Chapter Thirty-nine

The next morning, Jaime woke Brienne with a single kiss. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to draw him closer, but he resisted. When Brienne finally opened her eyes, she found Jaime hovering above her, his lips quirked in a wry smile.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" he asked.

"Time to make love again?"

A small laugh escaped Jaime's throat. "It's almost time for the small council meeting. If we get out of bed now, we'll have just enough time to wash up, get dressed, and make it to the small council chamber before the meeting begins."

"And what if we miss the meeting altogether?" Brienne asked as innocently as she could. It wasn't often that she played coy with Jaime. In fact, she didn't think she had ever actually done so before, but there was a first time for everything. Now that Brienne finally felt secure in their relationship, she was willing to test the waters a bit.

"If we miss the meeting altogether," Jaime answered, "we'll have to spend the rest of the day contending with knowing looks from our fellow council members and more than a few choice words from Lord Bronn. And I don't think that's what either of us wants. Besides, for better or for worse, we need to speak with Bran today."

Brienne turned her head toward the open window beside the bed, noting the position of the sun in the early morning sky. She sighed heavily, having no choice but to admit defeat. When she looked at Jaime again, she said, "I suppose you're right. And I suppose this means we must keep our betrothal a secret until Bran has given us his blessing."

"If Bran gives us his blessing."

Brienne's heart skipped an anxious beat, but she refused to let doubt get the better of her. "Bran will give us his blessing. I know he will. The gods have been cruel enough to the both of us. It's time they finally granted us some happiness."

Jaime's gaze softened, and a bittersweet smile curved his lips. Without a word, he leaned forward and kissed Brienne one last time before leaving the bed.

Brienne sat up, the covers carelessly falling to her lap, exposing her from the waist up. She watched Jaime as he crossed to the washbasin in the corner of the room, enjoying the view. Brienne felt no shame in watching him. Jaime Lannister was a beautiful man, far more beautiful than she deserved, and she took a great deal of pleasure in admiring his physique.

Over the past several months, Jaime had regained a good deal of muscle, and he looked much healthier than he had when he'd first stumbled back into King's Landing. Another month or two and Brienne was sure he'd be in perfect form again.

As he began to scrub himself clean, Jaime's eyes met Brienne's in the small mirror above the washbasin. "See something you like?"

Brienne couldn't keep the smile from her face. "Yes, a great many things."

Jaime glanced over his shoulder, his gaze dipping low to sweep appreciatively across Brienne's breasts. "You're not the only one."

Brienne laughed. "Are you sure you don't want to come back to bed, my lord? I've kept it warm for you."

Jaime turned around fully, giving Brienne an even more enticing view. "I'd love nothing more," he said, "but duty calls."

Jaime's cock was already semi-hard, and Brienne knew if she pushed a little further, she'd easily be able to coax him back to bed, the small council meeting be damned. But she also knew that wasn't what Jaime wanted, so she gave up the fight.

With a regretful sigh, Brienne threw off the covers and slipped out of bed. "I guess this means the fairytale's over, isn't it?"

"For now, yes."

Jaime moved closer, drawing Brienne into his arms and kissing her tenderly. She leaned into him, wishing the moment could last forever. But Jaime was determined to make sure that they didn't miss the small council meeting or their chance to speak with Bran. Far too soon, he pulled away, and Brienne reluctantly let him go.

Jaime returned to the washbasin, his work not yet done. With his back to Brienne, he said, "You should probably return to your own chamber as soon as possible. Time is waning."

But Brienne wasn't quite ready to leave. She just stood there watching him, enjoying one last moment of intimacy together before the day tore them apart.

"You really do have some rather odd fascination with me, don't you?" Jaime said as he eyed her through the mirror.

"I'm afraid I can't help it. You're just too beautiful for words."

Jaime's eyes locked with Brienne's. "So are you."

A soft blush crept into Brienne's cheeks, and she shook her head. "You don't have to say things that aren't true."

Jaime turned around again, inching closer. He stopped a hairsbreadth away, and Brienne could feel the heat rising off his body.

