A seven year old Joanna hid underneath her bed on the mountain cliff of Casterly Rock. Thunders boomed through the sky and the ocean sirens wailed and screamed of pain. Joanna constantly found herself with crying herself to sleep. The Greyjoy rebellion had taken its toll and all Joanna wanted was to see Jaime again.
Jaime along with many man - from noble knights to the highest lords of Westeros were fighting Balon Greyjoy in his claim to take the Iron Throne from Robert. Every night she sat by the window of her room overlooking her grandfathers land hoping to see Jaime and his men marching towards their home. She heard the whispers of the handmaidens.
The war will be over before you know it princess. They'd tell her to reassure her. If it were to be over soon then how come it took so long? Joffrey on the other hand relished in the freedom he was given. No mother or father to tell him what to do - what not to do. He took pleasure in tormenting the handmaidens of Casterly Rock. Enjoying to destroy what little hope Joanna had that Jaime would return.
"He's not coming back you know. I suspect they'll bring you his head." Joffrey laughed as he leaned against the bedroom door looking to Joanna as she cried into her pillow in front of the window.
"Shut up! He's coming back. He promised." Joanna shouted throwing the pillow into his face. Even at seven years old Joanna had perfect aim. The pillow hitting the five year old Joffrey hard in his chubby face. Joffrey hated that he was constantly compared to his older sister. He was not immune to the whispers that had Joanna been born a boy shed be the perfect king. A king Westeros needed and deserved. He hated that Joanna was loved by the commoners. That high lords flocked to meet her. Joffreys goal was to expose his sister:
To show she was the weaker child. The underserving and unequipped
"What you did is practically treason! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD YOU CUNT!" He yelled running to attack her. Both were small but Joanna took notice of Jaimes training and her reflexes were far more advanced than Joffreys. She quickly dodged her brothers attack when her fist made contact with - as his mother would describe - his perfectly sculpted nose.
Joanna yelled in anguish and pain as she felt a bone break in his nose. Joffrey cried as he fell to the ground clutching his bloodied nose. Joffrey cried
"YOU CUNT! I WILL HAVE YOU HEAD PUT ON A SPIKE FOR ATTACKING A KING!! Joanna gasped as she noticed her baby brother cry on the floor. The carpet soaked in blood. As much as Joanna loathed her brother there was always part of her that felt responsible over Joffrey - Tyrion had always told her it meant she was a good sister.
"Here let me help." She bent down to help extending her hand as she felt the throbbing in her soft and delicate hand. Joffrey glared at his sister as he spat his blood in her face. Joanna gasped in disgust
"You little bitch!" She screamed as she tackled him to the ground repeatingly hitting him. Joffrey smart enough clutched her blonde locks continuously pulling until she fell next to him. He pulled and pulled as Joannas fists continued to punch him in his flabby stomach
"WHAT IS MEANING OF THIS?!!" Tywin Lannister exclaimed as the room of his granddaughter flew open. Both children immediately stopping when they saw their grandfathers cold blue eyes stare at them. Joffrey let go of her hair as he pointed to her
"It was her grandfather - I only came to say good night and like a mad woman she attacked me!" Joffrey accused his sister who kept her eyes to the ground as she felt the back of her neck where she could feel bleeding from Joffreys torment on her hair
"Enough! Go to your room now! And you get into bed, now!" He demanded. Joffrey like a dog scurried past his grandfather as Joanna stood still. Her eyes never leaving the ground
"Joanna, bed now." Tywin affirmed. Joanna glared at him as she turnt to continue to sit by the windowsill. Joanna had more backbone than Joffrey and was bold enough to disregard Tywins order. She was strong willed and self assured - he admired it because no one had to teach her that, she was born with. A true Lannister
"Do you think their coming back grandfather? Will I ever see uncle Jaime?" Joanna innoncently asked. Joannas eyes as big as the moon as she looked to her grandfather. Tywin approached his granddaughter taking a seat next to her.
"Of course he will. He's a Lannister and Lannisters - "
"I asked a yes or no question. I don't need you turning this into another lesson on why were the best house." She quickly replied. Tywin couldn't help but smirk at her quick tongue. Sometimes he truly wondered if there was an ounce of Baratheon blood in her.
"Why? Do you think they'll fail?"
"No, I just - I just miss my uncle Jaime." Tywin was not known for having a warm heart. He was seen as cold, calculating and intelligent and he preferred to be seen that way. But Joannas sweet heart was able to curve the sharp edges of him
"Youre uncle and father will win this war. Just like they did before and in no time you will be back in Kings Landing safe and sound. Until you become of age to marry." Tywin reassured her
"Marriage, ugh I'm never falling in love." She squealed as her mouth formed into a smirk
"Oh - and what do you plan on doing if not becoming a wife." He asked with genuine interest. Joanna mischievously smirked to her grandfather. Holding her chin up proudly
"I want to be king."
