So, this is going to be completely AU and in modern times. I appreciate feedback (because it helps to hone skills, plus it's been a while since I have written anything in fanfic) and love to hear what people think!
Nine years ago
The letter arrived one spring day much like every other here in the northern wilderness of westeros. Normally Caitlin would have opened it since she liked to take care of many of the household problems, but this one was not like normal correspondance, no not at all. The red dragon sealing it was the first clue, and with she knew that this was not for her, or at least for her to read first. The inkling of the contents sat in her brain for most of the day as it awaited the master of the house's attention. After so long, she wondered to herself as her eyes drifted out the windows of the library towards the sweeping mountains that surrounded winterfell.
The three headed dragon meant one thing, Rhaegar.
When dusk came and the sounds of the house were finally begninng to stir to life after a day of school and work did she let her husband know of what awaited him in the library.
"Cat, You recognized the sigil. I know you did.". He said lowly as his eyes began to scour the letter before him, not bothering to look up but knew she stood still as a statue, a testament to her upbringing that she did not seek to distract him from the matter at hand.
"There has ever been only one family that has a dragon. I should not have to say it out loud for me to know whom it belongs to. To a family across the narrow sea in their own kingdom... Save having a small foothold still here in westeros...". His wife whispered into the quiet room answering him quickly. Ned chuckled at the nervousness that filtered through her voice. His grey eyes glanced up at the woman with a quick smirk, trying hard to calm his bride of so many years.
"Well, glad you still remember some families wouldn't be able to. The have not taken their place among the many is a very long time. Looks like that may be changing, and with it I fear trouble. At least for our king, which wouldn't be against the normal these days.". Ned quipped lightly as he finished reading the missive before handing it to his wife, allowing her to scan the contents as well.
He knew that some of what was in the letter would be a jumble of words for his wife not having been married more than a half a year when the troubles began. Truth be told the trouble began years before the final conflict when he brought the crown prince of westeros here to hunt.
"You have a nephew and neglected to mention him all this time, to me? To your children? You know they would have loved to have blood around. Granted they do have one cousin, but the poor boy breaks out in hives every time they are around him. I don't trust our horde to hurt the little boy. He going to come to claim Dragonstone again, is Ned hat wise?". Cailtin hesitated unsure how to proceed without an argument occuring.
Ned frowned and glanced up quickly at his wife, dark eyes glinting with an unknown emotion lingering there. He should have told her years ago about his nephew, but his good brother told him that it was unsafe for those there to know that a child had been made between the union of the dragon and wolf. At least till the child was old enough to survive if he had to come here. He should have told just her of course, but it was not his secret to share. Dammit, this was becoming more of a hassle that he ever wanted, but now that it was out in the open there was little he could do now.
"Cat, Perhaps I should have shared this with you years ago, hell I had promised him that I would keep this to myself, mostly because of the safety of the child. You don't really understand how precarious the balance was here sixteen, almost seventeen years ago were. No, I mean.. Actually, nineteen years ago, honestly. Before we were wed this began, and it still lingers in the mind of the , now the children will know their cousin for they will be here within days to spend time.".
Ned sighed again fearing the silence that came when Cat was upset at him, or something he generally neglected to tell her, which was at times most of the time. He wasn't forgetfull in the least, but more unaware that communication was important to ladies, espically lady wives. It got him into trouble now and then, but he know how to soothe her over.
"As for being wise, I don't know but what i do know is that it is their birthright and therefor they can and can not use it at their will. I suppose that Rhaegar felt it best to allow time before he wished to visit. I cannot say, for he does not say on the paper but I am confident that when they do show up we will know. His son, your nephew, Jon is a few months older than Robb and Theon, so that should be good for them. Ah, also Rhaegar's sister Daenerys will be joining us as well. She is Sansa's age, so that should work out well.".
"His sister is fourteen?". Cat quipped with an arched brow.
Ned shrugged at his wife with a chuckle, "Apparently she must be suprise child, because from what I remember he had a brother whom died at an early age, and then there was the daughter. Lyanna told me of the family when She came back here before the marriage, but honestly I may have forgotten some of the story. Either way, I think it will be nice for the children to meet them all.". He glanced up to see his wife nodding in agreement.
So it came to pass that early the next week, after having told the children of the change in plans for their usual summer breaks from school that they would be having guests. The brood, as cat liked to refer to them when they were wild and unruly took it in stride, happy that it was not their younger cousin robert whom seemed to always suffer from some malady or another. They all knew that it was not his fault, but their aunt's who was never the most sane or caring to any of them so they wrote her off. No, their mother told them that this was a cousin that up until now they hadn't even known existed, but they were eager to know. Family was the most important thing to them, even they didn't quite get along with themselves most of time.
