Warning: Adult content towards the end

…

Chapter 84

Awareness slowly began to seep into Jaime's mind. The last thing he remembered was lying beneath the furs with Sansa's arms and legs tangled around him, as she tried to raise his body temperature. Jaime had never felt so cold in his entire life. And he had little doubt he'd be dead if Sansa had not known how to care for him. When he sank beneath the water, Jaime had felt the life slowly leave his body. It wasn't until she held him, allowing her warmth - her life - to slowly seep into his body, and replace the icy cold, that Jaime thought he might survive.

Sansa had been wary of letting him sleep at first – for fear that he was still too cold, and might not wake up. She had softly kissed him and spoken of what awaited them in the Free Cities, where it was always warm and no one wanted to harm them. Jaime could hear the happiness in her voice when they discussed the future. She spoke of the dreams of a young girl who believed in true knights, songs of great love and great heroes, and happy endings.

Now he was alone in bed as the ship gently rocked back and forth. He saw that there was a fire burning in the small wood-burning stove in their stateroom and realized what it meant. We must have traveled some distance from the Rock, if the fires have been lit. We escaped. Jaime shivered and pulled the furs tighter around his body. Though the room was warm, he still felt a chill deep down in his bones.

As he lay there, Jaime wondered how Tyrion planned to explain his and Sansa's disappearance to the Targaryen girl. He should have come with us. His life is worth far more than whatever power the girl may grant him. Though, Jaime wondered if Tyrion would agree with him on that point. He didn't understand why his brother had returned to Westeros. Jaime had given him his life when he released him from the dungeons of King's Landing - securing his passage to the Free Cities, knowing that Cersei would put a price on his head. Yet, it seemed Tyrion had put all his energy into returning to Westeros at the side of a Queen. He had put all his energy into re-entering the game of thrones, after barely escaping with his life.

Lady Genna was right. Tyrion is Lord Tywin's son. Far more than I ever could have been. Jaime could only hope that Tyrion's quest for power would not get him killed. I owe him my life. And the lives of Sansa and the children. He hoped he would have the chance to see his brother again and repair their relationship. At least he doesn't wish me dead.

Jaime forced himself to sit up, gingerly leaning against the pillows. He saw Sansa watching him from the doorway of the adjoining room, with a soft smile on her face. Clad in only her shift, with a pale blue shawl over her shoulders, her hair fell in long russet waves to the middle of her back. My beautiful girl. She was holding Julianna in her arms – their babe that looked just like Sansa in miniature – and Tommen was peeking out behind her hip.

He saw that Jaime was awake and smiled, running towards the bed and throwing himself into Jaime's arms. "Are you better now, Uncle Jaime? Sansa said you fell into the water when you left Casterly Rock and were very cold."

Jaime smiled, his eyes holding Sansa's as he returned the boy's embrace. "I feel much better now. Though I still feel a chill...I'd be warmer if Sansa and Julianna joined us here in bed."

Her smile widened and she crossed the room, climbing under the furs. The babe was smiling and seemed happy to be with her family. "She's been asking for you…at least I think so," Sansa said, quietly. She stroked her fingers through his hair and studied his face for a moment before softly kissing him. While they were distracted, Julianna crawled onto Jaime's lap, patting her hands against his chest to get his attention.

Jaime smiled down at the little cherub in his lap who squealed in excitement when she met his eyes. He leaned over and kissed her forehead, smelling her baby smell and closed his eyes. When the Unsullied dragged him away to the dungeons, he had truly believed he'd never hold his daughter again. He stared into the green eyes that matched his own, chuckling as Julianna leaned forward to return his kiss, pressing her lips against his. She giggled and cuddled against his chest when he called her "little lioness." My precious baby girl. Jaime shifted his gaze to Tommen and met eyes that were just as green as his own and Julianna's. He doubted anyone would question that Tommen shared their blood. He ruffled his son's hair, and saw Tommen's pleasure at the affectionate gesture.

"It's been many days since we last saw one another, Tommen. Not since we brought you to Gendry down in the forge," Jaime said quietly. Jaime felt Sansa drape a warm woolen blanket over his back and shoulders.

"You have to stay warm," she whispered, kissing him just above his ear.

