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Tywin sat in his office in the Tower of the Hand. He was thinking of Joanna's demands. Her father's body made perfect sense. Cersei and Joffrey leave Westeros. They posed a challenge to her throne. The arrest of Ser Janos Slynt for treason. He agreed to the point that the man was in the black cells awaiting execution. The demand that he could not wrap his head around was the arrest of Lord Peytr Baelish. That to him made no sense. The rest of the demands followed the sound logic that he had taught her. What was this logic; he wondered. Lord Baelish was currently treating King Renly Baratheon getting his demands to lay down his arms. All he got from Cersei after her rage left her; was Lord Baelish a servant of the crown. And may have held a knife to Lord Ned Stark's neck. But Lord Stark was a traitor to the crown so it was truly justice. Tywin rubbed his face. He looked at portraits of his Joanna's. His eyes lingered on Joanna Baratheon. He got up heading out to find the Hound. If anyone could answer his questions it was him.
Teora stood near Myrcella looking at Joanna. She was everything that she had seen in her dreams. The dragons were draped on her body. She was a dragon reborn. Teora's red hair was pulled back in a braid style. She was dressed in a sea green Dorish style gown with a golden dragon eating its tail broch on the center of her chest. Myrcella looked up to Joanna. She was unsure. Her golden hair was pulled back in half up half down style. She was dressed in a black and gold gown that was a mixture of a Southern and Dornish style gown. Myrcella looked down. She had heard the rumors that she, Tommen, and Joffrey were nothing but bastards. And seeing Joanna by the throne surrounded by Kingsguard. Well rather, Queensguards only further the point. She carried herself like a true queen. Teora noticed that Joanna's eyes scanned the crowd looking for someone.
"She is your sister" Teora whispered.
"She is the queen," Myrcella whispered back.
"She is the queen but still she is looking for you. She cares for you. She will keep you safe. Safier than you would be in Dorne. Betrothed of Prince Trystanne or not," Teora told her.
Joanna's eyes scanned the crowd. Prince Oberyn and Prince Trystanne came forward. They knelt in front of her. Prince Oberyn's dark eyes looked sideways noticing that Myrcella was not by her betrothed. Before, his eyes locked on Queen Joanna. He noticed that she was looking for her half-sister. But she had the air of power. That he had only ever seen in the past or rather heard about in stories of the conquers. The stories in the Martell family was that Rhaenys survived her fall from Meraxes even in the face of torture. She had the air of power around her. The same could now be said about Queen Joanna Baratheon. She was the first ruling queen in the Seven Kingdoms' history. Rhaenyra had tried but did not succeed in the way she thought she would. But in the end, her line continued even now through, Aegon and Joanna.
"My Queen," Prince Oberyn started.
"Prince Oberyn you are most welcome here. Thank you for your support in helping my husband and I battle this usurper," Joanna stated motioning for them to rise.
"You are most welcome. May I present my nephew? This is Prince Trystanne Martell hier to Sunspear and Dorne, Son of Prince Doran Martell and Lady Mellario of Norvos," Prince Oberyn started. He motioned to his young nephew. Joanna smiled a greeting at him. She eyed him up and down. This was to be Mrycella's husband. She needed to find her sister now if she was here. She looked at Meraxes. Meraxes looked at her mistress then she looped into the crowd. "If you will allow me, Your Grace, I would like to introduce my daughters," Prince Oberyn finished.
Joanna nodded as her eyes followed Meraxes in the crowd. Prince Oberyn motioned for his four daughters to come forward. Obara was dressed in a Dornish warrior outfit. Her brown hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. She looked at Joanna in contempt. Nymeria stood near her sister her straight black hair was pulled back into a braid. She was dressed in a Dornish style gown in orange with a brown belt and whip hanging from her belt. Tyene stood near Nym. She was dressed in a Dornish warrior outfit. Her dark brown hair was cut short around chin length. She had a pair of long daggers hanging off her belt. Finally, Sarella stepped forward. Her dark chocolate brown skin stood out in the sea of tan. Her coal-black eyes looked up at Joanna with respect. Her black ringlet curls were styled now in twists with the golden charms of House Martell Sigial in her twist. She was dressed much more feminine than her sisters. She was dressed in a dark burnt orange Dornish Style flowy gown. She was the only of the Sand Snake that looked at Joanna with any respect.
"This is my oldest Obara Sand. This is Nymeria also known as Nym. This is Tyene. Finally, this is…" Prince Oberyn started.
"I am Sarella Sand, Your Grace," Sarella finished bowing to Joanna.
"Welcome to Dragonstone, all of you," Joanna replied.
"Perhaps one of my daughters could join your ladies," Prince Oberyn offered.
"I would be honored to have one of them," Joanna replied.
Meraxes found Myrcella. Before, Myrcella even knew what was happening. Her hand felt the soft fur of Meraxes. Myrcella looked down at her at Meraxes. She looked up at Myrcella with a questioning look in her eyes. Teora looked over to the lioness by her friend's side. Myrcella looked over at Teora and then back at Meraxes. She took a deep breath finally pushing her way through the crowd with Meraxes by her side. The crowd parted quickly when the lioness growled at them. Joanna's eyes locked on Myrcella with Meraxes at her side. Joanna descended the steps to the throne. Tears were in both Joanna's and Myrcella's eyes. Joanna pushed passed Prince Oberyn to get to Myrcella. When they reached each other. Myrcella dropped to her knees tears pouring down her face.
