She was taking a break in her new chambers, as usual lately. Every day after lunch, she took a nap. Brienne had never been one for naps before, always active and busy with this or that. But the baby depleted her energy reserves and her body screamed for longer periods of rest. She reflected on the ironies of life. Her body had relentlessly endured endless hours of activity, training and exertion since childhood, and was well acquainted with hard work and pain. Currently, it seemed it had become as weak as a common lady's, not accustomed to exercise.

Sansa had moved her to more spacious chambers. Chambers in plural. They consisted of a bedroom, a small sitting room and a bathroom. Brienne had protested and fought her queen's decision, pleading that she didn't need so much space and it would be wasted on her. Sansa had remained unmovable. Her final argument (that she would soon bring to the world another person to care for and a little one was very demanding) won the confrontation.

So this was one more afternoon laying on her bed with a book in her hands, seeking the relaxation her mind needed. She was beginning to doze off, when suddenly a series of loud knocks landed on the door of the sitting room, making her jump. Her first reflex was to launch herself at the bedside table to grab Oathkeeper, what she accomplished in an instant, with all trace of somnolence faded.

"Ser, My Lady, it's me, Pod!," her squire shouted excitedly. "Ser Jaime is in the castle! He'll be at your door any moment! No one was able to persuade him to wait for you at the main hall! Half the keep must be deaf by now at his yelling and loud claims of his love for you."

Even in her shocked state, she could swear the boy was smiling from ear to ear. The little traitor had supported Sansa's defence of Jaime's devotion to her. But despite that and Pod's sweet nature, Jaime was due to an earful from him, of that she was sure. As much happy Pod might be with Jaime coming back, he had also grown very protective of her wellbeing.

Brienne became aware that she was gaping and stumbling, not knowing what to do with herself, her mind numb and spinning with a million thoughts at the same time. Oh Gods. It can't be him, can it? The insufferable dolt. And I'm so disheveled! A sure way to make him run up the hills again. How can he set foot here as cheekily, as if nothing is amiss? She realized she was still gripping Oathkeeper. Maybe I should welcome him with the sword he gifted me. A suited retaliation. I'm not entirely contrary to running him through with it, she thought with a mix of anger, sarcasm, wild joy and fear. He was the only person capable of arousing so many varied and opposed feelings in her, all at once.

In the middle of her turmoil, Jaime crossed the door and stopped dead in his tracks. There he was, in flesh and blood, dripping melted snow from his long hair, beard and filthy clothes and more handsome than he had ever looked to her. They were both frozen in their stances, gawking at each other.

His gaze was so full of love, regret and hope that Brienne felt dizzy with longing. Staring at his sparkling and intense green eyes that were piercing to her very soul, she realized suddenly that Sansa and Pod had been right the whole time. Her self-deprecation, fed by many people's mockery of her appearance and by her own insecurities, had got the better of her. She had assumed the worst and attributed wrong motivations to Jaime's actions.

But she couldn't discard weeks of suffering and abandonment easily as if they were nothing.

He must have perceived her withdrawal and hesitation and was visibly restraining himself from flying into her personal space, what must be taking a great effort, hinted by his hands closing in tight fists. He spoke then. Gods, I've missed that irksome voice.

"Brienne, my love. I've been a complete fool. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me? You may run me a bit with Oathkeeper if that appeases you," he muttered. "That's why you're wielding it at the magnificent sight of me?"

Just then Brienne roared with laughter, all the while feeling tears running down her cheeks. Genuine laughter. She couldn't remember when was the last time she had had cause for mirth. "You've read my mind, you dolt. I was seriously pondering reacquainting you with Oathkeeper just before you barged into my chambers like a raging bull."

She didn't know who crashed first into the other one's arms. In his ear, she whispered: "I would do it probably, but I don't think your child will be very happy that their father lost another limb to their mother's anger, even if he deserved it."

Jaime's gaze dropped to her still nondescript belly and his jaw dropped, followed by an expression of pure joy. "What? A child? You're pregnant?" He hugged her more tightly and searched her eyes.

It was odd how happiness erased months of grief. That didn't mean he was out of the woods yet. There was much to talk and clarify. But at present, Brienne felt more elated than ever. "Yes. We're going to be parents." Jaime kissed her deeply and lifted her from the floor by the hips, turning her around and laughing loudly until she begged for him to place her down because she was feeling dangerously dizzy.

When he did, she suddenly sombered and stroked his hair shyly. "I'm sorry for your losses, Jaime. You're a loyal man and you'll always love her. I accepted that a long time ago. And her pregnancy became public knowledge."

A flush of hurt crossed his eyes. "I'm sorry too. That child was an innocent. It didn't deserve to share his mother's fate." He shut his eyes for a moment and brought her forehead to rest upon his.

After a while, Jaime moved back his head to look into her eyes to her very soul. "My love for her changed gradually. I ignore when that change started exactly, but deep inside I've known for years. I was afraid. Afraid to admit something with the potential to turn my whole life upside down. But don't doubt that I truly love you, Brienne." He took a deep breath. "Will you marry me?"

She was dumbstruck and her jaw fell to the ground. Tears slid heavily down her face and her smile lit up the whole bedroom. "You'd have to defeat me first in a fight, remember?", she couldn't resist needling.

He feigned trepidation. "But then I'll never wed you and our children will all be Snows! I can only deal with one Snow at a time, thanks."

Brienne rolled her eyes while guffawing merrily and kissing him on the lips.

Jaime's trademark smirk slipped into his face. "Now who'll go tell Sansa that she'll have to cope with a whole bunch ofLannisters for good?"