I was going to post this tomorrow, but decided to post early because of the rather cruel cliffhanger, and because so many of you posted reviews – and it just hit 500 reviews! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, and I hope you enjoy this chapter and what's to come.

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Chapter 49

"Let go of my sister!"

Jaime heard Arya's cry as he and Ser Addam walked down the hallway, returning from visiting with his soldiers, to assure themselves that Jaime's men were doing what was necessary to be ready should the war come to the Westerlands and the harbors of Lannisport. He heard a man yelp in pain and the sound of steel clashing. And he heard Arya's voice again.

"Get away from her!"

When he heard her second shout, coming from the suite of rooms he shared with Sansa, Jaime began to run, Ser Addam on his heels. As he neared the entrance to the hallway, he saw that while all of Sansa's guards were where they normally waited for her, all were unconscious. He didn't notice any blood, though he didn't examine them closely, continuing towards Arya's voice.

Perhaps the guards have been drugged…as I drugged the goalers in the black cells of King's Landing when I freed Tyrion.

As he passed the nursery, he heard another shout from within, and turned back, nearly colliding with Ser Addam, who was right on his heels. The men stepped into the doorway and Jaime saw Arya fighting with one of his soldiers. He was about to intervene when his eyes moved to a corner of the room and Jaime felt his heart stop at the sight of Sansa in a motionless heap on the floor. He couldn't look away from her, couldn't see anything else, as he willed her to move, but she didn't.

He knelt beside Sansa, his eyes taking in the fingermarks around her throat and he was vaguely aware of Ser Addam ordering someone to drop their sword. "Don't kill him just yet, Arya," Ser Addam murmured.

"Sansa?" Jaime whispered shakily, taking her in his arms. He grasped her wrist and felt a faint pulse. He carefully gathered his wife into his arms and turned his head. Ser Addam had a blade at the throat of the soldier, and Arya was standing in front of the bassinette, her small sword in her hand, clearly trying to protect the infant inside from the man Ser Addam was holding. It appeared Arya had stabbed the man at least once, as there was blood on her sword and a slash across his face.

"Is she…?" Arya's eyes filled with tears, and she could not finish her thought.

"She's alive. She's just unconscious." Jaime let out a shaky breath as he cradled Sansa in his arms. "Did he harm the babe?"

Arya shook her head. "He had his hands around Sansa's neck and I…I stabbed him in the leg to make him let go of her. Then he drew his sword but I…I didn't let him get close to the baby."

"You taught her well, Jaime" Addam said, continuing to hold his fellow soldier at swordpoint.

"She's the little Stark brat isn't she? The one that tried to harm King Joffrey? How can you turn your back on House Lannister and the crown? For her," he said, looking at Sansa with hate in his eyes.

"Gag him," Jaime ground out. "And take him to the dungeons. Strip him of his uniform first. Don't tell anyone what happened here until we know who sent him."

Ser Addam looked at him in surprise. "You don't want me to bring the Maester here to look at her?"

"No. Don't bring anyone here. Lock him up and return quickly." Jaime's head was spinning. How could this happen? Here, at the Rock? This is where Sansa was supposed to be safe. Jaime didn't know who he was supposed to trust now. He wasn't even certain he could trust the Maester with Sansa's life. Someone came into my home and attacked my wife.

"Jaime," Ser Addam said, looking at the now gagged captive who seemed to know he was going to die. "He did not travel here with us from King's Landing. He remained behind. With the Queen," he said, speaking the last in a whisper.

Jaime nodded, knowing what Ser Addam was getting at. "Take him to the dungeons. Hurry back." He held Sansa against him, and took a deep breath, trying to think.

"Why don't you want the Maester to help her?" Arya asked in a shaky voice after Ser Addam had left with his prisoner.

