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Prince Doran sat in one of the many sitting rooms in Sunspear. Aero stood by his side. He had just heard the word that his brother had returned. He looked up as Prince Oberyn entered the room. Prince Oberyn looked over at his brother taking a seat on one of the sofas. He reached for a piece of fruit that was sitting on a plate. His eyes found his brother's questioning gaze.
"Well how did it go?" Prince Doran asked.
"As well as we thought it would go," Prince Oberyn told him. He leaned over taking the pitcher of wine. He poured himself a goblet. When he went to take a drink his brother stilled his hand. He gave Prince Oberyn a hard look urging him to elaborate. "Aegon is now the personal guard of Princess Joanna Baratheon," Prince Oberyn started.
"Good," Prince Doran said thinking his plan was going to plan.
"It will not work," Prince Oberyn said bursting Prince Doran bubble.
"What do you mean," Prince Doran growled.
"He has fallen for her charms. Even I have to admit she is a beauty; More so than Elia or even that whore Lyanna. Her face could launch a thousand ships," Prince Oberyn told him. Prince Doran looked unamused. Prince Oberyn paused trying to think of the best way to break the news of Aegon pledge. He decided that it was best to come out with it. "He bowed before pledging himself to her. He, not just her personal guard but now he is her shield and sword if need be," Prince Oberyn told him.
"How could he be so stupid? She is a beauty have no doubt but does he forget that her father murdered his or that it was her grandfather that order the death of Rhaenys and Elia," Prince Doran raged.
Prince Doran finally looked over to his brother. He lounged there sipping on his wine eating fruits, meats, and cheeses; as their master plan was now in tatters. How in the seven hells can he be so calm? Aero looked between his princes in shock.
"How can you be so calm," Prince Doran roared.
"This could be better than we hoped for. A true king only bows before his queen," Prince Oberyn muttered.
The word slowly started to sink into Prince Doran mind. He pictured Aegon and Joanna together. This could work this would do everything their original plan would do but no one could dispute there right to rule. Now their fate rest on Aegon skills at wooing Joanna, now he prayed that his time in Lys studying the art of Love God was well worth it.
"Your Grace slow down" Aegon demanded.
Aegon ran after Joanna as she ran through the tunnels in King's Landing. Her long black hair was pulled up in a twisted updo. Her dark teal heavily jewel-encrusted gown flowed behind her. The jewels were around the scoop neckline of the gown, bottom of the bell sleeve, a belt on her narrow waist and bottom of the gown. Her laughter filled the tunnels. He was out of breath when he came to open chamber. His eyes fell on all the dragons' skulls.
"As much as my father hates them he could not destroy them. I use to spend hours down here just staring at them. Wondering what they truly look like not just their skulls but them. Mother tells me I'm obsessed with them as father is but how can you not be. They are magnificent," Joanna said as she touched Balerion skull.
Aegon stared at her as caressed the skull. He moved over her his body had a mind of his own. The attraction between them had been like a moth to the flame. He could not help himself. He could easily picture her as his wife and queen if the gods willed it. He cupped her chin making their eyes meet each other. Her blue-green eyes glittered like gems as she stared up at him. His amethyst colored eyes locked with her eyes. He was taking in every detail of her face as if she was going to disappear before him. There was lust in her eyes. It was well hidden but even so, it was there. He knew he had to tell her the truth and soon.
"Joanna," Aegon started.
"Ae…."Joanna started.
Aegon could not help himself pressing his lips to hers. Soon they were lost in a passionate kiss. Her hands rested on his chest. His hands roamed into her twists that hanged down to her waist.
A noise caused both of them to break apart. Joanna looked up at him with shock on her face. Her lips were flushed a red color. This was the first time she had let lust cloud her judgment. She looked down catching her breath. She was stealing her core before she looked up him. Looking every bit her mother's daughter.
"That cannot happen again," Joanna told him.
Joanna turned to leave the tunnels her mind still on that kiss. As she walked her hand went to her lips. She knew there was something different about Aeron Dayne but she knew that their relationship could never go farther. And she had made a promise to herself that she would only love her husband as duty demand of her.
Aegon just stood there dumbstruck. If this was lust and passion his father felt for Lyanna. He understood why his father did it. He knew in that instant that he would do anything for Joanna. He would happily give up the Iron Throne just to have her in his arms.
"Uncles what have you got me in to?" Aegon questioned aloud.
Joanna made it back to her room. She was pacing her room. Her mind was still on the kiss. Meraxes watched her mother pace. She was eating a plate of raw meat. A knock sounded at the door. She was greeted by two of Kingsguards. They looked at her and her up at him. Before, they parted allowing her mother to enter her room. Cersei made her way over to two chairs near the fire. Joanna glared at the two Kingsguards before she shut the door.
"I noticed that Ser Aeron is not at your door," Cersei commented.
