Jaime dared not move for fear that his dream would shatter. Did he truly hear those words flow from Dimeria's mouth? Surely not, but then again...he was still standing there; his arms wrapped around Dimeria's waist, her fingers tangled in his hair, their lips just mere centimeters from each other's. He risked opening his eyes to peer down at Dimeria, trying to mentally prepare himself for the heartbreak that would ensue should it all be a dream and he woke up to see his pale ceiling rather than Dimeria's deep, blue eyes.

But she was there. She was right there in front of him, gazing lovingly into his face.

Lovingly…

Gods, to finally know with absolute certainty that love was in Dimeria's eyes. His heart filled with unbelievable elation as he struggled to accept that this was reality; for once in his life, the right person loved him back. A part of his mind still didn't want to believe that Dimeria had said those words for fear of everything being false, but Jaime quickly cast those fears away. Even if this was a dream, it was the best dream he had had in years. But his heart knew this was real. Not even his subconscious had the power to conjure up the intense emotions that were filling his body.

Their next movements seemed to be orchestrated by some unknown angel above. Within seconds Jaime's lips were back on Dimeria's, their bodies pressed flush against each other. Neither one of them thought of the outside world at this moment; they were the only two beings that existed throughout all of time and space. The unrestrained passion, the complete honesty...the boundless love that they held for each other was all that mattered...was all that they cared about.

Jaime's hands caressed Dimeria's skin with tender affection. The fear of those toxic hands in Dimeria's past were vanquished by the outpouring of Jaime's love. Not only was Dimeria unafraid of Jaime's touch, she reveled in it. Her heart pounded with excitement and desire as she moved her own hands over Jaime's muscled form, searching for the ends of his clothing-desperate to feel more of him. Their breaths came quickly. Their hands searched frantically. Their lips grew swollen and tender. A desire that had yet to be truly satisfied encompassed both of their bodies as Jaime began leading the both of them to his bed.

Dimeria's heart skipped an impossibly fast beat as the back of her legs made contact with the edge of the bed, but she did not falter in her adoration of Jaime's body. As soon as Dimeria had shed Jaime of his shirt and left him bare-chested, Jaime pulled the tie from Dimeria's braid, allowing her hair to slowly cover her back and shoulders with dark waves. A growl from deep within Jaime's throat escaped his mouth as Dimeria raked her hands up and down his chest and over his shoulders.

Acting upon the aggressive nature Dimeria was inciting within him, Jaime bit down on her bottom lip and elicited a sharp gasp from her delectable mouth. Before she had a chance to react, Jaime took the opportunity to move his lips to her cheek, along her jawline, and down her neck; all the while using his hands to work Dimeria's own clothes off her body. Desperate pants escaped from Dimeria's mouth into Jaime's ear as he left hot, open-mouthed kisses all along her neck. Dimeria tightened her grip on Jaime and pushed his hips closer to hers, yearning to put out the impossibly large fire Jaime was igniting within her core.

Everything was happening quickly, yet both Jaime and Dimeria were able to absorb every small detail. Dimeria would forever remember the way Jaime's muscles rippled under her fingers, the way his lips whispered his eternal love for her, and the way his gentle touches filled her heart with such passion that she thought it would burst. Jaime would never forget the way Dimeria's soft skin responded with what felt like electricity under his fingertips, the way she arched her body into his as he laid her gently back onto the bed, and the way her touches conveyed all of the love and acceptance she held for him. They would both remember the intriguing shiver that swam over their skin as their bare bodies made contact for the first time. They would remember the moment their eyes met, both of them knowing what would happen from that moment on, neither of them scared for it to occur.

Jaime began trailing his lips down Dimeria's body, starting from her neck and leaving hot kisses along her breasts on his way. He savored the way her breathing hitched as his mouth encompassed one nipple and then the next.

"Jaime…"

Dimeria's lips whispered his name with desire, causing Jaime to cease his veneration of Dimeria's body at her navel as he peered back up to her face. Her eyes were shut tightly as she desperately tried to absorb each and every sensation Jaime was enkindling within her body. Jaime smiled softly as he made his way back up to Dimeria's lips, bearing most of his weight on his right arm to spare her from being crushed and stroking loose hairs from her forehead with his left hand. She opened her eyes as his coarse hand cupped her cheek, blue eyes blazing with burning passion.

Jaime stroked Dimeria's soft cheek with his thumb before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Are you sure?" He whispered down to her.

Dimeria reached up and pulled Jaime's lips down to hers. "Yes." She said against his mouth. Jaime smiled and kissed her once more before finally connecting with Dimeria in the most wonderful way possible.

