FULL MOON PART 1 – ARYA & JON

"He said they'd meet us in the foyer in five minutes" Arya moaned, checking her phone again "…and that was half an hour ago."

"Something must have come up" Brienne offered by way of an explanation.

"I bloody well know exactly what's come up." Arya huffed. She was tired and hung over and really not in the best frame of mind to be sitting around waiting for Jon and Daenerys or for putting up with Brienne's over protective hovering.

"Can you not sit down please Brienne?" she moaned. "There are security guards all over the place. I'm sure we'll still be safe if you sit down."

"Semper Vigilans" Brienne muttered under her breath and remained standing to attention beside Arya's seat.

"What does that mean?" Arya asked, not really caring, but at the same time, not wanting to be rude and also desperate to kill a few more minutes until Jon showed up and they could be on their way.

"Always Vigilant - It's the motto of House Tarth. Quite appropriate, don't you think?"

Since Arya had arrived in London, unless she was on the heavily guarded, eighth floor of the hotel, Brienne had been a constant presence by her side. Renly had paired them up as soon as the convoy of cars from Storm's End had arrived outside The Dorchester. 'Member of Renly's Rainbow Guard' Brienne had introduced herself proudly, with a solemn smile and a firm handshake. Arya hadn't heard of the 'Rainbow Guard' before, but knew that a rainbow flag was something to do with Gay Pride, so supposed that was a fitting name for Renly's bodyguards.

Brienne had explained later that Renly had coined the phrase for his seven longest serving and most loyal guards; with Loras as 'Lord Commander'. Given what Loras had said about needing a right hand man, Arya wondered if the intention was for Jon to be trained to succeed as Lord Commander of the Rainbow Guard someday. She had no doubt that, if Gendry stayed at Storm's End, he would have had something to say about Jon joining the 'Rainbow Guard'. However, Gendry had promised her repeatedly over the past two days that they were not going to return to Storm's End, so it was academic now.

"Well, I suppose it's better than 'Winter is bloody coming'. I mean, what is that all about? Winter is always bloody coming isn't it? Unless it's already here, in which case it makes even less sense." Arya grumbled.

Her hangover was getting worse the longer they sat here doing nothing and she really wasn't looking forward to returning to Winterfell with Jon to confront their father (or maybe her father, depending on what he had to say for himself). The last time she had seen him he had tried to slap her face and only Gendry's intervention had prevented it. Her last conversation with her father played over again in her head

"I know his type" her father had said "trust me; you'll be better off without him. You don't know what I know. I am saving you from making a mess of your life and you'll thank me for it one day."

She realised she hadn't had a clue what he was talking about then; even now, she wasn't entirely sure. What did her father mean by Gendry's type? At the time she'd thought he meant poor, with no prospects, and she'd raged against her parent's for being so snobby and materialistic, but she realised now that probably wasn't what her father had meant at all. She knew now that Gendry was definitely Robert Baratheon's son and that Lyanna's untimely death was somehow linked to Lord Baratheon. Had her father meant he knew Gendry was like Robert or maybe he meant a Werewolf? Why hadn't her father been honest with her from the start?

When she'd screamed back at him,

"So tell me about Lyanna then! Did you save her from making a mess of her life?

DID YOU?"

Her father had tried to hit her. For the first time in her life, her wonderful father had raised his hand to her in anger. When she'd walked out with Gendry, she'd never intended to go back, but now, maybe everything had changed. Maybe her father had tried and failed to save Lyanna and maybe he was right to be worried sick now. After all, Arya had already survived one attempt on her life since she'd started going out with Gendry.

And what about Jon? If Ned had hidden the fact that he wasn't Jon's father for twenty six years, what else had he hidden? Maybe she and Jon would find out today.

She decided not to think anymore about it now. They still had to get Danni to the airport and then it was at least an hour and a half drive to Winterfell, IF they had no problems with the traffic. To take her mind off her father, she thought about Gendry and what they would do after today was over, but they all had to get through today first. Renly had some big meeting he wanted Gendry to attend. After that, Gendry was going to see Lord Baratheon to try to get the truth out of him about Lyanna's death and about whether he raped Mrs Waters. Gendry, Jon and she had arranged that they would meet up back at The Dorchester that evening to discuss what they had found out. Tonight was the full moon, so they had agreed the three of them had to be back in the hotel no later that seven o'clock. Sunset was at nine and they weren't going to take any chances by being out in the moonlight tonight.

