I was so surprised to see how many of you reviewed and was able to guess what Iseis discovers. Thanks to Stylin'Fire, notsmaug, HermioneandMarcus, CLTex, Fairydaisy777, Naruhina1519, Ain'tEasyBeingBreezy, ZabuzasGirl, and RHatch89 for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter, I thought it was pretty good personally.

Chapter 24

When Robb had left Iseis had never felt so empty. She had told him it was for the best that they stayed together, as though she knew deep down that something terrible would happen.

Yet he had ignored her wishes and set off west to deal with the remainder of her uncle's soldiers. She had to stay in Riverrun, with no one as a familiar face. She was not pleased, to say the least.

She had hated Robb for that. She had felt as though he didn't want her anymore, as though he was using the battle as a way to escape her for a little while.

Iseis remembered that Lady Catelyn and Lord Eddard were married as long as she had been with Robb when Lord Stark rode off to battle with her father. And he came back to Winterfell with a bastard. Iseis now understood the hate Lady Catelyn felt for Jon Snow, her husband's son which he had with another woman. Iseis didn't know what she would do if Robb came back with a bastard. One thing was for sure, she would never let him touch her again. She would most likely drown the child as well... Though that seemed heartless and she really never could do such a thing.

The thought cut her so deeply. It pained her so terribly to think of Robb on top of another woman and making love to her as he did with Iseis. She could hear the moans and the way the woman would cry out for him, just the same way she herself did. Iseis had nightmares about it; she would always wake up with tears trailing down her cheeks. She knew she was being silly, but it still hurt.

Iseis suddenly regretted their last night together. She was so angry with him for leaving her in Riverrun, that when he climbed into bed with her and began touching her, wanting to make love once more, she had refused him. She had done in gently of course, telling him she was too tired...But she could hear from his voice that he had seen though it.

She missed him. She missed him so much it made her sick. Her head pounded all the time and she couldn't sleep at night without his arms wrapped around her. Her chest ached for need of him and she felt so lonely.

She had started doing things just to get her mind off of him. She had begun exploring the castle quite a bit as of late. She had found hidden rooms and different nooks and crannies she would have loved to play in when she was younger. But she had also taken up to checking on Lord Hoster everyday for Lady Catelyn. She would write to her about his health and keep her updated, so she knew if she had to come back to Riverrun suddenly.

Lord Holster had taken a liking to Iseis, so it seemed. He often forgot who she was, and Iseis would have to explain that she's was his grandson's wife. Lord Holster would forget he had a grandson, and he would grow panicky wondering which one of his daughters had gotten married, and if he missed the wedding. Iseis grew sad every time she came to visit him and he seemed to remember less. So finally she had stopped telling him who she was all together. He would ask her and she would only say she was a friend of Cat's and he would nod, seeming to be content with that answer.

He slept most of the time though, the maester said it for the pain, and Iseis saw a bit of him waste away every time he closed his eyes. It was terrible really, how pain can do that to a person. How they can be fine one minute and the next they could have trouble breathing, and you would see their life slip away with every passing moment.

Iseis thought of these things as she walked through the Tully's library. Her fingers ran over the spines of the books and tomes as she read the titles. The Tully's had an impressive collection. However, it was nothing like the collection that was in the Red Keep, or in Winterfell for that matter.

Iseis had only seen one other library that was almost as impressive as the one she had in the Capital, and that was Winterfell's. The Starks were very proud of their history, so it seemed. Therefore, they kept many books on it. Her Uncle Tyrion was so impressed by their collection that he even took a couple with him when he journeyed to the Wall.

Iseis wondered where her Uncle Tyrion was at that moment, and if he was reading like he usually did. Or perhaps he was in a brothel of a tavern, getting drunk. Tyrion had three main hobbies: reading, whoring, and drinking. Iseis had figured that out in the first decade she was alive with little difficulty.

As Iseis loomed over the books, trying to find one in particular, the Head Maester of Riverrun came up to her.

"Can I help you find anything, Your Grace?" He asked

"Umm, no thank-you. I'm only browsing for a book."

"Any book in particular?"

