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I hope you like this chapter.
The party got closer to the wall. A horn sounded. Joanna's eyes went wide staring up at the Wall. It was nothing like she imagined it would be. She looked up at in wonder. Tyrion rode by her as they heading toward Castle Black.
"It glorious is not," Tyrion commented.
"Wondrous," Joanna commented.
"I am glad you like it, Princess. I am glad you have two guards the men of the Night Watch have not seen a woman of your beauty in many moons. I would keep your maids close," Benjen warned.
"I will, thank you Benjen," Joanna said. Joanna looked over to Ser Barristan. He met her gaze. He bowed slightly to her. "Ser Barristan, I ask that you watch over Lady Lyarra and Lady Marleina in our time at the Wall," Joanna ordered.
"It will be done, Princess," Ser Barristan said.
Aegon rode next to Joanna as she looked up at the Wall. Something that would shape the future of the world would happen her she was sure of it. She knew one thing for sure Aemon Targaryen would know he was the only dragon left in the world.
"Excised Jo," Aegon asked.
"Nervous," Joanna replied softly.
"I will not leave your side, Jo," Aegon said ridding beside her.
Tyrion looked back at Aeron and his niece as they exchanged a look. Aeron took one of Joanna's hands giving it a squeeze. She smiled at Aeron before she nodded her head. He was surer than ever that Aeron and Joanna were romantically evolved with each other. He wondered how far their relationship had gone. He just prayed to all the gods that Joanna knew what she was doing. As it was now she was flirting with disaster.
Joanna rode into Castle Black with Aegon by her side. All the eyes of the brothers went to the new arrivals. There were shocked looks as they took in Lyarra and Marleina but gasp where heard when Joanna's fur-lined hood came down revealing her long black hair and face to their eyes. She could all their lustful stares as looked around at them moving as one with Balerion. Her eyes locked on Joer Mormont who was standing by Maester Aemon. Benjen dismounted helping his niece down from her horse. Ser Aeron dismounted reaching up to help Joanna off Balerion. Ser Barristan helped Marleina down. Tyrion dismounted walking over to Joanna. Joanna held her head high as she made her over to Joer Mormont and Maester Aemon.
"Welcome to Castle Black Lord Lannister, I'm Lord Commander Joer Mormont," Joer Mormont said.
"Thank you, May I introduce my niece and Princess of Realm, Princess Joanna Baratheon," Tyrion said
"Your Grace, welcome to Castle Black and Wall. It is an honor to have you here. We have rooms made for you and your ladies party." Joer Mormont said.
Joer looked to Aegon who stood next to Joanna. He looked to his left taking in Aemon Targaryen then looking back to Aegon. The resemblance was there clear as day. Joanna moved forward taking his hand. Joer kissed the top of her hand moving her hand over gasp Aemon Targaryen. He took both of her hands in his. She smiled at him. Joer eyes went to the men of the Night's Watch. They were eying Joanna like she was a piece of meat.
"Do not venture alone, these men have not seen a beauty like you in ages," Aemon said with a laugh.
"Thank you for your concern Maester Aemon, it is an honor to met you," Joanna greeted.
"Come you must be tried," Joer said ushering them inside.
Joanna and Aegon were alone in her room. She paced the length of the room. Her fur-lined cloak discarded. The roaring fire filled the room with little warmth. She ran her hand up and down her arms. Meraxes lay by the flames, she was not meant for this cold. Lyarra was off with Jon. Marleina was settling into her rooms. Ser Barristan was standing guard outside their rooms. Aegon caught her pulling her into his arms. She cuddled into his arms as if she could still feel their lust-filled eyes on her.
"What is it Jo," Aegon asked.
"Kiss me," Joanna muttered.
Aegon gave in to her request; leaning down capture her lips with his own lips. His hand cupped her face. As the molded into each other embrace their tongues danced with each other. Aegon pulled away kissing her forehead before resting his forehead against her own.
"I love you, Joanna," Aegon told her.
"And I you ,my dragon," Joanna replied.
"What has upset you so, my doe," Aegon asked.
"I still feel their eyes on me. Like I'm a piece of meat, I keep telling myself I'm doing this for you and Lyarra," Joanna confessed.
"You did not really want to come to Wall," Aegon asked shocked.
"I wish to see all of our kingdoms but no, I did not want to see the Wall. Lyarra wanted to come because she did not want to part from her twin just yet. I myself a twin I feel her pain. Although I can never see my twin again he has passed on," Joanna trailed off. She looked at Aegon with tears in her eyes. He locked eyes with her eyes his hands cupping her jaw. He looked at her like she was his world. He knew that more to her coming here than just Lyarra. "And it gives you a piece of your family back," Joanna told him.
"Joanna," Aegon started.
"Aegon," Joanna countered.
