly. "I know you've had a difficult time of it here, but it seems my father may have done you a favor, however unintentional, by marrying you to Jaime. You have a protector, now. Jaime would kill for you if you asked him to. And say what you will about Jaime, he is someone to fear when he is angered. And everyone knows that. Sansa, no one knows that he can't use his left hand well. He is still feared."

Sansa thought about how Ser Meryn and Ser Boros shrank back in fear when Jaime threatened them, and knew that Tyrion spoke the truth.

"Do you know how much I was mocked and teased growing up?" She shook her head. "Very little. Because of Jaime. And knowing that I had Jaime there to protect me, gave me the confidence to stand up for myself. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

"So, what am I to do?"

"You will not allow anyone to threaten or intimidate you. And if they try, you will point out who your husband is and what the consequences will be if they continue to displease you."

"I could never say that."

"You can, and you will, Sansa. You're a Lannister. And Lannisters do not cower in fear from anyone. And Jaime Lannister's wife certainly has no reason to fear anyone."

Sansa thought about what Tyrion said to her. She was tired of being afraid. And she knew that he was right about Jaime protecting her. She wanted to stand up for herself, but she was so afraid to. She had tried to stand up to Joffrey once, and been backhanded across the face for her trouble. That was before Jaime. He won't allow anyone to harm you. He cares about you.

...

Jaime returned from the practice field, beaten and battered after sparring with Ser Ilyn Payne. He'd taken to sparring with the royal executioner because he knew there was no possibility that he would brag about how easily he bested the Kingslayer. As he winced in pain, Jaime couldn't help feeling that he deserved the pain after all that his family had done to Sansa – after all of the losses that she had suffered. He did what he could to comfort her, but it wasn't enough.

Jaime walked toward his bedchamber and heard low, angry voices coming from the hallway. He recognized one as Sansa's. He felt anger tighten in his stomach as he listened to Sansa argue with Lord Baelish, but he stayed hidden, listening to their conversation.

"- wedding approaches, and I am to leave immediately after for the Vale. I've made plans for you to accompany me. All you have to do is follow my instructions, and you'll be free of the Lannisters."

"And where would you take me? I cannot go to my mother anymore. She is a prisoner."

"I believe that I will be able to secure her release –"

"I don't believe you. I know that you helped the queen take my father hostage. That you lied to my mother."

"Are you allowing the Lannisters to manipulate you with their lies? Again? Your honor demands that you leave here with me. Do you think it would make your father proud if you were to stay here and be bedded by the Kingslayer? What about your mother? She's lost all of her other children. And you would stay here and give the Kingslayer children? Heirs that will allow the Lannisters to steal Winterfell." Watching Littlefinger try to manipulate sweet Sansa made him sick, but he waited, giving her the chance to defend herself. He wanted to hear if she fell for Littlefinger's words and agreed to leave with him or not.

"You don't know anything about Jaime. And you don't know anything about our marriage."

"Sansa, don't mistake sex for love. You're very young and new to the pleasure a man's body can bring you, but don't think the Kingslayer loves you, just because you share his bed," he said with a practiced sweetness designed to seduce.

"The Kingslayer, is my husband. I should warn you that he's quite protective of me. He doesn't like to see me upset. I worry what he would do to you if I told him you were trying to take me away from him." Jaime smiled. Tyrion had told him of his conversation with her about standing up for herself and it appeared Sansa had taken his brother's words to heart.

Littlefinger angrily grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him. "I try to help you, and you would threaten me?"

Jaime pulled his sword – for what it was worth – and moved towards them. "Unhand my wife. She's not leaving Kings Landing. Not with you." Littlefinger looked fearful. Good. Sansa looked…guilty. Jaime used his golden hand to tilt her chin up to him. "Has he hurt you?" She shook her head. "Go to our chamber and wait for me."

