Tyrion watched Jaime's retreating back and sighed. His poor, dense brother was all dashing confidence on the battlefield, but today he was struggling to string a simple sentence together. When they had first reunited at Winterfell, his eyebrows had risen whenever Jaime scrambled off to make idle conversation with Brienne. Now he didn't bother to hope.
"You want me to insult you?"
"I came to Winterfell because. . . I'd be honored to serve under your command."
And a minute ago, when he had strode purposely over to intercept her in the hall. "Ser Jaime," she had greeted him with a curt nod, and only then did he realize he had nothing to say.
"You fight good," he had said after a long pause, feeling very foolish.
"Thank you. As do you." Brienne's reply was immediate and crisp, and her expression puzzled. Just as quickly, she was on her way with, cloak trailing behind her.
"I've never known you to be at a loss for words," Tyrion sidled up to his brother and gave him a knowing look. "She's quite a sight in battle, isn't she? She would make a fine sparring partner for you."
"What? It's not like that." Jaime stormed away.
Tyrion sighed and took a swig of mead. He had a lot of work to do.
****** JBJBJBJBJBJB ******
Tyrion strode onto the field as Podrick was packing up the training swords. "Come walk with me," he called out. He gave Podrick a conspiratorial wink and lowered his voice. "I have a mission for you, and you're the only one who can carry it out."
****** JBJBJBJBJBJB ******
That night, Tyrion found Jaime staring into the fire, frowning in thought. "Brother, if I may have a word in private. I found something that may interest you. It's best you read it alone."
They entered Jaime's room. Tyrion pulled a crumpled scroll from his pocked and tossed it onto the desk. "Ser Brienne dropped this on her way to practice. I wouldn't have looked except that I saw your name." Jaime leaned closer and read the scroll.
Another day of torment passes! I can barely compose myself when Ser Jaime looks at me with his beautiful eyes. I wish I could tell him how I long for him at night. What would he say? He must not know. I must hurry away, or my true feelings might be revealed!
"How odd. I did not expect her handwriting to look like that," said Jaime.
Tyrion fidgeted and cleared his throat. "Don't you see what this means?"
A slow smile spread across Jaime's face. "She loves me." He stood up, prepared to find her. "She loves me! Oh no, she must not know that I read her scroll." He sat back down. "I got it! I'll draw a confession out of her!"
****** JBJBJBJBJBJB ******
In the stables, Podrick and Brienne were brushing their horses. "Ser," Podrick began nervously. "There is something I think you should know. . . ." Podrick trailed off and gave an exaggerated sigh.
"What is it?" Brienne asked.
"Well, I don't know if I should be telling you this, but I heard Ser Jaime talking in his room. He said, 'My lady can't know what I feel.'"
Brienne gave a noncommittal shrug. "I'm sure there are many things he doesn't want Cersei to know."
"He doesn't call Cersei 'my lady.'" Podrick tried to keep his voice even.
"Oh, has a lady caught his eye?"
"Um. He also said 'She's a great commander in battle.'" Podrick turned towards his horse, hiding his face.
"Strange. Why would Ser Jaime hide that he feels I'm ugly? He's told me many times before." Brienne thought for a moment. "Maybe he's become respectful now that I'm his commander."
Sweat was beading on Podrick's neck. "He was also humming Jenny's Wedding Ballad."
Brienne's brush stopped mid-stroke. "Oh dear," she said. "Do you suppose he likes me? That complicates matters! How will I let him down without losing my second-in-command?" She thought for a minute. "I know. I'll try to dodge the subject."
