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Authors note: I am sorry for the lack of updates. There will be a flashback in this chapter and I personally wanted to show Tywin's and Joanna's relationship.
The looks on their faces range from so many emotions. Lyarra had a hurt but understanding look on her face. Jon had a dumbfounded look on his face. It all started to fall into place in his head. Robb had a fire in his eyes with direwolf rage. "His father raped my aunt. Have you lost your mind," Robb growled out.
Joanna looked down for a moment trying in vain to keep her temper in check. Aegon could see her muscles of shoulders tense. She looked up coldly at Robb. There was a fire like wildfyre in her blue-green eyes. Fire-like temper was sparked. She rounded on Robb. It was clear she had Robert's temper.
"I don't need your permission to Lord Stark. You are the one who wanted to be allies. I am telling you the truth because of that fact. Aegon is not his father. Anymore then Sansa or Arya is Lyanna. And some rumors state that Lyanna ran off with Rhaegar abandoning my father. And his grandfather was mad. As mad as Joffrey maybe. Why do you want to punish the grandson and the son for crimes he did not commit," Joanna roared like a lioness mixed with a storm-like temper.
Robb backed up feeling the wraith of her temper. Jon placed a protective arm over his sister. Joanna was raging like a storm or a dragon. Like it was not only stag and lion that made up her bloodline but that of the dragon. Aegon's mind went to Rhaelle Targaryen mother to Steffon and Aegon the Conqueror's base-born brother, Orys. So, the Baratheon had always had dragon blood in them.
"Joanna," Aegon called. It was enough to snap Joanna from her temper. She had there was dragon fire in her eyes. He moved closer to her. He realized that he needed to be the voice of reason here. Her temper and rage as he felt would not serve them now. He caught a look in Robb's and Jon's eyes. Lyarra wore an understanding look on her face. She had heard the story of Robert's temper. If Joanna's temper was anything like Robert's she understood why Ned claimed them to be his. "Jelmāzma Kēlio (Valyrian for Strom Lion). Let me handle this. Lyarra, Marleina can you please take my wife back to Winterfell. This is a matter for men to settle," Aegon reasoned.
Lyarra moved from Jon's arms. She came over to Joanna taking her hand. Marleina called for Starr, and Meraxes. Meraxes paused looking up at Aegon. Her haunting amber eyes stared through Aegon's soul. Before, Meraxes ran over to her mistress. Joanna looked over her shoulder she met Aegon's eyes. There was a loving look in her eyes as she looked at him. Jon and Robb caught the look. It was clear that Joanna really loved Aegon. Robb and Jon exchanged looks.
Aegon came to the center between Robb and Jon. There was a stone-cold look on his face. He was not any happier about this than they were. His amethyst eyes met Robb's Tully blue eyes and Jon's dark eyes.
Maester Luwin met Joanna and her maids as she made her way through the great hall heading toward her rooms.
"Ah, my princess, I have a letter from your father for you," Maester Luwin called.
"My father," Joanna said shocked.
"Yes, your grace," Maester Luwin told her.
"Can I read it," Joanna asked.
"Of course, Your Grace, I was truly shocked to see you out and about at this time of night," Maester Luwin commented.
"Lyarra claimed I had to see the Gods wood in light of the full moon with the falling snow," Joanna lied with grace.
"It is truly a sight to see," Maester Luwin commented catching her lie but not commenting on it.
Maester Luwin handed her the letter. The seal was not broken. She looked at him with a slight nod she turned and left with the letter in hand.
Joanna was ready for bed dressed only in her shift and robe. She sat by the fireplace. She broke the seal.
My Dearest Joanna my little doe,
I am so happy with the woman you become in the care of Tywin. I have to thank the damn Lannister for raising you to be the woman you become. He has shown most of the Seven Kingdoms. It made you a very worthy bride besides your bloodline or looks. So with this, I writing to tell you I have deiced that your sister Myrcella will be sent to Dorne to be in wardship of the Martell. She will hopefully grow into the same knowledgeable woman you have. And with any luck will find love in Dorne. Bring Dorne back into the fold. With any hope, this will get Martell's support. Also, I have decided that Tommen will be warded off once he is old enough. He will become a ward of the Tyrell family.
Always,
Your father.
Joanna smiled at the letter. She brought it to her chest. When her father's words slowly sank in. That would mean that Myrcella will be out of King Landing before her return. And if she stretches her trip she could hopefully get Tommen out as well. Then Myrcella's true parentage filled her mind. It was her grandfather who order and caused the deaths of Princess Rhaenys, "Aegon" and finally Elia. They could take out their justice on her sister. Her mind traveled back to that conversation she had with her grandfather about that very order.
