As the mother to the King in the North, the Lady of Winterfell, Catelyn Stark, is brought to King Renly Baratheon's camp in the Stormlands by his outriders. She finds his men watching a duel between two fully armored knights. King Renly himself and his new queen, Margaery Tyrell, watch from a wooden dais. Margaery stands and cheers on her brother Ser Loras Tyrell,  as he disarms his opponent. His rival manages to step under a swing of his great axe and knock him off his feet. When Ser Loras yields and both combatants remove their helms, the crowd is shocked when the fighter is revealed to be a woman: Brienne of Tarth. Renly proudly informs Brienne that she is everything her father, Lord Selwyn Tarth, promised. Queen Margaery insists that her brother fought valiantly, as Renly agrees with her. He then names Brienne champion and offers to grant anything that she requests. Brienne asks to join his Kingsguard and he accepts. King Renly then asks Brienne to show Lady Catelyn to her tent, though Brienne is courteous yet distant. Catelyn compliments her performance in the tournament, calling her Lady Brienne. Brienne credits Renly for motivating her to fight, and then asks Catelyn to simply call her Brienne as she does not consider herself a “Lady”.

Some days later, an advisor from the capital city of King’s Landing, Lord Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, arrives at Renly’s camp in the Stormlands. Renly greets him as his “favorite whoremonger,” as Baelish is also a proprietor of a brothel in the capital, and sarcastically hopes that he has not been waiting long. Lord Baelish follows Renly into his tent, and Renly criticizes his lack of loyalty as Littlefinger is an advisor to King Joffrey Baratheon, who took the Iron Throne after the demise of Renly’s older brother Robert Baratheon. Following the revelation that his brother's progeny were products of incest through Queen Cersei Lannister and her twin brother Ser Jaime Lannister, Renly is now contesting Joffrey’s legitimacy to the throne and has laid his own claim as the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Renly asserts that he dislikes Littlefinger and demands to know why he has traveled here from King’s Landing. Baelish looks over at the silent Brienne who stands guard, as Renly pointedly informs that her loyalty comes without charge and she can be trusted. Littlefinger tells Renly that he still has friends at court who think the deceased husband of Lady Catelyn, Lord Eddard Stark, was mistaken in not supporting Renly’s claim to the throne, and offers to open the gates of the capital to Renly.

Afterwards, Brienne, Lady Catelyn and Ser Loras join King Renly and his guards when meeting for a parley with Renly’s other brother Stannis Baratheon, who has laid his own claim to the throne. Stannis is accompanied by his guards and advisors, including a Red Priestess named Melisandre. Renly feigns confusion over his brother’s banner and jokes that the battle would be confusing if they both used the same one. He asks Stannis why his version of the stag of House Baratheon is aflame. Melisandre explains that Stannis has taken the “fiery heart” of the Lord of Light for his sigil and then admonishes Renly to kneel before the Lord’s chosen king. After a few barbs thrown by Renly, Lady Catelyn urges the rivaling kings to stop bickering and remember that they are brothers. Stannis counters that he would expect her to support his claim, as her late husband had, remarking that Eddard’s integrity cost him his life. Renly insists that no one wants Stannis for their king, and adds that Stannis never wanted friends but “a man without friends is a man without power.” Stannis declares that he will give Renly the night to reconsider, offering to name him as his heir until Stannis has a son, only if Renly strikes his banners before dawn. He says that otherwise he will destroy Renly. Renly then reminds Stannis of his numerous supporters, assuring that they will make him king. Stannis then wheels his horse and rides away, as Melisandre warns Renly to look to his sins because "The night is dark and full of terrors."

Some time later, King Renly's camp is a hive of activity as his troops prepare for the coming battle with the forces of King Stannis in darkness. The camp is beset, however, by strong winds.  Catelyn Stark meets with King Renly in his command tent while two of his Kingsguard are outside and Brienne stands watch inside the tent. Renly has Lady Catelyn swear that her son King Robb Stark has no interest in challenging him for the Iron Throne. Renly then stands before a mirror as Brienne helps him out of his cloak. Suddenly an unnatural gust parts the tents opening and black smoke rushes inside. Catelyn and Brienne are stunned while Renly watches transfixed in his mirror. The smoke coalesces into a human shape and stabs Renly through the chest from behind. In the mirror, a dying Renly can see that its face resembles his brother Stannis. The smoke dissipates and Renly collapses to the ground as Brienne screams. The guards rush into the tent to find Brienne kneeling over Renly’s dead body and threaten her life. Catelyn tries to intervene but they push her aside. Brienne fights both of them off, killing them. She then returns to Renly’s side, overcome by grief for her long-time friend. Catelyn comforts her and implores her to leave, fearing that she will be blamed for Renly’s death. Brienne refuses to leave Renly’s side until Catelyn tells her that she cannot avenge him if she is dead. Brienne then guides Catelyn out of the tent through a concealed exit behind a tapestry.

