The Young Lioness

Before The Battle: Part 2

Joanna got up at dawn, dressed herself and went to the yard. When she got there, for her surprise, she saw her eldest brother. He was looking at Bran with a worried and confused look in his face and the boy was just looking at him with a knowing look in his face. Joanna got confused, still she called her brother, "Jaime." Jaime went to his sister and she gave him a hug tightly. "What was that for?" Jaime asked after the hug. "The Wall fell." Joanna said. "The Wall what?!" Jaime asked. "You heard me. We're in trouble." Joanna said. "I see that." Jaime said. "What's the matter between you and Bran Stark, by the way?" Joanna asked. He took a deep breath and replied, "I have something to tell you. I know you will probably hate me for that and I know I deserve it, but it's better for you to find out from me than from other person." "You can tell me everything, Jaime. I could never hate you, you're my brother." Joanna said. "Last time I was here... me and Cersei... we were, well, you know, in the Broken Tower and the boy was climbing it and saw us through the window... then we thought that the boy was going to tell someone and then... I said, 'the things I do for love' and... I pushed him through the window and he fell to the ground. I hoped the fall had killed him... but it didn't. The boy stayed in coma for months and when he woke he couldn't move his legs... all because of me." Jaime told his little sister with a tremendous feeling of guilt. "What?" Joanna said in shock. Joanna did not know what to make of that, she was just in shock about what she had heard. Since she was a girl, she always looked up to her siblings, sepecially to Jaime. He was her big brother, he was a knight, one of the best in the Seven Kingdoms. In her mind, he would never do anything like that, not even for Cersei, but he did... Joanna had came to the terms, long ago, that her family was not what she thought it was, still she always thought that Jaime and Tyrion would escape the rule. That was why he was blaming himself when he arrived at the Rock that day... because of the boy, because they acused Tyrion of a thing he did himself, Joanna thought. However before she could say anything, they took him inside to an interview, which later became a trial. Joanna entered the room, however she stood near the door in the shadows, leaning on the wall. She felt sorry for her brother, but also she felt that it was a just trial and she did not know what to make of that. It was just so confusing and so terrifying. She did not want to loose him and she could not do anything about the situation because it was fair and it was how it was, nothing could change that...
"When I was a child, my brother would tell me a bed time story... about the man who murdered our father, who stabbed him in the back and cut his troath, who sat down on the Iron Throne and watch as his blood poured onto the floor. He told me other stories as well, about all the things we would do to that man, once we took back the Seven Kingdoms and had him in our grasp." Daenerys said and Joanna swallowed hard and thought, your father was mad and wanted to burn the entire city, that was no crime. "Your sister pledge to send her army North." Daenerys said. I knew she wouldn't, why didn't I tell anyone, Joanna thought. "She did." Jaime said. "I don't see an army, I see one man with one hand." Daenerys said. What the fuck is going on in here? He tells me that he pushed a boy out of a tower, she is blaming him for his father fate, knowing why he did it, Joanna thought, she was confused, she was still in shock, she was angry, she was sad, she was worried, it was just too much. "It appears your sister lied to me." Daenerys said. "She lied to me as well, she never had any intention of sending her army North. She has Euron Greyjoy's fleet and 20,000 fresh troops. The golden company from Essos bought and paid for. Even if we defeated the dead, she has more than enough to destroy the survivors." Jaime explained. So, that's what she was hiding, Joanna thought. "We?" Daenerys asked. "I promise to fight for the living, I intend to keep that promise." Jaime said. That's the brother I remember. He did it for our family... it was a horrible thing to do, but... he knows that and he's ready to pay for it. He knew the risk of coming back here and he came for us. He did that, but he also saved Brienne from the bear pit, took Riverrun without bloodshed, protected Tyrion and me and even Cersei, always, eventhough she did not deserve it, Joanna thought and it still did not make complete sense, however she was a Lannister and for any Lannister honor and family always counted more than anything and in this case, there was no one that