She looked at the sword in his hand uncertainly – likely thinking about how ineffective he was with a sword now - before picking up her skirts and quickly leaving them alone. Jaime waited until he saw her enter their chamber and close the door before turning towards Lord Baelish. Jaime yet again cursed the loss of his sword hand as he imagined the satisfaction of plunging a sword through Peter Baylish's throat. Jaime had a good idea what he had planned for his little wife.

"You must have a death wish to manhandle my wife in that manner."

"Does Sansa –"

"Lady Lannister," he corrected.

"Does she know the details of your relationship with your sister? Of your true relation to Joffrey? I imagine she does not, given her misguided affection for you."

Jaime knew Sansa would hate him if she knew. Not that it would change the fact of their marriage. She'd be by his side, whether she liked it or not. But Jaime would be lying if he said that he didn't care what she thought of him. He didn't want her to hate him. He much preferred her as she was now. He liked her sweet smiles and gentle touches.

"My father would be quite upset to hear that you planned to spirit my wife away from me. He might even consider it enough of an affront to withdraw all the gifts he's bestowed on you. No more Lord of Harrenhal. I have a good idea what your intentions are towards her, so I'll be clear: Sansa is mine. You cannot have her."

"All you want is her claim to Winterfell. Don't act as if you love her– "

"Don't act as if you love her. Using her as a replacement for her mother isn't loving her." Littlefinger's smile faltered a bit. "You don't even know her. All you see is a physical resemblance to Lady Catelyn. Do you actually think the girl would like to go to your bed, while you pretend she's her mother?"

"How dare you say such things? I know enough about your relationship with the queen to know that you're only fucking Sansa under orders from your father. To get a child on her that will inherit Winterfell."

"Careful. Lord Tywin would consider such statements to be treason." Jaime advanced on Lord Baelish, his face the picture of menace. "Do you think I don't know you're lies are responsible for Tyrion being taken captive? For starting the animosity between the Starks and Lannisters? My father plans to send you to the Vale, to…charm Lysa Arryn. You'll leave today. Without another word to my wife. Perhaps Lysa is one blue-eyed, red-haired Tully girl who will fall for your charms."

Littlefinger smiled tightly. "I leave for the Vale following the King's wedding."

"You leave today. And don't even think of traveling to the Twins – Walder Frey will be under orders to keep you far away from Catelyn Stark." Littlefinger glanced at the sword in Jaime's hand and his smile faded. "I'd suggest you leave before I reconsider allowing you to live."

Jaime re-sheathed his sword, and walked to his bedchamber, where Sansa waited, nervously sitting on the bed, almost shaking in fear. She watched him carefully as he crossed the room toward her. "I'm sorry," she said, as soon as he closed the door behind him. "I'm so sorry." She was near tears and terrified. She's thinks I'm angry with her. He thought about what anger from a Lannister has meant for her in the past. She must think I'm going to hit her.

He sat beside her, taking her hand in his. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"I know that," she said, looking down at their joined hands. "I'm afraid that you'll think I don't appreciate all you've done for me. That I've…hurt you."

How can she feel this way about me? A husband that's been forced on her. "I've told Lord Baelish to leave Kings Landing today. I'm afraid he won't be taking you from here."

"I wasn't going to leave with him. Not now." Her eyes filled with tears. "I heard you and Tyrion talking about him. That he lied to my parents…helped Cersei take my father captive. He was never going to take me to my mother, was he?"

Jaime shook his head. "No. You'd have been free of me but, you may have found yourself sharing his bed instead."

"I am sorry, Jaime. I wanted to go home. I wanted to see my mother. I still do but…it doesn't mean that I don't appreciate how kind you've been to me. I don't wish to be free of you, I just…"

"You needn't apologize for wanting to go home. Do you really believe I don't know you'd walk away without a glance back if you could go home right now?" He knew that he spoke the truth, but he could also see that she was torn over that truth. She does truly care for me. But she also wants to go home. To go back to the way her life was before King Robert brought her father to Kings Landing.

