"Jaime Lannister has sent for more troops. Cersei's own armies will be joining our cause," Daenerys announced, a smile gracing her beautiful face, as she led the latest war council meeting. Brienne ducked her head to hide her blush when she found many members of the council 'discreetly' looking at her. The whole of Winterfell was aware that Brienne and Jaime's wedding was fast approaching and Brienne was sure that most of them knew that Jaime never slept in his tent in the Lannister camp outside the walls of Winterfell.
"It could be months until the Lannister troops arrive," Jon said from his seat to the right side of Daenerys. "We want to leave Winterfell in two weeks."
"Yes," Tyrion spoke up, drawing eyes to him from all over the room. "Our first battle will take place at the Twins, led by the Unsullied and Dothraki, with Queen Daenerys on dragon back. There is a Lannister contingent there, led by House Swyft. Cersei has House Swyft firmly under her thumb. They will not leave to serve Ser Jaime." Brienne's stomach felt funny when she heard Jaime's name, made her want to smile.
"So we take them out," Daenerys said, knocking over the lion on the map that covered the table. The ease with which she did so made Brienne's stomach stir. She could knock down Brienne's lion just as easily. "Then Westeros will know that fire and blood have come." Brienne noticed that it was only Daenerys' essosi soldiers who roared in agreement. Brienne made eye contact with Ser Davos, who seemed to squirm in his seat. Brienne swallowed the lump that rose in her throat. Fire and blood.
"After we have taken the Twins," Tyrion continued, "the army will continue on to Harrenhal, where we expect to find a contingent of the Golden Company. Taking Harrenhal is essential to be seen as victors in the eyes of Westeros. When Harrenhal is taken, the northern army will join us in King's Landing, along with Ser Jaime's Lannister contingent." Jaime at the front of the Lannister contingent, while Brienne led the Northern army. Far apart, most likely, although both with the chance of death. Brienne was not sure how well they would fight without the other by their side. She wondered whether she would be able to focus on anything but finding Jaime and assuring his survival. After all, was that what he had done when he had arrived at Winterfell? Brienne sucked her top lip into her mouth, glancing at Sansa and feeling guilt bloom in her stomach. Sansa should be her priority.
"Do we have a way to contact Ser Jaime's contingent?" Sansa asked Tyrion. Brienne was unsure how Sansa could focus, let alone speak coherently, knowing that she had fucked Tyrion on the very table on which they now planned battle attacks. Tyrion gave her an inquisitive look. "Surely it makes far more sense to meet them on the battlefield, rather than have them come all the way up north and then go back down south." Tyrion inclined his head. Brienne found herself wondering how many people in the room knew that Sansa and Tyrion were fucking.
"You are correct, Lady Sansa," Tyrion said. "However, when Jaime sent for the troops, he ordered them to Winterfell. If we send them elsewhere, then there is the chance that some of the troops will get word to Cersei about exactly where we are planning our attack. It is not a risk we can take." Or, in other words, Daenerys still didn't trust Jaime. It made Brienne's insides squirm though she understood the reasons behind it. She would trust him eventually. Brienne would make sure of it.
But Daenerys had to trust Brienne too. Which was why, an hour later, while they ate bread and cheese in their chambers, Brienne refused to tell Jaime what had gone on during the meeting. "It's so frustrating," Jaime groused. "I understand why you're not telling me but what am I supposed to tell my men? How can I prepare them for war when I don't know what we're riding into?"
Brienne gave him a pursed-lips, eyebrows-raised look. "You're a good military commander, Jaime. I'm sure you can have a guess at what she's going to do and prepare your men the best way possible. Anyway, all of your men haven't arrived yet, so you can hardly prepare exactly." Jaime pouted. "Stop pouting."
"I'm not pouting," he said, pouting. Brienne rolled her eyes. It was almost as though she were the older one in the relationship.
