Brienne of TarthOnce you're safely back amongst your own people, will you give me leave to go, my lady?
You mean to kill Stannis.
Brienne of Tarth
I swore a vow.
But Stannis has a great army around him. His own guards are sworn to keep him safe.
Brienne of Tarth
I'm as good as any of them. I should never have fled.
Renly's death was no fault of yours. You served him bravely.
Brienne of Tarth
I only held him that once as he was dying.
He's gone, Brienne. You serve nothing and no one by following him into the earth. Renly's enemies are Robb's enemies as well.
Brienne of Tarth
I do not know your son, my lady, but I could serve you if you would have me. You have courage. Not battle courage perhaps, but, I don't know, a woman's kind of courage. And I think that when the time comes, you will not hold me back. Promise me that you will not hold me back from Stannis.
When the time comes, I will not hold you back.
Brienne of Tarth
[draws her sword and places it on he ground, kneeling] Then I am yours, my lady. I will shield your back and will give my life for yours if it comes to that. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New.
[holds Brienne's hand] I vow that you shall always have a place in my home and at my table, and that I shall ask no service of you that might bring you dishonour. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New.
You know, it doesn't matter how loyal a servant you are, no one enjoys the company of a humorless mute. Trust me on this. People have been serving me since I was born. You think Lady Stark is going to want a giant towheaded plank following her around for the rest of her life? A week's journey with you and she'll order you to fall on your sword.
Brienne of Tarth
If Lady Stark is unhappy with any aspect of my service, I'm sure she'll let me know. She's an honest woman.
For all the good it's done her. How did you come into Lady Stark's service? There's something we can talk about.
Brienne of Tarth
Not your concern, Kingslayer.
It had to be recently. You weren't with her at Winterfell.
Brienne of Tarth
How would you know?
Because I visited Winterfell. I would have noticed your dour head smacking into the archways.
Brienne of Tarth
Move.
Were you pledged to Stannis?
Brienne of Tarth
Gods, no.
Ah, Renly. Really? He wasn't fit to rule over anything more important than a 12-course meal.
Brienne of Tarth
Shut your mouth.
Why? I lived with him at court since he was a boy, don't forget. Could hardly escape the little tulip skipping down the corridors in his embroidered silks. I knew him far better than you.
Brienne of Tarth
I knew him as well as anyone. As a member of his Kingsguard, he trusted me with everything. He would have been a wonderful king.
Sounds like you quite fancied him.
Brienne of Tarth
I did not fancy him.
Oh, gods, you did. Did you ever tell him? No, of course not. You weren't Renly's type, I'm afraid. He preferred curly-haired little girls like Loras Tyrell. You're far too much man for him.
Brienne of Tarth
I'm not interested in foul rumors.
Unless they're about me. It's all true about Renly. His proclivities were the worst kept secret at court. It's a shame the throne isn't made out of cocks. They'd have never got him off it.
Brienne of Tarth
Shut your mouth!
I don't blame him. And I don't blame you, either. We don't get to choose who we love.
If I faint, pull me out. I don't intend to be the first Lannister to die in a bathtub.
Brienne of Tarth
Why should I care how you die?
You swore a solemn vow, remember? You're supposed to get me to King's Landing in one piece. [Nods to his severed hand] Not going so well, is it? No wonder Renly died with you guarding him. [Brienne stands up with contempt] That was unworthy. Forgive me. You protected me better than most.
Brienne of Tarth
Don't you mock me.
I'm apologizing. I'm sick of fighting. Let's call a truce.
Brienne of Tarth
You need trust to have a truce.
I trust you. [Brienne sits back down] There it is. There's the look. I've seen it for 17 years on face after face. You all despise me. Kingslayer, Oathbreaker, man without honor. You've heard of wildfire?
Brienne of Tarth
Of course.