Jaime knew he wasn't completely well, but he no longer felt as if he were about to die. He shifted Julianna's position, letting her lean against his chest as he spoke to Tommen. "Sansa and I both missed seeing you every day."

"I missed you, too, Uncle. I prayed every night that we would all be together again, like Sansa said to. And Gendry taught me how to make a sword. Well…he made it and I watched. He wouldn't let me get too near the fires." Tommen looked at Jaime fearfully. "Are we safe from the dragons now?"

Jaime nodded. "We're so far out to sea that the dragons can't even see us. If you go on the deck of the ship, you'll see nothing but water. That's how far we are from the Rock."

"Like we disappeared?"

Jaime smiled. "Exactly like that."

"How long will we stay on the boat?"

"We have a long journey ahead of us, Tommen. It will be many weeks until we reach the Free Cities. There should be some maps in the captain's quarters…perhaps in a few days we can look at them to see where we'll be traveling. You can even keep track of our progress." Tommen nodded enthusiastically, a happy smile on his face. "I saw that you brought your kittens with you."

"They slept with me and Julianna last night and kept us warm until Pia lit the stove. Ser Pounce is Julianna's favorite."

"I was thinking of putting her bed in your room, so you can keep each other company during our journey. Would you like that?" Sansa asked as she absently rubbed her hand against the back of Jaime's neck and shoulders.

He nodded. "I can hold her hand, if she gets scared." Jaime smiled at how much the boy cared for little Julianna. He knew that the boy would always be good to her. "I'm glad we can be a family again," Tommen whispered hesitantly, as if he were afraid to call them a family.

Jaime frequently looked at Julianna and wondered how he had any part in creating something so sweet and innocent. So perfect. Now, he realized that she wasn't the first. Tommen is part of me, too. And just as sweet as his sister. Jaime hugged Tommen against his side, glad he was granted the chance to know him and raise him. He still felt a twinge of discomfort when he was with Tommen – as if he were doing something wrong - but Jaime forced himself to push those old feelings aside. He knew his uneasiness was the result of so many years of Cersei telling him that he could not show the children any affection.

Jaime nodded affirmatively. "We are a family. And we won't be separated again." Tommen hugged him tightly around his neck and Jaime gently rubbed the golden hand over the boy's back.

Sansa smiled softly when she saw Tommen's obvious happiness at Jaime's attention. He saw that she had gathered together a bowl of water and some clean linens. She took Jaime's hand in her own, and he winced as she began to clean the broken skin on his knuckles.

"What are you doing to Uncle Jaime's hand?"

"He hurt himself, and I didn't get the chance to tend to it last night…it seemed more important to get you warm," she murmured quietly. "Tommen, if you get dressed, we can go up on the deck and look at the water, like you wanted. Dress very warm - I don't want you to freeze in the cold as Jaime did. There's a trunk beside your bed with all of your clothes inside."

He nodded in excitement and scrambled into his little bedchamber. Jaime watched her silently as she gently cleaned and dressed his wound. "Are you all right, Sansa?"

She nodded. "I was afraid for you. You're still not completely well," she said quickly. "Please don't fight me. You have to keep warm, so you don't catch fever and-"

He leaned over and kissed her. "You take good care of me," he said softly. He knew how terrified she must have been. He loved her just as much as she loved him. And he couldn't bring himself to even consider the possibility of losing her. "And you're very brave, Sansa. I'm sorry…that it was such a harrowing escape. You made very proud…to see how strong you are."

"I'd have endured…much worse if it meant we would be here now. Only yesterday, I thought I'd never be in your arms again…I thought I'd have to watch you die. I was so afraid we wouldn't escape and…that we'd only have had a short time together. But now…we've been given our whole lives to spend together. We'll be able to raise her together," she said, nodding at the babe in his lap. Jaime leaned back against the pillows and smiled, seeing her eyes fill will happy tears.

"Mama," Julianna squeaked, reaching up to touch Sansa's face, her chin quivering at the sight of her mother's tears.

"She's all right," he said soothingly to the babe. "Come here," he whispered, folding Sansa and Julianna into his arms. It felt so good to hold his girls in his arms, knowing that they were safe and happy. Knowing that he had a long future ahead with Sansa. Jaime knew that the little family he and Sansa had made for themselves was worth more than any throne or castle.

