Chapter Nineteen

For the next few weeks, things were relatively peaceful at the Red Keep. After their talk down at the harbor, Jaime had settled quite nicely into his role as Master of War, and Brienne had been content to just sit back and observe his progress. He'd thrown himself into his work, spending his days training with his troops or conferring with his generals. It was clear that he intended to play an active role in organizing and commanding the king's forces, and Brienne was more than a little impressed.

Things had changed between them. Though they still weren't friends, they were able to work side by side together without any strife. There was an unspoken truce between them. As long as they didn't talk about Cersei or the past, everything was fine.

One morning, at the start of the small council meeting, Tyrion made an unexpected announcement. "It has been more than six months since King Bran was crowned ruler of the Six Kingdoms. As such, he has decided to host a modest celebratory feast to commemorate the event."

Bronn laughed. "And who's supposed to pay for that?"

"The crown will pay for it," Tyrion answered. "There is enough in our coffers to host a small gathering. Besides, King Bran intends to invite lords and ladies from every corner of the realm, and all those in attendance will be encouraged to bring an offering of good faith—gold, or jewels, or even supplies—something to aid the crown in its recovery efforts."

"So, you expect the lords and ladies of Westeros to fund this little endeavor?"

"Not fund exactly, just show their gratitude for being included on the guest list."

Bronn laughed again. "If that's what you call it. But I can promise you now, I'm not contributing a single copper penny of my own, so you can just forget it."

"I'm not asking you to contribute anything personally. Just do your duty and help me organize the damn thing." Tyrion turned to address the rest of the table. "And that goes for everyone else here as well. You will all attend, but you need not bring a gift for the crown. Your loyal service is gift enough."

Brienne failed to understand why such an event was even taking place. The people of King's Landing were struggling to put food in their stomachs and King Bran suddenly wanted to host a feast for the nobility? It seemed like an insult to the smallfolk, and Brienne had half a mind to say so, but she never got the chance.

"Pardon me," Jaime interjected, "but how can you justify spending precious funds on such an extravagant event when the smallfolk are starving?"

"I said modest," Tyrion replied. "Didn't any of you hear that part? A modest feast. And the smallfolk will not be excluded. There will be tents set up outside the city for them, and everyone will be invited to join in the festivities even if they're not invited to the Red Keep. This is not just a celebration for King Bran. This is a celebration for everyone. The mood in the city is bleak indeed, and the people could use something to lift their spirits, don't you think?"

Jaime tore his eyes away from Tyrion, and he and Brienne stared at each other across the table. It was obvious that neither one of them thought this feast was a good idea, but Bran and Tyrion had all the power and there was little they could do to stop it from happening.

Before Jaime could say another word, Sam spoke up. "I, for one, think it's a wonderful idea. Yes, it is going to cost the crown quite a bit of gold, but it's not as costly as a tournament, and it will attract a great deal of wealth to the city. The lords and ladies who come to the feast will bring their gold with them, and that can only be good for King's Landing."

"Oh, they'll bring their gold, all right," Bronn said, "but they'll keep it in their purses. How do you think the rich stay rich? By being tightfisted. They're not going to spend a single penny they don't have to. Mark my words."

Tyrion leaned back in his chair and eyed Ser Davos, who had remained silent on the matter thus far. "Ser Davos, what say you?"

Davos was thoughtful for a moment. His eyes scanned the length of the table, looking at each one of his fellow council members in turn. He seemed to be giving the matter serious thought. When he finally looked at Tyrion again, he said, "I understand why Lord Jaime thinks it's a bad idea. When you first suggested it, I thought it was a bad idea. But Sam is right about one thing. Those who come for the feast will bring their wealth with them, and that is something we can't ignore. King's Landing is stagnating, and an infusion of gold—and of people—can only be a good thing for the city. So, for that reason alone, I am for it."

As soon as Davos had said his piece, Tyrion turned his attention toward Brienne. Her eyes were once again locked with Jaime's, but she could feel Tyrion staring at her from the other end of the table. She knew what was coming before he even spoke.

"And what about you, Lord Commander? What do you think?"

The look in Jaime's eyes told her that nothing anyone had said had changed his mind, and she wasn't entirely sure what she thought herself.

Brienne dragged her eyes away from Jaime and looked at Tyrion. It took her a minute to collect her thoughts. The arguments the other council members had made had been quite compelling, and she was starting to see some benefit to hosting a celebration, if only to lift the people's spirits.

"I think that, as long as this feast is organized with discretion and economy, it might not be such a bad idea. I've been out in the streets. I've seen the people suffering. Their lives are the same, day in and day out. A feast might give them something to look forward to, something to lift their spirits, and in that regard, I think it a wise choice." She shifted her gaze from Tyrion to Bronn and looked at him pointedly. "That is, as I said, if it is done with discretion and economy."

Bronn snickered. "Do I look like I'm gonna waste a single coin more than I have to on this nonsense? King Bran'll get his feast, all right, but it's going to be on the cheap if I have anything to say about it."

Brienne was satisfied with that answer. Although Bronn was a blowhard and a braggart, although he liked his drink and his whores, he wasn't the worst Master of Coin the Red Keep had ever seen. He was surprisingly frugal when he wanted to be, mostly when Tyrion made him fund projects he didn't have any personal stake in.

"I would say we should take a vote," Tyrion said, "but the matter has already been settled. This is what King Bran wants, so it's what King Bran will get."