…

Dimeria wasn't quite sure what to expect. After all, she never had any Septa or mother to prepare her for bedding a man, but she did know there would be pain. That's why young maidens were always so afraid of being raped or of sleeping with their husband for the first time. Not to mention that she remembered all too well the threats that she received at the Wall, and from Locke's men in the Riverlands. So somewhere in the back of her mind during the heated passion between her and Jaime, Dimeria was waiting for the pain. And although a slight whimper and a gasp escaped her lips when it happened, she was not surprised or afraid of it.

Dimeria was no stranger to being hurt; it had happened many times before. And besides, the pain and discomfort of Jaime being inside her was nothing compared to the mind-shattering pleasure it brought moments later. Not long after Dimeria was digging her nails into Jaime's shoulders in order to block out the pain, she began wrapping her legs around Jaime's hips to spur him forward. A moan that Dimeria hadn't even been aware she could produce escaped her lips as Jaime pushed slowly and deeply into her.

Although Dimeria was severely outmatched when it came to sex, she found her body moving of its own accord. Her hips began meeting Jaime's thrusts and her mouth let loose pleasured screams with nearly every breath. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before; not only physically, but emotionally as well. Dimeria and Jaime had always been close. After everything they had been through together, it was practically inevitable for them to be that way. They had learned to rely on each other, to trust each other, to accept each other wholeheartedly despite their many flaws.

But this was so much more. It was the culmination of their feelings towards each other. It wasn't simply the two of them finally having sex together. They seemed to be completing each other on a deep, spiritual level at this point; they were one. It brought about the same joy and satisfaction that comes along when fitting in the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle, but multiplied to a number not even the gods could reach. Along with the indescribable pleasure Jaime was bringing to her body came the unforgettable feeling of what Dimeria believed to be an otherworldly love that came from this newfound connection their souls had made.

Before she knew it, Dimeria's lower stomach muscles had constricted into tight coils, begging to be unwound and soothed. Rapacious moans were replaced by desperate whimpers as her greedy bodily instincts overcame her clear thoughts and drove her body to do whatever it took to find release. And finally, it came. Each muscle in her body snapped to attention as she squeezed her eyes shut and allowed Jaime's name to fly from her lips. Her back arched into Jaime's chest, her hips jerking involuntarily against Jaime's own. After several seemingly endless moments of pure bliss- moments where she was barely able to comprehend that Jaime had reached his own end- Dimeria's muscles began to collapse from exhaustion. Forgetting his earlier intention of trying not to crush Dimeria with his own weight, Jaime succumbed to his own weariness and lay his body on top of Dimeria's. Warm breaths puffed over Dimeria's ear from Jaime's parted lips.

Neither of them were aware of whether they were thinking any clear, coherent thoughts for the next few moments, only that they felt the most peace and happiness they had ever experienced in their both their lives. Several minutes later-though neither Dimeria nor Jaime had any clue exactly how many, hell, they could have been laying there for years for all they knew-Jaime managed to lift himself up once more. He gazed down at Dimeria wondering if she had fallen asleep until she lazily fluttered her eyes open at him. A soft smile graced her slightly swollen lips as Jaime stroked her cheek lovingly. A part of him wanted to say something to Dimeria, but he knew that no words were needed between them at this moment; the only thing they needed at this point was their love.

Accepting this fact, Jaime shifted himself and Dimeria higher up on the bed, both of them feeling sleep put its dream inducing hands over their eyes. Jaime held back a chuckle as he practically dragged Dimeria closer to him; her body was obviously not accustomed to the type of exertion she had just put it through. With most of Dimeria's body resting upon his own, Jaime allowed himself to truly feel the happiness he had deprived himself of for so long. This was what he wanted. This was how he wanted to live for the rest of his life. He knew that such a future was nearly impossible, but for the last moments of his consciousness that night, Jaime abandoned common sense and fell asleep to musings of a happily ever after with Dimeria.

…

Golden sunlight illuminated the slightly raised scars on Dimeria's bare back as she rested upon Jaime's broad chest. Jaime lightly traced his fingers along the scars as his other arm came to wrap around Dimeria's waist. He couldn't imagine a more perfect moment.

He remembered first waking up that morning. The sun hadn't quite come up yet; daybreak had yet to cast its glorious rays upon the world. The grey blur of the both moonless and sunless sky still held the city within its sneaky grasp. Jaime opened his eyes to the dull room around him. Where was he? The heavy grip of sleep beckoned for his eyes to close, but something unfamiliar begged for them to stay open. The colorless world around Jaime almost convinced him that he was in a dream and just as he was about to fall back into the deep realm dreams, he felt her body shift against him.

Jaime's eyes widened as all of his senses came to life. Dimeria's body rested peacefully atop his own, her hair covering her back and shoulders like a thick blanket. The previous night came rushing back to Jaime's mind along with an intense surge of happiness. The pounding of his joyous heart and the butterflies in his stomach were enough to tell him that he wasn't in a dream; it was all real.

