To guarantee the safety of the woman he loved, Brienne of Tarth, Jaime Lannister dragged his sister to her death in the collapse of the Red Keep, sacrificing his own life in the process. Now, Jaime must ensure Brienne's future, from beyond the grave...
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The sun rose again, warm and bright. The Red Keep stood tall and strong once more. The repairs from the Dragon Queen's destruction were complete, and save for a few minor changes to accommodate the needs of the new king the fortress appeared unscathed. Westeros was slowly rebuilding, becoming stronger than it had ever been. It was as if nothing had ever happened. But something had happened, something terrible and dreadful and sad. Those who had lived through The War of the Five Kings, the return of Daenarys Targaryen, and The Long Night's battle against the Night King and his dead minions would never be the same.
Jaime Lannister had been a casualty not only of the conflicts fought for power, but of the twisted obsession he had fostered throughout life for his own sister. In the end Jaime had quit that guilty incestuous compulsion for the sake of his true soulmate, the woman he loved more than life itself, Brienne of Tarth. He had sacrificed himself so she would always be safe, and the Gods had seen fit to make him her protector, for all time. It had been his choices that brought him finally to stand unseen at Brienne's bedside within her newly appointed quarters in Kings Lanting marveling at her majesty, while at the same time lamenting all that might have been.
'Lord Commander.' Jaime whispered to himself as he gazed adoringly at Brienne. He could barely contain the pride that burst within him at her accomplishments, as well as her new station.
The Gods had charged him with choosing the man who would marry his own lady love, and he was certain of his selection. Fate had worked in such a way that the worthy champion would arrive in King Landing within a matter of days. Jaime wondered if King Bran was aware of the Gods' plan. The boy ruler had done away with much of the old conventions under which the Small Council and the Monarchy itself had operated. One of those outdated practices was the Oath of Celibacy once required for members of the Kings Guard. The promise he himself had sworn, and foresaken quickly and often with Cersei. The thought sickened him. If he had known Brienne was waiting along his life's path, he would have never allowed his lust to lead him. He would have resisted even his sister's best efforts to turn him to her affections. It was a useless regret. He could change nothing now. All he could do was watch over Brienne, and see to it that her life was happy and fulfilled, the way his would have been with her. As it was, the man with whom he would entrust Brienne's heart would soon take over the role of Master of War, and his life would become entwined with hers. Jaime's challenge now would be to somehow get Brienne to accept the new contender for her heart.
Almost as if she sensed his presence Brienne murmured sweetly, still lost in a dream, as sleep began to lift its trance from her. She stretched and rolled toward the empty side of the bed where Jaime had been when they shared their nights at Winterfell. Unconsciously, Brienne reached for him as she had done the moment she realized he was gone. For a fleeting second a contented smile crossed her face.
'Had she been dreaming of me?' Jaime wondered, hopefully.
The expression of anticipation and familiarity left her features as she opened her eyes only to realize once more that Jaime was not beside her. What was left of the air in her lungs, was spent in a disappointed sigh. She stared for a moment at the empty pillow, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Then, she unknowingly lifted her gaze to where Jaime stood guard over her. Her empty forlorn stare pierced through him, and he was crushed by the sadness he saw within her.
