AN: Oh gosh… the end is near! This is the second last chapter, only one more to go. Perhaps I'll make it a nice long one, we shall see. I'm having a moral dilemma as to whether or not to put smut in the final chapter. If anyone has an opinion do speak now or forever hold your peace LOL. Hope you enjoy this one! Thanks so much for reading.

Chapter 21

Brienne, Jaime, Tormund and the Hound were already waiting when Dany strode gracefully into the room. A very pretty young woman named Missandei made the formal introduction, "Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons."

Brienne glanced around during an awkward silence and finally she stepped forward and introduced Jaime, "Ser Jaime, of House Lannister, Your Grace." She bowed slightly and then stepped back, leaving Jaime front and center before the queen. He was still wearing clothes of the north, instead of the usual shining armour and gallant capes from King's Landing, but his hair was clean and combed, his face shaved and he looked every bit as handsome as he should to meet a Queen.

"It's my honour and pleasure," Jaime said, bowing to the queen.

Daenerys looked cold and very formal, perhaps even annoyed. Brienne knew she was a strong leader, but she'd always heard tell of her kind and just heart. Right then, she didn't see any of that being extended towards Jaime and it made her very nervous.

"I'm told you have news for me from King's Landing," Dany said, addressing Jaime with an emotionless stare.

"I do," Jaime replied with a nod. Brienne stared at the floor while he told the young Queen of Cersei's planned betrayal. She looked up expecting some sign of shock or upset on Daenery's face, but she saw the same cold demeanor. The woman gave nothing away of what she was feeling inside.

"And why should I believe what you say is true?" Dany asked him. "You, Ser Jaime… twin brother to the queen, commander of the Queensguard… Kingslayer…" Her voice trailed off and Brienne saw Jaime bristle and stiffen. She was feeling it all with him, every emotion. The hint of fear, the annoyance at being called Kingslayer, the desire to do whatever was necessary to stay alive.

Jaime did his best to explain what Cersei's betrayal had meant for him, and his desire to honour the deal that had been struck. He avoided bringing up the Kingslayer aspect. Tyrion had already explained that to the Queen and Brienne hoped it was more of a jab than anything else.

Daenerys listened patiently and always chose her words carefully, "Let me ask you this - how long did it take Lady Sansa to trust you?"

"It wasn't until she received a bird from King's Landing… from Cersei," Jaime replied. "That she finally believed what I said to be true."

"And what news did this raven bring you?" she asked, raising her eyebrows curiously.

"My dear sister is charging me with treason. She told Sansa she would be sending members of the Queensguard to Winterfell to take me back to King's Landing," Jaime admitted. "Brandon Stark - the Three Eyed Raven, suggested I come here, tell you the news in person and bend a knee to my new Queen."

Dany was silent for a moment, then she glanced over at Tyrion who had been perfectly silent to that point, "The Stark boy is smart. No man should be charged with treason by a woman who is no longer his Queen." Tyrion gave a nod and smiled at her before she turned back to Jaime, who was about to kneel. "Not yet," she snapped. "Stand up." Jaime righted himself and Brienne held her breath as her heart rate doubled. "We aren't finished talking." Brienne could tell Jaime was nervous and she wished there was something she could do to help calm him. "You and your men tried to kill one of my dragons… one of my children and you had a notion to come after me," she accused him.

"With all due respect Your Grace… you attacked my army - we were only fighting back to defend ourselves and your dragon tried to roast me…" Brienne was holding her breath again. What the fuck was he doing challenging her like that? Was he insane? "It was a battle, we were soldiers on opposing sides. Would you not expect me to take every measure possible to defend the Queen and my men?" Dany didn't reply right away and Brienne wasn't sure if it was a good sign or bad sign. "I will do the same for you now - if you let me bend a knee and swear to serve you. I will fight bravely, and honourably in your name."