The Mad King was obsessed with it. He loved to watch people burn, the way their skin blackened and blistered and melted off their bones. He burned lords he didn't like. He burned Hands who disobeyed him. He burned anyone who was against him. Before long, half the country was against him. Aerys saw traitors everywhere. So he had his pyromancer place caches of wildfire all over the city. Beneath the Sept of Baelor and the slums of Flea Bottom. Under houses, stables, taverns. Even beneath the Red Keep itself. Finally, the day of reckoning came. Robert Baratheon marched on the capital after his victory at the Trident. But my father arrived first with the whole Lannister army at his back, promising to defend the city against the rebels. I knew my father better than that. He's never been one to pick the losing side. I told the Mad King as much. I urged him to surrender peacefully. But the king didn't listen to me. He didn't listen to Varys who tried to warn him. But he did listen to Grand Maester Pycelle, that grey, sunken cunt. "You can trust the Lannisters," he said. "The Lannisters have always been true friends of the crown." So we opened the gates and my father sacked the city. Once again, I came to the king, begging him to surrender. He told me to... bring him my father's head. Then he... turned to his pyromancer. "Burn them all," he said. "Burn them in their homes. Burn them in their beds." Tell me, if your precious Renly commanded you to kill your own father and stand by while thousands of men, women, and children burned alive, would you have done it? Would you have kept your oath then? [Brienne stares at him in stunned silence.] First, I killed the pyromancer. And then when the king turned to flee, I drove my sword into his back. "Burn them all," he kept saying. "Burn them all." I don't think he expected to die. He, he meant to... burn with the rest of us and rise again, reborn as a dragon to turn his enemies to ash. I slit his throat to make sure that didn't happen. That's where Ned Stark found me.
Brienne of Tarth
If this is true... why didn't you tell anyone? Why didn't you tell Lord Stark?
Stark? You think the honorable Ned Stark wanted to hear my side? He judged me guilty the moment he set eyes on me. By what right does the wolf judge the lion? By what right-- [collapses, Brienne supports him]
Brienne of Tarth
Help! Help! The Kingslayer!
[as Brienne and Jaime dine with him] I see my men have finally found you something appropriate to wear.
Brienne of Tarth
Yes, most kind of the. You're a Stark bannerman, Lord Bolton. I'm acting on Lady Stark's orders to return Jaime Lannister to King's Landing.
When King Robb left Harrenhall, his mother was his prisoner. If she wasn't his mother, he'd have hanged her for treason. I should send you back to Robb Stark.
You should. But instead, you're sitting here, watching me fail at dinner. Why might that be?
Wars cost money. Many people would pay a great deal for you.
We both know who would pay the most. He'll make you pay the most, if he found out you'd captured me and sent me back up North for a summary execution.
You're right. Perhaps, the safest course is to kill you both and burn your bodies.
It would be, if you honestly believe my father would never find out about it.
King Robb is keeping your father quite busy. He doesn't have time for anything else.
As soon as you're well enough to travel, I will allow you to go to King's Landing as restitution for the mistakes my soldiers made. And you will swear to tell your father the truth. That I had nothing to do with your maiming.
You do understand how suspicious that is to ordinary people? Very well. My lady, may our journey continue without further incident.
Oh, she won't be going with you.
Brienne of Tarth
I am charged with bringing Ser Jaime to-
You are charged with abetting treason.
I'm afraid I must insist...
You're in no place to insist on anything. I would've hoped you'd learned your lesson about overplaying your...position.
LLocke
[watching Brienne in a gladiator pit, facing a bear] Well, this is one shameful fucking performance. Stop running and fight! :[Jaime appears, followed by Qyburn and a Bolton bodyguard, Steelshanks]
LLocke
Thought you'd gone.
You gave her a wooden sword!
LLocke
I've only got one bear.
I'll pay her bloody ransom. Gold, sapphires, whatever you want. Just get her out of there!
LLocke
All you Lords and Ladies. You still think that the only thing that matters is gold. [grabs the stump of Jaime's wrist] Well, this makes me happier than all your gold ever could. And that [points at Brienne's predicament] makes me happier than all her sapphires. So go buy yourself a golden hand and fuck yourself with it!
[Jaime climbs the rail and leaps into the pit, trying to draw the bear off Brienne]
Brienne of Tarth
I will not.
[Suddenly, a crossbow bolt hits the bear in the shoulder, fired by Steelshanks]
LLocke
The'FUCK you doin' to my bear?
SSteelshanks
Lord Bolton charged me with bringin' him back to King's Landing, alive! An' that's what I intend to do!
Pull her up! [two of the Bolton men do so; the bear starts to advance on Jaime]
Brienne of Tarth
Hold my legs! [Jaime manages to take Brienne's hand] Pull me back! [the Bolton bannermen pull them both up]
I'm taking her to King's Landing, unless you kill me.
LLocke
She belongs to me. Lord Bolton's orders.
What do you think is more important to Lord Bolton? Getting his pet rat a reward or ensuring that Tywin Lannister gets his son back alive? Well, we must be on our way. Sorry about the sapphires.