Those words would stay with her forever. Joanna sat at her table overlooking the map carefully crafting a strategy that would help them gain more advantage of her grandfathers army. Joanna groaned as she threw the lion piece off the map. She couldnt hide it any longer - her conversation with Jaime had made her unfocussed. His confession to attempt and kill Bran.
She had yet the courage to talk to Robb about it. She feared that Robb would have him killed immediately. The naïve child inside of her still hoped that she could spare their lives - perhaps convince Jaime to take the Black and join the Nights Watch. Even though she knew Jaime would rather lose a limb than join the men on the Wall.
"Hope I'm not disturbing you." A voice interrupted her thought. She looked to see Robb enter her tent with a scroll in hand. She laughed noticing that for once he was wearing his crown. Robb had made it abundantly clear that he hated wearing his crown but that never stopped Joanna from resting it on his head
"Oh, do come in my king." She replied in a very pompous tone bowing to her king. She moved to her bed as Robb took a seat next to her. Exhausted as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I see you took my advice as to wear your crown. It really does make you more beautiful." She teased
"Please, the only reason I'm wearing it is because Shae wont stop badgering me to wear it. Even refusing to speak to me unless I wear it. "
"That's my girl." Joanna proudly noted. Robb turned his head looking into her eyes. Joanna and Robb had grown comfortable with each other - perhaps too comfortable as she was constantly reminded that he was a man betrothed. But she always defended her actions - even admitting to Shae that her and Robb had never even kissed though it was something she craved from him.
"Have you spoken to him again?" He asked. Joannas lips pursed as she knew who he was referring to.
"No and I don't think I will." She answered sullenly. Robb leaned his forehead in before standing up. He handed her the scroll which had already been opened. He looked at her nervously not sure how to form the words
"There is word that your uncles - Stannis and Renly Baratheon are demanding their claim to the Throne." Joanas face stayed in total composure. Renly had always been kind to her, sometimes shed wish he was the brother she deserved but Stannis
It was safe to assume that Joanna had no interest in Stannis, hed spent most of his life looking down upon Cerseis children.
"Robb, you look like youre about to be ill. What is it?" She asked
"A letters been sent to all the high lords of Westeros. Detailing that - "
"Detailing what?"
"Stannis Baratheon details that you, along with Joffrey have no claim to the throne as its been said that neither of Robert and Cerseis children are infact true Baratheons but rather Lannisters. Stannis declared the Lannisters are no better than Targaryens - due to the fact that the Kingslayer -"
"Jaime. His name is Jaime." Joanna affirmed. Joanna stood as her jaw clenched "Don't ever call him that. Please."
"And Cersei had a relationship in which you were born from. But thats not possible - is it?" He asked her. Joanna looked back to him guilt ridden. There was no point of hiding it if Stannis sent word out. Sooner or later the odds would be stacked against her.
"Its true." She whispered looking away from him in shame. Robb contemplated on how to approach the scenario. Of course he was outraged because finally it all made sense. His fathers death and Brans accident. But how could be furious with the Lannisters but be deeply involved with the other. Did he approve of the way Joanna was conceived? Yes but that didnt steer him away from how it felt. Robb approached her slowly. Her eyes still glued to the ground. Joanna sighed as she felt his arms wrap around her waist bringing her head to rest above his beating heart
"Joanna, I -"
"What is the meaning of this?" Catelyn Stark in fury as she caught the two. Joanna immediately startled as she pushed Robb off of her. Robb looking hurt to her before facing his mother. Joanna glanced to Robb sending him an apologetic look. Joanna bowed respectfully but Catelyn was no fool
"My lady, I was -" Joanna struggle to form a sentence, suddenly being washed in endless amounts of guilt
"Robb, I think it is high time you return to your own chambers. We need to discuss your plans with Lord Frey about the bethrothal." She reprimanded him. She was not asking it - rather demanding it. Robb glared at his mother as he stormed out of Joannas tent.
"Joanna, let me make something for you very clear. I notice the way he looks at you and even a blind man can see you two have grown to care for one another but need I remind you that he is to marry someone else. Whatever relationship you have with my son: it ends. Immediately."
"My lady, I can explain- "Joanna replied but her words quickly cut short
"No. You will no longer meet with my son in private and you and Robb will stop visiting each other after sun down. He is not Robb - he is your king and you will address him as such. Do I make myself clear?" Joanna stayed quiet
"Do you understand?" Catelyn spoke up. The princess simply nodding her head Catelyn exited her tent. Joanna felt the lump in her throat form, her chest tightened as she threw herself in her bed. Taking the fur covers and screaming into oblivion.
