Chapter Text
Jaime hated travelling. He really, really hated travelling. Especially when the destination of said travel was some ghastly hunk of rock in the middle of the narrow sea. He’d been told that Tarth was called the Sapphire Isle by its inhabitants and many others who had been unfortunate to cross paths with it, but as their ship sailed through the night, all he could see was darkness. Show me your sapphires, you wretched island, he scoffed internally.
The only thing Jaime hated more than travelling was having to traipse around after his father as he was introduced to one Lord Somebody of Somewhere Boring after the next. At fifteen years old, he intended to be the youngest sworn member of the Kingsguard, not only because he was the best fighter in Westeros, but because it meant that he would inherit none of the duties of the Lord of Casterly Rock or the Warden of the West. No more travelling halfway across the country, then further still by boat, to engage in formalities with the lesser houses.
Tarth was pledged to House Baratheon, which his twin sister Cersei was set to marry into, so his father made it very clear to him that it was important to form a good relationship with Lord Selwyn Tarth from an early stage. Jaime didn’t care much for politics. He cared only for himself, his brother and sister, and his desire to become a knight. Everything else was secondary. One thing that was certainly at the very bottom of the list of things he cared about, right down there with how many rats roamed the sewers of King’s Landing, was who Lord Tarth’s daughter would marry. Come to think of it, he might actually care more about the number of rats.
“Father, would you say that more or less than one million rats live in King’s Landing.” Jaime asked his father as the ship they took passage on docked in the bay of Tarth. His father turned quickly to face him with a look of rage in his eyes. At fifteen, Jaime had not yet come into his full height and stood a little shorter than his father, so he never failed to feel intimidated by his father’s large stature.
“Jaime Lannister you will not embarrass me with such nonsense, do you hear me?” He boomed, but Jaime smirked back at him. Getting under his father’s skin was one of his specialties. He found it one of his most preferred methods of passing the time.
“I’d say more than a million. It really is a gruesome place.” He continued despite his father’s fury. “Maybe even worse than this island you’ve brought me too.” He added with another smirk.
His father twisted his face and raised his arm as though to strike him, but quickly composed himself, presumably due to the fact that they were in public. “I know what you’re doing, you insolent brat. You think if you misbehave that I won’t bring you with me again. Well let me tell you, I don’t bring you on my excursions because I enjoy your company, I bring you because it is expected of me.” Tywin sneered and Jaime felt a sting at his words.
“As a member of the Kingsguard there will be many formalities that are expected of you, so I suggest that you grow up sooner rather than later. When we are escorted to our respective chambers in Evenfall Hall I expect you to get some sleep so that you can be on your best behaviour for the ball tomorrow, do you understand me?”
Jaime’s face burned red with embarrassment as he nodded. Getting scolded and sent to bed by your father was not very knightly. He clenched his fists by his side in anger. The sooner he could become a knight the better, then he would no longer have his father treating him like a child. That night, in his lumpy, uncomfortable bed in one of the guest rooms of Evenfall Hall, he dreamt of his life as a member of the Kingsguard. He would be the most brave, honourable and well respected knight that Westeros had ever known.
-x-
The following evening, as Jaime and his father were escorted to the ballroom, he could already feel the boredom creeping in. The various Lords of the lesser houses of Westeros would have their sons attempt to woo the sole daughter of Lord Tarth, with the hopes of someday inheriting the political seat for themselves, whilst the men would be forming alliances over fine wine and stories of war. The women would likely be engaged in dancing, or gossiping, or whatever it was that women did. That left Jaime as the odd one out.
He’d asked his father on the journey to Tarth if he intended to have him marry the Evenstar’s daughter and his father had scoffed at the suggestion. The House of Tarth was far too insignificant for him to waste the betrothal of his oldest son. Jaime was glad, since he wouldn’t be able to take a wife as a member of the Kingsguard anyways. But it meant that tonight, his presence here was pointless. All he would be able to do was follow his father around, pretending to be interested in whatever he had to say.
As they entered the ballroom, Jaime couldn’t deny the shiver of excitement that ran down his spine as he saw heads turn towards him. Puberty had blessed him with a height that put him above most of the boys his age and his puppy fat had fallen away to leave a chiseled jaw in its wake. His hair fell in soft waves by his shoulders, which was considered desirable by Westerosi standards and he was beginning to fill out the fashionable leather tunics that he wore for occasions such as this. As he walked he felt the weight of his cape which bore the Lannister sigil on his shoulders and he wore it with pride. Despite his dislike for his father, he loved being a Lannister. The respect that the name commanded was second to none.
