Silence; Jamie started to wonder if it would ever end…
He supposed she was a little shocked at the proposal, but he had expected her to be a little more vocal about it…
Brienne had never been one to conform to what was expected, so he reasoned that this was an outcome he should have anticipated.
Scrabbling about in the depths of his brain, Jamie tried to conjure something witty and waspish to hurl at her and gauge a reaction… but, to his surprise, he found nothing.
Instead of his usual verbal fencing… he found years of self-confidence and surety beginning to crumble as his heart began to pound in his chest… "Brienne… did you hear me?"
She hadn't moved… half-way through carrying her saddle over to her steed, he had found the courage to finally confront his reason for visiting this backward little village. He had walked into the stable, bold as any knight charging into battle and greeted this woman, his wench, who had smiled brightly [taking his breath for a moment]… until he asked the question…
Then there had been silence…
Her bright, blue eyes widened, beyond even his imagining them possible…
"Brienne?"
And she blinked, "I heard you…" she breathed.
And then that damned silence again…
Jamie was surprised to feel a sweat break across his forehead… he had never truly felt this nervous in his life… not in this way at least. He was completely vulnerable. And he didn't particularly like the sensation; "Well?"
Brienne blinked again, making a jerk-like movement that reminded Jamie of a hind in the forest making the decision to fight or flee…
He realised she was just as vulnerable as him…
So he waited…
()()()
From the first moment he had scribbled her name on the piece of parchment in his father's office, he knew he was sealing their lives together. It was a very selfish thing…
But there it was; the die was cast. No going back now.
Tywin Lannister had laughed at his son at their first meeting to name his chosen bride... then he had fallen silent and regarded him for several, insufferably long, minutes.
"You are settled then?" The older man asked, "Your mind rests on the, so-called, Maid of Tarth?"
"She is a maid," Jamie felt himself bristle, "during our travels it was confirmed and she never left my side..."
"And you never thought to-"
"No," Jamie snorted through his nose to show distain.
Tywin huffed back a laugh, "Well then… what makes you think she will entertain you now?"
"Duty," Jamie shrugged, "Tarth is a small house and aligning with us would be a considerable asset."
The old mans eyebrows darted upward, "So you see no objections from her father then?"
He hadn't thought about it. With the distant war of north and south somewhat quelled of late, he supposed Tarth would become neutral once more, after the death of Renly Barathion. "It would be in his best interest to make a link with a great house. At the very least, he can use our name to strengthen his navy... they are vulnerable to attack, situated as they are..."
The Hand of the King bowed his head, before looking up through his lashes and, again, regarding his son...
"I will not postpone your sister's wedding for your want of a wife," he growled, "It is a simple fact, Jamie, that you and your sister have fewer years ahead than behind and while that is no great concern for you, your sisters one commodity is her fruitfulness... which will soon wither."
A sickening fear crawled up from the pit of Jamies stomach, "She was right..." he almost gasped, "You are bartering her like stock..."
Tywin settled his gaze.
That was all the confirmation Jamie was granted.
He felt sick.
"And on that note," the head of house Lannister stated, "you will be watched carefully."
Jamie grimaced, absently, "I have no wish to hinder my sisters wedding..."
"That's good to hear," Tywin nodded, "But I speak of grandchildren, Jamie..."
The man paled, "Children."
"Yes..." Tywin nodded, again, "the reason for marriage in the first, blessed place! I expect many and often!"
Jamie felt the space whirl about him... children... He had children; two surviving. He hadn't thought of more. He had chosen Brienne as a suitable partner as she matched him in character as a wit and foil... He had also considered she might marry him for the convenience of simply being married and the comfort of knowing the status would satisfy them both… but he hadn't thought about proving their union to anyone.
He had yet to see her reaction to the concept.
Knowing his wench as he did, he assumed that first she would be angered but choose to marry as a placation to her family and to stop any further suitors or searching on her fathers side. She would also be free to travel the country… Jamie didn't need her to remain at Casterly; she could continue whichever quest she desired...
There were many positive arguments he could make as to the convenience for Brienne if she were to say yes… and his part was the knowledge he could assure his father he had abided to the terms of their agreement to save Tyrions life.
There was also a secret part of him that warmed to the idea of Brienne having the protection of the Lannister name... she would not have to concern herself with cut throats and murderers harming or violating her... they would all much rather ransom the whole and unsullied Lady of Casterly Rock... than attempt any form of violence on her.