Later on, Brienne and Catelyn, having fled Renly’s camp, stop by a river to water their horses. Brienne insists that the shadow looked like Stannis, as Catelyn assures her that they another day’s ride to her son Robb’s camp and will inform him of what she has seen. Brienne asks if Catelyn will give her leave to pursue Stannis but Catelyn warns Brienne that Stannis is surrounded by a great army. Brienne asserts that she is as good as any of Stannis’ men. Catelyn reassures Brienne that she cannot be faulted for Renly’s death and that she served him bravely. She then adds that Brienne will serve no one by following him into the earth. Brienne then states that while she does not know King Robb, she would be willing to serve Catelyn. She asserts that Catelyn has a woman’s courage and asks her not to hold her back from Stannis when the time comes. Catelyn promises as asked, and Brienne lays her sword on the ground to swear an oath of fealty to the Lady of Winterfell. Catelyn takes Brienne’s hand and reciprocates the oath. Some time later, the pair arrive at the House Stark camp in the Westerlands and Brienne is introduced to Catelyn’s son Robb, the King in the North.

Some days later, a Stark guard named Jacks, bursts into Catelyn’s tent as she is writing a letter.  Brienne restrains him and he demands that she unhand him, calling her “woman.” Brienne admonishes him for entering uninvited, reversing the address. He apologizes as Catelyn wearily asks what he wants. Jacks reports the re-capture of their hostage, the House Lannister knight Ser Jaime, the eldest son of Lord Tywin Lannister and twin brother to Cersei Lannister. Jaime had escaped during the night but was quickly found and dragged back to camp in chains. Lord  Rickard Karstark, a bannerman to House Stark, emerges from the tents and demands Jaime’s head in retaliation for killing his son during the escape. Lady Catelyn rushes out to intervene, accompanied by Brienne. Catelyn reminds Lord Rickard of his oaths of fealty to her son King Robb. Rickard asks where Robb is now as Catelyn says he is not present amidst negotiations. As tensions rise, Brienne half-draws her sword and warns Rickard that threatening Catelyn is an act of treason. Rickard relents but insists that he will demand Jaime’s head when Robb returns. Ser Jaime then sarcastically thanks Catelyn for standing up for him, insisting that he would’ve helped her if he was not indisposed. She orders her men to take Jaime to the stockade and bind him with every chain they can find. 

Later that evening, Catelyn watches as the Karstark and Stark men argue about Ser Jaime’s fate, as Brienne of Tarth worries that King Robb will not return until dawn. She predicts that the men will become increasingly drunk through the night and will eventually move to kill Jaime. Due to this risk, Catelyn and Brienne both enter Jaime’s cell as he asks if Catelyn has come to say goodbye. She ignores the question and asks if he can hear the men calling for his death. Jaime is unrepentant, however, saying that killing Torrhen Karstark was in his way out and that any knight would have done the same. Catelyn asserts that he is no knight because he has forsaken every vow he has taken. Jaime rationalizes that he’s had to swear many vows and they eventually conflict with one another. He then asks where Catelyn found Brienne, calling her a “beast.” Catelyn declares that she is a truer knight than he will ever be, calling him by his famed nickname of “Kingslayer,” as well as adding that he is a “man without honor.” Jaime reveals that he has only ever slept with his sister Cersei, admitting to the rumors of incest, so in ways he is more honorable than Catelyn’s husband, who fathered a bastard son while married to her. Jaime then asks if she pretended to love the boy when he was first brought home. He notes that Catelyn is an honest woman and deduces that she showed her hatred, as Jon Snow is a walking reminder of Eddard’s infidelity. Catelyn then angrily orders Brienne to hand over her sword.

Catelyn then strikes a deal with Jaime and releases him, as she tasks Brienne with escorting him to King’s Landing in exchange for her captive daughters, Sansa and Arya Stark, unaware that Arya hasn’t been seen in the capital since her husband’s execution. After riding away from camp and evading Robb’s army, Brienne removes Jaime from his horse and sends both horses away that they’ve escaped with, as trekking on-foot will be more safe continuing. Brienne removes the hood from his head but leaves his wrists chained, as Jaime comments that she is much uglier in daylight. She drags him upright and leads him through the woodland then reluctantly introduces herself, upon request. Jaime demonstrates that he knows the sigil of House Tarth and the name of her father, Lord Selwyn. She pushes him to his knees beside a rowboat on a river bank and peers at a nearby bridge, waiting for a caravan to pass. When the bridge clears, Brienne pulls Jaime to his feet and prepares the rowboat, as Jaime continues to goad her. He asks if she believes that she could beat him in a fair fight. Brienne retorts that she has been sneered at by arrogant men throughout her entire life and has spent just as much time knocking them into the dust. Jaime insists that if she is so confident she should unlock his chains and see what happens. As the bantering persists, Brienne rows them downstream.