"No, I'm only looking for a good one to read." She turned to him and smiled lightly. Iseis frowned when she saw he was looking at her funny. "Is something wrong?"

"No, Your Grace. Nothing is wrong... Only I wonder." The old man pursed his lips and studied Iseis even more.

"Wonder what?" She inquired

"Your Grace forgive me, but you do not look well. Are you feeling alright?"

"I-I think so. I do have a terrible headache though,"

He frowned and took a step towards her and placed the palm of his hand on her forehead, seeing how warm she was.

"Hmm," He hummed and pulled away his aging hand "You are a little warm, but not too feverish. Your Grace, if you would like to come with me I'm sure I could give you something for the headaches."

"Yes. Thank-you." She nodded and began to follow the man.

"I wonder," The Maester said thinking, frowning "How long have you felt like this? Since the King left or before?"

Now that Iseis thought about it, she had been feeling the non-ending headache for awhile. She remembered having it even before Robb left. However, she thought it was caused by their constant fighting.

"Before," She answered

"If I may, Your Grace," The Maester licked his lips "You have been under an enormous amount of stress, with being prisoner and now with the new task of being queen. It is perfectly normal for you to feel ill under these circumstances."

Iseis nodded. She supposed that could explain things, she remembered her mother used to get headaches when she was stressed as well. Iseis assumed that stress was also the reason why she had been sick in bed almost a week ago. She had gotten halfway through the day when she started feeling run down. By the afternoon she had been getting sick in a chamber pot. She stayed in bed for two days after that, and she still didn't feel up to par yet even though it has been over a week.

"I heard you were in bed for two days because you kept getting sick." The maester frowned

"Oh, umm yes... I was." She almost rolled her eyes. She told her handmaidens not to tell a single soul. They clearly didn't know how to keep secrets.

"Hmm, like I said it could be induced by stress. But it might be..." He stopped mid-sentence and looked to her, "My queen, may I ask a personal question?"

Iseis frowned "Yes, I suppose so. What is it?"

"You and the King... You have consummated the marriage, yes?"

Iseis found herself blushing, completely embarrassed though she knew she shouldn't have been. After all, maesters dealt with far more awkward matters than that. "We have."

"And have you been intimate long?"

"Long enough. Two months or so," Iseis couldn't be sure how long they had been physically involved; it was well before they were married though.

"And when was the last time you've bled?"

As soon as he asked that question Iseis's eyes widened and realization struck her and a large smile appeared on her face. For the first time since her and Robb's fight, Iseis had felt happiness.

Iseis sat in the bathtub and sighed. She leant back against the metal back and closed her eyes while trying to relax. She had been in the tub for nearly an hour and the water was beginning to get cold. She didn't care though, she felt her head clear up while she was in water and she was in a good mood since that afternoon.

She shivered slightly as her arms were wrapped around herself and her knees were tucked up. Her hair was heavy with how wet it was and she wondered where everyone she loved was at that moment.

Where was her mother? What was she doing? Was she listening to a small council, or conspiring? Perhaps she was in bed, trying to sleep or reading over some letters?

Iseis wondered where Lady Catelyn was, and if she had reached her Uncle Renly's camp safety or not. Iseis was sure Renly wouldn't hurt Cat, but one could never be too certain. Undoubtedly, he would have never hurt her if Robb had not been pronounced King. Yet, now that there was another player in the game Iseis wasn't all that sure. Power does funny things to people, and when they feel that power may be threatened they do terrible things.

After Iseis thought about Catelyn, she found herself thinking about her siblings. She knew for fact that Myrcella and Tommen were already in bed and asleep. Iseis wondered if they ever missed her and whether or not she would see them again. She hoped she would; Iseis loved them both so much. Should she never see them again she would be sad. However, should she never see Joffrey again it would be far too soon.

Joffrey had always been so cruel. He was nothing like Iseis and the rest of their siblings. Nor was he anything like her mother and father. He was his own person, and that person was cruel and sadistic, having pleasure from other's pain and hardships.

Iseis remembered walking down into his chambers one day after he summoned her. She hated being summoned, especially when it was Joffrey who had summoned her. She couldn't stand him, and lately he has always tried her patience to see how far back she could bend before she could snap.

