Lady Lannister || Game of Thrones

The Rise of Stags

Johanna sat on the Iron Throne with her children around her as they curled up into her side as they sobbed unable to look at the dead body of their grandfather who had been dead hours. Beside Johanna stood her Septa Alysanne who held her two newborn children to her chest as they cried.

Johanna had been in the birthing bed only an hour before, but now she sat in pain, her hair stuck to her face as she waited for the army outside the Red Keep to break in and sack the palace.

Her brother Jamie Lannister sat by her feet everyone in the Throne Room were in shock of what had just happened. His sword still had blood on it and Aerys' crown rested on Johanna's lap as she pulled her children's heads into her torso as she looked up to see Ned Stark with ten Northern soldiers behind him burst into the Throne Room.

The Northmen freeze at the sight before them. Johanna still covered with sweat and blood, The Mad King dead at the feet of the Iron Throne. The Targaryen Children were sobbing into their mother who had silent tears falling down her face as she looked at the Northmen.

"We do not cower in fear," the former Princess of the Seven Kingdoms whispered to her children who fell silent at her words and straightened themselves as they turned to look at the soldiers as Ned Stark slowly stepped towards them freezing when Jaime stood his hand on his sword as if daring the Warden of the North to approach his family.

"The King is dead." Johanna's voice rings clearly through the deathly silent Throne Room. "Your Lord Robert Baratheon may that the crown since he was the one to declare war on the Royal House Targaryen. All I ask is that my family are spared, they had no part in this."

Johanna stood by the window of her chambers as her two ladies Tyrin of House Arryn and Daena of House Blackfyre tried to entertain her children, Aegon, Rhaenyra, Maegor and Helaena while the new twins Aemond and Rhaena slept in their blankets on her bed.

Her Septa sat beside the bed as she sewed quietly as she muttered prayers under her breath as they all waited to learn their fate.

"My Lady?" Johanna looked around quickly to see a Lannister soldier waiting in the doorway as her ladies and Septa all stood. 

"Yes?"

"The King Robert Baratheon is waiting for you in the Throne Room"

"Has he said anything toward myself or my children?"

"I have not heard anything my lady"

Johanna nods as she takes a deep breath before straightening her Targaryen gown, as she had no others, and followed the soldier out of her chambers after kissing her children on the head tapping her twins' noses with a soft smile on her face.

"Ah, Lady Johanna" Robert boomed out as everyone turned to watch the former Princess walk into the Throne Room with her two guards Ser Arthur Cole and Ser Sebastian Cooke behind her still in their Targaryen armour which made Robert growl in anger.

"My Lord" Johanna bowed her head as she turned slightly to look around the Throne Room a smile breaking onto her face when she sees her Aunt Saera in the wings beside her husband Lord Cregan. "You wished to see me" she continues turning back to look at Robert Baratheon who is watching her.

"Yes, how do you plead?"

Johanna blinks confused as she frowns slightly her hands clasping in front of her stomach as she looks her new King over.

"How do I plead for what crime?" Johanna questions which causes whispers to break out in the Throne Room "As far as I am aware I have committed no crime. Am I guilty for marrying a Targaryen? Yes. For giving him heirs? Yes. But apart from that I have committed no crime, I have been a good and loyal wife. As well as being a dutiful daughter to my lord father Tywin Lannister the Warden of the West and Lord of Casterly Rock."

Robert blinks, he had forgotten her father was Lord Tywin, the man who had given him Kingslanding. She was untouchable along with her children. Prince Daemon was still alive and he was dangerous, if anything happened to his wife or children nothing would stand in his way until he had his revenge. Not even death.

"Do you swear to me as your King and Lord? Do you renounce your loyalty to the House Targaryen?" Jon Arryn asked quickly as Robert drank deeply from his cups.

Taking a deep breath Johanna nods with a forced bow of her head to Robert who watches her closely. "I do."

"Do you renounce your husband Daemon Targaryen?" everyone's eyes shot to Robert Baratheon who leant forwards to look at the Lannister before him. "Do you accept the annulment of your marriage and with it all ties to House Targaryen?"

"What of my children?" Johanna asks before she can stop herself "Are they to become bastards?"

"They may keep their name on the condition they are raised in the Red Keep with tutors and ladies of Baratheon choosing."

"Will I be allowed be their mother?" Johanna asks thickly her violet eyes filling with tears as she looked at Robert Baratheon. "Are they to be taken from me?"

"You may stay with them on the condition you be my bride."

Gasps filled the Throne Room as Cersei looked up at her father whose face stayed very still as Johanna glanced back at him unsure of what to do.

"Do I have your word?"

"You do." Johanna tells the King as she turns back to look at him after seeing her father nod his approval. "I will be your willing bride."