Naturally, she interprets it as a threat: 'Our daughter is in Dorne surrounded by people who hate our family,' she tells Jaime. So she decides to keep following them, because that's what Brienne does.ДЄ very interesting gift has arrived from Dorne: one of Myrcella's necklaces, mounted on a statue of a snake. But Brienne isn't ready to release herself: 'Do you think she's safe with Littlefinger?' I mean, that's a really complicated question, and one I'm not sure I know the answer to, either. When she reunites with her squire, Pod says that since both Stark girls have refused her service, that she's probably released from her vow. She takes out the first couple knights with her fists, cuts down a few more with a sword once she gets on her horse, and leads the rest on a chase through the woods that ends with most of them dead. Littlefinger remarks that he doesn't want Brienne 'wandering the countryside alone'-which is how nobles say they're taking you captive-but the fearsome Maid of Tarth has already had more than her share of being a prisoner, so carnage ensues. Sansa seems equally skittish-remember that time when she saw Brienne kneeling to Joffrey at his wedding?-and quietly declines her service. I don't think he doubts Brienne's sincerity, necessarily-I just don't think that she fits into his plans for Sansa, whatever they are. He brings up the death of Renly, and forces Brienne to recount the story of his death at the hands of a shadow, which he knows will make her sound ridiculous.

Littlefinger, who is basically a walking, talking raised eyebrow, is a bit more skeptical. She reveals herself as the Sworn Sword of Catelyn Stark, and pledges her life to Sansa's protection. Guess who happens to be at the very same inn? Brienne and Pod! After they spot the young Lady Stark-and count the number of knights around her-Brienne sends Pod to ready the horses, and approaches the girl she's been chasing for so very long. Sansa and Littlefinger continue their journey to Somewhere, stopping to rest at an inn on the way.

Return of an old friend