Chapter 19

The path she was walking was one she was well acquainted with, frequented often when she was a younger woman still in service to her Queen.

Ser Gerold Hightower let her pass the drawbridge into Maegor's Holdfast with no resistance as she shed her own guards. The old bull only nodded at her.

The White Bull was a semi-familiar presence, owing to her time here as a Lady-In-Waiting though the two of them had scarcely exchanged more than a few words over the years. He had guarded the Queen often enough that she felt little at his presence.

Merely a blade, aged but still honed, ready to perform his duty. Time passed them all in the intervening years, though some more than others judging by the amount of grey hairs she could spy upon the Kingsguard. Yet Joanna knew that it would do little to dissuade the Kingsguard from his duty.

She continued her journey before finally arriving at the gardens. Many a day she had whittled away here with Sarella and Rhaella, whether it be singing or needlework. Days spent engaging in conversation and gossiping or patronizing whatever singer caught their attention for the time.

Memories rose, comforting shadows of times past. The many hours where they spent underneath the shade of that tree or the time Sarella spilled her drink upon her dress.

Gently, she pushed them away.

Young women, they were no longer. Sarella was now the Princess of Dorne, Rhaella the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and herself the Lady of Casterly Rock.

Rulers and mothers, one and all.

She noticed the pure white cloak first and followed its form. A smile graced her form at his appearance for if the Sword of the Morning was here, it meant the Prince was in attendance.

Rhaella was ever so pleased when her son had taken to visiting her and seeking her advice.

Her friend was initially baffled at Rhaegar's actions but in time, the woman managed to deftly pry out the reasons for his change.

"Lady Lannister," the Prince greeted her smoothly, rising from his seat in courtesy.

"Joanna," Rhaella. "Wonderful to see you.

"My Prince, Rhaella." she dipped into a curtsy. "My apologies for interrupting."

"It is unnecessary," he denied. "Please, sit. I will not be tarrying much longer."

"Do not feel the need to make haste just for my appearance," Joanna said softly.

The boy fidgeted the slightest amount.

Rhaella smiled while she withheld hers.

Prince he may be but a boy he still was. Perhaps uncomfortable with his presence in front of his mother and her friend.

She could sense the emotions warring within him but manners seemed to have won out before he sat back down.

The boy would no doubt beat a hasty retreat soon but was willing to indulge her.

Good.

It was a rare opportunity to take the measure of the Prince. There were always stories but those were the words and thoughts of others.

Joanna was much more interested in seeing the boy herself.

After all, the boy sitting awkwardly yet desperately trying not to seem so may very well be her daughter's husband of choice and her good son one day.

As she sat down, a non-descript servant stepped forward with a flagon of drink. "Wine, my lady?"

"I'll take a glass of what the Queen is having actually."

Rhaella's eyes turned to her in askance but she would speak of it later with her in private.

A drink was poured which she sipped at.

Honeyed water.

"Rhaegar was just speaking of me about his time this morning." Rhaella began.

Jaime's training. Tywin had been satisfied that their son was forming connections with Rhaegar and his Kingsguard.

Joanna knew he harbored hopes that a friendship would bloom between the two of them like the one he himself had with Aerys in times past until it wilted and deteriorated to its current state.

He would likely be disappointed since the times she had spoken with her son about the matter, she had found Jaime was much more focused on the tutelage than any noble politicking.

"Oh, I know my son has taken to the yard there in the early mornings," Joanna said. "He's spoken well of your skill at arms."

"Ah yes, young Jaime." His eyes clouded into thought. "Even with my current abilities, I can see the boy is brimming with talent."

"Kind words by you," His words read as genuine than any kind of flattery. "I am sure my son will be pleased by them."

"Merely truthful words, as all who witness him can attest to. Isn't that correct, Arthur?" The prince was perhaps seeking outside help.

Arthur gave a slow, purposeful nod. "He'll be winning tourneys no doubt."

He lapsed into silence. Seems oaths of knighthood didn't go far enough for him to willingly enter this field.

"Speaking of your children," Rhaella stepped in. "You should bring the two of them around more often. They were such a delight."

Joanna smiled. "I shall try to do so but they are currently exploring the Red Keep to its fullest. I suspect my children may know this castle better than its servants and ratcatchers."

Rhaella giggled slightly. "Indeed, I have heard from here and there how they constantly seem to be underfoot."

"Truly?" Rhaegar asked.

"Cersei, most likely. She can be a silly child at times but she is a curious one." Joanna answered. "She did the same in Casterly Rock. Searching for treasures she claimed."

"The Red Keep is old but I believe it's treasured are stored in the vaults," Rhaegar said good-naturedly.

"It will not stop Cersei, at least until she has seen very foot of this place herself."

"Every foot truly," A teasing smile graced Rhaella's expression. "I heard she even managed to wander into the underbelly. Something about the sewers?"

Her dear friend's expression was all innocent but Joanna knew her thought was anything but.

Joanna visibly grimaced. "Yes. There was that. Supposedly, they got turned around in the old and forgotten cellars 'neath the castle and stumbled into a drainage pipe somehow. Seven knows how they did so but they managed to return in time. I had their clothes burned, one and all." She had her own thoughts on the matter.

The Red Keep was said to be filled with hidden passages built by Maegor and if her daughter was as utterly thorough as she was in her own search of Casterly Rock, then naturally she would have encountered them.

And knowing Cersei, they would likely be entering them.

"Ah, that explains why she seemed put out that morning when accompanying young Jaime."

The talking she had given her daughter was fierce and meant to dissuade her from doing such again.

"Oh, have you been talking to the young lady?" Rhaella said, bringing the conversation to where Joanna wanted it.

"We've had a few conversations," he answered. "A child with a most interesting worldview and thoughts. She attends to stay by her brother so we don't often chat."

Joanna had noticed that ever since Aerys had awoken, she had stuck closely to her brother, never letting him out of her sight, and that there was a tenseness to her that had only recently begun to fade.

Perhaps it stemmed from an irrational fear of reprisals from the King for her actions but he had no way of knowing. Especially with the King in his current state though Tywin was still assessing if Aerys' current state was beneficial or if it would have been better if he should pass.

Even now, constantly under the influence of poppy milk to soothe his crippling headaches. The King spent most of his time in a darkened room but Tywin had mentioned that the aches had driven the man to an immense rage at times.

Regardless, Tywin was still watching and waiting. Milk of the Poppy was such a soothing thing yet dangerous nonetheless.

Why just a little too much could ensure the recipient never woke again.

Pycelle was such an ever-useful creature.