I own nothing.
Prince Oberyn Martell Made his way into his wing of Sunspear where most of his daughters were housed. Sarella looked up from her book as her father entered the chamber. Her dark chocolate skin shined in the late afternoon sun. Her coal brown eye looked up at her father briefly before returning to her book. She was dressed in a bright orange Dornish-style gown. Her rich black curls tightly spiraled down her back to her midback.
"Where are your sisters?" Oberyn asked.
"Elia, Obella, Dorea, and Loreza are in their lessons. Obara, Nym, and Tyene are practicing their fighting in the courtyard." Sarella answered. Her eyes locked on her father's face over her book. There was something about her father's mannerisms that was off. She placed her book on the History of Westeros down on the table. It was opened to the page she was reading. She rose from her seat and made her way over to her father. "Father has something happened to Aegon," Sarella asked knowing that Oberyn saw Aegon like his own son he never had.
"He is preparing for war along with his wife," Oberyn replied.
"Wife," Sarella questioned.
"Princess Joanna Baratheon," Oberyn answered. Sarella dark eyes met her father's eyes. There were stories of her beauty and rumors of what kind of woman she was. Well, one way or another Aegon would end up King. She was raised by Tywin so she could only imagine how cunning and ruthless she may be. And there were rumors that she had Robert's temper. Her mind raced with possibilities. They shared a look over understanding. "When either one of them calls Dorne will answer," Oberyn stated.
The implications of what that statement meant hung in the air. They stared at each other for a moment. Oberyn looked towards the courtyard where his older daughters were playing at war having no idea that war was very much on the verge. His eyes traveled to the opened book on the table it was opened to part of the history of Dance of the Dragons. He turned back to look at Sarella. The knowledge that Joanna was the only rightful heir to Iron Throne was clear in both eyes. She tilted her head at him. She walked over picking up the book. She had a look on her face that showed her intelligence and ability to learn from the past.
"Then father beside my older sisters going with you. I should go as well. I can become a lady in waiting for her like the good Queen Alysanne Targaryen had. I could get close to her; be her friend make sure her views are in line with our own," Sarella suggested.
Prince Oberyn looked at her for a long moment. That move would be in line with something that Prince Doran would suggest. It would make sense.
Joanna looked over to Tyrion as they arrived at Twins. She was wearing a golden riding gown trimmed with black fur. On top of Balerion, she looked every bit the queen she was destined to be. Ser Barristan looked at her as she paused and looked at the river that they had to cross. She turned to look at Marleina who had the same uneasy look on her face. Aegon rode next to her taking her hand from her reigns causing her to look at him.
"It will be alright Jelmāzma Kēlio" Aegon whispered the last part.
"I will be fine once we reach Seagard," Joanna countered.
"Jo, I don't take enjoyment to be back here either," Marleina said coming up beside her.
Joanna looked over to the rest of the party. Tyrion looked at her. He made his way over to Joanna and Balerion. She looked over at him. He looked up at her on the back of a large stallion.
Meraxes was weaving between the horses along with direwolves.
"Sweet niece I hate to even suggest this but would it not wise to stay here not to raise…suspicion," Tyrion tried.
"Suspicion will be raised regardless of us leaving after our nooning meal or not. Lord Walder Frey makes my skin crawl uncle. I now have Lord Stark's second bastard child and Samwell Tarly traveling with me. I would sooner see this place burnt like Harrenhal than stay here longer than necessary. Do not fret uncle, I will be my mother's daughter and have the Frey eating out of my hands before we leave. They will not think of it as a slight but smart move." Joanna replied before urging Balerion closer to the Twin with Ser Barristan and Aegon by her side.
Tyrion silently prayed that Joanna knew what she was doing. He hated to admit it, but no one would report anything about her traveling with Jon and Samwell Tarly in the North. Now they were in Riverlands and closer to Tywin's spies, and Cersei spies. She was right suspicion would be raised regardless of her stay here or not.
Joanna slid down Balerion back. She bowed her head putting on a fake charming smile. It was nothing like she put on in the North to all the Lord she wanted as allies. No this was just don't let the fact that Lord Walder and most of his sons make her skin crawl show. Aegon amethyst's eyes caught Joanna's eyes. He saw a lioness mixed with a doe in her eyes. A Frey let the drawbridge down allowing them to enter.
