Rhaegar was tremendously excited. They were nearing Casterly Rock, everyone said He bounced in his seat. 'Rhaegar, relax!.' His mother smiled. 'Look there.' He looked, and his eyes sparkled at the sight. They were at a cave, a huge gaping cavern. Its entrance was carved like a lion's teeth. When he looked inside, there were huge golden sandstone gates, carved with great red likenesses of lions.
Seeing Rhaegar's scrutiny, Aerys sneered 'Like the Lannisters, don't you?' Rhaegar stayed quiet; as the great gates were raised, and Lord Tywin and his retinue emerged. They all knelt, heads bowed. 'Rise, my lords, my ladies.' Rhaella commanded with poise. Fluidly, they rose. 'Your Grace, My Queen, My Prince, the hospitality of Casterly Rock is yours.' Lord Tywin bowed, and Lady Joanna curtsied. Rhaegar watched all this formality with an expression of wide-eyed wonder.
'Lord Tywin', asked Rhaella, 'Would you permit me to walk with you to your home?' 'Of course, My Queen.' Rhaegar felt uneasy. If Mother went with Lord Tywin, and Father with the Kingsguard, what was he to do? Someone touched his shoulder. Rhaegar looked up, surprised. It was Lady Joanna. 'Would you like to come with me, My Prince'? she asked. Rhaegar nodded dumbly. Lady Joanna soon put him at ease, asking about the court, his mother, the Kingsguard, and his life at King's Landing. He talked animatedly, much to Joanna's relief. She had feared that the Royal Family would be difficult to entertain, what with the eccentric King and the shy Prince. She came to an abrupt stop.
The Prince looked at her, confused. 'Would you like to the children when we get to Casterly Rock?' she asked gently. He nodded enthusiastically, then looked forlorn. 'What happened, My Prince?' 'I didn't bring anything!' he exclaimed. 'I'm sorry, My Lady.' Joanna laughed. 'It matters not.' she told him. They continued on to the Rock.
Rhaella watched her son go with Lady Joanna Lannister. He was apparently at ease, and chatted animatedly, which was surprising, for he had always been shy, and retreated into his even more these days, now that he knew of his father's condition. She sighed. She had failed at keeping him innocent. Forcing back the remorse that flooded her, she turned her attention to the lady, who had the grace to look interested. She would be good for him, Rhaella thought.
'Shall we, Your Grace?' She was jerked to the present by Tywin Lannister's voice. Regaining her composure she replied 'Yes, of course.' As they walked on steadily towards Casterly Rock, Rhaella took a deep breath. 'Aerys is steadily growing worse. I would advice you to keep him away from your wife. I heard him remark that it was a shame that he did not have his way with your wife during your wedding.' Tywin's face darkened. 'I'll be sure to follow your advice, Your Grace.'
Aerys had almost violated Lady Joanna during the bedding after Tywin and Joanna's marriage. Lord Tywin came to a gradual halt. 'There's Casterly Rock, Your Grace.' he told her, pointing. Rhaella focused her gaze on the castle and gasped
Casterly Rock was an immense, sculpted sandstone structure which looked like it was melded into the mountain. Beautiful as it was, Rhaella could plainly see that it was, first and foremost, a fortress. The imposing battlements towered over her. As she admired the Lannister stronghold, she saw her son arrive with Lady Joanna, looking excited. She heard Joanna saying, 'Look, My Prince, that's Casterly Rock.' Her son looked awestruck. 'It's wonderful, My Lady!' he exclaimed. She supposed it was, glinting golden-red in the sunlight, flowing buttresses arching to the sky. Lord Tywin interjected 'There you are, Joanna.' He caressed the words fondly. In the distance, she saw Aerys arriving.
As soon as Aerys reached the entrance to the castle, Lady Joanna and Lord Tywin ushered them in. 'Giving birth has rather diminished your charms, lovely Joanna. Not that you are unattractive, of course.' Aerys sniped. Tywin's face darkened, but Joanna soothed the tension. 'Children are more precious than mere beauty, Your Grace.' She replied in a pacifying tone. Rhaegar, unmindful of the underlying tension, queried 'May I see the babies, please, Lady Joanna?' She turned to him with a dazzling smile. 'Of course, Prince Rhaegar,' she replied. Aerys glared at her son, who shrank from his gaze.
They then entered the Great Hall, where a very ostentatious feast was laid out. The delicacies were too many to count. At a glance, she could see roast pike smothered in a spicy sauce, mushroom soup garnished with leeks, turkey, boiled neeps with roast boar, pitchers of fine Arbor Gold and Dornish Red, apple cider, hippocras, lemon cakes, tart and pumpkin pies. Tables were groaning, overloaded with food. It was exactly the type of lavish affair she had expected from the Lannisters.
Before everyone sat down to eat, she noticed Joanna Lannister discreetly exit the hall. She entered almost instantly, carrying her children with her. As she took her place as the hostess at the high table, Lord Tywin Lannister stood up. 'On behalf of my family, I would like to thank his Grace king Aerys Targaryen for being present here, along with Her Grace Queen Rhaella and the Crown Prince. Your presence during these troubled times truly means a lot to me.' He raised his glass. 'To the Royal Family!' Glasses clinked, and the feast had well and truly begun.
Joanna felt uneasy. The King was staring very intensely at her, the Seven alone know why. She met his gaze, glancing fleetingly at the Queen. She had an alarmed expression on her face, and Joanna flinched internally. She recalled the King's intense gazes at her, openly courting her over the Queen at King's Landing, remembered Tywin's angered glares. He had stormed over to her more than once, both of them united in their unofficial betrothal. In the end, incensed beyond belief, he had forgotten all propriety, and proposed to her publicly. She had blushed and accepted happily. scant weeks after that, they had wed.
Joanna shook herself out of her reverie as the Queen addressed her. 'Yes, your Grace?' She queried politely. 'Do you not have another daughter, Lady Joanna?' 'Yes, I do, Your Grace. Her name is Cynthia.' Sweet Cynthia. Joanna often thought about her little towheaded daughter, who loved scraping her knees and playing with swords. Any anger Joanna ever felt at her was always instantly snuffed out by one look in her deep lime green eyes. 'Ah, I see.' says the Queen. 'Where is the little lady, then?' 'In Dorne, with Princess Arielle.' 'She is barely 6, Your Grace.' Joanna continues. 'Of an age with Prince Rhaegar. I did not want to neglect and scare her during my confinement. 'I understand.' agrees the Queen. 'Childbirth is quite frightening.' she says. Joanna nods.
At that moment, King Aerys stood up, about to propose a toast. Joanna looked up. 'To the greatest beauty of our age.' He saluted. Joanna's stomach roiled. 'Lady Joanna, hostess of Casterly Rock! I must say, Tywin, you are indeed lucky to snag such a statuesque beauty,' he finished. Automatically, mechanically, Joanna stood, acknowledging the toast, all the while looking at Tywin. His face was a glacial mask, as the air turned rife with tension. 'Thank you, Your Grace.' he replied, with chilly courtesy. Joanna sighed. Not even a day had passed, yet, already, she was the object of a cold war...
Notes:So, did you guys like it? In my AU, Joanna married Tywin in 259 AC, due to which both Joanna and Tywin are older. Their ages are:- Joanna: 21 (266 AC), Tywin:- 35 (266 AC)
