authorsnotes: edited 18/07 (I saved this first as 'editod, lol kill me).
I know your going to enjoy this chapter, I squealed when writing it, hopefully you do too ... in a good way.
anywho, pls enjoy, lemme know your thoughts, fav/follow and all that jazz.
songrecs: just be - ashley jana
The sun was just peeping out of the clouds, just breaking across the sky and she began to stir. It took a few minutes for her to come to her senses, for her eyes to flutter open and her body to adjust to a hard night on the forest floor. It had been cold, uncomfortable, but she had found it the easiest night out in the wild so far. She wasn't sure if that was because she'd had a good nights sleep the night before or that she felt safer due to a certain someone's presence … she refused to acknowledge the latter, even if it were obvious why she felt much safer than she had alone.
As she blinked a few times to adjust to the sunlight that had started to appear she let out a small yawn, sat herself up and rolled her shoulders. The inn had been much more comfortable but she knew it was too risky to stay at every inn on the way, no matter how much she wished for a comfortable feather bed, hot water and good food … that was a sure way to get caught, and she'd rather sleep on a hard forest floor for the rest of her life, than be back in the grasp of the Lannister's.
Though she supposed, she was already in the claws of one.
Said Lannister was already awake and looked as though he was preparing to go about the day. He hadn't seemed to notice her as she sat up or he was ignoring her, either or, she preferred it that way. They may have agreed to a truce, and he may seem to be honouring his word to take her home, but she still didn't trust him.
She had trusted a Lannister once and it had all ended in heartbreak, she wouldn't, couldn't make that mistake again.
"Awake at last?" His voice jolted her from her thoughts, clearly, he had been ignoring her rather than unaware. She shot him a timid glare as she stood to her feet, folding her blanket, and scooping it up in her arms. The air was warmer during the day, but the cold hadn't bothered her too much in the night, she was a northerner after all, she could endure the cold. It was harder to adjust to sleeping like a commoner, even in Kings Landing they had honoured her station as a noble woman.
But it would all be worth it in the end. It didn't matter how dirty her dress was, how many leaves were tangled in her hair. It didn't matter that she looked like a peasant or that she was hungry, tired, and sore. It would all be worth it to get back to her brother and mother, to return home, to Winterfell. She had to keep reminding herself of that, then she could and would endure it all.
But then, it wasn't just that she had to deal with, now there was Jaime Lannister. Sansa hadn't anticipated a travelling companion and she certainly hadn't wanted one, but he had ignored what she wanted and decided he would be her companion. Yes, she may feel safer with him by her side, but he was still unwelcome. Sure, there was no denying he was a legendary swordsman with survival skills that far surpassed hers, but it didn't mean she wanted him with her.
She didn't trust him, not one bit, and she still felt this was all some elaborate ruse, and soon enough he'd turn them around, back to the Capitol. Part of her wondered if he was going North to then veer West and take her to his home Kingdom of the Westerlands, perhaps to trick her brother. Whatever he was doing she couldn't believe he was taking her to her brother, it made no sense! She couldn't figure out why he would do it, no matter how hard she tried.
But they had called a truce, she understood that, and she supposed she just had to go along with it. She knew she couldn't escape him, he was too fast and too strong, so she knew she had to simply stick with him and hope he was true to his word. That and simply stay alert, at the first sign he wasn't doing as he said then she would figure out what to do next. For now, she had little choice but to go along with him, and to hope that perhaps he could be telling the truth, that perhaps for once he would honour a vow.
"Not very talkative? Hungry I imagine" She realised then she'd fallen silent, and not answered his question, not that, that seemed to bother him, "Don't worry, we'll be reaching the border of Hayford soon, should be able to buy some food in one of the markets, perhaps some blankets as well, then we'll continue our journey" He said with a nod as he readied the horse.
"Okay" Was all she could muster as she rubbed her eyes of sleepiness. He too was quiet then and she took a few minutes to pack up her meagre belongings, to take a drink of water, and run her fingers through her hair. She knew she looked far from presentable, but that wasn't what was important right now, right now it was important to carry on, and to be strong, that mattered far more than her appearance right now.
