I was originally going to split this chapter into two but it seemed to flow better as one. I'm currently writing this as I travel through the French countryside but my hotel has free wifi so this will be uploaded once I can access it.

Joanna rode night and day until she reached Kings Landing. Tomas and Hema unfortunately didn't own any horses so she had walked through the night to reach the nearest farm.

Luckily she found a white mare and a saddle after careful examination of the barn.

With only a rough estimate of her location Joanna relied on advice from other travellers to reach Kings Landing. Her meagre supplies ran out the following evening so she was forced to steal what she needed to survive. All this thievery left a sour taste in her mouth as her grandfather had always taught her that a Lannister always pays their debts so she always left something of worth. Only a few of her possessions had survived her near-drowning but Joanna hated owing anyone so it made the sacrifice worth it.

Joanna was used to travelling and being recognised, the royal processions helped with that. So being completely anonymous was an unfamiliar feeling which she didn't like. It made her feel powerful when people knew who she was, with the knowledge that their lives could end with a single word from her. Normally she didn't care that there were many who hated her mothers family, she preferred to be feared than loved. But without all the knights to protect her she only had a stolen sword to protect herself and whilst Joanna knew she was highly skilled in combat she had little experience with someone who truly wished her harm.

Her appearance and many in public where nothing less than her station required but without access to her gowns and a warm bath she looked like any other peasant-however beautiful she knew she was.

Her blonde curls were matted and greasy, plastered against her head with sweat and mud. Dirt and grime covered every inch of her skin and had caused spots to gather on her face for the first time in years and the exposure to the sun highlighted even the smallest freckle.

So by the time she actually reached Kings Landing she didn't look anything like the Princess Joanna Baratheon that the world knew. As she passed through the more unfavourable parts of the city on her way to the Red Keep the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach grew with the anticipation. It seemed like years since she had last seen her mother and siblings when in reality it had only been a few weeks. She was genuinely scared about how Joffrey had reacted to her disappearance. He had never handled separation well and this had been the longest they had spent apart in the lives. His anger was usually taken out on their younger siblings and she hoped that he had chosen servants as his victims instead. Myrcella and Tommen may not inspire the same love she feels for Joffrey they were still her family and that meant everything.

Fortunately the palace gates were open with only two knights, ones she didn't recognise, guarding the entrance. Dismounting her horse and tying her to the nearest post she approached them cautiously.

"Go away, street rat." The taller of the two exclaimed, swatting her away carelessly.

Her ego bruised she puffed out her chest and stepped forwards. "I demand that you let me pass if you know what is good for you!"

Whilst she did look vastly different to normal she still resembled her family, particularly her mother so there was little excuse for not recognising her.

The other guard began pulling his sword out. "If you know what's good for you then you should leave and we'll forget this ever happened."

Joanna was about to draw her own sword and reveal her identity when a familiar face emerged from behind the gate.

Her second favourite and shortest uncle was stood in crimson and gold and smirking as usual.

Tyrion Lannister was greatly amused at the sight of his oldest niece covered in mud and the least composed he had ever seen her. Pride mattered to Joanna as much as it did the rest of his family so seeing her so humbled was a great source of amusement.

As he laughed Joanna glared with a scowl that could rival Cersei's.

"Lord Tyrion this peasant girl was trying to enter." One of the guards explained, thinking so highly of himself.

"I am not a peasant, you fool!" Joanna argued, stamping her foot quite childishly.

"Have you two ever experienced suicidal tendencies?" Tyrion asked the guards, his mismatched eyes shining.

They looked at each other with a confused look across their faces, cautiously they both shook their heads. "No..."

"Well I don't think King Joffrey will react well to you calling his twin sister a peasant."

A smile grew on Joanna's face as the smiles fell from theirs. They looked at each other in fear before staring in fear at her.

Quickly they fell to their knees in front of her and began begging for forgiveness.

Joanna smirked. "It's good to be back."

Tyrion walked Joanna into the palace towards the Throne Room. He attempted to ask her questions about her journey but she all but ignored him as she practically raced ahead to find Joffrey.

By the time they reached the large doors she was almost sprinting, ignoring the pain from her swollen feet.

Joanna swung open the doors hastily, not caring what was happening within the room.

She saw her family, Joffrey was sat on the Throne with her mother and grandfather sat either side of him.

Joffrey and Joanna locked eyes and for a few moments neither of them could move as they just stared at each other.

Then time began again and Joffrey stood up and pushed past the minor Lord who was addressing him as he ran across the hall.

Joanna did the same and within seconds they were embracing, a few stray tears emerging from her eyes as she clutched her twin and love. Joffrey clutched her possessively as if he could stop her from ever leaving his sight again.

"I love you." He whispered, refusing to release her. Joanna had expected him to be angry at her for leaving without notice but anger was the furthest thing from the emotion in his eyes-love.

"I'm so sorry Joff!" She stuttered, not caring about the dozens on staring Lords and Ladies. "I'll never leave you again."

"I know."

Joffrey eventually pulled away and in his place stood Joanna's mother. Queen Cersei seemed to have aged years in the few weeks she was gone but her mother still looked as radiant and elegant as ever.

Mother and daughter embraced as Cersei clutched her child closely.

"I missed you so much, Joanna. I thought I would never see you again."

Joanna cradled her head into her mothers chest and was too absorbed in the moment to reply.

Soon Tommen was summoned and Joanna gave him the biggest hug he had ever received from his sister.

He seemed to have grown at least an inch since they had last seen each other and he had lost some of his baby fat and it was clear to Joanna that he was going to grow up to be extremely handsome.

It was as everyone who wasn't a Lannister was being escorted from the Throne room that Joanna noticed someone missing from the family reunion.

"Where's Myrcella?" Joanna asked, not seeing her final sibling anywhere. Her and Tommen were usually always together so she noticed it was odd she wasn't there.

Cersei placed her hands on her daughters shoulders and looked sympathetically at Joanna.

In fear Joanna automatically assumed the worst, terrified that Myrcella had died without her getting to say goodbye.

"Your uncle Tyrion has sent her to be a prisoner in Dorne." Cersei spat angrily.

Tyrion sighed. "Don't be dramatic, sister. She is betrothed to Trystane Martell."

The happiness she felt for seeing her uncle vanished immediately as the realisation seeped in icily.

Flames burning angrily in her emerald eyes Joanna marched over to her uncle where she slapped him with all the force she could muster. The sound echoed around the room as the family fell silent.

"How dare you!" Joanna spat, her anger rising to previously unseen levels. "How dare you send away my sister without letting me say goodbye!"

"We didn't know when you would be seen again-" Tyrion began explaining.

Joanna cut him off. "That is no excuse." She growled.

She span and stormed out of the throne room, with Joffrey on her heels calling her name.

Joanna was back and reunited with her family but far from happy.