Thank you for the reviews, I appreciate them and I doubt I will update this fast all the time, but the story keeps building in my brain, enjoy!
Four years ago
The city of Bravos loomed over the two companions as they found themselves amidst the large crowd that was streaming into one of the many festivals that were taking place during the uncloaking, a ten day celebration in the city. Brightly colored men and women moved around in delightful masks hiding their identity and both Arya and Dany were among them in costumes. For the last two years this was what they had done, traveled all around the world and learned about every culture that was known to man. It had been Dany's idea after noticing how much Arya suffered to conform to the view's of her mother, whom wanted her to be a proper lady much like her older sister but that wasn't ever going to be. She was whom she was, and that suited her Dany thought. Rhaegar wheedled the starks to allow Arya to travel with Dany, of course with some guards and a tutor (who was more like the septa's of old). In the end they agreed but with some catches that had to be adhered to, which they were because the thought of freedom was just too much!
"I received an email from Sansa this morning. Seems that we have to head back for a time to westeros for a few birthdays,". Dany said softly to her companion with a soft sigh. "In fact, the wording was.. if you don't come back then your travels were to be put in suspension. I really don't think you want that considering you will be entering the house of black and white soon do you?". She eyed the girl next to her with a grin.
Arya shrugged and glanced up towards the sky with the softest of sighs upon her lips. Emotions began to surface one again that she has tried to suppress for almost two years were beginning to nibble at her brain. Obsidian eyes were the first memory that flashed before her eyes. No, don't think of him, never him. The ache in her heart began to throb as she turned to look at her best friend and nodded knowing she had to go back. Not that she had wanted to, but it was time to see those she left behind before she started school here.
"She sent me one too, and I suppose we have to go. I really wanted to go to Lys and see one of the pleasure houses. Not that we would have been able to get in or anything, but you know.". She grumbled softly, her slate eyes full of mischief. "Just have someone tell me I'm beautiful for once,". She whispered after a few moments.
Dany heard the last part of her statement and snorted loudly, this was a common occurrence with her friend. She wished with all her heart that she didn't feel this way about herself, but she knew where it came from. She had heard some of the taunts from those around Arya when they first came to stay at Winterfell two years ago and was confounded to hear people tell her she was plain, and ugly. Far from the truth, she thought to herself, Arya wasn't conventional like her sister with the fire kissed hair and light tully eyes but she was like the night. The night was dark and when the moon was high it gave a glow to all those whom witnessed it. Arya was much like that, weather she knew it or not.
In the two years since since she had left her home the little girl was no longer. In her place was a slightly taller girl, still on the cusp of womanhood, whom now had curves and was starting to lose all the fat that had shaped her long face. Dany supposed that one couldn't tell themselves that they were beautiful to believe it, for others has to convince them they were. She had told her friend time and time again, but one day someone would convince her. That person, if she was a betting woman, was closer than Arya believed. Two years ago it would have been improper for that conversation to really take place, not like it still would be but perhaps... perhaps.
"We can visit during a break from school, not that I am really relishing going back after all of this but it's time. You have to focus on that fencing that got you into that place, which is exciting. I am not that far from there so you know you can call, or text or video chat with me and I will drop whatever and come to you. Besides, I'm sure you can scope me out some handsome men, so I can hone my superior flirting skills on them.". Dany teased with a little tickle at her friends side.
Arya squirmed away from Dany, unaware that she had gotten precariously closer to another group standing in a circle bumping into one of the men that stood around one of the many fires in the campground. A shout went up from the man she stumbled onto causing a chaos as they fell to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs.
"Hey, watch where your going there little girl.". A growling voice hissed in her ear as she lay on the ground somewhat dazed. She growled up into the face of the man who was sprawled over her, but not seeing anything but bright blue eyes behind the mask. "Ah, not so much of a little girl are you little one, but a very curvy lady. Forgive me, may I be of assistance to you?". The husky voice purred now into her ear as the body above her ground into her hips.
"Oi, You can get off of me stupid!". She challenged as she began to push her arms against his chest. "Now, if you would. Also, I'm no lady!". She hissed back as the man began to laugh at her attempts to dislodge his stance.
Dany had been looking the other way as she collision happened having watched as a fire eater consumed the glorious flame but quickly turned to see her friend under a man and gasped.
"Get up Sir!". She commanded holding out a hand to her fallen friend, a look of concern fleeting in her violet eyes as she watched the man grind against Arya. "A, are you okay there?"
