I own nothing

Robb and Joanna came to the gardens in Winterfell. Neither of them said a word as they walked through Winterfell. Once they were finally alone, Robb looked over to Joanna with a questioning look.

"I know this is a new position for you. But trust me, Lord Stark, I or my uncle Tyrion are not your enemies," Joanna stated.

"How can you be so sure there have been two attempts on my brother's life," Robb roared.

"I tried to save your brother's life in one of those attempts. It was that moment I learned the truth," Joanna roared back at him showing she was just as much a lioness as she was a doe.

"What truth is that Princess," Robb questioned coldly.

Joanna sank to the bench by the blue winter roses that grew in the gardens. Making a crown of blue roses above her head. Robb sat down next to her. She looked down she knew she had to tell him the truth. She took his hand in hers. Taking a shaking breath.

"I am the only legitimate child from the union of Cersei Lannister and Robert Baratheon. Meaning, my sister and brothers are not his real children. I think Bran saw my mother in the arms of her lover, my uncle, Jaime. I saw them exit while Maester Luwin worked to save Bran's life. If I was your enemy Lord Stark, I would not put myself in more danger than your brother," Joanna said baring her soul to him.

"More danger," Robb questioned.

"I threatened my mother," Joanna told him.

Robb regarded her; he had a hard look on his face. He brought his hand to his chin as he thought what her threating her mother meant. In truth, if that was the truth, why wait to tell her father then and there. He remembered how Joanna interacted with Myrcella and Tommen in their time in Winterfell. How she interacted with his siblings. "I will tell my father the truth when I reach King's Landing. Tyrion knows this and swore to stand my side. I'm not saying it was not a Lannister that tried to kill your brother. But it was not Tyrion. Seven Hells, it most likely, my mother, Jaime, or Joffrey. My guess is on the later. He has shown dangerous tendencies before. I have the scar to prove it," Joanna told him.

"Scar, princess, forgive me there not a mark on you," Robb laughed.

"That you can see," Joanna replied quickly with a ghost of a smile on her face. Robb returns the small smile. Robb, in his mind, she was flirting with him. She took Robb's hand putting on her side which held the scar. So he let her take his hand placed on her waist. She left his hand there. She was thankful she only had on her chemise and her winter traveling grown. "Press hard you will feel it then," Joanna said.

Robb pressed down hard on her side. He could feel a raised scar. That should have cost Joanna her life. He looked down for a moment then back at Joanna. Meeting her blue-green eyes. He nodded his head. He removed his hand. He rose from the bench. He locked eyes with Joanna's with questions lingering in his eyes.

"I love Tommen and Myrcella as much as you love Bran, Arya, Sansa, Rickon, Jon, and Lyarra. And I love my mother, but at the same time, I know my father's temper and my mother cunning and Joffrey's madness. I wanted to give Tommen and Myrcella a chance not to die for something they had no control over. I know what it could and likely will cost me. I'm preparing for a war Robb. One that I pray to the new and old gods that wont come to pass. All the while knowing in my heart that it will destroy my family when it comes to pass," Joanna said with tears in her eyes.

Their eyes locked with each other.

"House Stark is behind you Princess in this war and the wars to come," Robb vowed.

"I cannot ask that of you, your father is still the warden of North and head of House Stark," Joanna said shaking her head looking down.

Robb took her hand in his own. Causing her to look back up at him. In a different world, she could see herself happy with a match between the two of them. She knew if Robb was not so far North that he would be her betrothed not Aegon. And likely the only reason her father had chosen Aeron was that he had no real place and home meaning they would live in the Capital.

"You said we are allies, Princess. Maybe in the south, it not what allies do but here in the North we honor our vows," Robb laughed.

"I never asked you for a vow, Stark," Joanna said.

"But you have it all the same Princess," Robb said. He took a deep breath before he dropped to his knees before. He did not let go of her hand. He locked his blue eyes with her blue-green ones. "I, Robb of House Stark, here in the sight of the new and old gods pledge my life to you, Princess Joanna Baratheon. To stand by your side and answer the call to war if need me. As our father's stood by each other to overthrow the mad king. So too shall I, stand by your side. House Stark stands ready to answer if need be," Robb vowed.

Joanna nodded her head. As she charmed most of the northern lords' home that she visited. She never once got a vow from one of them to stand by her side. Her mind went to if the worst should happen. Which would be her father death before her reaching King's Landing. Joffrey and Cersei would make the move to have hostages to keep house Stark in check. Especially with her not there where Joffrey or Cersei could control her. The next words that she uttered were the last thing that Robb ever thought that would be said.

"And I, Princess Joanna of House Baratheon, vow in the sights of new and old gods. If the worst should happen and war is needed. I will protect House Stark to the best of my ability. If needs be, get them to safety," Joanna vowed to Robb.