So many aspects Jamie had considered… and yet he hadn't thought they would have to provide his father with offspring or evidence of coupling...
There were times Jamie had pondered on Big Brienne... he remembered jibing her about how she had wished there was a man out there who could hold her and do all the things she dreamed of when she was alone in the night... He had told her he could. That he was strong enough to make her feel all those things that made her sigh and scream...
Jamie steadied himself, aware of his fathers gaze...
He wasn't exactly certain how he felt about his reaction to those thoughts... but one thing was certain; Brienne would appreciate being bartered for just as much as his sister did.
It was one thing to suggest a marriage of mutual convenience... it was another to demand she turn out children simply to silence his father...
And yet, when he thought on it, it seemed there was no other he would rather share this situation with... it was selfish of him, he supposed…
And then... he thought, Lord Selwyn still might surprise them by refusing.
"You're scheming something..." Tywin finally concluded, bringing Jamie back into the room...
He feigned surprise, "Father... how could I..."
"This marriage, Jamie," his father began, raising to his full height and making his son feel like a teenager once more, "will be binding, it will be fruitful. Then, and only then, will I be at peace that it is legitimate."
Jamie tried to hide the quake of dread taking hold on his heart...
"And this is how you will prove it to me..."
()()()
Of course Briennes father did not refuse his daughters hand to a high-born family; though he had questioned why the Lannisters would seek a union with a lower house…
The Hand of the King had replied that the Lannister fortune offered them the grace to marry whomever they wished, as there was no need to align themselves for money or power… "My son is fortunate, unlike others… and he has chosen your daughter, with your blessing of course…"
Lord Selwyn Tarth seemed dubious, eyeing Jamie to the point that the younger man felt like a blushing squire, "Why Brienne, when there are plentiful ladies in the court?"
Jamie had felt his chest clench then and wondered if Lord Selwyn were asking about his time with Brienne along their travels and if he had kept her honour… or claimed it…
He went to move forward, but his father had blocked him. "I dare not dream to recollect the madness love drives us to, or the effect it has on the young. You may recall those heady days yourself, Selwyn…"
The Lord of Tarth gave another dubious look but smiled slightly…
"My son has asked for your daughters hand in his late years," Jamie huffed in insult, but Tywin continued, "and I am happy to make the appropriate offers to the intended's family." He then moved forward, "But given both their situations, a joining is preferred sooner, rather than later…"
Selwyn looked over Tywins shoulder at Jamie, who felt this sudden urgency was reference to the dangerous path Brienne had set herself upon.
It was suggested that if Lord Selwyn accepted the Lannister offer, Jamie would follow Brienne and they would marry, breaking her quest and bringing her back to safety.
"So she would take residence here, in the palace?" Selwyn asked…
"No," Tywin shook his head, "the happy couple will return to Casterly Rock and rule the Lannister lands for the rest of their days…"
Selwyns face contorted, "I suppose looking out over one sea or the other will make no odds to Brienne…" Then he looked to Jamie, "And she will be protected…"
Jamie felt a swell, "Sir… as always, she will protect me…"
Selwyn nodded and agreed, that was far more like his daughter…
()()()()
"Well how would I bloody-well know?"
Jamie hadn't much liked Bron when they had first met despite Tyrions assertion of the man's integrity. He had, sadly, been proved right when Bron had refused to stand by Tyrions side at the trial but a few weeks past… and yet…
"You were there, wishing Pod a safe journey on my brothers behalf…"
Bron lowed his eyes, bashfully cradling his drink… "How is he?"
"How-" Jamie breathed… containing the shriek before it had begun… he looked around the dingy tavern, "How do you expect a condemned man to be? Stoic? Resolute? …Happy to be alive?"
Bron shook his head, "You don't believe your brother killed your..." his eyes flicked up for an instant, "… king though…"
Jamie scowled, he didn't want to think of it! And he didn't need to be asked questions, "Do you know where Pod and Brienne were heading or not?"
The other man didn't take the tone in his voice lightly and made to stand before recalling who he was speaking to; Jamie Lannister might be the cripple he was teaching to handle a sword again, but at that moment he had five Kingsguard at his call, who wouldn't take kindly to their Captain being slaughtered in a cheap tavern by a mercenary knight who made his money by betrayal…
"I don't think they had firm plans…" Bron said, sniffing loudly and sipping his drink, "think they were just heading down the road and seeing where it took them…"
Useless, Jamie thought, sharp with a blade but dull in every other sense… "I see," he sneered, "thank you for your time."