Some time later, as they continue traveling east to King's Landing, Brienne lands the rowboat she has been using to transport Jaime. Though he is still incessantly teasing her about her size and appearance, Brienne is distracted by the hanging corpses of three women. Jaime looks up at them and reads the sign hung around their necks “they lay with lions.” Jaime concludes that they were tavern girls who served his father Tywin’s soldiers and then hanged by Stark men for sleeping with the Lannister army. Three Stark soldiers then round the corner and stop when they see Brienne. They ask of her business here, as she states that she is transporting a prisoner. They realize that she is a woman and laugh openly at her appearance. As the soldiers grow more inquisitive of Jaime and Brienne, the pair try to lie their way out of the situation. However, as Jaime is eventually recognized, Brienne is forced to kill all three soldiers. In doing so, Brienne reveals her prowess as a fighter to Jaime, who is stunned by her proficiency. Jaime then points out that she has killed Stark men but Brienne counters that she has already told him that she serves Lady Catelyn only. She then states that she will take Jaime to King’s Landing as promised. 

Some time later, Brienne and Jaime Lannister are slowly making their way across country through the Riverlands and towards King's Landing, intending to make the prisoner exchange for the Stark girls, though still unaware of Arya’s disappearance from the capital. Ser Jaime continues to mock Brienne along the way and then deduces that she isn't from the North because he would have noticed her at Winterfell when he visited. He correctly assumes that Brienne is from House Tarth and in turn must be a Baratheon supporter coming from the Stormlands. Brienne angrily denies supporting Stannis, thus confirming that she had served Renly before his murder. Jaime accurately gathers that she had fancied Renly, however, he then points out that Renly wasn't attracted to women so much as he was to Ser Loras Tyrell, adding that his sexuality was actually "the worst kept secret at court," if she thinks he's lying. He continues to casually mock Renly which makes Brienne grab him, but he relents, asserting that he doesn't particularly care that Renly loved Ser Loras, as he feels people aren't free to choose the ones they love. This is something he understands better than most due to his devotion to his sister Cersei. They then come across a farmer with a heavily laden mule, who notices that they're cutting cross-country and avoiding the major roads. The farmer suspects that they're avoiding soldiers, however, he leaves them alone and departs. Jaime then surmises that the man is a scout meant to intercept them, and even if he isn't he can still spread word that he’d seen them. He urges her to kill the farmer, but Brienne refuses.

Afterwards, the pair have to cross a river, which means they can either attempt a dangerous fording or take the bridge, which is likely to be watched. Brienne decides to takes the safer route of the bridge, but Jaime manages to distract her long enough to take away her spare sword and cut his bonds. Brienne and Jaime then enter into a heated and lengthy sword fight on the bridge. Ser Jaime, one of the most skilled swordsmen in all of the Seven Kingdoms, nearly overcomes Brienne several times. However, Jaime's mobility is reduced because his hands are still manacled, and he is malnourished after having spent nearly a year chained up in a cage. Jaime then begins to tire, and Brienne wears him down further by making simple body-blows with kicks and punches. After a protracted fight, Jaime finally slumps to the ground in exhaustion, as Brienne is seemingly unaffected by the level of physical exertion. Just as they finish, Northern riders from House Bolton arrive, led by a man named Locke. Jaime asks if they want to negotiate, but Locke insists that they'll have his head if he doesn't bring the “Kingslayer” back to the King in the North, Robb Stark. As result, there's not much Jaime nor Brienne can do to dissuade him from taking them as prisoner.

Some days later, in the Riverlands, Brienne and Jaime are bound together on a single horse since having been taken captive by Locke and the detachment of men from House Bolton. As they ride along, the Bolton men sing a rousing chorus of “The Bear and the Maiden Fair,” a somewhat ribald song that is popular among the smallfolk and the nobility alike. It describes in a humorous tone the story of a hairy bear that, while going to a fair with a band of three boys and a goat, rescues a maiden who was hoping for a knight. Tied up back to back on the horse, Jaime warns Brienne that when they make camp for the night, they will rape her, more than once, adding “None of these men have ever been with a noblewomen. You'd be wise not to resist.” Jaime’s honest advice to Brienne is to give in and just think of Renly. They were only sent to capture Jaime, therefore Brienne means nothing to them, so at the slightest provocation they will kill her without hesitation. Brienne asserts that she will fight even if they kill her, and Jaime agrees that if he were a woman, he would fight to the death before being raped as well.