Sixteen-year-old Marleina followed behind sixteen-year-old Joanna. Marleina was dressed in a simple dark silver-blue gown. In contrast, Joanna was dressed in blood red gown. It was boat necked. There were black stags along with a golden lion along the beaded neckline of the gown. It was made of the finest silk and Myrish lace. It flowed to the ground like water. It hugged her curves but at the same time, it was modest enough not to anger Septa or Septon. Joanna's dark hair was twisted back in half up half down style. She had ruby hairpins, along with black pearl hair pins in the twists and braids that made up the half-up half-down hairstyle. She had a golden and ruby necklace around her neck. It was her grandmother's. In her hand was a handkerchief. It was a blood-red piece of fabric with a golden lion with an onyx mane and with an emerald eye. It was the Lannister sigil with a black mane. It was a gift for Tywin. Joanna had made it in her lessons.
"Anna are you sure we should disturb Lord Tywin," Marleina asked.
"I want to meet with my grandfather and give him this. He will not be mad with me for disturbing him," Joanna commented. She looked back at Marleina who look very nervous to even be near Tywin's office. Joanna looked back to her grandfather's office. She had never been on the receiving side of his anger. She could do no wrong. She let out a sigh. "Marleina why don't you go back to my chambers and pick out a dress for dinner. I will be along shortly," Joanna offered.
Marleina looked at her with a relieved look on her face. She turned to head off toward Joanna's chambers. Joanna turned back with a smile on her face as she walked to her grandfather's office. Two red cloaks looked at her bowing slightly. They knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Tywin called.
"Grandfather it's Joanna," Joanna replied.
Tywin opened the door ushering her inside. He gave the two guards a cold hard look as he noticed that their eyes followed Joanna behind as she entered his office. They both coughed and looked back down. He shut the door with more force than he cared to admit. He motioned for her to sit. She did so with the grace that he had instilled in her. When she came to him she was still near death door raised to be a wild child. He had taken that wild doe and turned her into a graceful lioness. A lady worthy of the title of princess. It reminded him so much of his late wife as she smiled at him. She had the same teasing joyful grin on her face. Joanna, his late wife, would have loved his little dark-maned lioness.
"Tell me child what brings you to my office? Has Septa Saranella or Maester Volarik displeased you? Or have they done something that wardens my intervention?" Tywin asked.
"Not at all, grandfather. I wanted to give you this. To remind you of me when I no doubt have you leave your home one day," Joanna told him.
She slid the handkerchief across the desk. He met her hands halfway. He took the handkerchief in his hands as he examined her handy work. He had a ghost of a smile on his face. It was a smile that few had ever really seen. Joanna, both of them, being one of the few. It reminded him of a gift he had received from his late wife. The only difference was this lion main was black while his late wife was golden like the rest of the lion. Tywin rose from his seat with the handkerchief in hand he walked around his desk. He placed it on one of his bookshelves in his office. As he walked back he paused kissing the top of Joanna's head.
"My dark-haired lioness, you and I both know this lovely piece of work is not the only reason you come to see me. So, sweeting what is it?" Tywin stated as he walked back to his chair.
Tywin and Joanna regarded each other for a moment. Tywin sat down across from her. He looked at the gown she was wearing it was a gift from Tyrell's. He knew what they wanted. It was in hopes to secure a marriage between Joanna and Willas Tyrell. He was not sure the cripple was a good enough match for his dark-haired lioness. Joanna's blue-green eyes met his emerald ones she had a curious yet sheepish look on her face.
"Maester Volarik history lesson, we got to the part of my father's rebellion. I have questions that the Maester could not honestly answer because he was not involved. So, I decided to seek those answers from the source. I know my father's hatred of the Targaryens but it doesn't sit right with met the murder of Rhaegar's wife and children." Joanna confessed.
"Joanna my sweet, I ordered their deaths. It was necessary to win that war," Tywin told her with a sigh.
"The murder of an innocent woman that was betrayed by her husband with her children murdered in front of her. Explain, please grandfather, with that act how are we better than them," Joanna asked her temper simmering.
"Elia's death was regrettable," Tywin started. He got up and came around his desk taking the sit next to Joanna. Joanna's eyes followed him. She had a confused look on her face. Tywin honestly understood the confusion. He had tried to spare her from the reality of the world they lived in. "I never ordered it. But in retrospect, I never told the Mountain to spare her. Rhaegar's children's deaths got your father the throne; no questions asked. I honestly cannot regret that action for it got me you," Tywin explained.
"Surly the Mountain should have been punished for his murdering and rapping of an innocent woman that you did not order," Joanna asked outraged.