And as Jamie turned to leave, he heard a quieter, "Remember me to your brother…" that stopped him in his tracks.
Slowly, he turned and looked at the man, now abashed and avoiding his eye… "I will."
()()()()
"You know…" Tyrion said, with a false cheer, "I should be greatful father has provided me with a steed to assist me on the journey…" he motioned to the ass beside him, "Most generous for a man who only wants news of me when I have reached the furthest corner of the kingdoms…"
Jamie shook his head, "I am sorry I haven't visited you more often before this day…"
"Nonesense!" Tyrion sniffed and looked about the gathering of criminals and sold slaves he was preparing to journey with, "You've had your own tortures to contend with…" then he moved closer, "Speaking of; I already bade a fond adieu to our darling sister when she visited lastnight," the smaller man shifted, nervously in his shackles, "she told me I was not getting what I truly deserved and that the seven Gods had cursed me, child killer and butcher of the innocent such as I am, and she would do all in her power to ensure a slow and agonising death…"
Jamie nodded, without anything to say…
Tyrion angled his head, "She then gave me this… as a parting token…"
Visible in the dim light of the stable they were huddled in, Jamie could see a bruised and healing scar… fresh from the cut of a ringed hand…
"She has taken to giving those tokens, of late…" He admitted, recalling his own strike at the hand of Cersei.
"She has always been overly passionate…" Tyrion said, before shrugging, "then again, there's no point in telling you that…"
Jamie remained stoic… he wasn't in the mood for playing games, not today…
"To be honest, I was expecting more than a bruised face… I had thought I would have been called on by all manner of ruffians I had maligned over the years…" he then smiled to his brother, "It was almost as though a person of influence had an eye on me."
Jamie cocked his head, "I don't know what you're talking about."
They smiled at eachother.
"Five minutes, Ser Jamie…" the guard called…
Jamie felt his chest clench…
Gods… he was going to lose his brother… and what was worse is that could think of nothing to do to stop it… there had to be something!
"There isn't, Jamie," Tyrion said, as if reading his mind. "No fighting out of this one… I have had a little time on my hands recently and can think of no way out."
Jamie felt wretched.
"Enough of this… It's depressing!" Tryion took a stride to lean in closer to his brother, "Have you tracked down the beautiful Brienne?"
Jamie winced, "Don't mock, Tyrion…" he said quietly.
The tone in his voice made his brother draw back. Sounding more genuine than he had ever heard him, Jamies brother said, "I wasn't mocking. If she has your attention she must be beautiful… it's not always about outward appearance, you know…" then he smiled, "Trust an expert."
"All I know is that they headed north and kept to the road…"
Tyrion screwed up his face in confusion, "Not the best approach."
"Exactly," Jamie huffed, "strategically, it makes no sense. For a covert mission you would avoid points of contact at all cost…"
"But you forget, dear brother," Tyrion countered, "your maiden is an honourable warrior on a noble quest. She is true and earnest… skulking in the shadows would not suit her character…"
He considered it…
"Come on… you know her better than anyone," Tyrion prodded him in the chest with an elbow… "She would be proud of what she's setting out to achieve."
Jamie smiled, "Yes; she would at that." And when he looked to his brother he caught the other man smiling at him…
"I'm happy for you brother," the younger man admitted, "a much healthier choice, I think, than others in the past…"
"Ser Jamie…" a guard called, "they are coming for them…"
Jamie felt the same panic in his eye that he saw in Tyrions as they shared a final, tight embrace…
"Farewell Tyrion…"
"Fare well…"
And quickly, so as to cause less pain, Jamie stood and left the barn, never looking back and swearing that somehow, some day, he would see his brother again.
()()()
Less than a day after Tyrion had departed for the wall, Jamie had set out along the North Road, heading for the first inn or village he could find… it was lucky his wench was a memorable sort because many recalled the giant woman and small servant that followed after her.
After a few days of searching, Jamie found himself at an inn and after requesting to meet the chef and compliment him on his freshly baked pie, Jamie knew where he was heading… Castle Black. So, perhaps, he thought, he would see Tyrion sooner than he had anticipated!
He set out from the inn on his stallion, grateful for convincing his father that he could track down his bride more swiftly without an entourage… when he came across a village. And in that village was a stable… and in that stable was Brienne… and after the greeting and expected, noble and awkward happiness at seeing each other again, Jamie saw no point in waiting and had knelt before her and asked her to marry him…
And in all that time he had taken to recall the events leading to the moment… she still had not answered him…