authorsnotes: edited 18/07, as the others.

soo here's a new chapter, new pov too! hope you like

slightly longer chapter here, typically chapters will be at least 3k+ and could run as high as 10k depends on the creative flow! (god that sounded pretentious, don't me), anywho, pls enjoy!

songrecs: hurt - johnny cash (poor jaime bby just wants his honour)

"Well, where the hell is she?!"

Everyone at the table flinched as his fist hit the table, rattling the cups and the wood underneath them. Tyrion could hardly blame those who flinched or the cups for rattling, he only managed to remain stoic and seemingly unfazed through experience. Long ago he had become used to his father's fury, Cersei was the only other person at the table who didn't look terrified, though she was nervous that was clear. Everyone else looked ready to piss or soil themselves, but again Tyrion couldn't blame them, his father was downright terrifying when angry.

And good god he was angry.

Just three mornings earlier they had all sat down for another small council meeting, Tyrion had yawned, picked at food, and poured himself wine under his father's glare. They had only just started to discuss the affairs of the realm before they had been interrupted by a nervous Lannister guard, a mousy little handmaiden accompanying him, whispering hushed and hurried words to Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King.

Tyrion had realised it was serious as his father's expression had gone from stern to furious in just a few seconds. Tyrion had seen such an expression of anger on his father only recently too, when news had broken of Robb Stark's marriage to Roslin Frey at the Twin's, reaffirming the alliance of the Riverland's and the North. His father had been furious then, but more furious now. The mysterious news had him sweeping out of the room without a word, but they had all found out shortly after and his father's anger had been understandable.

The little bird had flown the nest, or her cage if one were to be more accurate. Honestly, Tyrion somewhat admired her for it, Lady Stark had taken control of her own destiny and had fled her prison, he hadn't fought she had the bravery, nor the determination. He did admire her for it, even if it meant they now had no leverage over Robb Stark, and a slimmer chance at winning the war now. He was also worried too, both for his family and his own head but also for Lady Sansa. She would no doubt take the Kings Road and he shuddered to think of the horrors she might face, as miserable as she had been in Kings Landing she likely would have been safer behind the walls of the Capitol, than alone roaming the countryside where no doubt trouble would befall her.

Apparently, she had fled in the early hours of the morning. Servants had gone to wake her only to find her bed stuffed with pillows, a handful of her things gone and a rope of sheets hanging out of the window. She had taken a horse, snuck past the guards and she was long gone, which meant they were well and truly fucked. They had never had Arya, the youngest Stark girl, and now the eldest, their one hostage against Robb Stark had escaped.

It had been two days now, and already search parties had been sent out, told to ride hard and bring her back. Five men working the gate the night she'd snuck past had been executed, their heads on pikes. Rumour had it Joffrey had killed two servants when he had found out his future plaything had ran from him. Overall, it was an utter disaster, even Tyrion couldn't find any amusement in it, which truly was saying something.

They were no closer to a solution, even as various members of the Council began to speak up, clearly trying to keep his father's temper at bay. For fucks sake the meeting was taking place at night, evidently his father really was desperate for solutions if he had kept them all up to get their input and his temper were unlikely to be cooled, not unless one of them revealed Sansa Stark from behind their seat, alive, well and more importantly back in the grip of the Lannister's.

"What about the search parties?" Mace Tyrell, the fat flower, spoke up and Tyrion rolled his eyes before reaching for his wine. God, it was a nightmare. Search parties of course had been dispatched in every possible direction and yet none had found her. Spies couldn't seem to locate her; it was as though Sansa Stark had vanished. Tyrion again felt some admiration for her, but he knew they were in trouble. They needed to find her and soon.

A vicious glare shot at Lord Tyrell was enough to say the search parties had been unsuccessful and Lord Baelish nor Varys even spoke, neither having any luck either. Tyrion was doubtful they would come across her. At best she was still on the run, perhaps had been smart enough to hop on a ship up North, or at worst she was already dead, raped and murdered on the Kings Road, buried in a shallow grave somewhere. Either way, he doubted they would find her, but they needed to, especially before Robb Stark found out.