Her eyes were glassy with emotion. "Please don't think that I don't – " she broke off abruptly. She'd been a bit skittish with her words ever since she'd nearly told him that she loved him. He had noticed that Sansa had tried to resist her impulse to sleep in his arms. Though, her grief over her brother's death had sent her scrambling towards him every night, clinging to him as if he were the one thing in the world keeping her safe.

"Sansa, I'm not so much a fool to believe that you would rather be with me than with your family. But…you don't have anywhere to go. Or anyone to go to. Do you understand?" She nodded sadly. "I don't say that to hurt you. But, you need to accept that we're going to be together for some time."

"I know," she whispered. " If I can't go home, I'd choose to be with you." She blushed before looking up at him. "Are you angry?"

Jaime smiled, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I'm not angry. I can't take you home, but I can get you away from Kings Landing. You just may like Casterly Rock." She nodded, not entirely convinced and Jaime wrapped his arm around her, holding her against him.

"Jaime?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I'd ever be allowed to see my mother? Or, even, just write her?" He met her eyes and could see that she expected him to refuse her. It is a small request.

"If you write a letter for her, I'll see that she gets it. Others will likely read it, but…I don't see the harm."

She brightened at his words, hugging him in thanks. I'll try to make you happy, Sansa. I promise. It's the least you deserve from me.

...

Sansa softly kissed Jaime's chest as she lay on top of him, his arms wrapped around her. She had come to treasure this time in her husband's arms as they waited for their heart rates to calm and their breathing to return to normal. It was the time that she felt the strongest emotions for him and it was when he was the most affectionate with her.

In the week after her brother's death, they had gotten in the habit, after making love, of lying in bed and talking. And kissing and touching each other. She smiled as Jaime ran his hand over her back, tracing circles on her skin. She raised her head and kissed him, gently, though he returned her kiss with passion, teasing her tongue with his own.

"Would you like some wine?"

She nodded. "If you're having some." He kissed her once more before getting out of bed and crossing the room to pour them a goblet to share.

Sansa rolled onto her side and watched him. While she had been shy about their being naked together at first, she had come to enjoy gazing at his body. He'd taken to training on the practice field every day, though always in secret so no one knew how weak he was with a sword, and she had noticed his muscles develop and imagined his body was as it was before his capture and injury. His body looked so powerful to her. As Jaime stood with his back to her, she saw him rub where the skin of his arm met the leather straps that held the golden hand in place. He never removed it – at least not in her presence - though she knew it must be uncomfortable at times. As her eyes roamed over his back and thighs, he turned and caught her gaze.

"Are you enjoying the view, my lady?"

"Very much," she whispered. She loved when he was playful like this. It made it easy to forget the grief that was normally in the back of her mind.

"Yet you hide your body from my view," he said, eyeing the sheet that she had wrapped around herself. "I know you're not cold, the fire is blazing."

Feeling rather bold, Sansa rose from the bed and started walking towards him. Jaime simply watched her, a smirk on his face as his eyes roamed over her breasts. "You've gotten very confident here in our bedchamber. So perfectly improper."

She blushed, but still moved towards him, hesitantly taking his golden hand in hers and reaching for the straps that held it in place. "Take this off? Let me see just you." She hated the fear and shame that she saw in his eyes as he tried to pull away from her but she held fast to his wrist, her other hand sliding around his neck, forcing him to look at her. "Please don't be ashamed." She moved closer, pressing her chest against his as she stood on tiptoes to place a kiss on his neck. "I love looking at your body," she whispered, kissing him again. "Let me see all of you."

He didn't say anything, but she could see in his eyes that he was prepared to give in to her wishes. She led him to the bed, standing before him as he sat. Sansa took his wrist in her hand, and carefully unbuckled the straps that held the false hand in place. She could feel his eyes on her, searching for her initial reaction. He thinks I'll be repulsed. She could plainly see that. Sansa removed the metal hand and placed it on the bedside table as she rubbed her fingers over the handless wrist, trying to ease the discomfort from wearing the golden hand for so long.

