Chapter 9: Don't Shy from The Light
King's Landing
Arya went to the training ground hesitating. Jon probably won't be there, since he hadn't talked to her the day before. He had even refused to wave at her. Arya shouldn't feel bad, after all it was what she wanted. She wanted to distance him from herself, and it was working. But she felt bad still, in spite of herself.
Her guess was proved right. Jon wasn't there. Arya realised after a while her head wasn't exactly concentrating on practising. She was thinking about something else. Every moment that passed, the regret clutched her heart tighter. They had only practised for two days, she couldn't possibly miss Jon.
But she did. And it showed in the way her eyes glanced at the direction of the castle almost every five minutes. But he wasn't coming. Arya picked up her sword one final time in frustration, and made her way back, irritated. Why is he getting inside my head?
But before entering, she heard the sound of footsteps. She turned to right and saw a flickering light in the distance. It was still not dawn, and no one was supposed to be here.
She strodded towards the light, which she saw was coming from a candle. A woman was holding it in her hand. Arya stepped closer, but the woman didn't see her. Arya got close enough to make out her face. She looked like she was of the same age as her aunt. Her hair was red, the color of blood. Arya's eyes went to the ruby around her neck which shone brightly for a few seconds, then dimmed, but only slightly.
"You can step closer, child. I won't hurt you."
Arya was surprised she had seen her, and straightened herself. She had never seen this woman before in or near the castle. And there was something strange about her. Strange and different than other people.
Arya took a step forward and asked with all the seriousness she could muster,
"Who are you?"
The woman smiled and Arya saw the ruby at her neck glow. Arya's hand went to the dagger on her hip as the woman turned to her.
"You are the younger girl, aren't you? Lady Arya Stark."
"I am not a Lady," Arya huffed. "You didn't answer my question."
"I am called Melisandre, My Lady."
Something about her voice told Arya she wasn't going to stop calling her that. So she didn't press. Arya's hand left the dagger. She took a step closer.
"I haven't seen you before." The sky was changing color to a bright orange. The ruby glowed again, and Arya looked at the candle in her hand. Why does she need a candle when there is enough light?
"Neither have I seen you. Not in person, anyway."
"What do you mean by that?" She frowned.
Melisandre didn't answer, but instead looked up into the sky. Arya followed her line of sight and saw that the sun was rising. The woman closed her eyes and muttered something. Arya stood there motionless. Something about her intrigued her, though she didn't know what. The woman blowed out the candle in her hand. She turned to Arya with a scrutinizing gaze.
"You are a strong girl, Arya Stark. I see the fire in you. It is but a flicker, but it is there. A fire that will burn cities to the ground, and bring people to their knees. There will be fire and blood, and death and ice. You need to decide before it's too late, Your Gr-"
Melisandre stopped midway. She blinked as if she had just woken up from a dream. Arya was standing frowning at what she'd said. What in the seven hells was that?
"What did I say?" She asked shocked.
"You are mad," Arya said, half laughing.
"No, I'm not. What did I say?"
"Something about fire and death," Arya said. "Who are you really?"
The woman's face had turned to one of fear.
"I shouldn't have. The King won't like this." She turned back towards the castle and started walking back to it.
Arya stood still where she was. The woman hurried inside the castle. Arya tried to understand what had just happened. What was the woman babbling about? She remembered some of the words, though everything had sounded ridiculous to her.
She found Aegon sitting in the chair of his room, napping. Arya rolled her eyes and taking a book from the nearby table, threw it at him. It hit Aegon on the chest and he woke up abruptly. He blinked at Arya for a few times before throwing the book back at her. Arya caught it with her hands and laughing, put it back in it's original place.
"What is wrong with you? Can't I sleep in peace?" Aegon groaned.
"It's almost afternoon, Aegon. Really, nobody sleeps this late." She looked at his bed. "And normal people sleep in beds."
"I feel asleep while sitting."
Arya clapped her hands. "Very active, aren't you?" She asked mockingly.
"Shut up," he stood up straight and stretched his arms. "Why are you here again?"
"I need to know about something." Arya sat down on the bed, sitting cross legged. "Or rather someone."
"What?" Aegon asked.
"I saw a woman today. She was in the training grounds. She had red hair and she wore a ruby at her neck. She told me her name was Melisandre."
