Arya was acutely aware that she was running out of time, she had boldly claimed that it would only take a couple of weeks to find the royal books, yet a week and a half had passed and she was still at Dragonstone. She knew that technically she should still be allowed two weeks after she returned, but she was also well aware that in leaving so quickly the Tyrell's would feel that she was up to something and would be trying to twist Renly's perception, she needed to get back, and get those books, in two weeks.
It would be so easy to just stay at Dragonstone, to refuse to return to King's Landing, to tell Brienne the truth of Alyssa, and of Jon, and attempt to de-throne Renly. But that would start another war, and the first forty victims would be the Stark guards that Arya had left behind.
On the other hand Gendry was very angry, and rightly so, it had been a few days before Arya had told him about the deal that she had made with Olenna… Gendry had not been pleased. He had refused to give the crown a single diamond, he was willing to lend money, at a lower rate than the Iron Bank, but he had legitimate concerns that the Tyrell's would either flood the market with the diamonds, or keep them for themselves. That and he simply didn't want them to have a single gem. After Gendry had introduced Arya to the Gem Cutter, Inanna Astarte, and the strange foreign woman had explained the diamonds true value and potential, Arya had agreed.
Inanna was a slight woman with waist-long straight black hair and strange narrow hazel eyes, her skin was also strange, seemingly almost a light yellow in colour. Her long black hair was bound in narrow locks, by iron rings, and from the shoulder down a vast array of various gems were attached to the rings. The woman was from Yi-Ti, but had been sold into slavery as a young child and brought to Qohor with the intention of being a sacrifice to the Black Goat. Thankfully a sorcerer had seen her potential and purchased her, as she had originally been intended as a sacrifice she hadn't been tattooed or branded, and her new owner chose to leave her unmarked. He had trained her in some of the most obscure (and almost lost) arts of gem cutting, often getting her to cut gems for magical uses. Although a sorcerer, he was not an inherently bad man, and he had allowed her to earn her freedom.
Inanna believed that there was something inherently magical about the diamonds on Dragonstone, as if dragon's had somehow played some part in the diamonds being formed. Inanna explained that the only other place this side of the Jade Gates that veins of diamonds were known to be found alongside veins of dragon glass (or obsidian) was Old Valyria. Because of Inanna's skills, and the unique nature of the diamonds on Dragonstone, Qohor was their primary market for the gems, and they were receiving a premium price. Allowing diamonds to go to the Iron Bank, or the Tyrell's, could undermine this and leave them without the required funds for winter. But that wasn't their only potential market, Inanna also had impressive skills as a jeweller, including minor metalwork.
Arya discovered with surprise that Shireen and Opal were working with Inanna to rework the scraps of Dragonsteel metal that Tobho deemed unsuitable for weapon making, and the fine diamond chips that were not suitable for the Qohor market, into jewellery, although they had not started to sell any of it yet. Shireen showed Arya a necklace inlayed with a large pinkish diamond, cut like a teardrop, and encrusted with tiny chips of pink, blue, purple and pure white diamonds. It was reminiscent of Opal, and was apparently the first necklace that Inanna and Shireen had worked on together. When Arya asked Shireen why she didn't wear the necklace Shireen just lowered her gaze and mumbled some excuse about it being worth a fortune. Some of the works were amazing, and Inanna believed that there was a large market in Essos for them, but Arya made Inanna promise not to sell the necklace that Shireen and her had first made, that had to go to Shireen.
That night, when Arya and Gendry were sharing a pot of Chamomile tea, Arya discussed the necklace with Gendry, he admitted with embarrassment that he hadn't paid too much attention to what Inanna actually made with the gems, but promised to look into it the next day, he agreed that if the necklace was as described value was irrelevant, it should be Shireen's. By supper the next day Shireen was proudly wearing it.
Gendry was getting accustomed to the guards, he still looked tired, but he did seem to be sleeping better. The Chamomile tea had become a nightly ritual, a quiet time for Arya and Gendry to discuss the day, so it seemed natural to Arya that it was over another pot of tea that she broached the subject that Gendry needed to return to King's Landing with her. They argued about it for a while, Gendry didn't want to leave Dragonsteel behind, but was also afraid of what would happen if he brought him to King's Landing. Arya pointed out that Loras wouldn't dare touch him with a dragon at his side, but the matter remained unresolved and Arya left Gendry's apartments on a bitter note, ignoring the concerned frown from Galan as she sent him into the room. She slept uneasily that night, tossing and turning, she slept so poorly that somebody had to be sent to summon her to breakfast.
She could have simply pulled a robe around her and headed down the stairs, but one glance in the mirror and she decided that Gendry could wait a bit longer. She dressed in one of the new dresses that Elenei had made, an elegant yet simple slip of yellow satin, with a very adult cut and the finest of ornate Myrish lace on the bodice. She took some time with her hair, and even applied some makeup. On a whim she picked up a yellow wrap, and wrapped it around Alyssa, before slowly making her way down to join the others. She had Sandor this morning, and she was thankful that he made no cheeky comment, but simply raised an eyebrow. She wasn't quite sure what she was playing at, but she felt as if she somehow needed to make a point. As she entered Gendry's apartments she felt everybody's eyes on her.
"Finally!" Ella exclaimed. "See, you are beautiful! Although I would have done the hair a little differently."
"Yes, and the makeup needs more practice, but I can help with that." Ross added.
Arya nodded. "Good," She finally understood what her subconscious mind had been up to. "This was a practice run, Ros, will you do my hair and makeup before we get off of the boat at King's Landing?" As she spoke the next words she realised that it was a decision that she had already made, but not been truly aware of. "I'm riding to the Keep in a dress this time, not my armour… on the mare Robar chose for me if that is allowed."
"Oh, not in that dress, you're not." Ella replied. "You'll never get on the horse, I have one half-finished that will be perfect."
Arya nodded. "Can you finish it on the boat? We're leaving today."
"Yes, of course." Ella agreed.
Gendry cleared his throat and Arya met his gaze for the first time since she had entered the room. "Do I get a say in this?' He asked carefully.
"No," Arya replied. "Renly gave me two weeks to retrieve the royal books and that is nearly up, I'm leaving this afternoon, and I'm taking Alyssa, Ros and Elenei with me. It is up to you if you come with me, or leave me to deal with the fall out of you staying here."
"Arya," Jon cautioned, but Arya ignored him.
She took a couple of steps closer to Gendry, Alyssa held carefully in her arms. She was strongly aware that Gendry had been avoiding Alyssa since that first breakfast. "Look at me, Gendry, look at the child in my arms. This child is your blood, and she needs you, she needs you to protect your uncle from his own blindness to the Tyrell's. She needs you to be strong, and brave, and present. It's time to stop hiding…" Arya paused. "Shireen, it's time for you to stop hiding also, will you come to King's Landing to help celebrate Alyssa?"
Shireen's hand immediately when to the scars on her face. "I… my scars…"
"Your scars are scars, and a part of you, but they don't decide who you are any more than the dragon at your side. Will you and Opal come to King's Landing with me?"
"I don't think that's a good idea." Jon muttered.
"It's only a bad idea if Gendry, Dragonsteel, and a large number of guards don't come as well." Monford replied. "If they come, and if we do this correctly, it could be the very best thing for House Baratheon since Robert took the Iron Throne. Let us remind people that Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen is not the only person with dragon blood in her veins. It's time some of those gilded carriages you have gathering dust got put to use, Prince Gendry. It's time that the Realm was reminded that House Baratheon is strong in its own right." His gaze moved to Jon and the dragon currently stealing food from his plate. "Unless there is something else that somebody wants to inform me of?"
Arya watched Gendry silently as his gaze moved from Monford, to Jon, Shireen, to Alyssa and herself, than back to Shireen again. "Do you want to go?" He asked Shireen quietly, ignoring the implied questing about Jon being able to hatch a dragon.
"I… I've never left this island." Shireen stuttered, she turned to Sandor. "Do people treat you badly because of your scars?"
Sandor looked at her for a long moment. "Sometimes," He replied eventually. "And I've let myself hide behind that excuse since I was six years old, nobody has ever challenged me on it until Princess Arya. But the truth is only stupid people will judge you by something that you have no control over, and who wants to be around stupid people anyway? I… I'll keep you safe, if anybody is mean to you just tell me."
To Sandor's shook Shireen rushed over and hugged him. "Thank you." She whispered. "Sometimes I feel like a prisoner here." She pulled back, suddenly embarrassed. "I don't have a good enough dress…"
Ella and Mhaegen exchanged a look. "Why don't you show us what you do have?" Mhaegen said quietly. Shireen nodded enthusiastically and started to pull them from the room. "Uh…" Mhaegen muttered, but Mary quickly scooped up Berra and placed her beside Albin.
