With a great deal of encouragement, and a little help walking from Daenerys, Arya limped to a great main hall. Armed guards were everywhere. Arya knew the time to take the young Queens life had past, at least for now. A great book lay open on the table. Needle lay before the book. It looked strikingly different yet it was still thin and pointy, just like the day Jon had given it to her.
Dany picked it up and handed it to the young Assassin. Arya's eyes grew big when she looked at the hilt. The hilt was actually the body of a wolf with the blade jutting out of the mouth. Valar morghulis engraved along the back of the wolf. She tried not to show how exited she was. She froze, thinking the queen must know exactly who she is.
"Why a wolf," Arya asked trying not to give anything away.
"A blacksmith who recently started to work for me made it. I was angry at first, almost demanding he remake it. I asked why a wolf and he said all Northerners loved the Starks. Lord Tyrion happened to be with me when he showed me the sword, and Lord Tyrion thought it looked nice. Lord Tyrion said that northerners were a funny people. They hold tight to the old gods, and even tighter to their old Lords. I only then agreed that the wolf should stay." Arya could tell Dany had a distaste for the Starks. She needed to tread lightly.
"I never knew any Stark, probably terrible people."
"You don't have to lie to me." Dany said laughing.
Arya shrugged and looked at the blade. "Street urchins don't get to spend much time with lords. You don't seem to like them much." Arya said referring t the Starks.
"You are wise, there was a time when I hated them. I called them upstart dogs. I despised Ned Stark, blamed him a great deal for the death of my brother and father. An upstart dog and I was happy when that dog was put down." 'My father was not a dog he was a wolf. Arya's skin boiled, she had you yet again pretending to hate the man she loved so deeply.
"My brother Viserys contributed to those feelings a great deal. He poisoned my mind. I didn't find out until much later Ned Stark was a good man. He saved me when the fat king called for my head. He hated poachers and slavers. Rape was outlawed in the north. Lord Tyrion even told me he respected women a great deal more than most of the men in Westeros."
"I hear they are all dead anyway, but I love this." Arya stared down at the blade, and ran her finger over the edge testing its sharpness. "Wolves are scary and powerful. Raw and wild just like me, it is perfect. I love the sword thank you." "Your welcome," Dany smiled. Arya wanted to know why Dany hated her kin. That was a question for a later date.
"Not all the wolves of Winterfell are dead." Lord Tyrion said strolling in sipping on wine. "Lady Sansa my child bride may sill yet live. She did escape after setting me up for murdering King Joffery." 'Poor Sansa.' Arya thought, 'I am happy she killed that monster.' He stood there sipping wine and looking Arya dead in the eye. Arya clinched her teeth trying not to show any emotion as he spoke. The dwarf was clearly trying to get a rise out of her.
"Lady Sansa had more reason to kill that monster than any of us. Daily he would force her to look at her dead father's head. That was when he was in a good mood. If he was in a particular foul mood he would strip her naked and beat her in front of the court." Arya stood there eyes vacant. If he were looking for a response, he would not get it today. "Apparently she was married her off to a Bolton bastard. Whom, I hear treated he far worse than the King ever did. They say she killed him to." It took all of Sansa's self-control to hold back a smile at hearing about her sister taking vengeance on the men that harmed her. 'Odd, that doesn't sound much like the girl I grew up with. Sansa never even so much as swatted a fly, but good for you sister. Time you finally didn't stand idly by while men controlled you.
"Now is not the time for your political gossip lord Tyrion. I highly doubt the girl cares about the missing Stark princess. Even if she is a child from the North, "Dany said dismissively. "We have more important matters to attend to at the moment."
"Your right my Queen, too much wine I suppose." Tyrion said drinking all of the wine in one gulp and stumbling out. "He knows…I may have to kill him."
"I like him so much better when he is sober. He has a great deal of knowledge, he just really likes his wine. I didn't just bring you here for the sword. I could have given that to in your room, or to discuss a missing princesses and fallen lords." Dany pointed to the window. "I brought you here to talk about him, Look outside."
Arya hobbled over to peer out the window. A top a pyramid was a dragon. The dragon's scales were black as midnight. His horns and spinal plates were blood red. He stared at Arya and her breath caught in her chest. She had stared down many a foe. Nothing had ever prepared her for a dragon. The beast's eyes were smoldering red pits.
"Why are you showing me the dragon?" Arya said looking back at Daenerys. Dany called for her guards to help Arya sit in front of the open book. Arya pushed them away and hobbled to the book.
"I can make it on my own my Queen." Dany just smiled it had been a very long time since she had seen anyone so strongly independent. It was open to a page with a picture of three dragons and a prince.
"Can you read, or should I read it to you." Arya had learned a valuable lesson from Lord Tywin. Peasants can't read or write and to show you can is foolish. "You know high Valyrian but cannot read." Dany said softly trying not to demine the younger girl. She nodded for Dany to read the inscription to her.
"It is easier for a poor girl to pick up a new tongue than to afford a book my Queen."
"Ah so it is." Dany said looking to the book. "This was my brother Rhaegar, have you heard of him the last dragon."
