AN: I have chosen not to include any content in this chapter speculating on what happened when Jaime went with Brienne in a Dance with Dragons. I don't want to deviate from the book so excuse any omissions of info you would have liked.

Chapter 13: Brienne

Brienne had waited three days for an audience. At first she was told that the Lady was absent, then that she was indisposed. She was starting to wonder if they had invented their Arya Stark when she was finally summoned and ushered into a small audience chamber. She stood feeling rather out of place. Four people were seated behind a bench with guards posted around them. She recognised one of the knights as Kingsguard by his white cloak. There was a lot of tension in the air.

Lord Connington sat on the right. He reminded Brienne a little of Randyll Tarly. He looked to be a hard man. He studied her as she entered the room and his pale blue eyes were cold. The Targaryen sat in the middle. If a young man could be beautiful, this young man surely was. He had the silver blond hair and purple eyes of the Targaryens, he was tall and lithe and well made. His expression seemed curious but not overly unkind. Brienne was not sure what to think of it. The lady Arya (if it was indeed Arya) was expressionless. Brienne could see her eyes were red and her face puffy. She was slim, dark haired with grey eyes. A septa sat beside her. Brienne recalled Lady Catelyn's description of the girls. Sansa was said to be very beautiful, but the same was not said of Arya. Lady Catelyn had said Arya lacked her sister's beauty. Brienne was not sure this girl matched that description.

Lord Connington began proceedings. "State your purpose".

Brienne cleared her throat. "I am Brienne of Tarth. I was in service to Lady Catelyn Stark. I was sent out to seek her daughters, the Lady Sansa and Lady Arya".

The Targaryen frowned. "What do you want of Lady Arya?"

Brienne faltered. The lady still hadn't shown the slightest flicker of emotion. It was disturbing. Brienne was starting to feel a real sense of alarm. What have they done to her?

"I wanted to make sure she was safe. I was supposed to return her to Riverrun before... I wanted to see that she was protected, to fulfil the oath I made-"

The young man looked bothered. "She is safe. She is protected".

This is not going well she thought.

"Forgive me your Grace" Brienne said "but I need to be certain".

He gave her a look of reproach. "You couldn't do better. You're just a big woman. Your armour and your sword doesn't make you fit to take Arya. It hasn't even protected you. You're disfigured!"

Brienne flinched. This is not going well at all.

The young woman's hand shot out and clasped the Targaryen's fingers. His eyes flicked to her and softened. Brienne did not miss the way Lord Connington's mouth tightened.

The tension was broken when the young woman spoke for the first time. "That is unkind, your Grace" her face still betrayed nothing. "Beautiful people are capable of being rather ugly. Appearance should not be our concern, only the Lady's intentions".

The Targaryen looked shamed. "I apologise if I caused offense, my Lady"

Brienne was taken aback. She could only gape at him for a moment. "I- No apology is necessary, your Grace".

"I was informed that you had been supplied with fresh garments" Lord Connington said. "I see that you have not seen fit to wear them".

The young woman interjected again. "I am rather less than fond of dresses myself. Let her dress as she pleases. I have other more pressing concerns. I want to know why you are here".

Brienne swallowed. "As I said, the Lady Catelyn-"

"My mother is dead" the girl's tone was flat.

Not as much as you might think Brienne thought to herself. She couldn't say that though. She looked at the girl. She was clearly highborn though there was no resemblance to Catelyn Stark. She hesitated.

"You really are the Lady Arya?"

The young woman rose and moved towards her. The way she moved was eerie. She trod so lightly she all but floated. Movement behind her caught Brienne's eye and she gasped. A huge wolf followed the girl's every step.

"I am Arya Stark"

Brienne suddenly realised that the girl was looking at the pommel of her sword. For the first time, Brienne saw a flicker of some emotion cross that face and it was not a pleasant one.

"My Lady I must ask you to give me your sword"

Brienne did not want to unsheathe Oathkeeper but she did not feel she could refuse, particularly given the certainty she now had that this was Arya Stark. She reluctantly handed the blade to the young woman. Arya took it and looked it over in a calculating way. There was something unsettling in the way she handled the blade. She is not unfamiliar with a sword Brienne realised with a start.