"Go." Mary reassured. "I'll put her down for a nap with Albin and little Arya."
Mhaegen and Ella allowed Shireen to lead them from the room and discuss dresses, Shireen seemed genuinely excited. Shortly after that much of the Caravan of the Yellow Lady stated to leave, but Robar stayed behind. Tobho Mott excused himself, as did Jon and Ygritte. Jon still muttering that he didn't think it was a good idea, and Ygritte disagreeing.
Robar approached Gendry, seeming nervous. "I have a request, Prince Gendry." The ten year old boy asked carefully.
"Robar, you're my half-brother, there is no need to be so formal." Gendry replied.
"Yes, but you're legitimised, and I'm still a Waters, not that I'm asking to be legitimised… but… I know that you're trying to do right by me, by not letting me work in the stables… But I'm not useful to Renly, he's never going to give me a name or lands, all I have is my skills. And I like the stables… I like the horses… I… I'd like to be permitted to select a number of horses for Princess Arya's household at King's Landing, and I'd like to be responsible for them."
"Are you asking to be my stable master?" Arya asked carefully.
Robar nodded. "Yes, very much."
Arya turned to Gendry. "Well I don't have one, and we both know Robar has a gift when it comes to horses…"
Gendry frowned. "Is this really what you want, Robar?"
Robar nodded. "Yes, and we both know that if I change my mind Arya will allow it."
Gendry seemed conflicted, but finally he nodded. "Monford," He said quietly. "What did you mean when you said I have gilded carriages gathering dust?"
"Targaryen carriages," Monford replied. "They are ornate and beautiful, but Stannis called them excessive and arrogant, he wanted to destroy them but Robert wouldn't allow it, so he locked them away."
"Do you know where?" Gendry asked, Monford nodded. "Would you mind showing Robar so he can work out what horses are needed?"
"Not at all," Monford replied. "But the carriages and the horses will have to be loaded at the main port, not Dreamers Cove." He smiled. "I'll see to the arrangements immediately."
Davos cleared his throat. "I think I might go check on Princess Shireen and see if she needs rescuing." He muttered. He left the room just behind Monford, Monterys and Robar.
Alyssa squirmed and Arya put her down, she immediately started crawling towards Dragonsteel. Sandor raised an eyebrow then cleared his throat. "I'll be outside." He muttered.
Arya suddenly realised that Gendry and her were alone in the room, apart from a baby and a dragon, and she realised that Gendry still hadn't actually answered if he was coming to King's Landing. She walked over to the table and picked at the remnants of the food.
"I saved you some bacon." Gendry muttered, uncovering a covered plate. Arya nodded and picked up the plate, there was some sausage on it too, and a couple of eggs. She found a place to sit at the table and started to butter some cold toast, but she said nothing. "I… I'm, sorry about the argument last night." Gendry muttered.
"No you're not." Arya replied. "You're angry, and you have every right to be. You meant everything that you said, and everything that you said is true, but something you told me over a year ago is also true."
"Oh, and what's that?" Gendry challenged, it was clear by his tone that he was still angry at her.
"It's not about you or me though, is it? It's about the war that's coming, none of them will be prepared, we have to do everything we can to give them a chance. We could be selfish, we could run away, maybe cross the narrow sea, travel the world together… but we'd never forgive ourselves for leaving them all to die." She made herself a bacon sandwich and took a bite.
She watched as Gendry's jaw dropped and he shook his head. "Do you just… memorise everything that comes out of my mouth?" He muttered.
Arya shook her head. "Not exactly, but you're important to me, and your opinions are important to me, especially when you're right and I'm wrong. But right now I'm right and you're wrong. You didn't see Loras when I arrived at King's Landing, you didn't see the joy with which he took Davos and Jon away from me. You didn't see the way Olenna and Margaery ambushed me into handing Alyssa over at the gates of the Red Keep. Olenna put me not just in Elia's room, but in her cloths! If that wasn't a threat… We need to show strength, Gendry… I… I don't understand how Robb could allow the marriage between Loras and Sansa to stand after you told him what Loras did to you but-"
"I didn't tell him." Gendry muttered, "I haven't told that part to anybody but you… and telling you was the hardest thing…"
"Oh… but the way you said it… I thought…" Arya stuttered.
Gendry shook his head. "I… I must have read the raven you sent about a dozen times… and the more I read it the more I convinced myself that you wouldn't feel the same way if you knew the whole truth… that's why I kind of threw it at you… I… I was sure you'd be disgusted… I was sure you wouldn't want to marry a man that had… that had let another man do that to him… I…"
Arya stood up and turned to face him. "Gendry you're an idiot." She muttered and pulled him into a hug.
"Thanks." He muttered against her hair, then he started to cry. "I… I don't want to have to face him. How do I walk in there and pretend he didn't do what he did to me?"
"I… I don't know." Arya replied. "I… I think we need to find a way to show Renly who Loras really is, but Renly loves him… or loves the person that he thinks Loras is. And they have Sansa, and Lady, and four hundred Freefolk… we needed them to take the Freefolk in, but they could use them as hostages… and King's Landing is so dependent on them for food…"
"Fuck." Gendry muttered. "They really do have all of the power."
"They don't have Dragons." Arya whispered quietly. "They don't have diamond mines… Shireen's neckless will make them green with envy. We need to take some of that power back, they don't have power over us… Loras doesn't have power over you."
Gendry pulled back and touched her face gently. "Gods, how did I find you?" He whispered.
"You didn't," Arya replied. "I found you." She thought he was going to say something in reply, but instead he lent close and brushed the gentlest of kisses on her lips.
"I'm glad you did." He whispered, then he lent in and kissed her again, a deeper kiss this time.
Arya felt her lips part of their own accord, every part of her body responding to him, she felt as if she had waited two lifetimes for this kiss. Things might have gone further, but suddenly a loud clunk and a giggle caught their attention, followed by unhappy dragon sounds. "Alyssa, no, let go of Dragonsteel's tail." Arya exclaimed as she rushed to rescue the helpless dragon from the fearless five and a half month old baby. Dragonsteel had knocked over a chair trying to escape.
~~/~~
Part 67:Things took much longer to arrange than Arya had anticipated, it was mid-afternoon by the time that they were ready to leave. She was in her armour again, both swords and her dagger at her side, and a dragon bone bow on her back, the third one of the three that she had found at Dragonstone. Derren had his dragon bone bow also. All of Gendry's guards had swords made of the new metal. But Arya noticed that the swords of Gendry's closest guards were more decorative, with small chips of yellow diamond and dragon glass inlayed into them.
"New swords?" She asked Derren, raising an eyebrow, she knew he had been wearing a far simpler blade earlier in the day.
Derren nodded. "Prince Gendry and Tobho have been working on them for a while, we've trained with them, but Gendry didn't want to issue them until we had a reason to leave Dragonstone. He knew he would have to return to King's Landing sooner or later, and there seemed little point in them making new blades for the Wall until the first batches were tested."
Arya nodded. "They certainly catch the eye and make a point," She agreed. "How do they handle?"
Derren gave her a broad smile. "Beautifully." He replied. "They look as sweet as a virgin on her wedding day, but when you take them in hand-"
Brienne loudly cleared her throat. "Princess Arya may not wish to hear the end of that analogy." She muttered. "I certainly don't."
Arya frowned, not understanding what Brienne was so upset about. Sandor lent in close and whispered. "It's something about whores, just nod and move on, Princess."
Arya decided to follow Sandor's advice, she nodded and decided to take a closer look at the carriages. They had decided to use two of them, they were far more elegant than the lumbering two-storied wheel houses that King Robert had brought North to Winterfell. The front one was lacquered white, literally gilded with gold, with plush red velvet interiors, even the spokes of the cart wheels were painted white, and vivid depictions of flying dragons in red, gold and black were enamelled along the sides. The back one was lacquered black, with gold gilding and the dragons painted on it were white, green and gold, they literally screamed 'extravagance'. And Robar had found horses to match their beauty. The first cart had two pale horses, both with flaxen tails and manes, one of the horses had grey markings and the other had black markings.
The second cart had dark horses, black bays – mostly black coats, with some dark brown on the muzzles, flanks, and on the insides of where the legs met the body. Both mane and tail were black as midnight on both horses.
"Do you recognise them?" Robar asked as Arya studied the horses.
Arya shook her head. "No."
