Joanna found herself in the crypts beneath Winterfell. Joanna had heard the stories of generations of Starks being buried there. Though a solemn thought Joanna found it comforting that even in death the Starks would be joint as a united front. She looked at their faces and tried to imagine what life they lead. The men's faces structured and stern each one looked like a replica of Ned Stark to her. Her eyes landed on the stone of Lyanna Stark. Growing up in the capitol she wasn't spared to the tragic end of Lyanna Starks life.

"Joanna?" she turned around to see Robb. He looked different. His face was pale and eyes red from the tears that escaped his eyes. His jaw was clenched forcing his emotions down but given the circumstances she could understand why.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I'll leave immediately." She bowed her head scared that she may offend his family.

"You don't have to leave. I just didn't expect to see you here." Robb affirmed as he took stand next to her, gazing back at the stone carved in the memory of the aunt he never knew. Robbs eyes faltered to her. It was a sensation he couldn't escape. He was so used to all his live women would flock behind him and now the only woman he seemed to take notice of was Joanna. She stood out from any woman in the North. Not because of her sun kissed skin or golden locks but from her heart and soul. In the short time he gotten to know her he found himself more enchanted by her. Joanna's eyes never left Lyanna.

"As a child I would always cry at the stories I heard about what happened to your aunt. I was never spared from the bloodshed of Robert's Rebellion."

"You know the tale?" Robb asked "It's strange to think she's my aunt. My father has never spoken about her. I never got the chance to ask what was she like." Robb turned his focus back to the statue of her but not without sneaking glances at Joanna.

"I was told she was the most beautiful woman man had ever seen. Eyes so beautiful they pierced into your soul. The famous she wolf. She was betrothed to King Robert when she was no older than the two of us. Even in his drunken states he would tell me about how much he loved her, how he could never love another woman as he did her. She was a warrior, unlike so many women.

The wolf walked along the men but she was no sheep. They followed behind her. It's said that Rhaegar Targaryen was married to Elia Martell of house Martell. But he wanted you aunt. The stories I've been told is that - " Joanna stopped as she turned to look at Robb. It shouldn't but the fate that Elia and Lyanna had met always scared her. Who's to say she wouldn't meet an early death because of forced betrothals

"Robert and Lyanna would have married but Rhaegar wanted her for himself. Even married to Elia his lust for your aunt consumed him. He kidnapped her, that's why Robert started a rebellion. To get back the woman that he loved. The war was a bloodbath, thousands died and the saddest part of all is that when they found Lyanna she'd already died laying in a pool of her own blood said to have been raped and murdered." Joanna swallowed the lump in her throat.

"As a child I used to weep in my mothers lap thinking of the fate that all these women met."

"Women?" Robb asked in a sombre tone

"Rhaella Targeryen, Joanna Lannister, Elia Martell, Lyanna Stark and so many others that suffered at the hands of men's insolence, lust and power hunger. Thinking they had claim to any of these women. It always terrified me, marriage. I feared that I would be sold like a piece of meat and die an excruciating death because as history shows, it's never been kind to women." Robb's face soften when he heard her voice breaking.

Joanna was truly terrified of marriage and of love. She didn't grow up like him with a mother and father that adored one another. From what he observed it seemed like King Robert and Cersei despised each other.

A marriage built on lies and deceit. Robb intertwined his hand with her, her skin cold from the weather not having being accustomed to gloves yet. Joanna stammered when she took notice of his gentle grip in her hands

"Joanna, I promise you will lead a prosperous life filled with joy and safety. You must know that I will never harm you. If it came to it I would sacrifice my own life to ensure you lead a happy life." Robb promised.

From far away Lord Stark stood as he observed the interaction between the two. Still so young and naïve to the world around them. Both yearning to fulfil their roles as the eldest of their houses. He knew there was honour in his sons words and he knew even as a child Joanna would never indulge into violence like the reputation her family had gained but he couldn't help but feel terrified. History had always proved to be unkind to those with honor.

Joanna sat leaned against the bed as she stroked through little Tommen's hair. Night had fallen and everyone in the castle had returned to their chambers but Joanna couldn't. She knew she had to tuck Myrcella and Tommen in, with the little time she had left she wanted to cherish the last moments she could share with them.

Tommen had fallen asleep with his head in her lap as she recited him the stories of the Great Lion who ruled upon his kingdom. It was the same story her grandfather had taught her when she was forced to live in Casterly Rock during the Greyjoy Rebellion.

"Thought I'd find you here ." Her uncle smiled as her eyes landed on his eldest niece soothing her brothers head. Love truly was unexplainable. Cersei couldn't deny her love for her daughter. She was a women filled with anger and hate but around her baby cubs she felt serenity and content. Tyrion had experienced first hand what hate she brewed inside of her but around her children she seemed as harmless as can be.