'He killed and raped my aunt. He stared the Robert's Rebellion. He caused the death of my uncle and grandfather. No one dare speak his name around my father.' "No my Queen."
"My original plan was to take the Iron Throne because it is my birth right. I am the last Targaryen. It was taken from me and I wanted it back."
"What changed?" Arya asked softly.
"I still plan to take it, there have just been a few complications."
"It would appear I not only face the threat of Lannister's and Bolton's. I also face the cold and white walkers because you see dear, winter is coming and I am the only who can save everyone, because I am the last Targaryen."
"There is no such thing as white walkers. Just stories old ladies tell children to keep them inside on a cold day." Sometimes I really miss Old Nan, and the way Sansa's eyes lit up at all the stories of knights and great heroes.
"I received this book a few moons ago, a gift from a Tarly at Castle Black. He stated it was my great uncle's Aemon's. Apparently, he wanted me to have the last memento of my brother. This isn't just any memento, this isn't just some book my brother read. This is the book that turned my brother from scholar to a warrior." Arya sat quietly listening to the Queen. "You see I am the prince that was promised. Uncle Aemon made that clear in the note he left and the tucked pages."
"I don't understand what this has to do with me your Grace." Dany nodded and started to read from the great book.
"A prophecy foretells the coming of a hero to deliver the world from darkness A "bleeding star is supposed to herald the coming of the prince. The prince is said to have "a song" - the song of ice and fire." Dany read the words etched on the paper.
"The prince is of the blood of the dragon.
Born amidst smoke.
Born amidst salt
A bleeding star in the skies.
And they will bring back dragons"
Arya sat there slightly stunned she had come to kill a Queen and now this was turning into something else. All of it made her head hurt. Her eyes closed and she wondered if it were true, if Jon knew the threat he was under, if anyone in the North really knew what they faced. This was not simply just a game of thrones this was something else entirely.
"You see if I fail the whole world will fall to darkness."
"What makes you so sure you are the price that was promised?" Arya really didn't need to ask, the woman awoke dragon's from stone what more proof did she really need.
"I was born on Dragonstone, a volcanic island, in the middle of a storm so that means…
"Smoke and salt." Arya finished.
"I was "reborn" when I stepped into the fire of Drogo, my late husband's, funeral pyre and now I am DAENERYS the Unburnt. When I stepped from the flames, dragons were at my sides. A red comet few in the sky above me.
"You're not a prince."
"In Valyrian, prince can mean either man or woman."
"If you are this great price or princess that was promised what do you need me for."
"I am all fire and no ice, a dragon must have three heads, and you have old northerner magic inside you. I can feel it. It's how you can enter into beasts. I need that magic if I am to fulfill my destiny and I need you."
"What could I possibly do?"
"I need you to enter my dragon."
"What…I can't…how. That is madness."
"You did it before I watched you in the pits with all sorts of animals."
"Dragons are not bears, I would be lucky to even get close to the beast, let alone enter it."
"I could help you."
"I can't."
"Please, I need you."
Arya let out a deep breath and shook her head. "I can't, I have no idea how I do it. It just sort…of happens. I can't help you." She looked down in defeat and ran a hand threw her hair.
Daenerys bent down and lifted Arya's chin so she was looking at Daenerys dead in the eyes. "I watched you in several battles and you were remarkable. You are fearless. You are one of the most amazing women I have ever met and together we can do anything.
"I can't, I don't even know how I do it. There is no way I can enter a dragon." Arya whispered, "Please don't be disappointed, I am sorry I just can't."
Dany looked at Arya with bright eyes and smiled. 'I hate when she smiles at me like that. She looks just like Jon. The eye color is different, but they shine the same.' Arya thought. "No matter what I don't think I could ever be disappointed in you. You are something very special." I disappoint everyone. My father was disappointed when I didn't act like Sansa. My own mother didn't even like me because my hair was a mess. The Septum was always yelling at me. Never a good enough lady. The hound only kept me alive for money. I constantly failed as a faceless man. I was always too willful, always disobedient…always too much of a Stark.
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The Queen had Arya escorted back to her room. She sat for a long time peering out the window. Lord Tyrion approached her. She didn't bother to even look at him. Her eyes still intently focused on her dragon.
"So you still believe she is Arya Stark?"
"I can't really say your grace, several years have passed, and the dirty pup I remember doesn't compare to the woman who stood before you. I dare say she has grown quite beautiful. Time has been good to her. At any rate I feel like we need her whether she has the blood of a wolf or not. She still has the old northerner magic. Tomorrow I will start on round two of prodding the girl until she eventually shows us one way or the other."
"You know how I feel about liars Lord Tyrion."
"Do not mistake her silence for treachery my grace, she has had to hide for a very long time. I do believe she could be useful at controlling your dragons, if you can only gain her trust."
"How do you propose I do that?"
"Same way you get everyone else to. She must fall in love with you."
"Sir Jorah won't like this."
"Nor will Daario, do they ever like it when someone else catches your eye." He turned to walk out, and then turned back. "Just don't lose your own heart in the process. I can see how much you like her but I don't need to tell you about the last time a Targaryen fell in love with a Stark."