"Ready to go?" He asked then, and he turned to look at her, and she got a good look at him in the morning light. She could see he'd been at his beard, with a dagger most likely, and his face was smooth. He'd hacked at his locks as they were uneven but had grown back out to the blonde mane around his head, almost like a halo. She almost let out a ladylike snort at that, more likely he'd spout devil horns than be an angel, even if he could be mistaken for one. He did look better, handsome, younger even, though she hated herself the second she thought such a thing, beauty didn't matter, not when such a handsome face hid such an awful person.
She nodded and moved forwards, it was time to go, and thinking about Jaime Lannister's possibly motives were making her head hurt. She could do nothing at the moment, just remain vigilant, and hope, hope that perhaps he would be true to his word.
Perhaps he would take her home.
-x-
"So, do you have a plan?" Finally, the little Stark seemed to find her voice, as she walked over to their horse. It wasn't that he cared for empty conversation to fill the time but the silence he'd been met with had concerned him. Who knew what Sansa was thinking? He knew she was doubtful of his motives, of everything about him, and hell he could hardly blame her. Still, he didn't want her to get any ideas about escaping, and so perhaps it was best to make conversation, keep her distracted from illusions of fleeing from him.
He also felt some conversation might reveal her thoughts, Jaime was usually good at reading people, it was part of the reason he was so good with a sword, he could look into a man's eyes and know his motives in seconds, but Sansa? She didn't prove so easy to read, he needed some insight.
"I do" He said, before saddling his bag to the horse. He took hers and tied it the same, before taking her blanket and spreading it over the back of the mare. He had thought in hindsight he should have gotten her, her own horse at the inn, but he felt it was better this way. Much less likely to escape him if she couldn't ride off. "But first let's get moving, and then we can talk" He watched her nod at that, concede the point, but distrust was filling her gaze. He rolled his eyes at that, before he took a step towards her and she stepped back in response.
"So skittish" He mocked, but at her glare and the tightening of her firsts he let out a small sigh, "I'm just trying to help" He said, nodding his head to the horse. She seemed to understand him then and nodded back, albeit reluctantly and took a step forward to him. With ease he grabbed her at the waist and hoisted her up onto the horse. Once she settled herself into the saddle, he followed her up, sitting himself behind her, his arms circling her waist to take the reins. It was comfortable, and easier this way, though he knew they'd need to replace the mare soon. Sure, he was a little too slender after his year in the Northman's captivity, and she was a waif of a thing anyway, but two people on one horse would surely mean the horse wouldn't last long. Still, that was another problem for another day.
Today's problem was how much ground they needed to cover. He'd like to be at the border of Hayford by dark, it would mean they could get food, but he knew it would be difficult, likely they'd be looking at another night in the forest with little food before they could buy supplies. It would be a long hard journey up North, that was for sure.
"So, what is our plan?" He heard her ask again. She was a shy little thing it seemed, but not when demanding answers from him. Still he decided to engage her, likely if she knew what was going on, she'd be reassured. He doubted she would ever trust him, but he hoped she would realise he was speaking true and stop glaring at the back of his head when she thought he wasn't aware of her.
"Well, we're west of Rosby at the moment" He began, for he felt it best to go into full detail of his plans, keep her distracted and hopefully earn a little bit of trust, "Coming up to Hayford. From there we'll pass west of Antlers, and then up on the Kingsroad, we'll pass by Harenhall, at the same time we'll pass by the Trident" He was sticking to known settlements now of major houses, for he was sure Sansa would know those, and it seemed to work as she was nodding her head. "From there we'll follow on through the Riverlands. They've been ravaged, but we should be able to travel undetected. We'll go by Fairmarket, Oldstones, the Red and Blue forks, and then onto Frey Lands" He said with a nod of his head, "I'm hoping we reach your brother before he leaves the Twins, if not we'll continue up North, though let's hope it doesn't come to that" He said with a shake of his head. He had no desire to freeze to death up North, he'd been once and that was plenty enough. Still, if that was what it took, he would do so, he just hoped he didn't have to.
For a moment, there was silence, and then Sansa spoke again, her voice quiet, but sounding a little confused, "Why is my brother at the Twins?"
