#becausebraime

Late to the party because work interrupted, but I had this half put together before travel started and wanted to share what I had done, even late and incomplete. Possibly more later, I had at least another five authors ready to discuss.

You can always find more fic talk under my WIP Wishlist and Fic Rec tags.

Combination of days, here are five authors who make me happy and three of their fics that I love.

Crowned With Flowers by BecauseBraime: Pre-canon canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through political machinations, royal Tarths, Brienne growing up with the love and support of Genna Lannister, friendships, secrets and lies, and warrior princess Brienne.

Game of Secrets by BecauseBraime: GOT canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through secret Targaryens, royal bastards, sparring, Stark and Tarth friendships, Stark and Lannister friendships, and secrets for everyone.

The Gathering Storm by BecauseBraime: GOT canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through more secret Targaryens, Selwyn Tarth playing the game, Stark and Tarth friendships, battles and traps, and a glorious Daenerys.

The Lion, the Wench and the Wardrobe Trailer by GilShalos1: Modern AU, slow burn Jaime x Brienne through acting, politics, tournaments, therapy, and friendships.

To Look On Tempests: Or, How to Find Yourself Without GPS by GilShalos1: WIP, Modern AU, Jaime x Brienne through trauma recovery, forced proximity, the good and bad that comes along with a fuller Tarth family, flirting and seduction via romance novels and flowery language, and complicated, painful emotions.

Dragonfire and Sapphires by GilShalos1: GOT canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through arranged marriage, Queen Daenerys and her respect for Brienne, trauma recovery, the Long Night, misunderstandings, and beautiful, warm Tarth.

Falling Is Like This by @kiraziwrites: Modern AU, Jaime x Brienne through Stark influence, climbing gyms, Brienne’s beautiful rope bondage, and the freedom of safe falling.

Ring Them Bells by @kiraziwrites: GOT canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through Jaime surviving the fall of the Red Keep, suicidal tendencies, broken bodies and hearts, Brienne taking care of Starks and Starks taking care of Brienne, queer dads on Tarth, and rebuilding trust.

Sharp Objects by @kiraziwrites: Modern AU, Jaime x Brienne through archaeology, axe-throwing, fieldwork, shared secrets, and discoveries that will shake up historical beliefs.

And Counting by nubbins_for_all: GOT canon divergence, trauma recovery, learning intimacy, Brienne and friends, Sansa ruling Winterfell, the ways love hurts and heals, and soft, sexy domesticity. 

the crime deserves the punishment by nubbins_for_all: GOT canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through rape/sexual assault, Jaime’s instincts to attack those who harm Brienne and Brienne’s response to it, Brienne glorious in her anger, disgust, and fear, and the different ways to recover.

something different and second verse (same as the first) by nubbins_for_all: GOT canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through gender nonconformity, crossdressing, learning intimacy, complicated relationships, interesting Westerosi politics, and violence as foreplay.

Beware your dreams by @zetaaa: ASOIAF canon divergence, Jaime x Brienne through secret Targaryens, poisonings, angry and awkward flirtations, Brienne making friends and having adventures, and all sorts of fun POV characters.

Go and kiss her by @zetaaa: Modern AU, Jaime x Brienne through misunderstandings, surprise kisses, parental fisticuffs, idiotic friendships, and awkward flirtations.

Posted eight different WIP Wishlists during 2021. Several stories have been updated since they were posted, including some that had not been updated in awhile. Celebrate these updates!

almost a beauty, almost a knight by ifancymyselfawriter  Mentioned in Round Three as updated 26 July 2021. Current Last Updated 30 July 2021!

The Arrangement by tarthiana @bussdowntarthiana Mentioned in Round Four. Now complete!

At Your Side by miera @mierac Mentioned in Round Four. Now complete!

Beware Your Dreams by Zeta_Mei @zetaaa Mentioned in Round One as updated October 2020. Current Last Updated 25 May 2021!

Brave New World by suffolkgirl Mentioned in Round Eight. Now complete!

The Broken Jaw of Our Lost Kingdoms by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse)   Mentioned in Round Eight as updated November 2021. Current Last Updated 01 January 2022!

Constant as the Northern Star by PrettyThief @pretty--thief Mentioned in Round Two as updated April 2021. Current Last Updated 9 September 2021!

Crowned With Flowers by BecauseBraime  Mentioned in Round One. Now complete!

