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Tywin stood on the deck of the ship on his way to Dragonstone. He was in a mix of emotions. He knew this could be a trap to lead him to his death. But then again this could be his only chance to see his second coming of his wife again. Tywin was looking over the railing at the coursing sea when a call went up.
"Dragon," Sailor yelled.
Tywin looked up as Vhagar flew over the deck. Her shadow overtook a large part of the deck. He watched as she drove down, catching a small whale. As she took back up to the sky. She dropped the whale roasting it in her black flames. Stormsroar joined her catching his food. He looked up toward Dragonstone. And saw a great number of dragons circling over the castle. The two closest to him were still clearly the largest. So, the stories of the size of the dragons were true. That could only mean that Joanna had married a Targaryen. If the rumor that Joanna had ridden one of them were true, he would need to build a dragon pit at Casterly Rock. For if he had his way one of Joanna's children would inherit the Rock. At that moment, Tywin decided that he would treat Aegon like the King he was. If he was anything like the younger Aerys II before he went mad, or like Rhaegar he would be a great king with the right guidance.
Joanna sat on the beach of Dragonstone. She was sewing topaz and dragon glass in the broader of what would become Lady Sansa's new cloak. It was her grandparents on her father's side cloak. The one her grandsire Steffon Baratheon placed on Lady Cassana Estermont. She was now making it more fitting for a royal wedding. Most of the dragons looped and danced in the sky over the sea. Gaelithox was sunning himself on a large rock behind her. She was dressed in a mostly blood-red gown with golden dragon heads on her shoulders and a large gold stag broach on the center of the square neckline of the gown. The sleeves were sheer black and flowed to the ground. Her black curls tumbled down her back with four braids back to a center braid to keep her hair from her face. Also, it was ready to pin a crown on her head. She put the cloak away as a maid brought Joanna her ginger tea and returned the cloak to her chamber. Meraxes was lying by her feet. Sansa was talking to Marleina. Myrcella, Teora, and Shireen were playing in the surf on the beach. Ser Edric served as her guard.
Jaime and Lyarra approached. They had a very close relationship and from where Joanna sat it was clear as day. There was something in the way Jaime looked at Lyarra. It was like when he looked at Cersei. But it was so much more because Lyarra seemed to return the same looks only when no one was watching. Lyarra left Jaime and walked over to Sansa and Marleina. Jaime took a seat next to her. Jaime's eyes traveled from Lyarra to where Myrcella was giggling as the surf tickled her toes. Joanna caught his staring at Myrcella.
"She is not yours," Joanna said as she sipped her tea.
"Pardon your Grace," Jaime asked looking at Joanna.
Joanna looked at him. Her blue-green eyes meet his green eyes. She took in his features. She continued to drink her tea. Jaime had a dumbfounded look on her face.
"Myrcella is King Robert's daughter," Joanna stated plainly. Jaime tilted his head. He looked back at Myrcella with a questioning look. She looked a lot in his mind like Cersei. He went to voice his questions as Joanna continued to talk. "She looks like Lady Argella Baratheon wife of Orys Baratheon only with Lannister coloring. And because you and Robert share no common ancestors. Myrcella must be his for her to look like his ancestor. And she will wed Prince Trystanne Martell in time and become the Princess of Dorne. A match fitting for a princess of the blood. Just like my twin is set to marry Lady Sansa Stark shortly," Joanna told him.
"They are both great matches, your father and your grandsire would be proud," Jaime said
"They would be," Joanna admitted.
Jaime looked at Joanna. She was watching the dragons circling overhead. He studies her profile. He caught her staring at Sansa and Lyarra. The child-like giggles of Myrcella, Shireen, and Teora echoed across the beach.,
"I am sorry for depriving you of growing up with your twin," Jaime told her.
Joanna looked at him with tears in her eyes. She never dreamed she would hear those words from her uncle's mouth.
Aegon sat on the Dragonstone Throne. He looked like a true King. Oberyn taught himself as he stood by his daughters and Trystanne. Ned stood on Aegon's right. Tyrion stood on Aegon's left with the Hand of King pin pinned on his doublet. Kingsguards surrounded him. Ser Barristan, Ser Arys, Ser Sandor, Ser Rolland, Dame Bienne, Ser Guyard, and Ser Parmen were below the steps to the throne. The court was assembled for the trial of Lord Stannis Baratheon and the red priestess Melisandre. The Red Priestess was led into the courtroom. Her head held high. Her hands were in chains.
"Melisandre, Priestess of R'hllor Faith you have been charged with treason and conspiring against Queen Joanna and Myself. I, King Aegon Targaryen sixth of his name, will sit in judgment of your crimes. Along with our Master of Law, Lord Eddard Stark, and our hand Lord Tyrion Lannister. Do you have anything to confess before we begin with the evidence," Aegon announced.