would assume that crime in this room but him, Joanna knew that. It had to do with his honor and eventhough other people could doubt and did not believe it, the person they called Kingslayer and said had shit for honor, was the most honourable man in that room. "Your Grace, I know my brother-" Tyrion intervened, however Daenerys cut him off, "Like you knew your sister?" "He came here alone knowing fully well how he'd be recieved. Why would he do that? If he weren't telling the truth." Tyrion said. You can't help him, Tyrion. None of us can, Joanna thought sadly. "Perhaps he trusts his little brother to defend him, right up the moment he slits my troath." Daenerys said. Allright, now you're going to far, Joanna thought angry, she knew that no one at that table trusted him, however what was worst was that they did not even know his reasons and were acussing him of crimes that were not even fair. "You're right, we can't trust him. He attacked my father in the streets, he tried to destroy my house and my family, the same as he did yours." Sansa said. Not you too, please. When I say make peace, I did not say make peace so you could murder my brother, Joanna thought. "You want me to apologize? I won't. We were at war. Everything I did, I did for my house and my family! I'd do it all again!" Jaime said surely. Hear me roar. He really is one of the Lannister lions, just like father and Tyrion and uncle Kevan, Joanna thought a bit proud and concerned too. "The things we do for love." Bran said. He remembers, but he doesn't say anything. Why?, Joanna thought, confussed but also grateful. "So why have you abandoned your house and family now?" Daenerys asked. He didn't abandoned his family, he came for his family, for his love and for his honor, Joanna thought. Jaime looked at Brienne and Joanna smiled a little and thought, he came because one person very special asked him for help. "Because this goes beyond loyalty, this is about survival." Jaime answered honestly. Joanna was starting to think that she had to intervene, however Brienne got up and Joanna did not know if she was happy for it, because she was the only one that could save Jaime, or if she was concerned for her, because if it went the wrong way, she might go down with them and Joanna did not want that. "You don't know me well, Your Grace. But, I know Ser Jaime, he is a man of honor." Brienne said and was now standing in front of the table. Finally, someone that knows that, Joanna thought. "I was his captor once, but when we were both taken prisioners and the men holding us tried to force themselves on me, Ser Jaime defended me and lost his hand because of it." Brienne said and Joanna thought, so it was because of that, good to know. He had never told her why or how he lost it. Then Brienne turned to Sansa and said, "Without him, my lady, you would not be alive. He armed me, armoured me and sent me to find you and bring you home, because he swore an oath to your mother." Joanna could tell that Sansa was touched by her words and she was almost sure that she remembered what Brienne and herself said about him. Maybe there's still hope, Joanna thought. "You vouch for him?" Sansa asked at last. "I do." Brienne said. "You would fight beside him?" Sansa asked. "I would." Brienne answered. "I trust you with my life, if you trust him with yours. We should let him stay." Sansa said and Joanna sighed of relief. Thank you, Joanna thought. Then Brienne nodded and returned to her sit. "What does the Warden of the North say about it?" Daenerys asked. Jon hesitated a bit and then said, "We need every man we can get." And Jaime nodded to him. He's surprised, I don't blame him, Joanna thought. "Very well." Daenerys said. And then Joanna and Tyrion sighed of relief again. Then Grey Worm gave Widow's Wail back to Jaime. "Thank you, Your Grace." Jaime said to Daenerys. Then they all stood up and left. Joanna noticed that Jon was strange and that he ignored Daenerys, she had to talk to him. When Brienne passed through the door, Joanna put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Thank you. I owe you a lot for this." "It's allright. See you later at the yard?" Brienne asked. "I'll be right there, just in a few minutes. I'm going to try to find Pod." Joanna said and then Brienne left and Joanna went to talk with Jaime alone. "Hey. That... went... more or less, I guess." Joanna said when they were alone. "Yeah, I think. I have to thank her. A lot." Jaime said. "You have." Joanna agreed. "Look, about before I know that you-" Jaime was saying. "Before you say anything, I kind of get it. It was a horrible thing to do, but you're sorry and you were ready to admit it. I can't say that I understand it totally, but I'm not mad at you and, no matter