It was only two days after Lord Stark had been arrested and her father had died. Iseis had seen the entire castle in peril, Lannister and and Baratheon men killing Stark men. Iseis had no idea what had become of poor Sansa and Arya Stark, but she worried about them.

Cersei had ordered that Iseis be sent away. The preparations were being made for her to leave within the next day. Iseis had barely stopped crying since then. She didn't want to leave King's Landing to go to Casterly Rock, she wanted to stay there.

Iseis had been on the beach when Joffrey had called upon her. He had his Dog come and get her. Iseis had no problem with Sandor Clegane, he really wasn't as vicious as he seemed... At least, that is what she thought anyway. However, Iseis hated the Hound for doing everything Joffrey wanted. And that was only because Iseis hated Joffrey even more.

The Hound interrupted the peaceful trip she had taken to the beach. She had ditched Sir Maxwell and Aries Roth, trying to get away from them so she could be alone upon the sandy shores. And gods be good, it was difficult to get away. Mainly because neither one of them ever left her side. Sir Maxwell was paid to never leave her, so she could understand why he was always following her around. But Aries? That man would follow her like some lost puppy. Septa Elena thought he fancied her, and Iseis suspected she was right. She guessed Cersei had a few words with him and Iseis knew he was to court her. She didn't like him much though.

It had been difficult to get rid of both of them. But she was able to deceive a plan so she could be alone. Iseis had told them she wanted to sleep in her chambers, and she had given a couple tears, to show she was sad and wanted to be to herself. After all, her father had just passed and she was to be sent away. Could anyone blame her for being upset?

Yet as soon as she was in her chambers her crying had stopped and Iseis had begun tying sheets together. She attached them to her bedpost and the climbed down them from her balcony onto the one below hers. She had gained the idea for the stories Uncle Jaime had told her. He was forever being a bad influence.

Finally, after that she was alone, and she headed to the beach. She wanted to get some moments of solitude in her last day in King's Landing.

but of course she should have seen Joffrey would ruin it. He always ruined everything. He probably heard she was missing after Sir Maxwell finally checked on her and saw the sheets tied up and realized she has escaped/

This was not the first time Iseis had escaped doing such such things. And usually the first place people looked was the beach, since she was almost always there. Her mother always scolded her for doing that, saying it was irresponsible and foolish, but her father just laughed. It was one thing she missed about him; he understood the need she felt for freedom, and not to be constantly followed by guards and annoying possible suitors.

After Joffrey had interrupted her, she found herself being led—or dragged, she did in fact protest quite a bit—to Joffrey's chambers.

She knocked on the door as her heart raced.

"Come in." Joffrey's voice rang from behind the door.

Iseis opened the door and looked back to Clegane. "Aren't you coming in?" She asked him. She would feel far better if she wasn't alone with her despicable brother.

"I'm staying out here; I don't want to get involved in the shit show that's about to happen. I'd hurry in if I were you, the King has little patience today."

Iseis nodded and walked in, standing with her shoulders back and her chin held high.

As she rounded the corner a flash appeared in the peripheral vision of her eye and something cold and metal pressed against the throat. It didn't take her long to figure out it was sword against her neck. Iseis tried to hold her in gasp as her heart shuttered. The sword was so cold that it burned her, feeling it tingle and her porcelain skin felt as though it was alive with fire.

Iseis didn't turn her head in fear the blade was cut her throat from how sharp it was. Instead she looked forward and bunched her hands in her skirt to stop them from shaking so badly. The edge of the blade dug into her skin when he push harder, creating a small cut and crimson blood ran down her throat and down the cleavage of her gown.

She heard Joff cackle and she said "Your Grace." The words felt like bile in her mouth. Her father was the King only two days ago, now it was Joffrey.

"Sister," He raised the sword from her neck and Iseis finally felt like she could breathe. "You kept me waiting."

"I was on the beach, it took me awhile to get here." She lied. Really she was just taking her time, putting off seeing Joffrey for as long as she possibly could.

He nodded and then went farther into the chambers. She followed and Joffrey sat in an armchair, the sword laid across his knees. Iseis stood in front of him, she felt him scrutinizing her under his gaze.