"It was funny seeing Sansa and Tyrion together," Brienne said. Jaime raised his eyebrows. "They were interacting as though they hadn't spent the past night fucking."
"I love when you swear," Jaime said, lifting her knuckles to his lips for a brief moment. Brienne flushed with pleasure. "What were frick and frack like?"
Brienne rolled her eyes. "They were normal. I suppose your brother was rather smiley."
"I'm sure he was." Jaime sighed. "I should probably talk to him. I was a dick to him the other day."
"I'm sure he wasn't surprised." Brienne enjoyed the way Jaime looked at her when she teased him. "Anyhow he was a dick to us too."
"He is my brother, though, unfortunately. The only family I have left in the world except you. I love him," Jaime said and Brienne appreciated his honesty. She appreciated him calling her his family even more. She reached for his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm, looking up and meeting his eyes. "I don't think we have long enough, sweetling. "
Brienne flushed. He was teasing her. She stood and his face turned from amused to confused. Brienne approached him, feeling bold, and bent down to kiss him, lacing a hand through his golden locks. She pulled away, enjoying his swollen lips and dark eyes. "Make time," she said, grinning as she felt his hand on her hip. She hooked a leg over his lap and settled herself there, enjoying the way his cock pressed insistently between her thighs.
"I suppose I can be late to my meeting with Bronn," Jaime said, practically leaping forward to cover her lips with his own.
XXX
"You're late, Lannister," Bronn growled when Jaime prowled into his own tent that Bronn was occupying while Jaime slept in Brienne's chamber.
"My most sincere apologies, Bronn," Jaime said, flinging himself into a chair and pouring some ale from the jug available at the table, a shit-eating grin on his face. "I assure you it was worth it."
Bronn scoffed, drinking some of his own ale. "Well, while you've been fucking your missus, I've been stood around here like a twat."
"My being here any earlier wouldn't have changed much then." Bronn scowled.
"If you'd have told me you'd be late then I coulda found one of them camp followers and had a bitta what's making you smirk."
Jaime was smirking, very happily smirking. He had just been fucked by Brienne in a chair. It had been wonderful. "As much as I'd love to continue this conversation," Jaime said, clearing his mind, "there are legitimate reasons I wanted to have a meeting with you." Bronn sighed.
About two hours later, when Bronn and Jaime had discussed what they thought Daenerys was planning and had adjusted their training schedule accordingly, they made their way from the Lannister camp back to the castle. "Oh, by the way," Jaime said, "I'm going to need my tent back the night before the wedding."
Bronn groaned. "Why? Everyone already knows you're fucking her. No sense in pretending to be decorous the night before."
Jaime raised his brows. "Decorous is a big word for you. And it's not about decorum. It's about tradition. I want to do this right," he said firmly. Bronn smirked.
"Well, aren't you a softie? Your stupid superstitions are losing you a night of shagging that you'll never get back." Jaime rolled his eyes. "And, if it's as good as that stupid grin on your face suggests it is, is nicking my tent really worth it?"
"It's my tent," Jaime protested. "You could be sleeping on the floor with the rest of the heathens."
Bronn squawked. "I am an anointed knight," he said, wagging his finger at Jaime as they entered through the gates of Winterfell.
"You don't have your own pavilion. You're a heathen."
"Since when is a fucking pavilion the mark of not being a heathen?" Jaime chuckled. "Ey up," Bronn said, grabbing Jaime's arm and jolting him to the side. Jaime grunted in surprise, shoving Bronn's hand off him and not thanking him despite it being owed. Horses trotted past them, into the courtyard, a large ginger man leading them. "Who's this then?"
Jaime furrowed his brow as the men dismounted their horses. The leader was huge. Jaime thought he had at least two inches on him, making him even taller than Brienne. "Where can I find the big lady?" the man growled at the squire who was polishing the swords by the forge.
The ferocious man grasped the squire's shirt until he replied in a stutter, "the king- the kingslayer's chambers, ser."