Arya sighed and looked up at the man as he continued to look down at her with those dark blue eyes, his expression hooded behind the partial mask. When he didn't respond she glanced up at the others standing over them, "Your companion here seemes to be addled or drunk, not sure which but could you give him a hand so that I may continue on my way?". Her voice called out with a slight yelp as one of the mans hands continued down her side to trying to cup one of her breasts as she heard him mumble to himself, "Sweet one, come to my tents tonight... I'll be gentle.". Before she could respond the men helped their fallen comrade up with a laugh.
"You alright there bull?". One of the men asked quietly eyeing the big man deferentially.
Dany heard the man talk and tilted her head with a little laugh upon her lips, the one whom they called bull glanced at her with a frown. She knew whom this way and was not surprised to see him at celebrations far from home, she couldn't blame him with a father such as his and a mother who should have been in charge of a viper pit than upon a throne.
"You okay A?". She asked queerly her eyes still on the man blocking her friends movements, her anger beginning to rise as she eyes the companions of the man.
"I.. I'm fine, but this big oaf won't move off of me. Get up stupid!". She growled again as the man laughed and finally pushed himself off of her with a soft laugh. His eyes still lingering on hers as she rushed over to her friend, hiding behind her.
Arya had a feeling she knew some of the men in the group after laughter began to filter over to her as the one they called bull bowed towards Dany with a mocking grin.
"You probably should have worn a hat, or something because only one woman that I have ever known has hair the color of moonbeams or a mocking tongue like Stormbringer. Far from the madding crowd are you? So, if your here then the one behind you must be the little wolf, not so little anymore she's not. Interesting, Come here little wolf.". The man huskily commanded, holding out one hand beckoning her.
Arya frowned and shook her head in confusion but kept her ground knowing that it would be a mistake to be close to the man again. Not after his proposal that only she had heard. Who is bull, she knew she had heard that nickname before. Before she could answer Dany curtsied back towards the man in a mocking way much like he just did to her. One of Dany's arms held her back as she moved to keep Arya firmly behind her.
"She's not for you Prince, she never will be. I'm sure there is another whom could quash your appetite, surely. Given there are so many around here and the pleasure houses that dot the canals. If I can guess correctly whom is with you...". She glanced back at arya and with her eyes told her back up a few steps before she moved closer to the man called bull. Violet eyes glancing to each of the men before she began to laugh. "Robb didn't come with you? Nor my nephew it seems. But, I spy Theon so that means you can get a fast lane ride to the front, since he seems to have his ear to the ground when it comes to some quick slap and tickle.". She turned to glance back at the Prince and sighed as she watched him take a step towards Arya. She whistled to get his attention and waved one finger in the air as if she caught a naughty boy.
"Daenerys, You catty little bitch I heard you". Came a voice in the group of men which made her the girl laugh again, "I rest my case".
The one called bull glanced at Dany with dark fathomless eyes, the anger beginning to seep into every inch of his large frame. Raking his fingers through tousled inky tresses he turned towards the other girl with a charming grin, eyeing her. So, the little wolf wasn't a girl anymore but a woman with curves hidden he thought to himself. No matter what her defender the Targaryen princess threatened him with, he'd get her alone one time or another and continue what he started tonight.
"What if I want her?". The man ground out between clenched teeth towards Dany.
A soft sigh came from Dany's lips as she moved back towards her friend with a piercing stare to the Crown Prince of Westeros. She knew that the prince had quite a temper when it was provoked, and she also knew that for the most part he was a gentleman but this was different, odd.
"Again, no. I will not have Arya used and brought back to her father with a babe growing in her. We all know how potent the seed is in the Baratheon line, don't we? No, that won't happen. She's still far too young for you anyway. Go on prince, go have fun with the boys. We will be seeing you soon won't we?". She quipped as she began to lead a shell-shocked Arya away before her friend roused from her stupor to accost the prince.
"Daenerys, You will not always be around the little wolf when she needs protecting. Think of that will you? Just remember that in the back of your head. I'll be seeing you around little wolf, yes I will.". His raspy voice taunted as his eyes flickered over Arya as he took a step closer to the two females with a little laugh, "Just as an fyi there Daenerys, I actually do practice safe sex, but now I'll make a point to not when I get the little one here alone. Then perhaps she will belong to me. Won't she?".
Arya glanced between her friend and the large prince with a growl of her own, grey eyes finally beginning to come back into focus as she lunged at the Baratheon barely missing him as Dany hauled her back against her own chest. The older girls eyes glared up at the Stag Prince.