Arya was so lost in her thoughts; she had forgotten she had been talking to Brienne who was still standing beside her

"Ours is the fury does seem quite apt for the Baratheons don't you think?" Arya asked

"No! Renly's not like that at all! I don't know what you mean." Brienne snapped back.

Arya was beginning to learn that saying anything, even remotely negative about Renly, was inevitably going to result in Brienne leaping to his defence.

"Ok, maybe not Renly, but you obviously don't know Gendry very well, or Lord Robert from what I hear. Everyone's called Gendry 'The Bull' since he was little. I always though it was just because he was stubborn. He was never angry with me, but recently, since he met Renly actually, everything's seemed like waving a red rag to a bull."

"What time did they leave?" asked Brienne, trying to steer the conversation away from Gendry. She wasn't quite sure what she thought about Renly's nephew yet, but hearing Arya talking about him made her feel uncomfortable. Quite why she felt so ill at ease she didn't know, given that she'd only met Gendry and Arya the day before. She just knew she didn't want to hear about their relationship.

"I don't know, I was half asleep. About eight I think." Arya groaned, sinking back onto the plush designer couch and closing her eyes, wishing she was still asleep.

"Renly did say they had a lot to do today."

"Yeah, so I hear. Well, so have we and if Jon and Danni don't hurry up she'll miss that flight."

"Isn't the whole point of a private jet that it'll wait for you?" Brienne pointed out.

"Harrumph. I hope Jon doesn't realise that or we'll be bloody waiting here for ever." Arya groaned.

She wasn't sure if she nodded off or if her eyes had only been closed for a few seconds, but next thing she knew, she was startled by Brienne asking

"Is your brother like a male version of you and is Miss Targaryen short with white hair?"

"Oh…" Arya muttered, jerking back to consciousness. "Yeah."

"Here they come. They've just got out of the lift."

A very rough looking Jon had his arm around Danni, who looked fresh as a daisy and chic as any Parisian.

"Bonjour Arya!" Danni bubbled, kissing Arya briefly on each cheek in a typical French greeting. Arya wished she'd taken a bit more care over her own appearance that morning, feeling self-conscious about her lack of grooming and also slightly embarrassed about what had happened last night.

Danni didn't smell of suntan oil this morning, but of some, expensive, musky perfume. Her breasts felt soft and full as they brushed against Arya's bare arms while the girls exchanged polite, chaste kisses. Arya felt a flush rise to her face as she remembered how good Danni had felt and tasted the night before. It was Gendry's fault, she told herself; he had encouraged her intimacy with Jon's girlfriend. Yes, bloody hell – Jon's girlfriend. Arya couldn't look Jon in the eye, although she didn't even remember seeing her big brother after the joint smoking thing - oh God, she'd taken drugs. She'd almost forgotten about that as it seemed rather insignificant compared to the other things she'd got up to last night. Arya wasn't sure what Jon had seen, or what he would say to her about it after Danni left. Oh God. Her head hurt even more.

"I am so sorry I 'av to go. Last night was fun, no? Where is your Gendry and who is ziss?" Danni asked, giving Brienne a curious look up and down.

"Brienne Tarth, meet Daenerys Targaryen and my brother Jon." Arya introduced them all.

Brienne held out her hand, which first Jon then Danni shook politely. Looking at the two girls together, it was hard to accept that they weren't from two different branches of the tree of 'Womankind'. Brienne was noticeably taller even than Jon, and he was about six foot one. Arya guessed Brienne must have been as tall as Gendry and almost as broad. Arya was certain she had never seen a woman as… well…as 'big' before.

Brienne of the Rainbow Guard was wearing a black trouser suit, which hid any curves she may have had and Doc Martin utilitarian boots. Her sandy coloured hair was cut in the same military style Loras favoured and, at first, or even second glance, she would easily be mistaken for a man. The hand she held out to Danni was large and powerful, blunt fingers giving no hint of femininity. Brienne's make up free face, although not overtly masculine, had no evidence of the grooming that most women paid attention to. Her eyebrows were thick and unshaped and, without any mascara, her blond eyelashes might as well have been non-existent. Some foundation or even some tinted moisturiser would have evened out her skin tone, but she chose to wear neither, and her ruddy cheeks and the wide nose covered with innumerable freckles reminded Arya of a farmer or, if she was being generous, a farmer's wife.