We were right to leave Westeros.

…..

"How could this happen? Tell me how the Kingslayer could escape from a locked cell in a castle surrounded by thousands guards? A castle I was assured was secure!"

Tyrion and Jon shared a glance as the Queen raged and paced up and down the Great Hall. "Perhaps my brother learned a bit of magic," Tyrion said dryly, thought it was clear Daenerys was not amused.

"And his wife, his child, and all of the Kingslayer's hostages? They've all disappeared in the night." She ran her hand through her hair, nearly shaking with rage and looked to Jon Snow. "I did believe you when you said that Lady Stark and her brother were hostages. That they were hostile to the Lannisters, but now, I cannot believe it. The Starks and the Tullys joined with the Lannisters to betray House Targaryen before. They conspired to steal my father's throne. I will not allow them to steal mine!"

Tyrion could see that the girl was working herself up into a rage. He was glad the dragons were outside Casterly Rock, and not at her immediate command. She might burn the Rock to the ground in her current state.

Tyrion had waited for Brynden Tully to make his way into the dungeons of the Rock – the Blackfish having promised to ensure that Jaime and Sansa were safely on their way before he did so. Once he was satisfied that the old knight had fulfilled his end of their bargain, Tyrion had turned over the key to the Northmen's cells, as well as a sack of gold dragons, before the man left with Ned Stark's bastard. Ser Brynden seemed wary of the boy at first, though his reticence lessened after Jon Snow had said that seeing Arya and Lady Stark – as well as the other Northmen – to safety was something he owed his father. Tyrion had returned to his chamber and knew not the specifics of their escape. All he knew was that by morning, they were all gone.

When a new group of Unsullied entered Casterly Rock, intending to relieve the soldiers who had been standing guard – and were killed - during Jaime and Sansa's escape the red cloaks that Tyrion now commanded had swiftly killed them before they got much farther inside than the Lion's Mouth. All of the bodies were tossed into the Sunset Sea. Tyrion wagered that every maid and kitchen worker in the Rock assisted with cleaning up the blood and erasing every trace of the battles that had occurred during Jaime's escape. All while the Queen and her entourage were under the effects of a rather potent dream wine served at dinner.

The escape was only noticed when, after breaking her fast, Daenerys had ordered that preparations begin for her return to the capitol. When two of the Unsullied went to the dungeons to get Jaime, so he could be put in the cage he would travel in, the alarm had gone up. But Tyrion knew that Jaime and Sansa were far beyond the Queen's reach by then.

"Your grace," Ser Barristan said gently. "After the so-called Red Wedding and…the destruction Walder Frey and Tywin Lannister inflicted on House Stark and House Tully, I feel certain that there is no such alliance. Lady Sansa may be wed to Ser Jaime-"

"The Kingslayer!" she snarled. "He is no 'Ser.'"

"Lady Sansa's marriage does not mean her family is allied with the Lannisters."

It seemed the Lord Commander could not remain silent any longer. "Lady Stark would never forgive those who killed her husband and son. Just as I won't ever forgive it. The North will never forget what happened at the Twins." He spoke so gravely that, even knowing better, Tyrion could almost believe that Jon Snow had nothing to do with Jaime's escape.

"How else do you explain how they all escaped – without a trace – on the same night?" She looked at Tyrion expectantly.

"I would say they had some help," he murmured, putting down his cup of wine. Tyrion mused that Ser Addam was fortunate the Queen did not know of his lifelong friendship with Jaime, or else he would surely be facing the same barrage of questions and rage that they were – if not immediate imprisonment. Tyrion knew it was only the hatred the Queen had seen in his eyes when he spoke of what happened to Tysha that kept him from a dungeon cell.

"Exactly," Danerys said. "Someone must have helped them."

"Why do you look at me, your grace? I'm still here, waiting to serve you. I've done everything you have asked, to prove my loyalty to you. It's Baelish who's disappeared…with them. Perhaps that explains his insistence on Lady Sansa as a bride. It gave him access to her chamber, so he could help her escape." I'll have to remember to thank my good sister, when I see her next. Her disposal of Littlefinger just may save my life. It was most convenient.