"On the plus side my Lord it seems Robb Stark still doesn't know about his sister fleeing" Varys spoke up then, a small bit of good news he supposed.

"Yes, but how long for?" His father retorted immediately, his fists positively shaking with anger, "The only reason he hasn't found out is because he's at the Twins celebrating his marriage. As soon as he emerges, he'll find out, and he'll have men on mass looking for her!" He said with a shake of his head, turning away and even snapping to the point of pouring himself some wine, now that was a surprise, Tyrion and Cersei were the drinkers of the Lannister family, though with such stress he wasn't surprised his father had been driven to alcohol.

"Well it stands to reason that if we haven't found her, neither will her brother" Baelish spoke up then and Tyrion again rolled his eyes, unable to stop himself speaking up this time.

"If she makes it to the Riverlands or even close to there then he'll find her" He said with a shake of his head, "Every man in the Riverlands and up knows who she is, knows what she looks like thanks to her distinctive Tully looks and the fact Robb Stark looks just like her" He said reaching for his cup, "We can't find her because none of our men nor common people in this area know what she looks like. The second she makes it to the Riverlands?" He paused then slashing his hand in a sideways motion, "She'll be gone for good"

"Tyrion is right" His father spoke again, and Tyrion almost laughed, god, things really were dire if his father was agreeing with him, it surely must be the end of days, "Time is of the essence here"

"What about Jaime?" It was Cersei who spoke then, she had been unusually quiet in this meeting, but Tyrion understood why. She was practically to blame for the Stark girl fleeing, having been the girl's guardian here in Kings Landing, she was likely remaining silent so not to bring her father's ire toward her. "Shouldn't he be more of a priority over the Stark welp?!" She said with a scowl, and Tyrion shot her a look, bad timing.

Evidently his father thought the same and shot his daughter a murderous glare, "Jaime is a grown man, Sansa Stark is a girl. Jaime can take care of himself, whereas if we don't find Sansa, she'll end up dead in a ditch somewhere, or worse back with her brother!" He said furiously, before making a dismissing motion

None of them needed to be told twice and they all hurried for the door, Tyrion included, walking as fast as his little legs would carry him. He did not want to remain behind as an outlet for his father's temper, no. There was little they could do now, either the search parties would find her, or they wouldn't, either she would make it back to Robb Stark or never be heard from again. Tyrion hoped they found her, but even if it were against his family interests he hoped if they couldn't find her she returned to her brother, she were an innocent, he hated to think of her being hurt.

He felt a little twinge of worry then before hurrying down the steps to the Tower of the Hand, there was nothing he could do to help Sansa now, or find her, he would go and see Shae, that would make him feel better, and she could use some comfort, she was worried about the Stark girl too.

They had been on the road for less than half a day together and she was giving him the silent treatment. Ever since the moment he had lifted her onto the horse, took the reigns and rode them North she had remained completely mute. He wasn't sure if it was because she was upset, angry or in shock he was honouring his word and had directed them to the Riverlands rather than Kings Landing, but either way she remained quiet.

For the moment that was fine with him, he could use some quiet, was used to it after months of solitude in a cage in her brother's camp. And so he was happy with the quiet, and then night began to fall, the sky darkened and he took them into the forest off the Kings Road, they were near the border of Rosby now so the forest shouldn't be too dangerous, and even if there were bandits or robbers he could stop them, would stop them. He may not be in peak physical condition, but he was still a talented swordsman, one of the best, he'd stop any who tried to harm them.

That didn't worry him, no what was making him nervous was what was to come, he knew he and Sansa needed to talk. He didn't look forward to it, but it was necessary now, to get on the same page with her before they carried on.

