Author's Note: I don't know if I really like this chapter, but I hope you guys do! We have some Joff in here, that part I really loved writing. Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favorites. It means a lot to me. Anyway, enjoy lovelies.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Game of Thrones, or A song of Ice and Fire. I own only my OC, Johanna.
Chapter 11: I promise
Joffrey
Months, his sister had been gone months. With each passing day Joffrey could feel himself slipping into madness, and anger. She was his sister, his lover, and yet he hadn't seen her in months. She wrote to him, each raven went unanswered. He couldn't, he wouldn't. He would not send her a word until he could bring her home, and lay her in his bed. He wanted to feel her again, make love to her again. Own her again. She was his. He had to have her back.
Joffrey was forced to entertain the idea of Sansa Stark, the little northern bitch he didn't want. She would never replace his sister in his heart, and she would never have his love. She was foolish to believe his little token necklace meant a thing to him, it didn't. She meant nothing to him.
Joffrey only cared for the golden hair, and green eyes of his twin. For her soft skin, and sweet taste. He needed her, wanted her. He tried to tell his mother, but she didn't listen, and even his father cared not. No one in his family missed Johanna like he had.
"You're back early" one of the Kings Guard found him walking the halls.
Joffrey had returned from the hunt with his father earlier, the man had wanted to hunt a wild boar. Joffrey would have stayed, and sought his father's favor but the man was long since drunk. He knew when to pick his battles with his father.
"Don't mind my business," was Joffrey's only response.
He didn't feel like arguing with the guards, or anyone for that matter. He wanted to find Johanna, but he knew that couldn't happen. Instead he found himself in his chambers, his body rigid and angry. It was not fair. Why did his sister have to marry that idiot from the North, he could never love her. Johanna was his, and his alone.
"Joffrey," his name left her mouth in a breathless whimper as he pressed his lips to her neck.
They were young, much too young, but Joffrey did not care. He had seen Johanna dancing with a young Lord at the feast, a bashful lad from some southern house. Rage had grown inside him when he saw the way the Lord look at Johanna, a girl of only twelve. He would never allow such men to look at her.
He cradled his sister's head in his hand as his lips continued to leave sweet kisses on her neck. She would know she was his, from this day until the end. Johanna Baratheon, his twin, his sister would be his forever.
"Joffrey, if someone sees," her eyes were darting around his chambers.
"Hush, my sweet, no one will see," he cooed against her neck.
She brought out the best in him, everyone had always said so. When he killed the cat, gutted the thing, she had been there to calm him. She had looked at him with wide green eyes, and a frown when she saw the bloodied hands. But she never yelled at him, she washed his hands, and kissed his head.
"Joffrey," she whined, trying to push him away.
"I promise you, Johanna, no one will see us," he whispered. He gently pushed his sister against the warm wall of his chambers. Her blue dress clashing against the red tinted wall. "You want to be mine, don't you?"
She didn't answer at first, and he watched her face carefully. He watched the way her teeth sunk into her bottom lip, and blush crept onto her cheeks. He knew what she wanted, she wanted him and he wanted her.
"I am to be married Joffrey," she argued, "we both know that."
"I do not care, about some boy you must marry," though his voice said other wise. Joffrey cared, it made him angry. Johanna had been his, the moment they came from the womb together. He had seen her grow into a woman, his woman. "You're mine."
His breath was warm against her neck, and soon his lips were pressed to her soft flesh again. He had kissed Johanna a few times, but they were young but now it was different. Something had changed inside of him. Seeing her with the Lord, the way the older boy placed his hands upon his sister's waist. He would never let her go, never.
"If I am yours, then you are mine," she smiled.
"Of course," he whispered.
Joffrey shook the memory from his mind, he would no longer be able to do that. Not until she was home with him, and until then he found it better not to think too much on her. If he thought too hard he would imagine her under her husband. He wondered if she gave herself to him willingly? Or if the Lord had to force his sister's legs open. Johanna never denied him.
He had known that some intercourse between the two had taken place, his sister had been with child. When his mother told him of the lost child inside his sister's womb he did not weep. He knew Johanna would, and he almost thought the wolf would send her home because of it. He had hoped as much, but alas he did not get his wish. He would find another way to bring Johanna home.
"Will father bring Johanna home?" He was bothered by his sister's question as they sat around the table.