"Princess," Robb said bowing his head.

"Stark," Joanna returned with a smile on her face.

Robb stood reached by her head picking a blue winter rose. He brought the rose to Joanna's hands. He gave it to her. She took the rose placing it by her right ear. He offered her his arm. She rose linking arms with him. This was her third true ally, the first being Aegon, second Tyrion. She knew that Marleina had her back but there was very little she could do. Lyarra for what she knew was on her side but as much as Joanna trusted her, she had not told her yet. That kind of trust was built. It was close but it was not there yet. Even if Lyarra did know there was not much she could offer. Her fourth and fifth allies with any luck would be her uncles, Renly and Stannis. She would stop to see Stannis before going to King's Landing. Since he never really leaves Dragonstone anymore.

Lord Varys headed for the tower of Hand to meet with Lord Stark hopefully his meeting with him went well. He made his way into Ned study. One of his guards stood outside the door.

"How is your son, my lord?" Varys asked to shut on of windows.

"He'll never walk again" Ned answered not pausing the movement of his quill.

"But his mind is sound?" Vary asked shutting the other window.

"So, they say" Ned answered.

"A blessing then I suffered an early mutilation myself. Some doors close forever" Vary started shut the door; leaving just Lord Stark and Varys in the room. "Others open in the most unexpected places. May I?" Vary asked motioned to chair.

Ned nodded looking at Vary fully. Varys sat down before he continued his statement.

"If the wrong ears heard what I'm about to tell you off comes my head. And who would mourn poor Varys then? North or South they sing no songs for spiders. But there are things you must know. You are the King's Hand. And the king is a fool. Your friend, I know, but a fool and doom unless you save him."

"I've been in the capital for a month why have you waited so long to tell me this? Ned asked.

"I didn't trust you," Varys stated.

"So why do you trust me now?" Ned asked.

"The queen is not the only one who has been watching you closely. There are few men of honor in the capital. You are one of them. I would like to believe I am another one, strange as that may seem." Varys stated.

"What sort of doom does the king face?" Ned asked.

"The same sort as Jon Arryn. The tears of Lys, they called it. A rare and costly thing, a clear as tasteless as water, it leaves no trace." Lord Varys said

Ned stood up looking out to the city. So many questions lingered his mind. His mind did not know where to even start.

"Who gave it to him?" Ned asked.

"Some dear friend, no doubt; but which one? There were many. Lord Arryn was a kind and trusting man. There was one boy. All he was he owed to Jon Arryn"

"The squire Ser Hugh?" Ned asked.

"Pity what happened to him; just when his life seemed to be going so nicely." Vary said.

"If Ser Hugh poisoned him, who paid Ser Hugh," Ned asked.

"Someone who could afford it." Vary stated.

"Jon was a man of peace. He was hand for seventeen years…seventeen good years. Why kill him?" Ned asked.

"He started asking questions," Varys said.

At the same time, Cersei was pacing in her chambers. A letter from one of her spies in the north had come through. In her hands read the words where was dreading. Joanna and her party were progressing south. She was already at Winterfell. At most, she had a month before her dark hair lioness reaches King's Landing spelling the doom of her and Jaime. She prayed that Robert may spare Tommen and Myrcella. She knew in her heart that Joffrey stood no chance at being spared with him attacking Joanna already. She knew Robert would find a way to kill him or send him to Wall. Jaime stormed into the room as soon as the door was shut.

"What is so urgent that you call for me," Jaime asked agitatedly.

Cersei rounded on her with a cold fierce look on her face. Her hand trembling with letter crumbled her hands. Jaime came over to her pulling her close him as he saw the fear in her eyes. The fear was not commonly seen in her eyes. Jaime took the crumpled letter from her hands. Jaime's eyes scanned the letter. He saw the reason for his sister's fear. He took a deep breath he knew what had to do. With no word of Joanna's marriage. There was no way to control Joanna at this point. The only way to deal with her now was to kill her. He knew Ser Aeron was very good with a sword. He could beat him. At least Jaime believed that. Jaime stocked away from her. He stood by the fireplace throwing the letter in the flames. Cersei took in Jaime's stance. She came over placing her hand on his back.

"Jaime," Cersei said.

"Cersei we both know what has to happen," Jaime spat out.

"Jaime no," Cersei pleaded.

"It's her or us Sister dear. I know she's your little doe but she will destroy us like Steffon would have," Jaime said as he stocked out the room.

Cersei sank down by the fireplace. Tears welling up in her eyes staring into the flames. She knew that Winterfell would be the last time she ever sees her daughter alive. She did not know which to pray for a safe return. Jaime was her other half but Joanna was her daughter a part of her.

Thank you for reading. I hope you like it. What do you think Jaime's fate should be? Let me know in the comments.