Jaime stood, lifting Sansa into his arms, and carried her to the small couch in the nursery, holding her on his lap, grimacing at the marks on her neck and now noticing that her gown had been ripped open to the waist, exposing her breasts. If he dared to violate her, he'll long for death. "Sansa," he whispered, running his hand over her hair.

"Someone should help her. Someone needs to make her wake up."

He sighed, taking one of Sansa's hands in his. "Arya, I don't know who I can trust here now. That includes the Maester. That…assassin…is a Lannister soldier. I know him. He swore allegiance to House Lannister. I have to find out who did this. I have to find out who sent him to kill Sansa." Though, in his heart, he already knew who had done it. What he didn't know was who else Cersei had turned against him. Jaime turned to Arya. "She'll wake up," he whispered insistently.

Jaime continued to hold Sansa's wrist, taking comfort that he still felt her pulse, and felt her shallow breaths against his neck. "Arya, I need you to bring your uncle here." No matter how much Edmure might hate him, Jaime knew he would never conspire with Cersei – or anyone else – to kill Sansa. He had little choice but to trust the man he was holding hostage. "Don't tell him what why, just bring him here. Now." He could see that she didn't want to leave her sister. "Please, Arya." She hesitated one more moment before running from the room.

He looked down at Sansa and saw her eyelids flutter but close back up again. "Sansa? Wake up sweet girl…please wake up," he begged. "I need you. Our little lioness needs you." He kissed her forehead. "Come back to me, Sansa." Sansa started rousing and Jaime watched as her eyes flew open and she started clawing at her throat. Jaime reached for her hands. "It's all right, Sansa. It's all right."

She looked at him and started gasping for air, rubbing at her throat. "I…couldn't breathe…" her voice was no more than a hoarse whisper and she continued to struggle a bit for breath.

"Stay calm, Sansa. Try to relax. You're all right. You can breathe now. Take a deep breath…slowly, it's all right." He watched her breathe with difficulty, but she was breathing. He could see that her throat was hurting.

She began looking around the room in a panic. "The baby? Where's our baby? He was going to kill her, too."

"She's all right. Don't upset yourself." Jaime gently put Sansa on the sofa, and walked over to the bassinette, peering in and closing his eyes in relief that his little girl was perfect, lying there, looking up at him. He lifted Julianna up, holding her against his chest and carried her to Sansa, placing her in her mother's arms. Sansa began to cry as she held their baby.

Jaime wrapped his arm around Sansa, kissing the top of her head. "Did he say anything to you?"

"He…he ripped open my dress and…said he didn't have time to…to rape me…" Sansa looked down at the babe in her arms, "He said he had to kill our baby, too. And then he," tears were streaming down her face as she reached for her throat. Jaime wiped the tears from her cheeks as she continued whispering to him. "I couldn't breathe and it hurt and…I tried to call for you but I couldn't. I couldn't breathe and Arya came in and…I don't remember anything after that."

Jaime held her in his arms, kissing the top of her head. Jaime felt his heart pounding as he held Sansa. I almost lost her. She was almost murdered right here in our home.

"Jaime?" He turned and saw Ser Addam standing in the doorway. "He's in the dungeons. You're certain you don't wish for me to get the Maester?" He could see the concern in Ser Addam's eyes as he looked at Sansa, noting the marks on her throat.

Before Jaime could respond, Arya returned with Edmure behind her, obviously confused about why he had been summoned. Arya left her uncle in the doorway and ran to her sister hugging her tightly. "Thank you," Sansa whispered. "Thank you for protecting the baby. And me."

"I did what Jaime taught me to do," she said quietly.

Sansa held her gown closed as she continued holding the babe in her arms, and Arya squeezed onto the sofa to sit with them. Jaime saw Edmure looking at the marks on Sansa's neck. "What happened to her?"

"For now, nothing leaves this room, do you understand?"

"What happened to her?" he repeated.