It seemed to caught Aegon's attention. He sat down beside her and shook his head. "She was in the grounds, really?"
"Yeah. She mumbled something into the air."
"That lunatic," Aegon groaned. "I don't know why Father lets her stay here."
"What is it?" Arya asked, curiousity eating at her.
"She is a Priestess. She preaches the God of Light. She was probably praying or something."
"Don't the Targaryens follow the Seven?"
"We do." Aegon nodded. "But this prophecy shit..."
"What prophecy?"
Aegon looked at her, and she saw a hint of sadness in his face. "Nothing, really. Nothing important."
"Aegon. Tell me," Arya commanded.
"It's stupid, Arya. Honestly, it's nothing but these people trying to make you follow their God."
"Well, I am not stupid, am I?" She said. "If it isn't important, why won't you tell?"
"Because it's not my place to!"
"Aegon." She looked at him with a piercing gaze. "Tell. Me. Or I swear to the Old Gods, I'll-"
"Alright, alright! But you must not tell anyone else. Promise me."
Arya took his hand. "I promise."
Aegon started pacing the room. "It's about this prophecy the Priestess told our Father about. She said that there was a war coming and that Jon's life was in danger. To keep him safe, our Father needed to..." He paused.
"What?" Arya asked.
Aegon ran his hands through his hair, messing up the silvery mane. "He needed to betroth Sansa to Jon."
"What?" Arya exclaimed in shock. There was silence for sometime before she spoke again. "You mean Jon is to marry Sansa because there is supposed to be a war and Jon's life is supposed to be in danger and Sansa is supposed to... what exactly?"
"Save him, I guess. Be his shield, she said. It's not just about Jon actually. She said that all the Targaryens were-"
"Wait." Arya laughed. "Uncle Rhaegar believes this mad woman?"
"Yes," Aegon said. "So does your Father."
"Why?"
"She told Father something. I don't know what, but Father said it was what he had told Queen Lyanna when Jon was born. She wasn't supposed to know it, because she wasn't there."
"It can be a lucky guess!"
"Believe me, Arya, I have tried to make Father see the lunacy of it all, but he simply refuses to. He thinks this marriage will save Jon and all of us."
Arya saw the sadness in Aegon's eyes. Of course, if their Father thought this marriage was for the greater good, he would probably not listen if they don't want to marry each other. In spite of herself, her own body shook at the thought.
"You can't tell Sansa," Aegon said.
"I promised I won't tell anyone. But this is ridiculous, really. Do you think your Father will agree if..."
"We can't assume the worst yet. He just might."
"Have you told Jon?" She asked.
Aegon shook his head.
Arya stood and stepped closer to Aegon. She sighed and took her face in her hands.
"The more you delay, the more he'll be hurt."
"I don't know how to tell him."
"Don't you ever tell him your other secrets?"
"Arya. There isn't anything about me he doesn't know. There never has been secrets. This would be the first one."
Arya felt bad for him and hugged him. Aegon returned the embrace.
"He'll understand." Aegon hummed, and she slightly tightened her arms around him. She missed Robb all of a sudden. He used to hug her and twirl her around until she'd be exhausted, either from spinning or from laughing. He used held her when she cried, and let her stay in his arms for as long as she wanted to.
She hid her face in Aegon's chest.
"What is it?" He asked pulling away and looking at her worriedly.
"I miss my brother."
Aegon smiled. "Never thought I'd live to see the day Arya Stark turned emotional."
"Stop it." She hit him lightly on the chest. She left the room throwing a last smile at him.
"Thanks for telling me everything."
"Thanks for not crying infront of me," he teased. "I would have died from shock."
Arya made a face at him and closed the door behind her.
She saw Jon's room. The door was opened. Arya remembered she still hadn't apologized to him about that night. She had acted too harshly. He was just trying to talk to her. She almost decided to go talk to him when she passed his door, but at the last moment felt so nervous, she decided to skip it.
"Arya," his voice called from behind her.
She looked over her shoulder. He was standing at the door, smiling at her.
"Hello, Jon," she said.
"Hey." He asked, "Where were you going?"
"Back to my room. I went to see Aegon."
A frown marred his face, and he straightened himself.
"I need to speak to you," Arya finally said before turning around towards him, gathering her courage.
