The shining blue stung her eyes as she half opened them. The sensation was almost peaceful. Her whole body hurt, she could not breathe. Yet she felt peace. Joffrey couldn't follow her here. Her mother wasn't here. The poison of King's Landing and its people couldn't follow her here. Though every part of her screamed for life, she welcomed the darkness when it came.

Within it she saw white. A white spot growing in the void. She approached it timidly. It grew and took the form of a wolf. A big, red eyed wolf that stared into her eyes. She shivered slightly at its gaze, but it moved past her.

"Come" said a voice from within the wolf. She hesitated, but it beckoned her again. She followed.

Slowly, they reached a forest. She knew this forest. She had visited one like this in King's Landing out of curiosity. It was a Godswood.

"Where are we?" she asked the wolf.

"Beyond the darkness" said the wolf. "Where they dwell."

"They?" she asked.

"They are neither living nor dead, but the dead are their servants and the living their foes. They are coming."

"What are they?"

"Winter. Winter is Coming."

The wolf's eyes became sad and it disappeared. Without it she was afraid.

"Please. I can't be alone. Please."

There came a roar from behind and she saw two blue eyes staring at her from within the trees. Blue flames flickered from within the creature's mouth as it rose. Joanna screamed. She wanted to move, to run, but she seemed immobilized. The dragon clawed its way through the trees, roaring. It stomped towards her. The sight was horrifying, but the scent was even worse. It was a dead scent, of rotten flesh and decay. Tears stung Joanna's eyes as the dragon made its way toward her.

"Help me!"

"No one can save you, girl."

She could hear its voice in her head.

"No one is coming. There is no life here, only death."

"What do you want" she cried.

The dragon's mouth twisted into its mouth.

"You... and him"

It opened its mouth and the blue flames flowed out like a river. Joanna's scream went unheard in tge darkness.

But she didn't burn. Instead, the fire cleared and the dragon was gone. Instead, she saw a dark haired boy with grey eyes look at her with fear.

Who are you?" she asked fearfully.

"Jon Snow of Winterfell" he answered.

He lies... A cold voice said.

"I'm not lying" he shouted, his eyes burning. "I am Jon Snow of Winterfell!"

Lies...

"I am Jon Snow of Winterfell!"

Lies!

"I am Jon Snow of Winterfell!"

LIES!

"There was a dragon!" Joanna cried. "A blue dragon. A dead one."

"What is dead may never die" whispered the voice in her head again. It was close, she could feel it

"I need to leave! Hide. It wants you too!"

She turned and run. She kept on running despite the boy's cries for her to come back.

Then she was flying. She didn't understand it but she was not surprised for some reason. It felt natural to her.

Below her she saw a river running red. Dead men in armours displaying wolves, falcons, trouts, stags, flowers, red suns and dragons. The air was poisoned with screams and shouts, and the men below were so full of pain and hatred that tears stung her eyes again. She found two men fighting. The Stag wielded a hammer and the dragon a sword. The Stag was full of hate, while the dragon burned with need to win... to go back... to save someone...

The blows were hard and deadly. They were both so fast and strong. The dragon's sword cut with a clear elegance while the Stag's hammer was brutal and harsh. The dragon managed to cut a clean slice. The Stag's blood spilled into the water. It was over...

"We didn't want this, Robert" said the dragon.

But then as the dragon lowered its sword with pity, the Stag pulled all its hatred into its swing, and the hammer crashed into the dragon's chest. Red rubies exploded from the armour and the dragon's blood bathed the water. The dragon fell.

"Lyanna" whispered Rheagar Targaryen.

The Stag stood victorious. Its hammer is red and its blue eyes wild.

"Dragonspawn" hissed Robert Baratheon.

"Father?" whispered Joanna from within the eagle. Then there was blackness...

The next thing she felt was wet sand against her skin. The sun hurt her eyes as she tried to register her surroundings.

"That's it, breath girl" a voice said. She turned to see green eyes staring down at her.

"You'll be alright" said Jaime Lannister. "You'll be alright."

Tyrion

He was sitting in a brothel with a hazel haired woman in bed with him when the news came of Joanna's incident. He couldn't call it an accident, not when he knew Joffrey was present.

As much as he hated his sister, her daughter held a special place in his drunken heart, and he got up from the bed and run out of the room, quickly pulling his shirt on. He told his guard to pay the girl before leaving.

The road to Casterly Rock seemed to take forever. He implored the carriage to go faster, quite rudely in fact. He felt relief as they entered the castle, as unpleasant as the memories brought on by the gates where.

He burst through the door to Joanna's chambers and saw his sister staring at him wide eyed, while Jaime looked sullen. They both looked guilty, like when they were caught stealing sweets as children, but Tyrion was more preoccupied with the girl lying still on the bed.

"Is she..."

"She's alive brother, don't worry" said Jaime quietly. He looked pale himself, with dark circles under his eyes.

"What happened?" he asked, moving beside the unconscious girl.

"She was playing with Joff and it got out of hand" said his sister.

"Out of hand?" he asked accusingly.

