The Golden Twin - A Game of Thrones Fanfiction

Chapter 18

I was sitting in my chambers, sipping wine from a goblet. Anyone who saw me would think I was thinking about my decision, to help them or not. But, I wasn't, instead I was thinking of Jon. He had changed since I had last seen him, his hair was longer, he was broader and he had more facial hair. In summary, he looked even more handsome. When I first saw him, not only did I notice his features, but i also thought of Robb, something I hadn't done in a long time. 

I started thinking of what would've happened if I hadn't been so resilient about marrying him, I would have learnt to love him and he would have loved me. By now, we would already have two or three kids, maybe two sons and a daughter. We would live in Winterfell and we would be happy, I wouldn't be stuck with a decision that can, and will, change the course of history. 

If you asked anyone else, they would probably say it was easy, help the was the correct answer, but, a part of me thought, what for? Why fight for the people who have hurt me more than anything, the ones that cheered when I was at the cross, when my siblings died, when my mother had her walk of atonement. Why would I do anything for them? They had taken everything away from me, I only had my mother and Jaime left. 

But, if you asked my mother, she would say: tell them you'll help and never show up, let them feel the hope disappear. Hurt them like they hurt you. 

I was pulled out of my thought by a loud knock on the door, it opened and my uncle Tyrion was there, standing, looking at me as if asking for permission to come in, when I nodded, he sat on the chair in front of my bed, when I was sitting. 

"What's on your mind, Joanna?" those had been the first words he had directed me in years, since he left us for the dragon queen.

"Don't. You don't have the right to waltz into my life again and act as if nothing happened! You abandoned me, you left me behind without looking back. I would have made you my Hand, if you had stayed. You know I always preferred Jaime than you, I am not even going to try and hide it but, I trust you, I know you always tell me the truth, or at least you used to."

He stayed in silence for a few seconds, which, to me, seemed like hours, before he spoke again. "I am sorry, I truly am, but we need your help. If you don't help us, many innocent people will die, children, men and women No one will be safe from the White Walkers. Please, Joanna. If not for me, the do it for your mother. She is pregnant." I pretended to be shocked. He really thought he could appeal to my feelings about an unborn child? Nope. That won't work with me. Any decision I make from now on will be based on strategy, no feelings involved. Or, at least, I'll try.

"I need to think alone before making a decision."

"Of course, I'll let you think. But, please, try to find that little girl you once were, the one who would sneak out from the Keep to go play with the orphans, the one who would ask for thousands of dolls and toys for her Name's day so that she would give them to the poor." With that, he turned around and left, before he exited the room, I called his name. When he turned around, I stood up and hugged him tightly. 

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I walked to the Dragon Pit where everyone was waiting for me. Daenerys was pacing around, Brienne of Tarth stood solemnly next to her, in the other side Jon sat on a wooden chair. His face stoic, not showing any emotions. Uncle Tyrion was fiddling with his fingers nervously and Uncle Jaime aka my dad, was whispering with my mother. Great, maybe they were deciding on making another baby. 

"So, I have made a decision. I have decided to not let my distaste for almost everyone here influence my choice but, rather, the people in Westeros. And, fairly speaking, they haven't done anything good for me so, why should I help them now?" Everyone was silent, Jon looked at me sadly, not angry as I had expected. Daenerys, on the other hand, was fuming. 

"But, I will not step back and let them die because, I will fight with you in Winterfell, my armies will travel there in the morrow. I had an agreement with Euron Greyjoy and he gave me total control of his ships and gang of dirty and smelly men. But, I have a few conditions you have to accept or there won't be an agreement." Daenerys motioned me to continue. 

"First of all, during our battle with the dead, there will be no attempts of stealing my crown and kingdom. Second, once we finish the war, we will wait a week before fighting for the throne so the knights can rest, that is, of course, if we win. Thirdly, you shall treat my knights with as much as respect and honour as your own, they will all be cured and fed equally. Fourth, Winterfell can't participate in the battle for the Throne. And, last but not least, I will not be travelling North by horse. You better find me a dragon to fly or else I won't go." I smirked. 

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"Okay, don't pull any scales, don't annoy, try to stay still and, most importantly, do not ever let go of him, understood?" Jon explained for the thousandth time. 

"Oh, please Jon, who do you think I am? I can obey rules, I just choose not to." He rolled his eyes at me, his beautiful, deep eyes. I mean, dull and boring eyes. Joanna, focus. Today I was wearing pants for, I think, the tenth time in my entire life. I had an armoured shirt on and a thick, furry coat too. Hey, I wasn't used to the cold weather.

"Just in case, wouldn't want you to die before the battle, right, my Lady?" He mocked me.

"Excuse me, but I am not a Lady, I am the Queen, you know. Or has it slipped your idiotic mind?" I smiled at him as I teased him and he smiled back. He placed his hand on my hips and moved closer to me. As I was about to close my eyes and kiss him, he threw me on Rhaegal. I nearly fell over the other side of his back, but, luckily, he caught my hand before that could happen. He sat behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. 

"Are you ready?" He whispered, I was so overwhelmed by his close presence that I only nodded in agreement. Suddenly, Rhaegal started batting his wings and jumped over the cliff, falling into the abyss, when I thought we would crash against the ground, he flew upwards to the sky. It was beautiful, I had never felt so free. I extended my arms slowly and let go of him, I closed my eyes and pretended to fly, of course, that moment only lasted a tiny moment because Jon realised I had let go after he had told me a thousand times not to. 

When we landed, he helped me down and we stared into each others' eyes. He started to lean in and I followed his cue but, as our lips were about to collide, we were interrupted. Again. This time by Daenerys, who was already yelling orders.

"Jon, let's go, we have a battle to prepare."