Brienne of Tarth
[reading from "The History of the Kingsguard"] "Ser Jaime Lannister. Knighted and named to the Kingsguard in his sixteenth year. At the Sack of King's Landing, murdered his King, Aerys the Second. Pardoned by Robert Baratheon; thereafter known as Ser Kingslayer."
It's the duty of the Lord Commander to fill those pages. And there's still room left on mine. [he hefts a sword, balancing it awkwardly on his maimed arm, and hands it to Brienne, who examines it carefully]
Brienne of Tarth
Valyrian steel. [Jaime nods]
Brienne of Tarth
I can't accept-
It's reforged from Ned Stark's sword. We'll use it to defend Ned Stark's daughter. We swore an oath to return the Stark girls to their mother. Lady Stark's dead. Arya's probably dead, too, but there's still a chance to find Sansa, and get her somewhere safe. [pause] I've got something else for you. [pulls a curtain off a specially made suit of armor] I hope I got your measurements right.
Brienne of Tarth
I'll find her. For Lady Catelyn. And for you.
Brienne of Tarth
Lord Baelish, Lady Sansa, my name is Brienne of Tarth.
We've met, with Renly Baratheon. What did he say about you? He said... "Your loyalty came free of charge." Someone appears to have paid quite a bit for it since then.
Brienne of Tarth
Lady Sansa. Before your mother's death, I was her sworn sword. I gave my word I would find you and protect you. I will shield your back and give you counsel, and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New.
Please, Lady Brienne, no need for such formality. You were Catelyn Stark's sworn sword?
Brienne of Tarth
I was.
Strange. I knew Cat from the time we were children. She never mentioned you.
Brienne of Tarth
It was after Renly's murder.
Ahh, yes. You were accused of killing him.
Brienne of Tarth
I tried to save him!
Brienne of Tarth
By men who didn't see what happened.
Brienne of Tarth
He was murdered by a shadow. A shadow with the face of Stannis Baratheon.
A shadow? With a face? [looks at Sansa, scoffs] This woman swore to protect Renly, she failed. She swore to protect your mother; she failed. Why would I want someone with your history of failure guarding Lady Sansa?
Brienne of Tarth
[sharply] Why should you have any say in her affairs?
Because I am her uncle. I married her aunt Lysa, shortly before my beloved's untimely death. We're family now. And you are an outsider. Forgive me, Lady Brienne, but experience has made me wary of outsiders.
Brienne of Tarth
Lady Sansa, if we can have a word alone?
Brienne of Tarth
Please, my Lady, if you would let me explain.
I saw you at Joffrey's wedding, bowing to the King.
Brienne of Tarth
Neither of us wanted to be there. Sometimes we don't have a choice.
And sometimes we do. You should leave.
How did you end up serving Renly?
Brienne of Tarth
When I was a girl, my father held a ball. I'm his only living child, so he wanted to make a good match for me. He invited dozens of young Lords to Tarth. I didn't want to go, but he dragged me to the ballroom. And it was wonderful. None of the boys noticed how mulish and tall I was. They shoved each other and threatened to duel when they thought it was their turn to dance. And whispered in my ear, how they wanted to marry me and take me back to their castles. My father smiled at me, and I smiled at him. I had never been so happy...'till I saw a few of the boys snickering. And then, they all started to laugh; they couldn't keep the game going any longer. They were toying with me. "Brienne the Beauty", they called me. Great joke. And I realized I was the ugliest girl alive. A great, lumbering beast. I tried to run away, but Renly Baratheon took me in his arms. "Don't let them see your tears," he told me, "They're nasty little shits, and nasty little shits aren't worth crying over." He danced with me, and none of the other boys could say a word. Renly was the King's brother, after all.
But, wasn't he...Lord Tyrion said he was...
Brienne of Tarth
Yes, Pod, he liked men! I'm not an idiot. He didn't love me, he didn't want me. He danced with me because he was kind, and didn't want to see me hurt. He saved me from being a joke... from that day, until his last day. And I couldn't save him, in return. Nothing's more hateful than failing to protect the one you love. One day, I will avenge King Renly.
But you said a shadow murdered him. How do you fight a shadow?
Brienne of Tarth
A shadow with the face of Stannis Baratheon. I know it was Stannis. I know it in my heart. Stannis is a man, not a shadow, and a man can be killed.