They laughed at each other. He shook his head and leaned in closer to her. Her hands moved up to around his neck.
"What I'm going to do with you," Aegon asked.
"Love me," Joanna answered coyly.
"I do, already you did not have to do this for me," Aegon told her.
"I wanted to," Joanna replied.
Maester Luwin walked into Bran room. Catelyn still sat by Bran bedside weaving a prayer circle.
"It's time we reviewed the accounts, My Lady. You want to know how much this royal visit cost us," Maester Luwin asked.
"Talk to Poole about it," Catelyn told him.
"Poole went south with Lord Stark milady. We need a new steward and there are several other appointments that require…" Maester Luwin started.
"I don't care about appointments," Catelyn roared.
"I'll make the appointments. We'll talk about it first thing in the morning," Robb said making his presence known.
"Very good My Lord. My Lady," Maester Luwin said leaving the room.
Once, Maester Luwin was out of the room Robb made his way over to window opening it. Catelyn looked over to Robb.
"When was the last time you left this room," Robb asked.
"I have to take care of him," Catelyn argued.
"He's not going to die, mother. Maester Luwin says the most dangerous time has passed," Robb argued back.
"What if he's wrong Bran needs me," Catelyn argued trying to make Robb understand.
"Rickon needs you. He's six. He doesn't know what is happening. He follows me around all day. He clutches my leg crying," Robb countered.
"Close the window I cannot stand it. Please make them stop," Catelyn cried reacting to direwolves cries.
"Fire, You stay here I'll come back," Robb said in hurry leaving the room.
Catelyn got up placing the prayer circle on the bed. She headed over to the window to close it herself. She looked out on dark night sky. There was a fire burning in what looked like the courtyard. She turned back to an assassin in her son room.
"You are not suppose to be here. No one suppose to be here. It's a mercy. It's dead already," the assassin said.
The assassin pulled out a Valerian steel dagger to kill Bran. Catelyn moved forward to stop him. The assassin slapped her. She head-butted him as that drew them back into the dresser. He went to cut her throat. Her hand cut the blade with both of her hands. He threw her to the ground after she bitten him. He advanced on Bran. Summer jumped on him going right for his jugular vein. Summer then hopped on the bed moving up kissing Bran face before lying down on the bed beside him. Catelyn knelt by the edge of the bed her hand blood covered. She looked down at assassin who was bleeding out on the floor with his neck ripped out.
Later Joanna stood on a balcony overlooking the yard was illuminated by torches. Aegon was let off some steam with his blades fighting some of the season rangers. Maester Aemon stood by her side. The clang of metal was all the heard. Joanna's eyes were watching her lover move with grace and fluidly of a true dragon. Aegon started to dual wield swords much like Arthur Dayne use to do. The men were no match for Aegon skill. This did not sit well in Joanna's mind.
"Your uncle tells me you have fascinated with dragons," Maester Aemon told her.
"It's more the Targaryen family. I wish to learn from the mistakes made in past not repeat them," Joanna replied.
"A wise move, past is an excellent place to learn from, many of your predecessors lacked," Maester Aemon commented.
Joanna placed her hand on the chains he wore. She touched them causing him to turn toward her. She placed his hand over her own hand.
"A defense is only as strong as its weakest point. Most like a chain strength are measured by its weakest link," Joanna said.
Joanna turned back to watch Aegon who was dual wield sword with grace as he fought six men at the same time. Tyrion came to stand by her side. He watched Aegon moved in awe of his skill. Joer Mormont came out as well standing near Tyrion
"You did not want to see the Wall for yourself," Aemon revealed.
"I wanted to see most of the realm," Joanna replied.
"You will see the edge of it tomorrow no doubt. But you have other reasons for coming here," Aemon told her.
"I do, Lyarra did not want to be parted from her twin just yet. She is now in my care so I care about what she wants. I know they must say goodbye to each other when he makes his vows but…" Joanna said.
"It is a noble thing you are doing," Aemon commented.
"He is quite good," Joer Mormont stated
"The best swordsmen in the realm or so my father claims," Tyrion commented as he caught sight of the swords Aeron was using.
"He was hired as my protector and now he is my sword and shield," Joanna said.
"A protector you are in danger," Aemon asked.
"We are all in danger in one way or another. Some dangers you know and some you never suspect," Joanna trailed off.
Her mind was on Joffery as she ran her hand down her side. But then her mind turned to mother and her Uncle Jaime. Aemon nodded his head think of what she had to say. Tyrion caught Joanna's words true meaning. He looked at her as she leaned on the railing. Her eyes were locked on Aegon movements. Tyrion knew what Jaime told him about Arthur Dayne who taught him. "I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, who could have slain all five men with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right." But looking at Ser Aeron Dayne fight it looked like Arthur Dayne fight again. Joer led Maester Aemon away as the battle was near ending. Aegon finished the fight sheathing his swords. He looked up at Joanna with a boyish grin on his face. Joanna returned the smile. Aegon bowed to her when she blew him a kiss.
