AN: I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I published the Braime one shot yesterday. I was so worried I would totally screw things up because I'm not as familiar with the ins and outs of GOT like I am with TWD. I did make one error that I edited (thanks to the reviewer who pointed it out) and I'm sure to make other mistakes as well but I hope with time and practice I'll get better. I have to admit… this pairing is so exciting and intriguing to me and I decided (with a bit of a shove, okay a hard shove, from my muse) to try a Braime multichapter. Thank you to everyone who read and left feedback on the one shot, you guys are amazing and brought me so much happiness yesterday. Jumping into a new fandom is scary, so thank you all for being so kind. For any of you Tormund fans out there, he'll be making an appearance later. And Hound-lovers like me… how could I miss the opportunity to throw in a little of that bromance :) Anyway, I'll shut up now and let you read.

Chapter 1

When Brienne saw the gates of Winterfell she almost teared up. It had been a long journey back from King's Landing - too long, almost a fortnight longer than usual. The supply wagon kept getting stuck and slowed them immensely and when they finally abandoned it and carried the remaining supplies they suffered the misfortune of losing not one, but two horses. It felt like anything that could go wrong, did - but finally they were home.

The gates swung open and the guards welcomed them home. Brienne always found being welcomed a bit strange. A raven had been sent with the news of the meeting and would have arrived long before them so it wasn't like anyone was waiting with baited breath to hear what they had to say. Really, it was just a bunch more mouths to feed at supper and a few more people to help guard and protect Lady Sansa, Lady Arya and the rest of the Lords and Ladies of the North. Yet, when they did arrive back it seemed like people were very happy to see them.

Brienne tried to make small talk and she truly did enjoy the small feast that was prepared that evening. It wasn't extravagant because supplies were being rationed - it was Winter after all. All she really wanted though was to prepare a warm bath and soak in it for hours. Lady Sansa wanted to meet with her after supper and Brienne made a note to ask where Lord Baelish had trotted off to. He rarely left Sansa's side, much to her dismay. The man was a snake and Brienne couldn't help but wonder what he was plotting at any given moment.

When the meal was over Sansa summoned her and they retired to her chambers to speak in private. "I'm happy to have you back Lady Brienne," Sansa said, looking like she truly meant it.

Brienne bowed slightly, "And I'm very happy to be back my Lady."

They spoke briefly about the meeting and Sansa let her know that Jon and Daenerys were on their way to East Watch from Dragonstone to make plans for the battle to come. "You saw it? That thing?" Sansa asked.

"I did, my Lady," Brienne replied with a shiver. She could still see the Hound cutting the wight to pieces as the monster continued to move and emit that high pitched scream. "I hope it's something you never have to lay eyes on." Sansa wouldn't be going to battle. She needed to be safe and protected in case something happened to Jon - The North would need a leader.

Sansa went on to explain the plan once Jon and Dany made it to East Watch. The northern armies were already preparing to march for the wall and they would be joined by Daenery's Unsullied and Dothraki armies. "What about the Lannister armies - from King's Landing?" Brienne asked. Cersei had agreed to help in the fight against the Night King so Jaime should have been preparing their armies to head north as well.

Sansa didn't speak for a moment and then sighed. "There's something you should know." She took a seat and collected her thoughts. "Several days ago someone arrived here, starving and half dead on horseback." Brienne immediately began to wonder who it could be, but she honestly had no guesses. "He's currently being guarded day and night in the cell under the South tower until I figure out what to do with him."

"Who is it my Lady?" Brienne finally asked.

"The Kingslayer has made his return to Winterfell once again," Sansa replied.

"Jaime? Jaime Lannister? He's here?" Brienne was shocked to the point her legs threatened to give out so she sat down as well.

"Yes," Sansa nodded. "He came bearing some very concerning news. And now I must decide whether to believe him or execute him."

"Execute him?" Brienne responded reflexively, her voice much louder than intended. "Sorry my Lady," she said more calmly. "Why would you execute Ser Jaime? He's leading the armies that are coming to help in the fight…" It was really none of her business but Sansa had always been forthcoming with her about the things that were going on.

"Give me some time to discuss things with Bran and Arya. When I make my decision I'll fill you in," Sansa replied, getting to her feet. "You must be exhausted. I've already asked a bath be drawn for you. Please, go relax and get some rest - you've earned it."

She had been dismissed and Brienne knew she wasn't going to get any more information out of Sansa right then. But she did have that one question first. "Thank you my Lady. But before I go, I noticed Lord Baelish isn't here…" Sansa explained that Littlefinger had been executed for murder and treason but gave no further details. The treason didn't surprise Brienne, but the fact that Sansa had followed through with the execution, especially with Jon still away… that was a bit shocking.

Brienne had a lot to think of as she soaked in the hot tub, but her mind was consumed by one thought and one thought alone - Jaime was there. On the other side of the castle in a cold dark cell was the Lord Commander of the Queensguard. She pictured his face the last time she saw him, always so handsome. But why was he there? And how had he got there before her? It had to mean he'd left right after them and somehow passed them along the way, maybe when they had stopped and set up camp off the Kingsroad to stay hidden.