Robar nodded, he gestured towards the front horses. "Those are the foals from your pale mare." He said quietly.
Arya looked at the mare then back at the other two horses. "Wow." She muttered, then she looked at the back horses again. "And those are the foals of Gendry's black mare?"
"Yes." Robar agreed with a smile.
"They're all beautiful, I'm glad you made the trades." Arya told him. "What horse will Shireen ride?"
Robar shook his head. "She's not quite brave enough to ride in on a horse in front of so many people, not yet, Princess Shireen will be in the black carriage with Opal, the white carriage is for Princess Alyssa and her attendants."
Arya nodded. "I guess that's fair." She agreed.
Ros and Ella arrived shortly after that, both carrying large wooden pails with damp cloths over them and looking as if they were up to mischief, Arya raised a questioning eyebrow and went to lift one of the cloths, but Ros stopped her. "Not now, these are for Kings Landing." Ros advised with a smirk.
Arya shrugged, whatever they were up to they were happy, she stood back and watched as they got a guard to help them lift the pails onto one of the baggage carts. Shireen arrived shortly after that, Ser Davos carrying her luggage for her, she looked nervous. Arya walked over towards her.
"You okay?"
Shireen swallowed and nodded. "I… yes." She replied.
Arya sighed. "Shireen, there are plenty of stupid people in the world, but worse than that, there are plenty of intelligent people, like Theon, whom are simply superficial or ignorant. I'm not going to lie to you, some people are going to be mean to you simply because they can, but you're not alone. Once Gendry and I marry you'll be family, and I already consider you pack, anybody that messes with you messes with me, okay?"
Shireen nodded. "Okay."
"And anybody that messes with Princess Arya is bloody stupid." Ser Davos muttered. "Forgive the swearing, Princess… Princesses."
"I wish you were coming too." Shireen muttered and hugged him.
"So do I," Davos replied. "But Jon needs my help."
Arya heard Gendry and Jon talking as they approached and turned around to tell Gendry that it was about time, but the words caught in her throat and her jaw dropped at the sight of him. Gendry was sporting his Valyrian steel chainmail, but he had a new helm, complete with high black antlers. The antlers were dragon bone, and looked to be made out of the ribs of a small dragon, although it was impossible to tell how the smaller ribs had been joined to the larger ones. In the centre of the antlers there was a small metal dragon, a claw draped lazily around the base of one antler and its tail curled around the base of the other. Two diamonds, almost pure apart from some blue flecks, made up the dragon's eyes. It was a far cry from King Robert's infamous helm.
The helm was accented with yellow diamonds and dragon glass in such a way as to make it look as if the dragon was sitting atop a nest of black and gold treasure, a strong contrast to the Dragonsteel that the helm was made out of. Gendry was clearly taking the Baratheon name very seriously, but also giving a strong nod to his Targaryen heritage… or was it just that the dragon nesting between his stag antlers looked like Dragonsteel?
He also had new gauntlets and grieves, both of which were accented with yellow diamonds and black dragon glass. There was a longsword on his belt, the hilt was carved black dragon bone, just like Rhosyn Melyn, but clearly designed for his larger hand. The cross guard was inlaid with parts of Dragonsteel's shell, and it was set with yellow diamonds and black dragon glass. None of the diamonds were anywhere near as large as the diamonds on Arya's sword, but it was very much the partner to Rhosyn Melyn.
Arya drew her eyes from the sword on Gendry's hip to the Warhammer on his back, she had forgotten how beautiful it was. It had taken her a lot of effort to carry it just a short distance, yet Gendry had it slung from a leather strap as if it was feather-light. The dragon bone handle was broad and long, the dragon that the piece of bone had come from must have been massive, and the Valyrian steel head was a work of skill and art.
"Wow." She muttered when she finally managed to close her mouth and find her voice.
Gendry laughed, the first truly genuine laugh that Arya had heard since she had returned. "You should see the look on your face!" He exclaimed.
Arya smacked him on the shoulder. "Well you could have shown me your new armour sooner!" She gestured to the hammer. "Have you named it yet?"
The smile disappeared from Gendry's lips and his expression became serious. "No, I found it already had a name… Sacrifice." He replied grimly. "Although I can't find much about its history, I found its name in a four hundred year old inventory list."
Arya nodded. "That's rather appropriate." She agreed. "And the sword?"
A slight smirk returned to Gendry's lips. "Promise." He replied.
Arya raised an eyebrow. "Do you actually know how to use it?"
Gendry nodded. "I've been getting lessons, I'm better than average… I promise."
Arya rolled her eyes, Gendry went over to have one last conversation with Davos and Arya turned her attention to Jon, she hugged him tightly. "I guess you're in charge of the place until Gendry gets back," She muttered. "I'll see you as soon as I can, don't let Ygritte boss you around too much, look after Eldrick, and tell him his aunty Arya loves him very much."
Jon hugged her tightly and dropped kiss on her forehead, then he pulled back and rested his hands on her shoulders, his expression serious. "I will, I still don't think this is a very good idea, be careful."
Arya nodded. "You as well… Isaeyan."
Jon pulled a face. "I'm never going to fit that name." He muttered.
Arya gave him a sympathetic smile. "We'll see." She replied and hugged him tightly again.
As Jon pulled back from the second hug Arya noticed him studying her sword belt. "Arya," He said softly as his fingers moved to the handle of Needle. "You do know that this was only intended to be your first sword, right? Perhaps it's time you put it away?"
"But it's from you!" Arya exclaimed.
Jon smiled. "Yes, and I'm telling you that you don't need it anymore. Rhosyn Melyn is a great weapon, but you'll never be great with it until you commit to it. Put Needle away, but promise me that it won't stay away forever, promise me that you will put Needle into somebody else's hands to be their first sword, promise me that Needle will be a blade that teaches young girls to be strong for generations."
"I… Needle's not just a sword Jon, it's… it's home, it's Robb, and Bran… and Rickon…" She felt tears well up in her eyes at the memory of Rickon's death. "It's Mother, even though she was never kind to you, and never wanted me to carry a sword, it's Father… for all her teasing and insults it's even Sansa… it's… Winterfell's grey walls, and the laughter of its people… Mikken singing at the forge… Old Nan's stories… It's the summer snows… the Heart Tree… The earthy smell of the glass gardens… I … it's your smile and your hugs when I needed them most and you weren't there…" Arya felt a tear escape down her cheek.
"Oh Arya, that's everything I wanted it to be, but you don't need me to protect you anymore, you're the protector now. I wanted that sword to remind you of how strong you are, but I can see that there are others who need you to do for them what I did for you. To the person you give that sword to it will be your strength, yours smile, your hugs, and when you realise what needs to be done I need you to know that I'm happy about it."
"It will be years before Alyssa needs it." Arya muttered.
"Yes, but perhaps she's not the only Baratheon Princess that needs your strength." Jon replied, his gaze shifting to Shireen.
Arya followed his gaze. "I'll think about it." She said softly.
~~/~~
It was early morning when they reached Driftmark and Monford insisted that they disembark for breakfast, once they had finished eating Aurane advised them that baths had been arranged. As Arya dressed after her bath she thought over the conversation between her and Jon, could she really put Needle away? She put on Rhosyn Melyn and the Valyrian dagger and held Needle in her hands for a long time, but she couldn't bring herself to put the sword Jon had given her in her gear, slowly she buckled it's belt around her. "I'll put it away, Jon," She whispered. "But I'm not ready yet."
Shireen was fascinated by the island, much to Monford's delight, and they ended up staying until lunchtime to allow Monterys to show Shireen some of the sights. Arya suspected that Gendry was intentionally taking his time, but she couldn't blame him for that. Neither Sandor nor Brienne joined them for lunch as Saia wanted to put Alyssa down for a nap and felt it best to do so on the boat. Robar had also requested to stay on the boat, that he might see to the welfare of the horses.
When they sat down for lunch, in a beautiful room overlooking a beach, Arya noticed that Gendry had brought a couple of packages to the table, she watched with curiosity as Gendry and Shireen seemed to have a non-verbal conversation, then suddenly Shireen was standing at the end of the table beside Gendry, both looked oddly nervous.
"Elenei, Ros, I know I should have mentioned this before we left, but there are some items that Shireen and I would like you to work into Arya's outfits if possible." Gendry said nervously. "Arya will of course say that they are impractical, which is why I am asking you, not her." He picked up the first package and handed it to Arya, she unwrapped the cloth carefully. Inside was a decretive hair comb, intricately carved, it was made from a piece of Dragonstone's shell with pieces of Opal's shell inset like gems, it was about the size of the palm of Arya's hand.