It seemed as though the evening was going to be as dreary he had expected, until he heard some of the boys snickering just a small distance away from where he stood beside his father. He straightened his back and puffed his chest slightly. Knights did not engage in such childish behaviour. But after a few minutes, the snickering continued and Jaimes curiosity got the better of him. He took his leave from his father and resolved to get to the bottom of the boys’ laughter.
As Jaime approached the group he saw four boys around his age huddled together glancing in the same direction and snickering loudly. “What’s so funny?” Jaime snapped as he approached the group. The boys parted to make their circle a little wider and, hesitantly, Jaime stepped in closer.
“We’re trying to decide who’s turn it is next.” One of the boys laughed. The boy looked slightly older than Jaime, but he wasn’t as tall and he had big crooked teeth with protruded as he spoke. “It’s Wendell’s turn now, but I don’t think anyone will be able to beat him.” The boy said, gesturing towards the middle of the room where they had been glancing before he had approached.
“Turn to do what?” Jaime asked, suspecting the boys were engaged in some sort of trickery. When him and Tyrion were young, they used to tie their guests bootlaces together under the tables so that they would trip when they stood. But that was when they were very young, surely these boys had grown out of this by now?
“To dance with Brienne the Beauty.” One of the other boys laughed maliciously, and Jaime turned to face the centre of the room. He hadn’t cared enough to see what the daughter of Lord Tarth looked like until now, but it only took him a moment to realise who they were talking about. In the middle of the dance floor there was very unfortunate looking girl dancing with a boy who looked like he was barely containing his laughter.
He could see even from this distance that her features sat big and prominently on her face. Her limp blonde hair was pulled back into an ornate hair piece and her silk gown looked expensive, but it was not enough to redeem her mulish looks. His father had told him that she was eleven years old, but already she towered over her dancing partner. Despite all this, however, she was smiling. She practically beamed at the boy dancing with her in awe. He’d never seen someone look so genuinely happy. Jaime’s fists clenched in anger as his sides. “Do you cunts really think its funny to tease a little girl?” He snapped, shocking the boys into silence.
“She may be a girl, but she’s certainly not little.” Laughed the short boy with bad teeth and the others laughed along with him. Jaime felt an intense rage burning inside him on behalf of this young, innocent girl. She didn’t deserve this. He thought about his brother Tyrion and the torment he faced at the hands of nasty children teasing him and he recalled the many nights he had spent with Tyrion as he cried. This girl was an only child, she would have nobody to console her tonight.
Jaime was seconds away from grabbing the boy by the throat and punching out his teeth when he remembered his father’s words of warning. If he caused a scene and started a brawl, there would be no way his father would forgive him. If he wanted to prove to his father that he was mature enough to be a knight, he would have to chose his battles. “Well I won’t stand by and watch.” Jaime muttered, leaving the group swiftly. He’d barely taken three steps when he heard the laugher start again.
He exited the ballroom quickly and followed the corridor until he exited the building and found himself in a small veranda which looked out over the sea. Night had fallen and he was still yet to see the so called sapphire waters. His father would be beside himself with anger if he knew Jaime had fled the building, but he needed a moment away to calm down. That poor girl. He thought to himself over and over, as he found a small bench to sit on.
Less than ten minutes after he had sat down, the door he had exited through flung open and the girl came barrelling out. She had her hands to her face and he could hear her ugly sobs, but she clearly hadn’t noticed him as she flew into the courtyard without registering his presence. He stood up quickly and held out his arms to catch her as she ran past and she landed against his chest with a thud.
“Unhand me at once.” She yelled through her tears and Jaime stepped back slightly, but kept his hands firmly on her shoulder so that she would not flee. She was incredibly tall for such a young girl, but she was still slightly shorter than Jaime, so he had to tilt his head to look at her.
“So I take it you realised then?” He asked, causing more tears to flood from her eyes. She wriggled and her biceps flexed under his grip. The girl was built like an ox. “Forgive my language, my Lady, but those boys are rotten little cunts.” He said, smirking as her eyes flew open in shock. She blushed slightly, presumably at his vulgar language, but then her eyes narrowed sceptically.
