Thanks for the reviews and comments. It helps motivate me to keep writing :) Okay, so, this is a rough chapter for Sansa (and for Catelyn), but keep in mind that this isn't the end of the story...

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Chapter 29

After her father had been executed, Sansa's entire world had changed. And Joffrey had turned cruel – humiliating and beating her for his own amusement. She had not even been able to sleep peacefully, the fear of Joffrey coming to rape her keeping her up nights. So, she would lie awake every night and pray to be reunited with her mother; to go home to Winterfell. That fear had ended on her wedding night, when Sansa finally felt safe, knowing that no one would dare harm her as she slept in Jaime Lannister's arms.

She had not stopped praying for her mother, but the despair she'd felt – the isolation – had gone away. Jaime became someone who would protect her; someone she could count on. He showed her affection when she'd had none for months and months. At the same time, Sansa had felt guilty over her growing fondness for her husband – a man her family despised. Sansa had worried that she shouldn't love Jaime as she did, but she couldn't seem to stop herself from letting him firmly into her heart.

As she walked beside her husband, on her way to be reunited with her mother, these thoughts ran through Sansa's head. I hope my mother understands why I love Jaime. I hope she sees all that he has done for me. At first, Jaime had been reluctant to take her to see Lady Catelyn, suggesting that it was late, and perhaps the following day would be better. But, Sansa had worn him down as they dined and he was now escorting her to her mother's tent. She walked beside Jaime through the seemingly endless camp of his soldiers and clung to his arm, feeling more and more nervous with each step they took.

She could see that Jaime was also feeling anxious about her reunion with her mother. "I want you to be prepared, Sansa. She…she knows that you are my lady wife and she was rather upset with me about it. She does not think it was proper for me to marry you or to bed you –"

"You told her that we've…made love?" she whispered, horrified.

He chuckled, despite his anxiety. "I don't think it's wholly unexpected that I would fuck my wife." She scowled at his choice of words as he continued to address her. "I didn't tell her that we've found happiness together. I didn't tell her…how much I love you. Or that…"

"That I love you," she finished. "Despite your filthy mouth."

He smiled. "I thought it best not to say such things to her. She would…it would upset her."

"Did you tell her that I carry your child?" she whispered.

"No." Sansa could see that he was searching for words. "Sansa, I fear that you may find that your reunion is not what you had hoped for. I fear our marriage – our child - will be difficult for your mother to accept."

Sansa had never told Jaime that she had always felt some guilt over her love for him and over the pleasure she found in his arms. She never wanted him to doubt her feelings for him, so she had kept her concerns to herself. But his warnings made her even more fearful of how her mother would receive her. "But she'll see how you've protected me," she offered softly.

He didn't say anything to her in response and she could see the doubt and worry on her husband's face. "Jaime," she began hesitantly, linking her fingers through his, "Why are you so worried about me seeing my mother?" He was quiet for a long time, which made her nervous. Jaime was never quiet, unless something was bothering him. He finally met her eyes and she could see his fear.

"No one is going to come between us," she whispered. She squeezed his hand and he smiled faintly, but she could see that he was still troubled. I wish I knew what to say to reassure him. He must know how much I love him. Sansa had never imagined that a man like Jaime – a brave knight, the powerful Lord of the Rock, the Kingslayer – would be so fearful of losing her, but she could plainly see that he was.

When they reached her mother's heavily guarded tent, Jaime nodded to the guards, silently ordering them to move away from the entrance. "I'll wait here," he said, stroking her hair. "You and your mother can have a private reunion. Your mother…she only wishes to see you, at any rate. Not me."

He was looking at her as if he was saying goodbye to her – as if things would never be as they were once she spoke to her mother. Sansa wasn't certain what to say to comfort him, but she kissed him and hugged him tightly. "I love you," she whispered, before turning to enter the tent.