Of course, Sansa had hardly been kept apprised of her brother's movements, likely she didn't have much an idea of the goings on of the war bar some court gossip which would likely be exaggerated and not filled with any actual information. Jaime didn't wish to tell her the gruesome tales he had heard, and been a part of, she did seem so fragile no matter how much she glared, but he knew he needed to give her a general idea.
"Your brother by the sounds of it has married Roslin Frey" He said with a nod of his head. For that he did feel some pity for the Young Wolf, sure Jaime had never held any interest in any girl other than Cersei, still he could acknowledge other women were attractive … but a Frey? He could imagine Robb Stark was currently lamenting over his misfortune to be married into that family, and to one of those daughters.
"They married, and your Uncle Edmure is due to wed Bethany Blackwood I believe" He said with a shrug, after all, all his news came from what he'd heard around camp, and what Brienne had deigned to tell him, it wasn't a whole lot but he knew it was more than she was aware of. "I believe your brother is marching North to reclaim Winterfell from the Iron Born, and then he plans to come South again most likely" Jaime said.
"Do you think he'll win?" He heard the little Stark waif say, and then felt her cringe as she realised what had slipped from her mouth. He almost laughed then. Clearly, she had been watching her words in Kings Landing, and was failing to do so now. He didn't know if that was a sign of trust or just her natural walls falling now, she was out of the lion's den.
"I don't know" He said honestly as they left the safety of the forest and hit the Kingsroad. Normally, Jaime wouldn't have wanted to travel down such a road alone, but he felt they would meet little danger. He was a fantastic swordsman after all, and though he was thinner he still looked the part of a warrior. He doubted they would face any trouble. Sansa alone, however? He almost shivered. He may have only cared to get the girl home based on a vow, but it did dread him to think what would have happened to her if he hadn't found her and she had tried to ride the Kingsroad alone.
"He's a good tactician, skilled" He admitted with a nod of his head, he may be arrogant, but there was no shame in admitting another man's skill, "But he's made mistakes. Also, he is facing a very strong force, with the alliance with the Tyrell's… he'll find it hard to beat us"
"Not us" She said quietly then, "Just your family"
"Yes, my family, a family which you would have become a part of it seems" He didn't mean to let the words slip and he winced when he did.
"What do you mean?" He heard the worry in her voice, and she would have no doubt turned to look at him if his arms hadn't trapped her to remain in place as he whipped the reins so the horse would pick up speed.
"Well, I heard rumour in the inn I met you at that my nephew is betrothed to the Tyrell girl now, so you were set aside" He said, trying to word it delicately, "You would have been married off to a Lannister soon enough, perhaps Tyrion or one of my cousins"
"But why?" He heard her say in surprise. Again, he resisted the urge to roll his eyes, was she this naïve or did she just want to hear him explain it?
"Because my father anticipates your brother meeting a swift death soon, you would then be heir to the North, the key to it even, he'd want to keep such key under his control" He said with a shrug. Of course, he knew the real truth, his father had planned for him to marry Sansa, an absurd proposition he never would have accepted, and he didn't need Sansa to know what had almost come to pass.
Sansa fell silent then, and he pushed on the reins a bit harder. They had a lot of ground to cover, and it seemed both had a lot to think about as well.
-x-
And so, the day passed with little conversation between the two, as they were both deep in thought. They rode hard along the Kingsroad, only stopping twice to let the horse rest and take a drink. They had gone through all their food the night before, and in a show of gallantry Jaime had given her the last apple for breakfast. Once such an action would have made Sansa blush, instead she'd just thanked him in a curt tone and he'd nodded his head, nothing more.
She was hungry and tired now, and the Kingsroad had started to show its true colours. Twice Jaime had forced the horse to ride hard to avoid some of the unsavoury character's they'd come across and that wasn't even the worst of it. They had gone past several dead bodies, bloated, and teeming with flies. They had seen a Septa sobbing by the side of the road, having clearly been brutalised. Sansa had wanted to stop and help the woman, had even asked Jaime, but he had only thrown her a patronising look and continued on.
It was scary, and Sansa had come to understand the reality of what she ahd done. She had escaped King's Landing yes, but she hadn't even come close to considering the consequences. She had thought she'd ride off on her horse, stay in a few inn's, sleep in the forest and charge on home. But she hadn't considered anything beyond that!