"I'm no ser," the man said, dropping him and roaring in anger. Jaime glanced at Bronn. Why on earth did this man want to know of Brienne's whereabouts?
"Aren't they Brienne's chambers and not yours anyway?" Bronn muttered. Jaime nodded, rolling his eyes. "What does this fella want with your missus?"
"Where can I find the kingslayer?" the scary ginger man roared around the courtyard, turning ungracefully.
"He's here!" Bronn called to Jaime's horror, turning a finger towards him. The ginger man turned furious eyes upon Jaime. "Sorry, mate, I just really want to watch this," the sellsword said unapologetically. Jaime clenched his fist as the huge man approached.
"Kingslayer," the man snarled. Jaime inclined his head. "Why is the big lady in your chambers?" Jaime narrowed his eyes.
"She is the Lady of Tarth. You will call her Lady Brienne," Jaime demanded with more bravado than he felt. Bronn whistled lowly beside him.
"Are you fucking her?"
"I am marrying her in two days." Jaime watched as the huge man's face fell.
"I left straight after the fucking battle and she was mine. Just five nights have passed!"
Jaime snorted. "She was never yours. She has always been mine." Bronn cleared his throat in amusement. "And, more than that," Jaime hastily corrected, "she is her own person who decides what she wants to do with her life. She decided to marry me." Jaime watched as the man's nostrils flared. He knew that it was nonsense that Brienne had been this man's paramour. He was the first to lie with her and certainly the first to be loved by her truly.
"She deserves better than some one-handed sister fucker."
Bronn hooted. "Well, isn't that the truth?" Jaime shot a glare at him. It was the truth.
"I was going to give her everything," the huge ginger man said. "She would have said yes."
"She would not," Jaime said without certainty. The Brienne of before the battle had no reason to believe that Jaime loved her, no reason to believe she would ever see him again. "She would not."
XXX
Sansa Stark followed her brother down to the yard, where they had been informed by the sentries that Tormund Giantsbane had returned from the scouting mission Jon had sent him off on the day after the battle. Jon was eager to greet his wildling friend and Sansa was anxious to have confirmation of the safety of their surrounding areas.
"What theā¦" Jon said as he stepped out onto the ramparts. Sansa furrowed her brow and followed, stepping into the cold just in time to see Tormund sink his fist into Jaime Lannister's stomach. Sansa closed her eyes briefly. She was fairly certain she knew exactly what this was about. Brienne was not going to be happy.
"Ser Jaime, may I have a word?" Sansa said as loudly as she could from the ramparts. Jon flinched next to her. Jaime saw her and clenched his jaw.
"Of course, my lady," he said tightly, moving away from the wildling who Jon approached. Tormund was ranting about Jaime hitting him with his golden hand. Jaime made his way up the stairs to Sansa, where she was tapping her foot and pursing her lips.
"I would tell you that you are an idiot but I am sure that Brienne will cover it for me," Sansa said tersely, sparing Jon and Tormund a glance before she returned into the castle proper.
"You didn't hear what he was saying," Jaime mumbled behind her. Sansa stopped in her tracks, forcing Jaime to stop too. He stepped away from her.
"I know exactly what he was saying," Sansa said, meeting Jaime's stormy eyes. "Brienne will know exactly what he said. Everyone in Winterfell will know what he said." Jaime's lips parted and then closed again. "I hope you're preparing what to say to Brienne." Jaime bobbed his head and Sansa rolled her eyes. Men.
XXX
"You are such an idiot," Brienne growled as Jaime leaned against the bed, his hair covering his eyes and his stupid soft lips pouting. "What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't really," Jaime admitted and Brienne met his eyes. He gave her half a smile that nearly had her melting. Thankfully she was not so weak. She let out an irritated sigh and turned away from him. "I don't think you should be this angry. Yes, okay, I overreacted and I shouldn't have hit the big ginger man with my gold hand and, yes, I should have more control over myself. But he was saying things that made me- well, I just thought that there might have been a time that you did want him and it made me so irrationally jealous that-"
"That you hit him in the face," Brienne finished. Jaime nodded.