His mother had demanded they all eat together, her and all her children. Joffrey had little care for his younger siblings. He thought Tommen weak, and Myrcella annoying. Johanna favored them of course, coddled them often.
"I do not believe so, my love," his mother spoke. He looked to his mother, and saw her green eyes filled with worry.
"He should," Joffrey spoke. "Why should my sister be in the hands of that family? They have attacked us, and taken our blood hostage. Why would father sit back and let this happen?"
When Joffrey had learned of the attack in the city, and the injured Lord Stark, his only concern was Johanna. His sister lay in the hands of their enemy, and his father would do nothing.
"I know you are worried about Johanna, Joffrey," his mother spoke with concern. "I worry for her too, but your father believes the boy will not hurt her. She is his wife, there is nothing we can truly do."
He could tell it pained his mother, and he cared not. He only cared for what the wolf would do to Johanna, his sweet and precious sister. So innocent, and gentle. Far too kind, and sheltered for her own good.
"I'll get Johanna home, no matter the cost," he mumbled.
"Do you promise?" It was Tommen who questioned him, his green eyes pleading.
Joffrey sighed, and closed his eyes for a moment. He thought of what Johanna would want him to do, want him to say. Be kind to them, their our blood, brother. I love them, and so should you.
"I promise," he smiled.
Johanna
She had thought things had finally settled between her and her husband, but she was wrong. He was distant, his words short and his temperament cold. Bran had been injured on his ride, but no one would speak to her of what happened. Even Bran had become tight lipped with her, and Johanna was beginning to feel more alone. She found her only true company came from the two children of Winterfell, her husband on serving to keep her warm at night.
"Bran, may I sing for you?" Johanna had not sung in some time, slowly feeling herself slip into sadness.
"Of course," was his only reply.
Johanna sat beside the boy's bed, and closed her eyes. She let the words of the song fall from her lips, and let the melody fill her head. She had heard the song enough time to know the tune it'd be accompanied by. She thought of home when she sang, thought of her little brother and her little sister. She thought of her Uncles and mother. She thought of Joffrey.
"I hate to bother you both," Robb's voice cut through, "but I need to speak with my wife."
Johanna stopped singing and turned her green eyes to her husband. His tone was almost icy, and his eyes held no hint of his emotions. Johanna could not understand him, she believed everything had been going so well. They made love, he told her he loved her and now he only spoke to her before bed. Whispering a good night before wrapping an arm around her and slipping into sleep.
"I will come see you later, Bran," she whispered. Johanna removed herself from the seat beside the bed. She walked over to Robb, taking his arm. "What can I do for you, Robb?"
He didn't speak at first, he just guided her through the halls of Winterfell. In no time they were in their chambers. Johanna stood while Robb took a seat on their bed, his head heavy in his hands.
"Robb, what is it that troubles you?" She questioned. "Why have you grown so cold to me?"
She had meant to ask him sooner, meant to ask him when he began to move away from her, but she hadn't. Johanna was growing to trust him, but she did not know if he had grown to trust her yet. He looked up, his blue eyes sending chills down her spine. His eyes held so much emotion, so much intensity. She felt a pit grow inside of her.
"Johanna," his voice was soft, "we need discuss some things."
She watched his eyes, watched them scan her body. It wasn't like he normally looked at her, it wasn't with passion or admiration. His eyes were calculating, judging, as if trying to see her strength.
"What things?" She didn't know if she should sit, but she remained standing. Her hands clutched tightly together, a fear coming over her. "Has something happened?"
Joffrey, Myrcella, Tommen, mother, Uncle Jaime and Uncle Tyrion. Her family ran through her mind, her concern mounting.
"My father was injured a few days ago," he kept his head down.
Johanna felt a pang of relief mixed with sadness. She felt bad for him, but she was glad her family was alright.
"I am sorry," she spoke. Johanna made a move toward him, reaching her hand out for him but he moved away. "What's the matter?"
"I need to know something," he locked his eyes with hers, "I need to know that you're on my side, that you're my wife, and that you support me."
Johanna dug her teeth into her bottom lip, her chest clenching. She didn't know what to say to him, and she didn't know what he was asking her to say. Was he asking her to pick him over her own blood? Because she could never do such a thing. She met his eyes, searching for some kind of hint for what he wanted her to say.
"Robb," she drew his name out, "I am your wife."