"We designed this together almost a year ago, before the diamonds were discovered." Shireen explained. "We wanted you to have a piece of Opal and Dragonstone that was yours, I know how fussy you are about impractical hairstyles, but you could put it at the top of a platted bun or something."
Arya nodded, she ran her fingers over the scales of the shell gently. "I… it's beautiful, of course I'll wear it." She said softly.
Shireen and Gendry both nodded. "Good." Gendry said quietly. "The rest of it is just stuff to piss off the Tyrell's, they're not getting a single one of my diamonds, but I want them dripping off of you. I want diamonds in your hair, around your neck, on your wrists… It's extravagant and childish, I know that, but it doesn't change how I feel. I also want those keys around your neck clear to be seen though. I probably should have asked for advice as to what pieces to choose, but I was in a hurry, so I just grabbed a bunch of items Inanna had already made with yellow diamonds in them, a couple of the pieces Shireen had designed with you in mind, I'm sure but…"
"Gendry, you're rambling." Arya said softly. "Just show us."
Gendry nodded and carefully began to unroll the larger package across the table, Arya, Ros and Ella gasped as one. The necklace caught Arya's attention first, there were over two dozen yellow diamonds of various sizes and cuts, each yellow diamond was set with dozens of small chips of clear white diamonds around it, some of them were round, some of them were oval, some of them were shaped like tear drops. Each gem was expertly cut in the multi-faceted style that Arya had never seen until she had been given Rhosyn Melyn, it made the typical round cut gems look dull and boring. As she picked the necklace up it seemed to glitter and sparkle like it was incrusted with ice. The necklace was heavy, like armour and covered the same space that a gorget would cover, Arya frowned and turned it over. The back was all the Dragonsteel metal and she realised that none of the gaps were large enough for an arrow head or blade to penetrate. "Is it…"
"As effective as any gorget I've ever made, yet nobody would ever suspect." Gendry replied with a smirk. "Inanna was trained in the old Valyrian styles of jewellery making, and Tobho says that for them the line between jewellery and armour was often blurred. Tobho and Inanna actually trained together for a couple of years, you'll see that these two cuff bracelets are also armour."
Arya ran her eyes over the rest of the jewellery, there were a couple of broaches, one of which looked as if it was designed to hold a posy, three decorative hair combs… there were a dozen chains that could be used as bracelets, necklaces, or woven into the hair… "Gendry, this is excessive." She muttered. "There must be hundreds of thousands of gold worth of diamonds here. I… I think you could buy Winterfell with this!"
"I think you could buy the entire North with that." Ros whispered. "Gendry, that's a small treasury! There have to be millions of gold dragons worth of jewellery there, you're insane to walk into Kings Landing with all that!"
"Maybe not." Arya muttered thoughtfully. "You could pay a large portion of the Iron Bank debt with what is on this table, and Olenna claims that House Tyrell can't pay it, if she's telling the truth…"
"Maybe we don't need the Tyrell's as much as they've made Renly believe we do." Monford finished.
Arya let her fingers brush one of the bracelets. "I thought Davos said it was a small diamond vein?" She whispered in awe.
"Yes, well the first one was." Gendry replied. "But there's enough for me to help the North without wanting payment, enough that if we can get through this winter, and defeat the Night King, we could be very comfortable for the rest of our lives. Enough to give all of my brothers and sisters a decent future… enough to give any children that we might have a decent future."
"And you want to drape me in it to show Renly just how little he needs the Tyrells?" Arya asked softly.
Gendry nodded. "Yes."
Arya nodded. "Okay, I'll wear as many diamonds as Ros can find a way to attach to me, not to mentions silk, samite, and anything else that gets the point across. I'll wear chiffon and lace as armour and do my best to be the lady that my mother always wanted me to be, at least for now. We'll find the books, we'll work out how bad things are, then we'll devise a plan to buy the Iron Bank's debt off of the Crown, but I think we need some security."
"What are you suggesting? Storm's End?" Gendry asked.
Arya shook her head. "No, asking for Storm's End would be a bad move, it could be mistaken for a threat. I'm not sure what security we should ask for, but it needs to be something that appears less important than it really is. Something like the ruins of Summerhall, which are still extremely well fortified and strategically placed, but undesirable to most because the main buildings are so badly damaged."
"Hmm, an interesting strategy, but Summerhall could also be perceived as a threat, let me think on it, I might come up with a good suggestion." Monford replied. "Speaking of strategies, both for the war for the dawn and other possible wars to come, there is something that House Velaryon would like to lend to Princess Shireen, a family heirloom of sorts, but a practical gift at the same time." He gave a quick nod and Aurane quickly left the room.
Aurane returned shortly after with what looked like a pair of falconry arm guards, two armoured shoulder plates and a three inch wide chainmail belt chained together, all of it Valyrian steel. "It's called a dragon training mount." Aurane advised. "It will stop Opal from damaging your clothing or accidently hurting you as she grows, Princess Shireen. At Opal's current size it protects the areas that she will want to hold onto when she tries to perch on you, but it also makes perching harder as she gets larger, without injuring you, so that she will naturally learn when she is getting too large to land on you without feeling rejected." His smile was genuine as he presented the unique armour to Shireen.
"I used to wear it and pretend that I had a dragon." Young Monterys said quietly. "But you do have a dragon, so you need it."
"You can borrow it for as long as you need it." Monford added.
"Armour, for me?" Shireen asked in awe.
"Yes." Monford replied softly, then he chuckled. "Won't people be confused when the Yellow Lady is wearing dresses and a daughter of House Baratheon is sporting armour and accompanied by a dragon?"
"Yes," Gendry agreed. "Thank you for this." He had a look at the armour. "Hmm, I see how this works, let's see how it fits." He and Aurane began to help Shireen put it on, it didn't take long. "What do you think?" He asked Shireen softly.
"It feels strange," Shireen said hesitantly. "But I like it, it feels special." She turned to Monford and curtsied. "Thank you Lord Monford, Lord of the Tides," She said formally. "I will treat this gift with respect and return it to you when I no longer have need of it."
Monford laughed. "Oh, sweet girl, you should thank Monterys, it was his suggestion, I had actually forgotten that we owned it."
Arya frowned, Shireen looked every bit the dragon rider in the armour, and she recognised the design from Ayrmidon's Engines of War, but in every sketch that she had copied the armour had been accompanied by a sword. Slowly her fingers moved to the sword belt that held Needle in place. "It's missing something." She whispered as she removed Needle and walked over to Shireen. The entire room remained silent as Arya fastened the sword around Shireen's waist. "You're right handed, yes?" Shireen nodded and Arya put the sword on the left hip. "Guess I'm going to have to teach you how to use this." She muttered.
"Arya, I can't accept this, your brother, Jon, gave it to you." Shireen protested.
Arya took a deep breath and shook her head. "No, my cousin, Isaeyan Targaryen, your third cousin, gave it to me, and he's the one that suggested that it might be time it went to you, this is a first sword, I'm sure Gendry will make your next one once you've mastered it, then Needle can go to Alyssa. But we have to keep Jon's real name a secret or your Uncle Renly might try and have him killed, okay?"
Shireen nodded slowly. "Okay." She agreed.
"So he is Rhaegar's son." Monford whispered softly. "I knew… I discovered that Rhaegar had annulled his marriage to Elia and married Lyanna… my… this does complicate things."
"No, it doesn't." Gendry replied. "Jon and I have discussed it, he is happy to remain Jon Snow for now, and we will do whatever is best for the people. Should his aunt become a problem than we will reveal that his claim is stronger, but he does not desire the Iron Throne any more than I do."
"I see, and will I have a voice in what is best for the people?" Monford asked.
"Yes, your council is always wanted." Gendry replied. "Now you understand why I cringe every time that somebody calls me the Prince of Dragonstone, I know who the real Prince of Dragonstone is."
Monford nodded. "I see, and while we're clarifying matters… Alyssa is your daughter?"
Gendry swallowed thickly and nodded, Arya quickly moved to Gendry's side. "It wasn't his choice, Loras drugged him." She said softly.
"Loras… not Renly." Monford said just as softly.
Arya nodded. "Gendry is never to touch a cup that has been touched by Loras again, I trust you will assist in this?"
Monford looked from Arya to Gendry then back to Arya again and nodded slowly. "I fell that you are both still keeping secrets, but I fear that I do not wish to learn them, as always you both have my full support. I will do my best to run interference between Gendry and Loras in all matters, it is nice to have part of the animosity explained… I… have heard rumours in regards to Loras… unpleasant rumours… you may not be the only person who's cup he has tampered with, Gendry."