"Your Grace, My Queen," Myrcella addressed Joanna with a trembling voice.
Joanna pulled her up shaking her head. She picked her up spinning her around until Myrcella's joyful child laughter filled the room. Joanna placed Myrcella's feet back on the ground. She wrapped her arm around Myrcella's shoulder. Guiding her as they made their way back to the Dragonstone throne.
"Thank you Prince Oberyn for returning my sister to me," Joanna addressed the group.
At that moment Stannis entered the room. His eyes locked on Myrcella standing by Joanna's side. Then his eyes shifted to Joanna with fire in his eyes. Joanna caught Stannis staring before he left the room.
Tywin found Ser Sandor Clegane in a brothel in Flea Bottom. He looked at the man in contempt. There was whore all around him. But he was paying no mind to them. He was focusing on drinking his ale. As Tywin moved closer all the whore left Ser Sandor.
"Clegane," Tywin roared standing behind him.
"What do you want," Ser Sandor growled as he turned to look at Tywin.
"Lord Baelish's arrest for treason did Joanna give a reason," Tywin growled back at the man.
"For Insighting the fighting between the Stark and Lannisters," Ser Sandor replied turning back to his drink. Tywin sank in the chair next to him. Ser Sandor sighed. He knew this conversation was not over. "From what I know Lord Baelish told Lord Stark that the dagger that was used in the assassination attempt of Bran Stark belongs to your son Tyrion Lannister. Which it never did, it belonged to King Robert Baratheon," Ser Sandor explained.
"What are you suggesting Clegane," Tywin roared.
"I'm saying that either your bastard grandson or your daughter tried to have Ned Stark's son killed for what he saw. And Her Grace, Our Queen will see that justice is served. No matter the cost. If you do not have your terms for me by dawn. I will depart back to Dragonstone to protect the rightful Queen instead of sitting on my ass here drinking myself blind. While the lot of you twiddle your thumbs," Ser Sandor answered. He stood up downing his drink. He was a good two feet away from Tywin. When he turned back to Tywin. "But know this, in time you all burn," Ser Sandor stated.
Tywin turned to look at Ser Sandor. There was a look in his eyes he had never seen before. He grabbed an ale off the tray as the barmaid walked passed.
"What do you mean?" Tywin growled.
Ser Sandor down his ale. His eyes locked with Tywin's cold hard eyes. He moved closer to him.
"Dragons. She has a bloody lot of them. Seventeen of them at my count. If Aegon the Conquer brought the Seven Kingdoms to their knees with three of them. What can she do with that many? You helped raised the bitch. What do you think she will do to any that stand in her way," Ser Sandor growled back at him.
"You expect me to believe that," Tywin roared at him as Ser Sandor left the brothel to find a new place to drink.
"I don't believe what you want to believe. I know like you when you are fighting a losing war," Ser Sandor yelled as left the brothel.
Tywin let his word sink into his mind. He took a drink of ale from the barmaid. He down it quickly. If he was telling him the truth and she had seventeen dragons. Seven Hells she could easily burn all that stood in her way. Sandor was on Joffrey's side until he was sent Dragonstone. He had to see something to make him turn. As much as Tywin tried to argue that dragons were gone from the world, the simple fact that their existence would be enough to turn any man. For there was not a single soul who did not remember what Aegon did with his three.
Jon was in the training yard. He was wrestling with his emotions and thoughts. He was letting out his rage on a training dummy. In his mind, his whole life was a lie. He was so lost in his rage and thought that he did not hear Aegon approach until he was right behind. Jon turned sword ready. Aegon easily deflects the sword with Blackfyre. Dawn still hung on his other hip.
"Troubled Jon" Aegon asked.
"I'm fine your Grace" Jon panted.
"Aegon" Aegon said giving Jon a look. Jon bowed his head in acceptance. He made the motion to spar. They began a dance with swords. It was different from Joanna and Aegon's sparring. Jon was more evenly matched to Aegon's skill. As they danced Aegon's eye locked on Jon. "So what is bothering you, Jon" Aegon asked as he attacked.
"My whole life is a lie" Jon answered as he dodged the attack.
"What about your life is a lie?" Aegon asked as he parried Jon's attack.
"I'm not Ned Stark bastard; rather I am Brandon Stark and Ashara Dayne's son," Jon replied as he continued his attack.