They were led into the great hall. Lord Walder Frey sat at the head table with his way to young latest wife by his side. All of Walder Frey's sons and daughters, and his son's wives and grandchildren watched as she entered under heavy guard. All the people in Great Hall rose to stand and bow at the sight of their princess. Lord Walder Frey stood up coming down from the raised table. Joanna took a deep breath looking over to Tyrion. She motioned for Ser Barristan, Jon, to move to allow Lord Walder to come close to her. Tyrion looked around the room. His eyes landed on his aunt Genna, Ser Emmon Frey her husband. They sat next to their children. Ser Cleos Frey and his wife Jeyne Darry sat next to their two young sons Tywin or Ty and Willem Frey. Next to them was Ser Lyonel Frey and his wife Melesa Crakehall. Then came Tion Frey and Walder Frey known as Red Walder because of his red hair. Genna's emerald eyes caught Tyrion's gaze with a questioning look to her eyes. Lord Walder bowed to Joanna.
"Welcome Princess to the Twins. It is refreshing to see such beauty around the rest of my lot," Walder greeted laughing at the end.
"Thank you, Lord Walder, for having us in your charming home," Joanna said charmingly.
Genna looked at Joanna for a moment. It seem she was really just a doe no lioness in her. Tyrion gave his aunt a look before returning his look to Joanna. She had a forced fake smile on her face as Lord Walder kissed the top of her hand. She motioned for him to stand. It took everything inside of her not shutter.
"Tell me, My Princess, shall we have rooms for you and your party prepared," Walder asked as he eyed Lyarra.
Joanna caught his stare at Lyarra. She moved closer to her brother. Jon put a protective arm around her. At that moment, the doe that was present in Joanna hid as the lioness came to the forefront. Meraxes made her way over to her mother. She brushed against Lord Walder Frey's legs. Lord Walder looked down at the lioness that came back over to the side of Joanna. He remembered he was now dealing with Tywin's granddaughter not just a Baratheon doe. Genna's mouth dropped open slightly as the air around Joanna quickly change from doe to lioness.
"That will not be necessary. I'm sure you have had your fair share of visitors over the last few moons. We will not burden you any longer than a meal. I hope it will not be too much to have our nooning meal before we depart," Joanna replied sinking her hand into the fur of Meraxes.
"To the Crossroad Inn no doubt," Lord Walder laughed.
"With any luck, my lord. There are many hours of daylight still," Joanna replied.
Walder motioned for spots made for her and all of her party at tables. Joanna linked arms with Walder Frey as he led her up to the high table. He motioned for her to sit before any of them sat. She sat down and the rest of them sat. Genna watched Joanna it was like watching her older brother in a female body. She had Walder Frey shaking in his boots. There was an intimidating factor to her. Meraxes dropped to lie in front high table in front of her mistress. It left no room for arguments that she was a lioness in doe fur. Lord Walder's sons looked shocked to see a lioness in their mist. It was clear to Genna that Meraxes was what made Walder cave so fast. Genna was a lioness but at the end of the day. She was seen as nothing more than a wife and mother. Truthfully, when Tywin called for a maid for Joanna, he wanted Genna's daughter. But she had none. So, the next best one was sent, Marleina was a beautiful shy girl. She now had the grace of Lannister. As she sat near Lord Aeron Dayne, Tyrion, and Lord Stark two bastard children. Ser Barristan took up a spot behind Joanna. His hand was on the pommel of his sword. She noted that Joanna now did not just have Marleina but also another woman by her side. She was uncommonly beautiful. She looked eerily like she had Valyrian blood in her. Tyrion gave Joanna a reassuring look from his spot at one of the other tables. Something in her nephew's looks he exchanged with her grandniece told her something was up. Genna looked over to her oldest son, Cleos. He caught his mother's eyes. He nodded his head slightly and watched the princess.
Ned was in the Tower of Hand going over ledges. He was in deep thought when a knock sounded at the door. Ser Mandon Moore was at the door. Ned looked over at him.
"His Grace King Robert requests your presence, My Lord Hand," Ser Mandon Moore announces.
Robert paced in front of a fireplace. Lancel stood in the corner with a pitcher of wine in his hands. Robert pauses, leaning his arm against the mantle with a raven letter in his hand. In his other hand was a goblet of wine. So many thoughts race through his mind. He shook his head and could really be thinking about doing this. The last king that did something like he was thinking about led to the Dance of Dragons. At the same time, he was the king, and his word was law. If he said all of Cersei's other children were bastards it would be so. Regardless of if there was any truth behind it.
"The Hand your grace," Ser Mandon Moore announced.