"The man does have to eat, mother, I am in my chambers alone. I doubt anyone would dare harm me," Joanna said implying the only one that ever hurt was her brother.
Joffrey was difficult, to say the least. But that did not mean he was dumb. Even he had the smarts not to attack her in her own chambers. As much as Joffrey hated he would not do that in King's Landing.
"Joffrey will be our king one day. You should respect him," Cersei told her.
"And what kind of King will he be, Mother?" Joanna asked.
Cersei looked over at her lioness of a daughter. It was clear there was more than just a pretty face. There was the Lannister backbone to her. Or as Robert would say she was willful because Our is the Fury. She smiled over to Joanna motioning for her to sit next to her.
"Your duty is," Cersei started.
"To marry and produce children for my husband. That will be chosen by father for the good of the Kingdom. I know," Joanna told her.
They exchanged looks neither of them said anything for a moment. As much as Cersei loved Joanna, she was still Robert's daughter. No amount of Lannister training could change her. Robert had left his mark on her besides her having his black hair and his blue eyes. Marleina came into the room to bring cakes and wine. She poured both of them wine. Joanna and Cersei took the goblets of wine taking a drink.
"What her name?" Cersei asked.
"Marleina of House Frey grandfather thought once I flowered I need a ladies maid. So he wrote to Lord Walder Frey who sent Marleina to Casterly Rock," Joanna told her mother.
"Hmm, a Frey she is such a pretty child for a Frey," Cersei said looking at Marleina.
"Thank you, Your Grace," Marleina said bowing deeply to Cersei.
Marleina then left the room. Joanna could hear her let out a huge sigh of relief as she exited the room.
"It pains me I was not there for you on your special day,"
Cersei said. Joanna and Cersei met eyes. Joanna reached over taking her mother hands. It was one of the few days she really wanted her mother. As much as she hated her father and favored her brothers and sister she knew that Cersei loved her too. "Permit me to share some womanly wisdom with you now. The more people you love the weaker you are. You'll do things for them that you know you shouldn't do. You'll act the fool to make them happy, to keep them safe. Love no one but your children. On that front, a mother has no choice," Cersei told her.
"Thank you mother," Joanna told her.
Cersei smiled standing. She came over to Joanna. She hugged her shoulders. She kissed the crown of Joanna's head. Joanna looked over to her mother as she left the room. Cersei paused for a moment. Joanna sat there looking at the flames. It was in that moment perhaps Joanna was really the best of both of them. She was doe when she needed to be but a lion lurked just beyond the surface.
Robert sat in his office. He looked over at Ser Barristan and Grand Maester Pycelle. Lord Arryn had taken to his bed. He had collapsed in the small council chambers. Pycelle had just seen him in his chambers. A raven letter sat on Robert's desk. It was a letter from Lord Eddard Stark requesting that Lyarra Snow is made Lyarra Stark. Robert had no problem with it. In fact, for his friend, he would do one better. Lyarra Stark would be newest ladies maid to his Joanna.
"Lord Arryn has fallen ill with a fever your grace," Pycelle told him.
"Will he live?" Robert asked.
"Only time can tell, he is in the gods hands now. I have done all I can do," Pycelle told him.
Aegon made his way to Joanna's room. He had gone to tiltyard to work out what he wanted to say to her. He pounded on the door. Marleina opened the door. Allowing him to enter the room, Joanna just came out behind her dressing divider. She was dressed in a gold gown with black roses and red roses are sewn on its bodice. Her lion necklace was proudly on display. Her long hair had just been taken down. Joanna nodded for Marleina to leave the room. Aegon dropped to his knees in front of her as Marleina shut the door.
"Your Grace, please find it your heart to forgive me for my transgression," Aegon started.
"There is nothing to forgive Ser Aeron. I am as much as I hate to say it, I am as much to blame as you are," Joanna told him.
"You haunt my dreams. I know I long for something that can never be," Aegon told her.
"The same with me," Joanna said longingly.
"Then perhaps we can continue it in secret," Aegon suggested.
"You know I must marry another man," Joanna told him.
"I cannot not have you even if it's only for a time," Aegon told her.
Joanna dropped down to her knees so she was eye level with him. She looked in his eyes before pressing her lips to his. It was kiss that showed all the longing that both had for the other. They pulled apart breathless.
"A lion doesn't care for the opinions of the sheep," Joanna told him.
"Is that a yes, "Aegon told her.
"Yes good Ser it is a yes," Joanna laughed teasingly.
Aegon rose to his feet lifting Joanna off her feet. His lips met hers. He pulled apart. He looked into her eyes. He took a deep breath.
"Joanna, there is something I have to tell you…" Aegon started.