[Stannis, wounded in the Battle of Winterfell, collapses against a tree in the forests outside Winterfell. Looking up, he sees Brienne standing over him.]
Bolton has women fighting for him?
Brienne of Tarth
I don't fight for the Boltons. I'm Brienne of Tarth. I was Kingsguard to Renly Baratheon. I was there when he was murdered by a shadow with your face. You murdered him with blood magic?
Brienne of Tarth
[Steps forth and unsheathes Oathkeeper] In the name of Renly of House Baratheon, First of His Name, rightful King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, I, Brienne of Tarth, sentence you to die. Do you have any last words?
Go on, do your duty. [after a pause, Brienne raises Oathkeeper and swings]
Brienne of Tarth
[Kneels and places her sword on the snow in front of Sansa] Lady Sansa, I offer my services once again. I will shield your back and keep your counsel and give my life for yours, if need be. I swear it by the old gods and the new.
[Sansa, shaken, looks to Theon who nods in approval]
[Looks to Brienne] And I vow...that you shall always have a place by my h-hearth, and...
[Chimes in] Meat and mead at my table.
...Meat and mead at my table. And I pledge...to ask no service of you that might bring you dishonor. I swear it by the old gods and the new. Arise.
Sansa. Lady Brienne. When I heard you'd escaped Winterfell I feared the worst. You have no idea how happy I am to see you unharmed.
Unharmed? What're you doing here?
I rode north with the knights of the Vale to come to your aid. They're encamped at Moat Cailin as we speak.
To come to my aid? Did you know about Ramsay? If you didn't know, you're an idiot. If you did know, you're my enemy. Would you like to hear about our wedding night? He never hurt my face. He needed my face; the face of Ned Stark's daughter. But the rest of me, he did what he liked with the rest of me as long as I could still give him an heir. What do you think he did?
I can't begin to contemplate...
What do you think he did to me?
Brienne of Tarth
Lady Sansa asked you a question.
Yes, he enjoyed that. What else do you think he did?
Maybe you did know about Ramsay all along.
I thought you knew everyone's secrets.
I made a mistake. A horrible mistake. I underestimated a stranger.
The other things he did, ladies aren't supposed to talk about those things but I imagine brothel keepers talk about them all the time. I can still feel it. I don't mean, "In my tender heart, it still pains me so." I can still feel what he did in my body standing here right now.
You said you would protect me.
And I will. You must believe me when I tell you that I will.
I don't believe you anymore. I don't need you anymore, you can't protect me. You won't even be able to protect yourself if I tell Brienne to cut you down. And why shouldn't I?
You want me to beg for your life? If that's what you want, I will. Whatever you ask that is in my power, I will do.
What if I want you to die here and now?
You freed me from the monsters who murdered my family and gave me to other monsters who murdered my family. Go back to Moat Cailin. My brother and I will take back the North on our own. I never want to see you again.
I would do anything to undo what's been done to you. I know that I can't. Would you allow me to say one more thing before I go? Your great uncle, Brynden, the Blackfish, has gathered what remains of the Tully forces and retaken Riverrun. You might consider seeking him out. The time may come when you need an army loyal to you.
Your brother's army. Half-brother.
[inspecting the dead wight] Can they swim?
Good. I'm taking the Iron Fleet back to the Iron Islands.
What are you talking about?
I've been around the world. I've seen everything, things you couldn't imagine, and this... this is the only thing I've ever seen that terrifies me. [steps towards Daenerys] I'm going back to my island. You should go back to yours. When winter's over, we'll be the only ones left alive. [leaves]
He's right to be afraid. And a coward to run. If those things come for us, there will be no kingdoms to rule. Everything we suffered will have been for nothing. Everything we lost will have been for nothing. The crown accepts your truce. Until the dead are defeated, they are the true enemy.
[Jon and Davos sigh, visibly relieved]
In return, the King in the North will extend this truce. He will remain in the North, where he belongs. He will not take up arms against the Lannisters, he will not choose sides.
Just the King in the North? Not me?
[chuckles] I would never ask it of you. You would never agree to it, and if you did, I would trust you even less than I do now. I ask it only of Ned Stark's son. I know Ned Stark's son will be true to his word.
[A moment of silence, as Jon looks between Davos and Daenerys, then back to Cersei]
I am true to my word... or I try to be. That is why I cannot give you what you ask. I cannot serve two queens. And I have already pledged myself to Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen.