"Enter," Robert called. Ned came into the room. He looked around the room. He noticed Robert was in a state. He was not drunk but very close to it. Robert looked over at Ned and then to Lancel. "Leave us," Robert yelled at Lancel before turning back to the flames of the fireplace.
Lancel scrambled out of the room. The door shut with a slam. Ned sat down at the table.
"You wanted to see me, your grace," Ned asked.
"Tell me the truth. No, your grace shit. Ned, you are the brother I chose. I have never truly cared for my brothers. I know you will tell me I am being a fool," Robert stated.
Ned looked at Robert as Robert turned back to him. The piece of paper still crumbled in his hand. Robert knew what kind of person Joffrey was. Part of him felt guilty for tying Ned's eldest daughter to the monster that was his son. He hoped that Sansa would be able to change Joffrey, but he started to very much doubt that fact.
"What has happened?" Ned asked.
Robert walked over to Ned. He handed the piece of paper to Ned. Before, he poured more wine into his goblet. He downed it in one gulp. He walked over to his desk where a royal edict sat that would make Joanna his sole heir. Ned read the letter. It was from Joanna telling her father. That she was going to be stopping Riverrun before heading to Dragonstone. He could not see what had Robert worked up.
"Joanna is going to Riverrun," Ned said questionably.
"Don't you see, she is acting more like my heir than Joffrey ever has? She has seen most of Seven Kingdoms. Jon Arryn took her Vale before Joffrey was born. Renly hosted her in Stormlands for a time before the accident that caused her to ward off Tywin Lannister. Tywin saw to it that she saw the Westerlands and Reach. She came North with me and saw the Wall. Tell me Ned would I be a fool naming Joanna my sole heir? The Heir to Iron Throne and Princess of Dragonstone? Would I be causing another Civil War," Robert asked sinking heavily into his chair.
"I have no doubt that Joanna would be true and just Queen. But I would advise you to think this through before any action is taken. I would support her through it all. I know you have no love for Lord Tywin Lannister, but I have no doubt he would support her as well. Dorne would likely celebrate it for they have laws that stated the eldest child regardless of gender inherits the title of Lord or Lady," Ned answered.
Robert nodded his head; motioned for Ned to leave him. Ned was near the door. When Robert called out to him.
"Ned, what say said here does not leave this room," Robert called.
"Of course, your grace," Ned said as he left the room.
Robert threw Joanna's letter into the flames and watched them burn.
Cleos Frey watched from the balcony of Twin as Joanna and her party departed. His green eyes glared at what he saw. What struck him as odd they did not head toward Kingsroad. They instead headed in the opposite direction towards Riverrun and Casterly Rock. Cleos watched until they were out of sight, before running to his parents' chambers.
Genna sat brushing out her golden hair her jade-colored eyes watching the movement of the brush in the mirror. When the door of her chamber flew open. She glared at the intruder in the mirror. She spied the light brown hair and green eyes that she recognized as her eldest son.
"Mother they did not head towards the Kingsroad," Cleos panted.
Genna nodded thinking of what this could mean. She dropped her brush on the table heading over to the desk scribing down a quick message. She handed the message to Cleos.
"See that his letter is sent to Lord Tywin, Cleos, you did well," Genna told him.
Teora Toland sat under a lemon tree in the courtyard of Ghost Hill in Dorne. Her red hair tumbled down her short plump frame. She was dressed in a yellow-green Dornish style gown. Flashes of images before her peridot eyes. Images of a stag with a crown on its head. The image of a lioness with a crown on its head. Before the images were combined. The image of a beautiful black hair maiden with piercing blue-green eyes. Teora had little doubt it was the image of Princess Joanna Baratheon. The image of Joanna came back to the forefront of her mind. There was the image of a three-headed dragon behind her now with the crown of Aegon the Conqueror on her head. A gasp came from Teora's mouth as Teora opened her eyes to look at cloud filled sky.
"Teora" Valena's shrill voice called fed up with her sister.
Teora's eyes snapped to Valena. Her long red hair was beautifully tied back. Her slender form was draped in a silk Dornish style gown in the shade of emerald green. That made her even more beautiful. Her beautiful face was twisted with a look of distaste for her lazy sister. Her azure eyes were ablaze.
"Yes Valena," Teora asked standing up.
"I have been calling your name for five minutes," Valena scolded. Teora made her way over to her sister. Her head bowed. Valena grabbed her sister's arm when she was close enough to her. She started to pull her sister along with her. "Mother wants to see us. Sunspear sent a raven. She wants to talk to us" Valena explained fed up with her sister.
