Jaime
It had taken Jaime a few days to get back on his feet after the long journey from the North to Tarth. He'd slept a lot. He hadn't been in the physical state for such a long trip, but he felt like it had been worth it. All he'd wanted for a long time was to be reunited with Brienne...and his daughter he could name like this. He couldn't remember ever feeling so good. Even if his leg still hurt - would hurt for a long while - he was able to enjoy his time at Tarth. Like he'd imagined a few years before when he had seen the island from a distance, it was gorgeous all around here. Funnily, it felt more like home like Casterly Rock had ever done.
He spent most days with Brienne, Joanna, and Selwyn. Most people didn't trust him first, but the more time he'd spent with Selwyn, the more people showed kindness towards him. It wasn't just the island that was special, the folks living here were that too.
Jaime felt parts of him healing, he hadn't thought that need to recover. He got stronger with every passing day, and after a few weeks, he felt more like himself again like ever before. Jaime felt like he could smile again, even the memory of his sister faded away more and more.
He wasn't sad about it.
Jaime's future was Brienne.
It had ever been her and no one else.
He had a family now, and today, he would propose, because he wanted to call her his wife. He'd talked to Selwyn yesterday, and he'd given his blessings. Brienne's father was more than thrilled that she finally found someone who loved her like she deserved it. And Selwyn couldn't care less that it was him, Jaime Lannister, who'd captured Brienne's heart. Jaime was relieved in every possible way. And nervous. He knew Brienne wouldn't want something pretty romantic and Jaime wanted to make it all about her. He would propose to her in silence. Just the two of them.
So, he invited her on a trip. Selwyn had suggested they could spend the night in one of his farmhouses on the cliffs of Tarth and Jaime had agreed immediately.
Podrick had brought some supplies in there earlier, so they just could spend the day out there, riding, talking.
"Thank you for doing this with me," Brienne told him, as they were riding side by side. "I haven't done this for a long time."
"You're welcome. I'm glad also. Spending time with you is just what I need today. We have a whole day, where do you want to go?"
"I don't care. Let the horses take the lead," Brienne answered. She was so relaxed around here. Jaime hadn't seen her like this since he got to know her. It was much appreciated to see her calm and relaxed.
They hadn't had much time to talk, with Joanna always around them. Not that he didn't like, having her around, he loved that little girl from the moment, she'd greeted him on the harbor the day he'd reached Tarth. But spending time with Brienne was essential for him, too.
"Alright, but I have a surprise in the evening," he answered, smiling.
"A surprise? What kind of surprise?" Brienne asked promptly, she wasn't someone who loved surprises. Too many people had made jokes about her. But Jaime knew she trusted him, so he kept smiling.
"A surprise, my love, is something, the person who's getting surprised isn't supposed to know," he answered with one of his brightest smiles as he looked in her direction. Brienne snorted at this answer.
"I know what a surprise is. Can you give me a hint at least?" She asked him with a curious voice.
"That's something I can do, my Lady. We'll stay overnight!" Jaime answered, grinning from ear to ear and broke into a gallop with his horse. He hadn't felt this free for a very long time and just enjoyed his time with Brienne. She followed him, was right behind him and together they had the most beautiful day. Brienne showed him many places that made him love Tarth even more.
In the evening they made their way to the farmhouse, Podrick had prepared for him and Brienne. Jaime was relieved that he had this young man around. As they walked into that farmhouse, Brienne made a surprised gasp, and even Jaime was speechless for a moment. Podrick had made it really cozy for the both of them. Enough food and wine for many days were prepared for them, and he had even managed to get a warm fire in the fireplace. Soft blankets were laying on the bed and clothes to change in the cupboard. This young man had thought about everything. Jaime smiled and looked at the woman he loved so much. She was beaming just like him, because of the sight in front of them.
"You did that?" She asked him, surprise in her voice and he nodded.
"I had a little help. Your father showed me that farmhouse and Podrick brought all the things over here we would need," he explained, and she nodded in understanding.
"Thank you," she turned her head and smiled at him. Jaime took her hand.
"Everything for you, my Lady," he answered and walked with her to the already prepared table. Podrick must have left the cabin just minutes before they had arrived, Jaime thought as he helped Brienne to sit down. He sat down in front of her and poured each of them a glass of wine. They ate together while they kept talking. There were many things to talk about. What had happened after they'd lost each other in the Great War? Who'd helped them? The death of Tormund Giantsbane was a great topic. Jaime knew Brienne hadn't loved him, but she'd been grateful for the man's help and Jaime was that too. If it hadn't been Tormund, Jaime would already be dead for a long while now. Jaime told her, where he was buried, which relieved Brienne. At least, Tormund had found a piece of earth where he would have his last rest.