"I mean it," he said in a soft voice that made Brienne's heart ache with love for him. "You are beautiful, Brienne of Tarth. I know the world has led you to believe otherwise, but it isn't true. You have the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen, and your smile gives me life."

Brienne wanted to believe Jaime, but it wasn't easy for her. She had spent her whole life being mocked for her looks, and even though she knew he meant every last word, the scars of the past still ran deep.

"I will accept the compliment," Brienne said reluctantly, "though I still find it difficult to believe."

"Then I'll just have to spend the rest of my life convincing you that it's true." Jaime leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss against Brienne's lips. "Now, you really should go. I will see you at the small council meeting."

Jaime turned away again, and Brienne had no choice but to do the same. She dressed quickly, pulling on her clothes and slipping from the room even before Jaime had donned his breeches.

Brienne headed straight for the White Sword Tower. As soon as she was safely ensconced in her bedchamber, she leaned back against the door, closing her eyes and taking a moment to collect herself. She felt as if the entire world had suddenly changed in the course of a single evening. For all intents and purposes, she was betrothed to Jaime Lannister. Betrothed! If Bran gave them his blessing, they would soon be married and she would become the new Lady of Casterly Rock. It was a fate Brienne had never even dared imagine before, and yet, now that it was happening, she couldn't picture her life any other way. All of Brienne's girlhood dreams were about to come true, if only Brandon Stark chose to show them mercy.

Brienne inhaled a long, slow breath, willing her racing heart under control. When she was finally calm again, she opened her eyes and pushed herself away from the door, heading straight to the washbasin. She gave herself a good scrubbing down before choosing a fresh set of clothes and getting dressed. Once she was finished, she felt a great deal more like herself.

With a renewed sense of confidence, Brienne made her way to the small council chamber. By the time she arrived, Sam and Davos were already there, but Bronn and Tyrion were blessedly absent.

"Good morning, Lord Commander," Davos said with a nod in Brienne's direction, clearly fighting the urge to stand in her presence. Although Brienne was a lady, she was also Davos' equal, and he always did his utmost to treat her as such.

"Good morning," Brienne answered as she entered the room. She took a moment to greet Sam as well before taking the seat beside him.

While they waited for the others to arrive, Sam and Davos made small talk, Brienne joining in whenever appropriate. A few minutes later, Bronn and Tyrion came ambling into the room, chatting away as if they were the only two people in the world.

"And I told her, look," Bronn said, "we may be betrothed, but that doesn't mean I can't look at other women. I'm a man, and just because I'm gettin' married, doesn't mean I'm signing my death warrant."

Tyrion laughed. "I'm sure there are those who would disagree with you. For a lot of men, marriage is a death sentence."

"You should talk. You're about to marry a queen. There go your balls. Guess I should start calling you Lord Varys now, huh?"

Tyrion scowled, and it was obvious that even Bronn knew he'd gone a step too far.

Tyrion and Bronn both settled into their chairs to prepare for the morning meeting. When Tyrion was finally ready, he looked down the table and asked, "And where is the Master of War this morning?"

Brienne felt the heat rise in her cheeks, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She had not left Jaime all that long ago, and when she had, he'd still been putting himself to rights after a glorious night of lovemaking.

"I haven't seen him," Sam said, always eager to fill a void. "Not since last night."

Bronn leaned forward in his chair, scrutinizing Brienne. "From the look on the Lord Commander's face, I'd say she knows where he is."

Brienne kept her back straight and her voice even as she answered Bronn. "I am sure Lord Jaime is in his own chamber, preparing for this morning's meeting. Or perhaps he is already on his way here."

The corner of Bronn's mouth lifted in a sly smile. "And how do you know that? Did you just leave his bedchamber yourself?"

"Where I spent the night is none of your concern."

Bronn laughed, easing back in his chair, his eyes still intently focused on Brienne. "That's an admission of guilt if I ever heard one."

"I have nothing to feel guilty for."