By the time the sun had risen, both Jaime and Dimeria had awakened and simply basked in the completeness they felt with each other. As Jaime gently stroked her back, Dimeria mindlessly trailed her fingers along his muscled chest, lingering on whatever raised scars she detected along the way.

"Can you say it again?" Jaime whispered to her.

Dimeria smiled to herself as she turned her head to look up at Jaime. "I love you." She said.

Jaime grinned and turned her over so they were both facing each other on their sides. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Perfect." Dimeria said softly.

"I doubt you'll feel that way once you get up and start moving…"

Dimeria rolled her eyes. "My goodness, your sense of romance is astounding."

A laugh sounded from Jaime. "I'm just warning you."

Dimeria reached and brought his lips to her own. Within seconds Jaime was on top of Dimeria, their bodies intertwined intimately.

"I don't ever want to leave this bed." Dimeria whispered.

"Then don't."

A smile came upon her face at Jaime's answer. Once again, their hands began roaming each other's bodies. Dimeria's chest tightened with anticipation as Jaime's fingers slowly found their way between her legs, but all of a sudden, she was painfully jolted out of the moment. She gasped sharply as Jaime's fingers brought her soreness to attention. Immediately pulling back, Jaime lifted himself to look at Dimeria.

"I told you…" He said.

Dimeria rolled her eyes. "It wasn't that bad. I just wasn't ready for it."

"We shouldn't do this then...not yet."

Jaime began lifting himself away from Dimeria, much to her consternation; Jaime was not about to get her riled up and then leave her hanging. Springing her muscles to action, Dimeria pushed Jaime to his back and sat on top of him. She giggled at Jaime's surprise and leaned down to kiss him passionately.

"Trust me." She said.

And he did. And it was wonderful.

…

"You are sure she is not with any of the Kingsguard?"

"No, My Lord Hand." The Kingsguard warrior answered Tywin Lannister. "Ser Jaime dismissed the two guards that were with her yesterday, presumably to take her back to her chambers himself. She hasn't been seen since."

Tywin fumed angrily, though his stone-cold features hardly showed it. "Find Ser Jaime immediately. Tell him I want to speak with him."

The Kingsguard warrior bowed in response and made his way from Tywin. Sitting like an immovable boulder in his seat, Tywin waited patiently for his supposed "golden" son to arrive. As soon as Jaime walked through the door, Tywin could see that the only thing golden about his eldest son these days was his hair and his breastplate.

"You wished to see me?" Jaime said.

"Lady Dimeria slept in your chambers last night, didn't she?" Tywin cut to the chase.

Jaime narrowed his eyes. "She did." He said. No point in trying to deny it; he was tired of hiding his affections anyway.

"You are the commander of the Kingsguard, you took a vow."

"Do you actually believe that any of the Kingsguard members stay true to that vow?" Jaime scoffed.

"That is beside the point."

"Then what is your point?"

Tywin flared his nostrils like a fuming bull. "I told you to stay away from that girl." He said. "You deliberately disobeyed me."

"Wouldn't be the first time." Jaime retorted.

"If you won't listen to me and stay away from her, I will keep her in a jail cell."

Jaime clenched his fists in anger. "Why? She's not doing any harm to anyone and-"

"She is distracting you from your duties!" Tywin cut his son off. "Not to mention that she will be on trial within the next few days. You care more about that bastard than you do your duties as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."

"Why do you suddenly care so much about me attending to my Kingsguard duties? You have always resented that I chose the Kingsguard over being your heir, and you were more than happy to allow me to marry Dimeria if it meant I took my place at Casterly Rock, so why now? What has changed?"

"Your beast of a brother has shamed this family enough, I will not allow both of my sons to behave like fools."

"Good luck trying to get that to happen." Jaime turned his back and began to walk away from his father.

"Jaime." Tywin bellowed after him. "I care nothing for that girl. I will do whatever is necessary to keep her from destroying this family. I can promise you that."

Completely ignoring his father, Jaime walked out and slammed the door shut. Tywin stared after him long after he was gone and then slowly sank back down in his chair, determined to keep that bastard girl away from his son.

…

There was a strange feeling between Dimeria's legs, an unfamiliar ache that reminded her of last night's events every time she took a step. But she didn't mind it. It was a good reminder-a reminder of what she and Jaime now shared. Despite the fact that the ache was causing her to walk funny, a wide grin sat on her face as she walked down the winding halls back to her own chambers. Somewhere, way in the back of her mind, thoughts of Tyrion's trial by combat were brewing, but her love for Jaime had sufficiently repressed them for the time being. A little bubble of positivity enveloped Dimeria's mind, reflecting back what dark thoughts threatened to burst her happiness-a happiness she hadn't even known she could feel. Was this how young maidens felt when they married their prince? Did their chests ache from their pounding hearts; did their cheeks strain in effort to keep the grin off their faces; did their stomachs fill with butterflies at the very thought of their lovers? Dimeria's did.

