A/N: I know everybody is busting to know about other characters (King's Landing, the Wall, where Dany is at) but I couldn't move away from Sansa and Jaime too long without it becoming a problem when I return to them. Rest assured I am on track with my plans for the next chapters (Victarion is next) and have all sorts of ideas as to how I will write the battle from multiple POV's when it comes to that. Updates will likely be once a week for a while.

I am overdue for a disclaimer but will insert one here given I'm writing on characters I'm less adept at: A song of ice and fire and all characters found in the series are the creations of George RR Martin. I am just playing with them.

Chapter 74: Jaime

Jaime began to wonder how they had ever made it up the High Road to the Vale. The snow began to fall heavier and the road was almost impassable on the way back down. Going was slow. Some of the clansmen insisted on accompanying them. Jaime had not been happy about it at the beginning, especially now that a woman formed one of their company but the Lady Sansa remained unmolested (for now) and the clansmen did offer some protection alongside the advantage of gathering scarce food.

A Lannister must pay his debts.

Jaime did not know how he was to fulfil the agreement. They made it clear that they would follow until they got their gold and he could not argue with it but too many obstacles lay between them and Casterly Rock. Pod was clearly uncomfortable even though the clansmen were not new to him. He stuck close by the Lady Sansa's side even though he still barely managed to look at her and the two of them had been forced to resort to sharing a horse.

It provided him with endless amusement at first. Pod seemed afraid to be near her and Lady Sansa looked briefly horrified. She then accepted assistance (albeit she really had no choice) to get on the horse, blushing very prettily. Pod did not seem to know what to do having a Lady in such close proximity and it took him the best part of a day to just relax and concentrate on keeping his seat on the horse so that his passenger could keep her own seat.

Their party made a comical sight. Jaime's good sister concealed her misery with courtesy and smiles which although he knew them to be fake after his experience in the castle, were rather convincing nonetheless. The clansmen with their odd appearance were quite taken with her, calling her "Halfman's wife" which she accepted with better grace than Jaime ever would have expected. She expressed just enough interest in them, finding out what made them tick and Jaime couldn't help but be impressed. She asked in a voice which suggested actual regard, almost as though she cared but Jaime saw the fear in her eyes when the weapons came out or the scuffles between clansmen began.

Sansa Stark might look like her mother but Jaime noted her discomfort. The young woman was clearly unaccustomed to life outside a castle. She did not complain though she did ask questions every so often about when they might shelter. He saw the look on her face at the sight of the food, the way she tried to smooth the plain woollen gown she wore and her dismay as it became increasingly dirty. She eyed the animal skin cloaks offered to her with brief distaste before accepting them rather than freeze.

Cersei would rage against it. She might fancy herself as Tywin with teats but she would not adapt.

It was when things went wrong that Sansa's composure would slip and the look she gave him when she thought he did not see reminded him of Cersei. She looked at him with loathing in her Tully blue eyes and Jaime did not doubt she wished him some gruesome death. Her expression also reminded him uncomfortably at times of her mother and of the Blackfish and Edmure. There was one thing which set her apart.

She does not call me Kingslayer.

It would of course make her a hypocrite if she did. He wondered how much of her courtesy and cooperation came from fear for her brother and how much came from fear of the men she travelled with. He saw her look back and knew she wanted to return the way she came. He did not blame her despite her hatred of him.

She is hungry and truly cold for likely the first time in her life.

She glanced back once more about four days into their journey down the High Road. Jaime looked in the same direction seeing the snow mounting up behind them.

"There is no point looking back my lady."

She gave him a forlorn look. "Will the war have started ser?"

Jaime shrugged. "I believe so. The snow might slow them down as it has with us."

"The Vale has many swords" she said slowly.

Jaime shook his head. "Do not think of rescue my lady. The enemy they fight is not one they know. We will be well away."

