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Joanna sat by her grandfather in the stands. It was considered the royal box. It had Baratheon banners and Lannister Banners hanging from it. Tyrion sat stand down from her. Marleina was standing behind her. Her lion cub Meraxes lay by Joanna's feet. None of the men that competed really impressed her. Many men had come forward wanting her favor. She would look to her grandfather in question. He would just give her a look. There were lord sons and knights from all over Westeros. Joanna's eyes went wide when caught a familiar face in the contestants. She looked over to Tywin. Tywin caught her look taking her hand.
"Jaime is here to compete and take you back to King's Landing. He will not be named as your guard because he is already a kingsguard," Tywin whispered to her the contempt was clear in his voice when said the word Kingsguard.
She nodded her head turning back to the tourney. Ser Jaime road forward stopping in front of their box he extended his lance.
"Princess Joanna, sweet niece may I have your favor," Jaime asked.
Unlike her other siblings, Cersei allowed Jaime around her and close to Joanna. She smiled looked over to Tywin. He nodded his head. She rose from her seat. The crowd waited on bated breath. She tied a black and gold ribbon on a side on the other red and gold onto his lance. He bowed giving her a boyish smile.
"Good luck uncle," Joanna said sweetly.
"I need no luck sweet girl but thank you all the same," Jaime laughed.
Jaime paused for a moment looking at her and Tywin. Tywin had raised her to be a proud lioness. Cersei will be overjoyed at that fact. She was regal and lioness the doe was very much cover-up. He was certain that Tywin had not let her anywhere near the tiltyard since the incident. Jaime emerald eyes locked on Joanna's blue-green eyes. There was something in them that told him that the wild doe still lurked just beyond the surface. He nodded to Tywin and road off.
Prince Oberyn arrived with Aegon. He looked over to his nephew. Who wore the colors and held the banner from house Dayne. He looked like Rhaegar at the tourney that he crown Lyanna love and beauty. He looked down remembering his sister's heartbreak at that moment. Prince Oberyn pulled Aegon aside. When they were away from prying eyes and ears, he presents him with a sword that would cement his story as a Dayne. It was Dawn. Aegon tested the weight of it going through a training dance. He already had the blade Blackfyre in his possessions.
"When you win today my boy crown who your heart tells you. Many will crown Princess Joanna Baratheon. But remember she may be named an as doe but she is a lioness in doe clothes," Prince Oberyn told him.
"Yes, Ser" Aegon answered.
"Prince Oberyn my brother, Lord Tywin is expecting you," Kevan told him. He eyed the knight by Prince Oberyn side. He looked at the young man up and down. Aegon stayed stone face. He looked every bit like a seasoned warrior. "Who is this?" Kevan asked.
"This Aeron of House Dayne the best swordsman in Westeros. Aeron this Kevan of House Lannister," Prince Oberyn introduced.
"My lord," Aegon greeted before he bowed to them both.
"A Dayne you say," Kevan said
"Yes, late Arthur Dayne cousin," Prince Oberyn explained.
Prince Oberyn and Kevan head toward the stands. Kevan came to sit near Tyrion. Prince Oberyn sat near them. His eyes lifted to where Joanna sat watching the joist. It was Loras of House Tyrell and Jaime. She was the beauty they described. She politely clapped when Jaime won. Loras still to show his support of Baratheon Family road over offering Joanna a single red rose.
"Happy Name Day your grace," Loras flirted giving her best smile.
Joanna rose took the rose from him. Loras would have kissed her hand if she was no high up. Her marriage was something all of the High Lord wanted for their sons. She was not blind to that fact. Some even conspired with Tywin to get her hand. But the truth was as much as Tywin raise her and treated her like a daughter she was not his daughter. Her marriage would be decided by her father King Robert. It was her duty to marry whomever he chose. No matter what her heart told her. But unlike her mother and her father she believed the vow of marriage. As she turned away; she noticed Prince Oberyn in the stand. The Dornish men rarely travel this far. Prince Oberyn dark eyes met her blue-green eyes. He bowed his head to her. She held her head high and gave him a smile as she took her seat again. A lion does not concern himself with the opinion of the sheep words echoed in Joanna's mind. Tywin had told her that when he took to High Garden. Prince Oberyn could easily see her crown Queen of Love and Beauty. He wondered what truly lurked behind her beautiful looks and eyes. He was not blind there was lioness lurk just beyond the surface.
