The beauty of Winterfell cannot be understated. Though not as magnificent as some of the other castles in Westeros, it has a ruggedness, a rawness, a feeling of being a part of the landscape that others, save perhaps the Eyrie, do not.

Jaime Lannister appreciated that, and loved the place for it. He had languished long in the halls, in his room, and on the grounds. He was loathe to leave it, but leave it he must. He had spent a lot of time thinking about how he had to leave, how much he cared for the inhabitants, and whether he would ever see them Dragon Queen was allowing Jaime to retire to Tarth, but it was unclear that he would ever be permitted to leave. He desperately wanted to see Sansa and Jon again, despite whatever lingering feelings that Jon may have about him. He wanted to see Tyrion, wherever he might end up.

And Arya, of course.

Jaime thought that he should be quite pleased with how things had resolved themselves. He was alive, leaving for the gorgeous island of Tarth with the woman he loved, and the Starks, for the most part, did not hate him. He wondered if Sansa would allow him to stay for the wedding. Likely not.

Jaime had spent time with Sandor and Arya in recent weeks. They had been permitted time on the grounds, calling for Nymeria and her pack.

He spent the evenings with Brienne by the fire, sipping wine, laughing a touch. And with Tyrion, they would dine together more often than not. Brienne was packing her things, and had been rather quiet the last couple of days. Jaime had snuck down the hall, since his guard was gone, and he didn't bother to look for him. He knocked softly.

"Come in," he heard her call.

"Hello," he said.

"Jaime," Brienne sounded a bit startled. "What are you doing here?"

"Seeing how you are. You seem…sad."

"I'm not sad," and she but some more things into a rucksack.

"No? Perhaps…nervous, then."

She sighed. "Pod is staying."

"Oh? Well, he likes it here."

She nodded.

He looked at her crookedly, and sat on the edge of her bed. "Brienne, tell me what's wrong."

Her eyes did not meet his. "Silly, really."

Jaime didn't respond, but waited patiently.

"I…rather wish that we could stay for the wedding. Lady Stark has been my charge for some time."

"Ah," he folded his hands.

Her eyes snapped to his. "Don't laugh.

"I'm not."

She sat next to him. "I care for them, Jaime. I'd like to see them married," she paused. "And I'll miss this place. Arya, Bran, Tyrion…I've come to care for them."

He nodded. "So shall I."

"And…my father…he isn't the most caring of men. Evenfall Hall is lovely, and he will welcome us, but there are things that he will not understand."

"Such as?"

"Well," she stood and rubbed her palms on her thighs, then went to the window. "You know some of my story, but he wanted desperately to see me married. And now, now I'm…"

"Say no more, my Lady," Jaime stood and went to the window. "Would he be disappointed in me as a son in law?"

"What?"

"Would he accept me? I have a name, but that's all. And the name I have is not looked on with a friendly eye in most of the country."

She swallowed. "Are you proposing marriage?" Her voice was a whisper.

"Yes, I suppose I am," he smiled.

Her throat constricted as she looked at him. "I can't," and she turned away, going to the door.

"Brienne!" He called, but it was too late.

She couldn't. She just couldn't. She walked at a quick pace down the corridor and out into the courtyard. Brienne's breath was coming quick. She wanted to go home, and yet she wanted to stay there, at Winterfell. She wanted to marry Jaime Lannister, and yet, she was terrified to. She would miss the place, Lady Sansa, her duty to her that she was forsaking, she would miss the North.

"What are you doing?" Arya's voice came from behind her

"Nothing," she turned with half a smile.

"Did he ask you?"

"What?"

Arya smiled slightly. "He told me he was. Will you have the ceremony in Tarth? Probably. I understand it's absolutely beautiful. But then, you'd know better than me," she was walking around Brienne, almost like she was prowling.

"What is it, Arya?"

"Nothing. Do you love him?"

She swallowed, as Arya leaned against the wall. "Yes," she said softly.

"Then why are you hesitating? Is it because you also hate him?"

"I …" she shook her head.

"Well, I do. I love him and I hate him. Do you also understand what it's like to love someone and hate them?" She took Needle out and started to parry about. "It's the most confusing thing I've ever experienced. I love Jaime…I made him my brother. But he has hurt my family…and I hate him for it."

"Why would I hate him?" Brienne's voice cracked as she watched Arya.

"Because he left you. Because he humiliated you. Because even though you gave him your heart, he played around with it," she turned.

A tear ran down Brienne's face. "What do I do?"

"You marry him. Because love is the most important thing," she breathed, looking steadily at Brienne. "And forgiveness. Because holding on to feelings like hatred and revenge and resentment make you sick."

She nodded. "Thank you, Arya."

"Love hurts," Arya said. "But in the end, it's the only thing that matters."


The thaw had begun. Winter was loosening its ferocious grip on the North, which meant spring had arrived in the South.

Lord Selwyn had responded to her daughter's raven, saying that he was happy to receive her and Jaime Lannister for their wedding. Evenfall Hall would host it in the coming months.