what, I will never hate you, Jaime. You're my brother. Always and forever right?" Joanna said. "Always and forever. Thank you, Jo." Jaime said and she hugged him. "I'm glad you're alive." Joanna said. "Me too." Jaime said. "Always and forever? And I was out, that one was low, even for you two." Tyrion said joking. "You came too late, sorry." Joanna said with a chuckle. "You two will be the death of me, you know?" Tyrion said. Then Jaime hugged him as well, "Thank you." Jaime said. "I'm glad you're alive." Tyrion said after the hug. "Me too." Jaime said. And Joanna smiled, she was happy for them for having solved their issues. Then they exited the castle. "I have to do something, I'll talk to you later." Jaime said. "Godswood. See you." Joanna said and then Jaime left. Tyrion did not know what was going on, however he decided that it was better not to ask. "Did you talk to Sansa?" Joanna asked him. "I did. And it was going well, but then I started to talk about the army and Cersei. It went down." Tyrion answered. "You and Jaime are really terrible at this." Joanna said rolling her eyes. "You're not better." Tyrion said. "At least, I can talk to him without saying nonsense." Joanna said. "Good point. What do I do?" Tyrion asked. "Talk to her, again without saying nonsense about our sister or armies or anything else that comes to that mind of yours." Joanna said. "And what are you going to do?" Tyrion asked. "I have to go find someone." Joanna said. "May I ask you who is it you're going to find?" Tyrion asked. "Tyrion, you're my brother and I love you, but I will not tell you or anyone else, so you can tell Jaime that, about what I do or do not." Joanna said. She knew what he was asking. Joanna meant what she said, she would not discuss it with anyone. Besides one thing was comenting with her friends other was telling her brothers. "I'm just worried." Tyrion said. "See you later, brother." Joanna said and motioned to leave. "Joanna, come on." Tyrion said. "See you." Joanna said and left. Then she found Pod, "Hey, are you ready?" Joanna asked after a kiss. "Yes. I am. I heard about your brother." Pod said. "It's all right now. Did you rest?" Joanna asked. "Yeah, a bit. Let's go." Pod said and then, as they were going together to the yard, Joanna saw her brothers. She decided to check on them before pratice. "Can you go ahead? Sorry, I'll be there in a second." Joanna said. "Sure. Go talk to them, I'll explain it." Pod said. "Thank you." Joanna replied after kissing him and went to her brothers. "And the masses rejoice it." She heard Tyrion said. "It'll get better." Joanna said. "Where were you?" Jaime asked. "Finding someone, am I right?" Tyrion said. "I went to find someone. But I'm going to the yard. I have to help Brienne with the recruits. I just wanted to check on you." Joanna said. "Allright then..." Jaime said a little confused. "She won't tell you, she did not even tell me." Tyrion said. "Come on, we're your brothers." Jaime said. "You two can be a extremely anoying sometimes, you know? See you." Joanna said and then left and they just stood there looking surprised and confused, that one worked everytime. "She's grown up. We have to get used to it." Jaime said. "Are we ever going to do that?" Tyrion asked. "I don't know. Maybe one day, when she marries or something like that." Jaime said. "You don't believe that." Tyrion said. "No, I really don't." Jaime said and then kept on talking about other subjects.
Meanwhile, Joanna got to the yard, she said, "Sorry, I'm late." "It's allright. Pod explained it to me." Brienne said. "So he is here. What are you going to do about it?" Joanna asked. "I don't know, maybe nothing." Brienne answered. "In that way, you two will never go very far." Joanna said. "I'm still angry at him about the last conversation." Brienne said. "I know, but he's here, so he listened to you, even if it did not seem like it. Don't worry, it'll be allright." Joanna said. "Do you want to train or not?" Brienne asked trying to stop the conversation. "Fine. I'm going to start with Pod." Joanna said. "Don't be too hard on him." Brienne said. "I don't need to be, he's better now. Remember what I told you and Sansa yesterday?" Joanna asked. "Yes?" Brienne said. "Can you keep an eye on my brothers, please?" Joanna asked. "How am I supossed to do that?" Brienne asked. "At least, just on Jaime." Joanna said. "I will try, but I don't promise you anything." Brienne said. "Thanks. You have to start to collect the debts, because I'm owing you a lot of them." Joanna said with a giggle and Brienne chuckled. "What I meant was that if you need anything, you can counted on me for everything." Joanna said. "I know." Brienne said. Joanna nodded and then went to train with Pod.