Heart That Matters More by dancinginthecenteroftheworld @dancinginthecenteroftheworld Mentioned in Round Six as updated August 2021. Current Last Updated 11 October 2021!

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now by CatelynTsukino  Mentioned in Round Four as updated July 2021. Current Last Updated 10 January 2022!

it’s not much (but my money’s on you) by jellyb34n  Mentioned in Round Six as updated September 2021. Current Last Updated 21 November 2021!

The Keeper by PalyGirl  Mentioned in Round Two as updated March 2021. Current Last Updated 28 November 2021!

No One Mourns the Wicked by boywholivednotdied  Mentioned in Round One as updated June 2020. Current Last Updated 25 June 2021!

An Old Lion Amongst Young Wolves by Angelic_Temptress  Mentioned in Round Three as updated December 2020. Current Last Updated 3 August 2021!

Three years, no more by Zeta_Mei @zetaaa Mentioned in Round Two as updated April 2021. Current Last Updated 16 May 2021!

Not sure how much I believe in the accuracy of this, but I did my own estimations for the number of fics and words and it was pretty close. Even if it's not completely correct, it's interesting!

Fic read: 7,355 Words read: 134,306,578 Most read ship: Jaime x Brienne Most read character: Brienne of Tarth Most read tag: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting

Top Five Most Visited Fic

Beware your dreams by Zeta_Mei @zetaaa Game of Secrets by BecauseBraime Honor Compels Me by angel_deux @angel-deux-writes The Lion, the Wench, and the Wardrobe Trailer by GilShalos1 Sapphire Scalpel by weirwoo

Top Five Most Read Writers

Tumblr says go back to sleep. Fuck you, Tumblr, would that I could. Instead, have some of the WIPs I’m subscribed to right now; I don’t normally read or recommend WIPs, but these are some where I’ve loved what I have read (though am behind on commenting) and eagerly await updates. All are GOT/ASOIAF Jaime/Brienne, though mostly more plot heavy than straight romances. (In putting together the list, I realised this fandom has broken me, because these 10 are but a drop in the bucket of the WIPs I follow now. Damn it, J/B writers, you are too good.)

A Man for All Seasons by dreadwulf: Jaime goes north after season 7, Brienne and Jaime fight a dragon, Bran does his wonderfully annoying vague prophesying, and I need this to be finished. Last updated June 2020.

A Wreath of Thorns by LadyNormaOfTheWesterlands: Post Season 6, Cersei takes out Tarth in the very first chapter, Brienne has found a good place in Winterfell with respect and friendship (Lyanna fucking Mormont is the best), Tormund is a fucking delight, and the plot kills me, it’s so good. Last updated February 2020.  

Beware your dreams by Zeta_Mei: This is a delicious fairytale with murder and something like curses and secret Targaryens (of my favourite sort), and Starks being strange and feral and sweet. Last updated October 2020, but it feels like it was last updated years ago, I’m that eager for more.

The Black Mummers by SimoneBlack: Brienne grew up in exile with Daenerys, Missandei, Grey Worm, and Viserys and is sent to kill Tywin while the others deal with more of the politics around trying to retake the throne. Dany is a dreamer, and I did not know how much I would love Dany, Brienne, and Missandei growing up like sisters. Last updated March 2021.

The price of being a wolf by tall_wolf_of_tarth: Modern Westeros where Brienne works in a library basement overseeing Jaime’s community service and is also a werewolf. Last updated March 2020, and I am dying for more.

Crowned With Flowers by BecauseBraime: Barristan the Bold defeats Prince Rhaeger at the Harrenhal tourney which leads to Selwyn Tarth taking the throne and a wealth of other adventures. The premise is intriguing as hell, and I’ve already been surprised more than once. Currently updating daily.

her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you by janie_tangerine: Witcher AU that has convinced me to watch (and then read and then play) the Witcher. Witcher!Brienne is the best thing I could have imagined. Last updated April 2020.

No One Mourns the Wicked by boywholivednotdied: Jaime’s off to Riverrun for a month to spend time with Lysa, and Tyrion’s along for his company. Brienne is sworn to (and friends with) Catelyn, something I love. Last updated June 2020.

Switched at Birth by AlynnaStrong: Tyrion and Galladon are switched at birth, and I am idiot for reading a WIP that hasn’t been updated since 2019, but the premise intrigued me that much. There’s fake marriage, Yara Greyjoy being a surprise, Tyrion and Brienne the best siblings ever, and political intrigue everywhere. Last updated October 2019.