Pod focused on his reins and remained silent. Jaime thought Sansa might do the same but she pushed on even though her face had taken on a pinched look of despair. "May I ask how long it will take to reach King's Landing?"

Jaime could not hold back his laughter. "In this weather it would take close to a moon" he said when he composed himself. "Are you trying to calculate when you might make your escape?"

She blushed a little as she quickly made a denial. "I will keep to our agreement ser" she said in a slightly haughty tone. Her voice became hushed, less confident as she continued. "You will make certain my brother remains unharmed?"

Jaime smirked. "Not a hair on his head will be harmed. You have my word."

For a brief moment a true expression crossed her face and Jaime could see what she thought of his word. He sighed. He knew he might have a better time of it if he told her the truth but he would wager his golden hand she would never believe him anyway. It most certainly would not change the way she looked at him when she thought he did not know. He was not sure what was worse, the misery or the hate.

I will tell her when we reach the Crossroads.

He could hear Brienne now telling him there was no honour in the lies he had told. No matter how many times he told her she would not accept it. Truth has limited power when nobody believes you have the honour to do what you claim to do. It would not change the lectures he expected when he saw her next if the gods were good enough to let him live that long.

The gods are seldom good.

By the time they reached the Crossroads the snow was still heavy but they were through the worst of it. He saw Lady Sansa's face light up as the inn came into view. It would be a far cry from the rather poor makeshift shelters they had been using. He saw her hope and she darted a glance at him.

"You will be able to bathe here and mayhaps they will offer a change of dress."

Jaime did not know what to expect. As she was helped from her horse the Lady Sansa inclined her head.

"That would be most kind ser."

There was a look in her eyes which led him to believe that kind was the last opinion she truly had. He watched her closely as they approached the yard. The clansmen became rather boisterous in their own enthusiasm at finding better shelter. Their enthusiasm faded at the sight of the armed children greeting them. Jaime pushed through to the front before the situation could escalate.

"Jeyne" he greeted the tall girl before turning to her sister. "Willow, there is no need."

They gave him identical looks of disdain before lowering but not discarding their weapons.

"Kingslayer" Jeyne replied.

"Not the only one this time. May I present the Lady Sansa."

He beckoned and Sansa slowly moved forward with Pod close by her side. Jaime hissed at her to remove her cloak and she did after a brief hesitation. Her eyes were downcast.

"Wasn't she meant to have red hair?" Willow asked bluntly.

"It will be red enough once the dye washes out. You best get news to the Lady."

The two sisters exchanged a look. "What are they doing here?" Willow asked, pointing at the clansmen.

"They are family friends" Jaime replied, trying to keep his patience. "They will move on with me once I have held up my oath." They will move on once they get their gold or kill me for not providing it. "Are you going to pass on the message?"

"Lady Stoneheart is dead" Jeyne replied softly. "She is at peace now."

"How?" he asked in surprise. He wasn't truly sorry. That vision haunted his sleep. It wasn't right making her live like that. He had been more than uncomfortable at the thought of subjecting her daughter to that spectre. He had even tried to think of ways out of it but his need for freedom outweighed it and he did swear his oath to Catelyn Stark. He had hoped the ravens he sent might help, might lessen the duration of horror the girl experienced but now...

"Queen Arya disbanded the Brotherhood" Willow said in a hard voice. Jaime heard Sansa gasp at the mention of her sister's name. "All the better men left."

Jaime managed to fill in the gaps. "She left you with the worst." He could see it now. The broken men had nothing better to go to. With their purpose gone, they would turn to even worse crimes.

Stupid girl. She had no idea what game she was playing.

"She didn't mean to" Jeyne said defensively. Her voice trailed off. The excuse seemed rather weak given what Jaime knew they faced. He remembered the outlaws of years past, those of his youth. Jaime knew of dealing with outlaws. He looked around the inn. It did not look worse for wear. The children clearly remained defiant.

"How have you been getting by?" he asked.