Aegon was next in the joists. He rode into the tourney center grounds. He eyed the crowds trying to find who he would crown when he won. He came forward to the center royal box. That was when he caught sight of Joanna for the first time. She was politely talking with Tywin Lannister. She smiled at him turning back to the watch the next joist. That was when his amethyst eyes locked with her blue-green eyes. In an instant, he felt like he was hit in gut something was different about her. He had seen his share of beauties in his lifetime. He grew up in Dorne where love was seen as a gift. He had, had his share of them.
Joanna looked at the man before. He was so handsome serious but handsome. He looked a warrior. She tried the recall what house he was from by sigils alone but for the life of her, she could place it. If he was a high lord son she wanted to marry him. Their eyes lock for a long moment. Most of the men by now had bowed to her or asked for her favor. She tilted her head at him before looking over to Tywin. Tywin watched him like a lion ready to strike.
Prince Oberyn caught the stared shared between Joanna and Aegon. There was something more to that look he knew it in his gut. The plan was for Aegon to get close to her not fall under her spell. And when the time was right, kill her. It was all part of Dornish master plan. Now he was not sure that plan would work anymore. But a new plan started to form in his mind. He was not a great planner as his brother but even he could see what could between the two. A marriage between Robert's only legitimate daughter, Joanna and Aegon no one could dispute their right to rule. Those who favor the Targaryen family would have the Sun Dragon Aegon, Rhaegar only son. While those who sided with Robert would have Joanna, the doe that Robert sired.
Aegon coughed bowing to Tywin and Joanna as remembered himself. He did not say a word before placed his helmet on and enter the joists. The joists were easy to win in his mind. The hardest was Ser Jaime. He looked sideways towards the stand where Joanna's eyes were watching him as he unseated Jaime. She clapped but her eyes read shock.
Next came the melee. He could feel Tywin's eyes watching him more intently after every fight he won. It came to the second to last fight for him. It was between Smalljon Umber and him. The man was larger than him in girth. But that worked for Aegon he had the speed to beat him. The swords danced as they fought. He looked sideways catching her eyes. He wanted to impress her. He did a move that would disarm Smalljon and send the sword in his hand. It flew from the air. Aegon easily caught pointing both swords at Smalljon. Smalljon gave up bowing his head in defeat. Aegon swung the Smalljon sword with grace so it was pointing where the handle was where Smalljon could take it.
Tywin had made up his mind in that instant. This warrior from House Dayne would be his granddaughter protector no matter the cost. He nodded toward Prince Oberyn to come to him. He kissed Joanna head as he exited the box. Prince Oberyn followed suit. Tyrion moved so he was sitting now next to Joanna.
"Well it for sure now," Tyrion muttered.
"What is?" Joanna asked.
"That you will be crowned queen of love and beauty" Marleina answered for Tyrion.
"He is probably married," Joanna muttered being realistic.
"I bet if he is married he would ride right pass his wife and lay the crown of winter blue roses in your lap. Like Rhaegar did with Lyanna," Tyrion told her.
Joanna gave him a look. That said she did not want to take anyone husband. It would be like the tourney at Harrenhal all over again. He coughed trying to cover his laughter. The look he gave him reminded him of look Cersei often wore when she was displeased with Robert.
"Jaime will likely win," Joanna said with confidence.
"I always bet on him, sweet niece but even I can see this knight from house Dayne is the better swordsman," Tyrion told her.
Joanna looked back at the fight. She watched Aegon with interest. He was from the same house that great Arthur Dayne came from. She wondered if he could dual weld like his relative. Even if he was not married a marriage between him and her was now beyond a doubt out of the question. Only great houses married great houses at least daughter did. Tywin had hammered her duty into her since she was here. Her duty was to marry the man; her father told her to without question and to give him children. And gods forbid if all her brother passed to rule.