And so, once they were deep enough into the forest but not too deep to get lost or encounter wild animals he jumped down from the horse and then lifted her at the waist and pulled her down. He grabbed his bag and tethered the horse to the nearest tree, and he watched as Sansa grabbed her blanket and satchel, well at least she wasn't bolting as soon as he put her down.

They had good coverage in the forest for the night, and he had picked a safe spot next to a pond of fresh water. It was a good spot and so he dumped his bag on the floor before turning around to the girl his father had envisioned, he marry, ugh he didn't want to think on that now. No, now they needed to talk, though frankly he had no idea what to say. He felt odd … awkward, and that was not a feeling he was used to, but then, what the hell was he supposed to say to her?

Thankfully, she saved him the trouble of starting an awkward conversation by speaking first, "Where are you taking me?" She asked, an accusatory edge to her tone, and his green gaze met her blue he could tell she was trying to be fierce. He had to resist a laugh at that, though he couldn't hide his smirk.

He couldn't help it, his amusement. She was a child, and yet speaking to him as though she was a warrior! And yet he had to admit as he glanced over her … she was no child anymore. She was taller now, still shorter than him, but taller, she was womanlier as well, the childish features gone, replaced by cutting features that screamed of beauty. She was a woman grown, a very beautiful woman in truth … though that was of no consequence to him, beautiful, ugly … he didn't care. Still, she was, and she was certainly not the child he had last seen in Kings Landing. No, not at all.

Still, fierce was something she wasn't, even as she screwed her fists by her sides and glared at him. Still, he knew they needed to talk and making fun of her would win him no points, and so with an attempt to make things comfortable he sat himself down, his back to one of the trees, leaning against it, and indicated for her to do the same. She did, after several minutes of deliberating, sat opposite him, crossing her arms, and glaring at him until he spoke up.

"I'm taking you to Riverrun, from there I can return you to Lady Stark" He said, it was the truth after all, he would take her as far North as need be … though he hoped it wasn't too far, he had never been a fan of the cold. No, he wanted to be home as soon as possible, back to Cersei's side…even if they did have things to discuss. He also had no idea how he was going to explain his delayed return, but that was a thought for another day, he had bigger priorities right now.

"Liar" She spat back at him, jerking him from his thoughts. He rolled his eyes at that, he knew she wasn't stupid, so why was she acting like it?

"And where else could I be taking you Lady Stark?" He asked, his tone turning harder; he did not like being questioned, especially not by a slip of a girl he was trying to help. "In case you hadn't noticed, or perhaps your grasp on geography is that bad, Kings Landing is in the opposite direction" He said, his tone heavy with sarcasm, "We're near Rosby now, if I wanted to take you back to the Capitol, I'm certainly going the wrong way about it aren't I?"

He saw her expression lighten then, the anger and contempt replaced with something of shock … and dare he say it, a little bit of hope? She did look a little hopeful, chewing down on her lip evidently contemplating his words. He could hardly blame her for being in disbelief, and yet he supposed he'd just have to prove his intentions with each day travelling North, no matter how much he wanted to return home rather than make his way into the frigid cold.

And god did he want to return home. Issues aside he wanted Cersei, he wanted back to his comfortable bed and servants to cook his food. He wanted proper clothes, proper weapons, a training yard to practice and a hot bath every night. God, he wanted to go back, but that was not an option for the moment … and if he thought hard perhaps not an option ever again. If just one spy saw him returning Sansa to Riverrun … he'd be condemned and punished for treason. He didn't believe his father would ever execute him, but he'd have to penalize him. No, it was possible in taking Sansa Stark up North he was giving up on any hope of going home … god, what was he doing?

'Regaining your honour' He thought to himself. He had made a vow to Lady Catelyn, a vow to return her daughters to her. He could start with Sansa, go back, and get Arya later. He had made a promise, he would uphold that promise, even if it meant losing everything. He may have broken many a vow but not this one, not this time, his honour may have been beyond repair, but he knew if he took the easy way out and returned home as he so wanted to … his honour would be lost to him forever.