"You're ready?" Joanna asked. "When you want, my lady." Pod replied. "Don't call me that." Joanna warned him. "Then start the fight." Pod teased and Joanna smiled and then moved forward to strike him and the swords kissed and sprang apart and kissed again. "You are getting better at this." Joanna said between the fight. "Am I at your level now?" Pod asked and strike, the swords kissed and they were almost face to face. Joanna closed the gap between them, without moving the swords and then said, "Sweetheart, no one is at my level." And kissed him and then swords sprang apart again. "Give me some time, love." Pod said. "You can attack whenever you want." Joanna teased. From behind, Jaime and Tyrion watched them and then Tyrion asked, "Are they flirting or fighting?" "Yes." Jaime answered. "That's not an answer." Tyrion said. "Well, go ask her then." Jaime said. "No, thank you. I like to be whole." Tyrion said sarcasticaly. "Me too, in the best possible terms. So just accept the 'yes' as an answer." Jaime said. Then  Joanna saw them and said to Pod, "Just give me second." "Allright." Pod said and they stopped the fight. Joanna looked at her brothers and just said, in way that they heard, "Instead of staying there spying on me, you could go do your own bussinesses, or this is going to end up badly for you two." They just nodded, Tyrion went inside and Jaime went to talk with Brienne, then Joanna went back to the fight. At the end, Podrick asked, "About tonight...?" "I'll tell you when I know." Joanna said. "Are you sure about it?" Pod asked. "I am. You?" Joanna asked. "I am." Pod said. "You know, I remembered something about that night." Joanna said. "You did? What?" Pod asked. "I know why you said that we should remain friends after the kiss." Joanna said. "Joanna..." Pod said. He did not know what to say, he was surprised and afraid of her reaction. "Thank you. I know it was because of me and my family. No one ever did that for me. I don't know what to say, honestly." Joanna said. "You don't have to say anything. I know you got angry and sad because I said that, because you wanted us to be together, I wanted it too, but it was better for you to be angry with me than with them. At least in my mind." Pod explained. "You remember it as well." Joanna said. "I do, but only that." Pod said. "Me too. You think we did something that night?" Joanna asked. "I really don't know. The only thing I know is that we kissed." Pod asked. "A lot." Joanna said. "Yeah. Let's not get drunk tonight, allright?" Pod said. "You have my word." Joanna said. "Come on, let's get inside." Pod said and then took her hand and Joanna nodded with a smile.
Later they had a war meeting, gladly the men that were at Castle Black and at the East-Watch survived, only the Umbers did not. The meeting went as well as possible and the strategy was settled. The chances were low. They should get some rest, however none of them could.
Some time later, Joanna, Tyrion and Jaime went to a hall with a fireplace. Joanna was there waiting for Brienne to come because that way she knew she would have the coast clear to be alone with Podrick without getting disturbed. Then, out of the blue, Tyrion said, "I wish father was here." Joanna and Jaime looked at him with a shocked and confused look. "I would love to see the look on his face, when he realized his two sons and his youngest daughter are about to die defending Winterfell." Tyrion explained and Joanna and Jaime chuckled. "It would be something to see." Jaime said. "Yes, it would." Joanna said with a small smile. "I remember the first time we were here, the first time I saw this hall. You were a golden lion, I was a drunken whoremonger and you were locked at Casterly Rock doing I don't know what. It was all so simple." Tyrion said, pointing first to Jaime and then to Joanna. "It wasn't so simple. I was sleeping with my sister, Joanna was alone at the Rock and you had two friends in the world, one was sleeping with his sister and the other was locked in a castle." Jaime said. "It was a bit boring actually." Joanna said. "I was speaking in relative terms." Tyrion said. "Do you miss it?" Jaime asked him. "Of course I miss it." Tyrion said. "You?" Jaime asked Joanna. "I miss our home, not that times." Joanna said. "Well, my golden lion days are done, but whoremongering is still an option for you." Jaime said to Tyrion. "It's not. Things would be easier if it were." Tyrion said. "Well, I will never be locked in anywhere again." Joanna said. And they chuckled. "The perils of self-betterment." Tyrion said raising his cup. Joanna and Jaime raised their cups as well and nodded, then they all drunk a bit. Joanna almost did not drink it. Then Brienne and Podrick entered the room and Jaime instantly got up and said, "My lady." Could you not be more obvious about it?, Joanna thought smiling. "We didn't mean to interupt, we were just looking for somewhere warm." Brienne said when they entered the room. "To contemplate the imminent death, you've came to the right place." Tyrion said. "He's kidding. We're talking about old times." Joanna said. "You want some of this piss, it's not bad, it's not good either." Tyrion said to Pod. "Thank you, my lord." Pod said. "I don't think it's wise, the battle might start at any moment. Half cup." Brienne said. And then Tyrion gave Pod a cup of wine. "And you?" Tyrion asked Brienne. "No, thank you. I should try to get some sleep." Brienne said. "You really think any of us is going to sleep tonight? Join us." Jaime said pulling a chair for her to sit. I certainly won't, Joanna thought, looking at Pod. "Allright, just a bit." Brienne said siting and Tyrion gave her a cup as well. "Good." Joanna said looking at her with a look that said 'thank you'. She just nodded slightly. Then Ser Davos entered the room and said, "What do we have here?" "Ser Davos, join us." Tyrion said raising his cup. "No, not for me. I came for this." Davos said standing in front of the fireplace. "You did well, it's freezing out there." Joanna said. "I believe so. I thought I could wait to die freezing my balls out there or wait to die nice and warm in here." Davos said. And Tormund entered as well and Joanna thought, please not today, just let them have one night without anyone intervening. "This could be our last night in this world, you know?" Tormund said to Brienne and Joanna thought, For gods' sake. Then she looked at Pod, that sat next to her, and he looked at her smiling. "Yes, well, I'm glad you're here. H-Here fighting with us, glad you survive East-Watch." Brienne said and Jaime could not stop look at her. I'm going to run out of my patience with this idiot, Joanna thought looking at Jaime. "Would you like a drink?" Tyrion asked. "I brought my own." Tormund said and then he pulled a chair and sat in front of Jaime, but next to Brienne and Joanna thought, I would not like to be in her place. Joanna wanted to find a way of getting out of there with Pod without lifting suspicions. Also, she was gaining courage to do it.