The last fight was between Jaime and Aegon was a close one. By the end of the fight, they were both sweating from the effort. But in the end, Aegon had won. Everyone clapped as he won. He removed his helmet.
They gave Aegon a crown of blue winter roses to crown the queen of love and beauty. He rode around the tourney center circle looking at the crowd. Jaime watched in distaste. He stopped at the royal box. He took his lance placed the crown of blue winter roses on Joanna's lap.
"I see no truer queen of love and beauty that you, your grace," Aegon told her.
It was the first time that your grace did not seem to bother her. She gave him a huge smile. She placed the crown on her head. Standing up moving closer to the edge of the box, their eyes met. It was clear that desire was in both of their eyes.
"Thank you Ser, may I know your name," Joanna flirted.
"Ser Aeron Dayne," Aegon told her.
"Ser Aeron, come forward," Joanna ordered.
All eyes were locked on them as Aegon did as she asked. Tyrion and Marleina did not know what Joanna was going to do. Jaime growled at the sight of Joanna flirting with a young knight. He had promised Cersei that he would keep her safe. Getting close to a young knight from Dorne was not safe. When he was close enough she leaned forward kissing his cheek. The crowd all cheered as she did that. Joanna then moved to exit the box heading back to Casterly Rock. Meraxes walked with her on her lead. She was flanked by red cloaks. Aegon put his hand on his cheek where she had kissed him.
Prince Oberyn and Tywin were in Tywin's office. Tywin moved behind his desk. Prince Oberyn looked around the room. This was the man that order his sister death and the death of his niece. He had to keep his edge around him. The mask had to stay up if the plan was going to work.
"Prince Oberyn who is the Knight from Dayne," Tywin asked.
"Ser Arthur second cousin Aeron Dayne," Prince Oberyn said offhandedly.
"This Aeron Dayne is he attach to anyone or any your personal guard," Tywin asked.
"Aeron is free as a bird. He does train with my daughters and some of the guards at Sunspear but no he not a guard of Sunspear. When my brother, got your raven asking for the best warrior to compete in a tourney for Princess Joanna name day we both thought of Aeron," Prince Oberyn told him. Prince Oberyn spied a portrait of Joanna painted next to a picture of whom he supposed was late Joanna Lannister. The similarity between the two where uncanny, the two differences was Princess Joanna had black hair and blue-green while late Joanna Lannister had golden hair and emerald green eyes. "She is truly a beauty," Prince Oberyn commented picking up the small portrait.
"Yes," Tywin said as he removed the portrait from Prince Oberyn hands. He wore an unhappy look on his face.
There was a tense silence in the room for a long moment. They both regarded each other. They were both sizing each other up. Tywin was not one to back down he was a true lion.
"I want Ser Aeron to become Princess Joanna Baratheon personal guard," Tywin said laying the cards on the table.
"A personal guard, forgive me why would she need one," Prince Oberyn started to laugh but then stopped when he realized that Lord Tywin was serious.
"The last time she was in King's Landing an incident happened that nearly cost my granddaughter her life. She most return to there I want her protected at all cost. Red guards could follow Jaime, Cersei or Tyrion orders. Kingsgaurds are there to guard the king and follow his orders. Joanna could easily fall to the wayside," Tywin revealed.
"I will speak to him," Prince Oberyn said.
"See that you do," Tywin said dismissing him.
Prince Oberyn left the room. Tywin looked at portraits of both of his Joanna's. He ran his finger down his late wife face. His eyes linger on his granddaughter's face. She reminded him so much of his late wife it was hard to separate the two. Jaime stormed into his office without knocking.
"What is the meaning of this" Tywin roared.
"Joanna has lost her ever-loving mind," Jaime raged.
"What do think she has done," Tywin sighed.
"She kissed the Dayne knight," Jaime roared.
"on the lips," Tywin asked.
"Well no, on his cheek after he crowned her queen of love a beauty. Regardless he is beneath her she should not soil herself with likes of him," Jaime explained.
"I will talk to her," Tywin dismissed Jaime.