"There is at least one traitor in my army and…he tried to kill Sansa and the babe. There may be others. I don't trust you with much, but I trust you not to harm Sansa. And not to allow anyone else to harm her. You and Arya will stay here with her. You will bolt the door and allow no one entry except Ser Addam or myself."

Edmure nodded, looking at Sansa with concern.

Sansa looked at Jaime in confusion. "You're leaving?" she asked, coughing and touching her throat in pain.

He stroked her hair gently. "I'll return shortly. There are things I have to do to ensure that you and the little one are safe. I won't rest until that is done." Jaime kissed her and moved toward the door, following Ser Addam. Jaime hesitated and drew his sword, handing it to Edmure, who seemed shocked that Jaime would arm him. "I'm trusting you with the life of my wife and child, Edmure."

"I won't let anyone harm them. You have my word. I'll protect them as I would Roslin and our babe." Jaime met the man's eyes and believed him to be sincere. He knew the man had affection for Sansa. And whatever he thought of Edmure, the man was honorable. Jaime nodded, following Addam from the room, hearing the door bolt behind him.

….

Jaime watched as Ser Addam tied up Sansa's would-be assassin. The man was now naked, and tied to the bars of his cell, with his arms tied over his head and his legs spread. The Northmen were locked up just across from them, and were becoming rowdy at the sight of the Kingslayer about to torture someone, who they assumed must be on their side of the war. He could see the fear in the eyes of the man who had planned to murder Sansa and his daughter. He should be afraid.

"Who do you have there, Kingslayer? What are you doing to him?" Jaime ignored the shouts of the Northerners and approached the man.

"Remind me of your name," Jaime said quietly, pacing in front of him.

"Gottfried. Gottfried Lefford."

"That's right," Jaime said. "Your grandfather provides all of our stores and supplies. You've served as a red cloak for a good many years. My father's squire when you were a boy, if I recall correctly. You are going to die tonight," Jaime began, continuing to pace. "I'll give you the opportunity to decide how you die. If it will be quick or if it will be painful."

The man tried to appear unfazed, but his eyes gave him away.

"I see that Arya Stark has already given you a rather nasty looking cut to the thigh. Not to mention what she did to your face. And she's a mere child." Jaime held a dagger in his hand, dragging it down the length of the man's torso. "Just imagine what I can do to you. I can slit your throat, and give you a quick death. Or I can slowly open up your belly and we can all take a look at your insides before you die. One organ at a time. It's entirely up to you. If you'd prefer the relatively painless death, all you have to do is tell me who wanted my wife and child killed."

"What happened to Lady Sansa? Did he harm her?" The shouts from the Northerners grew louder as they heard why Jaime was torturing the man.

Jaime smiled as the man's eyes widened in the face of the Northerner's outrage. "Or perhaps the Northmen would like to deal with the man sent to kill Ned Stark's daughter and his grandchild," he said, deliberately elevating his voice.

"Give him to us Kingslayer! We'll question him for you!"

Jaime smirked at the would-be assassin. "They seem rather eager to assist me." He leaned towards the man, pressing the point of his dagger into the man's throat. "Tell me who sent you." Jaime waited as the man remained silent. "No?" Jaime took a leather strap from Ser Addam and walked into the cell, behind the man, sliding the strap through the bars, around the man's throat.

"Don't…Please." he said weakly, as Jaime tightened the strap around the man's throat.

"Is that what my wife said as you tightened your hands about her throat, cutting off her air?" Jaime pulled the strap tighter. "It hurts, doesn't it? You hurt her. You hurt her as you wrung the life out of a young mother." Jaime forced himself not to lose sight of his goal. He had to think about more than just revenge for what he'd done to Sansa. He loosened the strap, walking around to see the man's face as he coughed and sputtered, trying to breathe.

"Are you prepared to answer my question? I can do this all day." The man looked at him warily. "Tell me who would convince you to do something so stupid as to kill the Kingslayer's wife and child. Who convinced you to betray your oath to House Lannister and try to kill my heir?" Jaime whispered, his voice filled with menace.