"They call you the king killer." Tormund said to Jaime. "I'm sure someone does." Jaime replied confused. He's hitting on the woman you love and you're doing nothing about it?!, Joanna thought. "They called me Giantsbane. Want to know why?" Tormund asked. Jaime looked around the room and Tormund continue, "I killed a giant when I was 10. Then I claimed the right to bed his wife. When she woke, you know what she did? She suckled me at her tits for three months. Thought I was her baby. That's how I got so strong. Giant's milk." Tormund said and then he drank his drink. They all looked at him confused and a bit shocked. "Maybe I'll have that drink." Davos said.
After sometime, Joanna was still without ideas of how to get out of there and still with little courage to do it. "It's strange, isn't it? Almost everyone here has fought the Starks at one time or another and here we are in their castle ready to defend it together." Tyrion said. "At least, we'll die with honor." Brienne said. "I think we might live." Tyrion said and they all chuckled. "I do. How many battles did we survive between us? My sister defeated a Dothraki in single combat and survived both the Battle of the Frozen Lake and Blackwater." Tyrion said. "Those were good fights." Joanna said with a giggle. "If you want to get into suicidal fights." Tyrion, Jaime, Brienne and Podrick said at the same time. "Got it." Joanna said, raising her hands in a mocking surrender. "Ser Davos Seaworth survived both the Blackwater and the Battle of the Bastards." Tyrion said. "All without a shred of combat ability." Davos said. "Ser Jaime Lannister, fabled hero of the Siege of Pike." Tyrion said. "Fabled looser of the Battle of Whispering Woods." Jaime said and then got up to get more wine. "And here, Ser Brienne of Tarth defeated the Hound in single combat, pardon me, Lady Brienne." Tyrion said. What's your game, Tyrion?, Joanna thought, she knew perfectly that Tyrion would never made that mistake by accident. "She's not a ser? You're not a knight?" Tormund asked Brienne. "Women can't be knights." Brienne said. "Why not?" Tormund asked. "Tradition." Brienne and Joanna said at the same time and then looked at each other with a small smile. "Fuck tradition." Tormund said. "I didn't even want to be a knight." Brienne said and Joanna and Pod looked at her with a knowing look. "I'm no King, but if I were, I'd knight you ten times over." Tormund said to Brienne. Wow, if that didn't have double meaning I would be happy for her, Joanna thought. Then suddenly, Jaime said, "You don't need a King, any knight can name another knight. I'll prove it." And he went to the middle of the hall and unseathed Widow's Wail and said to Brienne, "Kneel, Lady Brienne." So this was your plan, good move, Tyrion. Good move, Joanna thought happily. Brienne chuckled a bit, but did not get up. "You want to be a knight or not? Kneel." Jaime said surely, looking at her. Then Brienne looked at Pod and Joanna and they nodded and then she looked at Jaime and he nodded as well. Therefore, she got up, stood in front of Jaime and knelt. The rest of them got up too and got closer to see it. Joanna could tell that her brother was nervous, because he did not want to screw that. Still he said, making the dubbed gesture with the sword, "In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the innocent." Then he brought the sword to his side and said, proudly and with convinction, "Arise, Brienne of Tarth, a knight of the Seven Kingdoms." She did and they looked at each other with hearteyes. Then Tormund started to clap and then all of them did as they said, "Ser Brienne of Tarth, a knight of the Seven Kingdoms!" And she smiled, Joanna had never seen her smile like that, it was beautiful and she could not be more happy for her friend or more proud. Joanna went to her, gave her a hug and said, "You did it. You're the first female knight. I'm so happy for you." "Thank you. I could never do it without you." Brienne said after the hug. "Of course, you could." Joanna said smiling. Somehow, the fact of seeing Brienne being knighted gave Joanna the courage that she was looking for. They had made something impossible happen, therefore she could find the courage to do the thing that she would for certain regret not doing it if the battle went wrong. By then, she just needed the right moment to leave.