The silence was making Brienne crazy. She looked at each face around the room. Tormund looked somewhat bored, like he was waiting for something more exciting to happen, or like he'd rather be somewhere else. The Hound looked rather amused. He had that same sneer on his face she'd seen many times before. At least she knew he was a loyal dog, even if he rarely took much seriously. Jon was harder to read. He seemed rather indifferent, like he just wanted to get it over with but didn't really care which way things went. Tyrion was pacing a bit and clearly had a belly full of nerves, much like she did herself. He was probably just as annoyed as her with how Jaime had challenged Dany that way. Jaime though, he looked determined and more at ease than she'd seen him the entire meeting. Brienne didn't understand it, but looking at how calm he was was quite therapeutic for her. If he wasn't scared, why should she be?

Brienne was reminded why she was scared when she looked upon the face of the Dragon Queen. Dany looked fierce and untouchable - and it was likely the honest truth. Her eyes bored into Jaime's like she was trying to drop him with her stare, but he held his ground, unyielding. Brienne still wasn't sure if he was being brave and fearless or completely stupid, but whatever the outcome he was carrying himself with such dignity and she couldn't help but feel proud of him.

A great deal of time passed and still no one spoke. Brienne begged for someone, anyone, to end the silence. If she wasn't terrified she would make it worse she would have said something herself just to break the quiet. Finally it was Jaime who spoke again. Brienne tried not to visibly cringe, hoping it wasn't the wrong decision.

"If you're still unsure Your Grace, I beg you show me mercy… in the name of love," Jaime said passionately as he took his eyes from the Queen's face to gaze upon Brienne instead. "Whether I'm made long for this world or my time is coming soon to an end… whatever days or years I have left… I want to spend them with this woman." He looked back at Dany and Brienne felt her face grow warm, though the sentiment of his words and the way he spoke of their love so freely, it was breathtaking. "So I beg you to allow me to take a knee and enter your service alongside my brother, your faithful people, King Jon, Lady Brienne and the rest of the North."

Brienne looked up and realized Dany was staring at her. Her face held no expression at first, but slowly she gave Brienne a warm smile. She smiled back at the queen, unable to help herself, but quickly reigned in her emotions when Daenerys started to speak. She wasn't looking at anyone any longer, just off into the distance, somewhat forlorn. "I had a great love once," she said softly. "My moon and stars… Drogo," she added, her voice barely a whisper. "I never thought I might feel that way again. I was sure love like that only comes once… but now I'm feeling uncertain," her eyes shifted briefly to Jon Snow and the smile returned to her lips.

"You may bend a knee Ser Jaime," Daenerys said. "I trust you will honour what this ritual represents from this day forward."

Relief washed through Brienne with the force of a raging river as she watched Jaime drop formally to a knee at Dany's feet. "I Jaime, of House Lannister, do solemnly pledge my allegiance to Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen, the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. I will serve you faithfully and honourably - my Queen."

The dread and worry gave way to pride and joy as she watched Jaime name a new queen and in the process denounce his own sister and her claim to the Iron Throne. Brienne caught Tyrion's eye and he gave her a quick wink. She knew he was feeling exactly the same way.

Dany rose and then addressed the group one final time. "Tomorrow we will start to prepare for perhaps the greatest battle the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen. It will be long and hard fought, but I am certain we will be victorious. But that is tomorrow," she said with a smile. "Tonight we will have a great feast in honour of those who are willing to sacrifice their lives to save Westeros from the Night King. We will look upon each other with pride and fill our bellies with food and wine - one last time, together as sisters and brothers."

With that she was gone, followed by a trail of faithful servants. Tyrion lingered behind to talk to Jaime. "Fuck, big brother, for a moment there I thought you'd done something even more stupid than Jon Snow at the dragon pit," he whispered. "Go rest up and prepare for the feast you lucky bastard." Tyrion gave them both and smile and took off after Dany whistling a tune.

As the two of them left the room Jaime leaned over and whispered, "Do you think it was the Lannister charm?" Brienne looked at him and rolled her eyes, but she had to fight off a giggle at the same time. She brushed his hand with hers and they shared a look. It was their version of holding hands in public, as neither of them would feel fully comfortable showing that kind of affection in that moment in front of the others. But there was to be a feast that night - with dinner and drinks… and dancing. She couldn't get the image of her and Jaime spinning around the dance floor out of her mind. There were times he made her feel like so much like a fair maiden, yet he never made her feel like she needed to be anything different than who she truly was because that's the woman he fell in love with. With a private smile she followed the others, feeling very excited about a feast - for the first time in her life.