Right when he started to talk, a knock sounded at the door. Aegon reached for his sword crossing to the door. He opened the door right when Joanna came to stand behind him. It was Lord Varys he was carrying a heavy-looking chest. He bowed to Joanna but something in his eyes told her it was not just her that he was bowing to. They moved aside for him to enter. He placed the chest on the bench by Joanna's bed. Aegon shut the door knowing that there were always watchful eyes and ears in the red keep.
"What is this Lord Varys," Joanna asked.
"A gift, for the future queen of Westeros," Lord Varys told her knowing his words had dueled meaning.
"I'll only be queen if Joffery and Tommen die," Joanna muttered.
"All the same open it," Lord Varys told her.
Joanna eyed the chest. Her tongue danced over her full bottom lip. She moved forward only to be stopped by Aegon. He looked at Joanna with a look was protective one. She tilted her head at him.
"I'll open it my princess who knows what in it," Aegon told her.
Joanna nodded her head she knew that many people want her dead. Joffery was among them. It was the reason for Kingsguards and red and gold cloaks that protected the Red Keep. Aegon moved forward kneeling in front of the chest. He pulled a dagger from his boot placing by the chest to be in range if he had to use it. Part of him prayed that his uncles would not be so stupid to attack King Robert's little doe or Lord Tywin's lioness granddaughter that were one and the same. But this had all the makings of one of their gifts. He removed the lock opening it in a flash grabbing the dagger prepared for it to be a serpent. But he was shocked to see resting in finest silk three dragon eggs, one black with swirls of blood red and on edge on each the scales, one golden with bronzed swirls and lining each scale and one jade green with silver swirls and lining each scale. Joanna came forward when she caught the look on Aegon's face.
"Are those," Joanna asked.
"Dragons eggs, your grace, from the shadowlands beyond Asshai the age has turned them to stone but they are still beautiful," Varys told her.
Joanna came forward touching the golden one. Her eyes traveled to Aegon's face as looked at them in awe. He never saw one in his lifetime. This was things his family was known for. His eyes traveled to Joanna's as both of their hands brushed the black egg. Aegon could feel the heat radiating from the eggs.
Later that evening, Joanna sat at family dinner. Aegon stood behind her. His eyes locked on her back but everyone and while he would look across the table where Joffery was sitting. Joffery was next to Cersei while Joanna sat near Robert. The family ate their meal in silence.
"Joanna I found you a new ladies maid," Robert told her.
"Father I'm sure Marleina is enough," Joanna tried to tell her father.
"Nonsense, I say you need another one and you will have one," Robert told her.
"Thank you father," Joanna replied.
Tommen looked at his sister with hopeful eyes. He was fascinated with Meraxes since he saw the lion cub.
"Jo do you think your lion cub can sleep with me tonight," Tommen asked.
"I don't see why not," Joanna told him.
Suddenly, a guard came into the room. He made his way over to King Robert. The man whispered frantically in Robert's ear. Robert downed his goblet of wine in instant his face going pale as a sheet. He nodded to the guard. The guard left the room. Robert turned to look at his family in question.
"We will be heading North in two days time," Robert told them getting up.
They all rose when Robert got up leaving the room. Joanna sat down as he left the room. Something happened that bother her father deeply. She looked over to her mother.
"May I be excused," Joanna asked.
"Of course my little doe," Cersei said.
Aegon followed her out of the room. Joanna found her father in his seating room. Jaime stood at his door along with another Kingsguard. They parted for her to past. Joanna nodded for Aegon to stay at the door.
"Father," Joanna called.
"He is dead," Robert told her. Joanna came over placing her hand on his shoulders. There were tears in her eyes and she knew also in his. She knew who he was in a moment of seeing her father tears. And she knew the only reason they would head north was to get Lord Eddard Stark to be his hand. "He was like a father to me," Robert said.
Joanna had no words to take away this hurt. They both just stood there looking out at night sky. Lord Arryn was dead no words could change that.
Ned Stark sat in the Gods wood cleaning his sword ice when Catelyn came into the woods a letter in her hands. He turned slightly to look at her.
"All these years, and I still feel like an outsider when I come here," Catelyn stated.
"You have five northern children you're not an outsider" Ned laughed.
"I wonder if the old Gods agree," Catelyn asked looking to around
"It's your gods with all the rules." Ned joked
Ned looked at her as she fiddled with the paper in her hands. He could tell something was wrong.
"I'm so sorry my love" Catelyn stated
"Tell me."
"There was a raven from King's Landing. Jon Arryn is dead. A fever took him. I know he was like a father to you"
"Your sister, the boy"
"They both have their health, gods be good," Catelyn said before sitting next to Ned. She paused for a few moments letting Ned take in the news. "The raven brought more news. The King rides for Winterfell with the queen and all the rest of them."
"If he's coming this far north... there only one thing he's after"
"You can always say no Ned"
What do think of Joanna's and Aegon relationship start? How should she find out the truth and what should her reaction be? And Dragon names are welcome. I hoped you like it.