After Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Gwendoline Christie walk into a room, it takes but a minute to realize the actors are perfectly matched sparring partners in real life as they are as characters Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth on "Game of Thrones." The only difference is their weapon of choice is sarcasm, not swords.

Paired at last week's Beverly Hills, Calif., junket for Season 3 of the series inspired by George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels, the war of wit and words began immediately when a reporter asked if the empty chair between them at the roundtable symbolized the rift between their "GoT" alter egos.

"Yes, yes it does," Christie (Yes, she really is that tall!) deadpans.

"I was going to sit there, but she was very quick to put her bag down," Coster-Waldau counters.

"It's his handbag. He makes me carry it," Christie adds, putting on a meek voice.

Coster-Waldau dropped his head, shaking his unruly blond locks. "Gwen, you have to realize when it comes into print, they won't hear that you aren't being serious. We were at a junket in London, and afterwards people said, 'You're really angry with each other.' And we go, 'What do you mean? We're just having fun.' It is just pure joy to be rude to Gwen, and it was so much fun to work with Gwen."

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As are the fans who get to reap the rewards of the spectacular chemistry and undeniable bond these two share as the third season picks up immediately where it left off with the pair last year. The King Slayer is being unwillingly escorted by Brienne back to King's Landing at the behest of Catelyn Stark, who hopes he can be traded for her daughter Sansa, who is being held hostage. They reminisced about last season's canoe portion of the journey. "I learnt to canoe in the dark and rain the night before we shot the scene," Christie recalls.

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Christie wasn't about to let her adversary get the last laugh. "Whereas I just found it bland. You're fine, but I didn't have a particularly good time. I enjoy the work, but I sometimes wish you'd be there when the camera is on me and not back in your trailer." She held her face straight for a few more seconds before busting out in a hearty guttural guffaw. Finally getting serious, she said, "I really love working with Nikolaj. He's taught me loads as an actor and really takes care of me. I'm really very, very lucky."

"To her credit, her costume is very cumbersome. It's like the Tin Man walking around. I was generally worried for you. I thought if you go under in that outfit, you'd probably not come up," Coster-Waldau adds. "I also couldn't stop laughing, because it looked very funny."

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The actor could channel those feelings into Lannister's plan to drive Brienne crazy. He succeeds in annoying her so much that she drops her guard just long enough for him to get the upper hand. The ensuing battle on a bridge will have everyone wondering who is the better fighter.

Catch a glimpse of their sword fight on the bridge at the 19 second mark:

"As actors? He is absolutely. You pick it up in seconds," explains Christie. "But Brienne of Tarth is clearly better than Jaime Lannister. It's why I work so hard. I have a lot more strength. I don't rely on tricks or flowery elements to distract. Everything is very simple straightforward shapes."