“Were you not a part of the joke?” She muttered, eyeballing him with suspicion. Fuck those boys. She would likely be wary of any kindness shown to her for the rest of her life.
“Gods no.” Jaime said firmly, then released his grip on her shoulders as she seemed less likely to run away sobbing than she had done a moment ago. As she stared at him, he noticed how big and round her eyes were. And how blue too. He suspected that Tarth was not called the Sapphire Island for the blue of its waters, but for the blue of her eyes. After a moment he let out a long sigh and sat back onto his bench, gesturing for her to sit with him. She sat down with none of the grace of the girls he had grown up with and hunched her shoulders awkwardly. Gods, she really didn’t help herself.
“I am the ugliest girl alive.” She said blankly, staring at the sea in the distance. He could tell that she didn’t seek his pity, as she spoke so very matter of factly. He wanted to shove his sword down the throat of every boy at that dance.
“So what if you are?” He shrugged. She turned and glared at him as though she would tear his head from his shoulders and he held up his hands in mock defence. “Forgive me, Lady Brienne, but all I meant is that perhaps being some cunty Lords perfumed housewife is not what you are destined to be.” As he spoke he took her awkwardness in once more and he couldn’t imagine her having any of the skills such as needle point or singing that were usually bestowed upon a highborn lady.
“What else is there?” She gauped at him, her large mouth hanging open in surprise.
“You could be a knight?” He smirked. “You’ve got the stature for it.”
She furrowed her forehead together and fresh tears sprang to her eyes. “Don’t mock me.” She hissed through gritted teeth.
“I’m not mocking you.” Jaime grinned back. “I think you’d make an excellent warrior. You’d certainly knock those little shits into the dirt, that’s for sure.” Her expression softened slightly but her forehead remained crinkled and her eyes were narrow slits of scepticism. “Why don’t you take me to Evenfall’s training yard and I can give you your first lesson?”
A soft blush creeped over her cheeks and her eyes widened in surprise. “It’s far too late at night for that, Lord-” She told him, but hesitated when she got to his name.
“Lannister. Jaime Lannister.” He told her, not knowing it was possible for her eyes to widen any further.
“Lannister?” She stammered. “Father will be so angry at me for making a fool out of myself in front of a Lannister.” She said with worry, dropping her gaze to the floor. Jaime reached out to cover his hand with hers so that she would look at him.
“The only fools are the boys inside.” He smiled softly and she smiled back. “So it’s a definite no to the training yard?” He added with a smirk.
“I’m afraid so.” She nodded gently. He was about to reply when he heard a voice from the doorway.
“Lady Brienne, are you out here?” The voice called. Jaime looked up to see none other than Renly Baratheon waking into the courtyard. “There you are.” He said, sounding relieved as he crossed the distance to where they sat. Jaime quickly removed his hand from hers as Renly approached. When he reached them he took one look at Brienne’s damp puffy eyes and turned pointedly to Jaime. “Was this your doing?” He snapped.
Jaime was about to defend himself when Brienne spoke up “No, my Lord. He has been very kind to me.” She said softly and it warmed his heart to know she felt that way. Renly narrowed his eyes at Jaime but then softened his face into a smile and turned back to Brienne.
“My Lady, I have come to ask you to dance.” Renly said, bowing and holding out his hand to her. Jaime was furious that Renly had assumed that he had made Brienne cry, but he also knew that Renly did not have a malicious bone in his body and he was only trying to look out for her. He’d known Renly since they were children and in all that time he’d never known him to behave badly. Plus, his… inclinations were one of the worst kept secrets in court, so he trusted Brienne would be safe with him.
Brienne on the other hand did not know Renly and he saw her shoulders tense in aprehension. She looked at Jaime nervously and didn’t respond to his offer to dance right away.
“Its okay, my Lady. Renly won’t harm you.” Jaime said reassuringly and gestured towards Renly’s outstretched hand for her to take it. Hesitantly, she took Renly’s hand and let him guide her through the courtyard and back towards the building, but she glanced at Jaime over her shoulder the entire time, making him smirk widely.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the training yard?” He called after her, not missing the wide grin on her face as the door closed.