"But why?" Again, he was jerked from his thoughts as Sansa evidently found it in herself to speak, her words quieter, less hostile, and yet still suspicious, shocked. That almost made him smile, and he found himself shrugging his shoulders…though he knew his own reasoning.

"I promised your mother" He said simply, as though that was the only explanation needed, and for the moment it was. He didn't need to explain to the Stark girl that this was his one last attempt at salvaging his honour, redeeming himself. It would seem idiotic to her, potentially losing his home, ending up a captive once more all to try and regain honour, but it was simply something he needed to do. God, it seemed idiotic to him! But it was what he had to do, if he hoped to live with himself for the rest of (however short it may be), his life. "I promised I'd return you and your sister. First I'll get you back to her and then return to Kings Landing and retrieve Arya"

"She's not in Kings Landing" He heard her whisper, and he lifted his head to look at her again, his eyes widening, his eyebrows knitting together as he waited for her to continue. "She's been missing since my father died, no one has seen her in months" Well that was certainly an inconvenience. He wanted to push further, to ask for more details, since he had promised to return not one Stark girl but both … but the look on Sansa's face as she had talked about her sister … he decided it could wait for now.

"But why?" She asked again, looking at him properly now, and again he could see that expression, one of hope, vulnerability, surprise, and he found himself almost smiling again, almost but not quite as he answered her.

"It's just what I need to do" Was all he offered before turning away, reaching for his bag to retrieve what little food he had left to make them dinner – it would be a long night, the dark having just settled, but they needed to eat and sleep to continue on the morrow. To continue to Riverrun.

As he turned away Sansa did too, to her own bag, pulling out the small hunk of bread and solitary apple she had left, she had planned to buy food at the inn but hadn't been able to before meeting Ser Jaime, now she had little left and her stomach was knotted with hunger. But she wasn't thinking on that, not after what she had just heard.

Once she turned away, she could finally relax her expression, let the shock take over, as that was her primary feeling … shock and nothing else.

When he had grabbed her, bundled her on his horse she hadn't believed a word he was saying. She was sure he was returning her to the Capitol, and she had been debating the best way to either escape again or fling herself from the beast when it was going fast in hopes of ending it all. She hadn't been able to believe him riding the other way, remaining silent in surprise and hope. But now? Now she had asked? …. She still couldn't believe it, she just couldn't, it made no sense to her, none at all.

He was a Lannister! And yet, he was going against the Lannister's, against his own family, 'Family, duty, honour' were her mother's words and she knew the Lannister's were all about the first one. By taking her back to her mother he was depriving the Lannister's of a key bargaining chip and hostage, he was going against his own family. It made no sense, none whatsoever and he had hardly made sense of it for her in his explanation.

She had no idea why he was doing this; she couldn't even thank him because she wasn't sure if this weren't all some elaborate ruse! Part of her was wondering if he was whisking her away to Casterly Rock instead, or perhaps to the nearest castle to await his father's men. And yet … he wasn't riding in plain sight hoping to be seen, he was hiding them, he was taking them in the opposite direction of any castles or holdfasts, he was being cautious and keeping them hidden. It made no sense, and it hurt her head to think of it, and to think of his explanation.

Could he be telling the truth?

Part of her so wanted to believe it, so wanted to believe he was taking her home. It would take such a weight off of her and vastly improve her chances. She had resolved to do this journey alone, to endure the cold, the hunger, the fear, to brave the horrors of the Kings Road and beyond, and to do so alone. The idea of having someone, anyone to help her, it was a relief. Even if he were a Lannister, she knew Jaime could protect them better than practically anyone else. He would no doubt increase her chances of returning home tenfold. And yet, she still couldn't quite believe it, not yet.

He was a Lannister, and she had promised herself over and over again in Kings Landing; never trust a Lannister, never again, not after all they'd done to her. She couldn't, she wouldn't, never again.

