Loras couldn't help but laugh as his daughter clutched her latest favourite toy to her tiny chest. The last few months seemed to fly by as did Loren. Every day she seemed older and more mature, a concept that both frightened him and made him proud. She may not be his by blood but he saw himself as her father and gradually even Joanna accepted Loras as Loren's father.

Clutched in her small, chubby arms was a stuffed lion, a gift from the King. Tommen had taken to his role as an uncle like a duck to water and had doted on his niece constantly. Rarely a day went by without a new toy or outfit delivered to the chambers the small family shared. Next to Loren's crib lay a dozen animals varying in shape and size, stags, does, lions and lionesses. The young child was as infatuated with her uncle as he was to her and whenever he entered the room she would wave her arms in his direction until he picked her up.

At first Joanna had been cautious of anyone except herself and Loras holding her but over time she accepted that she had other family members who wanted to spend time with her. Cersei always volunteered to care for her granddaughter whenever Joanna was otherwise engaged and constantly showered her with attention, refusing to let any septas near her.

Loren bonded with everyone, it seemed, except for the Queen. No one could explain it but whenever Margaery approached her she would burst into tears and scream until she left the room. Joanna liked to joke that her daughter had good taste in people, though it often earned a glare from her husband.

Everyone commented on how much Loren looked like Joanna and she was constantly told that she would grow up beautiful. Whilst it was perhaps too early to be accessing her attractiveness, it had to be said that her family's good looks had passed themselves on. Her hair had grown slightly, her golden curls forming a mane around her head, earning her the nickname "lion cub". Despite her young age she had already developed a Lanniser smirk, as well as their traditional green eyes.

Sat on Joanna's lap, Loren hugged her little lion and babbled as Loras kept placing different toys in front of her to capture her interest.

"My grandmother keeps telling me that Loren should have more Tyrell themed toys, roses and such. She doesn't seem to understand that a child much prefers an animal than a flower, she is nothing if not persistent." Loras explained, waving a small doll with green and gold colours in front of the oblivious baby.

"I'm surprised she hasn't tried to claim that she should be raised at Highgarden yet. The only reason she even stands my family is because Margaery is Queen."

Nodding in agreement he rubbed Loren's head, smiling as she giggled. He had adapted to fatherhood much better than anyone could have anticipated, the fact that the child wasn't actually is didn't matter.

"I have a feeling she may know the truth about who her father is. She's keeping her distance until she knows that the truth won't become known." Loras explained, thinking about how his grandmother seemed to know everything about everyone.

There was a knock at the door so Loras placed the doll on the ground and went to open it. Stood in the doorway was King Tommen, smiling like a boy on his nameday. Seeing the childish expression on his face reminded him just how young his brother-in-law was. Tommen had only recently celebrated his 9th nameday, making him less than half of Loras's age. Dressed in Lannister colours he held a basket in his hands.

"You honour us with your presence, your Grace." He greeted, as the King followed him back into the room.

"Loren!" Tommen exclaimed, rushing over to his niece. He practically collapsed in front of the girl, happily tickling her feet causing a chorus of laughter from both parties.

"My wife requests your presence, Ser Loras, she is in the Tyrell chambers." Announced Tommen, barely taking his eyes off of the baby.

"Of course, my King."

The boy turned to look at his elder, "Just call me Tommen. I don't care for titles, it's mother who insists. We are brothers now."

"Then I am only Loras, if it pleases you."

Loras smiled and said his farewells to his wife before leaving Tommen and Joanna alone with Loren.

Joanna looked at her younger brother and wondered how him and Joffrey could share the same blood. In appearance they were relatively similar but in disposition couldn't have differed more. Tommen was humble and kind where Joffrey was firm and strict. As much as she had loved her twin she accepted that Tommen made a much better King than him. The people loved her younger brother and praised him for not being his predecessor.

"I have a present for Loren. In case she is ever lonely." He announced, bringing forth the basket he had brought with him.

Pulling back the cloth he revealed a small golden kitten, asleep. Now embraced by light the feline purred and started pacing round the basket. She was lifted up by Tommen, who held the kitten in his arms, grinning.

"She will be nice when Loren is older. I find that cats are good friends when you're lonely. Like Ser Pounce, he's my best friend."

As happy as she was at the gift, his words did nothing to reassure any doubts Joanna had. She knew that Tommen had been particularly lonely the last few years since Myrcella had been sent to Dorne. Joanna had spent all of her time with Joffrey so Tommen would have been all alone, especially since Cersei all but ignored her youngest child. Without any other children his age he must have had an extremely lonely childhood, and even his pets weren't constant, most of them only lasting a year before Joffrey did something to them. Of course she hadn't agreed with her twins mutilation of animals but until now she hadn't realised that those cats were all he had, and it must have been terrible to have them constantly ripped away so brutally.

Deep in thought Joanna didn't even realise when a tear rolled down her cheek, the dampness falling on to her daughters head.

"Did I do something wrong? Don't you want her? I've even let you name her, or you can wait until Loren's old enough to choose a name herself?" Tommen asked, worried that he had upset his sister somehow. Until recent they hadn't spent much time together so he wasn't able to read her emotions very well.

Rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of her dress she shook her head. "No no, don't worry Tommen." She placed her hand on his arm. "I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"I have been a terrible sister. I've ignored you for years, I've had no idea how lonely you must have been and especially recently. For too long I was blind and I understand if you could never forgive me."

Shocked, he took his sisters hand from his shoulder and held it tightly. "Of course I forgive you. Besides he have to stick together now, with Myrcella gone and Joffrey... Where ever he is now. Joffrey didn't let me spend time with you anyway, whenever I tried he..."

"You shouldn't worry." As much as it pained Joanna to say what followed, once she did she realised that it had been true all along. "Joffrey is gone now and it seems that everyone is better off without him. I wouldn't swap what we have now for him back."

Tommen's mouth fell open in disbelief. "Really?"

Smiling she reached over and hugged him, holding her brother tightly as Loren tugged on her lions limbs carelessly.

Without warning the doors swung open with a bang, causing the siblings to jump. Pouring into the room came several poorly dressed men, and Joanna was surprised to recognise her mothers cousin, Lancel among them. Protesting, Tommen tried to reason with them as they grabbed Joanna and pulled her to her feet. Separating her from her mother, Loren screamed as the strange men manhandled Joanna.

"What is the meaning of this? I am a princess, you can't do this! Let me go!"

Tommen jumped to his feet. "I am the King! As your king I order you to release her immediately." He exclaimed to little effect as the sparrows ignored him.

One of the men, Lancel, stood in front of his relative and unrolled a piece of parchment which he proceeded to read from.

"Lady Joanna Tyrell, formerly known as Princess Joanna Baratheon stands accused of fornication outside of marriage and incest. She is to be imprisoned to await trial where her innocence or guilt of these crimes can be determined in the light of the seven."

Unable to form words, let alone denial she just shook silently as her crimes where accused. Turning to look at Tommen he looked, if possible, more shocked than she was.

The men began to drag her away, an she began to fight. Kicking and scratching she tried to stay in the room with her child but she was no match for her kidnappers.

Before she was pulled out of the door she managed to shout to Tommen.

"Look after Loren! Do whatever you can to protect her!"

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This chapter was surprisingly easy to write and the seems with Tommen and little Loren just flowed instantly. I find their uncle/niece relationship quite cute as well as the Joanna/Tommen bonding. I never really gave Tommen much thought before this chapter and this made me realise just how small Joanna's world was when it came to things that concerned her.

The next chapter should be up soon.