The morning of her wedding Joanna woke alone. Reaching a hand out she discovered the mattress was still warm meaning her brother hadn't left too long ago. Daylight was only just breaking through the window but the harsh light momentarily blinded her as she sat up. It was then that she realised that she would never go to bed as Princess Joanna Baratheon again, after the wedding she would be Lady Joanna Tyrell, much to her displeasure. No longer would this be her home, instead she would be residing far away, and she wished that she had at least been allowed to visit Highgarden once before the marriage.

Slowly she roused herself from the bed and wandered to her wardrobe. Opening it she saw almost all red and gold, the Lannister colours. Prior to the King's death she had owned only one black and gold gown, but after she had discovered the truth of her parentage keeping it just seemed wrong so she accidently ripped it.

Soon a dozen handmaidens, both her own and her mother's came to dress her. Silently they dressed her and did her hair, whilst Joanna just sat there, refusing to smile. Once they had finished and left she stood in front of the mirror and she could barely recognise the girl looking back at her. She was so used to wearing strong, bold colours that the pale shades of the dress gave her a ghostly look in her opinion.

As befitting her royal status the gown was exquisite, made of a fine, cream material that hugged her body before flowing out gradually to the floor. Patterns covered the dress, golden thread outlining flowers and even a lion was seen chasing its tail around the skirt. The sleeves were short and left her arms bare but they would soon be covered by her maiden cloak.

Her curls had been curled even more and left mostly down, forming a golden halo around her face. The front strands were plaited and pulled to the back and a small lace hair net was woven with them at the very back. The jewellery was all golden and most importantly a lion locket sat upon her neck, a gift from her mother for her wedding.

The door opening interrupting her musing and the noise made her spin round suddenly. Stood there was her mother, dressed finely herself. Unable to stop herself Joanna rushed forward and threw her arms around Cersei. Without a word the Queen Regent returned the embrace, clutching her oldest daughter firmly.

"Joanna… my beautiful daughter… my little lioness…"

Sucking in a deep breath she admitted. "I'm scared."

Cersei moved her daughter to the chairs of the balcony from where they could see the final wedding preparations being made. She looked at her daughter and grasped her hands.

"It is normal to be scared, darling, you are being sold to another family. I felt much the same when I was married to your father. My advice to you is to be strong. It may seem hard but ignore your weaknesses and eventually they will disappear. Men are cruel and in the end will only cause you heartache so don't allow yourself to become close to your husband. Love only your children and your blood because everyone else will turn on you."

Nodding Joanna sighed. "Can I return here soon?"

No matter how many years she would spend in Highgarden she knew that Kings Landing would always be her home, and she would do anything to remain here.

"It's up to your husband but I'm sure Joffrey would find a way to allow you to visit. He would do anything for you."

"And I would do anything for him too." Joanna stated, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

"No one can ever understand the love between twins and you will never find that kind of love again. Cherish it and know that you can always rely on each other."

Joanna understood more from that statement than her mother meant her too. Cersei was right. It couldn't be a coincidence that her and Joffrey loved each other as their parents had. Twins were a part of each other and trying to deny the connection would cause nothing but pain.

Cersei turned to her and placed a hand on her cheek, smiling. "You look so much like me when I was your age, just as beautiful. But I know for a fact that your marriage will be happier than mine was."

Joanna scoffed dismissively. "That isn't hard. You and… father, you couldn't have been more ill-suited to each other."

"Yet my life has turned out wonderful. My son is the King, I have 4 beautiful children and your father isn't here. My suffering has been worthwhile and I know that yours will be too."

She imagined having to spend years pretending to be happy next to a man she didn't love and that moment she wanted nothing more than to find Joffrey and run away to somewhere where no one had ever heard of them.

The door opened just as Joanna the knot in her stomach became unbearable. Stood there was her uncle Jaime. Referring to him as her father still felt strange so old habits stuck.

"Jaime will be taking the place of your father." Cersei explained, taking her daughters hands.

Joanna pulled away from her mother and embraced her uncle-father. He returned the embrace for only a few seconds before he release her and hugged his sister.

"How is she?" he asked, concerned.

"Worried, as she has every right to be." Cersei stroked Joanna's cheek, a sad smile on her face. "But she is a Lannister lion and she will survive."

This answer didn't please Jaime and his face twisted in anger. "I don't want Joanna to just survive. What kind of life is that for a young beautiful girl? She deserves a life where sadness and loneliness are unknown and a smile never leaves her face. The moment Joanna starts living your life, dear sister, is the moment Loras Tyrell dies. I don't care how many wars it will start, if that boy hurts her then those Tyrells can take their bloody roses and shove them-"

Joanna interrupted quickly. "No need uncle. If my soon-to-be husband hurts me in any way he will learn that even lionesses have claws."

Cersei turned to her daughter and held her close. "My brave little lion. We have to go now but remember this: never forget who you are and be strong and one day it will be easier."