"Gendry, Stop the bullshit. There are plenty of highborn women whom throw themselves at you, at the chance to have you. Although, I don't know why? Oh, I know why. To be Queen eventually. Guess there are some perks." She smiled up at Him trying to look at serene as possible.
Gendry shrugged as his face began to relax at the banter. It would do no good to argue with the dragon, because he learned that the dragons were are stubborn as the lot of them were. He wanted the little wolf, not because he was told no but because there was something there behind those silver eyes of hers. He knew whom Daenerys spoke of when she implied she was for someone, but he chose to ignore the inkling in his head over it all. Perhaps it was time for the stag to win, perhaps.
The loud cry of the dragon's drew him out of his reverie as the sight of the two animals circled the bay below Dragonstone trying to catch some of the fish from the water for a snack. Shadowed filled eyes glimmered as watched the two still small, but numble animals climb back into the sky like rockets. Feet scuffled behind him as a smile formed on his lips as the man he had been waiting for finally emerged from wherever he had been in the castle.
"So where are they now?". He asked before he even turned to look at the one standing not three feet from him watching the spectacle in the air with him.
"Bravos, but they will be making for home on the morrow. Daenerys assured me that they will be on a morning flight back to Winterfell, and then they will stay for a few days before making their way to Kingslanding for the party. Why did it have to be there?". Sam, his best friend looked over his computer that was always in his hands with a quick grin at Jon.
"You know why we all have to go to the party. It's partially for you so I would venture to say it's probably imperative you do go. I know you don't particularly like Kings Landing, but who does? At least you will be celebrating with your friends. You're twenty-one, act like it old man. Besides, you know all the spotlight will be on their precious crown prince and another crown. I... uh should tell you something else that Dany mentioned in her email to me." Sam cut his eyes back to Jon, narrowing them watching the brooding dragon.
Jon knew something was bound to have happened to two teenage girls when they were loosened upon the world far too early, but he had voiced his opinion when they first started out and was overruled. He really didn't give them the full reason why he hadn't wanted them to be out on their own, but he would keep that to himself for now.
"What did Daenerys do now? Or was it the little wolf who caused a riot this time?" He said wearily, tensing himself as he knew something was coming he would not like. He could feel it in his bones.
"Amazingly this time it as not Dany, surprising as that is. No, she only gave me a brief synopsis and promised to tell the whole story when she would see us all, but...". Sam trailed off noting the expression on his best friends face. Something was not right here, he thought to himself but knew if he voiced that Jon would just close off even more. Brooding prince, he mused with a little snicker in his head. "Anyway, she tells me that last night they had went to one of the celebrations in Braavos for the unmasking and.. uh... Well...".
Jon growled low in his throat hearing where they had been. That was really not the place for two girls to be attending, especially when everyone was masked and unknown to each other. Trouble is what it was, and so it seems found them.
"Continue Sam, stop trying to stall.". He ground out turning to look out over the waters again, fingers gripping the balustrade tightly knuckles turning white already with anger. Dammit, Arya what did you do now.
"Anyway, they were there for a while, she says, enjoying the carnival like atmosphere when she mistakenly tickled Arya and being Arya jumped and sort of crashed into a group of men... um.. Actually, one in particular. Probably the last person that she should have, but shecrashedintothebullandnowhesgothismindfixedthathewantsher.". Sam rushed the last part trying to take a few steps back as Jon swung his dark head back towards him with a hiss.
"The fuck you say?". Jon yelled angrily, rounding on his friend. "What the fuck was Gendry doing there, and what does he want?".
"Daenerys said that Arya accidentally crashed into the bull after being tickled and apparently he took some liberties with Arya as she was on the ground. When Daenerys warned him off, well it did the opposite and now he's hellbent on making a play for her. She warns that someone should be around the little wolf at all times when in King's Landing, just as a precaution.".
Jon's eyes narrowed dangerously as he listened to Sam explain what had occurred in Braavos. Fuck, he thought again. He should have went with them like he was going to but at the last moment something had come up here at Dragonstone and he was unable to. His cousin Robb had to decline too, as he had a mountain of homework due and knew if he didn't get top grades that there would be hell to pay from his mother. Which meant he had a good idea who went with Gendry over to the free cities, and some of those men encouraged bad behavior. He'd deal with that in good time, espically if Theon was one of the group, that boy was a waiting STD waiting to happen. Now Gendry wanted the little wolf for himself, but that was not going to happen. Not if he had anything to do with it. For fuck's sake she was only sixteen, and still a child or was she? He thought to himself, trying to calm his own thoughts of her.