"Yes, Imp" she snapped. "She lost her footing and fell into the water."

"Joff was chasing her, ' said Jaime, looking between her and his brother. "Something about what happened at the lion cages yesterday. He bumped into her and Joanna fell. It's a miracle she missed the rocks. Maester says she should be alright. She coughed up most of the water when I got her to breathe again. There doesn't seem to be anything broken. We'll be sure when she wakes up.

"You saved her?" asked Tyrion.

"No, the mermaids brought her to shore '' said Jaime with a small, tired smile. "Yes, I saved her. I expect a reward of course. It's not everyday you save a princess. Gods, I'm lucky I didn't hit the rocks myself."

"We're all very glad you didn't brother" said Cersei looking at him slyly. "It would have been a terrible thing if you had died."

Tyrion frowned at her. He knew she had no love for Joanna. Hell, she seemed to hate the girl, even before she had her, and tried to kill her in her womb with moon tea. Preventing the plot was one of Tyrion's finest moments. Not that any of them knew.

"We should be glad no one got too hurt" he told his sister, and she looked at him with disgust.

"Yes," she said after a moment. She looked at Joanna for a moment then signed.

"Come brother, let's find my husband."

"Why isn't the king here?" asked Tyrion.

"Oh, he was, he was most upset. He decided he needed a drink and perhaps a woman."

Cersei scoffed, while Tyrion grew red. The man decided that it was more fitting how drink and whore rather than sit by Joanna's side.

Cersei left the room, Jaime following.

"What happened to your neck?'' asked Tyrion, noticing bruises on his brother's neck.

He smiled. "Saving princesses is difficult work, sweet brother."

"Can I just say, diving in like that after her, very brave, brother."

Jaime smiled and gave a slight bow. "I live to serve. Say hello to her for me when she wakes."

He walked out, leaving Tyrion alone with his niece.

The girl was too good for her parents. Both of them were impulsive, foolish people who did not deserve such a clever and good daughter. A daughter who spent all her allowance on packages of food for the people of Flea Bottom without a second, greedy thought. A girl who was sweet, timid and bright beyond her years. He cursed his nephew, for this was surely his doing. The brat was a monster, he knew that and the girl was in danger every moment she spent with him.

Myrcella would grow at a distance from Joff, their age gap ensured that. He could protect her, but Joanna already held a hateful spot in Joff's black heart. He needed to do something to save her. When he saved her so many years ago, he had to admit he did it partially to spite his sister, and partially to save his brother's soul. But everyday with the girl he grew more sure and glad of the one time betrayed his beloved brother. He would not let that go to waste. Joanna needed to grow up away from the poisons of the court, away from Robert's drinking and Cersei's hatred. From Joffrey's madness. Joanna will grow up happy, loved and cared for. She will not end up like him. Despite Jaime's efforts he had grown twisted by the cruelty he suffered at his family's hands, they won't do that to her. He will do what Jaime didn't have the heart to, he will send her away to freedom, enduring the pain it brought him to see her go.

Joanna groaned in her sleep. He took her hand.

"It's alright, Flamespitter, I'm here".

He needed to protect her. He needed to get her away from here. Perhaps to the Arryns in the Vale. No. He needed a Lord Paramount to watch over her, and Arryn was in King's Landing by Robert's side. The Reach? No. She'd become a pawn in the game for the Queen of Thorns. Hoster Tully would wed her to his son at the first chance. He'd need someone who would put Joanna's well being above all else. But who?

"Winter..." she whispered. As odd as the word was in the eyes of a girl who never saw snow, but the smile on Tyrion's face overwhelmed the surprise. Yes, that would be the best way...

The day went by slowly, with Joanna awakening around dusk. He soothed her through her shock, and then kept her entertained through books, drawings, and stories from his childhood.

"Jaime wouldn't let me tell anyone, but we laughed about it for another week. Cersei thought we've gone mad" he said as Joanna laughed.

Then he asked her grimly.

"Did he push you?"

The laughter died and her eyes became fearful.

"Tell me, please".

"I'm not sure" she whispered.

He nodded.

"But you don't feel safe here?"

She shook her head.

He nodded. He waited until she fell asleep. Then he went to his sister's chambers.

He knocked on the door and it was quite a while until her guard answered. He noticed the man tighten his breeches as he walked past. Cersei scowled as she looked his way.

"What do you want Imp?" she hissed.

"To talk about your daughter," he said with a smile.

"Myrcella? What about her?"

"Not Myrcella. Joanna."

Cersei's eyes narrowed. "She's healthy and safe, isn't she?"

"Healthy, aye, but far from safe".

"What do you mean?"

"We both know what happened. What Joffrey did."

"What are you suggesting?" she said, spiteful as ever, defending her baby boy before all else.

"I'm not suggesting, Cersei. Like I said, we both know what happened. She's not safe with him. Myrcella I know you'll protect from his worst impulses, but Joanna you have never shown the most basic loving remark."

"Who are you to tell me how I should treat my daughter?" she snapped.

