Chapter 1 - Aftermath
Sansa
The past week could best be described as a precursor to what awaited those in the seven hells. So much terror and death, Sansa could hardly stomach it all. Everyone, including herself, had lost someone during the Long Night, and the impact of the battle continued to ravage in the aftermath. And in the days that followed, Sansa found that with every piece of good news came a string of bad news. For every life saved others were lost, for every white walker they burned they burned friends and family alongside them. This phenomenon continued in other areas as well. For one, her sworn sword, friend, and closest ally, was not dead. However, she had been gravely injured, and laid unconscious for the better part of a week, but not dead. And Sansa thanked the old Gods and the new for it.
Moreso, when Brienne finally woke, and Sansa hugged her friend for the first time since before the battle, more awful news would befall her. In being overwhelmed with Brienne’s conscious state, she seemingly ignored the confusion in her friend’s eyes as they traveled across every corner of her room. Sansa failed to realize that Brienne had yet to say anything to her, or acknowledge her embrace. It wasn’t until Sansa released Brienne from her hug and truly looked into her eyes that she recognized something was not right.
“Brienne?” Sansa called, resting her hands delicately on Brienne’s shoulders. “Are you alright? Shall I fetch a Maester?”
“I-I don’t understand…” Brienne replied softly.
Sansa crossed her brows in confusion at her statement. “What? What do you not understand Brienne?”
“Who are you, where am I?” Brienne questioned.
Sansa’s eyes widened as she took in Brienne’s words. Oh gods, her memory. Sam said this was possible. Sansa took a deep breath before replying. “I am Sansa, I am your friend. You are safe Brienne. I am going to find the Maester and he can help us.”
“B-but where am I?” Brienne repeated, Sansa could see tears beginning to form in her eyes.
“Winterfell, Brienne. We are in Winterfell.”
It was now Brienne’s eyes that widened with shock. “How in the seven hells am I in Winterfell? That’s impossible, I was…” Brienne began to trail off with her thoughts.
“You were what, Brienne?” Sansa stressed.
“I was…I was…the Kingslayer! Where is the Kingslayer?” Brienne pleaded.
Sansa was shocked to find Brienne using Kingslayer to refer to Ser Jaime, she had always been so against people’s use of it. Why exactly, Sansa did not know, but her use of the word concerned her nonetheless. “What about the Kingslayer?” Sansa asked, trying to figure out just how much her sworn sword had forgotten.
“Lady Catelyn Stark charged me with returning him to King’s Landing, in exchange for her daughters. We only just separated from the camp I don’t understand, how did he escape? Have I failed?” Brienne was frantic with worry as she said the words.
My mother. She last remembers Riverrun with my mother.
Now attempting to get out of bed and stand, Sansa did her best to hold Brienne in a sitting position. “No Brienne you mustn't get out of bed it is too soon, you were injured.”
As Brienne attempted to rise from the bed, her brows furrowed and Sansa could see she was still in pain. “Did the Kingslayer do this to me? Is this how he escaped?”
Before Sansa could reply, the door to Brienne’s door burst open as a one handed knight strolled into the room. Though the moment he got sight of Brienne, he stopped dumbfounded in his tracks. “You’re awake!” he exclaimed, moving closer to where Brienne and Sansa sat.
Sansa stood from the bed and placed herself in front of Jaime. “Ser Jaime I really think you should–”
“YOU!” Brienne seethed, standing abruptly from the bed and reaching for a sword that was not connected to her, as all she wore was a loose underdress.
Jaime’s eyes widened as Brienne stared at him in anger. She then lunged forward and toppling him to the ground. Brienne sat on top of Jaime, holding his wrists to the ground. “What in the seven hells Brienne!?” he roared.
“Silence, Kingslayer.” Brienne commanded.
At the infamous word, Jaime was stunned, and stopped fighting Brienne’s hold on him. He twisted his head toward Sansa, who stood over the two in shock. “Did she just call me…?” Sansa nodded. Jaime turned his attention back to Brienne. “I’m not going to hurt you, you can let me go.” He stated calmly, but Brienne’s grip on his wrists only tightened.
