For two days, Joanna Lannister sat her horse and rode from Casterly Rock to King's Landing. Eleven thousand Lannister men trailed behind Joanna and the rest of the Lannister family. They were headed to King's Landing for the coronation of King Jaehaerys in the wake of the death of King Aegon, Prince Duncan and several other members of court at Summerhall. The eleven thousand Lannister men were meant to help defend against the Blackfyres, who again were revolting. In the time following the tragedy at Summerhall, the war that had been brewing in Essos had finally started in earnest.
The Lord of Casterly Rock answered the call to arms by sending his brother, Ser Jason, with these eleven thousand Lannister men, including her cousins Kevan and Tygett, who would serve as squires.
"Princess Rhaella will be happy to have you, Joanna," Jason said, after hours of the silent ride to King's Landing. "They say she has been quite melancholy since the birth of Prince Rhaegar at Summerhall".
Joanna sighed. She had hoped that the war of the Ninepenny Kings would keep her from taking her place beside Rhaella at court, but it would not be so. The coronation was an affair that could not be missed, and Rhaella had lost her grandfather, uncle, and several of her ladies in waiting, and needed companionship.
"I don't know how much good I will do her," Joanna said, gripping the reins tighter in her gloved hands. It took every ounce of strength for her not to turn her horse around and race back to her father's holdfast, Feastfires.
Jason sighed. "Lord Tytos would not hear of it when I told him you wanted to stay back, in light of the war."
"He's a fool, father," Joanna said. "He's sending you to do the fighting, and he's staying back at Casterly Rock with his mistress."
Jason gave a small smirk. "He is a Lord and I am his bannerman."
Joanna bristled. "Other Lords come to the aid of their king. Other Lords lead a host of men to war."
Jason was silent a moment. He knew his young daughter was right, but he would not say as much. "Lords may do many things without impunity, my child. But even if your liege lord did answer the call to arms, I would still be expected to do so."
Joanna knew the matter was closed, and so they rode the remainder of the way to King's Landing in silence.
When they passed through the gates, and up the streets of King's Landing, Joanna was shocked at the squalor and stench of the streets. Women, dressed in cloth so thin she could make out every detail of their bodies, stood on the stoops of several buildings. Joanna knew enough to know they were brothels. Joanna had seen filth in the streets of Lannisport, but nothing could rival what she saw in King's Landing.
If only for this, Joanna desperately wanted to go home. The fear of what awaited her in the Red Keep only made her more desperate.
She had not seen Tywin, her betrothed, since his Name Day celebration a year before. He had written her no letters, and she had no reason to believe he would be kind to her upon her arrival in King's Landing. But her father assured her that his affections would come soon enough. Joanna was not so sure.
Joanna was escorted to the Red Keep while Ser Jason oversaw the Lannister forces set up camp. Other bannermen from other houses had already arrived, and King's Landing was swimming with knights and soldiers. Joanna was whisked away immediately to a tailor, who would make up several dresses for her stay at court.
She stood on a block, and her measurements were taken. Bolts of fabric were draped over her shoulders.
"This color suits you, my lady," the tailor said, commenting on a light coral brocade. Joanna had lost count of the fabrics they had looked at.
"My lord, I trust your judgment," she said, tiredly. She never cared for dresses and courtly things, and wanted nothing more than to wash off the filth of the road and her travels. Yet, she was expected to be presented at court in the days preceding the coronation, and as her father and lord uncle stated, the future Lady of Casterly Rock must have a wardrobe fitting of her station.
"'My Lord'," the tailor said, amused. "Never in my life have I been called 'my lord'. You are a long way from home, my lady."
"Yes," Joanna said, looking at her tired face in the silvered, floor length mirror. "I am."
"My lady," a voice came from the other side of the door. Joanna opened her eyes, heavy from sleep and travel, and for a moment did not recognize her surroundings. She heard the distant caw of peacocks in the courtyard of the Red Keep, and the pre-dawn light of the morning came through the gauzy curtains of her small room.
The door opened, and a servant girl came in carrying a tray for Joanna. She set it on a table on the far end of the room, and came to Joanna's bedside, where she pulled back the covers that Joanna wanted to stay under just a bit longer.
"Good morning, Lady Joanna," the girl said. Joanna placed her bare feet on the cold stone floor, and shrugged her dressing gown on.
"Good morning," Joanna said, pulling her hair out from underneath the robe.
"My name is Fiora," the girl said, setting Joanna's breakfast for her. "I'm to be your handmaiden while you're at court. Because you are a lady-in-waiting to the princess, you'll rise earlier than Her Majesty."