Later that night, Locke’s men make camp for the evening and do indeed drag Brienne kicking and screaming into the bushes to gang-rape her. Jaime is disgusted by this pointless brutality, so he points out to Locke that Brienne is actually a noblewoman and the sole heir of House Tarth, the "Sapphire Isle”. Jaime adds that Brienne’s father Lord Selwyn will pay them a ransom of her weight in sapphires, provided that she is unharmed. Locke agrees and calls his men back as they tie her up to the tree again. Jaime then tries to smooth-talk Locke once again with offers of how his father, Lord Tywin Lannister, will make him rich, if released. Tiring of Ser Jaime's frequent attempts to bribe him into turning over to the Lannister side, Locke decides to prove that Jaime's father will never deal with the likes of him. His men hold Jaime down on a chopping block while Locke grabs a carving knife, threatening to stab him in the eye. Locke reasons that maiming him will be the ultimate proof that the Lannisters would never deal with Locke, much less bribe him. Locke insists that Tywin can't help him now, adding that "THIS should help you remember!" Locke then swings the carving knife down and hacks off Jaime's sword-hand. For half a second, Jaime stares at his severed right hand in a state of shock and before what just happened can register in his mind, he begins to scream both in horror and agony.

The following day, Locke's men continue to lead their prisoners on horseback, as Locke has tied Jaime's severed right hand onto a rope, hanging it around the maimed knight’s neck. Jaime is physically in agony from his wound, feverish and half-delirious. He then falls headlong off of his horse into the mud, as Brienne shouts to the men to help him. Locke has been tormenting Jaime by not giving him water and he is almost dying of thirst. One of Locke's men moves to give him water but instead empties the canteen over Jaime's head to taunt him. Jaime weakly tries to point out that if he actually dies Locke and his men will be in serious trouble, but Locke simply dismisses this. Locke then hands him a container, which he desperately guzzles down rapidly, too weak to notice what it is. Locke then points out that he filled the container with horse piss just to torment Jaime, who vomits. In a surge of effort Jaime manages to steal the sword from one of Locke's men, but Jaime is so weak and feverish that he can barely stand, much less wield a sword - and he cannot fight as well with his left hand as he could his sword-hand. Brienne jumps off her horse to defend Jaime but swords are drawn on her as she watches Locke viciously kick Jaime repeatedly. He eventually succumbs to exhaustion and Locke doesn't even bother to punish him this time, just warning him that if he tries that again he'll cut off his other hand.

Later that evening, Brienne and Jaime are restrained next to each other by a campfire as she informs he to eat. Jaime refuses, however, and informs that he is dying. Brienne does not indulge in his misery and asserts that Jaime needs to live in order to take revenge. Jaime insists that he doesn’t care about revenge as Brienne then calls him a coward. He then explains that his identity was his sword-hand and without it, even if he escapes, he is nothing and would rather die as the Jaime he was than go on living. Brienne grows angry, insinuating to the Lannister knight that this is the first time he's had to face the real world where things people care about get taken away, and as result, he is pathetically moping around like a woman. Her criticism and strength convinces Jaime to start eating. Brienne then informs that she had overheard Jaime’s earlier conversation with Locke where he managed to talk him out of letting his men gang-rape her, by convincing Locke that her father Selwyn will pay him her weight in sapphires. While Brienne is a noblewoman and worth a ransom, she explains that Tarth is called "the Sapphire Isle" due to the color of the sea, not because there are any sapphires, and House Tarth is not particularly rich. Brienne is confused, and asks Jaime why he helped her, but he doesn't answer.

The party eventually arrive at the castle of Harrenhal, home to House Bolton. In the courtyard, Brienne and Jaime meet with Lord Roose Bolton, who is visibly angered at Locke for maiming Jaime and tells him to hold his tongue unless he wants to lose it. Brienne herself had previously met Lord Bolton in the Westerlands, as he was serving as an advisor to Robb Stark. Roose apologizes to both Brienne and Ser Jaime and demands their immediate release. Roose then adds that they are both under his protection now, as Brienne thanks him. He orders for suitable accommodation to be arranged. Jaime requests for an update from the capital, as Roose briefly tortures him emotionally, describing Stannis Baratheon's attack on King's Landing in a way that seems as if he will say that Jaime’s sister Cersei was killed. However, after a long pause, Roose informs Jaime that his father Tywin and his new allies House Tyrell arrived in time to drive Stannis’ forces away, and Cersei is alive and well. Jaime is so relieved that he falls to his knees.

