The Lion and the Warrior

The Scroll

"You're so impatient!" Brienne laughed.

"You can't tell me you're not dying to know."

"No!  Believe me no one is more ready than me.  I feel like I am carrying three babies.  I think it's a...boy.  And I have no idea what to name him."

"Well, I can help with that."

"Oh no, there is not room for another Jaime Lannister in the world."

"No.  I suppose you're right about that.  He will be better than me anyway.  He will be 5 times the fighter and much smarter."

"Maybe it's a girl.  In that case, she will be 10 times the fighter you were because I am her mother,"  she said in a serious tone.

"Well...yes, but..."

Brienne burst into laughter.  "You should see your face!"  she continued to laugh.

"Oh you think you're funny! You are.  You're funny."

"I know." she smiled.

"It's a boy." he said.

"He still needs a name."

"Braime!"  Jaime said.

"Are you mad? That's bloody ridiculous for a child." she laughed.

"James Brian." Jaime said with confidence.

"Brian James," she said.

"James Renley,"  Jamie declared.

Her face lit up, her beautiful eyes grew wide and her smile could not have been larger.  "Jaime!  I love it!" She took his face in her hands and kissed him, "are you sure, are you really okay with that?"

He burst into laughter, "The look on your face is all the assurance I need.  Yes.  James Renley it is.  Now, what if we have a girl?"

"If it's a girl, I think she should have a fancy, beautiful name.  Saphira - like the Sapphires you saved me with."

Jaime smiled, "It's brilliant."

"Do you see why she'd be so clever?  I'm her mother."  She threw her head back with laughter and Jaime moved in kissing her neck.

A loud knock at the door startled them both, "My apologies my lord, my lady.  A raven from Evenfall. For Lady Brienne."

"Thank you," Jaime took the scroll and handed it to Brienne.  He had a sick feeling about this, as it was rare for word from Evenfall.

Brienne opened the scroll and read it quietly.  She placed it on the table and walked out to the balcony without a word.  Jaime picked up the scroll and quickly read it. "Lady Brienne, it is with deep regret and sincere sympathy that we must inform you of Lord Selwyn's passing in his sleep.  We await word from you as to your arrival at Evenfall."

He looked over at his wife, staring out across the sea.  He had no idea what to do or what to say.  He couldn't imagine how devastated she was.  He walked over to her and put his arms around her.

"I'm so sorry."

She began to sob.  She turned away from him and went into the bedroom.  She just stood there, not knowing what to do with herself.  She looked around for a moment, her head spinning.  She sat on the bed with her head in her hands.  Jaime sat next to her with his arm around her.  She collapsed on his chest.  "It's alright, my love.  It's going to be alright."

The evening turned into night without either of them saying another word.  They laid on the bed and just held on to one another.  It was late, and Jaime felt that Brienne needed to eat, but he knew she wouldn't listen.

He placed his hand over her belly and could feel his baby moving.  He was only able to feel movement twice before, and was always amazed.  He never felt his other children with Cersei.  It seemed they were never together when the babies moved within her.  He truly cherished this moment and didn't want it to end.

"It's the greatest feeling ever.  Isn't it?"  She asked.

"Yes it is," he answered quietly.  He kissed her forehead.  He caressed her belly and the baby continued to move.  "I think he might be hungry.  Would you like something to eat?"

"I don't know if I can."

"Can you try?  For the baby?"

"Alright."

Jaime had the cook bring up some fruit, a chicken and some warm bread for them.  Brienne tried her hardest but a few bites were all she could manage.

"Jaime, I just can't.  I just...I don't even want to look at this."

"Ok, its alright.  Let's have a bath and try to get some sleep, right?"

"Right then."  she barely smiled and followed him to the next room, where there was a warm tub waiting for them.

Once in the tub, Jaime sat on one side, and Brienne on the other.  They sat in silence, for a long time;  Brienne staring at the water and Jaime just watching her, at a loss for words.

She picked up a brush and started to scrub.  He rushed over, "Let me help you."  She tossed the brush down without a word; not feeling much like doing anything and frankly not caring.

He left the brush floating in the water and pulled her closer to him.  He pulled her back against him, wetting her hair and looking into her eyes.  She looked at him with tears flowing. "I don't know how to do this."

"No one does, Brienne.  You just...do."

He continued to wash her hair and all the rest of her.  She didn't look up at him again until he wiped a tear from her cheek.  She took his face in her hands and kissed his lips.  "You have to make this go away." She leaned her head against his,  "Please, make this feeling go away."

Jaime kissed her again and held her close to him.  "I want to help you...I just don't know how."

"Yes you do.  You know you do."