"Lord Baelish still has not been located?" she asked Ser Jorah in annoyance. Daenerys had been most insistent that Littlefinger would not have helped them escape. That he would not have betrayed her so. She was certain that he must have interrupted the escape, and was restrained or dead somewhere in the castle. She is stubbornly loyal. I suppose it's a virtue.

"He is not in the castle. The Unsullied have searched from the deepest dungeon to the top of the battlements. Your grace, you may need to consider that he has betrayed you."

"Why would he do such a thing? As Hand, he would have been the most powerful man in the Realm. There is nothing more he could ask for. Nothing anyone could offer to tempt him."

"I never knew Baelish well," Tyrion ventured, "But he has always bragged of his lifetime…relationship with Lady Stark. Perhaps it was simple affection that made him help Lady Stark and her daughters disappear."

"How did they escape?" she repeated, her eyes filling with rage. "You assured me that there was no way in or out of the Rock, once we took it. Is this not your childhood home?"

"It is, your grace. And there is no secret exit, if that is what you are asking. I expect they walked out through the Lion's Mouth. With Baelish on their side…he could have engineered nearly anything."

"They were all guarded!"

"And it appears those guards have disappeared."

She shook her head defiantly. "The Unsullied would never betray me."

"Khaleesi," Ser Jorah began, "You gave them freedom. Perhaps too much. They no longer blindly follow orders and…Baelish could have offered them something they could not resist." Tyrion was surprised Ser Jorah was not taking this opportunity to be rid of him, but he supposed it was Littlefinger who was the greater threat. Perhaps he does not want to take the chance that the man will return and continue to lead her astray. He does love her so. Even if she does not acknowledge it.

"Ser Jorah, take a search party and scour the countryside. I want them found and brought back. And let it be known that a lordship will be given to anyone who brings me the Kingslayer or Lord Baelish. Dead or alive." I'll have to send word to Jaime and Sansa somehow. So they know mercenaries may be after them.

Tyrion saw Ser Barristan looking at him and knew the old knight suspected he had helped Jaime to escape. As well he should. Jaime is my brother. He and I are the only ones left. Tyrion wondered why Ser Barristan wasn't speaking up. Why isn't he helping his Queen? He certainly wasn't a fan of Jaime's after he killed Aerys. Though, the old knight did not seem to approve of the Queen's decision as to Jaime and Sansa's fates. He recalled that Ser Barristan had been present when Sansa begged the Queen for Jaime's life. Perhaps she touched the old Lord Commander, if not his Queen.

Once Daenerys dismissed him to return to his chamber, Tyrion left quickly. Ser Addam waited in the hall, and Tyrion signaled for him to follow. They did not speak a word until reaching Tyrion's solar. "Addam, I wish you to summon every singer in the Westerlands."

"Forgive me, Tyrion, but…singers, did you say?"

"Yes. I fancy a song or two. And I'm certain the smallfolk crave new songs of love and bravery after these years of war." Perhaps a song about a knight of the Kingsguard who gave it up for the love of a sweet maiden of the North. Or a tale of a Southern lord leading his men against the White Walkers, to save the Realm.

Tyrion thought about what his father had done after Jaime killed the Mad King. Lord Tywin had always stubbornly clung to the belief that Jaime was to be his heir – despite the vows he made when joining the Kingsguard. And he certainly would not allow anyone to think ill of Jaime. No one dared call Jaime "Kingslayer" in their father's presence. And once the war was over, Lord Tywin had ensured that not a single man, woman or child in Lannisport believed Jaime had done anything more than given Aerys exactly what he deserved when he shoved that sword through his back.

From what Ser Addam told him, Tyrion knew that the people of Lannisport already loved their lord and lady absolutely. Both because of Jaime's brave stand against the White Walkers and because of the kind inquiries and food Sansa had sent to all those living in Lannisport at the start of Winter. Tyrion expected the same sentiment existed in the rest of the Westerlands. Now, he simply needed to convince the rest of the Realm. It's time our young Queen learns what sways the people she seeks to rule.