Later that evening, Brienne is in Harrenhal's bathhouse, scrubbing off weeks' worth of grime and filth from the trek through the Riverlands. Jaime then appears in the doorway assisted by a servant, barely able to stand due to the pain he is in. He then walks naked into the same communal bath that Brienne is in, on the far side. She is also naked and angrily points out that there are other baths, but he says he wants this one; he's afraid he's going to pass out at any moment, and wants her to save him from drowning if he does, because he doesn't want to be the first Lannister to die in a bathtub. Jaime then makes a snide remark about Brienne being unable to protect Renly Baratheon and preventing his death. She stands up defiantly, and he quickly apologizes, claiming that Brienne has protected him better than most. Jaime then begins to open up to Brienne, and tells his side of what happened the day he slew the “Mad King,” Aerys Targaryen. He reveals to a shocked Brienne the truth of that day, something he has never told anyone else: Aerys' final orders were for Jaime to kill his father Tywin, and to burn the entire city and its inhabitants  with wildfire. Unwilling to let that happen, Jaime killed King Aerys, and in doing so actually saved thousands of innocent lives before Eddard Stark entered the throne room and saw the aftermath. Brienne asks Jaime why he never told anyone if all of this is true. Jaime replies that Eddard Stark judged him guilty the moment he laid eyes on him. An enraged Jaime then asks: “by what right the wolf dares to judge the lion.” The strain of recounting his harrowing tale overcomes Jaime, however, and he begins to faint, nearly falling face-first into the water. Brienne catches him and calls for help for the “Kingslayer,” at which, as he slips out of consciousness, whimpers to her "Jaime. My name is Jaime...”

Some time later, sitting at the dinner table in Harrenhal with Brienne and Roose Bolton, Ser Jaime clumsily tries to cut his meat with one hand until an annoyed Brienne assists him. Roose informs Jaime that wars cost money and that many people would pay a great deal of money for him. After discussing how busy Lord Tywin is battling Robb Stark all over the North, Jaime assures Roose that his father would make time for him. Roose then asserts to Jaime that when he is well enough to travel, he will allow him to return to King's Landing on the condition that he will tell Tywin the truth: that he had nothing to do with his maiming. After agreeing to relay Roose’s message and pouring another cup of wine, Jaime informs Brienne of their continued journey, with hopes of no further incidents. However, Roose declares that Brienne will not be joining him. Brienne proclaims her charge to bring Jaime back to the capital, however, Roose interrupts by saying that she is now charged with abetting treason. Jaime protests and insists that she must go with him, but Roose states that Jaime is in no place to insist on anything, and hoped Jaime would have learned his lesson about overplaying his position.

Some days later, Jaime arrives in Brienne's chambers to bid her farewell before departing for King's Landing. He informs her that Roose Bolton has demanded that she stay behind with Locke. Jaime then remarks that he owes Brienne a debt for both keeping him alive on their journey and for giving him a reason to live to rouse him from his suicidal depression after losing his hand. Brienne tells Ser Jaime to repay his debt by keeping his pledge, as Jaime promises that he will keep his word and return Catelyn Stark's daughters to her.

Shortly after, along his journey back to the capital, the group stops as Qyburn, the maester of Harrenhal, sees to Jaime's healing stump. Jaime asks about Brienne, as Qyburn informs him that Lord Selwyn has offered 300 gold dragons for his daughter’s safe return. Jaime comments on this being a generous offer. Qyburn then informs, however, that Locke has refused the offer, believing that Lord Selwyn has all the sapphire mines in Westeros. Locke, feeling cheated by Selwyn, would instead make Brienne the men's entertainment for the evening. Jaime senses a feeling of guilt and obligation towards Brienne, knowing that it is his fault for Locke’s false belief in Tarth’s fortune of sapphires. He quickly approaches Steelshanks and tells him they are to return to Harrenhal. Jaime threatens that he will tell his father Tywin that Steelshanks was the one who chopped his hand off. Jaime then notes the alternative: that instead he could tell his father that Steelshanks saved his life. Steelshanks eventually relents and escorts the group back to Harrenhal.

Upon their arrival, Jaime is shocked and furious to find Locke and his cronies have thrown Brienne into Harrenhal’s fighting pit, facing an angry brown bear with only a wooden sword to defend herself. The House Bolton spectators all mockingly sing “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” as they watch from above. Jaime orders Locke to pull her out of the pit and offers to pay whatever ransom he wants, but Locke dismisses the offer, getting more satisfaction out of the spectacle of Brienne being torn apart by the massive bear. In desperation, Jaime then leaps into the pit to help Brienne. Before the bear can harm either of them, Steelshanks shoots it with a crossbow, distracting the ferocious animal just long enough for Jaime and Brienne to be pulled out of the pit to safety. Locke then tries to stop them from leaving, but Jaime angrily informs him that Lord Bolton cares more about getting him back to King's Landing alive than keeping one of his “pet thugs” happy. Backed up by Steelshanks and his men, Locke is unable to stop the pair from leaving. Brienne then departs Harrenhal with Ser Jaime and Qyburn in tow.

