Deanarys Targaryen was on her way north again. But this time no war was looming in the distance, it was a blessed time of peace and prosperity to the seven kingdoms.
The North has been independent for over a year ruled wisely by Sansa Stark. Jon Snow has decided to go back beyond the wall claiming that the company of the free folk gave him peace.
As for the south, Deanarys ruled over the remaining six kingdoms with only a few problems in the form of proud and stubborn lords who still saw her as a foreign invader.
Deanarys has decided to make the trip north when Sansa sent word of a celebration in honor of the dead and the victory of the battle for the dawn. Her entourage was a few hours away from Winterfell, the light snow covering the ground gave the fields a somewhat magical appearance.
High above her Drogon soured, his gigantic frame a dark shadow against the bright blue sky. "I'm getting feelings of deja vu" Tyrion announced from her side.
Jamie Lannister who rode next to his brother came closer. "It seem that only yesterday we came here with King Robert" he mimicked Tyrion's tone.
"I trust you will behave ser Jamie, don't make me regret bringing you along" she warned him. The only reason she brought him at all was the threat of rebellion organized by the surviving supporters of Cersei's rule.
"I wouldn't want to be you dear brother" Tyrion snickered, "you are about to face not one but two wolves you managed to anger!" Jamie's face turned pale. Tyrion's statement sent the Targaryen thinking, despite her multiple interactions with both the Stark sisters she barely knew either of them.
At least she knew how to handle Sansa, the red head was to be respected and was wise beyond her years due to the hardships she faced. But Arya remained a mystery, Deanarys had no idea how to handle her.
The gate of Winterfell came into sight, the gray direwolf banners draped proudly on the sides. In the courtyard Sansa waited a handful of guards at her side. She wore an elegant gray dress, silver wolfhead pins kept her fur cloak in place. A silver crown designed after the Weirwood leaves rested upon her head.
"Welcome back to the North, your grace, I hope you will find this visit more enjoyable than the last" Sansa spoke with her effortless regal tone That Deanarys could not quite master.
"How is the north these days?" Tyrion asked in a jolly mood. His brother stood next to him silent as he did his best to avoid eye contact with the northern queen.
"The north is well, my lord, though..." a loud shout interrupted her and a young girl came running at her, "Sansa! Arya said to stay with you today". The girl was wearing man's clothes but clearly made for her, the girl's bright brown hair was gathered in a messy braid, the nearby Northmen cracked a smile at the little girl.
"Did Arya say what she will be doing today?" Sansa's regal expression turned tender "no, she just said she'll be back before nightfall" the girl seemed to have realized that Sansa had company at that moment, "did I interrupt again?".
"Only a little, now go on inside and fix your hair" They all watched as the girl run inside, saying hello to everyone on her way.
"Forgive Diana, she forgot you were arriving today" Deanarys was proud of herself for not standing with her mouth agape, unlike Tyrion, "no apology needed, but I do want to know who is she".
"How about we get out of the cold first?" Tyrion joked but Deanarys could she his thoughts racing in his eyes.
Inside they went to the main hall of Winterfell on their way they happened upon Brienne of Tarth. "Ser Jamie" her tone was as cold as the snow outside, yet Deanarys could detect the underlining hurt in her voice.
"Ser Brienne" the female knight simply nodded a greeting to the rest and left.
Inside the so called "throne room" of Winterfell Diana was already situated at the long table, the roaring fireplace a bright background. "Diana came with Arya when she returned from King's Landing," Sansa began talking "she is currently training with my sister in swordplay, and whenever Arya runs off to be alone she joins me and learn some of the finer details of ruling".
Tyrion was clearly making a mental list of things he needed to find out as he approached the child. "Hello, Diana was it? I am Tyrion Lannister, you may have heard of me".
"Arya told me about you, she said you were the good one? Though I'm not quite sure what it means," she turned to Deanarys next "is it true you have dragons? What are they like? Do they understand you like Nymeria understands Arya?" Diana bombarded her with questions not giving her time to answer.
"Well..." the doors opened and Arya walked inside flanked by the direwolf, Nymeria and another wolf. Deanarys was shocked to say the least when she saw her eyes, once fully gray like steel now had circles of icy blue at their center covering almost a third of the eye. From afar it looked like a clean line separating the two colors, but upon closer inspection the borderline was jagged and rough like the colors were fighting for control, thin veins of both gray and blue stretched from both sides.