As she bathed in the water she thought about that time at Harrenhal when her and Jaime had bathed together. It was the only time she'd seen him naked but she thought about it a lot. She hadn't seen many naked men, but she was pretty sure Jaime was one of the finest she would ever see. He'd seen her naked too that day, accidentally, but she still felt mortified when she thought about it. She knew he'd checked her out, but then he'd averted his eyes. She always wondered if he was disgusted or just being respectful? When she looked in the mirror it often surprised her. Despite being a giant compared to most women she still had the same curves and decent sized breasts. Once she was dressed though, in full armour, she hid all of that and hid it well.

Brienne tried to think of other things, like the battle to come or how impressed she'd been by the Dragon Queen, but it all kept coming back to Jaime. She'd been infatuated by him for a long time and no matter what she told herself about the kind of man he was… he always seemed to prove her wrong. The fact of the matter was - Jaime was truly a good guy. He had faults, but no man was perfect. If he really was an asshole she would have had no problem putting their encounters in the past and moving on but time and time again, just when she was sure she could finally lump him in with Cersei and his late father… he did something to make her realize there was a man of honour inside him.

Brienne also tried to tell herself that it was a weakness of hers to be infatuated by handsome men who paid her some sort of attention. She'd pledged her life to Renly Baratheon. She loved him and she'd let him down. Then fate had given her the task of keeping the Kingslayer alive so long ago and somehow she'd grown to admire him. She carried his sword at her side every day and it felt sometimes like he was with her, even if she didn't have the right to feel that way. He was tied to his sister, by blood and by honour and Brienne knew he would always put Cersei first. She couldn't imagine that ever changing. And even if it did, what did that mean for her? Nothing. Ser Jaime would find another beautiful southern woman with a gorgeous face and sexy body - because he could.

As much as she rationalized things and told herself she was bordering on insanity sometimes… she couldn't fight the urge to see him. Was it a betrayal to Lady Sansa if she visited Ser Jaime at his cell? She swore to protect Sansa and Arya and Brienne would stake her life and her honour on the fact that Jaime would not hurt them. Whatever was going on… whatever had brought him there… he was risking his life - that had to count for something. If Sansa decided to execute Jaime… No, she couldn't think about it right then.

Brienne finished up in the tub and then got out. She toweled off and dressed in fresh clothes for bed. It was late and she was exhausted, but sleep just wouldn't come. With the moon high in the sky and everyone but the guards on watch sleeping Brienne got out of bed and put on warm clothes and her armour. She strapped Oathkeeper to her side and trudged out into the cold night, right towards the South tower.

She had to visit him. She needed to know if he was okay. She needed to know why he was there. But most of all… she just needed to see his handsome face.

"Lady Brienne?" the guard was surprised to see her. He sat near the door that led into the jail where Jaime was being held.

"I couldn't sleep," she said honestly. "I've been wandering around giving some of the guards a half hour break. It's your turn," she lied with a smile. "Go get something warm to drink and a bite to eat. I'll keep watch until you're back."

Luckily the guard bought it and left eagerly. She couldn't blame him, it was a cold, cold night. The second he was gone she opened the door and approached the cell. She could see Jaime huddled in the far corner, legs tucked up to his chest. "Ser Jaime," she whispered. "Ser Jaime," she said louder, trying to wake him. She lit a torch and set it in the holder. It brightened the room and she could see him better. "Jaime," she said louder yet. This time her voice woke him.

"Lady Brienne," he sighed. "Boy am I glad to see you." Despite being freezing and likely starving he stood and approached her with a smile. The way he was looking at her made her cheeks flush. He was happy to see her, that was all, but being in his presence made her knees weak. Jaime Lannister. The Lord Commander of the Queensguard. He was standing before her - locked up in a cell in Winterfell. She had to grab the bars to steady herself and regain her focus. She hated feeling weak.

"Ser Jaime… why are you here?" she whispered. "What happened?"

"Sansa didn't tell you?" he looked surprised as he moved even closer. Brienne could feel his presence as he approached. It changed the air around her and made it harder to catch her breath. She shook her head. "My cunt of a sister is a liar," he said. His words were shocking. To hear him refer to the Queen that way… his sister… the woman he loved… What the hell is going on? "Brienne… she's not sending our armies. They're not coming. She lied. Not only that… she betrayed me." The pain in his face stabbed her right in the heart. As quick as it appeared it was gone - replaced by rage. "I left. I'm here to help. I won't go back on the deal, though I can't bring the armies she promised."

And there it was again. That man of honour that she knew was inside him. If only the others could see him like she did there would be no talk of execution. He was at the bars now and he placed one hand over hers. His bare skin must have been freezing but she couldn't feel it through her gloves, still it sent a ripple of heat coursing through her body in a way she didn't fully understand. He made her body feel so many things that were new and scary. "I need your help Lady Brienne. You need to make them believe me," Jaime said softly. "You need to make them see I'm telling the truth. Sansa needs to send a raven to Jon and Daenerys to warn them. Please… I need you. We all need you."

Brienne couldn't speak. There was too much going on inside both her mind and body. But she nodded slowly and felt him squeeze her hand. His face was every bit as handsome as she remembered, though it was dirty and he looked worn. There was something different though, something with his eyes. They sparkled, even in the dim glow of the single torch. It was like everything that had made them dull in the past had been lifted away allowing his inner glow to escape. She could see it… she could feel the change in him… but Brienne just wasn't sure she understood it... yet.