She could see how vulnerable he was feeling and slipped onto his lap, hugging him against her before looking at his right wrist. The skin had healed at the point where his hand had been cut off and it was smooth beneath her fingers as she gently ran her fingers over it. She felt Jaime's head resting on her shoulder as she brought the stump to her mouth and gently, gently kissed it, hearing a sound from Jaime that might have been a sob.

I love you, Jaime.

Once Sansa accepted that no one was going to come and rescue her, she had given herself permission to love him. But she was still afraid to say it. She wanted to say the words to him, but she couldn't seem to bring herself to do it. It was difficult enough to admit to herself that she loved him, and the thought of him rejecting her was more than she could take.

She could see that he wanted to put the golden hand back on – to hide his stump from her. "Lay down with me?"

He did as she asked and but she could see that he wasn't yet comfortable with her seeing him without the golden hand. He was never this quiet, so she knew he was feeling very vulnerable. She stretched out alongside him and rested her head on his chest. "You shouldn't feel as if losing your hand has changed who you are."

"You don't understand," he said, tracing his hand down her back and over the curve of her hip.

"Then tell me."

He sighed, as she softly stroked his handless wrist. She found that she liked the feel of the smooth skin there, but she knew he didn't want her to look at it. She allowed him to pull his wrist from her grasp and wrap it around her waist. "All I've ever been good at is using a sword. From the moment my father placed a sword in my hand, I knew that it belonged there. I knew I was meant to be a great knight." He looked at her. "No one could beat me. And everyone feared me – obeyed me – because they knew I could make them. Now…"

Jaime lowered his head, softly kissing her neck as she threaded her fingers through his hair. "Perhaps I was just as naïve as you about what it meant to be a knight." Jaime lay back against the pillows. "Did you father ever tell you about Whent's great tournament at Harrenhal?" She shook her head.

"Harrenhal is where they gave me the white cloak. Whent's great tourney. He wanted to show us all his big castle and his fine sons. I wanted to show them too. I was only fifteen, but no one could have beaten me that day. Aerys never let me joust." He laughed.

"King Aerys made a great show of my investiture. When Ser Gerold Hightower raised me up and put the white cloak about my shoulders, a roar went up that I still remember, all these years later. But that very night, the king had turned sour, declaring that he had no need of seven Kingsguard at Harrenhal. I was commanded to return to Kings Landing to guard the queen. Even when the White Bull offered to take that duty himself, so I might compete, the king refused. 'He'll win no glory here,' the King had said. 'He's mine now, not Tywin's.'"

Jaime looked down and met Sansa's eyes. "That was the first time I understood. It was not my skill with sword and lance that won me my white cloak, nor any feats of valor I'd performed against the Kingswood Brotherhood. Aerys chose me to spite my father. To rob Lord Tywin of his heir."

"It doesn't seem like you enjoyed being in the Kingsguard."

"No," he said, shaking his head and moving to face her. "I'd have ripped the cloak off then and there, but it was too late." She could feel his stump moving against her back. Sansa had noticed that Jaime's golden hand would twitch when he was angry - as if he wanted to hurt someone wth it. "People say I have no honor because I broke my vow to protect the king but…they make you swear and swear and swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Keep his secrets. Do his bidding. Your life for his. But obey your father. Love your sister. Protect the innocent. Defend the weak. Respect the gods. Obey the laws. No matter what you do, you're forsaking one vow for the other."

Sansa could see that this was something he'd thought on a lot. That it bothered him that he'd broken his vows. But she could also see that he had not felt he had a choice. "I think you very honorable," she said, gazing at him in admiration. "And very brave. I don't care what anyone else thinks."

He smiled at her as if he did not quite believe her words. "We should sleep," he whispered, holding her against him and closing his eyes.

She tilted her head up to kiss him before snuggling into his arms and closing her eyes, allowing sleep to take her. Joffrey's wedding was the next day. After it was over, they would travel to Casterly Rock and away from Kings Landing. And away from Joffrey. Hopefully forever.