"I have only done the Lord of Light will," Melisandre stated.
"Lord Tarly start with evidence," Lord Stark announced.
With each testimony and piece of evidence, it was clear that not only had she committed treason but was planning to steal the dragons to further Stannis' claim. There were even talks about what would happen if Joanna became pregnant and birth to a male child. Melisandre kept a stoic look on her face. Not even halfway through the evidence.
"I have heard enough. I found you guilty. What say you, Lord Stark?" Aegon stopped the trial.
The nail that hit too close to home was talking about poisoning her with moon tea or accidents that could happen to babies. He never dreamed that Joanna would be right about her uncle poisoning her all to get the throne; that he had no claim to other than he was King Robert's older brother.
"Guilty my king" Ned replied.
"Lord Hand?" Aegon asked.
"Guilty," Tyrion answered.
"Melisandre priestess of R'hllor Faith you have been found guilty of Treason and conspiring against the royal family. For your crimes, being that you are not of noble birth. You are hereby sentenced to death by Dragon Fire. A fitting death for a priestess of a Fire God," Aegon stated with a cold tone.
Melisandre was dragged from the throne room. Her eyes went wide. Her eyes locked on the amethyst eyes of Aegon. She saw a battle against the Night King and Aegon in a flash. As she looked back up at him. She did not see Lord Stark or Tyrion. But rather the fourteen flames of Old Valyria. Arrax had his hand on Aegon's right shoulder while Tyraxes had her hand on his left shoulder. At that moment she stopped fighting. She bowed her head in defeat.
Aegon took a deep breath looking over Tyrion and Lord Stark. This was hard hearing all the treason that was planned against his wife and himself. He could only imagine Lord Stannis's trial would be twice as hard. He was taking a moment to gather his strength and get back to his center. Aegon nodded towards the guards to bring out Stannis.
Stannis was led out. He was a shell of a man. Aegon thought Jaime looked bad when he had his sword hand removed. But the way Stannis looked now. He looked like a strong wind could blow him away. His face was covered in ash. His hands were chained. He looked up at the throne hoping to spy his beautiful niece. A sense of dread filled him when saw Aegon. He knew in his heart that he had broken her too much for her even to be at his trial. His blue eyes met Aegon's amethyst eyes as Aegon began to speak.
"Lord Stannis of House Baratheon you stand accused of High Treason and conspiring to undermine Queen Joanna Baratheon and myself. And slander of Princess Myrcella Baratheon a princess of the blood. I, King Aegon Targaryen sixth of his name; son of Prince Rhaegar and Princess Elia Martell will sit in judgment. Along with our Master of Laws, Lord Eddard Stark, and our Hand Lord Tyrion Lannister. Before we begin this trial how do you plead and do have anything to confess? Know this your co-conspirator has been found guilty," Aegon announced.
Stannis dropped to his knees. His head bowed. The image of his sweet niece filled his mind along with the image of her coming to him after his arrest. The crowd waited on bated breath. No one made any move or spoke a word. Aegon looked over to Lord Tarly almost signaling him to begin the trail.
"I am guilty of it all, my king. When my brother died, and I had no clue you were I saw my niece as weak. Because she refused to act but rather grieved her father. I had no clue that she was preparing for war that she saw no way out of. That is why she came to me. Her first move as queen was to get the Starks out of King's landing out of harm's way. That night I pushed her. I summoned her to the painted table chamber. I had found out that Renly had declared himself king. I wanted her to act. She told me to do nothing, but I did not do what she wanted. I questioned her marriage to you your grace not knowing who you were. I pressed her to act on Jaime's treason. And to act to take King's Landing. I could tell now she was trying to tell me that I did not know everything. I sent letters to High Garden and Winterfell telling Lord Willas Tyrell and Lord Robb Stark to come to Dragonstone to present themselves to the Queen as potential husbands. I also wrote letters to all the High Lords of Westeros declaring Joffrey, Mrycella, and Tommen to be bastard children of an incestuous affair between Queen Cersei Lannister and Jaime Lannister. I called her a wayward girl. Not realizing nor caring that she was just trying to grieve father in peace. Before, she would have to deal with the civil war that was to come. When I was kicked out of the painted Table chamber when Queen Joanna was missing. I conspired with Melisandre. She claimed I was lord of Light chosen king. The prince that was promised. Melisandre called her a stepping stone to the throne. I killed my younger brother. I slept with Melisandre. She was well-versed in shadow binding. She birthed the shadow version of myself to stab Renly through the heart. Queen Joanna tried to tell me that I was wrong, that Myrcella was her sister and not a threat. But I saw threats everywhere. When she told me of Prince Gendry Baratheon her twin. I should have realized that I no longer had her trust. That I did not know everything that she did. I saw it as slight that she named her bastard half-brother Ser Edric Storm as Kingsguard. I finally called a weak woman playing at being Queen. That I should be King instead. When she confronted me in my chambers, she revealed how she truly was playing the game to win. That Renly was always on her side. The more family she had the more she could tie the seven kingdoms to herself. How she knew that she could not send Jaime to the Wall for Tywin would pay for his release. When she left me, I realized how far I was off and what was wrong. But it was too late to stop anything. I prayed to seven that shadow binding failed because I knew Melisandre planned after Renly's death to kill Queen Joanna and yourself. To steal the dragons that were hatched by yourself and the queen. "I accept any all punishment deemed worthy of my crimes," Stannis cried. Stannis had tears streaming down his face. He was a broken man. Aegon looked at a guard to bring back Melisandre. She was dragged back into the room.