Brienne
She'd enjoyed the whole day, spending just time with Jaime, talking about everything that had happened while they'd been apart. Also, spending time in silence with him, like they did right now. They sat in front of the warm fire, enjoying the heat that was coming from the fireplace, while they were holding hands. It felt so natural to her, to be together with Jaime. Her father often had talked about soulmates. How her mother had been his. And even if Brienne hadn't believed in something like this before, she now thought that Jaime was precisely that...her soulmate. He hadn't been from the beginning of their journey. Seven hells, no! If she hadn't vowed to bring him to Kingslanding, Brienne had killed that man, to just shut him up. But he'd changed so much over the time they'd spent together that she almost forgot how he was before. Arrogant and self-regarding. There was nothing left of the man she'd met so many years ago, sitting in the dirt as a prisoner of Catelyn Starks son. But they've grown together somehow and even found love in each other. Jaime had been Brienne's first man, he would be her last man too. She wouldn't have another man on her side, just him. She loved him with all her being, and she knew he loved her likewise. Jaime showed it in everything he did when they were together. He reached out for her hand when she was close to him. Caressed her back when they stood together, talking with someone. Held her in his arms when they fell into sleep. Never, Brienne of Tarth had thought, she would find a man who was able to love her, just the way she was. She knew better now and was glad to have this experience. Also, she'd never thought she would want something like this. Cuddling, kissing and all that stuff. But she learned about herself more and more. Honestly, Brienne craved for his touch, for being close to him. Even being a mother was better than Brienne ever thought. Joanna was such a lovely little girl, and Brienne loved her and Jaime's daughter beyond words.
While they sat together in silence, Jaime shifted a little to get something out of his pocket. Brienne looked at his direction, just to see the most nervous expression on his face. What had changed?
"Jamie?" She asked, and he showed her a nervous smile.
"Brienne. There is something I want to ask you. Now that I'm back, that we're together, I think it's time for the next step."
Next step, next step...what did he mean? Brienne was confused beyond words and just stared at the man in front of her. She really didn't know what to ask now. Jaime, somehow always realizing when she was confused, smiled again and took both her hands in his.
"Your father wanted me to do this in front of all his fellows, but I didn't think you would be comfortable with it, so I chose to do it tonight, here in that farmhouse. I wanted you to be relaxed and that you are...are you?" he asked her. Brienne only nodded in response. Somehow she knew, what was about to come, but she hadn't thought about it. Never even imagined that a man would want to marry her. And here he sat, at her side, holding her hand in his own, and about to propose. Brienne turned her head to look at him with a mixture of nervousness and amusement.
"Alright. You know Brienne, I want to do everything right, I want to make you happy. You saved my life, you hold it in your hands. All these years ago, I never thought, I would learn anew what love, true love means, but you showed it to me. You kept me strong, even if you weren't with me, you didn't make me lose hope. And I have to thank you for that. If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't be here anymore."
"Jaime...," she tried to stop him, but Jaime wouldn't let her, he needed to say all these things that made her blush but also made her feel so loved and special.
"No, Brienne, honestly. I'm grateful for everything that happened to me since we've met. You made someone out of me, I'm actually able to like, and that's more than I ever imagined. You made the man of honor of me I always wanted to be."
"I haven't done anything." Again she tried it. She didn't feel like she was the reason for his change. Brienne had just been herself all the time. It was nothing, really nothing special.
"Don't talk yourself out of it. It's been you all the time. And I'm the luckiest human being for knowing that you love me. That you gave birth to our child and protected it when I couldn't. Brienne you are the love of my life, and I can't think about being apart from you anymore. I want you at my side, I want you to call my wife. And that's why I'm asking you: do you want to marry me?"
There it was. The question. Brienne stared at Jaime like he'd been grown three heads. He really had asked her. Nervous as he was, he stared right back at her. Surely waiting for a response. But Brienne had lost her ability of speech. It felt like an eternity until Jaime spoke again.
"Brienne?" He asked her, tenderly caressing her hand. Jaime knew just what she needed. Brienne snapped back into presence, taking a deep, calming breath.
"I'm sorry...I want to...really. But have you thought about it twice? I mean...," again, Jaime just knew what she needed. He'd told her he loved her earlier but she needed proof, and that was, what he would give her. Jaime let go of her hand and cupped both of her cheeks. Only seconds later, he pressed his lips against hers in a tender kiss, which would grow more and more passionate.
"I love you, more than words can say, more than I would ever be able to describe, Brienne of Tarth," he panted between two kisses, pulling her into his arms like she'd belonged there.
"I don't need to think about it twice. You are the woman I want at my side, the woman I truly love. And I ask you again. Be sure, I wouldn't ask you if I weren't sure. And that I am for many years now. Do you want to marry me?"
Brienne felt her eyes burning with tears, but she refused to let them go. He really wanted her, Brienne of Tarth at his side. She couldn't be happier right now. So, there was only one answer to give. "Yes. Yes, I want to marry you, Jaime Lannister!"