"I did it for House Lannister," he hissed. "Your wife…she's divided this house. She's weakened you."

"Who sent you?"

"You know who sent me. The only person who cares about the future of House Lannister," he whispered. Jaime did know, but he needed to hear him say it and pressed the point of the dagger into the man's neck. "Your sister, the queen," he said, so low only Jaime and Ser Addam could hear it.

"How did she convince you?"

"She said…she needed you in the capitol to…to be rid of the Tyrells and to defeat Stannis. She said that you would not help her – you would not help King Tommen - as long as your lady wife influenced you to turn your back on your family. That it was your lady wife who convinced you to leave her to be executed. Were it not for your wife, you would have returned to be her champion. Lady Lannister needed to die for the good of the realm. For House Lannister. Just as when you killed the Mad King."

Jaime felt his blood boil as this man compared Sansa to the Mad King.

"Did he hurt Lady Sansa, Kingslayer? Where is she?" The Northmen couldn't hear their conversation and grew increasingly irate as they wondered about the fate of Sansa. Jaime couldn't alleviate their fears just yet – a plan was forming in his head.

"And why did you agree to rape her?" he whispered in the man's ear. "Was that for the good of the realm?"

The man looked away from Jaime in shame. "The queen was most insistent about that. And about the babe dying. I didn't rape her…I…"

"Why did she send you out of the many soldiers she could have sent?" The man swallowed nervously, and remained quiet. "Shall we try the strap again?" Jaime asked conversationally.

"The queen and I have been…close for many years. Since before she became queen. I served your father here, during Robert's Rebellion. When you away were serving the Mad King. I've always protected her. And loved her."

Jaime couldn't even see, as the rage overcame him. He had thought Cersei's infidelity had begun more recently, but it appeared she had always been a whore. Jaime had given up everything for her and she couldn't even keep her legs together and remain faithful to him. And now that he finally had a life of his own, she tried to take it all away. She had tried to take his sweet Sansa from him. And his baby girl.

Without another word, Jaime slashed the man's throat and left the dungeons with Ser Addam. He left Cersei's lover hanging there, bleeding all over the ground. He could hear the Northmen screaming at him, asking whether Sansa lived or died.

Ser Addam looked at him with concern. "What are you going to do, Jaime? She won't stop until…she'll send another. And another."

Jaime was silent for a long time before making a decision. Ser Addam knew Cersei well. He'd had his fair share of squabbles with Cersei growing up, when she became jealous of his friendship with Jaime. Much as it pained him, Jaime knew that Addam was right about her. She would not stop until Sansa was dead. "As far as anyone at the Rock knows, Sansa and the babe are dead."

"What did you say?" Addam asked, certain he had misheard.

"The only way to keep her from sending another assassin – one who might succeed – is to ensure that she believes Sansa and the babe are already dead."

"How can we possibly convince her of that? Your sister – she grew up here at the Rock – she knows all the servants, anyone could send a raven to King's Landing saying otherwise. We have no way of knowing if someone is acting as her spy."

"That's why everyone must believe Sansa is dead. Only a select few – only those who have no connection to Cersei - can know different." Jaime thought about the secret rooms behind the lord's chambers. They were meant to hide the lord and lady of the keep in the event of a siege, but the rooms would serve well to conceal Sansa and the babe for a few days.

"Jaime, if no one sees a body…if she silent sisters don't come here…they will know she lives."

"For a few days, we can say that she is laid out in her bedchamber for the seven days of mourning – that I don't want their bodies far from me. That I don't want anyone to see them. Tell them I'm mad with grief. I don't expect we'll need to keep up the pretense for very long. Send word to King's Landing that Sansa and the babe were killed by an assassin. And make certain the queen regent is welcomed when she arrives."

….

Next chapter: Jaime waits for Cersei to arrive at Casterly Rock