"Mother said to be in the front hall at noon, I wouldn't want to dissapoint here after watching all the preparation that has been going on here in the last week.". Robb muttered darly to his younger siblings at breakfast when it seemed they were only together during the summer. His eyes fell upon arya quickly knowinf full well she never listened when being given a direct order. "That means you little wolf, you be here at noon. Mother was not playing, she wishes us to make a good impression. This is important, get it, important!" he exclaimed harshly belaying the importance of the day ahead. His little sister sighed angrily before nodding her head slowly, not bothering to look up from her plate.
"Yes, I heard you the first time. Noon, I got it. I'll be here, not like I have much to do anyway. My fencing master will not be available for a few days.". She thundered darkly looking up at her eldest brother with a scowl. "Bloody olympic trials, anyway I wouldn't miss this anyway. I hear they train dragons. Is that true?". she asked with a grin, grey eyes eager and wide.
Robb shrugged slightly as he ran one hand through his messy auburn curls as his eyes met Sansa's with a frown. They knew trouble was brewing when Arya took notice of anything remotely interesting.
"I do not know, but you will not pester the guests with those types of questions, alright? I'd like to make some sort of good first impression. Family that is royality, seems odd, but it is what it is. Now, make sure to have your wolves in their pens before they arrive. We don't need them being upset, or scared.". He said before he stood from the breakfast table and sauntered out. The rest of the siblings looked at each other with a mixture of awe and nervousness.
"Dragons?". Sansa asked after a time of silence.
Arya shrugged as she stole a piece of bacon from the trencher in front of her. "S'what I heard that they have them, or train them. I'd love to see that. Is that so bad to say?" she grumbled as her sister smacked her hand lightly.
"Let them at least get settled here before you ask questions, okay?". Sansa said softly in her musical voice. Her blue eyes twinkled impishly as she glanced back at Arya, "but, i too would want to know about dragons, I mean we learned about them being a part of westeros in the dark ages. I bet it's just a rumor.".
Arya grinned over at her sister happily, knowing that she was not the only one interested in learning such things. At twelve, she was brimming with questions and sometimes no one to answer them. This was one of the reasons she ended up in trouble daily. She would ask them, and get the answer. If there were, she would have to see them herself in person. She would!
"Alright, you three go prepare yourselves and make sure your rooms and straightened. You know how mother is when she is in a snit.". Sansa commanded primly standing from her chair and quickly making her exit. The room stood quiet for several minutes before Bran turned to his sister and grinned.
"You will see the dragons, big and small. Don't be fooled by either for they both have a way of ensnaring those they want. Eventually, You may become one yourself, if your lucky.". He chanted softly, his blue eyes distant for a second before they focused back into Arya with a sigh. "There are dragons out there, and we will meet them today!".
The commotion in the house was one of the things that had always comforted Arya, but today was not one of the time she wished to stick around. Yes, she knew her mother would be upset that she wasn't there right now to welcome the visitors, but the day was nice. Which meant that she would rather be out practicing her fencing and that was a priority in the twelve year olds eyes, and who could be wrong about that? She was not a lady, or at least she was a bad one according to Sansa. Yet, deep down she wanted to be one, but the wildness that filtered in her blood wanted, no demanded that she do things her way. So, she did what she did best.
Shouts filled the air from the direction of the castle and she had a feeling that they were for her, but she ignored it all and stilled the movements she was practicing.
"Stick them with the pointy end, stick them with the pointy end". She mumbled to herself quietly as she whirled around the yard, executing the steps her dancing master taught her. The sensation of movement fired her blood and made the wildness quiet enough for her to focus the steps that required her to hone the skill. Wild, Wild wolf they called her but in reality she was not as wild as they believed, she just happened to express herself different then the rest of the pack. They all called her ugly, wit the exception of her father but she knew that fathers always thought their children were beautiful. She accepted the fact that Sansa was the one boys and men stopped on the street to look at when they were out.
"One day, one day they will look at me like that.". She thought out-loud, not really knowing that she had yelled it as she moved letting the rapier's movements flow like silk not knowing that someone had come upon her spot.