"Tommen begged me to stay until he fell asleep. Given that I won't go back I need to spend as much time with them as possible. I even fear that they'll forget me as they grow older. The memories I have with them become like a distant dream." Tyrion slowly walked towards his niece with a cup of wine in his hand as he took a seat next to her.

"They could never forget you. They'll never forget the woman that showed them the meaning of love and kindness."

"Uncle Tyrion, that's not fair -" She tried interjecting. Joanna knew of her mothers crimes but none the less she still loved her, faults and all. Cersei was by no means perfect but who ever was.

"It's true. I think the reason why Myrcella and Tommen are so pure of heart is because of you. They differ from Joffrey because Cersei spent so much time grooming him for the thrown that she sometimes forget about them. Even if he was wrong she still encouraged his behaviour because for her children she'd do anything , even if I know it's wrong. It would hurt her more to see any of you heartbroken and defeated than wrong and vengeful."

"What do you think happened, to Bran." Tyrion nodded his head knowing well enough what his niece was implying. Bran had met a terrible accident when he fell out of the window of one of the towers in Winterfell.

"You ask me because - "

"Because I know. I know about the nature of their relationship." Tyrions eyes widened at her confession. They'd always been so careful but even as a child Joanna was marvellous at hiding in the shadows. He wanted to be as ignorant as his siblings and believe that she didn't know but that would be an insult to her character.

"You think it was them Joanna?" He carefully asks, keeping his voice down knowing well that the walls have ears

"I don't know but I suspect it. Sansa would tell me stories of her brother would climb the towers during snow and rain and never slip. So tell me Uncle Tyrion how does a child , who's been climbing towers as high as a castle since birth one day just slip on a day as sunny as the winter would allow it."

The following day Joanna found herself by the kennels feeding Greywind. The pup having grown fond of her when he took notice of his masters comfort around the young woman.

Joanna held the direwolf to her chest as she stroked his head. Joffrey arrogantly marched towards her with the Hound by his side. Joanna involuntarily rolled her eyes knowing the smirk he carried on his face was by no means to greet her good morning.

"I suppose I should be jealous sister. Mother tells me you've been spending and awful lot of time with Marcylla and Tommen but once again I find myself at the short end of the strand. Could it be you're avoiding me?"

"No, I just figured a prince as highly respected as you was too old to be tucked in and have his hair braided. Wouldn't you say so Sandor?" Joanna sarcastically remarked as she looked to the Hound who carried a cheeky smirk at her reply

"See you've gotten familiar with the Stark beasts. Good for you, now it won't scare you when Robb fucks you like the savage wolf he is." Joffrey crudely commented.

"What?" She asked dropping Greywind to the ground as the direwolf trotted on to find his pack

"I heard he turns into a wolf at night. That means the night of your wedding you'll be properly fucked by the wild beast. Don't be scared sister, I'm sure you won't bleed too much from his wolf cock." Joanna glared at him but knew what the consequences would be if she attacked Joffrey. Even as a child when Joffrey tormented her and she dared to fight back Robert would have her disciplined.

She knew that Joffrey was untouchable the day she felt the wooden rod make contact with her back. She also knew that the hate Robert carried towards her is because he could never find happiness with the family he had. Her Septa had told her as a child that Robert had planned to name her Lyanna Baratheon in honour of the love he lost.

But the day of her birth he received a letter from Tywin Lannister himself saying that she will be named Joanna Baratheon to honour the Lannister house and his wife. To Robert Joanna was a constant reminder that he was forever in debt to Tywin.

"Should we wake him up brother?" Joanna asked refusing to take bait in Joffrey's rude comments. The pair looked to the inside of the kennels to find their uncle sleeping with the dogs in a state of drunken mistakes. Tyrion's body jerked awake as he saw his niece and nephew look down at him surrounded by dogs. Pushing himself up from the ground

"Better looking bitches than you're used to Uncle?" Joffrey mocked

"Mother has been looking for you Uncle. You ride to Kings Landing today." Joanna always dreamt of escaping the capitol but it pained her to think she'd have to say goodbye to her family.

"Before you go you will call on Lord and Lady Stark and offer your sympathies." Tyrion pointed to Joffrey knowing well Joanna had already offered to help Sansa pack seeing that Catelyn refused to leave her sons bedside.

"What good will my sympathies do them?"

"None, but it is expected of you. Your sisters fine behaviour has only pointed out alarming absence." Tyrion replied as he nodded his head to his niece

"Why? They mean nothing to me. I can't stand the wailing of women." Joffrey smirked looking back to the Hound and his sister expecting one of them to find him humorous. In contrast his face made contact with a vicious slap through the face from Tyrion.

"One word and I hit you again." He warned Joffrey.

"I'm telling mothe-" Once again a slap across the face. One after another Joffrey found his cheek glowing red as he was continuously slapped across the face much to Joanna's amusement as she bit down on her thumb nail forcing her laughter down.