He knew damn well she wasn't still the small little girl that he had first met four years ago. He knew then she was special, and he also knew she had harbored a crush on him and followed him everywhere when he first came to Winterfell those years ago. Arya, whom had stood out as the only one with the mark of the north on her, the rest of the siblings taking after their mother. His father told him that she had the promise of his own mother, that she had too been a tomboy as a child and wild as the moors outside the castle that they were in. His father knew how he felt about the girl even then, but he cautioned him to be patient. Which, he was and would be for a few more years. But, the damn Baratheon's and their pull to anything Stark seemed to change things.
"I'll call Dany in a bit then, fuck, Sam this isn't good at all.". He muttered more to himself but he knew the keen Sam heard him.
"Jon, for what it's worth... I'm more concerned about what wasn't written in this email. I know Gendry isn't like his father, but this isn't good. Want me to have a guard set for her room then?". Sam glanced again at Jon who seemed to be fighting in himself at the moment and wasn't even sure he heard him.
"Oh, I know what wasn't written in that email. Bloody gendry and his temper, when he's on course for something nothing usually stops him. Yes, have a guard at her room for the few days she's in that cesspool of a city. They are under my command and as a foreign prince they do now have to follow any directive given, save... well you know, certain things. So that should be fine. If I have to speak to him about it, it won't be pretty and I honesty don't want to have her know. Not, yet at least.".
"Are you sure that is wise? I mean, Jon, shouldn't you tell her about how you feel so that she knows? Not like you have to do anything about it now, but at least there is something out there so that she knows...".
"No, That one is as coltish as those bloody horses that Khal whom Dany is entranced with. I can't have her start to hate me.". He said softly, eyes closed against the brisk wind that slid across the water below.
"She could never hate you Jon, she followed you around like a puppy for two years.". Sam still never understood the little wolf himself, she was brisk with everyone but save a few. She was ever nice to him since he was a great friend to her cousin, but the ones she disliked knew it.
Arya sighed mostly to herself as the line of cars stopped in front of the red keep where they would be staying for the duration of their visit to King's landing. At the last second she tried to get out of attending after that disastrous night in Braavos, but neither Danerys nor her parents would allow her that right. Rage was building in her veins as the imagine of the large prince loomed above her, taunting her with the open threat of taking her to bed. That would not be happening now, or ever if she had her way. He made her nervous, not in the way that happened when her eyes fell upon Jon. She didn't know what it was but, it had always been there, eating away at her mind. The shock of those few minutes upon that celebration had long since blow out, but the anger and yes fear still lingered.
"Ar, Ar... are you okay?". Dany glanced over at her pensive friend with a frown. "Everything will be okay, You will have a guard at your door and I wouldn't... let alone any of your family members... have something happen to you... Unless you wanted it to.". She said softly pressing her hand into the other girls.
Arya nodded as she sighed softly looking up at the castle in front of them. Soon she would be seventeen and back in the free cities where she could be herself as she wanted to be. This lady business always made her fell as if she was slowly drowning, but she put up with as much as she could handle to keep her mother from nagging her. Why couldn't she be like Sansa, whom at nineteen was in the prime of her life.
"Stop it.". Dany muttered quietly as the door opened for them. "Don't let the doubts get to you. Being a lady isn't all there is out there. You have your own strength and who bloody cares about being a women these days. Be happy should be enough, right. So, be happy.". She pointed at Arya before stepping out of the vehicle with a little laugh but stopped and poked her head back inside for a second, "I should mention this, but I let Jon know what happened. So, ah, don't be surprised if there isn't one fire breathing dragon around.".
Arya stepped from the car, furiously glancing at her best friend with a look of pleading. This was the last thing that she needed to worry about was Jon knowing, why would he even care. He made it clear she was just a pest if a kid, but if that was the case why did it bother her? Fools the lot of them, men, she mused as her mother began to bark orders towards her children and then towards the servants who began to take the numerous suitcases that were now lining the driver.
"Who needed 4 suitcases for 3 days?". She scoffed hearing Sansa's outraged huff at her barb, of course it would be her sister. How did the world create two sisters whom were different in all ways. Cosmic justice, indeed.
"For your information, I am going to go stay in the vale after this to check out one of the spa's. Aunt Lysa recommended one that sounds fantastic and how could I not resist.". Sansa said quietly glancing at her sister with a little smile before she leaned in to whisper, "Also, I want to see this marvelous fighter there. His name is..".