"Come inside," he said. Arya hesitated but complied. Jon closed the door behind him.
"I am sorry," Arya whispered.
"For what?" Jon seemed genuinly surprised.
"That night. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I'm so, so sorry."
Jon stepped closer towards her. He stopped right infront of her and took her hands in his, and looked at them.
"Why did you go to see Aegon?" He asked.
Arya blinked. "There was something I needed to talk to him about."
Jon nodded. His eyes still didn't leave her hands. Arya felt him squeeze them.
She realised the whole room had somehow grown warmer. Jon took another step closer. Arya was surprised he could because he was already standing so, so close to her.
He finally looked into her eyes. Arya noticed the stubble in his face, and wanted to feel it graze her fingers. She pulled her hands from his gently, and dropped her eyes to the ground.
"Are you still angry at me?" Jon asked sadly.
Arya smiled. Her hand shook as she placed it on his cheek. "I was never angry at you, stupid."
Her eyes widened as Jon pressed his lips to hers. She tried to push him away but he held her waist. His lips felt warm and a bit rough, but they felt good. Before she knew, she returned the kiss and was stroking his hair while doing so. She had never felt anything like this. He kissed her with tenderness, and her pulse quickened. Arya pulled away finally, after the need for air became too much to ignore. Jon touched his forehead to hers and gave her a smile. He put his hands on both sides of her neck and leaned down to press a chaste kiss on her lips.
"I have been wanting to do that for so long," he whispered.
Arya's hand was still on his cheek. She stroked it lightly before withdrawing it and using both of her hands to push him away. Jon looked surprised.
"You didn't like it?" He asked.
Arya had left his arms, but turned again and pressed her lips to his again, holding his face in her hands. The kiss was harder this time. She leaned away and looked at his eyes, which had turned darker than usual.
"Nothing ever felt better," she whispered. "But I need to be sure of something first."
She left his room before he could stop her. Her heart raced as she hurried back to Aegon's room. She didn't have to go all the way though; he met her halfway.
Aegon shook his head at her.
"Wha-"
"I need to see the Priestess. Melisandre."
Aegon laughed. "Didn't you say you weren't stupid? No, you're not seeing her. She is mad."
"I have already seen her, Egg. She won't hurt me,"
"But, Ary-"
"Please, Aegon!" She pleaded. "I really need to see her."
"Why do I end up agreeing every time?" He groaned.
"Because you know I'll stab you if you don't." She didn't sound teasing. She sounded nervous.
Arya followed Aegon. Her mind was occupied elsewhere though. Jon. The way his lips pressed against hers. Every good feeling she jad ever known rushed through her all at once, along with the heat coming from him. Arya didn't want to leave his lips, but she needed to go see the Priestess before stepping further. If she was in Jon's arms again, she would lose control. But before she kissed him again, she needed to be sure of some things.
They entered a vacant corridor. Arya heard a voice from behind. They both turned.
"Prince Aegon." It was a guard. "The Queen wishes to see you."
Aegon glanced between him and Arya, finally stopping his gaze on her. "Maybe some other day," he suggested.
"No," Arya said. "You just tell me where to go. I'll go myself."
Aegon shook his head. "No, you're not."
"Yes, I am," Arya replied stubbornly. "Just tell me where the room is."
Aegon cursed. He turned to the guard.
"Lead her to the Priestess' chambers. Let her go alone inside, but stay close to the door. Anything suspicious, you go inside."
"Yes, Prince Aegon." The guard bowed.
Aegon turned to Arya again. "You don't believe her, right?"
"No," Arya replied.
"Good." He patted her on the shoulder and went away. The guard bowed to Arya and she followed him.
When they reached the door, there was another guard outside it. The one with Arya told him to let her in, and he nodded, stepping aside.
"My Lady," the guard said. "I'll be right outside."
Arya nodded. I have a dagger. I don't need you. She opened the door and went inside. The Priestess was sitting in a chair, touching the ruby at her neck with her fingers. As soon as she saw Arya, she stood up and bowed.
"My Lady."
Arya nodded. She didn't have time to waste, so she asked directly.
"You lied about the prophecy, didn't you?"
The woman's face darkened. "I did not lie, child. And you shouldn't know this. The King said-"
"It's not your problem who told me this. But I need to know if it's a lie. After all, it's about my sister."