She felt him grip her shoulders, his mouth near her ear. "Perhaps…you should tell her that you wish for nothing more than to be free of this marriage. That you do not wish to share my bed. That I forced you to…that I forced myself on you."

She turned and looked at him in shock. "I can't accuse you of that."

He gently touched her cheek. "She hates me anyway…what does it matter? There's no need to cause an argument between the two of you to protect my reputation. My honor. Your relationship with your mother is more important. She wouldn't wish to hear that you care for me as you do."

Sansa was suddenly terrified of speaking to her mother. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and felt his arms around her, holding her close. "I love you, Jaime. And this child is not from…you hurting me. This child is inside me because we care for one another. Because we love each other. I won't ever say differently."

"We would know the truth."

"No. You never…raped me…and I won't say you did. I won't have you forced to lie about the origins of another child." She saw that she hit her mark with that comment as he silently nodded. He'd never said the words, but she knew that Cersei's refusal to allow him to claim his children hurt him. Sansa had no intention of doing anything to harm Jaime's relationship with their child. She had no intention of shrouding their love in secrecy as his love for Cersei had been.

"Everything will be fine, Jaime. She's my mother. She loves me." She kissed him quickly before turning and slowly walking into the tent. She stood in the entrance of the tent and saw her mother, sitting on the pallet in the corner of the tent. "Mother?" she whispered as she approached Lady Catelyn, resting a hand on her shoulder.

As soon as her mother turned to look at her, Sansa gave in to the urge to cry. She hadn't seen her mother since she left Winterfell, with Arya and her father, to travel to King's Landing and the sight of her mother's face immediately took her back. It seemed like a lifetime ago, rather than less than two years. Lady Catelyn was also crying as Sansa sank to her knees beside her mother and embraced her. Sansa closed her eyes as her mother held her and she could almost imagine away all of the horrible things that had happened to her. She could almost imagine that she was just a little girl at Winterfell again as she cried in her mother's arms.

"Sansa…my love." Her mother pulled back and looked her over. "You've grown into a woman since last I saw you," she said quietly, resting her hand under her chin. As her mother looked her over, Sansa was glad that she had let out the seams on her gowns, and wore a heavy wool cloak, making it impossible to detect that she was pregnant. Her belly had become even more swollen with child in only the past few days. Sansa liked touching her stomach and feeling how much her child had grown – as did Jaime – but she knew her mother would not share her happiness.

"What of Arya?" her mother whispered. "Do you know where she is?"

Sansa shook her head, wiping away her tears. "She escaped when the queen took father captive. I haven't seen her since that day…I tried to help father," she said, her voice breaking. "I did, I swear, mother, I did. I begged Joffrey to show him mercy and he said he would but…then he…he killed him right in front of me." Sansa dissolved into tears again as her mother held her, gently stroking her hair. "I never thought I would see you again, mother. I thought that I would die there, in King's Landing."

"I've thought of you often, Sansa. I've prayed for your safety every day. Has the Kingslayer hurt you?" she asked in a low voice.

Sansa tensed at her mother's question, unsure of how to respond – unsure of how much to tell her mother. "He has not hurt me, mother. He's…he's treated me well." She wiped her tears and met her mother's eyes. "Jaime has been very kind to me and he has seen to my comfort."

"Has he?" she said sharply and Sansa winced at her hostility. "He did not spare your maidenhood. That would have been kind. I had thought perhaps his relationship with his sister would stop him from consummating the marriage." Sansa looked down at her hands, wishing her mother had not brought up Jaime's relationship with the queen. "I suppose it was a foolish thought. Tywin Lannister knew better than to allow a…wartime marriage, such as this, to go unconsummated. He knew what a defeat it would be to our family if his son got a child on you. He hasn't been…harsh with you, in the bedchamber, has he?"

Sansa felt her face heat. "No, mother. Jaime has always been…gentle with me. And very patient. He wouldn't hurt me."