Jeyne opened her mouth but it was Willow who answered. "We have out ways." Jaime recognised the stubborn jut of her jaw and knew no further information would pass her lips.

The sisters allowed them entry. Jaime was not fooled. He knew it was Sansa they welcomed, not him. Lady Sansa might be a kingslayer but she was daughter to Lady Catelyn Stark and sister to Queen Arya Stark and the prolonged search for her clearly outweighed the accusations against her. Jaime wondered if they were truly willing to overlook it.

She will still answer for it. Jaime knew. Men do not overlook such things even if she does get a pardon. This lack of questions and judgement is temporary.

Some hard dry bread was produced and offered to "Princess Sansa." Jaime saw her startle at the title then accept the food courteously. None was offered to Jaime and the other men. None could be spared according to the Heddles. Jaime did not press them despite the rancour of the clansmen.

When the time came to retire for the night he urged the three older girls to share a room and block the door off for the night. The clansmen had become restless and while they gave their word not to harm "the Halfman's wife", Jaime did not like the way they looked at the other older girls. The Heddle sisters obeyed without question.

They know exactly what men are capable of.

It was a long night. He and Pod took turns staying awake. The clansmen grew restless but they eventually moved into other empty rooms. Some went out into the yards and Jaime hoped they weren't stealing from the inn before deciding that theft was the least thing he should worry about when it came to these men.

Jaime was still sitting guard as first light began to break. Staying awake was not as easy as when he was young. He recalled his attempted vigil after his father's death but that brought to mind uncomfortable reminders of Tyrion and of Cersei. His brother, the kingslayer and kinslayer and his sweet sister...

She has been fucking Lancel, Osmund Kettleblack and Moonboy too for all I know...

The years had not dulled the betrayal. He still needed to return to her, to return for Myrcella. Tommen died while I was away. That was something hard to live with. Tommen was his king but he was also a boy. There was no harm in him, unlike Aerys. Jaime still had his white cloak though after the time elapsed it was no longer white. He laughed to himself, startling Pod awake.

My cloak really is soiled now.

He started and realised he must have started drifting asleep when he heard the door to the inn swing open. There are horses outside too. He blinked and in the poor lighting he thought for a moment he had seen a ghost. He is dead. He died at the Tower of Joy. Damn these memories of Aerys.

As he managed to focus he realised his mistake. This man was far too young, only barely a man grown. There was a resemblance, the pale blond hair and dark eyes. They looked purple just as Ser Arthur's had. The young man also wore the expression Jaime might have expected from Ser Arthur had he lived. It was utter disapproval.

"You must be a Dayne."

The young man looked him over. "I am Lord Edric Dayne." The young lord frowned as he saw Jaime's missing hand and a child stepped out from amongst the group of Lord Edric's companions. Jaime vaguely recognised the young boy as one of the urchins who had greeted them poorly when they arrived. He went for help. Lord Edric cleared his throat and drew Jaime's attention again. "You are the Kingslayer."

Jaime noted the sword loose in the young lord's scabbard. The Daynes were known for their skill. The clansmen were gathering but Edric Dayne had his own men. They were a ragged lot but Jaime sensed they were not to be underestimated. They are outlaws but they look disciplined. The one at Lord Edric's side had a sheath of arrows in easy reach. If he knows how to use his bow it will be a close contest.

As if on cue one of the clansmen wrenched out an axe and made a rush at them. Jaime shouted to intervene but was not quick enough. The bow was drawn and the arrow flew true. The man fell before he had even drawn close to them. He was not dead but he was incapacitated. Jaime heard a cry of alarm and saw that Sansa had emerged. He stepped between the clansmen and the new arrivals.

"We are not looking to fight."

The grumbles of the clansmen made it sound like a lie. Jaime heard the sound of steel being drawn on both sides. He saw Willow Heddle watching, looking rather more emotionless than he was comfortable with for one so young. Mayhaps I should stand aside and let the lot of them kill each other. In another time he might have. If only he did not make me think of Arthur Dayne.