Previously on WIPs I Eagerly Await Updates: round one and round two. Some of those WIPs have been updated or even completed, to my great joy. I’m not caught up on them yet, but I wanted to share my happiness. (Unintentionally, I’ve posted about WIPs I want to read around this same time for the past three months. It’s tradition now!)

Three years, no more by Zeta__Mei @zetaaa (updated May 2021, still a WIP, AND it is no longer going to be only 15 chapters, 79,000 words). This story continues to kill me with how much I love it.

Summary: "Nobody had warned Brienne that the Kingslayer was like that. God-like. Nobody had warned her that she had to wed him.“

Every time I think about it, I feel like I’m dying for the next chapter. ZM’s writing has this feel to it that I’ve tried and failed to describe before, but I always find it compelling, and their plots are full of interesting twists and turns. (Not-so-secret Targaryens of my favourite sort and the world’s prettiest dragon egg included.)

Beware your dreams also by Zeta__Mei @zetaaa (updated May 2021, still a WIP, 112,000 words)

Summary: 298 AC. Jaime Lannister shoves a child down a tower, then makes a wish. In the meanwhile, Brienne of Tarth breaks his betrothed's collarbone and dares a wish. Fools. They still don't know that one has to be cautious about wishes. Because, sometimes, dreams come true. Brienne finds herself catapulted in King's Landing at seventeen, and meets/punches Jaime.

This is a delicious fairytale with murder and something like curses and secret Targaryens (of my favourite sort), and Starks being strange and feral and sweet. Last updated October 2020, but it feels like it was last updated years ago, I’m that eager for more.

Crowned With Flowers by BecauseBraime (NOW COMPLETE! And the sequel is too! 245,000 words and the sequel is 153,000 words)

Summary: At the tourney at Harrenhal in 281ac, Barristan defeats Rhaegar in the final tilt and prevents 'the moment all the smiles died'. Unfortunately, that only shifts Rhaegar's focus from Lyanna to someone else. As Rhaegar considers how to fulfill the prophecy he believes associated with his line, a line born of House Targaryen and House Tarth emerges, and a rebellion ends with Selwyn Tarth on the throne. Ever the opportunist, Tywin Lannister plots to see his legacy on the throne, but as always, he isn't the only one plotting.

Barristan the Bold defeats Prince Rhaeger at the Harrenhal tourney which leads to Selwyn Tarth taking the throne and a wealth of other adventures. The premise is intriguing as hell, and I’ve already been surprised more than once.

No One Mourns the Wicked by boywholivednotdied (updated May 2021, still a WIP, 61,000 words)

Summary: Tywin forces Jaime to stay in Riverrun for a month as a guest of the Tullys in the hopes that Jaime will agree to marry Lord Hoster's daughter, Lysa. It's bad enough that Lysa is obsessed beyond comprehension with being a mother and Tyrion is insistent on putting himself in danger, but Jaime also has to deal with Catelyn Tully's sworn sword - an ugly, irritating, stubborn wench who seems to be popping up absolutely everywhere.

Jaime’s off to Riverrun for a month to spend time with Lysa, and Tyrion’s along for his company. Brienne is sworn to (and friends with) Catelyn, something I love.

turn up the stage lights by potato_writes @potatothecat (updated May 2021 and updates fairly regularly, still a WIP, 144,000 words)

Summary: Brienne Tarth has been stuck working backstage for almost her entire career. When Doran Martell offers her the chance of a lifetime, she's eager to seize the only chance she might get to achieve her dreams - even if it means she has to deal with an infamous co-star along the way. Jaime Lannister hasn’t set foot on the stage at all in the two years since he lost his hand. But he's been hoping to make a comeback for all that time, and the latest role to be sent his way might just be enough to not only bring him back to theatre, but to change his life forever. Amidst the glamour and glittering lights of the theatre district, two people embark on a journey that will shape their careers, their hearts, and their futures, both on the stage and off it.

It's no bother at all! Summerhall's Secrets is a fic written by BecauseBraime, where Duncan the Tall takes Barristan Selmy as his squire after he enters his first tourney as a mystery knight at 10, and this single event creates a lot of divergences in the canon from 247 to after 300.

The Dunk/Daella takes a good place in the story (there's lots of hurt/comfort with them) and impacts many people through time (especially Barristan and the Tarths)