"But the Kingslayer continues to share your bed, doesn't he?" Sansa didn't tell her mother that she would not wish to sleep separately from her husband. She certainly didn't dare tell her mother how safe she felt in Jaime's arms nor how much pleasure he brought her in their bed.

"It…Mother, Jaime is my lord husband and…it is expected…it is my duty to provide him with an heir. You've always told me that I must be loyal to my husband and to my family. And Jaime…he is part of my family now."

Sansa watched as her mother's expression became a queer combination of rage and sadness. "This is not the type of marriage that I spoke of. We'll get our freedom back, I promise you, my love," her mother said urgently. "And when the war is over, we can have this marriage set aside." She wanted to tell her mother that she didn't want to have her marriage to Jaime set aside, but she held her tongue. "Do you know what to do?" her mother whispered seriously.

"What do you mean?"

Her mother's eyes flickered towards the entrance to her tent before she addressed Sansa in a low whisper. "You mustn't allow his seed to take root in you. You must not give him an heir or you will be chained to the Lannisters forever. Does he give you enough freedom that you could get some moon tea?"

Sansa gasped, thinking of what Lady Sybell had done to Robb's queen, her hand instinctively covering her stomach. Her mother noticed her movement and opened her cloak, looking at her carefully. "You already carry the Kingslayer's child, don't you?"

"Yes," she whispered.

Her mother could not conceal the sadness and disappointment in her voice. "I suppose you have been sharing his bed for many months…The Lannisters have not fought this war honorably. You're so young, Sansa. And you were their hostage. They should not have done this. For the Kingslayer to force you to..." Her mother trailed off, overcome with emotion.

Sansa decided she had to make her mother stop thinking Jaime had raped her. "Mother, please, don't think that –"

"Well, the Lannisters will learn this marriage – this heir - was for naught."

"What do you mean?" Sansa asked curiously.

"Robb and I made certain you were disinherited as his heir when we received word of your marriage to the Kingslayer. The Lannisters shall not get their hands on Winterfell."

"Disinherited? That is what you thought to do when you heard I had been married to Jaime? You didn't think to help me? To get me away from Kings Landing? You only thought of disinheriting me?"

"I know you don't understand the politics of it, but we could not allow the Kingslayer's child to rule Winterfell."

But Jaime's child…is my child. Sansa realized that her mother saw the baby growing inside of her as an enemy. Sansa felt her eyes fill with tears.

"Don't cry, my love. Sansa, if your brother could have helped you, he would have." Sansa stared down at her hands as her mother took her back into her arms.

"What do you mean if he could have helped me? Jaime was his prisoner for months and months. He could have traded him for me."

Her mother took her hands. "He couldn't. He had to think of the war. As much as it hurt, he had to put aside what he wanted, to do what was best for the North."

"Family, Duty, Honor, mother," Sansa mumbled quietly. "Those are your words. Family comes first." Sansa couldn't get over her disappointment at what her family had decided to do when they heard she was married to Jaime. Or what her mother's feelings were for her child. Sansa couldn't help thinking that all of her months waiting and praying for them to save her was for nothing. And it hurt.

"What did he say to turn you against me? Against your brother?" her mother asks sharply.

"I've not turned against you, mother. But…Jaime has been very kind to me. He's protected me."

"Kind? Do you know what the Lannisters are capable of? Did your husband tell you how your brother died? I was there. I saw it. I was there when the singers began to play their Lannister song and the crossbows came out. I was there when the Freys began killing the great lords of the north, spilling their blood all over the ground. I was there when a sword was driven through your brother's chest…when his head was cut off and Grey Wind's head was sewn on in its place. You say he's kind to you; that he protects you, but that is who he really is. That's what's in his blood."

"Not another word!" Sansa heard Jaime's voice as she pulled away from her mother in horror, and understood why Jaime had refused to tell her the details of the Red Wedding.

"Cat, you shouldn't say such things to her." She looked up and heard her uncle's sharp rebuke of her mother. He'd obviously been listening, as had Jaime.

