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Quick note: I realize that there may be some confusion in this chapter I will explain all in due time. When you picture Lyarra picture Daenerys. A thank you to Kenka for pointing out a out of character moment for Lord Varys. I have since revised this chapter to make him more in character. Anyway on with the story…
Joanna rode into King's Landing Marleina sat across from her. Meraxes lay by Joanna's feet in the wheelhouse. Her long black hair was in a loose braid down her back. Her blue-green eyes peered out on the city that was once her home. Marleina eyes were wide she only ever seen Lannisport and Twins. King's Landing was quite larger than both of them. Ser Aeron rode on his stead by the wheelhouse side. On the other side of wheelhouse was Ser Jaime. Joanna pulled the curtain closed as they rode pass flea bottom. She was dressed in a jade-colored traveling gown. It had beaded lions and stags on the band around her waist. Joanna rested her head against the back of her seat.
"Are you alright Anna?" Marleina asked noticing Joanna face.
"Yes, Marleina. I am fine just this place does not seem like home anymore," Joanna told her.
Cersei, Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen stood on waiting on the wheelhouse to coming into the stables. Joffrey looked like he rather be anywhere but there. Myrcella and Tommen were happy to see Jo again. Her letters were only so much. Cersei was excited to have her daughter back in her arms. Lord Jon Arryn stood a step down from Cersei. The Hand of King Pin was worn proudly on his doublet. His wife stood nearby him looking sourly at the scene before her. Her little Robin was ill again. She much rather be with him than waiting for another spoiled brat of a princess of Robert's and Cersei. The rest of the small council was there standing on the sides. Robert came out with Lancel following behind him with his wine as the wheelhouse rolled into the stables. The red guards rode into the stable first. They were followed by the wheelhouse surround by two guards Ser Jaime and Aegon. Cersei eyes went wide as she spied a man that looked eerily similar to Rhaegar ridding next to the wheelhouse. Ser Jaime and Aegon stopped dismounted and bowed before the royal family before. Ser Jaime crossed to the wheelhouse opening the door. Joanna disembarked first with the help of Jaime's hand. Cersei eyes went even wider at the sight of her daughter that looked so shocking like her mother. Marleina came out next with Meraxes. At that Tommen and Myrcella eyes went wide. Lord Varys caught eyes with Aegon as he dismounted. The Martells could not be that stupid to place Aegon in Robert's sights.
"Is that a lion?" Tommen whispered.
"Of course it not" Joffery shuffled.
"Joanna, my little doe," Robert said moving forward.
"Father," Joanna said with happiness in her voice.
Joanna met him his huge hug. He lifted her off her feet. She returned the hug with laughter reaching everyone ears. He spun her around her feet off the ground. She turned back into the little five years old that he used to throw in the air; when Cersei was not watching. Cersei frown this was not the outcome of her being sent to Casterly Rock that she hoped for. She walked over to Jaime. Her eyes were on Aegon who was watching Joanna like a hawk.
"Who is he?" Cersei asked.
"Ser Aeron Dayne, your daughter sword and shield," Jaime muttered.
"I never agreed to that," Cersei said.
"Father did," Jaime said like it was meant to be.
"And I did, you think I'll let what happen to my little doe happen again," Robert roared as he fixed Cersei with a single look.
"Father," Joanna tried to defuse the situation.
"Why do we need another Kingsguard," Cersei argued.
"Mother Ser Aeron is not a Kingsguard or Red Cloak as Uncle Jaime has told you he is my personal guard and my sword and shield. He swore his loyalty to me and me alone in front of all at the feast for my Name day at Casterly Rock," Joanna explained.
Cersei moved over to her daughter. She hugged the living reminder of the dream of her life she could have with Robert. She knew that her daughter now could be a lioness beyond the outward appearance of doe. It was a deadly combination. She let her daughter go leading her over to Myrcellaand Tommen. Tommen ran forward hugging her leg. Myrcella did the same with her other leg.
"Are you home for good Jo," Tommen asked looking up at her.
"Well, for now, Tommen sweetheart. I'll marry someday and will have to go to my husband's home," Joanna told him.
