The Lion and the Warrior

Too Many Miles To Go

James' face lit up as the castle gates rose. He watched as a parade of horses and carriages lead him, Jaime and Brienne across the drawbridge. Jaime and Brienne shared a smile as they watched the reaction of their little boy seeing the world outside of Casterly Rock for the very first time.

There was a whole, wonderful world just waiting to be explored by James, and there was no turning back. He enjoyed watching the scenery for a while - the trees, hills, mountains, creeks and streams; and as fascinating as all of this was, he was still a typical five year old who grew restless and bored.

He moved around from one side of the carriage to the other. One moment he was sitting by himself, the next he wanted to sit with Jaime, then within five minutes, he wanted to sit with Brienne.

Finally, it was time to stop for lunch. "It is going to be a long few weeks of travel." Jaime whispered to Brienne as James jumped out of the carriage.

"Maybe we can slip him some milk of the poppy?" Brienne jokingly replied.

"That would be helpful."

They stopped at a beautiful little spot, surrounded by trees, with a brook running through the middle.

James pulled out his wooden sword and pointed it at Jaime, "Draw your sword, Ser Jaime!"

"I don't have a sword, my lord. I surrender," Jaime put his hands up.

"You're going to be my prisoner."

"James...please. Settle down for a minute, let's eat something and then we can play for a while before we get back on the road. How about we stretch our legs and take a walk while we wait for lunch to be set up?"

"Oh ok, but be my prisoner while we walk."

"Only eight hundred miles to go, Brienne," Jaime said to his wife who just laughed. "Come on son, let's go pee against that tree over there."

Brienne took advantage of the peace and quiet by sitting under a tree and stretching her legs. The words, "You're my prisoner," resonated with Brienne, taking her back to when she met Jaime for the first time.

He was full of relentless insults and would not shut up, but even wearing rags, and being quite dirty, he was still incredibly handsome. He made it known from the moment he laid eyes on her exactly what he thought of her. He made her feel embarrassed and ugly - just like every other man she had ever met. Brienne hated thinking back to that time. But as painful as it was, it was also the beginning of their beautiful relationship. Their constant arguments were a turn on to them both, but neither would have ever admitted so. Their sword fight earned them each respect in the other's eyes and when they became Locke's prisoners, Jaime became a hero more than once; but so had she.

There was that night he saved her with a lie, promising sapphires for her return to her father. How that stung her eyes and stopped her heart each time she remembered. The man who became the love of her life and father of her child lost his hand saving her.

Then there was the bear. No one had ever done something so brave for her, nor had she ever seen such bravery under any circumstances. He jumped into a bear pit, one-handed, unarmed and still weak with injury and fatigue, to save her from a ferocious bear. They could have both lost their lives. What she never knew was that he would have rather died than leave her. He didn't know why at that time. He just couldn't leave her.

Jaime walked up with James riding on his shoulders. "Lunch is ready my lady!" James called out to Brienne, as Jaime got down on his knee for James to climb down.

Brienne stood up and looked at Jaime, a bit misty-eyed and put her arms around his neck, holding him tight.

"Did I ever tell you...you are the bravest man I have ever known?"

"Did I ever tell you that you are, without a doubt, the bravest woman I have ever known?"

"You just did," she laughed.

"What's this about?" He pulled away asking.

"James said you were his prisoner. And I started thinking back in time...a long time ago."

"I see. Well, let's be grateful, shall we?" Brienne looked at him with admiration, yet sorrow and regret. Jaime continued, "If I still had my hand, I would still be the person you once believed me to be - you never would have known me to be any different. I don't know that I would have jumped into that bear pit, and we wouldn't be standing here today. So, I am grateful that I lost my sword hand. I lost a hand. But I have you and James. Sometimes, we have to break to become whole again." She kissed his lips and took his hand.

"I love you, Ser Jaime," she said.

After lunch, James finally got his wish. Jaime went to the carriage and got his own wooden sword. He walked over to his son who was finishing his juice and drew his sword, pointing it at James, who immediately stood and drew his own wooden sword.

"Don't grimace before you lunge." Jaime said, "I had to break your mother of that. It gives away the game." He grinned at Brienne and James stabbed him in the stomach sword.

As Jaime fell to his knees, his son stated, "And don't look at pretty ladies while you're fighting. You'll die."