Everything about her looked stiff yet at the same time she moved with the hidden grace of a cat. She was adorned with a simple white wool shirt and dark brown pants, a slightly brighter shade of brown leather armor hugged her frame, showing off her well built body. Her sword Needle hang to her right and the valerian steel dagger was strapped behind her.
"How was your day sister? I hope you remember the feast planned for tonight" Sansa called out. Arya gave a short nod before looking at Deanarys.
"Welcome to Winterfell, Diana, come" the girl jumped from the chair and ran to her, Diana pet the large direwolf without fear, Nymeria herself wagged her tail.
With that she left the room followed by Diana and the wolves. "I don't mean to be rude, but your sister is quite different" Tyrion as always tried to make a joke.
"She's been this way since she killed the night king, apparently the rest of us were too busy with the south to notice" Sansa's tone had a hint of sadness and shame in it, "but this is a matter for another day. I trust you remember the way to your rooms, I have a few things left to take care of before the feast" with that Sansa left them to their thoughts.
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Arya led Diana to their courtyard, the rest of the castle residents were now aware that this inner yard was for Arya's use alone. It took only one accident in which a guard was slightly wounded and severely humiliated to get that point across.
The courtyard itself had nothing special about it, except being the closest to the Godswood. It had the normal wooden catwalks along the walls, the latest snow has covered the ground with a white blanket but underneath the catwalks a combination of grass and cold mud could still be seen.
Arya took the two wooden swords she carved and threw one at Diana. After almost a year of training with her Diana was ready and caught the hilt easily. "Do you think I could meet one of the dragons?" Diana asked.
Using the minor distraction Arya lunged at her pupil, with a series of three quick strikes she had the wood pressing against Diana's throat. "Dead" the girl pushed away her sword and took the dancing stance once more, clearly focused on Arya.
The two circled each other, exchanging swift strikes and jabs. Each exchange ended with Arya's wood blade pressed against a different part of Diana, "dead again".
At one point Arya kicked Diana's leg making her fall. In a moment Arya had her sword touching her exposed neck, "dead". She sensed someone approaching them, "what do you want?"
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Jamie Lannister was startled, how could she possibly know he was there? It was incredibly difficult to find the right words with her cold gaze that seemed to see through him.
"I..." Arya signaled Diana, the girl took away the wood swords and left to stand next to Nymeria on the sides. "I must ask, why did you not kill me?"
This was probably not the right thing to ask the most skilled and dangerous woman in the seven kingdoms. Arya unsheathed her sword, the thin blade simmering in the sunset light "draw your sword" she ordered coldly.
"What? Why?" Arya stared him down sword in hand, her eyes were unsettling in their stare down. "Draw. Your. Sword" her voice hadn't changed its icy tone.
He gave in to her glare, sword drawn he took a fighting stance. She stood there with one hand behind her back waiting for him. Given no other choice he attacked, but while he attack like a lion she struck like a viper.
She was fast, the only one who might be as fast was Oberyn Martel, she toyed with him never harming him for more than a scratch.
She had him on his knees, blade at his exposed neck, her breath was even and controlled despite the sparring. "As I said to you that day, you were not on my list," Arya sheathed her sword and turned to the catwalk, "I shall not harm you or your brother as long as you are not a threat to my family" following her gaze Jamie saw Tyrion on the catwalk. How was she able to sense Tyrion during their sparring and know exactly who is was without looking? Because he knew for certain her eyes never left him during the fight.
She walked away leaving him kneeling in the muddy snow, defeated. Diana and the direwolf went with her as Tyrion came to him, "what were you thinking brother?"
"I needed to ask. you didn't see her that day," Jamie picked up his discarded sword, "I saw her hate for everything Lannister and yet she let me go".
"She is strange that one, I think that out of all the Stark children she has changed the most," Tyrion shook his head and clapped his hands "what are we waiting for? We have a feast to get ready for!" The two brothers walked back to the castle unaware of the man who silently watched them.
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Sorry for the long wait, next chapter Arya will talk to Jaqen again, and someone will hear part of their conversation, not sure who yet(will gladly except suggestions).
Also I will be happy to hear your thoughts on Arya's condition, and possible endings for it.
As always hope you enjoy, and stay safe.