"Despite our objections?" Jaime asked.

Tyrion turned to look at his brother. "Despite your objections, yes. The matter is settled. Tomorrow we will begin discussing the particulars."

Jaime looked away from Tyrion, catching Brienne's eye. He wasn't happy, that much was obvious, but Tyrion had already put an end to the discussion and there was nothing more he could say on the matter.

The rest of the meeting proved uneventful, and soon, the group disbanded. Jaime and Brienne were the last to leave the small council chamber. He beat her to the door, stopping to wait for her there.

Brienne wasn't sure what Jaime wanted, but she was trying to keep things civil between them, so she asked, "Is there something you need, Lord Jaime?"

"You can't really think this is a good idea, can you? You said yourself, you've been out there, you know what it's like. How can Tyrion and Bran think this celebration is going to benefit anyone but the nobility?"

Brienne was surprised by just how much Jaime seemed to care about the smallfolk. Although he had once murdered a king to protect them, it wasn't often that he expressed an interest in their welfare. "Why do you care so much?" she asked, eyeing him thoughtfully.

"I've always cared about the people, you know that. Even though they've never much cared for me. And now, since I've lived among them, I care even more. This is just a rich man's folly, an excuse to eat and drink to excess in a time of great want. It isn't right, and I can't condone it."

Brienne had the overwhelming urge to reach out and place a comforting hand against Jaime's arm, but she fought it as if her life depended on it. She knew he had been through a lot. Even though she wasn't ready to forgive him just yet, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. He was hurt and angry, and all he wanted was for someone to hear his grievances.

"I understand your concerns," Brienne said softly, "but things are not getting better here. Not for the smallfolk, not for the lords in their lofty towers, not for anyone. Man cannot exist on bread alone. I hate to agree with Lord Bronn on anything, but he is of a mind that the taverns and brothels he's rebuilt are beneficial to the morale of the people, and I think he might be right."

"You can't be serious. You, Brienne of Tarth, agreeing with Ser Bronn of the Blackwater?"

Brienne laughed. "Perhaps I've sat across from him at one too many small council meetings."

But Jaime didn't reply. He just stared at Brienne as if he hadn't heard a word she'd said. He stared at her as if he was utterly entranced by the sight of her. She had seen that look before, many times, when they'd been alone together in her bed.

"You need not stare at me like that," Brienne said, the heat rising in her cheeks. "I know what I said three weeks ago in the White Sword Tower, but there is very little hope of you ever being able to win me back."

Jaime shook his head. "I don't care. That's not why I'm staring."

Brienne's cheeks flamed even hotter. "Then, why are you staring?"

"Because I didn't think I would ever be able to make you laugh again, and I want to remember this moment in case it never happens again."

The breath caught in Brienne's throat as she stared back at Jaime. That was not at all the answer she had expected, and for a moment, she was stunned into silence. It was such a small thing for him to want, and yet, it told her so much about his feelings for her. He still found joy in just being near her, just as she found joy in being near him. Brienne knew she was in danger of falling for Jaime's charms again, so thoroughly and completely that there'd never be any turning back. But she also knew she wasn't ready for that yet. He had been back in her life for less than a moonturn now, and it was still too soon.

"Well," Brienne replied, choosing her words carefully, "it seems we are going to be serving on the small council together for the foreseeable future, so I'm sure you'll get another chance to make me laugh."

"Do you think so?"

"I don't see why not. And who knows, if you decide to attend this grand feast that King Bran is hosting, perhaps you'll even get a dance."

Jaime's eyes widened in disbelief, and Brienne finally stepped past him, a satisfied smile quirking her lips. It had been a long time since she'd danced with anyone, not since the ball her father had held in her honor. That had been a generally miserable affair, except for Renly's kindness. After that night, Brienne had thought she would never dance again, but now, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to dance with Jaime Lannister.

Brienne headed down the hallway, but it took Jaime a moment to follow. She was halfway down the corridor before he fell into step beside her.

"Did you mean that?" he asked. "About dancing?"

Brienne turned to look at Jaime. "King Bran seems to want all of us present at this event. So, if I'm going to have to wear a dress anyway, it wouldn't hurt to get a dance or two out of it."

"Do you even like to dance?" Jaime's tone was curious, almost skeptical.

"I haven't always enjoyed it, but I think I might this time. And maybe, just like the people of King's Landing, now you'll understand just how important it is to have something to look forward to." Brienne eyed Jaime pointedly before turning her attention back to the path in front of them.

"Point taken, my lady."

"Good. Because if we have to go through with this whole feast thing, we both might as well enjoy it."

"And would you enjoy it? Dancing with me, that is?"

Brienne cast him a sidelong glance. "More than I'd enjoy dancing with your brother."

Jaime laughed. "Tyrion doesn't dance. At least, I've never seen him dance."

"I imagine if he did, I would not be his first choice of partner. Arya Stark maybe, simply because she's closer to him in height, though I imagine that would end in disaster."

"Or Tyrion getting stabbed."

Brienne laughed again, and Jaime smiled from ear to ear as he continued to gaze up at her. Brienne had to pull her eyes away from his before she simply collapsed at his feet.

"Well, then," she said, "I suppose this means you're all for the feast now."

"I think I may have changed my opinion on the matter."

"Good, then that means we're both looking forward to it."

And then, before he could say another word, Brienne turned the corner and headed toward the White Sword Tower, leaving a dumbstruck Jaime behind.