Joffery glares her and lets out a noise of discontent at her babying Tommen. Myrcella looked at her older sister with hopeful eyes. To have someone to help her with her lessons help her deal with things that girls dealt with. And take Joffery torment away from both of them.
"It nice to see you Joffery," Joanna greeted.
"You too Joanna," Joffrey growled out because he had to.
Joffery turned to leave. Tommen ran over to Marleina who had Meraxes. His eyes were wide at the sight of lion cub. Cersei left following Joffery trying sooth him.
"Myrcella, Tommen," Cersei called for her other children.
They both turned and left with Cersei. Joanna walked over to Marleina, Aeron followed her. She could feel the eyes of the rest of the greeting party on her. She turned with a smile as Jon Arryn walked over her. He bowed to her slightly not as deep as he bowed to the king but deep enough to show her that he knew something.
"Lord Arryn, it pleases me to see you such good health," Joanna said.
"My Princess looked how you have grown. You are more beautiful than your mother. A true doe of Stormlands; it pleases me to have you back in King's Landing. I wish to speak to you later in private," Jon Arryn told her.
"Send for me later my Lord," Joanna told him.
Lord Baelish came over next. He made her skin crawl. He bowed to her kissing the top of her hand. She forced a smile as she returned the well wishes. Lord Varys came over he looked between her and Aegon bowing to them both it seemed.
"Welcome back to King's Landing," Lord Varys told them.
"Thank you Lord Varys how are your little birds," Joanna asked thinking he was talking to her alone.
"Well my princess," Lord Varys answered.
Robert came over placing his arm around her shoulders. He headed back into the keep. Marleina and Aegon and the rest of the Kingsguard followed. He was happy to have his little gem back. Lord Varys looked at Aegon hardly as he departed with Joanna.
Once they were at Joanna's old chambers. Robert kissed Joanna forehead. He had told her about the changes that happened here since she was gone.
"I'll have a maid draw up a bath for you my sweet. The rooms across the hall will be your Ser Aeron," Robert told her.
"Thank you, Father," Joanna said.
"Think nothing of it, "Robert said kissing her on the crown of her head. Joanna walked into her old room. He turned and looked at Ser Aeron. He sized the man up and down. This was his daughter grand protector bought by Tywin freaking Lannister. "Ser Aeron a word my boy," Robert called for him to follow him
Aegon looked over to Joanna. Her eyes were wide Ser Barristan Selmy took up the guard in front of her room. He nodded for Aegon to follow the King. Aegon bowed deeply to Joanna before he took off after King Robert the man that murdered his father.
Robert sat in a meeting room across from Aegon. They both were sizing the other up. There were Kingsgaurds everywhere. Aegon was trying to see how this drunk of man could have killed his father.
"So you're a Dayne?" Robert asked.
"Yes your grace, Arthur was my second cousin," Aegon told him.
"Arthur was a great warrior. It was a pity we were on different sides. He sided with those Damn Targaryens," Robert stated. He motioned for Aegon to sit. Aegon sat down took a drink of wine Robert offered him. Their eyes met. "At least you're not another godforsaken Lannister," Robert joked.
Robert took a drink of his wine. Aegon did as well. The stoic mask that he had to cover any haltered that he for this man. This man glorified what he did to his father.
"Tell me boy, have ever killed a man?" Robert asked.
"Yes, your grace," Aegon told him. Robert motioned for him to continue. Aegon took a deep breath and slow recounted where he learned to dual wield swords. "I warded off to the Martells. They sent me to Essos when earning my Ser title. It was a second son I never learned his name. He came at me in when I was Lys. I drew my sword and he drew his. I got his sword out his hands and removed his head with both swords while he was still standing," Aegon told him.
Aegon was thinking about how he would love to remove Robert's head. They met eyes Robert had a smile on his face.