It was a truth, she was his wife. No matter how she felt of it, no matter how much she longed for her brother. He was her husband, and she is wife.
"I need to know that we come first, you and I."
He was standing now, his face stern. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She pictured her family, her love and her blood. They would always come first, until her children. He came close to her, his body inches from her own. Their eyes locked, and his hand found her shoulder.
"What is going on, Robb? You aren't telling me something."
He let his fingers slide from her shoulder up her neck until his hand cupped her face.
"Please, just tell me I'm not wrong. Tell me I can trust you to always be on my side."
She could hear the questions in his voice, the worry. She leaned against his hand, and let the warmth fill her.
"I am on your side," she whispered. "We are together through what comes. From this day until the end of our days remember?"
Johanna shivered as his second hand came to rest on her hip, his grip firm. She felt like he was trying to make sure she was real, like if he had let go she would disappear. Did he truly mean he loved her? She had not tried to think too much on his words that night.
"I remember," he whispered. Robb pulled her close, pressing her body against him. "I am sorry."
He whispered his words into her hair, his lips landing on the top of her head. She felt compelled to lay her head on his chest, and soon both his hands were resting on her lower back.
"Why are you sorry?"
"You'll know one day," he mumbled. She went to look up at him but he held her securely against him. "I want us to be a family, Johanna, you have to know that."
"Robb, you are worrying me," Johanna said. She was truly growing worried. "You can tell me what is bothering you, if it is more than your father, I will understand."
He didn't speak, he just held her. He placed his head on top of hers and just held her. Johanna wrapped her arms around him and embraced him. She didn't know what was going on, but it was in her nature to comfort him. She felt like she was in his arms for hours, but she knew it was only a matter of minutes. His breathing slowed and for a moment it seemed like he was completely calm.
"Why don't we sit?" She offered.
He didn't speak, he held her while he made his way to the bed. He sat down pulling into his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her waist. It wasn't what she had in mind but it was nice. He hands held her tightly, his head resting on her shoulder. She could tell something was bothering him, he ignored her for days and now he wanted to be all over her.
"Robb," she spoke his name softly. She hoped it would coax something from him.
"I can't tell you everything, my love," he whispered into her shoulder. "I want to, Gods do I want to, but I can not."
She turned to look at him, taking her hand and cupping his face gently. Johanna looked into his eyes, and she could see all the pain he held. His father being hurt, his brother and all of it beyond his control. It was evident there were things he couldn't tell her.
"You can tell me," she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his lips, "it's alright."
"I promised you I wouldn't speak about your family," his voice was stiff.
She swallowed a lump in her throat. Her family had done something, or at least in his eyes they had. Johanna knew she would not know what happened unless she got him to tell her. She had to know, she needed to know.
"It's alright, I can handle it."
"Your Uncle is the one who attacked my father, and your family's men killed my father's most trusted men," his voice was soft.
Johanna felt like someone had stabbed her in the gut. She felt a wrenching pain in her stomach, she didn't want to believe it. Her Uncle would never do such a thing, not Uncle Jaime. He was the kindest man she had ever known, and honorable. He was a golden knight. He wouldn't do such a thing. Johanna stood from Robb, her knees almost giving out on her as she stood.
"I have to go," she said. Johanna turned to leave but Robb soon grabbed her wrist. "Please, I need to go for a moment."
"No, we are in this together," he replied. He turned her to face him, his blue eyes looking down on her. "I know you don't believe me, and if you do then you are dealing with conflicted feelings. Johanna I am not going to try and turn you against your family, you asked me to tell you and I did."
"I know, Robb, I just need to think."
She tried to turn from him but he would not loosen his grip on her arm. She let out a sigh and eventually gave up. She turned back to him with pursed lips. She didn't know what to think. She didn't want to believe him, didn't want to believe her Uncle could do such a thing. There would have been a reason, there was always a reason for what her family had done. Her Uncle Jaime had slayed a King to save the people of Kings Landing. Perhaps Lord Stark had meant to harm someone, and her Uncle had to stop him.
"I will let you go," he resealed her wrist, "just promise me that you meant what you said. That we are together in this."
"I promise," she whispered as she walked away from him.
A/N: I don't know if Joffrey was OOC.. but the part of his promise was more about Johanna and himself not about his siblings. Also I really wanted Johanna to be given some information about what her family was doing, Robb just left out the part about her Uncle Tyrion being held hostage. Jerk!