“I said quiet!” she yelled.
Abruptly, Maester Wolkan and Sam ran into the room, taking in the scene before their eyes. Jaime turns his head in their direction. “Get her off me!!” He pleaded.
It took Maester Wolkan and Sam together to pull Brienne off Jaime, as she thrashed to loosen their grip on her arms. “Let me go!!” She yelled.
Maester Wolkan twisted his head toward Sansa and motioned for the vial on the table beside Brienne’s bed. Sansa quickly grabbed it, and handed it to the Maester. Sam and Maester Wolkan led Brienne to the bed, tears beginning to stream down her face. Sansa could hardly bear the sight though she knew they were only helping. With the help of Jaime taking the Maester’s place on Brienne’s arm, he is able to pour the liquid in the vial down Brienne’s throat. As Brienne’s body grows limp, they loosen their grip on her and Jaime helps to lay her on the bed.
“Shhh…” Jaime says, wiping away Brienne’s tears as her eyelids grew heavier.
He was so gentle with her, a side of Jaime Sansa doubted the existence of until now.
Interesting.
When Brienne had finally fallen asleep, Jaime stood from the bed and covered her with furs.
Very interesting.
Jaime turned to face Sansa, Sam, and the Maester. “Will someone please tell me what in the seven hells is wrong with her?”
Maester Wolkan turned to Sansa. “My lady, I need you to tell me all Lady Brienne said before Samwell and I got here.”
“Ser Brienne, actually. I knighted her.” Jaime interrupted.
He knighted her?
“Alright my Lord, Ser Brienne.” Maester Wolkan replied.
Sansa took a deep breath before continuing. “When she woke, she was talking about my mother and Ser Jaime, calling him kingslayer . She said they had just separated from the camp and thought Ser Jaime had escaped or hurt her.”
Maester Wolkan turned his attention to Jaime. “When was this my lord? It’s important we understand exactly how much time she has lost.”
Jaime sighed. “Well she referenced our time in Riverrun together, the very beginning of it it seems. When she was sworn to Catelyn Stark and determined to return me to King's Landing for Lady Sansa and Lady Arya. So…six years ago it would seem.”
“Alright, well that is a significant amount of time. Amnesia is serious and must be navigated with caution, in order to preserve the mentality of the affected person. What can you tell us about Brienne during this time?” Maester Wolkan asked.
“Well we can surely conclude she wasn’t fond of you!” Sansa japed.
Jaime huffed a laugh. “No my lady, indeed she was not. Brienne still saw me as the oath breaking kingslayer with no redeemable qualities. Though our time together surely rectified her assessment as she familiarized herself with my charming personality.” He replied with a smirk.
Sansa couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the knight’s reply. “How long will she be like this? Is it permanent?” She asked Maester Wolkan with concern.
“At the moment it’s uncertain. While some people who lose their memories never recover them, others do recover given time. Right now, it is crucial that she receive rest and that we do not overwhelm her with all that has happened these last six years.” Maester Wolkan paused before continuing. “Ser Jaime, I think it is crucial that as Ser Brienne begins to recover, that you keep your distance for the time being.”
Jaime’s eyes flared with anger. “Fuck no!” He retorted.
“Ser Jaime—” The Maester began.
“She saved my life out there, and if you think I’m just going to abandon her now when she needs me—“
“Ser Jaime!” Sansa interrupted. “This isn’t about you , this is about Brienne, and what will help her heal.”
Jaime’s face began to soften at her response.
He really cares about her. Hm. Cersei would be seething at the sight.
Sansa walked toward Jaime and held his hand. “I will provide you with updates, I promise.”
Jaime met her gaze and nodded. He then turned his attention back to Brienne, staring at her for a moment, before exiting her room.
Maester Wolkan turned his attention back to Sansa. “When she wakes, it will be important to ease her into this.”
Sansa nodded. “I’ll be there for her. It’s the least I could do.”
With that said, Maester Wolkan and Sam bid Sansa farewell. Turning her attention back to Brienne, Sansa returned to her post at her friend's bedside.