Joanna looked over herself in the mirror. The gown was the crimson red of and gold of their house with small pearls woven into the sleeves. The handmaidens had left her hair down in golden ringlets with half pinned up in an intricate braid. She knew she should feel happy and excited about her wedding, but she didn't. It was difficult to feel excited to meet the man who had decimated all her friends who belonged to the Reynes and Tarbeck families. They were not all against the Lannisters. Her friend Carlyanna Reyne was fourteen and only wanted to sing songs and go riding. She was sweet and funny and…Joanna would never see her again. Then there were the babies and small children that Tywin and is brothers had ordered to be killed. It was horrific. None of those children had anything to do with this feud, but they were murdered regardless.
'How will I ever love him?" she asked herself before smoothing her dress and walking out the door.
When she stood next to him at the altar she had to admit he was handsome, and he did seem genuinely happy to see her there. He was smiling brightly and she felt a bit lightheaded from the sight. Everyone had said he never smiled. Joanna didn't know what to make of her groom.
The feast seemed to go on for years until one of her drunken cousins announced the bedding ceremony. It didn't take long for her to be picked up by some of the male guests and stripped to her small clothes before being deposited into her wedding chamber. Tywin came a minute later equally disheveled.
He stood watching her uncertainly for a moment.
"I hope they weren't too rough with you, my lady."
Joanna sighed and walked over to the bed and sat down. "No just a bit overzealous…I only hope you will be gentle, my lord."
Tywin walked over and sat beside her. "We can wait another night if you are not ready."
She looked up at him in surprise and noticed the softness that now cradled his expression.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes of course, my lady."
"Do you ever regret all that has happened, all the bloodshed and loss?"
He looked away from her and sighed.
"It needed to be done, but I do regret some of the methods used."
Joanna wasn't sure what to make of him, but at least he admitted to having some regrets for all that was done. Maybe he wasn't a complete monster. Maybe she could help him be better.
"Alright. I am ready then." She said as she laid her hand within his.
He looked at her hand and then up at her face.
"We don't have to…"
Joanna leaned forward and gently kissed him.
"Let us try."
Joanna walked up the sandy shore until she could see Casterly Rock high in the distance. Tywin walked a few steps behind her.
"It is beautiful here." She said as she took a seat in the sand.
Tywin finally moved to sit by her.
"I'm glad you think so…you are more beautiful however."
She smiled at him.
"You are always so different with me than everyone else. You're only open with me. Why?"
He looked at her for a few moments and pulled her hand into his own.
"It's quite simple really. I've loved you the moment I met you."
Her breath caught at the brutally honest declaration. He had never said he loved her before, and now he said it with such conviction. Three moons since they had wed, and he had been gentle and caring and helped her become accustomed to The Rock. But he had never told her he loved her, and she still did not know how she felt toward him.
"You met me on our wedding day. How could you love me?" She asked as she gently stroked his hand.
"I was quite surprised myself, but I knew from that moment and I still do." He said as he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it.
"I don't know how I feel yet, my lord. I will say that it has been very nice so far."
He laughed and pulled her closer to him. Joanna leaned into his touch.
"I know you are conflicted because of all that ugliness from last year, and I can understand why you would be weary of me. But I promise you that I will never harm you or allow anyone else to. You are mine and I am yours."
Joanna turned toward him and nodded softly in agreement.
"I believe you, Tywin."