"Inside now if you please," Her mother clapped her hands ushering her brood into the castle proper. Arya sighed and caught up to Daenerys clasping her hand to the other girls tightly.
"Thank you,". She whispered softly for only dany to hear. The other girl nodded knowing exactly why, even if she couldn't put it into words.
"One day you will know why I do the things I do for you, myself, this family and mine. Be careful will you, I mean I know you can handle yourself in every situation but I've seen him when he's determined to have his way. Then again, I've seen a dragon when fully enraged as well, so you may be okay this weekend. I told him because I felt it best to, weather you think this or not... he wants you, but he fights within himself.".
Arya shook her head and sighed, "No, he made it clear to me that it was only a cousin's love, and that I was a pest. I get that, and I can live with that.".
Before Dany could respond the majordomo arrived and began to utter commends to the castle staff to help the guests to their rooms. The flurry of activity cut off any attempt to speak but the girls knew that they would have something to say later about what was on their minds.
He stood in the shadows of a nearby arch in one of the many floors of the castle as the Starks pulled up. He had dragged Sam with him the moment he spoke to his aunt about the incident and got the full story about what really occurred, and not some glossed over story that she knew she had written to Sam. His fury knew no bounds after hearing that Gendry wanted what was his. HIS. Well, what he wanted to be his, because with Arya she had to be the one to choose, else she would run away like the wolf she was.
"Somehow I knew you would be here, watching.". A voice rose from the shadows but when the person finally stepped forward the shadow itself was quite small.
"I'm rather good at it. Some are brash and loud, I'm neither of those. I learned to focus what I need to get things done. Best to leave that to the bullies of the world.". Jon replied to the dwarf who stood looking up at him with hooded eyes.
"Bullshit boy, bullshit. You're good at hiding your feelings like the Targaryen that You are, sure you don't look like a dragon but you are tightly wound like Your father. Deep well that one is but I guess when You are taught to be King from birth it has that effect. Myself, I was taught to just roll away when someone came at me. Never learned much on that aspect, but that is neither here no there. I heard about Braavos, can't say that I am shocked at my nephew's antics, but, I would have thought Joffrey would be the idiot out carousing but lo' and behold I hear it's the pride and joy.". Tyrion quipped quietly as he moved towards the arch to watch the Stark's himself.
"What do you want little lion?". Jon said wearily, his eyes flickering back to watch Arya as she emerged from the vehicle. His breath caught noticing how much she had grown from their last meeting. Dear Gods, this was going to be harder than he thought.
"I want nothing, or at least nothing you can provide. I came merely to offer some advice to you. You can of course ignore what I have to say, some do. However, I think you are smart enough to take what I have to say into consideration. I have known you to be a thoughtful, if nor serious boy so here goes. Don't hesitate to take what You want, but be prepared to fight for it, but remember that the consequences can reverberate through time. That is not to say that people never do take what they want, but they sometimes wait too long to do so. Patience is only a virtue to the saints. Also, Gendry is tenacious but you know that. I can't say he wants her because you do, those wolves just have an effect on the stags. I would be prepared to fight for her, if that is indeed what You want. Never known a dragon to back down.". Tyrion grimaced up at the man before taking a sip of his ever present wine, "Also, if you could find a place for Joffrey to work in the dragon mines that would be splendid, that shit needs to be humbled and his eyebrows being burned off would be a start.".
Jon laughed at the man beside him unable to keep silence it Tyrion's little quips. He knew the man was telling him the truth, even at the expense of his own nephew.
"Why would you want to help me, when it's your nephew that you are speaking of?".
Tyrion waved a hand lightly and sighed, "It's not that I don't love my niece and nephews because I do but I leaned long ago that some actions could cause more pain than need be. He needs to find someone whom won't cause him to burn down a castle because she denies him, which she would because that girl won't accept anything but on her own terms. He's like his father, but without a few of the more undesirable traits, even so he IS their family motto. I worry that he'll try something foolish, and it's not like he hasn't before, well nothing like his brother. Anyway, the little wolf does not deserve to be treated unfairly, truth be told I like her. Met her and your aunt in Quarth a few months back and treated them to dinner a few times when I was there. She will be a queen one day, but not here in westeros where her spirit would be broken to be what others want her to be.". Before Jon could reply the little man waddled off laughing at the stunned look on the young dragon's face.