Teora saw flashes of war and dragons returning. She saw herself standing by Joanna's side.
Nymella Toland stood by the windows of her office. When her daughters entered. Nymella was dressed in a bright green Dornish-style gown. Her hazel eyes pierced both of them as she noticed the grip Valena had on Teora. She loved both of them but differently. In Valena she saw so much of herself in her looks. She was beautiful, graceful, and the perfect heir to Ghost Hill. While Teora was short and plump her piecing peridot eyes reminded her so much of her late husband, Theos Sand. Nymella motioned for them to seat. They both did so Valena with elegance while Teora did so fearfully. She nodded to the guard for him to shut the door.
"Prince Doran has sent word to call our bannerman and prepare for war. To fight to reclaim King Aegon VI Targaryen's throne," Nymella told her daughters.
"If Aegon is to be King surely you can present me as a possible queen," Valena suggested.
"Aegon married already" Teora revealed.
Nymella watched as Teora's eyes looked at her sister. Her own slightly tan skin when a pale shade of white. That was part of Prince Doran's message as well. But how did Teora know that information? Valena turned and glared at her younger sister.
"Valena your sister speaks the truth," Nymella intervened before the argument happened.
"So, mother we are at War," Teora asked.
"Not yet but soon," Nymella answered.
"Mother, when the soldiers go can I travel with them to become a lady in waiting to Queen Joanna Baratheon; Aegon's Queen," Teora asked.
Nymella's hazel eyes locked on Teora's peridot eyes. Valena had been shocked into silence by the news that Aegon had married someone. When she heard her sister mention the name of Robert's daughter as Aegon's Queen she saw red. How could he betray his mother so?
"What would she want with you?" Valena snapped coldly thinking if either one of them was to be a lady in waiting for her it would be herself.
"Valena" Nymella scolded.
"Think about it mother. Valena will inherit Ghost Hill. This way I have hope of finding a husband. My dreams showed me by her side," Teora revealed.
"You and your dreams" Valena laughed coldly.
"What else have you seen Teora," Nymella asked her attention on Teora. She knew of her family history. These dreams could be seen as gifts from the gods.
"War, Fire and blood and return of dragons," Teora answered.
Nymella had heard rumors that their family had some of the blood of Old Valyria. Daenys the dreamer saved the Targaryen family. The Velaryon and Celtigars were also from the blood of Old Valyria. The Daynes had the same looks as old Valyria. So, it is quite possible that were descents of Old Valyria. Her daughter getting dreams could very well prove that they had the blood of Old Valyria. No matter how diluted it may be now.
"Valena you will stay here and learn to rule. Teora when the call comes will travel to join Aegon's court," Nymella ordered leaving no room for argument.
Joanna and her party were in the bustling seaport of Seagard. It was a lovely sight. It reminded Joanna, Marleina, and Tyrion of Lannisport. It was yet there was something different about it. The only reason they were so close to the sea was to arrange passage for Samwell to Citadel. Tyrion and Ser Barristan were working to talk to each of the Sea Captains. They had been at this for hours.
"Jo we will get this sorted soon I have no doubt," Aegon reassured.
"Thank you Valzȳrys (Husband)," Joanna replied.
Aegon pulled her closer hearing his mother tongue on his wife's lips. He had been teaching her Valyrian on their way back to Kings Landing. He leaned in kissing her softly. The few Lannister guards watched on and others came back empty-handed. Joanna caught looks on their faces afraid of her reaction to their failure. Tyrion and Ser Barristan came back also with their heads bowed. They were regrouping to talk about ways to solve their problem. Suddenly, a bubbly voice caught their attention.
"Perhaps my father could help you," the bubbly female voice said.
They all turned to see a bubbly young woman. Her eyes were grey-blue eyes. They looked at Joanna. Her long chestnut brown hair flowed down her back. She was dressed in a more noble blue gown than common clothes. Joanna moved forward with Aegon by her side.
"And your father is?" Joanna asked.
"Lord Jason Mallister" the bubbly young woman answered. A smile graced Joanna's lips. This was the solution they were hoping for. They had already spent so many daylight hours trying to find transport for Samwell. Lady Mallister reminded her so much of Myrcella of the lady that Myrcella could become. "I'm Piper Mallister. Lord Jason's youngest child and only daughter," Piper introduced herself.
"I am Princess Joanna Baratheon. It would be so helpful of you to introduce us to your father," Joanna replied.
"Of course, this way," Piper said as she fumbled bow not realizing she was talking to the princess.