Chapter 55

Cersei watched as her lord husband paced in front of her. He had told her about father's notions of Joanna and Stannis marrying. She was as surprised as her husband when the dour Baratheon man proclaimed to marry her daughter.

"Madness. It is utter madness." Ned yelled.

"I will not marry her to that man." He continued. Cersei placed Rickon on his furs. Lan was by his side immediately. She stood up and walked up to him.

"Why not?" She asked gently against his back.

"Have you gone insane? Our youngest daughter is off Gods knows where and you want to ship our eldest girl to the South." He barked.

Cersei kissed his back. Ned was tense, "Joanna is almost as old as I was when my father shipped me off North."

Her husband turned to her, "I was not twice your age. Cersei, you do not know Stannis, he is hard, unyielding. He could never love her."

"Have you asked your daughter what she wants?" She asked seriously.

"It does not matter what she wants. It matters what is best for her and the south is not best for her." Ned thundered. He was outraged by lords Baratheon and Lannister.

Cersei frowned, "Joanna has wanted to be queen since she was five years old and you told her Robert was your best friend."

"What does she know of marriage? What could she do so far away from home? She is a child." Ned said.

Cersei shook her head and caressed his cheek. "She is not a child anymore. If it is not Stannis it will be other lord. I would feel safer with Stannis as her husband. He would never hurt her, not physically at least. She would be taken care of."

"She would thrive in the south. She would be queen." Cersei continued,

"No." Ned growled.

Cersei grew impatient with her husband, "What can you do? Who would side with you? This is ridiculous Eddard. Our daughter is of age, has consented to this match and seems quite enamored with her suitor."

Ned glared at her, "enamored? What do you know Cersei?"

She smirked, "a mother always knows. At first I thought her little scheme with Arya was because she was jealous of her. I realized she felt for Stannis when his host arrived to Riverrun. She admires him and that is more than what I felt for you when I married you."

"We are different. We fell in love. I loved you within a year. I do not think Stannis will love our daughter. She deserves so much more." Ned gritted.

"Do you want another war?" Cersei asked. If he refused there would be another war for sure. Father would stop supplying and then Stannis would not have their support and be forced to deal with a small rebellion in the West.

"Tommen said the same thing." Ned replied and dawned some wine.

"Our son is sensible. He is not mistaken Eddard." Cersei looked at him and kissed him brow. "Shall we sleep now?" He nodded and disrobed with her. He held her close to him for the remainder of the night.

The next morning was trying to say the least. Father looked smug next to Joanna who smiled brightly. Cersei held onto Eddard who looked murderous. Stannis was to leave the Riverlands that same morning.

"Joanna, your mother and I will speak with you now." Their daughter stood up and left with them.

Cersei was invited as a formality. Eddard went for the kill, "Your life as a queen would be nothing like you pictured it. This is not the life of princesses and gallant knights. Stannis is harsh, older and not a knight. He is a warrior and will be a king. He will not play for your girlish fancies of knights and ladies."

Joanna looked at her father and smiled, "I want to be his wife. He will love me. You have to accept the match. I will make him love me and Shireen will be so happy." She said with a brilliant smile.

"Deluded girl." Eddard muttered and kissed her forehead, "Your mother and I will consent to this match but I don't want you to have such high hopes for Stannis. He's always been a very dour man." Eddard left the room with a frown.

"Your father will come around." Cersei said and smiled at her girl. She truly was beautiful more beautiful than she had ever been.

Joanna smiled, "Are you not going to ask me why I consented?"

Cersei kissed her hands, "I know why you accepted. You like this man."

Joanna blushed prettily, "I think I love him. I wanted to be his wife since his lady wife died."

Cersei listened to Joanna tell her about her feelings ever since she stayed in Dragonstone. She was surprised by the depth of her girl's feelings and for the first time shared Ned's reservations about the match. "Be careful Joanna; Stannis is a hard man. He will not love you so soon."

"I will make him fall in love with me. Mother, I have seen the way he stares at me. He desires me." Joanna replied

"It is a start Joanna but not the end goal. You have got to make Stannis need you. He should feel as if you are his safe harbor."