Even in her heels, Danni only came up to Brienne's broad, flat chest. In complete contrast to Brienne, every curvy inch of Danni was groomed and polished to perfection. The navy city shorts with the thin tan belt and the gossamer silk blouse only served to accentuate her classic hour-glass, feminine shape. Her pale blond hair tumbled down her back, almost to her slim waist and the dainty manicured hand she extended was engulfed by Brienne's heavy, strong one.

"Ow do you do?" Danni asked, trying to sound British and only succeeding in sounding very French.

"Very well, Miss Targaryen. It is my job to see you safely to your plane, so if you will follow me…"

Arya had to stifle a giggle when she saw the shock on Danni's face. Brienne didn't have the deep, masculine voice Danni expected and, upon hearing Brienne's, polite, ladylike voice, the French woman did a double take. Danni struggled to keep her composure and not blurt out what she was obviously thinking as she looked from Brienne to Arya to Jon and back again.

They all followed Brienne out into the sunlit lane where Gendry's Aston Martin and another big, black car were waiting for them.

"Pick your car" Brienne instructed. All three of them walked to the Aston Martin.

"Can I drive Brienne?" pleaded Jon.

"Not on your life!" Retorted Brienne, but as she strode around him to the drivers door she whispered "Wait until we're in Winterfell" and winked at him conspiratorially.

"Tarth leading in vehicle A" Brienne barked to the three men in black suits standing expectantly beside the other car. Jon and Danni sat in the back of Gendry's car, Arya beside Brienne and the small convoy started towards the airport.

The traffic was light and Arya felt better knowing that they were at least doing something now, rather than waiting around. She could hear Jon whispering to Danni in the back, but couldn't make out what he was saying. That was probably just as well, given Danni's giggling and cooing responses.

Over the past few days, Arya had found Brienne to be surprisingly good company. She hadn't expected they would have had anything in common, and had scolded herself a few times for jumping to conclusions about Brienne based solely on her looks. That was the kind of thing Sansa and her friends would do and not something Arya was proud of, or wanted to find herself doing again. Alright, so Brienne had no interest in clothes or make up, but until a couple of years ago, neither had Arya. The two of them liked the same books and music and Brienne had lots of interesting stories about Renly and Loras (who she appeared to respect, but not like) and even famous pop and movie stars. Before she worked exclusively for Renly, when she had just started in the security business, she had been in high demand as a as a capable and intimidating female bodyguard for every female star passing through London. Inevitably there were places Brienne could go that male close protection couldn't and Brienne seemed to have been making more money, working fewer hours (and Arya thought – having more fun) before she joined Renly's Rainbow Guard.

It took Arya a while to puzzle out why Brienne chose to work for Renly. Brienne couldn't answer the question to Arya's satisfaction when Arya asked her directly. Although Arya doubted Brienne would never admit it, even to herself, she seemed to have a huge, girly crush on her gay employer.

The way Brienne spoke about him, Arya could see the attraction. Arya's recent opinion of Renly had been coloured by the unsettling information he had revealed, the unpleasant effect he seemed to have on Gendry who turned into an aggressive, obnoxious pain in the arse when Renly was around (or maybe that was when Loras was around) and the ridiculous Werewolf claims. Actually, Arya was possibly beginning to think there might be some truth in the Werewolf claims, but she was still having trouble admitting to herself they could even exist.

The Renly that Brienne spoke of was kind, considerate and generous with his time, affection and wealth. That had been Arya's initial impression of Renly and spending two days with Brienne, hearing her sing his praises made Arya realise that perhaps she had been too quick to damn him. Arya had skirted around the Werewolf issue, alluding to it, without having the nerve to ask Brienne outright, but Brienne had never taken the bait or referred to it at all, so Arya was no further forward with her investigations in that respect.

When they arrived at the airport, the same male cabin crew member that had carried Danni's bags off the plane was waiting to carry them on. He was clearly anxious to board and politely advised them that a take off slot had been allocated and as another was not available for nearly three hours, if they missed this there would be a lengthy delay. Arya was relieved that there wasn't time for an extended goodbye. She hugged Danni briefly and kissed her cheeks again, before passing her back to Jon who enveloped her in his arms and wouldn't let go until the cabin crew started coughing unsubtly. Jon even trailed after Danni, holding one of her hands until he was forced to let go of it when she had to walk up the stairs to the aircraft. Arya had never seen Jon behave like this around any girl before and found it strange to see her calm, practical, unflappable brother so smitten now.