"Where did you get this?" Arya demanded.

"It-it was given to me by Jaime Lannister. I-"

"Lannister" The girl hissed and the wolf behind her growled. Brienne saw the Targaryen jump to his feet. She hastened to finish her explanation.

"Your mother had me escort him to King's Landing. There was to be an exchange, Ser Jaime for you and Sansa but you were both gone when I arrived there. Ser Jaime gave me the sword and sent me out to find you, to fulfil my oath". She shifted awkwardly, knowing the next part wouldn't be taken well. "The sword was forged from your father's blade".

Anger darkened the girl's features. She turned away, walking towards the Targaryen. She set the blade down in front of him and said something in a tongue Brienne couldn't understand. Whatever is was, Brienne knew she was unhappy. The young man spoke back to her and Brienne saw even Connington give Brienne an angry look.

"My Lady" Brienne faltered. "Lady Arya, I know it is a heavy request but may I have the sword returned? My oath is not completed yet. I must find the Lady Sansa, your sister".

Arya whirled around. "You may not have the sword back". Her eyes narrowed. "You are from Tarth? Tarth is subject to Aegon's rule now. You owe your fealty to Aegon".

The Targaryen smiled fondly at the girl and Brienne felt her throat constrict. "I'm sorry my Lady, I cannot. I serve Catelyn Stark"

There was another flash of anger across Arya's face. "My mother is dead!"

Brienne couldn't answer her. She was trying to find words when Arya becomes expressionless again, then a strange, fleeting smile appeared on her face. "I will give you the sword if you spar with me and win"

Brienne was horrified. "I won't harm you"

Laughter erupted from behind the bench. The Targaryen was greatly amused. Even Lord Connington had a smile on his face. When Brienne looked to Arya, the girl had a grin as wolfish as the animal still shadowing her and Brienne realised she was not just pretty, she was beautiful.

Before she could decide what to say next, the big man in the Kingsguard cloak produced a blunted sword and tossed it to her. The Lady Arya received her own sword, a bravo blade from the Targaryen. Brienne was still trying to figure out how to get out of it when the girl lunged. Brienne was forced to block her strike but she only barely made it in time. Arya pivoted, slashed again and they crossed swords again. The girl was quick.

Brienne found herself pushed. She gave as good as she got when she got close enough to strike. Suddenly Arya leaned in. "Time to stop playing". It was over in seconds. Brienne was stunned. She heard clapping and saw the Targaryen on his feet, a wide smile on his face.

"You are good with a sword, Lady Brienne. I'm not sure I push her that much".

Brienne wasn't quite sure what had happened. She did know that Oathkeeper was gone. She felt dismay. She had failed. A hand grasped her arm.

"Don't be upset my Lady" Arya said. "I can see truths. I know you truly want to help my sister. I seek her too".

In that instant Brienne knew what she had to do. She pledged her sword to the service of Arya Stark. In finding this girl, her oath was half fulfilled. Brienne was certain that somehow, in serving this girl she would find Sansa.

They left the audience chamber together, with Arya escorting Brienne to her quarters. On the way, Brienne hesitantly commented on her red eyes.

Arya's response was flat. "I just found out my one remaining brother is dead"

Brienne didn't know what to say to that. They kept walking.

"You must forgive Aegon, he is very protective" Arya said softly.

Aegon. It was very familar. Brienne had a sneaking suspicion that the younger sister was following her older sister's footsteps. "Are you betrothed to his Grace?" she asked.

"No" Arya said abruptly. "We are friends".

Friends. Brienne wasn't sure that was how she would describe what she had witnessed.

"Lord Connington doesn't like me" Brienne observed.

Arya's response was quick and reassuring "Lord Connington doesn't like anybody except his Grace"

"He is going to try to make me wear a dress"

Arya's expression flickered into a ghost of a smile. "If he does I will find you more breeches and he won't like where I take them from"

When they reached Brienne's quarters, she finally asked the one question she had wanted to ask at the very beginning. "My lady, where have you been all this time?"

The answer was cryptic. "Learning to survive"