First, as Jaime had told her the current state of her family that morning, she had realised she hadn't even known where her brother and mother resided; she had planned to ride for Riverrun. Second, as they made their way down the Kingsroad she realised how unlikely it would have been that she would even make it to Riverrun. Aside from her lack of survival skills that would have had her relying too much on inn's and markets to be safe, she would have been completely unsafe alone.
As much as she despised Ser Jaime, didn't want him travelling with her, and resented him forcing his companionship on her, she had come to acknowledge how much safer she felt with him. She had felt his strong arms circling her on the horse, had seen him draw his heavy sword as though it weighed nothing, and had seen a few lone men and even a group of three scurry away from them as they passed, intimidated by him and the grip he had on that sword.
She may not like travelling with a Lannister, but it made her a lot safer. And, she had to now acknowledge the possibility … Jaime might get her home.
She still couldn't trust him of course, even as he'd outlined his plan to her. A large part of her still feared he'd turn them around to Kings Landing, or go West to Casterly Rock, or perhaps he'd sent a raven in the night and soon Lannister soldiers would ambush them. It was a feeling that wouldn't go away, she could not trust him, and so she couldn't fully believe his plans or his word.
"We're not going to make it to Hayford" Jaime's words broke her train of thought, as they hadn't spoken for over an hour and she had been deep in thought. The Kingsroad was quieter now as night began to fall.
"No?" She asked, for honestly, she wasn't one hundred percent sure where they were. She didn't have a map … another failing on her part to prepare for this journey, it seemed Jaime didn't need one, he knew the land of Westeros far beyond her grasp of the geography of the country.
"No" He said simply as he began to turn the horse into the nearby forest. The forest wasn't so dense here, and so as they breached the trees, they rode for a good half an hour before they managed to find a good spot. Sansa remained quiet then as she took in everything around her; the small ponds with dragonflies dancing over the tops, the lush trees, the fertile green grounds, it was beautiful, only married by the intrusions of humanity in the area, in the shape of a body or two and at one point someone swinging from a hangman's noose.
It was only when they stopped, far away from the bodies, close to a small pond, and in the middle of a very small clearing, did Sansa speak up.
"So, we're stopping for the night again?" She asked, though it was a stupid question, and she practically felt Jaime roll his eyes at her.
"Yes. One more night in the forest, then we'll go to Hayford, pick up some food and some blankets and continue on" He said as he jumped down from the horse, quickly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down, before releasing her.
"But… but what about food?" She asked, crossing her arms across her chest. Why he felt the need to yank her down from the horse she didn't know, sure he was quite gentle, and it showed just how strong he was, but she didn't appreciate it, she was capable of getting off of a horse!
"I'll catch us something" He said, as though it was the most obvious answer in the world. That was something she noted about him, when he wasn't being sarcastic or teasing, he was completely sure of himself. If anything, he seemed a little insulted she would doubt him. God this man was so arrogant, so conceited! But then he was a Lannister, what else should she expect?
She glared at his back as he tied the horse to a nearby tree and got out the stuff to sleep on. There was no food to get out, but he removed the water skins. It hadn't dawned on Sansa how hard up for food they would be, and her stomach was already rumbling. She didn't doubt Jaime would catch them something though, as much as his arrogance annoyed her, she knew it came from a place of being sure about himself because he'd done all of this before.
She hated to admit it, but it seemed he was becoming more and more essential to her journey. The hope that had come to her when she had fled Kings Landing was growing stronger, like a flame flickering higher and higher… the idea that she would soon be back with her family, it was what was keeping her going, and as each hour passed she was getting more and more excited that it might actually happen.
"What should I do?" She asked as she grabbed her own stuff, her blanket, and her water skin, before moving to the pond to fill them up. The water was clean here, that at least she could tell.
"Sit pretty" He said simply before disappearing into the woods. Her eyes widened as everything went silent. She felt annoyed at his words, 'sit pretty', god he was more arrogant than his awful sister! And that was saying something. But worse … that was it?! He was leaving her here, alone?! She shivered then, was that wise? She supposed they were deep enough in the forest they shouldn't be bothered, and she had the horse for company. But still!