"Do you often yell out your thoughts as if no one hears them? I thought I was one of the only ones who would do something like that.". A husky voice permeated her reverie causing the rapier to fly away from her nimble fingers out towards the forest. "Oh, I apologize for startling you little wolf.".
Arya spun on her heels to look towards the voice to admonish them that it wasn't very smart to startle someone with a weapon in their hands, but words failed her for the first time in a long time. Standing a few feet from her was a small, silver haired girl calmly glancing at her with a grin.
"Goodness, you look so much like her...". The girl whispered before taking a hesitant step closer to Arya with a chuckle, "Your aunt, I mean. We have many pictures and portraits of her in our castle. It's just startling to see someone whom looks so much like her. Given most of your siblings look like your mother... Actually, all of them do. Except you.".
A soft chuckle drifted past her lips without even thinking as she turned to go get her rapier before she forgot where it landed and finally took a good look at the girl in front of her. The soft almost silver hair floated around her face and down the small of her back, almost enveloping her in a cloud and soft almost purple eyes twinkled as they regarded her back.
"I've only seen a few pictures of her, but I would say she was scads prettier than I am. I'm Arya.". She stated with a smile of her own, "But, you knew that already I imagine. I'm sure they wondered where I was when you arrived, but you will come to find that I march to the beat of my own.".
"I'm Daenerys, but I suppose you know that too, I'd imagine. Call me Dany, it's just easier sometimes. Your lady mother asked me to fetch you, oh and she also said that if you wanted to really hide. You should have picked a better location.". The girl smirked and held out a small, pale hand for the other girl to grasp. "I already know we will get on thick as thieves. Come, you have to meet my dunderhead of a nephew.".
The two girls came into the house that was full of chaos but this was expected here in winterfell. Who could hardly blame the starks for it when they had five children and all of them either teenagers or on the brink of being one. The staff didn't try to mention that the decibels that came from the mouths of babes, but they loved them anyway these wolves. One look at the two girls and Hodor, the butler pointed towards the great room with a frown on his face. That alone make Arya hesitate before the girl beside her tugged on her arm pulling her into the room with a soft laugh.
"Wolves to not hesitate.". Dany mumbled softly, still chuckling under her breath and Arya growled in response.
The two girls stopped short when the rest of the assembled group turned to look at them. Catelyn eyed them wearily before she caught her husbands eye and nodded towards their wayward daughter.
"Ah, Thank you Daenerys for finding her. She often refuses to listen to any of my directives. Arya, come here and meet the rest of the party.". Catelyn gave her daughter a tight smile, the tully blue eyes darkly glittering offering a warning to the wild girl.
Arya smiled towards Dany before she quickly made her way around the mounds of luggage and wolves that crowded the room with their owners. Nymeria, her own wolf looked up with a wolfish grin as her mistress came within feet of her resting place. Her mother's iron grip was the first thing she felt as she stilled before the two figures near the fireplace. Their eyes were on her, she knew, but she kept her gaze down before she felt the impatient tap of her mothers hand on hers.
"Forgive my daughter, If I had not birthed her I would say she was a wolfling herself, much like her own pet. Rhaegar and Jon, this is my errant daughter Arya. Arya, this is your good uncle Rhaegar and his son Jon. Since You already met Daenerys, Rhaegar's sister." Her mother motioned first to the tall man with hair so like his sisters. Moonlight hair, arya thought to herself something that was unlike she had ever seen before. She looked up finally before she heard a soft sigh escape the elder mans lips.
"By the Gods, it's uncanny.". The man whispered glancing down at the girl with a soft, sad smile. "Catelyn, if she's anything like Ly you will have to chain her to you when shes older.".
Arya frowned up at her uncle with pale grey eyes flinty with anger. This wolf would live like she wanted and be damned with everyone who wanted her to be what they wanted. THIS was her life.
"Father, don't bate her. She looks ready to strike, or maul.". The boy next to Rhaegar japed, earning a snarl from the girl as well. Jon took a step back and opened his hands in a defensive gesture. Arya quickly glanced up at the already tall youth with a smirk. His hair so like hers was mussed about his face, and eyes much like hers looked back. "Stand down little wolf,". His voice was calm, but laced with laughter.
"I am sorry Lady Arya, I meant nothing bad. You just remind me of her, that is all. While I didn't know her at your age, I can imagine she was just as wild.". Rhaegar softly explained, violet eyes tinged with sadness.
"She was wilder,". Came a voice from close to Arya's shoulder. She didn't have to turn to know who it was. "That was not her fault, Father just didn't know how to handle a motherless girl. Oh, us boys he did but he couldn't be what she needed when she was my daughters age.".