"Splendid," Joanna said sardonically, picking at the fruit on the tray. As Joanna ate, the servant girl opened Joanna's trunks, and pulled out a few of the gowns she had brought from Feastfires.
"Ser Jason informed me you saw the tailor only yesterday," Fiora said, looking at each gown laid out on Joanna's bed. "You're being presented to the court today, so what you have presently will have to do."
Joanna looked at her gowns. They were fine by any number of ladies' opinions, but clearly they weren't up to standard for the Targaryen court.
Just then, a knocking came at the door. Fiora left the dresses, and came to the door, opening it enough to see who was there.
"Oh, Ser Tywin," Fiora said in surprise. "Her ladyship is not ready for court."
"No, I daresay not, as the sun has not yet risen, and half of court yet sleeps in their beds. I must have a word with my cousin," he said. Joanna noted that none of the sarcastic tone she'd heard at Casterly Rock had vanished.
"Let him in, Fiora," Joanna said, drawing her dressing gown together further up her chest.
Fiora nodded, and pulled the door wide to let the young knight in to her lady's chambers.
Joanna's stomach hitched a moment when she saw her betrothed before her, dressed this time not in a silk doublet, but the traditional red armor of the Lannisters, his reddish-blonde hair down to his shoulders.
Joanna rose, and curtsied, despite the early hour and her attire.
"Ser Tywin," she said, and waited for him to state his business.
"I'll be presenting you at court today," he said simply. Joanna's stomach dropped.
"My father—"
"You are my betrothed, and I will be the one to present you before the royal family. That is how things are done here."
"Of course, Ser."
Tywin tensed at the use of his title. He sighed. "I hope you've something acceptable to wear."
Joanna breathed a moment to spare her patience. "I brought my finest gowns from Feastfires. I saw the tailor only yesterday. The tailor will be finished before the coronation, however."
Tywin sighed and looked at the dresses laid out on the bed. "The red will do best," he said. Joanna raised an eyebrow.
"Will it?" she challenged.
"You do not know the Targaryens as I do," Tywin said coldly. "They're a proud family, and like it or not you represent the Lannisters at court. And as my lord father has seen fit to name you my betrothed, you represent me as well."
Joanna's eyes burned, but she bit her tongue. She blinked back her anger. "I will do my best not to shame you, Ser Tywin."
Satisfied at Joanna's answer, Tywin nodded his head, and tersely left the room, his footsteps echoing in the hallway as he went.
Joanna huffed her indignation when he had gone.
"Gods help me when I have to marry that man," Joanna said as she pulled her dressing gown off, and allowed Fiora to assist in her dressing.
"He's quite handsome, m'lady," Fiora countered.
"Yes," Joanna admitted, a knot growing in her stomach. "Handsome, and arrogant."
"Oh," Fiora said, fastening the laces at the back of Joanna's red silk brocade gown that bared her shoulders. "But most of the young knights are a bit."
"What, all of them?" Joanna scoffed.
"Most," Fiora corrected, a glint in her eye.
"Which aren't, then?" Joanna asked, curiously.
Fiora was silent. She feared being too close with the lady she served.
"I don't know anyone here at court—please, if you know these people and their reputations, I need to know." Joanna looked at Fiora in silent pleading.
"Ser Barristan Selmy," Fiora said, a wistful look in her eyes. "They call him Ser Barristan the Bold. He's won every tourney that I can remember. He even unseated Prince Duncan, gods rest his soul. Ser Barristan is a true gentleman and knight."
Joanna thought on this a moment. Perhaps King's Landing wasn't a pit of vipers like she'd been led to believe, but until she saw it for herself, she would not take the story as the rule.
When she had been dressed, her hair was done in the fashion of Casterly Rock, with a tendril from each temple pulled back and fastened at the nape of her neck.
She felt her stomach fill with ice as she walked with her serving-girl Fiora down the hallways of the Red Keep. They paused at a door at the end of her corridor, and Fiora knocked. Tywin answered without a word, and extended his arm to Joanna.
Once Joanna had taken his arm, Fiora curtsied and left. They walked in terse silence down several corridors. When they reached the first flight of stairs, Tywin began to instruct Joanna in the finer intricacies of court.
"We will wait until we are called before the King. I trust you have been versed in due deference of royalty, but even still, do not speak until you are spoken to, and don't speak more than necessary."
"Is that how you would have me be as the Lady of Casterly Rock?" Joanna asked snidely. "Seen, but not heard?"
Tywin stopped dead in his tracks, turning to her. "This isn't a game, Joanna," he said. It was the first time he'd used her name alone, without her title. It caught her off guard, and she looked up into Tywin's clear green eyes. She could have sworn she saw a slight flush under the freckles that colored his cheeks and nose.