"You look lovely today." He told her

"Thank-you, Your Grace." She felt uncomfortable when he gave her compliments.

"You look more and more like mother everyday. Except for your hair, it's clearly father's." He noticed and sat lazily in the chair.

"May I ask why you have honored me by summoning my presence?" The lie almost choked in her throat.

"My small council informs me you will be leaving within tomorrow."

"Yes," Iseis gave him a fake, small smile. "I will be. I'm sorry to be leaving King's Landing." However, she was not sorry to be leaving him.

They were making idle talk, Iseis knew he had a different motive in mind rather than just talking about her departure.

He held his blade up, almost showing it off to her as it flickered and gleamed in the light. "Do you like my new blade, sister?"

Iseis frowned. Did he expect her to marvel at a piece of steel? Yes, he most likely did. Joffrey wanted people to worship him, even when it came down to what piece of cold metal he chose to slay people with.

"That's not father's sword." Usually when Kings passed they left a weapon to their heir. Her father had his war hammer laid upon his statue where he had his final resting place, he had left Joffrey the sword.

"No," Joffrey smirked evilly "It's not, how observant of you. You're right, it's not father's."

"Then whose is it?" She swallowed

"Lord Stark's of course. 'Ice', I believe he called it." He chuckled and admired the blade "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Very." Another lie. It wasn't beautiful in Joffrey's hands.

"Valyrian Steel." He added

"It's a very fine blade."

"Yes, yes it is." Joffrey nodded "Tell me, sweet sister; you enjoyed our visit to Winterfell, didn't you?"

"Yes." Iseis said carefully; all while wondering what he was getting at.

"Oh, I know you did." Joffrey said slowly and leant forward in his chair "I have heard many things of the splendid time you had..."

"What things, Your Grace?" Iseis tried to keep her voice from shaking.

Joffrey pretended not to hear her. "Did you know the Stark heir called his banners?"

Iseis felt her heart race more. Robb called the banners? No, he wouldn't... They held his father hostage. Robb should know to do such a thing would be the execution of him.

"I did not, Your Grace."

"You were quite fond of him, weren't you?" Joffrey stood up and held the sword up.

"N-no, I wouldn't exactly say that."

"Don't. Lie." Joffrey pointed the sword at her.

Iseis took a deep breath "Yes. I was fond of all the Starks. They were very kind to me."

"And now they are all traitor's." Joffrey held his sword out and walked towards her, the sword's point getting closer and closer.

"Funny how things turn out," She tried to get him to lighten up, to give him a small smile.

"Hilarious." Though Joffrey was not amused "Do you want to know some of the things I heard about you? Of what happened during our trip North?" So they were back on that subject.

"What did you hear?" She swallowed a lump in her throat. Iseis felt beads of sweat gather in the back of her neck and drip down her back. She backed up further as Joffrey took another step forward and pressed the tip of Ice between her breasts.

"I heard," He kept walking forward as she walked back "That you and that Stark boy were caught in the barn in a heated lover's tryst where his hand was up your skirts."

Iseis paled in fear. Where on earth would he heard an incredibly false thing such as that? Robb had gone no where close to doing such a thing. Seven Hells! He never even kissed her.

But Iseis could see how some spies were able to think that. Nothing had happened, of course. They were simply in the barn and her dress had snagged on a loose board in one of the stalls. Robb and Iseis had shuffled about awkwardly as he tried to yank her dress free of it. Iseis could see the confusion, but it was obvious they were doing nothing of the sort!

"N-no!" Iseis protested "It's a huge misunderstanding. I would never do such a thing."

"Really?" He didn't sound convinced as Iseis's back pressed against the wall and he pressed the sword into her even more.

"Yes. I swear it."

Joffrey pursed his lips "It's no matter. I'm told you will be sent off soon to be married anyway. What am I to care if Stark fucked you or not? He most likely wasn't the first anway."

"I am not a whore," Iseis hissed, knowing he was implying she was one.

Joffrey raised his eyebrows and pushed the sword tip into her more "You will be what I tell you to be. Even if that is a whore." He hissed and his jaw was tense.

Iseis said hold held her head higher as the sticky blood began to settle on her skin from her throat.