"Tell me this shadow child did you ever send it after the Queen or myself," Aegon questioned.
"I planned to. But it was killed by the Fourteen Flames," Melisandre confessed.
Stannis bowed his head. His shoulders were shaking with relief. Melisandre was taken back out of the room. Aegon looked over at Ned and Tyrion. They both nodded.
"Lord Stannis, you have confessed to treason, the sentence for such a crime is death. Do you have anything else to say" Aegon asked.
"I ask that my daughter is looked after and well cared for," Stannis said looking at Aegon knowing that his wife was dead.
"You do not plead for mercy," Lord Stark questioned.
"There is no mercy for me Lord Stark. Whether I die tomorrow or fifty years from now I am condemned to Seven Hells. And I am in them now. I only ask that am granted the chance to ask my sweet niece, My Queen forgiveness. As I ask for your forgiveness My King," Stannis admitted.
Aegon felt a weight on his shoulder. He took a deep breath. He looked skyward. He closed his eyes. He looked back at the crowd. He caught Gendry's eyes who was standing with Lords that joined them from Stormlands. Then his eyes found Oberyn. Oberyn gave him a look that told him that choice was up to him.
"You are hereby sentenced to death by beheading at dawn tomorrow," Aegon announced.
The guards took Stannis away. Aegon breathed a sigh of relief that the worst of it was over. He knew he would have to support Joanna tomorrow. But he also knew that he would have to be the one to carry out the sentence. When the doors of the throne room burst open. The Kingsguard drew their swords.
"Lannister ships have docked," a soldier announced.
Aegon's eyes went to Tyrion and then to Tygett and Tyrek. Tyrek looked at Joy who stood near her betrothed. She bowed her head and walked off to find Joanna. Tyrion's face went white for he had no doubt who was coming. This could very well be a blood bath.
Elinor approached Joanna and Jaime. She placed the apple cakes and desserts in front of them.
"The apple cakes as you requested your grace," Elinor told her.
"Thank you, Elinor, go enjoy the beach," Joanna told her.
"Thank you, your grace," Elinor said walking off to play in the surf.
Jaime looked at Joanna oddly as she picked up one of the apple cakes. She took a large bite of it. She let out a happy noise as she at the cake. He smiled at her happy noise. It was nice to see his niece happy.
"I thought you hated apple cakes" Jaime commented taking one.
"Normally, I prefer raspberry tarts but recently I have a strong craving for apple cakes and apples in general," Joanna told him.
Jaime let the apple cake drop onto the blanket they sat on. He studied her for a moment. She happily ate her apple cake. Not realizing that Jaime was staring at her. She looked over at him.
"What?" Joanna asked as she took another bite.
"You are pregnant," Jaime stated in shock.
"I am" Joanna's hand went to her belly. She finished her apple cake. Jaime looked at her. His eyes went to her belly. There was a slight swell there. She looked over at him as she sipped on her tea. Jaime looked at her in shock. The weight of that knowledge sank into his mind. "Now, you understand why I need to crush your bastard son and his mother," Joanna told him.
"She is your mother too," Jaime reasoned.
"Joffrey has always been her favorite. Just as I was Robert's. I cannot think of her as my mother. Nor can I think of grandsire as my grandsire. If I hope to win and survive this. And I must for my child's sake," Joanna said shaking her head.
"I remember you as a sweet little girl. That was always wild and free. No matter what my sister did. I thought Father turned you into a lioness. But I realize now he just awoke the dragoness that had always been in you," Jaime said.
Jaime got to feet. Gaelithox let out a roar. That caused all the ladies on the beach to look their way. He dropped to his knees before her. His emerald-green eyes met her blue-green eyes. She had an unsure look on her face. Whatever Jaime was about to do she tried to convey in her eyes that he did not have to.
"I swear towards the Queen. I will protect her above all others. Forsaking my twin sister and father if needs be. If only to have your forgiveness," Jaime pledged
"There is nothing to forgive uncle. Raise Jaime," Joanna told him. He returned sitting by her side. She looked over at him as she continued to talk. "The treason you committed was not against me but rather my husband's family and my father. Although I do not condone what you did to young Bran Stark, I understand why you do so, to protect yourself," Joanna explained.