"And send a raven to Lady Genna at Riverrun. I expect Ser Kevan sought refuge there, as well, when he fled the capitol. Let them know that it's likely the Dragon Queen – or the Tullys – will try to retake Riverrun by force. They best flee, if they wish to keep their lives. Tell them that…they are both welcome to take refuge here. I won't be here, if that reassures them at all."

He knew how much his aunt and uncle had loved Lord Tywin. They likely hate me for what I did. Tyrion wondered if they knew all his father had done to him. He wondered if they knew what happened to Tysha. They certainly knew how his father had despised him since the moment of his birth.

"You won't be here? You're Lord of Casterly Rock, by the Queen's own proclamation."

He shook his head. Tyrion had thought that what he wanted more than anything was to be Lord Tywin's heir. To be Lord of the Rock. But it didn't make him feel like a Lannister. It didn't feel right. The Rock is Jaime's. It's always been for Jaime.

"I plan to travel to King's Landing with the Queen. It's the best hope of earning Jaime's pardon."

And, thanks to Sansa, the Queen does need a new Hand…

…

Jaime spent the first day at sea in their stateroom, huddled under the furs and playing with Julianna. Sansa had plopped the babe down on the bed beside him, along with several toys she'd made her, before putting on her heavy cloak, and bundling Tommen up as well. They were gone for several hours, exploring the ship and meeting the crew from Lannisport. Tommen had returned with bright eyes and excited stories about what he had seen.

When it was time for the children to go to bed for the night, Jaime ended the day as he began it – with Julianna in his arms. It still made him wonder, when he thought of how much his life had changed. He'd gone from serving a King and Queen – having nothing for himself – to a life where he could spend the whole day doing nothing more taxing than playing with his baby girl. I wonder what Lord Tywin would think if he could see his heir now. Abandoning the Rock and any chance for power – all for the love of his wife and children.

Jaime looked down and saw that the babe was tired, as her little eyelids drooped, but she continued softly babbling to him, though only a fraction of what she said was recognizable as actual words. Jaime smiled down at her and listened through the open door as Sansa told Tommen a bedtime story. She's a good mother to him. He deserves a mother like Sansa.

"You don't mind sharing her with Tommen, do you?" he whispered to the babe. "She has more than enough love for all of us."

He held the babe against his chest, her little head tucked beneath his chin. He smiled as she tightly gripped the loose tunic Sansa had insisted he wear, still worried that he might catch cold. "Dada," she said softly against his neck, and Jaime held his girl tighter, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. Just as he did with Sansa.

He carefully rose from the bed when the babe fell asleep and carried her to the children's room. Sansa had finished her story and was tucking Tommen into bed. He wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. "I love you, Sansa."

"I love you, too, Tommen." He smiled and Sansa kissed his forehead, patting the kittens that were sleeping in the small basket beside him.

"Good night, Uncle," Tommen said quietly, having noticed Jaime's presence.

"Good night," Jaime said softly, placing the babe in the little crib that Pia had moved into Tommen's room. Sansa appeared at his side and fussed over the babe until she was satisfied that Julianna was secure for the night. She took Jaime's hand and led him from the room, closing the door behind them.

Once they were alone in their stateroom, Sansa turned her attention to Jaime, pressing her hand to his forehead and his cheeks, checking his temperature. "I feel much better," he murmured sitting down on the bed and keeping his grip on her hand. "You worry too much."

She smiled, running her hand over his golden locks. "I can't help it. I'm afraid that something will happen to you. You're not a Northerner, you don't know how dangerous a fall into freezing water can be. You could have died." She poured another cup of hot spiced ale from the kettle that she had kept filled throughout the day, and handed it to him.

Sansa had insisted that he stay bundled up beneath the blankets and that he drink enough of the hot beverage to keep himself warm and chase away any fever before it set in. Though as he swallowed down this cup, Jaime began to feel a soft haze set over him as the alcohol built up in his system. Not that he was too far in his cups – it was more a pleasant, warm feeling allover that slightly clouded his mind. He put the cup down and allowed his eyes to roam over her figure, visible in the candlelight through the light shift and dressing gown she wore.