'The Imp was right, hell the imp was always right,' Daenerys sighed then stood and ordered Daario to her champers for the night.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Arya lay in bed toying with her new blade. She loved it, it was beautiful and now even more deadly. She was completely torn. She was there with the sole purpose to kill the Queen. How could she kill her now? After everything, the Queen had been so kind. Sure, she wanted something from her. Everyone always wanted something, but it was different with Daenerys Even her name sounded different. Dae…nery…s so strikingly beautiful so unique just like the Queen. Arya closed her eyes and drifted to sleep with Daenerys's name still on her lips.
Arya awoke in the frozen North. Snow thick under her paws. In the black of night, she noticed a small fire. Cautiously she approached the light. Before her sat the person she thought was her mother, looking down at someone sleeping. It was Sansa she looked so much older. Sansa's face was still beautiful but the soft curves of youth faded away and left only steel expression.
"Nymeria," Sansa whispered then Arya could feel her trying to enter the wolf's body. Arya pushed back and Sansa's shook her head and smiled. "You still have a master, Arya are you in there." Arya stood frozen in shook. Confused how her sister could now. "I can feel you in there little sister, tis good to see you. I'd rather your human form but I will take what I can get."
Arya could hardly believe it. Sansa of all people missed her. Sansa stood and slowly approached the wolf. She opened a bag and pulled out some meat. "You are nothing but skin and bones." Sansa said holding out the meat, Arya could feel how hungry Nymeria was; the wolf was on the verge of starving. Arya eagerly took the meat and ate it quickly. It surprised her how badly she wanted it once her wolf noise smelled it.
Sansa sat down next to the beast. "You should stay; we have more food at the wall. Jon…"Sansa pointed, "will be happy to see you." Arya looked over to the sleeping man realizing for the first time it was her beloved brother. He too had changed so much.
"I am sorry," Arya turned her gaze back to her sister. "I am sorry little sister. You should be happy to know Joffery was a huge ass. I should never have ever wanted to be his Queen. As for Cerci she was a royal bitch." If Arya could, she would have giggle, Lady Sansa swearing.
" I am so sorry we fought as children and that I let Jayne call you horse face. I should have stopped it. I should have stopped her. I guess I wanted you to be more like me. I always felt so alone. I had four brothers, Theon, and then there was you. I always felt so completely rejected by you. I was such a stupid girl. To take it personally because you would rather spend time with Jon and Bran playing with swords than sewing with me". Sansa lifted her hand to pet Nymeria behind her ear.
"I wish I would have played with Swords." Sansa shook her head. "Then I would have been prepared for this. I am so scared; everyone is looking to me to rule. Queen of the North, Sansa shook her head. I have to stop the Boltons, kill the Freys, and avenge our father's death at the hands of the Lannisters. Oh and somehow stop winter from coming." Sansa let out a heavy sigh. "I had Sam, a friend of Jon's, send a book to the southern dragon Queen. I reread the prophecy a hundred times. The price that was promised must be her. Who else could it be? I may have omitted the whole fire sword, but it has to be her. I mean the only other person who comes close to fulfilling the prophecy is Jon…and he is no Targaryen Prince." Arya turned cocked her head to the side and let out a whimper. "Sorry rambling, I guess…I just haven't admitted to anyone one how completely terrified I am yet and it just seems so easy to talk to you." Arya barked and Sansa smiled.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Arya awoke in a bed of sweat. She got up with as much speed as her broken ribs and bad leg would let her raced toward the Queen's chambers. Arya was surprised no men stood guard outside her door something she would differently have to ask the Queen to fix later.
Arya could hear moaning from outside the Queen's door and fearing the worst she pushed her way in. Arya's whole face turned white, when she saw the Queen. Her body guard on top of her. Well that explains why he wasn't at her door.
"I…sorry…." Arya stuttered as she quickly hobbled for the door, shaking her head. "Sorry…so sorry." Daenerys pushed Daario off her and chased after Arya. Easily the Queen reached the limping girl and grabbed her hand, then spun Arya around to face her. Arya gasped, as Dany stood there naked. Arya quickly averted her eyes to the door. Daario appeared completely naked wearing only a smile. Arya wanted to crawl into a hole.
"What do you need at this hour?"
"Um it can wait until tomorrow when everyone is wearing pants." Arya said looking at the floor.
"You rushed in my room for a reason, what is it?" Dany crossed her arms. Arya rubbed the back of her head.
"I am sorry I was coming to tell you I would try to enter the dragons….then I heard the moaning and thought you were injured or something bad happened….SO I didn't knock…I just rushed in….I really wish I would have knocked…I am really sorry." Arya said in one breath. Dany smiled and tried to hug Arya, but the little assassin was too quick and ducked.
"I must be on my way. Busy day tomorrow dragons and all." Arya turned and staggered away faster than she thought possible. She held her side tightly, for her own well-being than to help with pain. It had been a very long time since she had to fight the urge to cry. She was not going to let anyone see her now. Daenerys turned to walk back to her room. Arya could hear the Queen telling her bodyguard that she had a headache and his services would no longer be required.