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Ned sat in his office in the tower of hand. He was thinking about everything. When a soldier came into the room, he had a raven letter in his hand.
"My Lord Hand, a raven letter from Dragonstone," the Soldier told him.
Ned took the letter. He broke the seal. It was a letter from Lord Stannis addressed to his older brother Robert. It stated that Joanna had just arrived at Dragonstone. She arrived with Lady Marleina Frey, Lady Lyarra Stark, Lady Piper Mallister, Lady Jeyne Westerling, and Lady Joy Hill. But it shocked Lord Stark even more than the number of Ladies Princess Joanna amassed. She had not only a new guard in one Jon Snow but half of Lannister's army at her side. Lead by Ser Tygett Lannister. But what shocked him was the fact that had Jaime Lannister in chains for attempting to kill Joanna. She now bared a cut on her upper arm from an arrow. Ned let the letter fall onto this desk. He let out a loud sigh and ran his hand up his face. Ned's eyes went wide as he thought why would Jaime try to kill Joanna? Yes, she was Robert's daughter, but she was his daughter since she was a baby. Now she was a woman grown why try to kill her now? Unless Joanna knew the truth and had threatened to tell Robert the truth. Then she was a bigger threat than even himself or Jon Arryn. He thought back to Joanna at Winterfell her interaction after Bran was pushed off the tower. Joanna was so cold to her mother which was different from the indifferent interactions between them earlier. She looked at Jaime differently too. It was not so obvious anyone could see it. But now knowing the truth it was clear as day. But the thought that still lingered in his mind why was half of Lannister's army at Joanna's back.
Suddenly a soldier ran into the room. He looked out of breath and extremely fearful. His hands had blood on his hands. Ned looked over to him rising from his chair. He picked up the letter and put it in his doublet. He did not trust a lot of people here after Little Finger's words. Until he spoke to Robert it was better no one beside himself and Robert knew where his only legitimate heir was.
"My Lord Hand come quickly the King has returned from his hunt, but he is gravely injured," the guard told him.
Ned and the guard quickly left the room. When they came to the room where Maesters, including the Grand Maester, were working to try to save Robert's life. Lord Varys stood outside of the room with a letter in his hand and read it quickly before hiding it in his robes. He bowed his head as Ned entered the room. All of the Small Council was nearby other than Lord Stannis and Lord Renly. Pycelle came over to Ned as he walked into the room. The scent of death was in the room. It was clear that it was likely Robert would not survive this.
"He has been gored by a boar my lord. We are trying our best but…" Pycelle told him he trailed off looking over to Robert.
Joanna dressed in a pale blue nearly white iridescent gown made her way down to the dungeons with Aegon by her side. She nodded to the guard where Jaime was being held. He opened the cell door. Aegon grabbed her uninjured upper arm.
"Joanna, this can only hurt you," Aegon warned her.
"Issa zaldrīzes I need to know," Joanna told him. (My dragon)
Inside the cell was Jaime he was not the man she once knew. In his place was a shell of a man. He looked like he went through all the stages of death in a matter of hours. His hands were shackled to the wall. He looked over at Joanna as she entered with Aegon behind her. She looked more like a divine girl in that dress with the light behind her. Her blue-green eyes met his emerald-green eyes. He bowed his head in shame He knew he was a dead man.
"Why?" Joanna asked. Jaime did not answer her or even move to look at her. She came closer to him. She knelt next to him. She grabbed his chin making him look at her. "Uncle why please I need to know why?" Joanna pleaded.
"You are a threat one that could not be controlled," Jaime answered.
"Then why did you save my life? When your bastard son tried to kill me with that training sword. It was you who carried me to Maester's chambers. It was you that held my hand telling me I was going to be okay as I slipped unconscious. If you wanted me dead, why did not let him kill me? It's what you wanted wasn't it," Joanna cried.
Jaime shook his head with tears in his eyes. He had no answer to her questions. She pressed his chained hand to where the training sword pierced her side. He just shook his head even more. Her other hand made her look at him. He could see her in that moment as Cersei's daughter. He saw her as the only one of Cersei's children he was allowed around. He was in the seven hells. He tried to kill a part of his love. His eyes went to Aegon who was helping Joanna to her feet. Jaime wanted to protect Joanna even now.
"He is a Targaryen," Jaime yelled madly.
"You think I don't know that. He is Aegon Targaryen, son of Elia and Rhaegar Targaryen. And with him, I have right to the Iron Throne than your bastard son could ever. And if something happens to my father and your lover put your bastard on the Iron Throne. I will take it back with Fire and Blood for you will hear me roar our fury," Joanna said looking back to Jaime before she left the room to see Shireen.
