The Lion and the Warrior

Name Day Gifts

The moon reflected on Blackwater Bay, and a warm summer breeze blew through Brienne's hair.

"Do you know how beautiful you look tonight?"

She smiled and looked at the ground below.

"Why don't you tell me, Ser Jaime?"

"You are absolutely gorgeous. More beautiful than a clear night with a million stars."

She laughed at him. "Don't laugh at your husband, it's rude."

"You're out of your mind, Jaime Lannister." She flirted.

"Out of my mind in love with you." They stood near the seawall, kissing in the moonlight. A romantic evening it was, indeed. He took her hand and led her to a bench close to the water. "I have something for you."

"Another name day present?"

"Well, last night's presents were from James. This one," he said reaching into his jacket, "is from me." He pulled out a small box, and Brienne's face lit up.

"This is exciting," she beamed.

He started biting his bottom lip, as he always does with happiness and anticipation; he just couldn't wait for her to open it.

"Go on then, open the box!"

She opened the box to see a ring band made completely of white diamonds.

"Gods, what have you done? This is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen!"

"Here, let me put it on you."

She held out her hand and he slowly slipped it on her finger. "It's perfect for you."

Brienne held out her hand and looked at this beautiful piece of artwork that her love had specially made for her. She looked at her hands, they weren't exactly dainty and pretty. And yet, this ring made her feel beautiful. He had the diamonds cut just the right size to actually compliment her.

"It is perfect." She threw her arms his neck and kissed him.

Months passed, and Brienne was now in her 8th month of pregnancy. Jaime had taken over most of her duties as Lord Commander of the Royal Guard. Both James and Rhaella were beyond excited about the new baby coming and they were looking forward to helping as much as possible. Even Jon and Daenerys were excited and ready for the baby to be here.

Brienne turned to Jaime late one night, "You're not sleeping."

"No, I'm not. You can't sleep?"

"No. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, I just can't get to sleep."

"If you can't sleep, it's because something is bothering you. Tell me."

"It's nothing."

"You're lying. And we said we wouldn't keep things from each other. Ever."

"Well then you're lying too. So we're even."

"How do you figure I am lying?"

"Because you're 8 months pregnant and simply breathing makes you exhausted. So if nothing was wrong, you'd be sleeping too."

"I'll talk to you if you talk to me. But you have to talk first."

"I'll just stay up all night."

"No!"

"I'm worried about you and the baby. I didn't want to say anything because if you weren't thinking about it already, I didn't want you to worry."

"Well. Now I am thinking that way. Like what? Like something might happen to me or the baby?"

"You see? That is why I wasn't going to say anything."

"No, no, I'm just teasing you. I've been thinking about this since I realized I pregnant."

"So have I. So we've both been keeping this in for 8 months."

She was quiet. Jaime asked, "Why didn't you just tell me how you felt?"

"I wanted to be happy. I wanted you to be happy and I didn't want this cloud of fear overshadowing this wonderful time for us and for James. But gods, I am so scared. I mean, I don't think we need to worry. I have a good feeling about this. I do. But I can't help think about Saphira and I can't handle this again."

"I feel the same way. But you know...I am more afraid of losing you than anything. Does that sound horrible?"

"I don't know. I don't think so."

"I was afraid the first time, when the twin were born. My mother died giving birth Tyrion, and I...can't lose you."

"You're not. I'm not going anywhere. I know it's hard."

"I am sorry we didn't talk about this before. We should have."

"There is something to be said about protecting the ones we love."

"We suffer for their happiness."

"We suffer for their happiness at the consequence of ourselves, only to find out that it's really their consequence."

Eliana Lannister had arrived and James was finally a big brother. Everyone celebrated and took turns holding the new little lioness. Uncle Tyrion came to visit, of course bearing gifts for Eliana as well as James and Rhaella, and his sister-in-law, who did the hard part. Podrick came in to congratulate his dear friend and to see her new baby, and Daenerys caught a bit of baby fever, but only briefly.

The bells rang outside the Red Keep to let everyone that the baby had arrived and Jaime couldn't have been more proud; his baby girl was born on his 42nd name day, and his wife couldn't have given him a better gift.