"Did the Martell ever tell you how it all started?" Robert asked. Aegon shook his head no. They did not ever give him exact details. Robert looked off as if he was remembering something or someone. "Lyanna, it all started with her. I loved that woman. I was going to marry her. Rhaegar kidnapped and rape her. I just wanted her back. I killed the man that took her but it could not save Lyanna. I kill him every night in my dreams. I did not think I would ever love again until Joanna and Steffon were born. I was away at a hunt. Then Steffon fell ill and died. We nearly lost Joanna then. But my little doe was stronger than that illness. It was like have a little Lyanna back. I let her ride a horse when she was five years old. I thought her how to shoot a bow and was teaching her how to hold a sword and weld one if needs be. Cersei hated it. But what did I care? I had little wild doe. Then Joffery plunged a training sword into Joanna's side. It was like losing Lyanna all over again. It pains me to think of lying still breathing shallowly dead to the world as Maester worked on her. I can still smell the blood as I came into her room. They looked at me with a grave look on their faces. I knew in that instant I could not keep her safe here. But now she has you and you will protect her with your life," Robert told him.
"I will I swear it by the new gods and by old," Aegon swore.
Lyarra Snow long silvery blonde hair fell around in the Godswoods. She stood looking up at the Hearttree in falling snow. She had grey white fur top heavy cloak over shoulders of her gown. She had heard of twin brother Jon was off sparring with Robb and Theon. She had gotten away from her Septa. Arya tried to do the same but she knew that her half-sister was not as skilled as her as escaping her sewing lessons. Lady Catelyn Stark did not like or care for Lyarra or Jon. She turned to see her father approach her with a frown on his face.
"Lyarra," Ned said.
"I come to pray, Father," Lyarra said.
"It is not safe for you to be out here alone child," Ned said kissing the top of her head.
"Why do I look different father?" Lyarra questioned.
"You are smarter than I give you credit for. Your and Jon's mother was Ashara Dayne. Her brother, Arthur, had the same silvery blonde hair that you have. They both had the same purple-blue eyes that you have," Ned told her seating on a fallen log near the Hearttree. He patted the spot next to him.
"Then why are we not a Sand," Lyarra questioned seating next to him.
"For my brother's honor and memory I could not name you Sands. You were our only piece of him I had left. Your father was Brandon Stark he loved Ashara when we focused on Lyanna and Rhaegar. When I returned Dawn to Starfall, Ashara greeted me with both of you. She was lost in her grief for the loss of my brother and her brother. And she begged me to take you and Jon with me. Brandon betrayed his betrothal to Catelyn Tully when he fell hard for your mother. Jon doesn't know this. He told me he wishes to go to the Wall. And I do not have the heart to stop him," Ned explained to her placing his arm around her shoulders.
"Starks have served at the Wall for centuries," Lyarra repeated what she heard for all her life.
"Yes, they have," Ned said with a smile. He kissed the crown of her head. "Your life will be changed by having the Stark surname. You could marry a high lord, not just a farmer. I'll write Robert about it now," Ned told her.
Later that night, Aegon found himself out in the Tiltyard. He left Dawn in his room. The only sword he had on his person was Blackfyre. There was no one else around only the light of torches lit where the dummy was as. He was fighting the dummy as imagined Robert in place of the dummy. He had come out his meeting with Robert with more questions then he cared to have. He knew he could not kill the man as much as part of him wanted to. And by the seven gods, part of him really wanted to for what he did to his father. But he could even see it the man's eyes he loved Lyanna. And he did it all for her. Part of him hated that woman. A woman he never met and would never meet. If it was not for her his mother and his sister would still be alive. But at the same time, his mind came to Joanna smiling face when he won the tourney. He knew that Joanna would likely never come to be if his father and Lyanna had not run away together. He was out a breath he stepped forward resting his head against the dummy.
"Troubled," Lord Varys question quietly.
Aegon turned and looked at Lord Varys dropping Blackfyre. Lord Varys gave him a knowing look as his eyes fell to the sword long since lost. He thought it was Aegon now he knew with a doubt; that Joanna's shield and sword as Rhaegar's son Aegon Targaryen.
"Just cannot sleep is all swing my sword relaxes me," Aegon told him.
"It must be hard being back in the place that has such meaning for you," Lord Varys questioned.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Aegon lied.
Aegon leaned down picking up his sword; placing it back in its home. He turned and started to walk away from him heading back toward Joanna's and his chambers. Lord Varys knew at that moment that Aegon was battling with himself. He was torn. The Martell plans for him had run into a snag and that snag was a beauty with long raven black hair with the blood of the Targaryen enemies.
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