It was at that moment that Jaime realized Tywin had not turned her into a lioness but rather unknowingly turned her into a dragon. He taught her the game of thrones and she could play it better than even Cersei. Jaime was left alone as the cell door slammed shut.
Lord Varys headed into the gardens. He spied one of his little birds. He waved them over her over to him. They whispered words as the little bird ran off. He knew Lord Stark was an honorable man. He knew what would happen if Robert died. But even Joanna had people in this city. He just hoped she knew what she was doing. He knew Ser Steffon Rogers would be the greatest help on their side in the city.
Joanna came to Shireen's room. Shireen sat on her bed in a golden gown. She was practicing her sewing. Shireen black hair was down while Joanna's was intricately braided down her back. There was a septa in the room giving Shireen her lessons. Behind Joanna were the rest of her ladies and her guards. Shireen blue eyes looked over Joanna blue green eyes. She looked down back at the piece she was working on. She knew she could never compare to her older beautiful cousin. She had overheard the comparison enough to know no one thought she was very pretty let alone beautiful. Joanna glared at the septa and motioned for her to leave the room. Septa bowed, leaving the room quickly.
"Cousin" Joanna greeted happily.
"Cousin" Shireen answered with a tremble in her voice she tried to hide the side of her face that was scared.
"Shireen sweet girl, what is wrong?" Joanna asked coming to sit next to her on her bed.
Shireen looked up at her cousin. Joanna had a small smile on her face pulling her closer to her side. She did not care about the scars on her body.
"It is nothing I just hear them talking and comparing us," Shireen confessed.
"There is nothing to compare. You are a beautiful little girl," Joanna told her.
"Joanna I'm not blind," Shireen said woefully.
"You think your scars you unattractive. They don't. They prove you are stronger than they thought possible. Do you know how many people survive greyscale? To my knowledge, you are the only one. They make you even more beautiful. Your beauty comes from within," Joanna told her.
"Father and Mother are worried about my prospects," Shireen said.
"Any man would be lucky to have you. And if he can not see that come to me and I have my guard remove his head for hurting my precious beautiful cousin," Joanna told her hugging her close.
Shireen giggled. Joanna laughs in return. She picks up Shireen and places her on her feet. She took her hand and started to lead her out of her chamber. Shireen was always a sickly child. Her parents were very protective of her.
"Where are we going?" Shireen asked.
"Have you ever seen the village here on Dragonstone or the markets?" Joanna asked, planning to spend the full day with her cousin.
"No, father would not like it," Shireen said knowing her father's protective nature.
"Let me deal with your father. Just focus on having fun," Joanna reassured her.
They head out to villages and market on Dragonstone. Shireen instantly fell in steps with Joanna's ladies. They swung their arms as they walked. Shireen held hands with Marleina and Lyarra. Joy was closer in age to Shireen. They were talking each other ear off. Aegon placed his arm around her as they walked.
Robert was on his deathbed. Joffrey was holding his hand. Cersei and Pycelle stood near a table. They have done all they could to save him. Ned had not left Robert's side since he was brought in.
"I should have spent more time with you. Shown you how to be a man. I was never meant to be a father. Go on. You don't want to see this," Robert said letting go of Joffrey's hand.
Joffrey the room was scared, and tears clouded his eyes. He was not sure what to feel Cersei watched as he left the room. Even on his death bed was making light of what happened. Ned stood at the foot of his bed.
"My fault. Too much wine missed my thrust." Robert laughed. He was trying not to think of what was to come. His eyes found Ned. "It stinks. It stinks like death. Don't think I can't smell it. I paid the bastard back, Ned. I drove my knife right through his brain. You ask them if I didn't. Ask them!" Robert yelled.
They looked at each other in the room. The Kingsguard that was in the room and the servants that were on the hunt looked down in shame. Cersei wanted to talk to Robert alone. But she knew that would never happen with Ned. She did not want to leave him alone with Robert at all.
"I want the funeral feast to be the biggest the kingdoms ever saw. And I want everyone to taste the boar that got me. Now leave us the lot of you. I need to talk to Ned," Robert ordered.
"Robert my sweet" Cersei tried.
"Out all of you" Robert yelled as gurgled.
Everyone filed out of the room. The door slammed shut. Ned pulled a chair near the bed. Robert looked over to Ned.
"Any word on Joanna?" Robert asked.
"She is safe on Dragonstone. Stannis will protect her." Ned told him.
"Protect her from what?" Robert asked.
"You damned fool" Ned spat out.