The three of them stood and watched the Gulfstream jet taxi slowly away to join a distant line of planes waiting for take off. Arya and Brienne wanted to leave then, but Jon insisted on staying until the jet was airborne and then out of sight. He looked utterly miserable and Arya forced herself to overcome her lingering embarrassment about her antics the night before and go over and give him a sisterly hug. He leant on her and sighed

"I didn't want her to leave."

"So what was stopping you getting on that plane with her? Anyone could see that she didn't want to leave you either. What's keeping you here?"

"Oh God, nothing. But it's more complicated at her end." He groaned.

"Oh?" Arya asked, desperately wanting to know more, but not wanting to be seen to nosey or make Jon feel he had to tell her if he didn't want to. He seemed to want to share.

"She's just ended a thing with a big surfer dude from Hawaii and he's not taking it well."

"Oh?" said Arya, even more intrigued now.

"Yeah, apparently he looks and acts like Conan the Barbarian and she thinks it's a good idea if I wait until he's gone before I go over there."

Arya didn't like the sound of that. Danni didn't seem like the kind of girl to tolerate anything, or anyone who annoyed her. Arya knew too many girls that, whatever their relationship status, would jump at the chance to fly to a foreign country on a private jet for a weekend of hot, no strings sex in a five star hotel. A fantasy dirty weekend. Real life was inevitably 'more complicated' as Danni put it. Arya couldn't think of anything to say to Jon to reassure him and instead just squeezed his hand to let him know she was there for him.

The Traffic wasn't too bad and they made good time to Westeros and were going to arrive in Winterfell with plenty of time to spare. Jon's plan was to wait on Ned coming out of his weekly Estate Management meeting with Jory. Jon said their routine had been the same for years and that would be the best time to catch Ned on his own so they could talk to him. With time to kill, they decided to get something to eat.

Arya would have loved to have been able to take Jon to Hot Pie's pub, but they didn't have enough time to go half way to Harrenhal to The Kneeling Man, so they made do with The Wolf's Head, where Gendry's mum used to work. Arya had never given a second thought to the name of the pub before, but walking under the painted sign of a severed Wolf's head, dripping blood, she felt a shiver of apprehension. Jon let Brienne and Arya enter first. Brienne insisted on being in the lead to 'assess the situation', despite Jon's repeated assurances that this was his 'local' and there was no need for such security here.

Arya was right behind Brienne and she heard all conversation stop and felt all eyes turn to the two of them as soon as they walked in. The faces didn't look welcoming. Brienne stuck her arm out; halting Arya in her tracks. Arya felt the tension in Brienne's arm and saw her eyes darting around the room, noting all exits from the pub and 'assessing the situation'. Jon followed a few steps behind, having to make his way around the women to get in. As soon as the locals saw him, a few of them shouted out a greeting and the atmosphere in the pub changed instantly.

Arya had been in the pub countless times with Gendry when his mum worked there (not that she would have ever have admitted that to Lady Catelyn or her father). Mrs Waters would always find them a little job to do, which was rewarded with a coke, or if they were very lucky, crisps or peanuts from behind the bar. Arya had never been in The Wolf's Head when she had been old enough to actually drink and she certainly didn't recognise anyone now.

Jon strode up to the bar and, loudly introduced 'his little sister Arya and her friend Brienne' to the barman. It was obviously said so the whole pub could hear and Arya overheard several very unsubtle comments in response - along the lines of 'she's certainly changed', and 'who's that friend of hers'?' Arya deliberately smiled politely into every corner of the bar as she followed Brienne to stand beside Jon.

"You not working today Jon?" asked the barman nosily.

"No, I've got a new job." Jon replied. Arya thought she could have heard a pin drop as everyone in the pub leant towards the bar, straining to hear the latest village gossip.

"A Stark working aways from Winterfell? What's Lord Stark got to say about that then?"

Arya couldn't believe how rude the barman was being; pumping Jon for information about their father. Arya was about to tell the barman that it was none of his bloody business what Jon did or what Lord Stark thought about it, when Jon, sensing her bristling with indignation, drew her a warning look and replied

"Gendry and I got an offer to work on another Estate. Money's too good to miss and you know what they pay around here."