"I just couldn't deal with the thought that if I hadn't come or if I had come later you might have said yes to him." Brienne furrowed her brow at Jaime. Sometimes when he said things like this, she had to remind herself of the awful way that Cersei had treated him which made him doubt himself, the same way that she knew he had to remind himself of the reasons she doubted herself.
"Jaime, I can't deny that Tormund's offer was tempting," Brienne allowed and Jaime's face turned to one of outrage, as though he had not just suggested the same thing himself. "He leads the wildlings. He is head of the wildlings, essentially, and Tarth needs an heir. There is no one after me to lead my island. I'd found Sansa and Arya and they were safe and I decided I should probably start thinking about my father again. He allowed me to do so much that most fathers would not have."
"So you were going to marry that man?" Jaime asked, his mouth agape. Brienne squirmed. The thought of Jaime arriving after she had married Tormund made her feel slightly sick. Thankfully she was never going to go through with it.
Brienne shook her head. "Of course not. It wouldn't be fair to him. I love you, you idiot." Jaime chuckled lightly. "But that's not the point, Jaime," Brienne said, hardening again. "I don't need you to fight battles for me, no matter what anyone is saying. People are going to say things about me for the rest of our lives."
"I know that," Jaime muttered. Brienne swallowed.
"Then you must know that you can't fight every one of them and, even if you could, I would not want that." Jaime nodded.
"I know that and I am perfectly happy with just sassing them for the rest of our lives," Jaime said earnestly and Brienne rolled her eyes, her lips twitching. "But he was saying- he was saying you were his and I just - seven gods, Brienne, the idea made me sick."
"Because I'm yours?" Brienne asked, an eyebrow arched.
"Yes!" Jaime cried. Brienne's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak. "No, I mean, no."
"I'm not a piece of meat, Jaime," she hissed at him.
"I know that!" Jaime cried and Brienne sensed his resolve snap. "Why does it matter if I want you to belong to me?" he demanded.
"Because that is what every man I have been betrothed to wanted - me to be their property. The next step is dictating what I can and cannot do and, Jaime, I will not-"
Jaime cut her off with a bruising kiss, rising suddenly from the bed and taking her face into his hands, the golden one cold against Brienne's scarred skin. When he pulled away, Brienne was annoyed at herself for giving into him. "I love you," Jaime whispered. "I love you because you are you, because you can best me with a sword, because you can pin me down between your magnificent thighs -" Brienne expelled some air through her nose in half a laugh "- I love you because you rode off with my sword to defend Sansa and Arya, because you beat up your ex-betrothed so hard that you broke his collarbone. I love you because you do the things you do, because you say the things you say, because you are the way you are. I swear, Brienne, that I will never tell you what you can and can't do."
Brienne swallowed harshly. "I'd like to see you try anyway," she said thickly. He chuckled and brushed her cheek with his thumb. "You can't just kiss me everytime I'm annoyed at you and expect everything to be better," she said after another kiss.
He smirked against her lips. "I can try." He kissed her again and then pulled away, looking into her eyes intensely. "I'm yours," he murmured. Brienne searched his eyes for evidence that he was asking her to admit that she belonged to him too. She found none, so she let the warm feeling of him being hers settle in her stomach. Perhaps that was what he wanted to feel too. It was a very pleasant feeling.
"And I yours," Brienne said reluctantly. Jaime grinned, his eyes lighting up. "You get that one time and one time only-"
He interrupted her with his lips and only pulled away when they were both fighting for breath. He yanked her shirt out from her breeches and his hand found its way underneath to her breast, his thumb rubbing across the tight nipple. "I'm sure I can make you say it again," Jaime teased. Brienne let out a throaty laugh. She was sure he could too.