He felt even more intoxicated as a wave of desire for her slowly washed over him. Jaime pulled his tunic off, dropping it on the ground, and saw her mouth open in protest – no doubt worried he would catch a chill. "I've decided that you're right, sweet girl. I think I would benefit from more time in bed. With you. Naked. Purely to raise my body temperature." He rose to his feet and slowly slid the pale grey dressing gown from her shoulders, smiling with approval at the tantalizing view of her cleavage her shift afforded him.

The last time they made love, they had both thought it would be the last time. Now, he knew that she was his forever. He knew that he would have her in his bed for years to come. Sansa rested her hands on his shoulders and moved closer to him, so her breasts brushed against him through the thin fabric covering her. He lowered his head, his lips meeting hers. They shared several soft kisses before she moved her mouth to his neck. "How do you feel?" she whispered against his skin.

"Quite warm," he replied, with a low rumbling in his throat.

She kissed his neck again before whispering in his ear. "Good…I don't want you to catch cold." Jaime groaned as her hands seductively moved down over his chest, and her mouth followed. His arousal became even more intense as she licked and kissed his chest, and slid her hands to his waist, playing with the loose string at his waistband. He felt her smile against him before she spoke. "Your skin still feels a bit cool...perhaps I can do something about that." She glanced up at him, with a mischievous look in her eye as she slid the linen pants over his hips, letting them drop to the floor.

His cock was hard and straining towards her, though Sansa deliberately ignored the place he wanted her to touch most, instead sliding her hands over his hips and arse. She moved her fingers in slow circles that both aroused and tortured him. Jaime closed his eyes and began to breathe heavily. Waiting. She finally relieved him of his suffering, closing her small, delicate hand over his length and slowly and deliberately stroking back and forth. Jaime bucked against her hand, forcing himself to keep control over the haze of arousal and intoxication that swirled around him as she touched him so intimately.

He opened his eyes and found her watching him, a smile playing at her lips. "You seem a bit flushed, Jaime," she said innocently. "Are you feeling warmer?"

Instead of answering he lifted her into his arms and climbed on the bed, sitting with her straddling his lap. She watched as he began sliding her shift up her legs until it pooled at her hips, and then began softly kissing him. Jaime growled deep in his throat as he ran his hands – real and false - over her milky white thighs, slowly creeping beneath the gossamer fabric to rest low on her waist, his fingers splayed across her bare skin. Sansa broke their kiss briefly to pull her shift over her head and toss it aside. Gods, she's magnificent. He allowed himself the pleasure at staring at her naked body, and smiled when she blushed.

He ducked his head, resting against her neck, lightly sucking and nipping at her. "I love you, sweet girl," he murmured. Sansa tangled the fingers of one hand in his hair and slowly lowered her head back, giving him better access to her skin, and Jaime took full advantage moving his mouth to her breasts, kissing and suckling on her nipples.

She dug her nails into his shoulders and slowly raised her head, pushing him back against the pillows. He groaned as she attached her mouth to the space between his neck and shoulder, sucking and biting him. Marking him as her own. "I love you. Take me, Jaime…Take what's yours," she whispered.

That was all he needed to hear, after she was very nearly taken away from her. He rolled them over so she was on her back and settled himself between her thighs. Jaime kissed her thoroughly before positioning himself at her entrance and pushing inside her warmth. She wrapped her legs around him, her heels resting low on his back, as he fully sheathed himself inside her. Sansa reached for him, pulling his head down so she could kiss him as he began rolling his hips against hers. The stateroom was filled with their moans and the sound of flesh moving against flesh.

"I feared we would never be together like this again." She whispered it against his neck. She said it so quietly that he almost did not hear. Jaime met her eyes and felt such emotion it almost hurt him to look at her. He thought of the last time they had sex. The night before the Queen sentenced him to die. He remembered how tearful they had both been. How desperately they had clung to one another, thinking it was their last time in each other's arms.

Jaime shifted his body and grasped her hips, changing his position to bring her to completion. He wanted to see her pleasure. She deserves nothing but pleasure and happiness. "Come for me, sweet girl," he murmured, increasing the speed of his thrusts and breathing heavily to hold off his own pleasure. He licked the pad of his thumb and reached between them, circling her pleasure spot until she jerked in his arms and opened her mouth in a silent scream of bliss. He moaned against her throat as he spilled his seed inside her, continuing to thrust and ride out their orgasms.