"How do I do that?" Joanna asked.

Cersei smiled, "Do not bear him a child just yet. I will give you moon tea. You have to be very careful when you drink it. No one must know that you drink it. I will give you Osha. I am sure she will love to be as far from the Wall as humanly possible. She will make sure to hide your moon tea."

Joanna nodded, "Why not give him a child? Would he stop coming coming to my bed if I do not bear him a child?

"On the contrary. He will visit your bedchambers every night. You will ask him about his days, his duties, get to know him and comfort him. His daughter will be key to your success as well. Love her, treat her like a daughter."

Joanna smiled, "that will be no problem. I love Shireen and she loves me."

"That is wonderful dear. Be active in his kingdom too. Take up a charity, something to keep you busy. Stannis will not want you to waste away in that castle. Make sure he sees you as a woman and not a silly child." Cersie began and talked to her daughter for most of the day. Eddard grumbled but maintained his composure. There was news from the Iron Islands, Jaime and his army defeated the ironborn and sailed to King's Landing victorious.

Their last day in Riverrun was hard for Tommen. He hugged and kissed his twin until the girl was on tear.

"I promise to write every week Tommen." Joanna hugged her brother tightly. Tommen did not cry but his face was somber. Cersei kissed his forehead. "She will be very happy." She said as they left the Riverlands.

Cersei tried to ease Ned into accepting the union between their daughter and the future King of Westeros.

She tried to brighten his days, but her lord was reticent to every word and attempt she had to soften the blow that would be Joanna's wedding.

Cersei had enough of his brooding the day before they were to reach the gates of the Capital. He looked at her and told her gently, "I could send you and our children back North. I could find a vessel and send you back."

She kissed his lips and carded his hair back, "nonsense. We are a day away from King's Lading. The people of the realm expect a wedding feast They are all charmed by tales of our daughter and Stannis. I have to say father and his singers did a very good job of spreading a love story."

"it is not a love story. Our daughter will not be happy mark my words Lioness." He said with sad eyes.

"She will be as happy as she manages to make herself. You will put on a smile when you give her away. She will look radiant in her dress and your ancestral robes. No more disdainful looks. You may look at father however you like but Stannis is to be your son in law. The kingdom needs the noble houses to be united. Stop thinking about Joanna's future unhappiness. You have to see it; she's smitten with Stannis. She will make him love her. If anyone can it will be Joanna."

Cersei had taught her child all she could. Joanna blushed but asked questions when Cersei explained the ways of the flesh. "Be shy at first, he might have some ideas if you are too forward but make sure to be loving to him. Caress his body, love every part of him Joanna." The girl blushed and looked away from her.

"Do you find him dashing? He certainly is strong. He might not be young but he is handsome in his own way." Cersei added with some complicity.

"I find him very handsome; his eyes are very blue and I like the shape of his jaw and his smile is beautiful. I have seen him smile; when he thinks no one is looking. He smiles at Shireen and used to smile at Gendry too."

"He will smile at you Joanna." Cersei encouraged her daughter.

The day arrived when they entered the city. They were all waiting for them, the city cheered as they passed through the gates. Cersei smiled at her young children. Bran looked at the city and smiled. Ned held Rickon on his lap but long gone was his frown. He seemed pensive and stared at Joanna the whole ride.

The Red Keep welcomed them; the castle looked beautiful. Cersei did not remember the Keep being so splendid. She kept a haughty air about her. She was Cersei Stark after all. She was greeted by a young girl running to Joanna.

"You are to marry father." She said excitedly and twirled with Joanna. Cersei smiled, Shireen Baratheon looked happy.

They were escorted to their quarters. Eddard was eager to meet with Stannis. Father was settled in the North quarters. Osha helped Bran to his quarters. Cersei followed Myra to her quarters. Stannis did not greet them that day nor the evening. He held meetings with Father, Eddard and surprisingly Jaime. Her twin brother was reinstated as Kingsguard.