Suddenly Joffrey laughed "Relax, sister. I'm only having a bit of fun. You've always been like mother, far too serious." He moved the sword and pointed it down, allowing relief to wash over Iseis. "But honestly, what should I do with this sword? Do you think I should melt it down and add it to the throne?"

"I think it is far too fine of a blade for that." Iseis didn't want to see it added to that ugly chair.

"You're right." He nodded as he looked at it and turned his back towards her. "As you said before, it's a beautiful sword. Would you like to know what would make it look even better?"

"What?" Iseis didn't want to know, she didn't care. She only wanted to get out of that room and far away from him.

"Blood; my enemy's blood. Stark blood, to be exact. Can you imagine me running Ned Stark's own sword through him? Wouldn't that be ironic? Killed by his own blade."

"No, I can't imagine it." She didn't want to either. The last thing Iseis wanted to do was imagine the death of Ned Stark, not after he had always been so kind to her.

"Or better yet. Why don't I kill your little lover with it? That would be funny too." Joffrey chuckled "For me to kill him with his own father's sword."

Iseis stopped breathing and she said nothing, remaining in silence. Joffrey sneered at her refusal to answer, but she saw the determined look on his face.

"I said it would be funny for that to happen, do you not agree with me, Iseis?"

"I suppose it would be rather comical." She had to force the words out through her teeth and she felt as though she would rather choke on the words than speak them.

In that moment Iseis he hated more than she ever, and she saw him for what he truly was.

He was a monster.

No, Iseis did not miss Joffrey one bit. There had been some moments during their early years when things were not that bad. They had somewhat gotten along. Yet every thing turned sour after Joffrey was told he would one day rule the Seven Kingdom's.

Needless to say, Iseis did not miss him one bit.

She had thought of her mother, Lady Cat, her siblings, and Uncle Tyrion, and now she was thinking of her Uncle Jaime as she sat in the cold tub. Her head pounded even more as she thought of him. He was still in the prison in the castle, being treated poorly and terribly. Iseis wondered if he was well, or if he was sick.

She had known for fact that since Robb was gone he had ordered twice the number of guards to watch over her uncle, to be sure he wouldn't escape while he was gone.

And finally with that, she lastly thought of her husband. She wondered if he missed her as much as she missed him. She wondered if he hated an empty bed as much as she did. She wondered if he craved her touch as Iseis craved his in the lonely hours of the night. Iseis regretted their last night together. She should have made love to him like it was the last time. She should have kissed and begged for him and moved with him from when the sun set until the sun rose.

She should have done although things. And it killed her to know that he was miles away from her, probably hating her from all the yelling and fighting they had done within their last two days. But she was sure he would forgive her eventually. The morning he rode away he left her in the bed sleeping, not wanting to rouse her up for a good-bye send off. At first Iseis was stricken with sadness that he didn't even want to see her before he left, but then she noticed the gift he left on her nightstand. A single sunflower rested there as well as a small wooden box. When Iseis opened the box she was shocked to see a Direwolf necklace carved out of crystal. At that point she had begun to cry, wishing she had been up to bid him farewell and kiss him goodbye. Iseis had put on the Direwolf necklace, replacing her Lannister lionhead with it, and swearing to herself that she would wear the necklace everyday until Robb came back to her.

Since then she had really missed him. Iseis had wondered so many things about him. Like if he was safe, or what he was doing. Was he fighting in some battle? Was he lying in bed with Grey Wind at his feet? He knew she hated it when Grey Wind slept with them. So no doubt he was allowing the wolf to sleep in the bed while she wasn't there. Iseis wondered so many things.

Yet one thing remained on her mind more than the others.

She wondered if he would ever return to her.

Awee, so they kind of made up in the end. How do you guys think I did writing Joffrey? Special shout-out to RHatch89 for not only being the first to review, but also being able to guess correctly that she was pregnant! I'm still in need for ideas, so if you all could give me some, that would be great!

Next Chapter Hint: Cersei finds out about Iseis's and Robb's marriage! Her reaction might even shock some of you ;)

Thank-you for reading, and check out my update next week!

-Amelia

Review, follow, and favorite please!