Arya was about to retort but from the back of the room came a loud noise, much like a rattle and the children in the room glanced at each other with curious glances. Nymeria whined softly stepping back from her place near Arya with a look up at her. The rest of the wolves starting to move back from the pile of luggage knowing something wasn't quite right.
"My baby!". Dany exclaimed softly as she ran from her place near Arya to a small covered looking cage as another whine could be heard from under. The young girl laughed at the started expressions of the starks with a shake of her head. "I couldn't leave him at home, he's so young.". She explained with a sheepish grin revealing the small cage held a very young dragon who at the revealing huffed a small bellow of smoke up at his mother. Opening the little door the dragon climbed onto her hand and quickly up into the silver curls near her neck.
"A dragon!". Bran breathed softly stepping forward as his blue eyes kept the animal in his sights. "No wonder the wolves were cautious since the luggage came in, they could sense something.".
Dany nodded quickly with a little click of her tongue the dragon peeked it's head from the hiding spot. "This is sunfyre, only about three weeks old so he needed to come with me because at this age they aren't apt to adapt without a trainer. He won't hurt you, they cannot breathe fire till they are about six months old, and even then they have to be trained... no, not trained but focused on what they do.".
Ned had remembered being in the dragon pits in Valeria when he had visited his sister in the years before her death and seeing the large beasts and their trainers. His sister had told of learning to ride behind her husband on his own, but he had never seen one so small. The scales were the palest he had ever seen, most of the large ones he remembered were black, and green and even a red but never this gold. Dragons were one of those animals that you always wanted to see, but never wanted to be on the receiving end. Luckily, they were kept tightly controlled and there were few left in the world.
"I remember the dragon pits," Ned glanced at his good brother with a thoughtful nod, "by Gods, those bastards were big, and yet this one is..." he glanced at the little dragon who's golden eyes were on the direwolf at Arya's feet.
The sound of soft laughter caused all eyes to glance to the princess with a curious look. She gently pried the little dragon from it's perch and held it in her tiny hands, the animal protested quietly as valerian words were said to relax.
"Sunfyre is but a baby, and isn't on par with the old ones that are in the pits. These days there are only three large ones left, plus Jon's and this one. His is older and is being trained to hold a rider now. We left him on Dragonstone before we came here. Now, that one...". She made a soft snort that made her nephew glance towards her with a laugh of his own.
"Meleys is temperamental, I give you that but the dragon usually favors the owner.". Jon smirked as his eyes swung back to the small girl in front of him. "Mayhaps we will take you to Dragonstone to see him and the other one that is there now. I think little wolf would like that, see something of the world. Yes?". His eyes caught hers, so like each others.
Arya's heart began to beat heavier than it had ever done before as those eyes so like hers, but more guarded glanced over her form. She had, of course, seen men look at Sansa with looks such as this but never her. Not that she had really paid attention before but this was different. He was different, she felt deep in her bones and usually she was never wrong about things. Family. Home.
"I would love to see the world, at least what interests me." Arya said proudly, eyes gleaming as they looked from the boy back to the small dragon and the princess who cradled it gently in her hands. "Does Sunfyre fly yet?".
Daenerys shook her head with a little smile, petting the warm scales as the animal made a sound much like a purr. "Not yet, I give another week or so and he should be able to glide a little.".
Hodor appeared in the doorway of the receiving hall with a soft cough towards Catelyn and smiled. With a clap of her hands the servants began to collect the luggage and cart it out to the rooms that were provided for the guests. Her own children stood watching the dragon as it still watched each of the direwolves that lay close to their owners.
"Uncle, I wasn't aware that you had direwolves... If I had known, I would have brought my own. Would it be alright if mine came here? I didn't want to presume like my aunt that I could. He's much like my cousins, and I rather don't like to keep him from my side for long.". Jon glanced at Ned for permission and when Ned nodded his eyes finally lost some of the flint that it once carried, having began to relax with people whom were virtually strangers to him with the exception of Ned whom had visited several times in his sixteen summers.
"Of course, but where did you happen upon a direwolf and how would one fare in such a different climate as Valeria?". Ned questioned, clearly curious. The question went unanswered as the children began to crowd around the two teenagers in the party and began to pepper them with words not allowing his own to be answered. The only one whom stood back was Arya with her dark eyes glittering watching the young man intently. He wasn't sure what was going on in his daughters head, but he wasn't sure he wanted to know.