Joanna sat peacefully in the gardens reading old stories of the Targaryen family. She hadn't spoken to Cersei since their former confrontation and she didn't plan to. Her mind remained in a state of ignorance to her family. She avoided Joffrey - seeing as he was preoccupied with Margaery Tyrell, that was not too hard.

Her mind stayed with Sansa and how they could escape. Time would not be something available to her much longer as she needed to be out of the capitol before the birth of her child. Joanna wondered if she could turn to Varys, after all he was Isabella's confidant and trusted friend.

She had told her herself that it was Varys that managed to get her out of the capitol to the North after Ned Starks' beheading, but Varys was a complicated figure on the council. Though he was the master of whispers, he also served under Joffrey and Tywin.

Should word reach Tywin that Joanna made plans to escape Kings Landing , that would only put a larger target on her head. Joffrey would never rest until he had his sisters head mounted on a spike, but that seemed like a risk Joanna was willing to take as she feared the possibility of what would happen should the truth be revealed that she was carrying Robb Starks child.

The true heir of Winterfell.

Joanna turned her head as she felt at ease noticing it was her uncle Tyrion approaching her.

There were so few of her own family members she trusted that she always had her guard up, and after everything that has happened she still carried a dagger beneath her gown tied to her leg, should an occasion arrive that she would need to defend herself.

"Thought I might find you here." Tyrion called as he and his squire approached her. Joanna rose to her feet as she respectfully nodded her head to them "Do you care for a stroll beloved niece?"

Joanna turned her head and could see that from above Cersei was watching her. She simply rolled her eyes as she turned back to Tyrion "If it means escaping the stares of my mother, then eyes."

They strolled through the grounds of the Red Keep as Tyrion attempted at making conversation with Joanna to no avail. It wasn't that he did anything to offend her Joanna just couldn't help thinking of her child.

She wondered how she would raise him, where she would raise him. She had no where to go, perhaps she could finally fulfil her dream and live on a farm and raise her child, without Robb. Joanna would spend her mornings and nights soothing her belly as she spoke to her child.

He'd given his first kick a few days ago and Joanna was beyond ecstatic as well as emotional, thankfully she wasn't alone. Sansa was overjoyed when Joanna revealed that she was with child, the two crying in each others arms as Sansa had welcomed the feeling of joy that was deprived of her so long ago. Sansa and Joanna never left each others sides, unless it was commanded of them and each night before they would return to their chambers Jaime would escort Joanna to Sansa.

"When Jaime said you weren't talkative anymore, I perhaps assumed he was joking. Did they cut out your tongue in the North?" Tyrion teased as Joanna chuckled

"I apologize, most days I spent only time in my head uncle. How are you? It's been so long since we spoke?" Joanna asked

"I should be asking you that." Tyrion answered "How are you, after everything that has happened? It couldn't have been easy coming back." Tyrion sympathized as they stopped overlooking the ships sailing away in the sunset. Joanna had no more tears to cry as she truthfully commented

"I had no where else to go." Joanna spoke her hands fiddling with the sleeve that covered her growing belly "But when has this family ever made my life easy." Tyrion understood that statement more than anyone else. Being of Tywin Lannisters kin came at a price. However dark your troubles, how hopeless your life felt you had to carry the responsibility of holding up the name Lannister. Not even their house, upholding his name. Tywin Lannister, seven kingdoms united in fear of his wrath. And the worst of all is would not matter what you accomplished, it would simply never be enough for him

"I can't imagine how you must feel, but I want you to know, whatever you need I will always be here you Joanna, as well as Jaime." She turned her head to see Jaime taking watch to guard her as she looked back to the ocean "Despite what the history has proven you must know that I would never intend you to go through any harm, especially after-"

Joanna groaned "Just say it uncle. The red wedding. That's what they call it now." Joanna turned to face crossing her arms as her sleeves hid her stomach "Do you know what I find funny uncle?" She rhetorically asked "Since coming back I have received nothing but false sympathies from everyone. Everyone in this family trying to reassure , that I'm safe."

"Joanna-"

"Because of this family Robb is dead. Sansa is still held hostage here and Winterfell is ruins. All because my mother, demented brother and grandfather couldn't accept that they could not control me!" Joanna ranted as she could months and months of frustration boiling over "Now I'm here and I've never felt more unsafe. Your words may be intended as kindness but they mean nothing because as long as Joffrey is king I will never feel safe."

"Joanna, surely you don't think your mother would ever let Joffrey harm you?" Tyrion attempted to reason

"Because we've always been priority to her instead of Joffrey?" She retorted "I would rather suffer a fate such as death then lay asleep at night waiting for Joffrey to strike me, and mark my words uncle, that day will come. Only this time I won't allow him to walk away with working limbs." She threatened marching away

"Joanna, are you threatening your king? Do you have any idea what were to happen should this reach Joffrey."

"I'm not threatening a king uncle." Joanna laughed as her face became stoic and emotionless "I'm promising to put an end to a parasite should he even attempt to harm me."

Joanna left Tyrion to be alone. The red keep was so large and yet still she struggled to find a room to be at peace with. She wandered around the castle as she finally decided to return to her chambers filling her mind with ideas of her child. What he'd look like, his laugh, the first time she would hold him. He was the only reason she hadn't flung herself from the red keep. At least in death she would be reunited with Robb, but she put those thoughts aside the firsybyine she felt him kick.

It was so strange, to actually feel him inside her. The last thing she had left of Robb.  She chuckled at the thought of what his reaction would be to his first kick. It was sickening how much Joanna missed him.

Jaime was at watch for Joanna as he kept himself posted wherever she was. Loras Tyrell arrogantly approached Joannas chambers as Jaime clenched his jaw at the young man

"Ser Jaime, I wish to speak to the princess."

Jaime clutched his sword as he guarded to door "The princess is quite exhausted. I don't think she's in the mood for visitors."

"Did she tell you this?" Loras questioned "I only wish to share the news I've received from my grandmother."

"What news?"

"Of our betrothal of course." Loras continued to toy with Jaimes patience "I'm sure she will be as thrilled as my family and I."

Jaime immediately had the urge to hit Loras in his smug face. Joanna engaged again, he could only assume the level of anger Cersei must have been feeling. He swore with every fiber in his being not to strike Loras. After everything that Joanna had suffered , a betrothal was the last thing she needed and he vowed not only to himself but as well as Tyrion to keep her out of Tywins clutches should she return.

"You think it wise to marry the princess?" Jaime stepped closer , Loras immediately feeling threatened by her guard "I've heard stories of when the princess was younger of former betrothals before Robb Stark."

"Such as?"

"The princess has many betrothals before riding North. Four of them dead before they would even rest their heads on their beds but those are just rumors." Jaime stepped back "Plus, Joanna would never marry again, she'd kill you in her sleep than stand in Sept and gain another husband and so would I."

"Is that a threat Ser Jaime?" Loras boldly remarked

"No, it's a warning. There's a difference." Jaime cautioned "But if you so much as look at the princess, I will personally see to it that your head be delivered to your grandmother and sister." He threatened "And that is not only a threat, but a promise."

Loras smirked as he backed away "Careful Ser Jaime, overprotective father does not look good on you." With that he walked away as Jaime felt his heart beat against his armored chest.

The shame and guilt washing over him as he swore to never have his daughter harmed or abused ever again. Joanna would never be anyone's pawn ever again.