"Perhaps I may be able to dig up something in time." Ros suggested, a look of understanding in her eyes. "But that requires us completing the first task of retrieving the royal books, shall we return to the boat?"
"Yes, yes, of course." Monford agreed.
Gendry remained silent, he looked somewhat pale at Monford's words. Arya wondered how long it would take Gendry to come to the conclusion that if he wasn't Loras' only victim his silence may be allowing others to be harmed. She gave his hand a quick squeeze then began to pack the jewellery away.
Arya and Ella were the last two people to leave the room, as Arya was about to exit Ella stopped her. "Are we saying that Margaery and Loras both raped Gendry?" Ella asked softly.
"We're not saying it..." Arya replied quietly.
"But it's true." Ella completed, a look of rage washed across her face. "That explains why he was so different when we found him again… I…" Ella balled her hands up into fists. Suddenly a crack of lightening flashed across the sky, thunder was only seconds behind.
Arya looked out the window. "Where the hells did that storm come from?! We better get to the boat before we're trapped here."
Ella nodded, her fists still clenched. "We'll find a way to hurt the Tyrell's for what they've done to him, nobody hurts my brother and gets away with it." She muttered.
~~/~~
Part 68:The storm raged on all around the ship yet somehow the ship remained in the eye of the storm's fury, the waves rocked the ship fiercely and the high winds sent the banners of Houses Velaryon, Baratheon, and Stark flapping like crazy, but slowly the storm calmed and they remained safe. Some of the sailors called it a miracle how little damage they had sustained. Some said that the Merling King had protected them, but others pointed out that the wind was not his domain, many reached to green and blue beads and said quiet prayers of thanks. Some pointed out that three of the line of the Storm Kings were on board, but others argued that the Wind Goddess hated them, even though they were her blood. Arya did not correct them in their mistake, she knew Robar and Ella had little interest in being named Baratheon's, but she did consider their point: Five of the line of the Storm Kings were on board, and the storm had seemed to come out of nowhere… was it possible? She sent questioning looks to Ella but got no response.
They had decided to drop anchor after the storm abated and wait for the light of morning to untangle the rigging and navigate the more dangerous entry to the Blackwater Rush, besides Arya's plan of a grand entrance would work better in the morning. But that didn't stop Ros and Ella from waking Arya up at 4am to get to work on her hair and makeup, and Arya still hadn't seen the dress yet. She tried her best not to fidget as Ros and Ella did her and Shireen's hair, Opal curled up asleep between them. Yes, her hair was much longer in this life, having not had to cut it off and pretend to be a boy, but it had never felt so heavy as it did once Ros and Ella had finished. Arya pulled her robe around her and inspected her hair in the mirrors that Ros and Ella held up for her.
The top half of her hair had been pulled back into a pony tail, then half of it had been platted into a thick braid and pinned into a bun with the other half coming out of the middle of it in nine fine braids. The fine braids had then had chains of diamonds attached and been intricately looped and pinned. The dragon shell comb sat proudly at the top of the bun, and two of the three diamond encrusted hair combs had been used on the sides of Arya's hair. The bottom half of her hair had been brushed until it shone and hung loose, it was so long now that Arya could sit on it. The three largest chains of diamonds had been joined together and were laced across the back of the drop of hail in increasingly longer loops. Shireen's hair had been done in a similar, but less complicated, style, just the bun and the drop, the third diamond encrusted comb mounted at the top of Shireen's bun. Ros applied the make up next, then it was time for them to dress.
The first items that Ella brought to Arya were new smallcloths, they were made of silk, soft and small and light. Arya frowned as a strange garment with thin straps was put around her breasts and tied at the back, but Ella informed her that it was a Dornish design, designed to keep the breasts in place so that a restrictive bodice wasn't required in the dress, apparently it was called a bracière.
Then she was presented with a yellow shirt of such fine silk chiffon as to be nearly transparent. The shirt had a low-cut scalloped neckline, trimmed with lace, and sleeves that buttoned just below the elbow, then dropped into a 10 inch daggered cuff of the softest lace that Arya had ever felt. (Ella told her that it was Myrish lace.) The buttons were polished dragon glass and the overall style looked more like something that you would see in Essos than Westeros, and gave the impression of a full daggered sleeve whilst being far more practical. The shirt made Arya both nervous and intrigued, but she put it on without complaining.
Ella then produced a pair of loose fitting yellow charmeuse pants, by now Arya was feeling more reassured, she was confident that when Ella had said 'dress' she had meant the word very loosely. The pants confirmed that Ella was taking strong influence from Esso fashion for this particular outfit. Arya almost laughed as the 'dress' was revealed, it was really more of a sleeveless long-coat or vest. The top of it had half inch wide straps that sat on her shoulders and a v-cut neck line, it overlapped at the front, a thin tie on the inside of the dress holding it in place just above her right hip, the right side then overlapped the left and was held in place by nine ties from bust to mid-thigh, at which point the dress spread away from the front of her legs giving her free movement and revelling the silk pants. Arya frowned, nine ties and nine braids, but when she questioned it Ros replied that the Crown of Winter had nine swords so nine was a Stark number.
There was a complicated pleat at the back of the dress which made it rich and full, and the length was perfect, the dress was made of intricately embroidered yellow samite. A wide belt of black satin was then wrapped twice around Arya's waist and tied on her right side, the excess dropping to her knee.
Arya frowned at the belt. "What's this for?" She asked.
"Your sword belt." Ella replied calmly. "Did you really think I was planning to disarm you? You can use it on any dress."
Arya nodded and put on her sword and dagger, something which she had not expected to be able to do, the black satin really made the weapons stand out. A pair of leather soled black silk slippers were placed on her feet, then it was time for the jewellery, the ship had already started to dock. Arya frowned as the necklace was placed around her neck, it covered the Valyrian steel keys completely.
"Take the keys off." Ros instructed.
Arya's frown deepened. "I… I haven't taken them off since I was given them." She muttered.
"Trust me." Ros replied. "Take them off."
Arya reluctantly removed the keys and handed them to Ros, Ros picked up one of the broaches, the one that looked as if it was designed to hold a posy, and used it to pin the silk cord holding the keys first to the inside and then the outside of Arya's dress, so that the broach sat on Arya's left lapel and the keys dropped down from it, she secured a smaller broach lower on the lapel, creating a loop of the black silk cord and fixing the keys in place so that they didn't swing around too much. Ros then went to one of the pails, the ones that she hadn't let Arya look into two days before. Ros pulled out a half bloomed blue and yellow rose, some elderflower, and some dark green cranberry leaves and quickly bound them with yellow ribbon, making a posy which she inserted into the broach. She then worked some elderflower into Arya's hair, using hair pins to secure it. As Arya put the cuff bracelets on Ros helped Shireen with her armour and Needle than added some elderflowers and cranberry leaves to Shireen's hair. She then pinned a sprig of elderflower to her own hair and some cranberry leaves into Ella's hair.
"Right, are we done?" Arya asked impatiently.
"Yes." Ros replied with a smile. "But let us pack the cart before you go up, I want to be able to appreciate the look on Gendry's face when he sees you."
Arya nodded, she waited impatiently with Shireen and Opal unto Ros gave them permission to go up. Gendry had his back to them when they reached the waiting carts and horses, and was busy talking to Monford, but the conversation seemed to die mid-sentence at their arrival. Gendry turned, froze, then started walking towards Arya so quickly that she wasn't sure what to expect. Then he stopped in front of her, dropped to a knee and took her hand, dropping a kiss on it. "Marry me." He whispered hoarsely.
Arya laughed. "Yes." She replied. "I already agreed to marry you."
He looked up at her, his expression serious. "I mean marry me now, not in a few years' time, I've decided I don't want to wait. I know Renly wants to make our wedding a big event, but why don't we just sneak off and elope? We could do it at Dragonstone, Jon could give you away…"
Arya tugged on Gendry's hand, getting him to stand, then she tiptoed and brushed a light kiss on his lips. "That sounds wonderful," She sighed. "But you know why we can't, I'll marry you soon, I promise."
He nodded and pulled her into a tight hug, the antlers of his helm making him tower above her more than usual. "I don't want to do this." He whispered quietly.
"I know," Arya replied. "But the longer you stay away from King's Landing, the more power you are giving Loras over you. He doesn't have power over you, not anymore, he doesn't get to steal your uncle from you."