Cersei relaxed that night and comforted Eddard when he came back from his last meeting of the night. "I had hoped Stannis would come to his senses but he is decided to go through this blasted wedding."

She kissed his lips, "Eddard, no more talking." She whispered and ran his hands down his chest. The woman smiled wickedly and rubbed him through his small clothes. He kissed her with force. Cersei tired her lord husband and managed to make him sleep through the night.

The morning dawned bright and early. She woke Eddard and they dressed in their finest clothes. She had a handmaiden braid her hair in the northern fashion. Joanna wore her hair in the southern fashion. She looked beautiful in her grey and white dress. Lady Stark wore a royal blue gown. The ceremony took place in the Godswoods. They married under the Old Gods and then satisfied the southron gods. She saw Jaime in his golden armor. Cersei ignored his pleading looks. He wanted forgiveness that she would not grant. Eddard unrobed her daughter and looked stoic when he gave her to Stannis Baratheon.

The wedding feast was lavish to say the least. There were singers, dancers, majestic entertainers that brightened the guests and the feast. There was no bedding ceremony. Stannis simply stood up and held his hand to Joanna who smiled graciously and left the feast with him.

Cersei conversed with many ladies and lords. Ned remained quiet and aloof. He held conversation with the Hand of the King and remained as far from Tywin as possible. Cersei retired when Bran fell asleep by one of the hearths. A kingsguard helped her with her son.

Cersei did not realize that it was not a man but a woman who helped her carry Bran to his bed. "You look a lot like your brother."

"We are twins." Cersei replied; there was something familiar about this woman. She felt as if he knew her.

"Ser Jaime speaks highly of you. I am Brienne of Tarth. I serve in the Kingsguard with your brother." The woman bowed to her.

"Very nice to meet you, lady Brienne." Cersei said with a small smirk.

"I will protect your daughter. It is my duty to make sure she and King Stannis are well." Brienne said solemnly.

"Thank you." She replied carefully and escorted her out of the quarters. Rickon and Bran slept peacefully. Her daughter was married. Robb, Tommen and Jon were in their castles and she wanted to believe that Arya was safe wherever she was. Cersei stayed with her babies until Ned woke her up. "Come with me Lioness."

She went to their bed and rested on his chest. "We march back home in a fortnight." Ned whispered to her ear.

She smiled, "It is for the best."

She breakfasted in the great hall with her small family and her father. Tywin looked smug and was ready to leave for the West that following day.

Cersei did not speak to him and waited for Joanna and Stannis to arrive. Joanna looked fresh faced and happy. Stannis was dour and avoided Ned's stare.

"Good morning sweetling." She kissed her daughter's cheek.

"Mother, Grandfather." She said politely and started eating.

Cersei finished her meal and went to the embroidery rooms where Joanna joined her shortly.

"How are you my love?" Cersei asked as soon as she sat by her.

"Fine." She replied smiling, "He came to my bed."

"Of course he did." Cersei smirked.

"How was he?" She asked carefully.

Joanna blushed, "He was gentle, very careful and I did what you told me. I enjoyed it mother."

Cersei tightened her hold on her hand. "Did he stay in your bed?"

"No, he spilled and left." She said sadly.

The older woman reassured her, "that is to be expected. He was forced into this marriage, no man likes that. You will try to engage him more."

Eddard spent his days with Stannis and Ser Davos. Jaime approached her once more and was successful the morning of her departure.

"Farewell sweet sister." He hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Goodbye Jaime." She said stiffly.

"Forgive me for the pain I've caused you." He said and held her once more.

"There is nothing to forgive." Cersei said while distancing herself from his body.

The turn was to leave her daughter, "Write to me; trust Osha. She will be very useful." The wildling did not want to say goodbye to Rickon or Bran. She hugged her tight and loved how the girl nodded and did not cry. She was a queen and queens did not cry easily. They were as strong as their kings; and this king was not one prone to tears.

Cersei went inside the carriage where Bran looked forlorn. "Osha could have come with us."

"Your sister needs her more than we do." Cersei kissed his forehead.

Lady Stark watched as the Red Keep disappeared before her eyes.