Some weeks later, Brienne finally returns Jaime Lannister to his home of King’s Landing and walks into the gates of the Red Keep castle with him and former maester Qyburn. A worker pulling a cart orders that Jaime move out of the way, calling him a '“country boy," clearly unrecognizable as the nobleman he is, now wearing dirty smallfolk garb. Brienne gently smiles at Jaime, reassuring him. The trio then continue walking towards the entrance to the castle where Jaime trails off to find his sister Cersei. At some point after her arrival in the capital, Brienne learns of the recent and tragic events surrounding the War of the Five Kings. Roose Bolton and Lord Walder Frey, both of whom were loyal to House Stark, had secretly conspired behind King Robb’s back with Tywin Lannister. At the Twins, the home of House Frey, there was a surprise massacre of Stark soldiers, along with the gruesome murders of King Robb and Lady Catelyn Stark. With regards to the oath Brienne swore to Lady Catelyn, her eldest daughter Sansa Stark still remains a hostage of the Lannisters inside the Red Keep, and has been married off to Jaime’s brother, Lord Tyrion Lannister. Meanwhile, the youngest Stark girl, Arya, hasn’t been seen in the capital for several months.

Some months later in King’s Landing, former wife to the deceased Renly Baratheon, Margaery Tyrell, and her grandmother Olenna are discussing the royal wedding, as it has been arranged for her to now marry King Joffrey Baratheon in order to unite the Lannisters and Tyrells. They are interrupted by a courteous Brienne, who came to request a private word with Margaery. Olenna is delighted to see the truth of the statuesque rumors about Brienne. As the pair then walk through the gardens, Brienne informs Lady Margaery the truth of Renly's death some time ago, and vows to one day exact revenge on Stannis Baratheon, whom she holds responsible. Margaery politely reminds Brienne that Joffrey is their king now, as Brienne apologizes for any offense given, but Margaery assures her that none was taken. They walk past a statue of King Joffrey standing over a dead direwolf, which commemorates the victory over the Northern rebellion. Later that afternoon, as Sansa Stark prays alone in the godswood, she is watched by Brienne and Ser Jaime. Brienne expects Jaime to uphold his oath to return Catelyn Stark's daughters to Winterfell in return for his freedom. However, Jaime counters that the situation is complicated by Catelyn's death, Arya’s disappearance and Sansa's arranged marriage to his brother, Lord Tyrion. Brienne demands that Jaime look her in the eye and assure that Sansa is safe in King's Landing. Jaime, however, is unable to do so.

Some days later, after the wedding ceremony, Brienne is present at the feast where she greets King Joffrey and Queen Margaery with a bow, which earns her a brash reaction from Jaime’s sister Cersei. Joffrey mistakes Brienne for the one who assassinated Renly Baratheon, which Margaery quickly corrects. Directly after, Cersei thanks Brienne for bringing her brother back to King's Landing safely. Brienne adds that Jaime was the one to save her on multiple occasions, which irritates Cersei. Cersei then asserts that she finds it interesting that Brienne served Renly, followed by Catelyn, and now Jaime. Brienne states that she does not serve her brother, but Cersei wonders aloud if Brienne is in love with him. Brienne does not answer the question before leaving. Shortly after, chaos erupts at the feast as King Joffrey has been poisoned by a mysterious assailant and, in front his new queen and the royal court, violently dies in the arms of his mother Cersei. In the midst of the traumatic event, Sansa Stark has disappeared from the feast and Cersei has her brother Tyrion arrested, as the presumed assassin in collusion with his wife, the missing Stark girl.

Some time later, in the White Sword Tower, home to the Kingsguard, Brienne reads aloud Ser Jaime’s page in the Book of Brothers, a record of every deed a knight in the Kinsguard has accomplished over it’s three-hundred year history. As Jaime expresses his desire to reclaim his honor, he stares at a new sword his father Tywin forged for him. He picks it up and gently hands it to Brienne, who holds it with great admiration. Jaime then gifts the  sword to her and as she begins to politely protest, he informs her that the sword is Valyrian steel reforged from Eddard Stark's ancestral sword, and thus should be used to defend his two daughters. As Jaime then tasks Brienne with finding the missing Sansa, who has been presumed to have escaped King’s Landing, he urges her to find and keep the girl safe from those who would hand her over to Cersei. Jaime also provides Brienne with a horse, supplies and a freshly forged suit of armor. He also insists that she take Podrick Payne with her as a squire. Before departing, Brienne names the sword "Oathkeeper" and vows to find Sansa, for the sake of Jaime and the late Catelyn Stark. Outside, as Podrick readies their horses, Jaime bids farewell to Brienne. They are both emotionally affected, as Jaime then watches her leave the capital. Some time following her departure, Joffrey’s younger brother Tommen Baratheon is crowned as the new king.