With a deep breath she knew she needed to get herself together. She would have been alone anyway, Jaime was simply an addition to the party, this was not the time to get scared! Yes, there would be many dangers on the way to her brothers now, but it was better than being in Kings Landing! Stuck with Cersei and Joffrey and Tywin! It was much better. She had to keep reminding herself of that. She would not let her excitement die.
And so, she busied herself. She filled up her own water skin, gulped down several mouthfuls and then filled it again. She filled Jaime's too … she figured he was getting them food; it was the least she could do. Then she moved to the horse, led it gently over to the pond, where it happily lapped up some water before settling down, content after grazing on some grass.
It was then she sat back down on her blanket, and simply waited … for what else was she supposed to do?
-x-
Jaime had to get away.
He knew it was slightly irresponsible leaving her alone, but he was relying on three facts; he wasn't going far, they were deep in the forest, and he would hear if she ran into any trouble. Plus, they needed to eat, he was starving, no doubt as was she. He had heard her stomach grumble and his own was going to.
But that wasn't his primary reason for marching away from her.
No.
No, he had marched away from her for certain … biological reason, a male reason that was a result of hours sat on a horse with her squirming in front of him, even placing her hands on his thighs when she had been falling asleep. He had never been with anyone but Cersei, never wanted to be before, and he did not want to be with Sansa in that way, but he was still a man! And Sansa Stark happened to be a beautiful woman! It was a biological response … or at least that was what he kept telling himself, to justify getting a raging hard on for a girl half his age who despised him.
And so, he needed some time to cool off. Half hour focusing on hunting had done the job. He'd caught a rabbit for his trouble, it wasn't loads but it was enough. It would mean starting a fire to avoid rabbit fever, but they were deep in the forest, he wasn't concerned here.
And so, he went back the way he had come (thankfully he had an excellent sense of direction), certain problems taken care of (or rather dissipated thanks to his focus on hunting, he certainly wasn't 'taking care of himself' in this cold with Sansa around the corner), and he made his way back to their camp, thankful he was calmer now and they could eat dinner in relative peace.
He was jolted from his thoughts then, as he heard a nearby scream.
"Jaime!"
In a second, he was running, running towards the camp, dropping the food as he reached where they had stopped. His eyes were wide as he looked across at the image in front of him; Sansa Stark being grappled by a bandit, likely a raper. He didn't hesitate as he ran forwards, removed his dagger, and grabbed the man around the middle, forcing him off Sansa. It was easy, he was weaker now yes, but this bandit looked half starving, it would be no fight.
And it wasn't as he plunged his dagger in the man's side, twisted it, and then followed it up with two more stabs of the knife. The man slumped over, dead, and yet as Jaime threw him on the floor, he plunged the dagger one more time into the man's neck, just to be sure. He wanted to go to Sansa to see if she was okay, but a glance over at her showed her simply looking at the body. He nodded at her before picking the dead man up. Two minutes later he was back, the body disposed of, away from their camp. And then he approached the Stark girl.
"Sansa? It's alright, you're safe now, I promise" He said, fighting to make his voice gentle, as his blood was up after a kill. It had been no challenge, but any kill always gave a rush of adrenaline. He tried to be gentle as he spoke and held a handout for her to take. "It's alright"
It was alright, she looked okay, unharmed, the raper hadn't even got to her clothes. Still she looked shaken up, and so he tried to be gentle, to reassure her. "You're safe" And she was, she would be safe from here out with him, he would make sure of it.
He held his hand out to her, and to his surprise she took it. Though what was even more surprising was her next move. She stood to her feet, and released his hand, and just as he was about to turn away, to retrieve their food, she took a step forward, and then without warning flung herself into his arms.
She let out a sob as she grabbed onto him, and he could feel her shaking. He didn't try to pull her off or step back, instead he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, as she sobbed against his chest. He held her closer than he had his own family members, and she seemed to find comfort as he held onto her, her sobs calming some, even though the tears continued. Almost on instinct he began to stroke down her copper coloured hair, rubbed her back, and held onto her tightly as she cried.
He would not be the first to break the embrace, not as Sansa Stark sought comfort for him, a comfort he could give.
-x-
As she sat alone, waiting for Jaime to return, hopefully with food, she thought of them. Of Robb, mother, Bran, Rickon, Arya, Jon, father, Lady. Gods how she missed them. She'd give anything to go back, rewind time, never leave Winterfell and remain together as a family, as a pack.