Sansa couldn't get the images of her brother's death out of her head as she began to cry and she felt Jaime behind her. "That's enough for tonight, Sansa," he whispered in his ear, as she immediately reached for his hand and moved closer to him. Sansa saw both Edmure and her mother notice her seek comfort from Jaime.

"You go to his bed willingly, don't you?" her mother asked quietly, though Sansa heard the accusation in her tone.

"I owe him my life, mother," she managed through her tears. "Do you understand? I would be dead if it weren't for him. Do you know that Joffrey had the Kingsguard strip me naked and beat me every time you and Robb were celebrating a victory? And Jaime made it stop. He saved me." She felt Jaime's hand on her shoulder, trying to get her to leave the tent, but she couldn't stop herself. "I was prepared to die in King's Landing until Jaime came back to the capitol. I don't care what you think of him – I don't care what he's done in the past. He saved me."

Jaime held her as she clung to him, burying her face against his chest as she cried. She was aware of his quiet whispers in her ear, trying to calm her, but she didn't hear what he was saying. She was too consumed by her own thoughts. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Mother was supposed to hold me and tell me she loves me. She was supposed to be grateful to have her daughter safe in her arms. Why isn't she glad Jaime protected me?

"What did you do to her, Kingslayer? What did you do to turn her against her family?"

Sansa turned to face her mother as she questioned Jaime, clearly furious to see her daughter seek comfort in his arms. "He loves me, mother," Sansa said quietly. "And I love him."

"Then you are not my daughter," she said coldly.

"Cat!" Sansa could see that Edmure was surprised both by Sansa's words and her mother's reaction.

"We're done here," Jaime said, with barely controlled rage, lifting Sansa into his arms and carrying her back to their tent.

...

Jaime sat on their bed, still holding her in his arms. He'd carried her the entire way, never releasing his hold on her. Sansa buried her face against her husband's neck, as he held her on his lap, afraid to let go of him, as she cried.

You are not my daughter. You are not my daughter. You are not my daughter.

The words kept echoing in Sansa's head as Jaime held her, threading his fingers through her hair. She knew her mother would be unhappy with her relationship with Jaime, but she never dreamed her mother would utter those words.

You are not my daughter.

"Please try to calm yourself, my sweet," Jaime murmured in her ear, trying to stop her tears. "It's going to be all right. She didn't mean it." He smoothed his hand over her hair and kissed her cheek. "I don't believe that your brother had any idea how Joffrey was treating you, sweet girl. They didn't know how much you needed their help. Your mother…she's been through a lot, she's lost a lot, as have you and –"

Sansa started to shake her head, turning her eyes up to his face. "She'll never forgive me for falling in love with you."

You are not my daughter.

She saw his expression darken as he continued to absently stroke her hair. "I'm sorry that I've cost you what's left of your family, Sansa. You know I would never wish to hurt you."

Sansa saw such pain in his eyes. He thinks I blame him. He thinks I'm going to stop loving him. He doesn't understand how important he is to me. As much as she hated to think about his relationship with Cersei, she knew that he had repeatedly asked her to leave King's Landing with him so they could be together, but she would never choose him over the Iron Throne.

"You have not hurt me, Jaime. And I don't blame you for her anger. For what she said." She rested her palm against the back of his neck. "You must know that I won't stop loving you. And if I'm forced to choose, I choose you," she whispered.

She could see he was surprised by her words. No one has ever chosen him. No one has ever put him first. "How can you say that when it makes you so unhappy? You've wished to have your family back for so long –"

She covered his lips with her fingers. "And now you are my family. If my mother refuses a place in my family…" She rested her hand over his, on her belly. "I know you want me and I know you want to be a father to our child. That's what I want. I want you," she whispered. "I don't regret you." She kissed him lightly and he returned her kiss in full measure. "After my father was killed…I had to survive on my own. And then you returned to King's Landing. And I wasn't alone anymore. Perhaps it's weak of me but…I wanted to be protected. I wanted to be held and made to feel safe. I wanted to be loved. And you gave me all that I needed and wanted." She cuddled against him even closer.