That night they were requested to a council meeting. Shae took high notice about the discomfort that Robb and Joanna shared. Did she pray they would end their foolishness? Yes, but somehow she had the feeling that in fact they were caught - Gods, she hoped it wouldnt be by the Freys. Joanna sat at the far end of the table creating as much distance between her and Robb even offering Shae and Theon the closest seats. Even the high lords looked taken back by her actions - seems theyd grown to the two young peoples over affection for one another.
Shae's men had been able to spot a Lannister spy while their lady was practicing her archery. The men brought him in and his eyes immediately were sent to his distant cousin, though Joanna had made it very clear to her that she would not allow familial ties to cloud her judgement about what needed to be done. Brave words that she spoke but Shae knew better, ever since the night of her visit to the Kingslayer something in Joanna changed - she couldnt place it but something was different.
"You're Ser Alton Lannister?" Robb questioned the man. The spys body stricken by fear that was expressed in his pale stricken face. He slowly nodded his head looking to the newly King in the North. Hoping that by dawn hed still have his head intact with his body.
"I am, your grace." He spoke in a nervous tone.
"First your family must release my sisters. Second, my fathers bones must be returned to us so that he may rest beside his brother and sister in the crypts beneath Winterfell. And the remains of all those who died in his service must be returned also." Shae silently scoffed - she understood his reasons but surely Robb was not naïve enough to believe that his demands would be meet.
"An honourable request, your grace." Ser Alton replied
"Third, Joffrey and the Queen Regent must renounce all claim to the dominion of the North. From this time until the end of time, we are a free and independent kingdom.' There he is, Shae thought. The true King of the North they proclaimed their fealty to. The only man the North would ever bend the knee for. A man with the name Stark.
Alton looked equally confused as Joanna did. She stayed silent though, she knew better than interfering with the demands of the North. After all if not the Dragons than the Stags - the North was tired from bending the knee to unfit rulers
"Neither Joffrey nor any of his men shall set foot in our lands again. If he disregards this command, he shall suffer the same fate as my father." Robb threated
"Only this time I don'tnt need a servant to do my beheading for me."
"These are my terms. If the Queen Regent and her son meet them, I'll give them peace. If not, I will litter the South with Lannister dirt."
"King Joffrey is a Baratheon, your grace." Alton stuttered through his reply.
"Or is he?" Robb arrogantly asked, forgetting that his sister was sitting in his very presence. As much as he exposed Joffreys lineage - he did the same with her. Joanna sat silently but she could feel the grip of her fist tighten. Ever since the night with Jaime she felt an alarming amount of her rage slowly creak through the cracks of her perfect façade of being the disciplined princess. The Norths hate for her family, her familys ignorance, Joffreys stupidity for killing Ned Stark and holding Sansa hostage, the incest of her mother and Robbs betrothal. Thoughts she constantly woke up and constantly fell asleep to.
Joanna couldnt leave sooner enough, Robb swearing that the footprints she left was dust. He sent Greywind after her to make sure he was all right. Overlooking his camp the banners - no longer his fathers as Lord of Winterfell but his. Robb thought about so many things , his sister, the war - sometimes hed even wonder about Jon. Being sixteen and already king he wondered what it mightve been like to be normal. To not carry the weight of the world on your back - to love whomever you choose.
Shae approached him. She held her breath as she stood next to him. Shae had become like a third sister - even though she constantly warned and disagreed with him he understood it came from her heart.
"Do I even want to know whats happened now?" she recalled. Robb huffed as he scratched the back of his neck, even the cloak he wore starting to feel as heavy as his duties.
"I don't want to hear it. I'vs had enough of Theon and my mothers rantings to last me a fortnight. He complained." Shae rolled her eyes - she truly did feel like an older sister because he was constantly reminding her that he was a boy
"Robb, I'm not gonna say anything further about whatever it is you two have. It's very clear that you love each other." He looked at her baffled and startled which Shae brushed off, there was no point in keeping it secret - not that they were even able to keep it secret
"I dont -" His Northern accept thickening
"Don't lie to me. Look, if the circumstances were different no one would stand in your way, Even Lord Roderick thinks you two would make a fine pair. Im growing tired of you and her not listening to what we have to say, so whatever you do from here on is not my business and maybe it never was." She calmly replied to him but not in a tone of exhaust and disappoint
"Shae - "
"I mean no disrespect but just - just make sure we don't lose our heads when you two decide to play star- crossed lovers."
Author's note
I'm so glad to see the book is being read and added to reading list especially since I feel bad for my writers block.
Let me know if you liked the chapter and whether I should do more Tywin/ Joanna scenes.
don't forget to vote and comment