"Thank you." Gendry whispered, then he caught her chin and kissed her deeply, not caring that they had an audience. "Okay, let's put on a show."
"I think we just did." Arya muttered with a blush as they made their way over to the horses. Once Arya was on the pale mare Ros and Ella spent about five minutes fussing over how the dress draped on the horse, then worked some roses and elderflower into the horse's mane, but even Arya had to consent that the final result was worth it.
~~/~~
The storm had kept the dragons below deck and Opal was in the black carriage with Shireen, Dragonsteel was perched on Gendry's back, with his tail wrapped around Gendry's waist, and staying so still that he looked to be part of the armour. The black mare seemed surprisingly calm about the dragon's presence as Robar led the horses down the ramp. Eight guards rode ahead of them as they left the ship, then Gendry and Arya, then four more guards, then the white carriage. As the White carriage hit the docks guards began to fan around it, by the time the black carriage had hit the docks they were surrounded by at least two dozen guards. Arya watched as Robar stood aside and let the carriages pass before taking his place on the baggage wagon, she had lost count of the guards by then.
A group of city watch, led by Loras, came to meet them. As Loras approached Dragonsteel extended his wings and flew up into the sky, stretching them for the first time since they had left Driftmark. Horses reared up in terror and Dragonsteel came low again and flew close over the heads of the greeting party. Arya noticed however that all of the horses in their party remained calm. It was like watching Winterfell horses stand firm while other horses panicked around the Direwolves, but Arya couldn't help but wonder if Robar had something to do with it. Dragonsteel flew up again then made a pass straight at Loras, at the last moment Gendry clicked his tongue twice and called Dragonsteel back. "Dragonsteel to me!"
Dragonsteel obeyed, returning to his place on Gendry's back, but by then Loras' horse was already rearing and trying to throw him. Arya urged her horse forward and Gendry kept pace, as they passed close to Loras she smiled at the knight of flowers. "Control you beast." She said calmly, then urged her horse towards the city gates.
The city watch were so flustered that Gendry's entire party had passed through the Mud Gate before they regained control of their horses. Dragonsteel propelled himself into the air again, but he never went far from the caravan of horses and carriages. They could have simply turned right at Fishmonger's Square and gone up River Row, but Arya didn't want any nervous archers on the wall taking a shot at Dragonsteel. They could have gone straight through Fishmonger's Square, part way up Muddy Way, then veered right onto The Hook and to the Red Keep, that was the second most direct route, but Arya had decided against that also.
Instead they veered left at the end of Fishmonger's, taking the Street of Steel up Visenya's Hill, towards the Sept of Balor. They had just passed Tobho Moot's former workshop (now run by one of his Journeymen, and still owned by him) when Loras finally caught up with them. But as soon as Loras came into sight Dragonsteel flew low again and Loras' horse reared up again. As entertaining as it was Arya was starting to worry that Loras would retaliate.
They followed the curving Street of Steel back down Visenya's Hill and then turned right towards King's Square in the very centre of the city. Dragonsteel was flying high above the crowd when Arya saw the arrows three of them… all aimed at Dragonsteel! Before she could even consider her actions she had raised a winter wind to lift the arrows higher and away, but it also disrupted Dragonsteel and she had to raise another wind to guide him back towards her and Gendry, that caused her concentration to falter and the arrows started to fall! Arya could only watch in horror as people started to run screaming from under the falling arrows.
Suddenly Galen and Derren were charging into the crowd, towards the area where the arrows were falling, their shields raised above their heads. Arya raised the wind again and managed to send one arrow into a building, the second arrow clattered against the side of the building and tumbled harmlessly to the ground beside Derren's horse, but Galen caught the thirds arrow in the shoulder. By the time Loras and the city watch appeared Gendry was yelling and demanding that the bowmen, be found and arrested for putting people in danger. Dragonsteel had flown to Arya and was wrapped around her, shaking, his head buried under her hair, she stroked him gently and tried to reassure him.
The bowmen were nowhere to be found, and there was nothing defining about the arrow in Galen's shoulder, things finally settled down and Galen's shoulder was bound to lessen the bleeding, but the arrow was left in place until the wound could be treated properly. Arya finally managed to uncurl Dragonsteel from her and he took a perch on the front of the white carriage, Gendry's guards drawing close around him. Both the group, and the crowd, were more sombre as they made their way towards the Red Keep.
~~/~~
The inner courtyard of the Keep was filled with nobles and servants alike, word of Dragonsteel would have easily reached the Keep before them, but the upset dragon remained on the front of the white carriage. Renly and Margaery were waiting on the main steps to greet them, smiles firmly fixed on their faces, but the smiles didn't quite reach their eyes.
Arya took a deep breath and tried to stick to the plan, she pushed everything else out of her mind and focused on Gendry as he dismounted and made his way to her side. Gendry took her hand, dropped a gentle kiss on the back of it, then reached up and lifted her off of her horse, her arm naturally going around his shoulder as he did so. As he lowered her to the ground Arya found herself almost overwhelmed by the closeness of him. It was silly, she felt as if she was close to swooning like those stupid girls in those stupid songs that Sansa loved, but the intensity with which he was looking at her made the rest of the world fall away for a moment. He lent forward, almost as if to kiss her, and stroked a stray lock of hair way from her face.
He might have kissed her… but Dragonsteel choose that moment to fly over and land on his back. Arya laughed as Dragonsteel lent over Gendry's shoulder, chirping for attention. She reached up and stroked the dragon's face, then dropped a gentle kiss on his head. She looked back to Gendry and saw he was smiling at her, they turned as one towards the carriages, Gendry opened the door to the white carriage and Alyssa was passed out into Arya's waiting arms, Alyssa also reached out and petted Dragonsteel. Then Gendry turned to the back carriage and opened the door for Shireen.
As to if the crowd gasped at Shireen's face, or at Opal, it was hard to say. Opal launched into the air and Dragonsteel followed as the smaller dragon flexed her wings. They flew around each other and tumbled and swooped for about a full minute before returning to their respective humans. Once Opal was on Shireen's back and Dragonsteel was on Gendry's the three turned to approach Renly. Gendry in the middle, Arya on his right, and Shireen on his left.
Gendry stopped a couple of steps below Renly, his expression serious. "Uncle, one of my men is wounded from protecting the crowd, somebody was reckless with a bow."
Renly seemed stunned for a moment then quickly nodded. "Of course… I… we'll get him to a Maester immediately." His gaze searched the closest nobles. "Tyrion, would you be so kind?"
Tyrion nodded and bowed deeply. "Of course, my king," He turned to Gendry. "My prince, where is this brave young man?"
Galen came forward, an odd expression on his face, and Arya noticed a silent exchange pass between him and Gendry. Galen gave a slight nod, as if consenting to something unspoken, and Gendry squared his shoulders. "Tysha's son is here."
Galen bowed to Tyrion and stepped forward. Tyrion's eyes widened than he placed a careful hand on Galen's good arm. "Come lad, this way, let's get that wound looked at."
Once they were gone Gendry returned his attention to Renly. "You haven't met Dragonsteel and Opal yet, have you Uncle?"
Renly shook his head. "No, not yet." He agreed. "Remind me, you found the eggs…"
"Long before we ever met, Uncle, although it never occurred to me that I could hatch one until Shireen hatched the one that I gave her when Theon Greyjoy upset her."
Renly nodded. "Yes, yes, of course." He replied as if he had known about the dragons all along. "But why bring them to King's Landing now?"
Gendry smiled. "Well Alyssa is quite taken with them, and it seemed a hard ask on my new Steward to look after young dragons that I might come to a party, especially considering that he has 100 Freefolk, his direwolf, and his new-born baby boy to worry about on top of the usual duties."
Renly nodded. "Yes… that is a lot to ask."
Gendry smiled. "I'm not particularly worried, Ned Stark taught him well… but would you really want to be chasing after dragons when you have a beautiful baby boy you could be holding?" Gendry seemed to be really rubbing it in that Jon had fathered a son. "Have you broken your fast yet, Uncle? We haven't, and this feels like a discussion better had over food… Opal gets kind of grumpy without her morning bacon."
Renly nodded a little too quickly and smiled a little too brightly. "Yes, yes, of course, how silly of me, you must be starving. Come…" He reached as if to grab Gendry's arm, then hesitated at Dragonsteel and let his hand drop away. "Come," he said brightly. "There is much to discuss." He smiled at Arya. "You're not the only one with a surprise."
