CHAPTER ONE: The Fallen Lioness

     Johanna shakes.

Her fingers tremble so hard that one might think that they're vibrating. She's flanked on both sides by Stark soldiers, who are roughly escorting her through the halls of Casterly Rock.

So, this is the end. She will die at the sword of Robb Stark, alone, because the rest of her family are already gone. They were smart enough to die at their own hands, rather than that of the Starks.

He's sitting in Tywin's seat. He doesn't look like she had expected: her mother had described him as a wolf-like monster with sharp fangs and furry skin, but instead, he looks like one of the lords she might see at Casterly Rock. He's young, with dark auburn hair and a gentle beard growing. He doesn't look cruel at all.

"What is your name?" He asks her.

The direwolf beside him growls at her, and she yelps with fear.

One of the men beside the Stark king nods at her, and she gulps.

"I am Johanna Lannister," she announces, "and I believe I am now Lady of Casterly Rock, and Wardeness of the West, seeing as the rest of my family has died."

"Address him as Your Grace!" The soldier beside her shouts, kicking her to the floor.

"Do not harm her," Robb snarls.

"She's a Lannister-"

"And did you see her in the fields? Did she wield a sword against you?" Robb continues.

"Does it matter?" The soldier retaliates.

"Yes! It does matter!" Robb shouts. "My Lady, come here."

She shakily rises to her feet and approaches him. "What is it you would like, Your Grace?" She whispers.

"My mother will take you to your chambers, and help you clean your wounds," he tells her.

     "Is it then that I will die?" She murmurs.

     "No, my Lady. No one will harm you, under my command," he whispers.

-

     Lady Catelyn tends carefully to Johanna's wounds.

There aren't that many of them, but, Catelyn insists on doing it.

"Will he hurt me, Lady Catelyn?" Johanna whispers. "Your son."

"No," Catelyn replies, "my son would not dare to do so."

"Why?" Johanna sniffles. "My family is gone. Your mission has been to destroy my house."

"Lady Johanna," Catelyn sighs, taking Johanna's hands in her own. "You are unwed, and you still have your maidenhead. I would like for you to marry my son."

     "My mother told me he married-"

     "The late queen died giving birth to my granddaughter," Catelyn frowns. "My son is of course grief-"

     "My family is dead," Johanna whispers. "The only family I have is in King's Landing, awaiting their doom. If I marry your son— the King in the North— I would be betraying what little family I have left."

     "The family you have left is made up of traitors, my Lady. I know that is something you do not wish to accept, but it is true. Thousands more will die because of their wrath," Catelyn tells her. "You will not be punished for not marrying my son. However, I beg of you to do it."

     "Why? Why me?" Johanna sighs.

     "If my son is to take the Seven Kingdoms, he will need a strong alliance in his marriage. He needs heirs that can unite the kingdoms," Catelyn replies. "You are the strongest ally I can think of."

"And my safety would be guaranteed?" Johanna murmurs, biting her lip.

"Yes," Catelyn nods.

     "Then I will marry him," Johanna nods.

-

When Johanna re-enters the Great Hall of Casterly Rock, she screams, and throws her hands to her face.

Her older brother— Galan— is on his knees, beside a sworn Lannister knight— Androw. They're both beaten badly, and they have their wrists bound.

"You cannot hurt them!" She shouts, running towards them, and throwing herself before Robb.

"The Lannister boy is now the Lord of Casterly Rock, Your Grace," one of the Stark soldiers cuts in. "The other fought for him on the battlefield. They must be killed."

"Please, Your Grace!" She babbles, diving down on her knees and taking his hands in her own. "By the Old Gods and the New, please, spare their lives. As a courtesy to me for agreeing to our marriage."

"Your marriage?!" Galan blurts out. He receives a swift kick to the back for saying it.

"She agreed to it?" Robb says, looking to his mother.

     "Yes," Catelyn nods from the doorway. "I will discuss the terms of it with you in private."

     Robb nods. "Do not hurt these men. Send them to Lady Johanna's chambers. Provide them with clothing and food."

     "These are Lannister men!" The soldier shouts once more.

     "Neither of them are attacking us. They have surrendered their weapons. Lay a hand on them, and I'll have you sent back to Winterfell," Robb snaps.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Johanna sniffles.

     "Mother," he says, "have the Lady Johanna taken to her chambers.

-

When Johanna reaches her chambers and finds her unbound brother, she catapults herself into his arms.

     "Have they hurt you, brother?" She whispers, pushing his hair from his face.

     "No," he smiles, taking her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to it. "And you? Are you alright?"

     "Yes," she nods. "I have been treated well."

"No one has touched you?" He murmurs, running his palm up the side of her torso.

"No one," she whispers, glancing down at her lap.

"Good," he hums. She swallows uncomfortably as soon as he cups one of her breasts. "You've agreed to marry the Stark boy," he continues, "why is that?"

     "To guarantee our safety," she shrugs.

     "You plan to offer him your maidenhead, too?" He murmurs.

     "It will be my duty as a wife," she nods.

"Sweet sister," he coos, "you were stupid to promise yourself to him." His tone has gone sour. He reaches up, and takes her chin in his hand. "Would you like to know-"

     "Garlan," Androw snaps as he walks out from one of the other rooms within Johanna's chambers. "Release her."

     "You cannot tell me what to do," Garlan laughs, tightening his grip on her jaw.

     "One drop," Androw hisses.

     Johanna knows what he's implying. He's an expert with poisons, and he always carries a vial of the Long Farewell with him. No sword could save a man from the certain death it allows.

     Garlan clenches his jaw, but nevertheless releases her from his grip. "Androw will not always be here to protect you, Johanna," he snarls.

Johanna only nods.

     "And when you wed the Stark boy, more importantly, when you allow him to fuck you, I hope you think of how you've betrayed us," he whispers. "You are no lion, sister."

notes—
FUCK GARLAN ALL MY HOMIES HATE GARLAN!!!