Tywin Lannister was feared by seven kingdoms. His dominance and power struck fear into those who opposed him. Many have lost their lives by crossing him. It was known to everyone even the people of the Capitol that he was the one true ruler of the seven kingdoms and realms. Not only under the rule of Joffrey but including the Mad King himself.

Wars and bloodshed have been taken in victory due to the Lannister and after the death of his father Tywin swore that he would build a dynasty in their name that would last an eternity. As his life progressed he soon realized the challenges that would come from it, especially due to the fact that he was so ashamed of his own heirs.

Jaime, a glorified soldier to the Kingsgaurd and known kingslayer after striking a sword through his kings back, Cersei, a madden woman who was unable to reign control over the men who sat on the iron throne and Tyrion... He swore to himself, no matter how difficult they proved that his family would rule the realm. With his kin as a failure he was close to giving up but then Cersei gave birth to his granddaughter.

Joanna was everything he'd hoped his sons would be. Off and on battlefields over the course of the war he had gained a respect for Joanna. The tales of her strategies on the field and skilled swordsmanship reached each ear that would reach their spies. She was everything Tyrion and Jaime needed to be. Everything Joffrey needed to be as king.

As hand of the king he truly came to the realization of how incompetent Joffrey was as king. Immature, unable to gain both admiration and fear from his citizens, useless on a battlefield and lacked his respect. Joffrey was a spoilt child who had no grasp of reality because his mother coddled him from the world. Never held a spear and sword out of honour because it has always been gifted to him as something to play with.

The contrast between Joanna and Joffrey were like night and day. For the longest time he wondered why they were so opposite to one another but the answer was simple. it was a case of discipline. Ever since birth Joanna was disciplined and listened to the lessons of war. She had a deep interest as to why the wars left their kingdoms in the state they were and was willing to learn out of them because she understood that stories where not only a learning guide but a way of forging her own future.

She'd listen to her lessons and studied the Kingsgaurd, how they attacked, why they would and learned the history of each kingdom. From Dorne to The North she wanted to know their strengths and weaknesses for when she would ascend the throne. Even after Joffrey's birth, she was assured that one day the throne would be hers. Tywin always imagined that Joanna would kill Joffrey to take the throne, and he would not oppose to such an event but that was all before she was sent to the North per the arrangement of Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark.

Now in the chambers of hand of the kings all he saw was a traitor and broken warrior. An insolent and disrespectful child who had no honour to her family. "You may think that you are of my kin but you are not nearly as clever as you think." He spat as he took a seat behind his desk. After having Joanna escorted off of the throne and to his chambers the two sat across in silence as they glared to one another. Her arms crossed as she sat back in the chair, ironically enough in his mind he still saw her as a young child

"You had given the order to have me killed. I think if anything could be learned from the red wedding is that I can survive and outsmart you far more than anyone in this castle has ever been able to." Joanna answered to him

"You think so, do you have any idea what the king plans to do to you? For betraying your family, having Jaime be held as your hostage, marrying that Stark boy when your instructions were to return to Kingslanding, not to mention daring to sit on his throne. You are everything but smart Joanna." Tywin reasoned with his granddaughter. Joanna's face remained stoic

"I don't care of the possibilities of Joffrey's threats and torture because the truth is you won't allow him to hurt so much as a hair on me grandfather."

"And why is that?" he arrogantly asked

Joanna smirked as she sat forward "Because you value family more than anything in the world. To you were are all just spawns in your sick and twisted game for you to never lose power of the throne. It's why you have kept uncle Tyrion alive and it is why you will have me pardoned. The people of the capitol despise Joffrey and you know that keeping me alive would do so much for the people to trust him. You would rather have me married to a high born family than have me killed for treason." Joanna explained to him. She could see the insight he had to her statement and just by the tiniest glimpse of interest from Tywin she knew that she and her unborn child would live another day

He would not admit it, to no one or her, but he was impressed. She truly paid attention to so much more on the battlefields and was able to see far more than just this one war. "You have my interest I will admit that but if I would have you wed a highborn, why do think it is that I have allowed you to be seated here and not have your head on a spike like the Stark boy." he spoke with confidence that even left Joanna shuddered

"Because you knew you couldn't defeat Robb. He bested you, a man with so much knowledge of war fare within months. You knew it would be easier to have the king in the north murdered and usurped by someone like Roose Bolton because in the end even if Bolton is Warden of the North he would be under your control. You don't want kings , you want someone to control. A puppet, a spawn. You knew that by separating Robb and I, you'd have your precious family name in tact and finally have control over the north." Tywin could see the fire and passion in her eyes. Even though her body spoke of a warrior tired from a battlefield that sheer will and determination was still alive in her eyes

"But there's one thing you forgot. The North will never bow to you. They only know the name of a king who's name is Stark. They will remember what you did." she spoke with venom in her voice

"Good. I want them to remember what happens when boys and girls play warfare. At the end of the day both you and your dead husband are children who played a game far beyond your experience. Let them remember and suffer under the Boltons and always know that their beloved house Stark is dead. You will remember that well before defying me again. Now leave I have matters to attend to, one of them is convincing the king not to have you executed."