"I would caution you against getting too close to him, niece," Tyrion commented. Joanna turned and looked at Tyrion. They regarded each other for a moment. Joanna blue-green eyes pieced Tyrion's emerald eyes. He saw that look before in the eyes of Tywin Lannister. "All I am saying sweet niece is you are going to be a queen. This man is not worthy of your attention no matter how handsome you may think he is or how good with a sword he is," Tyrion told her.
"Did it ever occur to you that he is worthy of my attention," Joanna spat out.
Catelyn came to the old tower where Bran "fell" from the tower. She knelt where Joanna was knelt holding Bran's head in her lap. She looked up to the window of the tower. She headed up into the old tower. She looked out the window. Before she turned to find a spot bare of dust on the center of the floor. She moved to examine the spot that was when she found a strain of long golden blonde hair.
Joer Mormont and Ser Barristan Selmy stood with Joanna in the lift to the top of the Wall. She was dressed in golden and black winter gown with fur-lined cloak over her shoulders. She pulled the cloak closer to her body.
"Cold Princess," Joer asked.
"A little I'm not use to the harshness of cold," Joanna replied.
Joer looked at her for a moment taking in her. He noticed despite the fact that she was cold she wore no gloves. And on her one finger was large ruby ring a gift from her family no doubt. Ser Barristan moved closer to her sharing his body heat with her.
"Your Grace," Ser Barristan said.
"Thank you Ser Barristan," Joanna said.
"It is my honor, your grace," Ser Barristan replied.
They reached the top of the Wall Joer exited first. He offered his arm to Joanna. She took it gladly. He guided her to the edge of the Wall. Her eyes were wide as she took in the very edge of her father's kingdom.
Catelyn stood in the Godswoods with Robb, Theon, Maester Luwin, and Ser Rodrik Cassel. They were near the Hearttree. Robb stood by Theon. Maester Luwin stood closest to Catelyn on the other side with Ser Rodrik by his side.
"What I'm about to tell you must remain between us. I don't think Bran fell from that tower. I think he was thrown," Catelyn revealed.
Everyone took it in looking at each other.
"The boy was always sure-footed before," Maester Luwin commented
"Someone tried to kill him twice. Why murder an innocent child unless he saw something he wasn't meant to see," Catelyn explained.
"Saw what milady," Theon asked.
"I don't know but I stake my life on the Lannisters are involved. We already have reasons to suspect their loyalty to the crown," Catelyn said.
"Did you noticed the dagger the killer used. It's too fine a weapon for such a man. The blade is Valyrian steel the handle dragon bone. Someone gave him it to him," Ser Rodrik said gravely.
"They come into our home. Try to murder my brother. If its war they want," Robb started.
"If it comes to that you know that I'll stand with you," Theon replied.
"What is there going to be a battle in the Godswoods. Ah…too easily word of war become acts of war. We don't yet know the truth here. Lord Stark must be told this," Maester Luwin explained.
"I don't trust a raven to carry these words," Catelyn said.
"I'll ride to King's Landing," Robb volunteered.
"No, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. I will go myself," Catelyn told him.
"Mother you can't," Robb said.
"I must," Catelyn replied.
Maester Aemon sat in the library of Castle Black. Aegon took a deep breath standing outside the door to the library of Castle Black. He only had one sword on his person was Blackfyre. He knew he had to do this. This may be his only chance at have some of his family back. He opened the door entering the library of Castle Black. He shut the door behind him. He knew what he had to say could not go beyond this room. Aegon walked over to Aemon taking the seat next to him.
"Maester Aemon," Aegon started.
"Ser Aeron Dayne if I'm correct," Maester Aemon started.
Aegon smiled briefly before he took a deep breath stealing his soul for what he had to do next. Aemon turned toward Aegon.
"What is it you need Ser Aeron," Maester Aemon started.
Aegon he did not really know how to approach this subject. He looked at his only family he had alive beside one across the narrow sea. Gods knew if they would ever see each other or even like one another. The cracking of the fire was the only sound the filled the room as Aegon debated how to start this all.
"I was wondering if you could identify this sword for me," Aegon said finally.
"You know I cannot see boy," Aemon laughed.
"I know Maester but your knowledge must be great. I am told it was a famous sword," Aegon told him.
Aemon nodded his head for Aegon that was enough for him. Aegon pulled out Blackfyre placing it front of Maester Aemon. Maester Aemon carefully moved over the length of the blade until he reached the pommel of the sword. Aemon hand moved over the pommel of the sword. His eyes went wide. There was little doubt what sword this was. It was Blackfyre the blade of Aegon the first. Maester Aemon turned toward Aegon with questions reflecting in blind eyes.