"I do love you, sweet girl. I don't like seeing you so unhappy."

"Do you remember…when Tyrion was freed…you asked me to promise never to leave you?" she whispered as she rested her head against his chest.

"I remember."

You are not my daughter.

"I meant it when I promised to never leave you. No one will ever separate us. I will always choose you. You are my husband." She choked back a sob. "You won't ever leave me, will you? You won't ever hate me as my mother does?"

"You're stuck with me, my lady. As long as you want me, I'm yours," he said with a smile, kissing her long and slow, as his hand drifted back to her stomach.

She leaned her head against his chest again as Jaime gently rubbed her belly. "I love you, too, Jaime," she whispered. "And I love our baby. How can my mother think that's wrong?"

"She's not thinking clearly, my sweet. She didn't mean what she said. She's still grieving for your brother and…she's lost quite a lot in this war. Because of my family. She's lost her husband. Several of her children. She's still your mother and she loves you." He kissed her temple and held her. Sansa forced herself not to think about what her mother told her had happened to Robb. It was too horrifying for her to contemplate. She traced her fingers over his face as she cuddled in his arms.

Jaime rested his head against hers as he held her. She tilted her head up and kissed him. Jaime returned her kiss and she tangled her fingers in his hair.

You are not my daughter.

She wanted the words to stop. She wanted comfort and safety. She always felt the safest in Jaime's arms, as he made love to her. Sansa closed her eyes as Jaime kissed away her tears. "I love you, Sansa," he whispered against her skin. "I'll always love you." She opened her eyes and tried not to cry when she saw how much he cared for and loved her. She was tired of feeling guilty for loving Jaime and finding happiness with him. I deserve to be happy, after everything that happened to me in Kings Landing. I deserve to be loved.

Sansa pulled Jaime toward her, pressing her lips against his. She felt his hand slide to her waist, pulling her against him as she continued to kiss him. She slipped her hand inside his tunic as they continued to kiss. "I love you," she murmured between kisses. "So much, Jaime." She started pulling at his clothes and he broke the kiss, raising an eyebrow.

"Aren't you worried about the thin walls of the tent, my lady?" he asked teasingly, making her smile despite herself.

She looked down. "We'll have to be quiet."

He smirked, nuzzling her neck. He seemed to know that she needed comfort from him. She slowly removed Jaime's clothes as he removed hers, pulling her onto his lap as she clung to him, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. He simply held her for a long time, her face buried against his neck as she tried not to cry, and he gently rubbed his hand over her back. Then, Jaime gently lowered her onto the bed and covered her body with his own. She closed her eyes, concentrating on what she felt as Jaime comforted her with his body and on the loving words he murmured in her ears.

...

Sansa woke up while it was still dark out, alone and naked beneath a pile of furs. She heard voices outside the tent and she could make out Jaime's voice, but not what he was saying. She dressed quickly to see what was going on.

Sansa stuck her head outside the tent, and saw that several of Jaime's soldiers were there, having captured three people, from the looks of it. They must be outlaws, Sansa thought, taking in their dirty appearances. Her eyes focused on the smallest one, with a Lannister soldier on either side of her, holding her arms as she struggled.

"Arya?"

...

Okay, so, my thinking in this chapter was not to make Catelyn a bad mother or a bad person, but to recognize the trauma that she went through watching her son die. That is going to mess with her head (on top of already losing Ned, Bran and Rickon) so expecting her to behave reasonably is not realistic. She's in a state of mind now where she hates all things Lannister, and she would expect the same from her daughter. She's not going to openly embrace Sansa's marriage or the child she's carrying at this point in the story. (But there's plenty more to come...)

Obviously, the teaser for the next chapter was included as part of this chapter. We'll go slightly backwards in the next chapter to Jaime meeting Arya before Sansa wakes up.