Robert and Ned shared a look. The more that Robert thought of Ned's words. The meaning was clear as day without saying the truth.
"Paper and Ink on the table. Write down what I say," Robert started. Ned took the paper and ink. "In the name of Robert of the house Baratheon first of…you know how it goes. Fill in the damned titles. I hereby command Eddard of House Stark titles, titles to serve as Lord Regent and protector of the realm upon my death. To rule in my stead until my daughter Joanna returns and marries. Give it over" Robert told him.
Ned handed him the paper to sign. Robert signed his name on the paper. Robert handed it back to Ned. There was uneasy silence in the room for a moment.
"Give it to the council after I'm dead. At least they can say I did this one thing right. You'll rule now. You'll hate it worse than I did. But you will do it well," Robert told him. Ned sat there for a moment. Robert groaned in pain. "Give me something for the pain and let me die," Robert told him.
Ned got up and walked out of the room. He looked at Maester Pycelle.
"Give him milk of poppy," Ned told him.
Ned headed off to send out people to tell Robert's family of his coming death. He likely would not live past the nooning meal.
Tyrion was on his way to sept on Dragonstone. Joanna, Shireen, and Aegon along with her ladies were down exploring the village markets on Dragonstone. He entered the gardens. He noticed four other people in the gardens. Two of them had light chocolate brown skin with white-blonde hair. One of them had her white-blonde hair styled in tight ringlet curls that hung around her mid-back. She turned to look at Tyrion as she braided her sister's curly hair into small braids. Her eyes were mauve purple. Her sister had similar colored eyes. They were dressed in light teal gowns with silver seahorses as broaches on their gowns. The other two people in the garden were a boy about the age of three with silver blonde hair and a woman about his niece's age. She had rich dark brown hair and pale skin. She was dressed in a red gown with a silver crab on the neckline of the gown. The boy's eyes were indigo in color. While the young woman had lilac-colored eyes. It was clear to him that these were houses, House Velaryon and House Celtigar—the last houses beside the Targaryen with Valyrian blood. The only question in his mind was why were they here. The two Velaryons spoke to each other in Valyrian. He could understand maybe every second to third word at the speed at which they spoke. He was trying to figure out what they were saying when felt a child's weight hit his leg.
"Rhaegar, he doesn't want to play with you," the woman from Celtigar said picking the young boy up. He struggled to get down. But finally settled in her arms. Tyrion looked up at the woman. She was beautiful. "Forgive my young brother, My Lord. He is at the age where he thinks everyone wants to play with him," the woman explained.
"It is no problem. I am Tyrion Lannister, and you are?" Tyrion introduced himself.
"Elaena Celtigar and this is my baby brother Rhaegar," Elaena told him.
"Rhaegar is an interesting name" Tyrion commented.
"We try to keep our Valyrian heritage alive through our names if nothing else. I had two older sisters and one younger sister besides Rhaegar. They were Rhaena and Daena and Saera. Only me and Rhaegar remain," Elaena explained.
"What happened to your family?" Tyrion asked.
"Rhaegar caused my mother's death. Rhaena also passed in childbed after marrying young. Daena and Saera died in a sudden illness that swept our keep three years ago," Elaena explained.
"You don't blame him?" Tyrion asked shocked that Rhaegar was not treated like he was for causing his mother's death.
"Blame a child for being born, never," Eleana started. She placed Rhaegar down by a small pond in the garden where she sat next to him. Allow him to splash in the water. Tyrion sat down on a bench next to them. "The gods took my mother. Only they know the reasons. I do my best to raise him as my mother would have wanted." Elaena explained.
"Your father never remarried?" Tyrion asked.
"No, he said the gods gifted him his perfect wife once. No one could compare to her. Some claim it was because of her Valyrian features minus her brown hair. She was after all his first cousin," Eleana explained.
Tyrion looked at Elaena. She smiled at him. She could not be even more beautiful to him. Part of him wondered if this was how Jaime felt when he saw Cersei.
There was a mist hanging around Storms End. Margaery was dressed in a gold sleeveless bodice that came to point right at the center point of her breast and right after the swell of her breast. The bodice had a high neckline. It had beaded roses in the same gold color. The skirt of the gown came up to the same point that the bodice ended. It was a pale sage green color. Her hair was pulled half up and half down with a braid rose at the back of her head. Loras came into her room. They looked at each other. They had plans along with Renly.
"Do you really think King Robert will marry me after Cersei is exposed?" Margaery asked.