"Just your sister?" The woman asked, arching her brow.
"Can you answer for once what you're asked?" Arya asked frustatingly. "What proof do you have?"
"Come here." The woman held out her hand.
Arya wouldn't hold her hand, but she stepped closer to her anyway. Melisandre murmured something and the fire that was burning in the hearth turned wild, the flames leaping high into the air. There was something about the ruby, Arya decided. This woman is a sorceress.
She turned to Arya and took both of her hands, closed her eyes and started chanting. The guard is outside. The woman kept mumbling for some time before she opened her eyes. Arya could swear they were red, but then she blinked and it was gone.
"Your heart is beating faster. But you're not scared about this, are you?" She mumbled again. "You have two brothers back at your home. And one is in another place."
Arya scoffed. "The number of Stark children is not exactly secret information."
"What about the first child? The one that wasn't born. Does everyone know that too?"
Arya gasped in shock and pulled her hands away, and instantly unsheathed her dagger.
"How do you know this?" She asked, pointing it at her. The woman only smiled.
"I told you I don't lie, Arya Stark. Whatever I say is the truth."
Arya wasn't willing to believe her. It will mean the prophecy is true, and if it is...
"Why is Jon in danger?"
"I cannot know that. But he is. And not just him, it's every Targaryen. Including your Aunt."
An overwhelming fear rushed through Arya. Why did I come here?
"Jon has to marry Sansa?"
"So I said," the woman replied and studied her face. "You are not happy about that."
Arya choked. Not because of Melisandre's words, but because of the thousand emotions surging through her. Suddenly everything seemed so final. The marriage had to be. Sansa would marry Jon. The Priestess must have convinced the King of her words the same way. She told him something that was secret. Arya would've repeated her earlier words and say it was all a lucky guess or she had somehow known about it. But really, no one did. The dead child. No one knew except her Mother and Father, and Robb and her. Her parents would never speak to anyone, nor would Robb. And she hadn't uttered a word about it.
"I don't want to believe you," Arya said. She felt weaker by the minute. Why did I kiss him? It only makes this worse.
"But you do."
She rushed out of the room without saying anything. She ran past the guards who called her name behind her. Why did I kiss him? She was almost in her room when she bumped into someone. Loras Tyrell.
"Lady Arya," he seemed surprised by her state. "Are you alright?"
Arya took a deep breath and tried her best to smile. "Ser Loras. I'm alright, a bit flustered from the heat, is all."
"Well." He didn't look convinced. "The Princes and I planned to go riding. Would you like to accompany us? Prince Aegon told me you enjoy it."
"Yes, but today I must refuse. My head aches. I want to rest."
"Should I send for the Maester?" Loras asked worriedly.
"No, no," Arya said. "It's alright. I need to rest."
"Yes, of course. We will postpone the plans till tomorrow."
"There's really no need. You can go without me," Arya said.
"We will go tomorrow." Loras smiled. "Take rest, My Lady. I will see you."
Arya nodded.
She laid on her bed. Why did I kiss him? She had known from the start that Sansa and Jon were going to be married. It was why she came. It was why she and Jon met. But what about Sansa and Egg? They love each other, but is their love more important than the lives of Aegon's family? But Sansa does not want to marry Jon, that much was sure from her words. But if she doesn't and if anything happens to him...
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Jon must marry Sansa, if that's what it takes to keep him safe. She won't kiss Jon again. It will only make her want more.
Have I really fallen in love with him?
Her head felt heavy. She closed her eyes and for the first time in years, cried herself to sleep.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Arya woke with a intolerable headache. Her head was throbbing and she groaned in frustation and pain, rather loudly. She looked out of her window. It was almost dark. She had slept the entire day. Fuck.
All of a sudden, everything came back to her mind. The woman, Jon, the kiss, the prophecy... She threw her head back. She wanted to sleep again. Sleeping was better than staying awake, even if it meant waking up as if someone has danced over your head.
But her stomach resisted. It growled and Arya realised she hadn't eaten since breakfast.
She got up from the bed and opened the door. She looked around but there was no one. She decided to find Sansa. But when she opened the door, her sister wasn't there. Instead, there was a girl of about thirteen, dusting the room. She saw Arya and frantically straightened her dress.