"You can barely look at her," he said, ignoring her. Then he looked her in the eyes. "Help me and you won't have to."

She raised her eyebrow and Tyrion knew he had her.

"Speak" she said.

He told her his plan. She was wary, calling the argument of a potential hostage should the worst thing occur, but they both knew it was an impossible thing for Robert's best friend to do. Soon they were marching Robert's chambers together, for the first time ever standing on the same side of the battlefield. In another world Tyrion would have been happy.

In another world...

Joanna

She stirred and realized she was lying on a soft surface. The voices brought her back into focus.

"Did he hurt you?" a woman said.

"Nothing I can't handle," said a cocky voice.

She heard the sound of a hand striking a face.

"That's not the sort of gratitude I expect for saving your daughter, Cersei".

"You could have died," wept the woman. "You would leave me alone. With Robert... Do I mean nothing to you?"

"Cersei" the man said and then there was silence.

Joanna opened her eyes slightly. She nearly let out a gasp. Her mother was kissing Uncle Jaime.

It wasn't a kiss that brother and sister would share. Their lips were together in such a passionate way that she had only seen when she caught her maid kissing a squire. This felt wrong. It was like her kissing Joffrey, a fantasy that made her stomach turn.

She snapped her eyes shut and pretended to still be unconscious. Her mind seemed to shut down and she could hear a door open before truly falling back into darkness. Yet what she had seen still appeared in her mind as she left, and she realised she must have tossed and turned in her sleep as she woke up hours later in a different position. She clumsily rose and was happy to see Uncle Tyrion smiling at her.

Her parents came to visit and she was glad the visit was brief, fir the sight of her mother confused her so much she could barely speak, which her father took for shock.

He gave books to read, parchment to draw on, and told her most wonderful tales about his childhood with Jaime. Despite the image still fresh in her mind she couldn't help laughing.

Then her uncle asked her what had happened. What should she say? The truth? What was the truth? She couldn't remember clearly. Her back was turned. Did Joffrey knock her off by accident? He couldn't have pushed her, could he? It had felt like a bump, but could it have been deliberate? Joffrey wasn't that cruel, was he?

When her uncle asked for an honest answer, she gave it.

He left after that, leaving Joanna to draw, she tried her hardest to forget what had happened and what she had seen. Then her father knocked on the door.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he sat on the chair. It creaked under his weight.

"Better," she said quietly.

He nodded awkwardly. He sat still for a moment then he had decided to get to the point.

"Joanna, I want to talk about your future."

Catelyn

The sight of his whizzing body was like a knife to the heart. Her own words rang through her as she remembered her prayers.

Take him away. Make him die.

Her wish was granted. The boy was dying. She would no longer have to live with hatred for a child. But now she hated herself, she was a murderer. A child killer. She condemned a motherless boy out of jealousy. For a faceless woman he didn't even know.

So she prayed to all Seven Gods. Let the boy live. Let him live and I'll love him. I'll be a mother to him. I'll beg my husband to give him a true name, to call him Stark and be done with it, to make him one of us.

And he lived. And she felt such relief that she actually smiled at him. But when she woke the next day, she cursed herself, for she knew she couldn't keep that promise. Once again the boy's faceless mother appeared before her whenever any warm thought towards him crossed her mind. Unlike her children, who practically threw themselves at him the next day. Even Brandon slept easier that night than any other night. But Catelyn Stark could feel nothing for the boy's recovery, nothing. She went to her Sept that day.

"I'm sorry" she cried to the Gods. "I'm sorry".

Things go back to normal. The boy is back to normal and she as usual can barely look at him. Robb had his name day celebrations. The day was fun and her boy was happier than she had ever seen him, but she realises that he was mainly relieved by the bastard's recovery. The boy himself was excited by his uncle Benjen's surprise visit. He was weak, but growing stronger by the day and she felt glad for that, as difficult it was to think about him.

Things went back to normal. The children learn and play together, rejoicing in the boy's recovery. Sansa only does as much as say she is glad to see her half-brother has recovered. Ned spent all his time with the boys, sitting at the bastard's side as he recovered, but did not deny Robb any attention on his name day, which made her happy. If he must keep the boy around, he can as long as he doesn't forget about their children.

But another surprise was awaiting them. On the day, she was sitting with Sansa and Arya and Septa Mordane when Alyn came to inform her that her husband wished to see her. Leaving her daughters sewing, she made her way to Ned's solar. She was shocked at the surprised, almost speechless look on his face.

"A raven from King's Landing".

He handed her the parchment. She read it and understood Ned's shock.

To Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North,

I hope you are well my friend. Your son will have had his name day by the time this raven arrives, slow as they are, and I hope it went well for all of you. I write to you because I have realised a way for the Crown and the North to further their relations. I have realised my elder daughter, Joanna, needs more than life at the court. She already knows enough of the Southern ways, and as a princess, she must learn more of Westeros and more of life. She is a smart girl, fond of learning and I think this would be good for her. I wish for her to be fostered at Winterfell as a ward of House Stark.

(Please leave your thoughts in the comments. I enjoy reading your reviews (: )