"I say you look like Lyanna. Renly says the same, but Ned doesn't. He says you look nothing like her. But all we need is Robert to believe that you do. And I have on good authority that he doesn't even remember what she looks like. So yes, sweet sister I believe he will," Loras explained.
"I will be the Queen, right?" Margery asked.
"If we play our cards right. Besides there are other ways for you to become queen" Loras told her.
They left the chamber and headed to the planned meeting place of the throne-like room of Storms End. When they came into the room, they could tell something had majorly changed. There was Maester near Renly. Renly was sitting on the throne-like chair. His head was bowed. There were tears in his eyes. In his hands was a letter hanging limply in his fingers which trembled.
"Call the banners. Inform them that my brother will likely die before the day ends. He has named Joanna as his heir. Raise an army the defend her claim," Renly ordered with his voice shaking.
"Renly my friend what has happened?" Loras asked coming over to his lover as the Maester left.
"Robert has got himself gored by a boar in the stomach," Renly yelled.
Margaery came over to the other side of Renly. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He brought his bright blue eyes full of tears to look at her beautiful face.
"And he has named Joanna as his successor? A woman has never sat the Iron Throne." Margaery told him.
"The last time one tried was the Dance of the Dragons. I know she is your niece and she is the daughter of Robert and Cersei. She is the only one. That much is clear. But can you not think of anyone better to sit the Iron Throne?" Loras asked.
"You are suggesting me?" Renly asked.
"Think about it Stannis is not liked. You are a strong capable warrior much like Robert. And if you marry Margaery. You would have all the reach on your side. I would be your Kingsguard. Joanna may be Robert's heir but how much pull will she have compared to you?" Loras asked.
Stannis stood around the Painted Table with Lord Monford Velaryon and Lord Ardrian Celtigar. They were discussing recent taxes and where the money was going. It was Stannis who suggested that they bring their daughters to Dragonstone. They were going to be presented to Joanna as possible ladies in waiting. Since she was now taking them, it only made sense to take one or two from the Crownlands. Lord Monford had light chocolate brown skin with bright Lavender eyes. His hair was bright white blonde styled in shoulder-length dreadlocks. Lord Ardrian had chin-length white-blonde hair. His eyes were the same lilac color as Elaena. A Maester came running into the room not waiting to be announced.
"My Lord," he said as he handed a letter to Stannis.
Stannis took the letter, breaking its seal. His eyes scanned the letter. His hand crushed the letter into the side of the painting table. His eyes look at the map of Westeros. He prayed to R'hllor that it would not come to this but now it was clear that would.
"Call the banners including the Stormlands," Stannis ordered.
"My Lord, what has happened?" Lord Monford asked.
"My brother our king has been gored in the stomach by a boar," Stannis said.
"Will he live?" Ardrian asked.
Stannis turned to the guard station at the door. He did not answer Lord Ardrian's question. Lord Monford and Lord Ardrian exchanged looks as they took in Stannis's demander.
"Where is Joanna?" Stannis asked the guard.
"She is in the village on Dragonstone" the guard answered.
Stannis sighed as he looked back to the table in front of him. He now had a war to plan. That single question gave Lord Ardrian and Lord Monford their answer. The King would not live.
Aegon had Shireen on his left shoulder after she complained of being tired from their walking in the village. They were looking at a jewelry merchant booth. His eyes traveled to Joanna who was talking with Sea Captain from the North with Lyarra. She handed him a large pouch of gold dragons.
"It is a pleasure doing business with you I'll have them delivered to the castle by nightfall," The Sea Captain told her.
"I cannot believe you did that?" Lyarra told her as they headed over to Aegon and Shireen.
"Who better to take care of them than Starks," Joanna said.
Shireen pointed to a dragon glass pendant in the shape of a stag. Aegon picked it up so she could see it more closely. Joanna came over to them.
"What do you have there?" Joanna asked Shireen.
"It is a dragon glass pendent," Shireen answered handing it to her.
Joanna smiled examining the pendant. Her eyes were drawn to the Dragonmount in the distance. She handed it back to her cousin.
"Do you want it?" Joanna asked.
"Yes please," Shireen said excitedly.
Aegon with his free hand handed the merchant the gold for the pendant. Joanna picked Shireen down from his shoulders. She placed the necklace around her neck. Shireen ran over to where Joy was with Lady Jeyne and Marilena to show her new friend. Joanna smiled as Shireen ran off. Her eyes went back to the Dragonmount. She nudged Aegon's shoulder. He looked at her with a coy smile. He kissed her softly. When they pulled apart, their eyes both locked on the Dragonmount.
"You feel it too?" Aegon asked.
"Yes," Joanna answered.