After sometime, Jaime said, "Better get some rest." Yes, thank you, Joanna thought hopefully. "No, let's stay a bit longer." Tyrion said. Oh come on, Joanna thought a bit irritated. "We're out of wine." Davos said. "How about a song? One of you must know one." Tyrion said and then looked at Joanna and said, "Jo?" "My mind's empty. Sorry, brother." Joanna said trying to stop the conversation. Also what she said was the truth, because the battle was coming, the tension was rising and the view of an imminent death was coming closer and clearer. It was like it was covering her and she did not like it. "Ser Davos?" Tyrion asked. "You'd pray for a quick death." Davos said. "Ser Brienne?" Tyrion asked and Brienne nodded a 'no' as an answered. So did Tormund when Tyrion looked at him. Then suddenly, Podrick began to sing. They looked at him surprised. Jenny of the Oldstones. How does he know? That night, years ago at KingsLanding, I told him it was my favourite... I can't believe he remembers, Joanna thought surprised and happy. She just took his hand in hers and gave it a little squeze, smiling. She did not care, if anyone saw it or not. This could be her last night in this world she would not waste it. When he finished the song, she whispered in his hear, "Meet me in the yard, in five minutes." Then he nodded and she said, "I'm just going to get some air, I'll be right back." She stood up and then left to the yard.
Five minutes after, Pod was there. "Hey..." Joanna said. "Hey... are you allright?" Pod asked. "Yes, it's just the battle is near and..." Joanna said and then her voice trailed off. He hugged her tightly and said, "It'll be... fine, you'll see." "I don't want to regret not doing what I want." Joanna said looking at him. "Me neither. What do you want?" Pod asked looking at her. "I want to be with you. Because, I've always loved you, since the moment you passed through the door of my room that very first night. And you? What do you want?" Joanna asked him. "I-I want that too. I've loved you since the first time I saw you in that keep. I didn't even know your name then, but you were fighting in that yard and I just thought that you were amazing." Pod told her. "Let's go to my chambers." Joanna said, leading him by his hand.
Once there, Joanna said, "Look, I'm going to be honest, I've never done this before. And... I'm nervous, I don't know why, I just..." "It's going to be allright, I'm nervous too. We can try and then if it feels wrong, we'll stop..." Pod said. "Allright, I trust you." Joanna said.
Then she felt a growing antecipation, a mixture of joy and fear. She had no doubts in her mind she wanted it and, she was sure, he did too. They stood in front of each other and, slowly, he begun to undress her. Instintively, she also started to relieve him of his clothes. She wanted to hurry up, desire threatning to take over her, but he urged her to slow her pace, just enjoy the moment and the atention they were devoting to each other. She was already shiverig of excitment when they were finaly naked in front of each other.
Then it was as natural as if she had always been doing that all her life. His hand touched first her neck, pulling her into a kiss, chests rubbing together, skin on skin. Then he touched and kissed her breasts as he took her to the bed and then... Then he touched her thigh and her intimate parts and she felt as if she was on fire, she felt as if she could be standing naked in the snow and she could not feel cold. All around her, nothing existed but his body and soul. When they came together it did not hurt, it was as if everything was as it was meant to be. They were one and they mooved as one until her inner self bursted into fireworks of pleasure. She could not avoid moaning with him as they came together.
When it was over she was happy just to be in his arms and enjoy the moment and the fatigue she was feeling. "Are you allright?" Pod asked, rubbing her arm and looking at her. "I am. You?" Joanna said, resting her head in his chest. "Me too." Pod said. "I could get used to this. Staying like this everyday with you." Joanna said, looking at him. "Me too, but we have a battle to win first." Pod said. "Just five more minutes and then we go, allright?" Joanna said, kissing him slightly. "Or six, or seven, or-" Pod was saying with an amusing tone in his voice. "Or forever. But we can't. Yet." Joanna said, smiling. "Yet." Pod said, smiling as well.
After the five-six minutes, they got up and dressed, and, as soon as they finished dressing, the horns echoed through the whole castle, the army of the dead had arrived.