[Daenerys, Davos and Tyrion look dismayed]
Then there is nothing left to discuss. [stands] The dead will come north first, enjoy dealing with them. We will deal with whatever is left of you. [leaves with Jaime, Qyburn and her Queensguard]
Brienne of Tarth
[following] Ser Jaime!
It's been good to see you. I imagine the next time will be across a battlefield.
Brienne of Tarth
We both saw what just happened. We both saw that... thing!
Yes, and I'm not looking forward to seeing more of them. But I'm loyal to the queen, and you're loyal to Sansa and her dolt brother.
Brienne of Tarth
[hits him on the arm] Oh, fuck loyalty!
[incredulous] "Fuck loyalty"?
Brienne of Tarth
This goes beyond houses and honour and oaths! Talk to the queen.
[Jaime turns to Cersei, who looks unmoved and leaves]
[He follows her out, leaving Brienne speechless]
When I was a child, my brother would tell me a bedtime story about the man who murdered our father. Who stabbed him in the back and cut his throat. Who sat down on the Iron Throne and watched as his blood poured onto the floor. He told me other stories as well. About all the things we would do to that man, once we took back the Seven Kingdoms and had him in our grasp. Your sister pledged to send her army north.
I don't see an army. I see one man with one hand. It appears your sister lied to me.
She lied to me as well. She never had any intention of sending her army north. She has Euron Greyjoy's fleet and 20,000 fresh troops. The Golden Company from Essos. Bought and paid for. Even if we defeat the dead, she'll have more than enough to destroy the survivors.
I promised to fight for the living. I intend to keep that promise.
Your Grace, I know my brother...
Like you knew your sister?
He came here alone, knowing full well how he'd be received. Why would he do that, if he weren't telling the truth?
Perhaps he trusts his little brother to defend him. Right up to the moment he slits my throat.
You're right, we can't trust him. He attacked my father in the streets, he tried to destroy my House and my family the same as he did yours.
Do you want me to apologize? I won't. We were at war! Everything I did, I did for my House and my family. I'd do it all again!
"The things we do for love."
So why have you abandoned your House and your family now?
Because this goes beyond loyalty. This is about survival.
Brienne of Tarth
You don't know me well, Your Grace, but I know Ser Jaime. He is a man of honor. I was his captor once, but when we were both taken prisoner and the men holding us tried to force themselves on me, Ser Jaime defended me. And lost his hand because of it. [addressing Sansa] Without him, my lady, you would not be alive. He armed me, armoured me and sent me to find you and bring you home, because he'd sworn an oath to your mother.
Brienne of Tarth
I do.
You would fight beside him?
Brienne of Tarth
I would.
I trust you with my life. If you trust him with yours, we should let him stay.
What does the Warden of the North say about it?
We need every man we can get.
It's strange, isn't it? Almost everyone here has fought the Starks, at one time or another... and here we are in their castle, ready to defend it. Together.
Brienne of Tarth
At least we'll die with honor.
I think we might live. [everyone snickers, including him] I, I do! How many battles have we survived, between us? Ser Davos Seaworth, survivor of both the Blackwater and the Battle of the Bastards.
All without a shred of combat ability.
Ser Jaime Lannister, fabled hero of the Siege of Pyke-
Fabled loser of the Battle of Whispering Wood.
Hear, hear! Ser Brienne of Tarth, defeated the Hound. Pardon me, Lady Brienne.
She's not a "Ser?" You're not a knight?
Brienne of Tarth
Women can't be knights.
Brienne of Tarth
Tradition.
Brienne of Tarth
I don't even want to be a knight.
I'm no King. But, if I were... I'd knight you ten times over.
You don't need a King. Any knight can make another knight. [sets down his cup, walks around their chairs and draws his sword] I'll prove it. Kneel, Lady Brienne. [Brienne stares at him, then scoffs] Do you want to be a knight, or not? Kneel.
[Brienne looks first at Podrick, then at Jaime, who both nod to her; she comes over and kneels. Davos, Tormund, Tyrion and Podrick all turn around to watch]
[resting his sword on each of her shoulders, in turn] In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the innocent. [lowers his sword] Arise, Brienne of Tarth... a knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
[As Brienne stands, smiling, Tormund begins applauding, followed by the others]
[raising his cup] Ser Brienne of Tarth! Knight of the Seven Kingdoms!
Game of Thrones · 356 quotes