"Lord Edric" he said, thinking quickly. "We will not be staying. We only came here as guests."

He heard the men around the young lord muttering. One of them called him Ned and something was said about guest right. Jaime breathed a sigh of relief. At least they recognise it more than the Brotherhood did. Lord Edric, Ned, looked across the room and Jaime followed his gaze. Sansa still stood frozen on the spot, pale and beautiful with poorly disguised fear etched on her face. His gaze quickly returned to Jaime and his expression was stone.

"There is no honour in breaking guest right. I must ask you to come outside."

Jaime snorted. "Speaking of honour, mine may be shit but at least I am not in league with outlaws and broken men." He cast an eye over the men with Lord Edric once again. "Your uncle fought against outlaws."

The young lord did not look in the least offended. In fact, he seemed completely unruffled. "The Lannisters betray what good men stand for. When those who are meant to protect and serve the realm fail in their duty it must fall to others. Lord Beric taught me that. I was his squire, you see." Ned Dayne drew his sword and inspected it. It was good steel and Jaime was not comfortable with how the blade was wielded. "Joffrey and Tommen were not true kings just as Myrcella is no queen. We have taken up the mantle to fight for the realm."

Jaime was unsettled. He sounds like Arthur Dayne. The lad clearly believed in his cause. Those behind him looked just as fervent. These were not the broken men of the brotherhood. Jaime was reminded of Thoros telling him the brotherhood had divided after Stoneheart took the leadership. These are the men who refused to follow her dark path.

"There is no guest right" Willow Heddle called out behind him. "They had no bread and salt from us."

Lord Dayne gave a nod. "What is your answer Ser Jaime? Will you step outside or must we subject the children to further horrors?"

I am going to die today. Jaime felt calmer than he expected. At least he would have a sword in his hand though it hardly seemed fair that Pod might die with him. He glanced at Sansa. She looked tortured and he wondered why. She won't mourn my death I'm sure though she must fear for what they will want from her afterwards. The clansmen were already beginning to move. Jaime sighed.

"Very well then." He turned back to Sansa. "I am sorry my lady, it seems I will never get the chance to return you to your family." He saw her eyes widen.

He barely made it to the door before he heard her voice. She was close and he realised she had fallen to her knees and was appealing to Edric Dayne.

"Please my lord" she looked up at the young man and her blue eyes were filled with tears. "You cannot kill him. He spared me from my captor."

The performance was quite touching and Jaime almost felt moved himself. One look at Edric Dayne's face told him the young man had been affected far more than Jaime. Lady Sansa might not be wearing her finery but she had bathed and the red in her hair began to show. She wore another roughspun dress but the coarseness of her dress did little to distract from her dignity and charm.

Ned Dayne took her hand to help her to her feet. He shot a sceptical look at Jaime. "My lady, are you certain about this?"

Sansa nodded and sniffled rather daintily. "He must live my lord." As a faded handkerchief was passed to her she dabbed her eyes and quickly glanced at him. Jaime fought not to smile at the resentment he saw in her expression.

It must have almost killed her to appeal on my behalf.

It took a few minutes to calm both the clansmen and the outlaws. Once an uneasy truce was called Jaime drew Sansa aside. It is time.

"It is quite fortunate you intervened, good sister" he said lightly. The look she gave him made him almost eat his words and he had to remind himself of her belief of the threat to her brother. "For a moment there I thought I might not have the chance to return you to Winterfell."

Sansa's mouth opened and shut. "You are taking me to King's Landing. You said so Ser."

"No" Jaime corrected her. "You assumed. I meant for you to meet with people here who knew your mother. They have moved on therefore we must move on too."

She looked at him with a stunned expression which turned to suspicion and disbelief. "Why?"

Jaime shrugged. "I made an oath. I may as well keep one of them."