"Yeah? Then why's your face so red? It's very unflattering, you know."

"Maybe my face is red because every time the subject of Jaime Lannister comes up, you insist upon saying something untoward to me. I know you think it's funny, but I assure you, my lord, it is not."

"Oh, it's definitely funny," Bronn replied. "Just the fact that you say it isn't, proves it is."

"It's not."

"Let's take a vote."

Tyrion cleared his throat, intervening before things got any more heated. "Let's not take a vote," he said. He turned his attention to Brienne. "Lord Commander, do you know where my brother is?"

But before Brienne could answer, Jaime called out from the open doorway. "I'm here."

Brienne almost sighed in relief. She turned her head just in time to see Jaime walk into the room, headed to his seat.

Bronn's eyes also turned toward Jaime. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the Golden Lion himself. Nice of you to join us."

"Sorry I'm late," Jaime said, ignoring Bronn and directing his apology to Tyrion. "I had a long night."

Bronn snorted. "Of course you did. Let me guess. Spent a few hours sparring with the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard last night?"

"Must you always be so crass?" Brienne snapped. She'd finally had about all she could take of Lord Bronn of Highgarden.

But Bronn just laughed. "Yeah, it kind of suits me. But if your fragile sensibilities can't handle it, then maybe you're not as tough as people say you are."

"Oh, I'm tough all right," Brienne said, her pride getting the better of her. "So tough that I could take you on in the training yard any day."

Bronn leaned back even farther in his chair. "My fightin' days are over. I'm a lord now. I don't ever have to lift a sword again."

"Because you're a coward. Because you know you wouldn't win."

"No, because I ain't got nothin' left to prove. Taught this one to fight left-handed," Bronn said, cocking his head toward Jaime. "Survived a dragon fight, made it from sellsword to Lord of Highgarden. I've got no reason to step into the yard with you."

Brienne realized that she would get no satisfaction from Bronn. Clearly, he didn't care about defending his own honor. All he cared about was his lofty position on the small council and the titles the king had granted him.

Tyrion cleared his throat again, the sound a bit more emphatic this time. "It appears that Lord Bronn is not prepared to meet you in the yard, Lord Commander. Therefore, perhaps we should get on to actual business, shall we?"

Brienne glared at Bronn for another moment before reluctantly turning toward Tyrion. "Yes, of course."

"Splendid."

Tyrion called the meeting to order, providing a brief overview of the morning's agenda, though Brienne was only vaguely aware of his words. She could feel Jaime watching her, and when she finally turned to look at him, their eyes locked and a fresh wave of heat flooded Brienne's cheeks. She was sure Bronn noticed, but she didn't care. Just looking at Jaime made her warm all over, and she had to fight the urge to smile at him.

Suddenly, Tyrion called Jaime's name, and he was forced to look away. Brienne turned her attention to Tyrion as well, not wanting anyone to think that she was only there to stare at Jaime. She did her best to concentrate on the meeting, though her heart wasn't in it. Already, she was dreaming of a life at Casterly Rock, a life as Jaime Lannister's wife. It was all Brienne could think about. And even though she was Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, for the first time in her life, she felt more like a woman than a warrior, and she couldn't have been happier.

Of course, that happiness was contingent upon Bran granting her and Jaime his blessing to wed. If he didn't, there might only be heartache in Brienne's future, but she refused to even entertain such an idea. One way or another, they would convince Bran to let them marry. They just had to.

Author's Note: Some of you already know this, but since enough people asked, I decided to write a "missing" Sanrion scene that takes place immediately after Sansa and Tyrion become betrothed at the feast. I am planning to post that scene once this fic is finished. Including this chapter and the epilogue, this fic has another six, maybe eight, chapters left. (I'm not quite sure, since I haven't finished editing it yet.) For those interested in the missing Sansa/Tyrion scene, my question is, would you prefer to read it as a bonus chapter at the end of this fic or as a separate one-shot? I'm not sure how I want to post it, and I'd like to know what people prefer. Thanks!