~~/~~
Part 69:Shireen stayed close to Arya as they were quickly ushered through the Keep, Gendry had stepped forward to walk beside Renly, forcing Margery to step to the side. Both dragons clung to their humans as if giving and seeking comfort. They had just exited a flight of stairs, and the smell of food was already wafting their way, when a rush of recognisable grey fur came running towards Arya.
"Lady!" She exclaimed with delight. Lady had grown! Although she had been the smallest of the litter she was almost as big as a pony now.
"Da!" Alyssa exclaimed excitedly. "Da-da!"
Arya laughed, she gave Lady a one armed hug then introduced Alyssa to her. "Lady, this is Princess Alyssa, she was born at Winterfell, so she's pack." Lady sniffed at Alyssa, then Alyssa grabbed a handful of Lady's fur and stated sucking it. Dragonsteel made jealous sounds from his perch on Gendry's hip and Arya turned to scold him. "Dragonsteel, this is Grey Wind's sister, Ghost's sister, be nice." Dragonsteel hopped from Gendry to Arya, forcing her to catch him, and tried to burrow under her hair again, then he turned and sniffed Lady, he tried to lick her, but the direwolf growled.
"Lady, be nice." Sansa's voice said from somewhere behind the direwolf. "Mind you, you can't blame her, she's never met a dragon before."
Arya looked over Lady and nodded at her sister, Sansa's face looked somehow rounder than the last time that Arya had seen her, almost puffy. "Opal and Dragonsteel both know Grey Wind quite well, I think they see direwolves as furry dragons that don't fly." She noticed Shireen struggling to hold onto Opal. "Opal used to climb all over Grey Wind when she was tiny…"
Sansa nodded. "Lady, to me." She said softly, then led Lady over to Shireen and Opal. That was when Arya got her first good look at her sister.
Sansa had put on weight, and not just a little bit, it looked as if she'd had more than one too many lemon cakes. Yes, she was pregnant, about six months if Arya's math was correct, but her bottom had gotten huge! What Arya had initially taken as a calm response to the dragons was simply a resigned one, Sansa looked tired and sad. Arya hesitated for a second then pushed Dragonsteel back into Gendry's arms, she hesitated even longer, then passed Alyssa to Renly. "Does your sister get a hug?" She asked Sansa.
Sansa nodded and pulled Lady away from Opal, Arya tried not to grimace, Sansa still treated Lady like a dog and kept her on a lead. 'Direwolves are not pets.' She wanted to say, but the sadness in Sansa's eyes forced Arya to remain silent, maybe she didn't have much choice?
Sansa really looked at Arya for the first time and her eyes widened. "Gods, look at you." She muttered. She gave Arya a lingering hug then pulled back to look her up and down. "You almost look like a proper lady."
"Hardly," Gendry replied with a laugh. "Warrior princess seems more appropriate, but she'll allow herself to be put into dresses, and even suffer sitting for hours to have her hair done, as long as she's allowed a sword on her hip."
"If only I'd realised that was the secret, maybe I'd have relented on the sword years ago?" Another familiar voice said from behind Arya.
"Mother!" Arya exclaimed.
"By the Seven," Catelyn Tully Stark whispered. "Look at you… my wild beauty." She hugged Arya tightly then touched the diamonds at her neck, the silk of her sleeve, the hilt of Rhosyn Melyn. "I was such a fool to try and tame you… can you ever forgive your silly trout of a mother?"
"That depends." Arya replied carefully. "Would you accept me like this if the dress was cotton and there were no diamonds?"
"Oh Arya," Catelyn said sadly. "I only wanted you to be what I thought you needed to be, to be happy and find a good husband."
"I didn't need to be somebody else to find a good husband." Arya replied firmly. "And even if Renly hadn't legitimised Gendry, even if he was just an apprentice living in a shack, I'd still want to marry him. Tell me, would you accept my betrothal if Gendry's name was still Waters and he hadn't hatched a dragon?"
"I… probably not." Her mother admitted. "But that wouldn't have stopped you, would it?"
"No more than Duncan Targaryen could be stopped from choosing Jenny of Oldstones." Arya replied firmly.
Catelyn nodded. "I… Arya, you do know that I love you, yes?" Arya bit her lip and nodded. "I… I know you don't see the world like most people do, but that makes me want to protect you, need to protect you. That's all I've ever tried to do… protect you… I didn't see that I was hurting you."
Arya hugged her mother tightly. "Other people do see the world the same way I do." She said quietly. "Aunt Lyanna saw the world the same way I do… if grandfather had simply allowed her to carry a sword it could have saved a lot of trouble…" Arya swallowed back the potential tears and said the words that had been eating at her heart most of her life. "All I've ever wanted was for you to accept me for me." She whispered.
"I'm trying." Catelyn whispered in reply. "But you don't always make it easy. Even when I fail, remember that I love you."
~~/~~
As Arya watched Renly she was again reminded of why she had thought he would be a good king. Between Shireen's unexpected presence and the dragons they had thrown a lot at him, yet he kept the conversation light and a smile in place. Yes, he was nervous every time that the dragons got close to him, but he was just as weary of Lady, and they were dragons after all. Renly remained polite and charming throughout breakfast and approached serious matters with an apparent lightness that belied the calculated manner in which he voiced them. Renly was very, very skilled at keeping up appearances.
Margaery remained quiet and submissive, she held Alyssa gently for a short time, but Alyssa didn't want to stay still, she wanted to play with Dragonsteel. Margaery, Sansa and mother watched in amazement at how gentle Dragonsteel was with her.
"Seven hells," Renly muttered. "That's beautiful and terrifying at the same time."
"Yes," Gendry agreed. "I think my heart stopped the first time she decided to put her hand in his mouth… but I guess he picked up on Arya's love for her."
Sansa frowned. "Wait, is he your dragon or Arya's?"
Gendry shrugged. "I was the one holding him when he hatched… but Arya was there, and I don't actually think I could have done it without her. Maester Pylos believes that I will be his rider, but that he sees Arya as his mother."
Renly shook his head in amusement. "Not even married yet, and you're already adopting a dragon together… grandmother Rhaelle would have been proud."
Gendry shrugged and matched Renly's smile, yet there was a hint of challenge in his eyes. "Great grandmother Rhaelle is central to your claim on the throne, Uncle."
"Yes, yes, such serious talk." Renly waved him off. "But let us save serious talk for the small council meeting this afternoon… 2 o'clock sounds good… as my heir I assume you will be attending?"
"Yes, of course." Gendry agreed.
Renly smiled. "Good, now let's talk about the celebration, Alyssa is almost six months old, so we'll call it a celebration of her six month birthday, but this is truly an opportunity for us to show our strength, can I rely on you and Shireen to keep your dragons in line?"
Gendry gave Renly a long hard look. "That depends on Loras." He said coldly. "Keep him away from me and there shouldn't be any problems."
Renly nodded, his expression sad. "I really don't understand the enmity between you two." He said quietly.
Arya reached out and took Gendry's hand, squeezing it tightly. She wanted to tell Renly exactly why, to lay the truth of what Loras had done to Gendry, and of their suspicion that he had done it to others, bare at Renly's feet. She wanted to yell, and scream and make demands… but the presence of her sad, pregnant, sister stopped her. Perhaps it was not quite so secret what type of man Loras was? Arya's gaze moved over to her mother and she finally found a safe answer to the question. "Loras has made it very clear that he will always see, and treat, Gendry as a bastard." She said softly. "Maybe Loras thinks he is protecting you, after all, we all know that the moment you legitimised Gendry his claim to the Iron Throne technically became better than yours."
The room became suddenly quiet, but Renly looked thoughtful rather than threatened, he turned his attention to Gendry. "She really is quite marvels, isn't she? Who else could sit there and say 'my future husband could take everything from you if he wanted to' so calmly? She's not even trying to make a threat."
"Arya doesn't need to make threats." Gendry replied calmly. "She's already made herself abundantly clear, be a good king and you have her backing, and mine." He gave Arya's hand a tight squeeze then let go and moved to his feet. "I think I'd like to show Shireen her room now, she can have one of the ones you have allocated to Arya, I'll take one on the same floor as well so that we can keep the dragons together, there are only so many guards that are trained to be calm around them."
Renly stood and nodded. "Yes, yes, of course. Until 2 o'clock then."
Arya nodded and picked up Alyssa. "Alyssa needs a feed and a nap, I'll take her to Saia." She gave Lady one last pat then turned to leave the room.
"Oh, one last thing, Princess Arya," Renly said almost absentmindedly. "Prince Doran Martell accepted your invention, he arrived in the city a couple of days ago, shall I send a messenger to say that you will see him?"
Arya nodded. "Of course." She agreed.