"Sand or Snow changes nothing," Aegon said pushing Jon backward with the sword. Jon looked confused for a moment. Aegon continued their dance. Jon counters his every move. "Your parents loved you and your sister. We may never know if your parents were wed or not. But here the thing in Dorne love is love. There is no stigma about being a bastard. My uncle Oberyn has eight daughters who are Sand. They are treated no differently than I am. Ned Stark still raised you and your sister. Your parentage does not change who you are. He loves you both like you were his own. He did what he thought was best. We will never know if was for the best or not. Parents do what they think is best all the time. Sometimes it costs them a lot other times it costs them nothing. My uncle Doran decided to have his eldest son follow me into Essos. Where he got into a fight he could not win. It made his wife leave him and his only daughter. My father abandoned my mother for your aunt. It cost me my mother and sister. All we can do is make the best out of what we were given. And tried to come to terms with those decisions made for us," Aegon explained as he pushed Jon back again.
Jon was panting as he looked at Aegon in shock. His words slowly sank into Jon's mind, Aegon thought for a moment. Before he steps to the center of the training yard. Jon moved forward to continue his sparring with Aegon. He was still panting as he did so. When Jon got to the sword length of Aegon, he realized that was not what Aegon planned.
"Kneel Jon" Aegon ordered.
Jon did as he asked with questions in his eyes and on his face. Aegon stepped forward placing Blackfyre on his left shoulder as he began to speak.
"In the name of the warrior, I charge you to be brave" Aegon started. He moved Blackfyre to Jon's right shoulder.
"In the name of the father I charge you to be just." Aegon continued. Jon bowed his head. He was in disbelief. Aegon was knighting him. He had been called Ser their whole trip down from the Wall. But he had never been officially knighted. He had just been Joanna's guard. He felt the cold Valyrian steel on the back of his neck. "In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the innocent. Arise Jon Stark, knight of the Seven Kingdoms and the Royal Guard," Aegon ordered.
Jon got to his feet. His mind then processed what Aegon called him.
"I'm not a Stark. I'm a Snow" Jon stated.
"You are Stark because I say you are," Aegon replied as he was taking off the scabbard that held Dawn.
Aegon placed the scabbard with Dawn into Jon's hands. Jon took the sword. He brought the sword out. He realized what sword this was. It was the ancestral sword of House Danye. It belonged to Ser Arthur Dayne.
"I cannot accept," Jon started.
"You are closer to the Dayne of Starfall. You are Arthur Dayne's nephew—the last wielder of this sword. My grandsire on my mother's side was Dayne. He was Arthur and Ashara's uncle. I say you are closer relations to house Dayne. Some may say you and your sister are Lord or Lady of Starfall. Which one of your are older?" Aegon asked.
"Lyarra is Aegon" Jon replied.
"Then I will see that Lyarra is named Lady of Starfall. You will remain a part of the Royal Guard if still have the desire to never wed. When the next Kingsguard passes I will see your name knight of Kingsguard. And if your desire changes I will support your decision of bride fully," Aegon told him.
"I still can not accept this, and what is Royal Guard,"
"It will be a new order of knights that will protect the royal family. All its members. Kingsguard or Queensgard depending on who they see as rightful ruler duty is to protect the monarch. The Royal Guard will protect any member of the Royal family be it my and Joanna's children or, her brother or her half brother or half sister to my uncle and his wife across the narrow sea. Take the sword Jon and use it to protect our shared family," Aegon explained.
At that moment, Gendry ran into the courtyard. Aegon took note of him. Gendry bowed his head. Jon placed Dawn's scabbard around his waist. Aegon looked over to Jon for a moment. He took up the guarding position at Aegon's side.
"Forgive me your grace. Her Grace Queen Joanna requests your presence in the Throne Room," Gendry stated.
"What has happened, Prince Gendry," Aegon asked.
"Dorne has arrived" Gendry replied.
Ned sat in his chambers. Arya had just left to find Jon. Sansa sat across from Ned. She placed her silverware on the plate and looked across the table to look at her father. Ned took a drink as he noticed his daughter stare.
"What is Sansa?" Ned asked.
"Is it possible to see if Queen Joanna will accept me into her ladies-in-waiting?" Sansa asked.
Ned placed his goblet down. He stared at her for a long moment. Sansa bit her bottom lip nervously. Ned could not fathom her request. It was just yesterday she requested for him to arrange a marriage for her in the North. Her time in the Captial had changed her. He looked at her questioningly.
"I could but answer me this what has changed," Ned asked.
"What are you talking about?" Sansa asked.
"Just yesterday you could not wait to get back to the North. You were talking about finding your betrothal with one of my bannermen. So forgive me Sansa what has happened?"
"I may have met someone. I want to stay with the court because he is part of the court" Sansa confessed.
"Who is this person? What is his name?" Ned asked with a sigh.
"His name is Prince Gendry Baratheon," Sansa said with a dreamy sigh.
"Prince Gendry Baratheon?" Ned said questionly.
There was no Prince Gendry Baratheon. Sansa nodded her head. Ned looked to the sky. The only Gendry he knew of was Gendry Waters. One of Robert's bastard sons. He was in training to be a blacksmith. He sighed with his hands on his chin. He looked back to Sansa. She had a hopeful look on her face.
"I will seek an audience with her grace, Queen Joanna. I'm her Master of Laws. So I see no reason for her not to accept you into her ladies. As for Prince Gendry, I will first discuss this with her Grace, I will not have my eldest daughter a wife of some man destined to inherit nothing," Ned replied.