Ser Jaime Lannister had done as he was told, and journeyed to the Godswood to collect his sister. He found her, seated beneath the Weirwood Tree, her furs wrapped tightly around her. She was glancing around nervously.

When she saw Jaime, she jumped up.
"Well?"
"She did as she told us. She gave a false story. Lady Iona said she had seen him slip with her own eyes, and when she called for help, I came to her rescue. As of you, she said that you were waiting for her in the Godswood." Jaime explained.
"I did not think she would go that far." Cersei admitted.
"She saved our hides, and for that I am admittedly grateful. She knows about us - she is smart enough to put two and two together."
"Yes. Did she-"
"No. Iona put on a damn good show. She was very convincing - I almost believed it myself."
"What are we going to do? What if she tells someone?!"
"She won't. Who would believe her if she did? Besides, I think she cares too much for Joffrey to do anything."
"A silly little girl." The Queen hissed.
"Now, do not be too hard on her. She has just watched me push her brother from a window and not thought twice about it. To me, that means something."
The Queen was not sure what to do.


Once again in her breeches and tunic, she waited on the outskirts of Winterfell, awaiting the Prince.
As she watched him approach, she noticed that he had complied to her wishes, by inviting Ser Ilyn Payne instead of the Hound as his guard.
"My lady,"
"My Prince. Come, we must go, or we will run out of time."
With that, she kicked her horse into a gallop, along a route the horse knew all to well - far from Winterfell. Joffrey effortlessly kept up with her, watching from behind. Her hair, was tied up in a traditional northern style, but was loose enough to fly back in the wind.
Slowing as the entered a wood, Joffrey was able to ride by her side.
"Why have you brought me so far, my lady?"
"I have a surprise for you, my Prince."
Dismounting, she patted her horse appreciatively on the neck before beginning to walk off. The Prince clambered off his horse and jogged after her. Silently, Ilyn Payne followed, constantly on guard for anything that might threaten the Prince.

Iona grabbed the Princes arm and squeezed it in excitement.
"You are going to love it." She laughed, throwing her head back.

Merely metres away, tied to a post slouched a man. This man was bound and gagged. When he saw Iona approach he started to struggle tirelessly. His screams were nothing more than muffled nonsense.
"What is this? My lady, shield your eyes. This is not for you to see!"
"Oh no, your Grace. I put him there. This is your surprise." She explained, nearing the man and crouching down beside him. "You see, this pervert had been making my handmaiden very uncomfortable. That was not acceptable. So, I lured him here... and well - taught him a lesson."
Joffrey could not even utter a word.
"I was going to kill him, but I thought -'Maybe my betrothed should see what I am truly like. I would not want to marry someone without them knowing the real me.' I also thought that perhaps you would like to do something - to punish a man for bothering me, and something of mine."
Finally, he spoke. "Of course. Anyone who ever bothers us shall suffer at our hand."
She smiled sweetly. "I do think, that I deserve the ability to cause his suffering, but you should have the honour of ending his life."
Joffrey's eyes gleamed. She really was the one.
They did just that.
As she flayed, and cut and tormented the man, Joffrey realised why she had asked for Ilyn Payne - the man who could not talk, and therefore could not reveal her secret.
Watching her was so exciting. When he finally was given the knife, he shoved the knife through the man's left eye socket.
Instantaneously, he threw the knife to Ilyn Payne who caught it and wiped it clean. Marching up to Iona, he grabbed her and pulled her against him.
"That was a brilliant surprise."
"I should hope so your Grace." She smirked. As he leant in, to kiss her, she quickly removed herself from his grasp and sashayed away, to Ilyn Payne to retrieve her knife.
"Come, we must go. People will be missing us."


"Mother!" Joffrey yelled, wandering her temporary chambers, searching for her.
"Yes, my love?" She called, from the sofa in the living area.
"I have decided that I will marry the eldest Stark girl."
Cersei tried her hardest not to go sour-faced. "You were going to anyway."
"I know, but when we get back to the Capital, I want the wedding planning to start immediately." He demanded.
"Why, is this, darling boy?"
"I spent some time with her today. I like her."
"What about her?"
"She... she isn't boring like the others."
Cersei was struggling. Iona Stark had betrayed her family, for her sake and had now won over Joffrey - who was almost impossible to please. There was definitely something special about her.
It was time for another talk.