"I'll strive to earn your and your husband's forgiveness," Jaime vowed.
Joanna took another piece of apple cake. Jaime eyes back to Lyarra. Lyarra was laughing with Sansa. Starr and Winter tried to catch a dragonfly that flew around Lyarra and Sansa. She noticed that Jaime's eyes linger on Lyarra.
"Tell me what are feeling about my lady in waiting?" Joanna asked coyly.
"Which one" Jaime answered.
"You know which one," Joanna started. She gave him a look. Jaime smirked at her because Cersei used to give him that same look. Caraxes landed near her. He snaked his neck over to her lap. She stroked his nose. "Don't play dumb with me uncle. Grandsire cannot hide his intention from me. Even Uncle Tyrion cannot hide his desire for one of my ladies. Tyrion has informed me that he has asked her father to court her," Joanna told him.
Caraxes let out happy noises as he was receiving his mother's attention. Jaime looked at the beast warily. He was shocked that Tyrion was courting any lady. Especially after the fate of his first marriage. His eyes went back to Lyarra.
"Lady Lyarra Stark is a kind and gentle soul. But father would never let me wed a bastard. You know well how Tyrion's first marriage ended," Jaime admitted.
"But Grandsire is not involved in this. And Lady Lyarra is not a bastard at all. She is the daughter of Lady Ashara Dayne and her husband Ser Brandon Stark. She is the Lady of Starfall," Joanna said.
"There is no record of that marriage," Jaime argued.
"And if I say they were married. My and my husband's word is law. Who stands against the crown? Is not that treason?" Joanna asked. She looked at him with a cold dragoness look. Smoke rings come out of both Gaelithox and Caraxes' mouths. He looked at her shocked. This was a dragoness that hiding behind the doe. This was the hunter, not the prey. "And right now she is of higher rank than you, my family or not. You are but a high lord's son who stands to inherit nothing," Joanna finished.
"You are right my queen. If she will have me I gladly court Lady Lyarra," Jaime told her.
Joanna smiled at Jaime's statement. Her eyes went back to Vhagar and Stormsroar. They danced in the sky. There was something off in her features. Jaime caught a worried look.
"You are worried," Jaime commented.
"Of Course I'm worried. I am pregnant. My grandmother died in her child bed. There is a possibility that I'm carrying multiple babies. Being that my mother is twin, and I am one. Grandsire was the power behind my father's throne. I want to take that power back. Where Aegon may be right about my moves being impulsive. But an effective ruler must be feared to be powerful. My instinct is to use them. Aegon tells me it's not wise," Joanna confessed.
Jaime looked at the dragons that were circled above them. Caraxes let out more smoke rings. Before he made happy clicks Joanna found a spot, he liked scratched. Jaime could see both sides of said argument.
"Impulsive or not burning one enemy will deter thousands. The Story of Harrenhal is still taught to this day. If you create another Harrenhal, there is not a lord that would move against you. And whatever power father had will be gone. They would fear you first and father second," Jaime told her the truth.
Joanna nodded her head. That was what her mind told her. But she knew nothing of battle strategy. Joy came running down the stairs. Joanna got to her feet. Caraxes made a displeased sound.
"Joy dove what is it?" Joanna asked concerned.
"Lannister banners spotted," Joy told her.
Joanna's eyes went wide her face went pale. The dragons roared feeling her mixed emotions. Jaime took her arm as her knees nearly gave out. Jaime's emerald-green eyes met her blue-green eyes.
"Joanna, sweet niece why are you so afraid of Lannister banners being spotted," Jaime asked.
"He came. I have as good as signed his death warrant," Joanna muttered.
Jaime in that instant knew who had come. He nodded his head taking charge. His eyes went to Lyarra. Myrcella and Shireen came over to their sister and cousin. Marleina came over to young Teora.
"The great lion of rock as come, he will once again bow to dragons," Teora muttered.
Marleina's eyes went wide at those words. Sansa caught her new friend's eyes. Sansa quickly took over ushering the girls into the castle.
"Lady Elinor, Lady Marleina, Lady Sansa, can you look after Lady Shireen and Princess Myrcella? While Lady Lyarra and myself take the queen back to her chamber," Jaime asked.
"Uncle Jaime what has happened," Myrcella asked.
"Your Grandsire has arrived on Dragonstone," Jaime answered.
Myrcella's eyes went wide. Jaime, Ser Edric, and Lyarra assisted Joanna back to her chambers. Myrcella's hand sank into Meraxes fur.
Author Note: I hope you like this chapter. Let me know what you think. What do think Aegon's reaction to Tywin being there?