A thin sheen of sweat covered the both of them when he finally stilled and rolled onto his back. He felt Sansa's hot breath against his chest and gently stroked her hair and her shoulder. Enjoying the feel of her skin beneath his fingers, Jaime brushed her hair to the side to continue his exploration. He looked down at her – watching his hand glide over her skin - and saw bruises marring the backs of her upper arms. Fingermarks. Someone hurt her.

"Who did this to you?" he whispered, gently running his finger over the dark bruises. He turned his head and saw that they were on both of her arms, as if someone had grabbed her and held her down. He looked at her wrist and saw fainter bruising there. Sansa looked down – away from his eyes – resting her head on Jaime's chest. He could feel the tension radiating from her body. Jaime gently ran his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her as a sinking feeling settled in his stomach. "Did Baelish do that to you?"

She nodded against his chest. "Yes."

"Did he…" Jaime couldn't bring himself to finish the question, remembering Littlefinger's visit to the dungeon and how he'd all but promised to go upstairs and rape Sansa. "What happened?" he asked gently.

Sansa trembled beneath his hand and was silent for a long time. Jaime held her, waiting for her to answer. "He…he said if I didn't…make him happy he would give Julianna away and let someone else raise her. He made me – He made me take off my gown." Jaime closed his eyes. He didn't want to hear anymore, but he knew he had to be strong for her, no matter how much it hurt him to listen.

"I didn't want to but he kept saying he wouldn't let me keep Julianna. And he said...I was married to a dead man. I thought that I could play along and…use the dagger Ser Addam gave me to protect myself. But then he…took off his clothes," she said, lowering her voice to a whisper, the disgust and humiliation apparent in her voice. "He started touching my breasts and…I slapped him and he said he would feed Julianna to the dragons if I ever did that again. Then he..." She turned her face against him and he felt the tears on his chest.

"It's all right, sweet girl. It's all right. You don't have to say anymore." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, murmuring softly as she nuzzled under his chin. Jaime almost wished they were still at the Rock, so he could kill Baelish for what he'd done to Sansa. He could almost feel his missing right hand clenching into a tight fist in his rage. The bastard deserves to die. Anyone who would dare to harm her deserves a slow, painful death.

Sansa gripped his forearms and lowered her voice to a whisper. "My mother came in before…before he could…rape me." Jaime sighed in relief. He could see that Sansa was traumatized by what Baelish had done to her, and knew she would have been even more broken if he had actually violated her. "But I…I stabbed him in the neck with the dagger and…as he was bleeding all over the floor, mother pressed a pillow to his face until he died. We threw him out the window…into the sea."

Jaime was relieved that Baelish was dead, but he regretted that Sansa had to inflict such violence. A girl like Sansa should not know this brutality. She should not have to kill. She's already known far too much evil during this war. He hated the thought of Sansa being all alone and having to defend herself in such a manner. "Forgive me," he murmured against her hair. She looked up at him in question. "I should have been there to protect you."

"There's nothing to forgive. I know that you would have been with me if you had any choice. You've always protected me. I'm all right. Now that we're together," she finished with a whisper.

He kissed her temple. "You know…when I fell into that water…it was so cold I could scarce draw breath. And the shock of the temperature…I could hardly move at all. But I forced myself to swim. To fight. For you. Because I knew if I made it onto this ship, I would get the life I always wanted. You are my reason for fighting." Sansa nodded against Jaime's chest and he tipped her chin up so he could see her eyes. "You are my reason for living." He gently pressed his lips against hers. She nodded tearfully.

Jaime smiled as she reached for the furs, pulling them up to cover both of them and carefully tucking them around his body before settling back into his arms. Jaime wrapped his arms around her – holding her tightly – and gently stroked her hair until she fell asleep.

…

First, thank you so much to Nyx Nuit for the new cover image.

I feel like a broken record, but I really do appreciate all of the reviews. The way that so many of you have embraced and enjoyed my story means a lot to me and I hope you will all continue There will be some time jumps from here on out (not major, just a few weeks here and there).

Next chapter: Jaime and Sansa continue their voyage; Tyrion returns to King's Landing with Dany (and we may check in with Catelyn & Arya…)