The Golden Twin - A Game of Thrones Fanfiction

Chapter 19

Winterfell was different from the last time Joanna had seen it. It was darker and colder. People weren't crowing the streets with markets and there weren't children running around playing games. Instead, the whole city was covered in was tents, mountains of weapons scattered all over, soldiers marching in their military armours, not a single smile in anyone's face. Anyone's except for Jon's. The corners of his lips tugged upwards at the sight of Joanna sparring with Arya. Both of them had been training all day and night since their arrival, only stopping when Joanna had a counsel meeting or when it was time to eat, sometimes not even then.

Joanna was skilled with a sword, she had her uncle Jaime's ability and speed but, she was more gracious when moving around. It looked as if she were dancing, rather than fighting with deadly weapons.

Jon looked at her amused, he had been staring at her for only the Gods know when, he was so focused on her and imagining what would have happened had he confessed his feelings for her more than seven years ago. He then forgot about her, or so he told himself. He met Ygritte then Daenerys but, eventually, it all lead to her again. It had always been her. Her golden hair; ocean blue eyes; red, full lips and, most important of all, her smile. It was rare to see her smile, at least meaningfully, she seemed to always have the fake 'let's please everyone' smile. Now that he actually thought of it, the only time he had truly seen her smile honestly, might have been when they flew Rhaegal on their way to Winterfell. 

"Jon. Jon. Jon! Are you alright? You seem lost in thought." He shook his head and woke up from his dream of flying with her again. He looked at her and admired her beauty, she truly was her mother's daughter. As much as he hated Cersei Lannister, he had to admit she was a beauty and, Joanna had inherited all of her best features. Her high cheekbones, the shape of her eyes and face. The slender body, her palish skin, the plump lips he so lustfully wants to kiss. Yes, he has reached the conclusion that he is in love again. Or maybe he never stopped being in love with Joanna Lannister, Second of her Name. 

But, what could she see in him? She was a Queen no, THE Queen and he was just Ned Stark's bastard, a Snow. He was Jon, just Jon. But then again, she slept with her brother so her expectations can't be that high, right? As far as he knows, none of his suitors had been good enough for her, why would he?

"Jon!" Now it was Arya that had slapped him hard across the face. "What's wrong? You seem even more stupid than usually." That earned a small giggled from Joanna which surprised everyone, even herself. 

"I was just thinking, you know, battle strategies, weaponry, how we are going to feed everyone and-" He started rambling lies which neither of the girls believed. Joanna stared at him with an arched eyebrow before interrupting him.

"Sure, Jon. You were just enjoying the view, right Arya?" The slightly shorted girl nodded in agreement, both of them with smirks plastered on their faces. 

"He was just probably thinking of how sexy you look in these breaches. Don't worry Jonny, everyone is doing the same." Arya winked at her brother who was now as red as the Targaryen sigil. 

"What? No, I wasn't-" He tried telling her but to no avail. Arya had set her mind on getting them together. She didn't really trust the dragon queen, she had something in her eyes that didn't quite sit well with her. Or maybe it was the fact that no one had known of her existence until very little ago. Sansa didn't trust her at all and, unlike her, she didn't even try trusting her and didn't hide her distrust.

"Don't even bother denying the truth. Oh, and Joanna here is very fond of you too. Why don't you both go and ride each other- I mean the dragons, eh- I'll just leave you to it." She left them rapidly, but slowly enough to get a glimpse of both of their blushes. 

"So, um, do you want to go ride Rhaegal?" He scratched the back of hi neck. He just couldn't understand why he felt more nervous around her than going to battle. Maybe it was because he knew that, if a battle, you can die and it all ends but, in love, you have to keep fighting, you can't just disappear from a conversation or in the middle of a kiss, unless- he thought- you have Melissandre's powers. He would have to ask her about that later. 

"You don't have to, I mean, just because Arya said that you-"

"No!" He cut her harshly. "I mean, only if you want to, though-"

"Yes, let's go Jon." A sporadic moment of braveness took over Joanna and she took his hand in hers. 

They walked in between the crowds of soldiers in silence, not a comfortable one, just that neither of them knew what to do or say, so they just made their way hand in hand awkwardly. 

They reached the cliff where the dragons were resting. They truly were magnificent creatures, with their scales and huge teeth. Their slit-like eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness, the imposing wings and their fire breath, they were astonishing, as well as dangerous. Joanna truly found it marvelling how the most beautiful creatures always seem the deadliest. 

Jon helped her mount Viserion, which was rare since doesn't like people other than Daenerys riding him. Jon rode or Rhaegal and soon they were zooming through the sky.

When Joanna was confident enough, she extended her arms as if they were wings, Jon looked at her in awe and, the only thing he could think of was how much he loved her and was planning to spend the rest of his life with her.

Little did he know that Joanna was wishing for the same. However, the profecy she had recently learnt about didn't agree with her heart.