Chapter 6
Krista and Meera
A ride was just the thing Arya needed. She did not like the way the newcomer Krista Baratheon looked at Jojen. There was determination in the girl's face, meaning she was likely to be a formidable enemy. And why would Jojen not fall for this beauty? Bran might be able to look past appearances, but who knew what went on in Jojen's mind when he wasn't thinking about something ominous?
Unfortunately, her thoughts kept her from saddling Nymeria properly. She cursed and gave up.
` And unfortunately, as she walked back through the Castle, she was so preoccupied with her anger, she nearly collided with, of all people, Krista Baratheon.
"I'm sorry!" Krista exclaimed. "Are you all right?"
"Not worse for wear," Arya assured her. "You're not hurt?"
"Nothing too severe. And this is relatively minor, compared to Shireen's affliction and your brother's fall. It's a miracle he was able to walk again."
"Some say magic," Arya added mysteriously, for it had been so. No one ever told her all the details, but she knew that much.
"I'm happy Shireen has found someone who will treat her well. After the incident with Ser Devan Seaworth, everyone worried she would never love again."
Arya had heard of the young knight's marriage to one of the many Tyrell women the previous year. An ambitious match, but not one that served him in the end. "And she'll be a Stark. She'll have all of us."
"I am glad. For Father tells me that I may marry soon as well, and we shall be torn apart."
"Surely not." Sansa remained a constant presence in her life, even though they no longer saw as much of each other as they liked.
They stood awkwardly for a moment. "I apologize for keeping you," Krista said.
As Arya watched her walk away, she wondered what to think. One moment, she was a threat to her relationship with Jojen, and the next, she was the portrait of sweetness. Why must Jojen drive her made this way? She had never felt anything for Gendry of Hot Pie or any other male she had encountered. Was it just the fact that he was unattainable that attracted her? Once she had a conversation with him, she would get over these , that was it. She would practice her conversation with Jojen on someone else.
But who? Her brothers would all think her silly, especially Rickon. And she didn't trust Shireen well enough yet. And there weren't many in their inner circle she could convincingly carry on a conversation with when they were pretending to be someone else.
But maybe Meera..., a voice in the back of her mind reminded her.
That would be an awful idea, the other half of her mind countered. Shouldn't have thought of it.
But she knows Jojen better than anyone else. She could help you talk to him.
But what if she laughs at me?
She won't. You're the sister of her sovereign and dearest friend. She'll do anything for a relative of Bran's.
But I can't guarantee she'll keep this secret from her brother.
Just shut up and do as I say for once.
All right, all right!
So, that afternoon, she went searching for Meera, finding her in the castle's armory. Blushing, she explained what she had thought of. Meera listened without interrupting or laughing or teasing. And when she finished, Meera simply smiled. "Jojen's actually very easy to understand. He takes himself way too seriously half the time."
"A bit like my brothers..."
"Exactly. I wouldn't think of them as exactly like Bran or...J-jon..." She blushed. "But I do think thinking of them as similar would help. You never feel nervous with your brothers, do you, Arya?'
"I'm rarely nervous around boys. Especially when we're all shooting or swordfighting...""
"I think I've got an idea! Bran wants to learn to use a bow, and I'll be teaching him and J- your other b-brothers. Why don't you come too? I'll ask Jojen to come, even though he's rubbish with weapons." She laughed, a large, throaty laugh that didn't sound in the least unattractive as some of the proper ladies said. In fact, Meera's laugh was a bit like bells. She could not help but join in.
"So, will you come?"
"I think so. As long as Bran doesn't mind."
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