They were gathered outside, the house staff and the Stark's, to say goodbye to Ser Brienne of Tarth. Jaime Lannister was there too, but there was not the same sense of loss. For Brienne, it was palpable.

The wedding was a few months away yet, but King Jon wanted to get on with the banishment. He wasn't angry anymore, but there was merely a sense of finishing it. Jaime Lannister had admitted a crime, and though he was allowed to keep his life, there needed to be recompense for the deed.

Sandor was standing with them, as he had agreed to go south as well. He was vague about his plans, but never outright denied the invitation to Tarth, so there was hope that he would ultimately join Jaime and Brienne.

The horses were ready, and Brienne went around hugging the company. Jaime stayed back, and Sandor sat atop his mount not paying attention. Jaime longed to say goodbye to Lady Sansa and Jon, but thought that the nod of his head would suffice.

"You're just going to stand there, are you?"

He turned. "Hello, Arya," Jaime smiled.

"This will take a while," she said, then went to Sandor. "Come on, then," and she gestured for them to follow.

Jaime looked at Sandor, who slid from the saddle, and followed Arya, who was leading them to the Godswood.

"I'm not good at goodbyes," she said once she reached the Weirwood Tree, but did not turn to look at them. "So, let's not," and she turned.

"We aren't going to see each other again," said Sandor.

"We don't know that," she replied.

"Yes we fucking do. You're staying here, and we aren't. And Lannister can't leave Tarth, because neither Queen wants to see his ugly fucking face."

Jaime smiled. "I do love your terms of endearment, Sandor. You really know how to charm."

"Well, I'm not sure when, but I'm going to go to Tarth," Arya said.

They both looked at her. "What?" Jaime asked.

"I've never been," she shrugged. "Why not see the place?"

"You would be most welcome," he said with a soft smile, and he went to her. "I'll miss you, sister."

"And I'll miss you, brother," she replied very softly. Arya hugged him close. "I've not forgiven you, but that doesn't mean that I don't love you."

He let go, a tear running down his face. "And I love you."

"Go. Be happy with Brienne and have a baby or something," she smacked his arm. "And you. Keep reading," she hugged Sandor. "Thank you for always looking out for me."

"Like you needed looking after," he pulled away. "You're the toughest warrior I've ever seen. And that includes Ser Brienne."

"I always needed looking after," she touched his elbow. "Will you be there? On Tarth?"

"How the fuck should I know?"

She smirked. "You will."

He laughed, and they left the Godswood.

Tyrion was carrying a glass of wine, looking out at the scene. Then, he began to walk toward the company…Jaime watched him as he walked. How many times had he said goodbye to his brother? Too many. He wished he would come with them.

"Well, Jaime Lannister. Off to Tarth and to marry Selwin's daughter."

"Will you come for the wedding?"

"Of course I shall. I need to see the golden lion retire."

Jaime laughed. "So, staying in the North. What do you hope to accomplish?"

"Oh you know, peace, happiness, that sort of thing.

"And what of the Targaryen Queen? Will she forget she hates you?"

"Eventually, I imagine. But not for a while. Certainly not before your wedding…it will be a small affair, I'm guessing?" He was looking around.

"Is it a secret?"

"No. But it's also not something that I've spoken of freely. No matter. You'll be married, and I shall see it happen," he sipped. "I will miss you, Jaime. Do write often."

"Count on it," Jaime said, and he hugged him.

Brienne came over and said goodbye. "You'll always be welcome at Evenfall," she said to Tyrion.

"Thank you, Ser Brienne. I look forward to toasting your nuptials."

She smiled. "Well, Ser Jaime? Are you quite finished here?"

He looked at Sansa and Jon, and nodded. He smiled at Bran, Pod, and then, he swallowed as he smiled at Arya, who was standing well away from them all.

"Yes, love. I am finished here."


And Jaime, Sandor, and Brienne began their march South to Tarth. The winter, loosening its grip on Westeros, had given birth to a soft spring. It was a baptism of a new land, one emerging from the dark of winter with renewed life and fresh ideas. The wheel still turned, but there was a difference to it now. It wasn't crushing those underneath, it beckoned them to help it turn.

From the South to the Riverlands, the Westerlands, the North, buds bloomed and birds flew. And Jaime Lannister was making his final trip south to the island of Tarth, where he would live our his days as Brienne's husband at Evenfall. And though he would miss the Stark's, and Arya especially, he had no doubt he would see his sister one last time before she quitted these lands forever.

As for Sandor, Jaime knew that he would come with them. His life did not hold much left, and he was confident that Sandor would not want to face these last years alone. So, he had a brother with him, and that would have to be enough.

He was lucky, and he knew it. He would forever be grateful for what he had, and never take it for granted again. Jaime Lannister had a family of his own making, and he loved them. Even if he never saw them again, they were his family.

From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered, We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother (King Henry, Act 4 Scene 3)