Joanna closed the door as she sighed of relief, now that she was secured of a pardon all she could finally relax. She kept her head held high but inside she was dying.

She knew that it would be a matter of time before Tywin would have her arranged to be betrothed once again, she needed to find out who. There was still so much she needed to do. Protect her child, herself and Sansa. She desperately needed to see Sansa.

She needed to secure their safety, if word reached Tywin of her carrying the last true heirs of the north he would have them killed and she more than anyone knew Tywin Lannister is not one who would spare the life of a child. The tale of Elia Martell was a witness to his cruelty.

As she approached her chambers she could hear footsteps behind her. She slowed her pace so she could see the outline of the shadow.

His shadow large with the outline of a cloak and armour. a Kingsguard probably sent by Joffrey. Her arms close to her stomach she slowly moved the dagger in the sleeve of her dress close to her hand. Whipping around she halted as she came face to Meryn Trant. Keeper her arms across one another for when she had to act quickly she innocently smiled to him

"Ser Meryn Trant, always a pleasure to see." She sarcastically remarked to none of his amusement "I must say you truly showed your loyalty to the king when you refused to take his direct order. I'm surprised he hasn't had you removed from the Kingsguard and flogged for your disobedience ."

"I'd be wise with that tongue of yours princess. It would be a shame if you woke up without it." He threatened keeping a safe distance between the two of them. "The king asked that I keep a watchful eye over sister what with you being a traitorous whore." Joanna's eyes darted and she felt her grip the handle of the dagger. She needed to calm herself, he was toying her with. Meryn Trant stepped closer as his breath that was stanched of wine and sweat spoke

"We're all well aware that your grandfather will have you pardoned but don't think it won't be difficult to have you one day skinned and flogged in your room. It would be so easy to say you slipped down the stairs or that your food has been poisoned. You could fall asleep in your bed one night and the next morning tied to your bed as the king skins you alive. You wouldn't be killed but a butchering seems like enough punishment, wouldn't you say so princess?" Meryn Trant's eyes stretched as he felt a sharp point against his throat. fuck he thought to himself as he looked at the vicious smirk on the princesses' face. Her eyes sadistic as her smirk resembled that of Joffrey's

"I'd be careful Ser Meryn. After everything I have been through it's hard to keep myself from unsheathing a weapon. I'm even distrustful of my own shadow, would you believe?" she chuckled digging the dagger through the skin of his throat as one drop of blood stained his armour

Ser Meryn's eyes darkened as he glared to girl. Stepping back as he looked to her. She truly was the spawn of her mother. "You little bitch- " He raised his hand to strike her but his arms grasped by another. Like a child Joanna's eyes lit up when she saw Jaime behind Meryn.

"I think it would be wise of you return to the king Ser Meryn, wouldn't you agree?" Jaime pulled him aside as his body hit the walls. Meryn said nothing as he noticed Jaime take a protective stand in front of Joanna. He scoffed as he left the duo alone.

Jaime turned around to look at her, his eyes softened from his glare as he kissed her forehead "If you keep toying with Joffrey, you might fall victim to him. You realise that?" he advised her "Don't fuel his fire, there's enough rumour filling the Red Keep to anger him enough."

"Do I want to know what they are saying about me?" she opened the door to her chambers as they walked to the balcony overlooking the city.

"Some say you're making a spectacle of yourself, other say you are here for the purpose of usurping him and taking the throne. And after what you did with your dramatic arrival, I can't say I'm surprised they think so of you."

"And you, what do you think of me?" Joanna turned to him. No matter what she did he could never see her as barbaric or even think she would do what is being rumoured about her. He knew her better than anyone

"It doesn't matter what I think. I'm just glad that you are safe and alive." Jaime sighed. Joanna felt her eyes glisten as she become more vulnerable. It was Jaime, how could she not

"I never... I never wanted you to be killed by the way. I was furious for what you did, but I never wanted you dead. You have to know that after..." her eyes trailed to his one hand. "I'm sorry for whatever happened to you. You have to know that I didn't know what to do. What you did to Bran was so wrong but the gruesome torture you endured with the Boltons was not fair and I - I'm so sorry for what they did to you." Joanna choked as wiped a tear from her cheek.

Jaime's heart melted from inside and out. Nothing pained him more than seeing Joanna cry. "I know." he assured her. Joanna's swallowed the lump in her throat she sniffed

"But how do you know I mean it?" her voice squeaked

"Because I never blamed you for any of this. The war, our battle, my capturing. Joanna, I couldn't stay mad at you even if I tried to." Jaime confessed truthfully as he knew the only thing that kept him alive during his torture was the thought of seeing Joanna and Cersei again