After some days travelling through the Riverlands, her new squire Podrick Payne proves to be a hindrance to Brienne. He has problems with his horse and after they set up camp later in the afternoon, he accidentally sets fire to a rabbit he was cooking for them. Brienne tries to get rid of Podrick by releasing him from the vow he swore as her squire, but to no avail. They are bound for Castle Black, home of the Night’s Watch at the Wall, where Brienne believes Sansa Stark may have taken refuge with her half-brother, Jon Snow. Brienne then questions Podrick about his previous duties as squire to Jaime’s imprisoned brother Lord Tyrion. He informs her that his job was mostly pouring wine, alongside other menial tasks, as Brienne asks if Podrick did anything related to combat. Podrick reveals how he killed Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard by shoving a spear through his head when he tried to kill Lord Tyrion during the Battle of the Blackwater against Stannis Baratheon’s army. Brienne then grants Podrick a bit of respect and allows him to help her remove her armor for the night.

Some weeks later, as they continue north through the Riverlands, Brienne and Podrick stop at the Crossroads Inn where they are served kidney pie made by a boy named Hot Pie, who proceeds to tell them at length the process in finding the right ingredients. He then asks of Brienne's business passing through the Riverlands, to which she replies that she is in Lady Catelyn Stark's service to find and protect her daughter Sansa. Hot Pie abruptly leaves after addressing the Starks as traitors. Once Brienne and Podrick prepare to leave the inn, Podrick reminds Brienne that telling people of their quest could be dangerous. However, Brienne's honesty is swiftly rewarded when Hot Pie approaches the pair outside and gives them a loaf of bread shaped like a direwolf, secretly displaying his loyalty to House Stark. He then informs them that he knows nothing of Sansa Stark, but has seen her sister Arya alive and alongside Sandor "The Hound" Clegane, former bodyguard to the late King Joffrey. Brienne is surprised by this news, as Arya was presumed dead ever since her disappearance from the capital following her father’s execution years ago. They deduce that Arya's captor Sandor is likely to arrange a ransom for his possession of the girl. Having memorized the complex family trees of the Great Houses, Podrick surmises that Arya's aunt Lady Lysa Arryn is the Hound's only remaining chance of a reward for her. Therefore, Brienne and Podrick decide to head for the Eyrie in the Vale of Arryn.

Several more weeks pass, as Brienne and Podrick finally arrive in the Vale of Arryn. As they trek through the mountainous valley, they suddenly stumble upon Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane, who have just returned from the Eyrie after learning of her aunt Lysa's death. Determined to honor her vow to Lady Catelyn, Brienne urges Arya to come with her and promises to take her to safety. Arya is wary and refuses, suspecting that Brienne is working for the Lannisters after the Hound points out the Lannister lion on her sword’s hilt. He sneers that there is no safety for Arya, as all of her adult relatives are either dead or captured, and her home of Winterfell is in ruins. When the Hound cites that if Brienne is unaware that nowhere is safe, then she is unfit to protect Arya, however, Brienne retorts that he is embracing such a fact, and protecting her anyway. Both warriors then draw their swords and a brutal fight ensues. The evenly-matched melee eventually comes to an end when Brienne ultimately gains the upper hand by pushing Sandor down a steep cliff. Brienne then collapses on the ground in exhaustion following the fight. When she returns to Podrick, Arya has disappeared, which infuriates Brienne as he was meant to be keep an eye on her, but was distracted by the fight instead. In a panic Brienne cries out for Arya repeatedly, as her mission continues.

Some time later, after failing to locate Arya Stark, Brienne and Podrick Payne remain in the Vale of Arryn, as Podrick attempts to plan their next move together. Podrick asks Brienne if they intend to stick to their original plan and journey to Castle Black to see if Sansa Stark has been taken in by her half-brother, Jon Snow. However, Brienne dismisses the idea of the two of them continuing to travel together, as Podrick is now hundreds of miles from the dangers of King's Landing and no longer needs to be looked after. Nevertheless, Podrick wishes to remain with Brienne as her squire in order to locate Sansa. Brienne then sharply reminds him that she is not a knight, nor his mother. He then reminds her of the oath she swore to Ser Jaime to find the Stark girls, but she states that Arya did not want her protection. Brienne then laments that the only thing she ever wanted was to fight for a lord she believed in, but now all the good lords are dead and the rest are monsters. Then gaining the pair’s attention, a small brigade of House Arryn soldiers ride past alongside a carriage. Brienne remains unaware of how close her goal is, as Sansa Stark sits inside of the passing carriage with Lord Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish, the former advisor to King Joffrey she previously met in the Stormlands when he met with Renly.