Tywin regarded her for a long moment. She would make a great King if only she was born a boy. Tywin knew if she had been born a boy. And she was anything like she was now. He fought a thousand wars to make him a king. Robert's life would have been cut short along with Joffrey's. Part of him still did not like that Joffrey seemed to get off with a slap on the wrist for nearly killing his sister. He was sure it all came down to the fact that Joffrey had cock and Joanna did not. Tywin reached out taking her twisting hands in his own.
"Joanna, my sweet, the world is not a kind place as much as we pray and ask the gods for that," Tywin explained.
"But grandfather then are we no better than Targaryens of old?" Joanna asked leaning toward her grandfather.
"Men are flawed. Dragon, stag, direwolf, eagle, or lion. We try to make this world a better place. And learn from the past. Unfortunately, sometimes the price of doing so is the loss of innocent life. But you, my little dark-haired lioness, should not worry about that," Tywin told her.
"I know my place grandfather. I will marry whomever, my father, our king chooses regardless of my feelings on the matter. I will bare him, children. I'm just…" Joanna explained.
"Joanna my lioness you can do no wrong in my eyes. Now on to happier matters. Tell me, what do you think of Willas Tyrell," Tywin asked.
"He is a fine match despite his crane. He would bring great wealth to the realm coming from the second wealthiest family. But if we really wanted more of that wealth I would have Lady Margaery marry Joffrey or Tommen," Joanna confessed sitting up her back straight.
"That would make her queen," Tywin said dropping her hand, standing up
"In time," Joanna replied. Tywin stocked behind his desk. He gave her a hard look. She was unfazed by the look. She got up following him. She linked arms with him leading him over to the window of his office. He looked at her. As she looked out the window for a moment. Before, big doe blue eyes caught his. "How much influence can any woman have over men? Beauty can turn heads but to make a man do anything. Especially, when he has absolute power." Joanna laughed a cunning smile gracing her face.
"You, my dear, are quite intelligent," Tywin commented cupping her delicate chin.
"I learned it from you," Joanna confessed. They shared a smile. None of his children seemed to take to his lessons as well as Joanna did. He was glad he had a part in raising her. "Do you think it will be alright if I and Marleina walked along the beach of the sunset sea," Joanna asked.
"Take four red cloaks with you," Tywin told her kissing her forehead.
"I will grandfather," Joanna replied as she went to exit his office. Right before she was out of the door. She turned back smiling at him. Tywin's eyes met her blue-green eyes. "I love you grandfather," Joanna said as she left the room.
"Joanna…." Tywin's and Aegon's voices echoed in her mind.
Joanna's eyes snapped over to Aegon who was kneeling beside her. He had a concerned look on his face. Her hand rubbed his strong jaw long. Her fingers teased the short silverly blonde hair. His amethyst eyes met her blue-green eyes. His eyes then traveled to the piece of paper in her hands.
"What is that?" Aegon asked.
"A letter from my father," Joanna replied.
Aegon rose to his feet. He started to undress and get dressed for bed. He keeps a watchful eye on Joanna. She looked back to the fire. He knew her well enough to know something bother her about her father's letter. Her eyes traveled back to his eyes.
"He is sending Myrcella to the Martells and to Dorne," Joanna confessed.
Aegon turned back from putting his sword down. He could now understand her concern. He walked over quickly scribing down a letter.
Prince Doran and Prince Oberyn,
I have great joyous news. At the wall I had Maester Aemon Targaryen marry me and Joanna. My lady wife tells me that her half-sister Myrcella is being sent to you. She is innocent in this mess. Joanna tells me that Myrcella is a sweet child. I have no doubt scared of her fate. Joanna also tells me that Myrcella is promised to wed Prince Trystane. It is a match that wholeheartedly agree with. Regardless of what Lord Tywin may have done. In fact, I find it quite better fate for Trystane will hold Myrcella one of his granddaughters and I will hold Joanna his favorite granddaughter. I ask you to keep Myrcella safe. And if anything should befall her I will personally hold you both at fault.
Your servant
Ser Aeron Dayne
Once he was done, he came over to Joanna kneeling down shirtless. He takes her shaking hand. He looked up at her.
"I will take care of it," Aegon told her. She smiled at him leaning down to kiss him. He returned the kiss. They pulled apart for a moment. He rested his forehead against her. "You have quite a dragon-like temper my storm doe," Aegon teased.
"The Baratheons are known for their tempers, my dragon," Joanna teased back.
"That they are. Some claim it because of Orys Baratheon being of Dragon's blood," Aegon teased.
"And my great Grandmother," Joanna replied.
Aegon and Joanna shared a teasing look. Before they attacked each other with passionate kisses. He stood up picking her up like she weighed nothing. He had her over his shoulder. He came over to the bed dropping on the bed. Before, he follows her with the lust of a dragon.