Love was a crazy thing, wasn't it? You think you know what it looks like, but you're still as surprised as a man who is stabbed through the back when it finally hits you. It's like a wave of irrationality sweeping upon you with no warning. One moment you're casually admiring someone and the next you're willing to die for them, yet somehow, you're happy to do it. You're more than willing to suffer and sacrifice all for the good of the ones you love. That's what love is, isn't it? Sacrifice? Dimeria thought so; after all, her entire journey with Jaime had involved one sacrifice after the other. Perhaps she hated it at the beginning and she by no means enjoyed it now, but now she could see it's necessity: if it keeps Jaime safe from harm, she would sacrifice anything.

And that's what was running through her mind as she casually (a little too casually) strolled back to her own chambers, slowly growing accustomed to the ache between her legs. Unbeknownst to Dimeria, however, who had departed from Jaime's chambers just moments before he was told to go speak with his father was the fact that she and Jaime were about to sacrifice quite a bit for their love. Unbeknownst to Dimeria was the fact that Jaime had just left a fuming Tywin in his office, who was already plotting some way to bring Dimeria to her ultimate demise. She may have been ushered warmly into King's Landing, but she had clearly overstayed her welcome. Many enemies were slowly forming behind Dimeria's back and of course the dense warrior had no idea it was happening, but Tywin did. And he would take advantage of it as much as he possibly could. It was just like that old saying...the enemy of my enemy is my friend...Tywin felt that he had quite a few friends in King's Landing at this point. There was strength in numbers, he was always a firm believer in that, and just like his dwarf son, Dimeria was about to face the harsh consequences of not watching your back in a place like King's Landing.

…

"Jaime," Tyrion said, "as happy as I am that you got to fuck Dimeria, stop grinning so much on the eve of my trial by combat."

A snort sounded from Jaime, but out of respect for his brother he tried to stifle his grin. Remnants his lovemaking hangover still lingered within him, but was somewhat tempered by guilt and fear of his brother's future (or lack thereof). He wasn't particularly surprised that a major shit storm was already starting to rain down upon his and Dimeria's happiness, but he was resentful.

"Do you think he can do it?" Tyrion asked suddenly. Shadows from the one torch in his cell flitted two and fro over his dirty face. His wavy strands of hair seemed to be permanently matted to his scalp-only the gods knew how long it had been since he had last bathed.

"Can who do what?" Jaime asked.

"Oberyn. Do you think he can win?"

Jaime hesitated a moment and looked into his brother's face, searching for...For what? Doubt? Fear? Hope? Whatever it was Tyrion was feeling, he hid it well behind the flickering shadows and a bowed head. "Well," Jaime began, "I've heard that he's one of the fiercest warriors from Dorne, very skilled with a spear."

"Yes, but what do you think?" Tyrion held back the irritation that threatened to spill out.

"I don't know."

Tyrion stared at Jaime. "That's it? You don't know?"

"What do you want me to say, Tyrion?" Jaime questioned. "I'm not going to give you false hope if there's none to be found. Your fate is up to the gods at this point, you know that."

"The gods have hated me since the day I came into this world." Tyrion muttered.

"No, father did." Jaime corrected, a humorless smirk on his face. "If the gods hated you since you were born, you would have been dead a long time ago. If you ask me, it seems more like they favor you."

A soft laugh came from Tyrion. "That's a very 'glass is half-full' perspective," he said, "I wouldn't have expected it from you."

Jaime shrugged. "Things change...people change."

"Yes, you have changed." Tyrion agreed. "For the better it seems."

Jaime stared at Tyrion for what seemed like hours, but what was only a matter of minutes. His poor little brother. What he lacked in strength and looks he made up for with intelligence, but it seemed as though his wits would no longer be able to get him through tough situations any longer. As the dying embers of the torch continued to flash over he and Tyrion, Jaime was no longer looking at the slumped figure who believed the number of breaths he had left was quickly ticking down; no, Jaime saw his little brother as he was as a child. Small, of course, but with hope still in his eyes. Eyes that very clearly looked up to his strong older brother. Jaime hated seeing that hope gone; replaced by defeat and utter sadness. As a child, Jaime had been the only one who ever protected Tyrion and in that very moment as his heart ached with pity, Jaime told himself he would always protect his little brother. No matter what.

"Whatever happens tomorrow, I won't let anything happen to you." Jaime said. "I promise."

Tyrion sighed as a soft smile which did nothing to mask his grief crept upon his face. "Don't make promises you can't keep, Jaime."

Until next time...