"Aye" the barman grumbled "only too well."

"So we'll just sit over there and order some food." Jon nodded to a table against one of the walls, before turning and indicating to the two girls that they should go and sit down.

"Nice place - your local." Brienne said sarcastically, as she sat down heavily on the seat facing the door.

"The food's ok and the drink's cheap." Jon shrugged. "It's just like any village pub - gossip central. Everyone in Winterfell and their dog will know within half an hour that Gendry and I are away."

"Yeah, great! That's just what the…you know who's… needed to hear. First lesson you need to learn Rookie is to keep your mouth shut!" Brienne scolded. Jon had the good grace to look embarrassed and mutter 'sorry' under his breath.

They ordered some stodgy pub grub and, only when she was devoured, did Arya feel her hangover had subsided enough to tackle the task they had come here to do.

As they walked back to Gendry's car and Brienne was temporarily out of earshot Arya hung back further and hissed at Jon

"Before we talk to Dad, I need to ask you about that dead wolf you found years ago when we were all on that nature walk."

Jon looked at her blankly

"Oh, you must remember! In the snow - Sansa and I never even got to see the carcass, but you and Robb were up ahead and Dad really panicked and made us all run away from it. Remember?"

Jon pulled a face and racked his memory.

"Shit! I'd forgotten all about that. Yeah, Dad gave us some crap story that it had escaped from a wildlife park."

"So you didn't believe him?"

"I guess I did at the time, but I kept looking for something in the local paper or on the news and there wasn't anything. That should have been news. I knew there weren't any wildlife parks in Westeros back then, but you believe everything your Dad tells you when you're a kid don't you? Or at least I did. Afterwards he wouldn't talk about it, which was strange. That wolf was huge Arya, not like the scrawny ones you see on the TV. I mean, it was fascinating to Robb and me at the time, but Dad told us never to mention it again. Yeah, looking back on it, it was all very strange."

"So what do you think now?"

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it for years. I think we should ask him this afternoon."

"Ok, let's add it to the list."

True to her word, Brienne let Jon drive the Aston Martin from the pub into the Winterfell grounds. First she made him promise not to mention it to Loras and then she confided that she was a bit of a 'petrol head' and could understand why he was desperate to have a go. Although the journey took less than fifteen minutes, Jon was like a little boy with a new toy and, for a short while at least, Daenerys Targaryen was forgotten.

Driving back through the Winterfell gates, Arya felt the same shiver of apprehension she had experienced walking under the Wolf's Head sign. Winterfell didn't fee like home anymore.

Jory's office was a glorified shed close to the barracks that Jon had called home until a few days before. Brienne had, reluctantly, agreed to stay with the other three bodyguards in the support car, able to watch, but not able to hear. Jon parked the Aston Martin in front of Ned's Mercedes, blocking it in and he and Arya sat, watching the door, waiting for Ned to appear.

They didn't have long to wait. As soon as they saw Ned open the door, Jon and Arya jumped out of the car. Ned had just shut the door behind him when he looked up and saw the two of them.

"You two didn't stay away long" he observed coldly "and it looks like prostituting yourself to the Baratheons pays well." he nodded to the Aston Martin. Arya was taken aback by his attitude and shocked by his language. What did he mean by 'prostituting yourself'? Although they had parted on bad terms, she had still expected her father to welcome her they way he always had, with a smile and a hug. She felt as if a metal band was constricting her heart and she felt tears well up in her eyes.

"Pay's better than here." Jon replied, equally coldly "We're not staying. We just want to ask you a few questions."

"You can ask. I'm not saying I'll answer." Ned started walking towards his car. Jon deliberately strode into his path, causing Ned to stop in his tracks. Lord Stark would have to walk around Jon if he wanted to avoid his questions.

Arya was struck by how alike they were. It had been years since she'd seen the two of them standing together like this. In fact, she had probably never seen just the two of them together since Jon became a man. They were the same height, same build with the same determined set to their shoulders and jaw. Her father's hair was greying now, but it still had the same dark, wiry curl as Jon's.

"I see you're not going to make this easy for me son."

"No. I'm not – Ned."

Lord Stark's face paled when Jon called him by his first name.

To be continued…