"My Lady." She bowed.
"Arya," she corrected. "Where is my sister?"
"Lady Sansa is with the Queen, I think. My Lady, Prince Aegon came to see you, a little while ago. He told me to tell you. Are you well, My Lady?"
"My name is Arya. Not Lady. Yes, I am fine." She looked around the room. "Are you finished doing that?"
"Yes, My Lady."
Arya sighed. "Well, can you fetch me some food please, then? And if anyone asks, tell them I'm still asleep."
"Of course, My Lady." The girl bowed and hurried past her.
Arya went to her room and waited for the food. A few minutes later the girl arrived, bringing a big plate of food. She put it on the table but Arya told her to bring it to the bed instead. The girl obeyed and bowing, meant to leave when Arya called her again.
"What's your name?" She asked, popping a strawberry into her mouth.
"Irina, My Lady."
"Do you work in the kitchens?"
"No, My Lady. I clean the chambers."
"I know you will keep calling me that, but you don't have to do it in every sentence," Arya teased.
The girl also smiled slightly.
There was a knock on the door, and she opened it. Arya's heart skipped. Jon came inside the room. He bid the girl to go.
"Stay outside," Arya said. "I might need you."
The girl bowed and went outside and Jon closed the door behind him.
"I heard you were unwell," he said.
"Who told you that? I'm alright." Please go.
"Loras. And Egg came to see you. You were asleep."
Arya nodded and filled her mouth with food.
"Why are you like this?" He exclaimed in frustration after moments of silence.
"Like what?"
"Arya, look at me!" He shouted.
"Don't shout!" Just go.
Arya was already standing up. Jon stood quite far but his eyes were piercing through her. Again.
"Why did you leave me this morning?"
"The kiss was a mistake." It hurt more than she thought it would. She wanted to hit something, so hard.
Silence followed, then Jon stepped closer. "You don't mean that," he said.
"I do. I got carried away. I shouldn't have kissed you knowing my sister-"
Jon pushed her back against a wall.
"You are lying," he said, leaning closer. Arya breathed rapidly. She felt the tears hit at the back of her eyes. I am doing this for you.
"You are going to marry my sister," she said. "This is not proper."
Jon laughed and Arya tensed. "You care about proper?"
"Maybe I do, Jon. You don't really know me that well, do you?"
Jon groaned again in anger. "I don't know you? Of course I fucking don't know you! Because every time I try to come close to you, you run away. Do you think this is easy for me? Wanting another woman, someone else than my bethrothed. But I thought you were the one person in the world who wouldn't care about proper." He leaned away. "I guess I was wrong."
The tears fell.
"Why are you-" Jon gasped in shock, then his eyes suddenly softened and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I know something is wrong. You just have to tell me. I swear to the Gods I'll make everything right. Tell me, Arya."
Arya tried to steady herself. She can't do this. She was not supposed to cry infront of him. Crying made you weak. He must think I'm strong. He must think I'm not lying.
"It was a mistake Jon." The coldness in her voice surprised even Arya herself. "I don't love you. We were standing too close and it was you who kissed me first, right? And I got carried away later. I don't want you, Jon. Please don't presume I do. We are friends, but not more than that. I will forget about this, and so will you."
Jon stilled and Arya took it as a chance to get away from him. She wanted to hit herself. He didn't deserve this, but there is nothing she could do.
"I don't regret kissing you, Arya Stark. Nor will I ever. I don't know what that head of yours is thinking, but I know you liked it, as much as I did. You can lie to me but you can't lie to yourself."
He left and closed the door loudly behind him. Arya dismissed the girl.
She didn't know what to do. She could cry, she could shout, but she did none of them. She laid down in her bed staring at the windows as the evening turned to night. Finally her eyes closed, and she mumbled before going to sleep,
"I love you, Jon."
A/N: Well... There were a few criticisms for last chapter. I totally understand and sorry to those who feel as if Arya and Sansa are OOC. It was never my intention, but yeah, shit happens. I hope you all are still on board with the story, after all the 'literal' shit that just happened in this chapter as well.
I hate making them fight. :'x
Comment please. Thanks. =)
P.S. The chapter title is a song by Neulore. Give it a try, it's amazing. And it fits perfectly with this chapter.