~~/~~
Part 70:The 'Godswood' at Kings Landing was not so much a wood as a planned and planted garden that had then been left to go wild. True Godswoods were part of the old forest that had been sectioned off and protected, but the old forest had long gone by the time the Red Keep was built. The Godswood held no Weirwoods, but an old Oak, with a carved face, sat proudly near its centre. It was a nice place, overlooking the Blackwater Rush, and wildflowers and other 'weeds' had been allowed to grow relatively freely there in the last 350 years. The place didn't have the power of the Winterfell Godswood, and it lacked the feel of Aegon's Garden, but Arya still felt that she could feel the Old Gods there… and she was sure that Gareth the Greenhand had planted a seed or two in his time.
Either way, it was the place that Arya had chosen for her first meeting with Doran. She was aware that he suffered from gout, but did not know how bad his condition was, and had decided that the outside meeting place would make things easier on everybody. It was late morning when the Prince of Dorne arrived, carried by four men in a large palanquin, seated on a wheeled chair. He had a blanket covering much of him, the hands that rested on it were red and swollen. He was in his early fifties, but looked much older, he greeted her with a small smile, but his expression was otherwise guarded.
A large guard, bearing a huge axe, with a shaft at least six feet long, stood beside him, a young man with dark curly hair walked behind the palanquin, but it was the young woman beside the young man that's presence surprised Arya. Myrcella! She had gotten taller, and had grown into quite the beauty, she was dressed in a Dornish fashion and seemed quite comfortable beside the young man. All three were dressed in various shades of yellow. Once the palanquin came to a rest the young man and Myrcella steeped up beside it, still staying further back that Doran.
The only guard that Arya had with her was Sandor, she had left some of her guards with Shireen and had others stationed with Alyssa or on her actual rooms, but if Doran chose to raise a confrontation with Sandor it would be easier to stop if she didn't have any other guards with her. She could feel Sandor squaring off with the man holding the axe and intentionally stepped between them. "Prince Doran Nymeros Martell," She greeted formally. "Thank you for accepting my invitation."
"Thank you for giving it, Lady Arya." Doran replied.
Arya felt Sandor move behind her and raised a hand before he spoke, she gave Doran a genuine smile. "If that is my que to correct you that I am legally a princess now, you'll be disappointed to discover that I prefer to judge people on their actions, not their birth rights." She replied calmly. "You could honestly call me Underfoot for all I care."
"Underfoot?" Doran replied with an intrigued edge to his voice. "That's an interesting choice."
Arya shrugged. "Fat Tom gave me the name, because he said that's where I always was, once Vayon Poole, our Steward, picked it up many people followed. But most of the people that called me that came to King's Landing when Father was made Hand. Cersei saw to it that most of them are dead now." She let her gaze move to Myrcella and then to Sandor. "A good thing that neither of us are stupid enough to blame daughters, or brothers, for the actions of their family members." She turned her attention to Myrcella. "I'm glad things worked out well for you."
Myrcella nodded. "I'm told I owe a lot of that to you." She said quietly. "Uncle Tyrion says you were quite insistent on having Tommen and I legitimised as Lannister's, thank you."
Arya frowned. "Thank you? I put an arrow in Joffrey personally, and played a large role in your mother's death, you should be screaming at me how much you hate me, not thanking me."
Myrcella looked at her for a long moment, then looked to Doran as if for permission, Doran gave a slight nod and Myrcella stepped forward. "Arya I… I know what Joffrey was, I suffered more of his cruelty than you did… not as bad as Tommen suffered… but I know. As for my mother… I… she loved me very much, and I loved her… but… I know she had her faults. I miss her… and I miss Uncle Jamie… Father, I guess I should call him now… but I understand. War causes terrible things… That you had the compassion… that it even occurred to you to ask that Tommen and I not be tarred as 'Waters'… we could have both been cast out onto the streets as bastards, or even murdered for it… I… I was sent to Dorne as a Baratheon and betrothed to Trystane…" Her voice faltered and she looked towards the young man, confirming that he was Prince Trystane Martell, Doran's son.
He stepped up beside her, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Myrcella and I had become quite fond of each other by the time the truth of her parentage was brought to light." He said softly. "By having her legitimised as a Lannister, and encouraging King Renly to send an envoy to negotiate for her safety, you created a situation in which we were able to remain betrothed." Trystane allowed his hand to slip down to Myrcella's and laced their fingers together. "For that, we are both very thankful."
Arya nodded. She let her attention shift back to Doran and frowned. "There are many steps between hear and Maegor's Holdfast… I…"
"They are wide steps, Princess." Sandor interjected. "If the one with the axe is happy to take the back of the palanquin I'll take the front." Doran gave a nod of consent and Sandor walked up, positioned himself between the front two handles, and waited.
"Ready." The other man said once he was in position.
"Lift on one." Sandor instructed. "Three, two, one." The two large men lifted the palanquin easily, as if they were carrying a child.
~~/~~
Balerion was there to greet them when they entered the room, Myrcella reacted with surprise when the 'bad cat' let Arya pat it, and was even more shocked to learn that the cat had been Rhaenys' kitten. (Arya did not mention anything of Rhaenys herself being inside the cat.) Doran looked at the old cat in wonder as it jumped onto his knee and slowly began to purr.
The room was filled with vases of roses, elderflower, and cranberry leaves from Aegon's Garden at Dragonstone, and there was a large bowl of cranberry's in the middle of the table, beside the blue Winterfell rose. Some vases had the roses from the elder tree, light frost blue, yellow, and purplish black. Other vases had the blue edged yellow roses… or yellow wild roses. Heads of elderflower had even been carefully strung to the bed posts in such a way that they would dry while filling the room with a lovely sent. All in all it was clear that Ros and Ella had been very busy. There was also a large bowl of apples and pears on the table.
Doran had brought gifts of blood oranges, lemons, and cherries, he had also taken the liberty of bringing his own nettle tea with him. Arya sent two of the Stark guards that were guarding the room for a pot of hot water, a pitcher of cold water, cups, and some honey. When the guards returned with the requested items she added lemons to the cold water, then dissolved a little honey with some of the hot water and added that as well, before making the rest of the hot water nettle tea. Doran watching her thoughtfully all the while. "Most people would have a servant do that." He finally commented.
"Valar Dohaeris." Arya replied with a shrug. "You are my guests. This is not my house, so I cannot offer you guest right, but I can do my best to keep you safe."
Doran frowned. "You think somebody would try and poison me?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.
Arya shrugged. "I think somebody might try and make it look like I tried to poison you."
"And whom would you suspect of that?" Doran asked.
Arya shrugged. "It is within the reach of many to consider." She replied carefully.
"Yes, well within the Reach." Doran agreed.
It was strange sitting in the room that Elia and her children had died in and talking to her brother. But it must have been stranger still for Myrcella to be back inside the Red Keep. They talked, Arya showed them through what remained of Elia's belongings, and Doran asked if any of her things had been found at Dragonstone. Arya didn't know the answer so she sent for the people that might, Gendry and Shireen. Ella and the dragons arrived with them.
The guard with the axe, Areo Hotah, became defensive at the presence of the dragons, but Doran was fascinated by them, especially when Dragonsteel started sniffing at the cherries. Dragonsteel nudged the bowl with his snout, causing a couple to dislodge, then ate them. He rolled the stones around in his mouth for a while then spat one at Gendry's chest, causing everybody but Gendry to laugh. He then stole half a bowl of cherries in one mouthful, and started playfully spitting the stones at people. Ella dived in front of Arya at that point, exclaiming that she had only just finished making the dress and it didn't need cherry stains. Gendry grabbed a handful of cranberries and started to lure Dragonsteel away from the cherries.
"Come on, greedy guts." He muttered. "Leave some for everybody else."
The commotion was enough to cause Saia and Alyssa to come investigate, and soon Alyssa and Dragonsteel were scrambling around on the bed after each other. The situation was so hilarious that even Doran was laughing so hard that there were tears in his eyes. Eventually Dragonsteel let Alyssa catch him and she pulled his tail, then started sucking on it.
"My gosh!" Doran exclaimed, wiping a tear from his eye. "She's actually pulling on the dragon's tail!"
Gendry shrugged as Dragonsteel settled down on the bed and pretended to ignore Alyssa. "Dragonsteel would never hurt her." He replied calmly.
Doran looked around the room, then his hand reached to the blue rose on the table, he picked it up and examined it thoughtfully then put it down. "Elia would have loved this," He said softly. "Thank you, Princess Arya, you've brought the joy back to this room."
~~/~~