"The Targaryens are changeful people, prone to madness and excesses. They say when a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin. It's because you'll be the Lady of Casterly Rock that you must watch yourself at court. Ladies at court must be careful."
Joanna searched Tywin's eyes for more meaning.
"Careful of whom?" she asked.
Tywin didn't answer, but his jaw flexed. "Everyone. You must promise me you'll not go anywhere unaccompanied."
Joanna said nothing. Tywin put his hands on Joanna's upper arms and held her firmly. "Promise me, Joanna."
"I-I promise, Tywin," she said, unsettled.
Satisfied, Tywin resumed his pace, and put Joanna's arm back on his.
Shaken to her core, Joanna unconsciously held onto Tywin's arm a bit tighter as they made their way to the throne room. The murmur of court grew louder as they approached, and the scene that met them made Joanna's jaw drop ever so slightly.
The great hall was lined with great dragon skulls, and fires burning in each of the pillars. Lords, ladies, and knights turned to watch as Joanna and Tywin entered the hall. Joanna's ears burned as some of them whispered and smiled at each other.
Tywin ignored these reactions, and kept his eyes on the Iron Throne, where King Jaehaerys sat, dispensing justice and adhering to matters of the state.
Joanna stood mesmerized by his long, silver hair. She knew almost all the Targaryens had silver hair, but it was much different to see it in person than to hear stories. So enraptured was she that she barely noticed when a young knight approached and began speaking with Tywin.
"This must be the Lady Joanna," the tall knight said, his kind blue eyes glittering. Joanna forced herself to look away from the Iron Throne. "Tales of your beauty have not been exaggerated."
Joanna swallowed, taken off her guard. "I thank you Ser. I did not know that I was known in court at all."
He smiled, displaying a sweet smile that immediately set Joanna at ease. "Of course. Ser Tywin, though a hard man, is an honest one, so you know when he speaks well of someone, it must be true."
Joanna looked up at Tywin, who did not dare look back at her. He stared at the unnamed knight with a hard seriousness.
"Lady Joanna, may I introduce you to Ser Barristan Selmy," Tywin said.
Ser Barristan held out his hand, and Joanna placed her free hand in his, which he promptly kissed in a small bow. Joanna took back her hand, and immediately saw her father approach. Relief washed over her as he took his place beside her and Tywin.
"Father," she said. He placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Tywin, thank you for seeing her down," Ser Jason said to his nephew.
"Of course, uncle," Tywin said dutifully. "How are the camps?"
"Well," he said. "We will be glad of the time we have in the fortnight before we are off to Essos and the Stepstones," Jason said, his eyes trained on the Iron Throne. "A coronation to bring us all together before we are off to war. Though it is hardly enough time for you two to become acquainted…"
Joanna opened her mouth to speak, but her attention was drawn away when she heard the announcement of their presentation to the future king.
"The House Lannister presents at court the Lady Joanna, lady-in-waiting to Princess Rhaella, escorted by her betrothed, Ser Tywin Lannister, and her father, Jason Lannister."
A murmur spread, and the crowd in front of Joanna and Tywin parted, allowing Tywin to lead her forward. Joanna held onto Tywin tightly, and looked up briefly at the large dragon skulls above her, before looking back at Jaehaerys, whose face was curled in a large smile.
When they reached the bottom of the stone steps to the throne, Tywin bowed, and Joanna curtsied as gracefully as possible.
"Step forward, girl, and let me look at you," Jaehaerys said.
Joanna looked a moment at Tywin, who let her arm go. He would not follow her. She truly would be laid bare in front of all at court. She shook as she reached the bottom of the dais steps, and clasped her hands together at her hip.
"So, you are to become my daughter's lady-in-waiting?" he asked, rhetorically. "She will be thankful for the company. Tell me girl, what are your accomplishments?"
Joanna's heart pounded in her ears. She had little love for feminine past-times, but knew she was expected to say as much at court. All reason fled her, and she answered earnestly.
"I prefer reading to embroidery and sewing, Your Majesty," she said. "I do sing, but very poorly."
"We will be the judge that," he said. "At my coronation, it would honor me if you regaled us with a tune."
"As your Your Majesty commands," she said, and curtsied again.
Knowing her audience to be over, Joanna began to back away, but her eyes caught momentarily on a flash of violet. A pair of eyes Joanna could only assume belonged to Prince Aerys Targaryen glittered in a smile that chilled Joanna's blood. The black doublet he wore with a fine embroidered three-headed dragon only confirmed her suspicions—he was the prince, the husband of Princess Rhaella.
As soon as she had met his eyes, she looked away, and quickly grabbed Tywin's arm as he led her back into the throng of the court.