"Are you hungry?" His words interrupted her thoughts then and she took a deep breath before turning back to him, still holding the hunk of bread and the lone apple. She could see he'd put out his food, some cheese, some strips of meat and a larger chunk of bread, evidently for them to share. She looked up at him as she could see him rummaging around in his bag for water, and she pulled her own water skin out before placing it down on the forest floor, along with the food … she supposed they could share.

But once she'd placed them down, she drew back, sitting herself back against the tree once more, a healthy distance from him. She didn't trust him, not in the slightest … and though she thought he wouldn't hurt her, she was still very, very wary. She didn't even know why she thought he wouldn't hurt her, perhaps it was still her past idiotic view on Knights? Either way she believed he wouldn't harm her, but she remained wary all the same.

Mainly she was wary about his motivations, for she couldn't wrap her head around why he was doing this. She would have asked again but didn't want to anger him. She didn't really know anything about the Kingslayer, never having really met him in the past, so only knowing what she'd heard. One thing she'd heard was that he had a legendary temper and she didn't want to be the one to ignite it, and thus she remained quiet.

But he seemed to see through her as he spoke, reaching forward with his dagger to cut the food into equal portions, speaking as he did so, "I know you're trying to wrap your pretty little head around why I'm doing this, but my advice?" He paused then to look up at her and she found herself trapped in his gaze, that green gaze identical to his sisters, and yet his didn't fill her with revulsion as the Queen's did, it wasn't even any kinder, but the malice was missing, "Don't. Just accept it, trust it, it'll be much easier for you if you don't stress over it" It was then he looked away again to cut up the food.

She couldn't trust him, not a chance, but could she trust his motivations? She couldn't let her guard down, but perhaps she could try and accept what he had said? And she would see the truth in where they went from here? What else could she do after all? He was too fast, too strong for her to get away from, that much was clear, so perhaps she should just try to go along with it? Not trust him, god no, but try and accept what he was telling her? For what else could she do? Question after question raced through her brain that only she could answer, and she knew the answer as soon as her own mind asked them.

"Okay" She almost blurted out, her thoughts forcing her to say that one little traitorous word. But as soon as she'd said it she couldn't take it back, and his gaze met hers once more, "I don't trust you, but I'll accept what you're saying … for now at least" She paused then, biting down on her lip again but not flickering her gaze from his. "T…Truce?" Of course, she stuttered, but her gaze was steady.

She saw him laugh for the first time then. She'd seen hints of it earlier and they had angered her, as did this one, though this was a proper laugh, him throwing his head back in mirth. She glared, but that only made him smile more as he held out his hand for her, she wasn't sure what he found so amusing, but she was sure it was at her expense. A smirk was playing on his lips as he waited for her to take his hand, "You have yourself a truce Lady Stark"

And so she took it, shook it, trying to tell herself this was the best way forward, trying to tell herself she could always try and run if he was deceiving her, and trying not to feel as though she had just signed a truce with the devil.

They ate their food in silence, evidently the little truce she had suggested did not extend to friendship. God that had made him laugh, her stumbling of the word, trying to look cool and collected when he had seen the fear and confusion in her eyes. He had held out his hand, not expecting her to take it and yet she had. They were at an impasse it seemed, she not trusting him, he not trusting her not to run and yet agreeing to accept one another's positions for the moment.

Honestly, Jaime felt it was the best they could get, he would prove to her over the weeks that he was taking her home, and hopefully she would trust him enough not to run away or make a fuss. It was the best they could hope for and was far better than her screaming and fighting him every step of the way.

And so, they ate, the food divided equally (though slightly in favour of Sansa, for he had given her more, he could be a gentleman on occasion), enough between them to call it a meal. Once it was finished, he grabbed the sleep roll from his bag, it was tattered and awful but offered some protection, and she grabbed the blanket she had taken from Kings Landing. It was pitiful between them, and temperatures were not kind to them, evidently Lady Stark thought the same as she refused to settle and looked over at him with some kind of expectation.