Some days later in the Vale, Brienne and Podrick dine at a local inn. As they eat Podrick identifies Sansa Stark from across the room who is sitting with Lord Baelish. Although they are surrounded by House Arryn guards, Brienne commands Podrick to ready the horses and then approaches to reveal to Sansa that she swore an oath to her mother Catelyn to keep her safe. Brienne, however, doesn't mention to Sansa her recent run-in with Arya in Littlefinger’s presence. Baelish counters by telling Sansa that Brienne, a complete stranger, swore oaths to protect both Catelyn and Renly, and failed at both. Sansa then rejects Brienne's offer of protection while Littlefinger insists that Brienne stay with their group, as the “roads are not safe.” Sensing a trap, Brienne escapes the inn with Podrick on stolen horses and are immediately pursued by the Arryn guards. They are chased through a forest, as Brienne fights the men and Podrick is thrown off his horse. Brienne is forced to let Sansa and Baelish escape, as she was separated from Podrick during the chase. Brienne then rescues Podrick by slaying two of the pursuing guards, and the duo prepare to continue pursuing Sansa and Littlefinger. Podrick argues that Sansa has dismissed her, therefore she is released from her oath. However, Brienne insists that she is not safe with Littlefinger.

Days later, still in pursuit, Brienne and Podrick witness Littlefinger and Sansa approach Moat Cailin. Realizing that following them through the abandoned fortress would be futile, she decides to bypass the castle by going around. Though Podrick is worried about losing sight of them, Brienne asserts that they don't need to follow them so closely, as she knows where they are headed. Later on, after making camp, Brienne learns how Podrick became Lord Tyrion’s squire. Podrick then praises Brienne's martial prowess and is quite proud to be her squire, despite her behavior towards him. Brienne apologizes for her rudeness and offers to teach him how to wield a sword and ride a horse properly. Podrick then questions Brienne about her past with Renly Baratheon. She reveals that as a young girl, her father Lord Selwyn held a ball and invited dozens of young lords in order to find a good match for her. Brienne was captivated by all the attention she was getting, but her happiness turned to embarrassment when Brienne realized they were all just toying with her. Before she could run away, Renly took Brienne into his arms and told her that those "nasty little shits aren't worth crying over," and danced with her. Brienne also acknowledges that Renly was only interested in men, but it didn't stop her from loving him. She then adds that there is nothing more hateful than failing to protect the ones you love, and intends to avenge Renly by killing his brother Stannis.

Some time later, Brienne and Podrick finally reach the outskirts of Winterfell and take a room at a nearby inn located in Winter Town. Podrick muses that Sansa Stark is home now and may be better off there. However, Brienne curtly counters that a Winterfell that has been seized by House Bolton is hardly safe at all. She reminds him of Lord Roose Bolton’s involvement in the murders of King Robb and Lady Catelyn during the Red Wedding. Brienne notes that Sansa is in danger even if she doesn’t realize it. When a servant then comes to bring food, Brienne engages him. When the old man laments on the extinction of House Stark, Brienne then reveals that Sansa is inside Winterfell. She requests for the servant to get a message to the Stark girl. Although reluctant to trust southerners, the man listens to Brienne when she assures that she is sworn to Catelyn Stark. The servant is also impressed when Brienne informs that Catelyn’s death does not release her from her vows. She asks the man to inform Sansa to light a candle in the window of the broken tower within the grounds of Winterfell, in order to signal a rescue.

Several weeks pass by and the North is now littered in snow. Still awaiting Sansa's signal from the broken tower, unsure if she will ever reach out to her, Brienne suddenly is alerted by Podrick of the arrival of Stannis Baratheon and what is left of his dwindling army. With this news, Brienne reluctantly abandons her rescue mission of Sansa in order to find Stannis and exact her revenge. Within moments of Brienne’s departure, however, the candle in the tower is finally lit by Sansa, who hopes for rescue while the Boltons are distracted by war. The unfortunate timing leaves Sansa to attempt her own escape.

The battle at Winterfell between the Baratheons and the Boltons is short-lived and results in the complete annihilation of the remainder of Stannis' army, who were greatly outnumbered to begin with. In the aftermath of his defeat, Brienne finds Stannis Baratheon wounded in the Wolfswood forest, surrounded by the scattered corpses of his fallen army. Stannis initially assumes Brienne as a woman fighting for the Boltons, but Brienne then informs him of her name and allegiance. Knowing his death is imminent, Stannis indeed confesses his involvement with the Red Priestess, Melisandre, in the assassination of his younger brother Renly, whom Brienne had sworn to protect as member of his Kingsguard. Brienne then draws her sword and sentences Stannis to death. When asked for any last words, Stannis urges Brienne to do her duty, after which she beheads him with a single stroke, and finally avenges her true king.