"The prince will remember that little lord." Sandor said looking to the prince stomping off to offer his sympathies to Lord and Lady of House Stark.

"I hope so. If he forgets be a good dog and remind him. Now my dear niece, you look famished. Allow me to escort you to breakfast." Joanna laughed as she walked alongside her uncle. Tyrion and Jaime would never say it aloud but she was their favourite. Besides the fact that she was gifted with any weapon given to her she was quite the academic, Tyrion actually being the person who taught her how to read.

Tyrion had always told himself that he would never have children of his own but his nieces and nephew were the closest he'd have. Joanna being who she was never saw him as a drunken, whore mongering Imp. She always referred to him as the most brilliant mind she happen to meet.

"Beloved siblings." Joanna had taken a seat next to her uncle Jaime, her mother already glaring at her youngest brother. Looking at him in pure disgust. As hard as she had tried she was never able to mend her mothers relationship with Tyrion. It seemed like the hate Cersei had for him was beyond repairable.

"Is Bran going to die?" Myrcella asks innocently

"Apparently not." Tyrion answered taking a bite of a piece of bacon. Myrcella's face gleamed with hope but Joanna couldn't deny the imminent fear and irritation that Cersei carried on her face.

"What do you mean?" She quickly asked

"The maester says the boy may live." Tyrion informed. Joanna could feel a shift in their conversation. Jaime's body had grown stiff and she could already see the grip Cersei had on her glass of wine was tightening. The twins turned to look at each other showing no emotions in the hope of confirming anyone's suspicion.

"It's no mercy letting a child linger in such pain." Cersei retorted redirecting her eyes to her youngest brother, already feeling Joanna's eyes pierce through the chair she sat in.

"Only the gods know for certain. All we can do is pray. Charms of the North seem entirely lost on you." Tyrion spoke changing the topic of his conversation knowing well that the incident that happened to Bran would not lay on his conscious.

"Still can't believe you're going. Even for you." Her mother spat raising her chin in attempt to make him feel inferior.

"Where's your sense of wonder? The greatest structure ever built, the intrepid men of the Night's Watch. The wintery abode of White Walkers." Tyrion laughed as he tickled his laughing nephew. The table seemed amused by his comical reference to ancient fairy tales they were told as children.

"Tell me you're not thinking of taking the Black?" Jaime told his brother attempting to defuse the tension brewing in his sisters minds.

"And go celibate?" He asked mockingly

"The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. No, I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world."

"The children don't need to hear your filth. Come." Cersei commanded as her children followed behind her. She wanted to stay with her uncles and ask him more about the journey he will lead to the Wall.

Ask him if he would ever allow him to accompany but Cersei sent her daughter a stare that even at sixteen years old still scared her as much as it did when she was a child.

Joanna sat on Sansa's bed as she petted Lady's head. It was safe to say that the young girl had grown to be a familiar face around the direwolves. She was very interested in the rare beasts.

She would wake up earlier in the morning to help feed them and Robb constantly found Greywind trailing behind her. Sansa was packing the last of her gowns gushing in excitement.
"I can't believe I finally get to leave. I'm so glad our fathers agreed to have me marry the Prince. Oh, just imagine it Joanna. Me the queen of the seven kingdoms."
Joanna gave Sansa a sympathetic smile. There was something about her sentence that just didn't sit well with her. It wasn't envy, but more concern for Sansa's wellbeing.

Kings Landing was no cheerful country. It was filled with lust and violence. Joanna gnawed on her lip knowing she couldn't allow Sansa to walk in blindly.

"Sansa, as much as I admire your positivity I feel I must warn you." Joanna extended her hand which the younger girl took hold off to take a seat next to her soon to be sister.

"Sansa, you must promise me to take care of yourself and Arya when you arrive in Kings Landing. I know your lack of knowledge make it seem perfect but it has it's faults."

"What do you mean?" Sansa turned to look at with concern and fear. Joanna felt conflicted. Dare she tell Sansa about the violence, crudeness and lust of the place she called home and ruin her innocence or does she keep the truth to herself and send her in unprepared.

"When you arrive in the Capitol make sure you befriend my former handmaiden Baela Craine. I've instructed her to keep a safe eye over you and Arya as much as she does for Marcylla and Tommen." Sansa only laughed, growing more attached to the idea of Joanna as an older sister for her caring nature

"Thank you Joanna but I am sure no harm will come from our travel. My father will make sure of that."

"Of course he will." Joanna agreed biting on her tongue threatening to plead the young girl not to leave Winterfell "Sansa, please. If you ever feel unsafe promise me you will turn to Baela. She is one of few you can trust." Joanna pleaded. Sansa gulped as she saw the light escape Joanna's eyes.

As childish as her words sounded they carried depth which meant this was a conversation she shouldn't take lightly. Not if she wanted to survive the horrors she would face the moment she'd leave the north.