She'd been so stupid to want to leave, to chase the songs and tales of the South, songs, and stories she now knew were all lies. She would have given anything to go back home, to have them all together again. Perhaps if that happened, she'd appreciate it this time.
Minutes ticked by, and she continued to think of her family, thought of the better days at Winterfell. A giant snowball fight that even father and mother had joined in. Dinners in the great hall that would always result in much laughter. Arya throwing herself from the first-floor window to be caught by Robb and Jon, Bran following her, Sansa scoffing when they teased her that she was too scared to do it, which she had, in a rare wild moment, just to prove she could (and they had all received a firm scolding from father). Giving Rickon his first lemon cake, braiding Jon's hair as he was the only one who kept it long and Arya refused to let her near hers. Those had been good times, and a slightly starry, tear gazed look had overcome her gaze as she thought of home, of Winterfell.
And that was how she missed the sound of a branch breaking behind her, and by the time she heard it, it was too late.
It was a bandit who grabbed a hold of her and threw her to the floor in such a swift motion she couldn't even try to run. A bandit who placed a dirty hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming, even when she bit him he didn't relent, just gave her a crazed look as he tried to stop her from struggling, as he held her down with ease.
"Stop it girl" He growled, and she continued to try and shake him loose, "Just accept it"
Then he began to grab at her clothes. He was weak it seemed from hunger, but still stronger than her, much stronger. And as he let out a frustrated noise as he grappled with her clothes, in blind panic she saw her chance.
Again, she bit him, but this time on his little finger and harder, much harder, she didn't taste blood, but she knew she'd hit her mark, as he wrenched his hand loose with a furious cry.
That allowed her to snatch a breath of air and scream out, "Jaime!" at the top of her lungs, for who else could she call? And in that moment, of pure fear, of horror, she trusted Jaime to come to her, to protect her.
She was only then fighting the man for a minute more, but that minute allowed plenty of thoughts to run through her head, and it felt like over an hour as she kicked and struggled against his hold. She refused to give up, refused to give in as he pressed his hand to her mouth again and kept her pinned to the floor. She continued to struggle, continued to fight, and then all of a sudden, he was off her, and thankfully her clothes remained intact.
She allowed herself a gasp of air, so loud she was afraid peasants on the Kingsroad would hear it. Tears immediately came to her eyes, but she blinked them away furiously as she looked up to find who had grabbed her attacker.
It was Jaime. He had come for her, … like a Knight in shining armour, and he certainly looked the part, killing the man with ease, dragging him into the woods and then returning to her, not a spot of blood on him, not even out of breath … having just saved her life. He had been so gallant, rushing forward to save her without a second's hesitation (sure she knew this man had stood no chance against Ser Jaime Lannister but still). He had saved her.
She knew it was wrong to see him as some gallant Knight, but he had saved her. If she had been alone no doubt, she would have ended up raped, robbed, and murdered, left in the woods to rot like the bodies they had hurried past on their way to this spot. He had saved her life, and for once Sansa felt her heart warm at the actions of a Lannister.
He had saved her, and so when he gave her a hand to help her up, she could not stop herself, didn't want to. Part of her mind was telling her to simply thank him and walk away, and yet that little voice was smothered by the louder voice screaming, telling her to do the opposite.
It wasn't something she even wanted to do, it was something she needed to do, and the voice in her head screamed at her to give in to what she needed.
And so she flung herself at him, arms round his neck, face pressed into his chest, and then the tears came, fast and thick down her cheeks as the adrenaline left her body and she was simply left with the trauma of what had happened, or worse, what had almost happened if Jaime hadn't stepped in, if he hadn't saved her.
Thankfully, Jaime didn't let go of her, no he wrapped his arms around her back, held her close, and didn't let go. He stroked her hair, rubbed her back and held her close, and not once did he make to move away or let her go, he held her firm and strong, and in his embrace she felt safe, safer than she had in a very long time.
soo thoughts?
ahhhh did anyone else scream? no...just me? okay...
hope you enjoyed, what do you think of our couple? slow moving, hell yes it is a slowburn, my fav ahaha.
I know things aren't so action packed at the moment, but trust me that's gunna change.
speak soon