The Lion and the Warrior

Casterly Rock

Jaime had all the best clothes brought in for both of them. They got themselves dried, and dressed and went into the master bedroom.

The bed was massive. It could have fit five people. This was going to be nice when they had three or four little ones jumping in the bed with them some day.

"I used to dream that someday this room would be mine. But then I joined the king's guard and I gave up that dream." He said as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Brienne laid next to him and was asleep immediately. He looked down at her and smiled. He needed to sleep as well. He got under the covers and drifted off to sleep.

"Look at you little brother. Lying in our father's bed with this giant whore, expecting a baby. Tell me, are you here out of love, pity, or obligation?"

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Me? What the fuck are you doing here? This is my home."

"I thought you were dead." He said in a disappointed, annoyed tone.

Cersei sat in a large wooden chair, her hair long and flowing. She poured a goblet of wine and sipped casually. "Look at her. Sleeping so peacefully. So large and pregnant. It would be a shame if something happened to her and that baby."

"You could never..."

"Never what Jaime? Never make sure she falls off a cliff? Never drown her in a pool? Never cause her to go into early child birth? And in the same room our mother died giving birth. You should be used to loss by now though...you've lost three children already. Although you could never really be a father to them though, could you?"

Jaime sat up straight and caught his breath, his head was spinning and he was sweating profusely. He looked over at Brienne, still fast asleep. It was past midnight now and the moonlight shone beautifully over the water, smooth as glass. He stepped out on to the balcony and looked out across the sea. He knew Cersei was dead. He put a sword through her heart himself. Yet, this dream, or nightmare, made him realize his fears and regrets.

Brienne stirred a bit and he turned to see if she was alright. She realized he wasn't in the bed and began too look around for him. "I'm right here." he called to her.

She spotted him out on the balcony, looking fresh and clean and couldn't help but admire his physique. He stood there, shirtless, his pants resting on his hips. The muscles in his back were so well-defined, he could have been chiseled from stone. His hair was growing long again, as she liked it. She walked over to him and moved his hair out of his eyes. He kissed her forehead.

"It's beautiful out here." She said looking at the moon.

"Isn't it?"

"Can't you sleep?"

"I had to piss is all. Come on. Let's get back to sleep."

As they laid in the bed trying to sleep, neither of them could quite settle their minds. Brienne thought of her father and how she would like to see him, she wanted him to know that she was with Jaime and that they were getting married and starting a family. A big part of her was happy to be at Casterly Rock, while the other half wanted to be far away from it.

Jaimie thought of his dream and what it might mean. He thought of Joffrey, Tommen and Myrcella. Beautiful, sweet Myrcella, died in his arms after telling him she always knew that he was her father. She loved him anyway. He needed more time with her. He wanted to be able to have that loving father/daughter relationship with her, even if it was in secret, but she was taken away too soon. His children were gone. He never did let himself love them as his children. It was as though he really believed them to be his niece and nephews. Yet, he knew they were his and now that they are gone, he couldn't bear losing another child.

The sun rose, bringing in another day. After breakfast, they went for walk and Jaime was finally able to show Brienne the infamous hundred-foot cliff.

"Here it is. We were seven years old and she didn't think I'd do it. Cersei dared me to jump and without missing a beat I just dove off without fear. As soon as she saw that I was alive and well, she ran to tell father and he...well, he was not impressed." Jaime looked down from the edge of the cliff. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I understand."

"No, I am sorry. I know you don't want to hear about Cersei."

"It's quite complicated isn't it? I know she was your sister. And she was in every aspect of your life - your childhood. I am okay with that. It's just too bad that she was in every aspect of your life. It's hard to separate the relationship sometimes, in my mind, between sister and lover. But she was both and I will learn how to deal with that, I suppose."

"I loved her. I really did. She was my everything. And I know that's hard to hear."

"I am not jealous."

"Then what are you?"

"I don't know. But it's not jealousy. Perhaps disappointment. Sadness. Hurt that there is so much of her that consumes you. And the feeling that I can't compare or make your life better."

"That's not true. I am a better man because of you. I saw that long ago. You've made me a father to a child that will know who I really am and that I love him or her as my child. I am yours forever. Perhaps my past is a little messed up. It's a great mess. But you are my future and there is no one who could make me happier."

She smiled and he kissed her.