"Yes?" He asked then; for he was getting ready to settle down, but she was still sat bolt upright, clearly not ready for sleep and clearly expecting something of him.

"Aren't you going to make a fire?" She asked in disbelief, and he almost laughed at her naivety again, if it hadn't made her so vulnerable of course. Instead his expression was harder as he sat himself back up and looked across at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Is that what you've been doing? Making a fire each night?" He asked, trying to keep his tone neutral, though he couldn't help the anger that creeped into it, god was this girl a lackwit? He was no scholar himself, but he couldn't abide by stupidity.

"I tried but I could never get one going" She admitted, and though she seemed sad about that, he was thankful, he probably never would have found her alive if she'd succeeded.

"No fire" He said simply, "It attracts attention, and though I am the best swordsman in the kingdoms, I am not at peak strength, I don't fancy any fights yet" He said simply before settling back down onto his sleep roll, his anger all but gone, he was like that, quick to temper but easy to cool, he also could hardly judge her naivety. He could see why she wanted a fire, it was freezing, but it was not a good idea, not unless they wished the smoke to attract all manner of people.

"But it's so cold" She said in disbelief, her tone shocked, and exasperated he sat himself back up, trying not to let his temper get the best of him, though he felt an odd mixture of annoyance and amusement.

"It'll be colder if we're dead" He said with a roll of his green eyes, "I have literally no idea how you've survived on the Kings Road so far without me, do you have any idea how dangerous it is? And you want to start a fire? Amplifying the danger?" He scoffed at her then, rolled his eyes again.

"I managed just fine!" She said, her tone full of indignation, "And we're in the forest, no one will see!"

"Oh really?" He said, sarcasm coming to his tone, though it was better than anger, "I suppose they won't see smoke through the trees? We're safe here, we're deep enough in not to be seen and wildlife doesn't roam these parts. We won't get found unless we attract attention to ourselves with something like … I don't know, a fire?!" Jaime couldn't help but sound so patronising, with her insistent talk of fire it was reminding him of just how cold it was. Besides, wasn't she northern? Surely, she could handle the cold better than he!

But then he knew that wasn't the case. A grown woman she was but still a thin one, wearing a ragged dress with only a cloak and blanket for protection. Still, it was more than he had!

She didn't respond to his words this time, and instead didn't move, evidently still refusing to settle down out of stubbornness. He was tempted just to go to sleep himself, leave her to cut off her own nose to spite her face, but he knew he couldn't do that. He could hardly blame her for her lack of survival skills either. He'd been in battle when one learned these things, she'd likely never slept outside of a castle until now, a noble Lady through and through, he couldn't be angry at her for things she had never had cause to learn. Sure, it could irritate him, but he shouldn't be angry at her.

"Look" Jaime spoke again, going for a gentler tone this time, "I know it's cold, but it's better to be cold than to attract attention with a fire okay?" He was pleased when she at least nodded, but he wanted her to settle down, they both needed sleep, "If you want to stay warm, bundle up under your blanket, or better yet, come here, we'll use body heat" Of course the last part was sarcasm, mischief evident in his tone. Still her gasp of disgust followed by her immediately covering herself with her blanket and cloak and lying herself down made him laugh once more, well that was one way to get her to go to sleep.

He waited a few moments to be sure she was sleeping before he moved closer to her; not close enough to cosy up to her but close enough to be sure he'd awake if she encountered trouble. No, they'd be too far apart to touch, but close enough if anything happened. So finally, Jaime settled down himself, the night sky overhead twinkling with stars, the chill soon forgotten as he drifted into slumber.

What a strange day it had been…

soo thoughts? hope you liked!

we have an awkward team! they will get better ... eventually ahahaha, I love to torture.

lemme know your thoughts.

speak soon