What Arya didn't know was that she was being followed by a Faceless Man named Jaqen H'ghar. The Faceless Man had received orders from Queen Rhaesa to look for Arya and bring her to Meereen to join her father, and the assassin had no intention of disappointing the one who the Many-Faced God had blessed.
So, Jaqen followed stealthily behind the Lannisters, and when the opportunity presented itself, he slaughtered them all during the night. Jaqen made his way toward the Stark girl and ordered her to stay quiet.
"Who are you," Arya asked as she eyed the man suspiciously.
"A man has no name, but you may call me Jacen H'ghar. A man has come to rescue a girl on the orders of the Dragon Queen."
Arya's eyes widened in fear; what would the Dragon Queen want with her? Was she going to use her as a bargaining chip for Robb?
"Why would she want to save me?"
Jaqen pulled a letter out of his coat and handed it to Arya. She looked at him suspiciously, then glanced at the seal and gasped; it was her father's seal. Arya quickly broke the seal and read the note. The note was written in her father's handwriting and informed her that he had escaped to Meereen and that he had enlisted the help of Queen Rhaesa against the Lannisters. But that her father wanted Arya safe in Meereen with him. Her father told her that she could trust the Faceless Man and follow him.
Once Arya finished the letter, she looked at the trained assassin and nodded, "I'll go with you, but I can't leave my friends behind."
Jaqen looked at the two boys with Arya, then nodded, "Come, a ship is waiting to take us to Meereen."
And with that, Jaqen led Arya, Hot Pie, and Gendry towards the bay where a ship was waiting to take them to Meereen. But as they got closer to the port, Hot Pie decided that the adventure was too big for him and would prefer to stay in Westeros. Arya protested but eventually gave in. She hugged her friend and wished him luck.
Arya then turned to Gendry, "Are you staying as well?"
Gendry shoots his head, "No, there's nothing for me here. It's time I start a new life somewhere different."
Arya smiled at her friend, and they both followed the Faceless Man onto the boat. Jaqen informed the pair that he would escort them to the Bay of Dragons and then to the Great Pyramid to meet the queen. Arya's brow furrowed, "I thought it was called Slaver's Bay?"
"A girl has much to learn; the Queen has renamed the bay after the dragons since slavery has ended."
Arya's eyes nearly popped out of her head, "So, it's true, The Dragon Queen truly has live dragons."
"A girl will see for herself. In the meantime, a man has been instructed to teach a girl to defend herself if it is a girl's wish."
Arya's eyes lit up, and she immediately accepted. And so, throughout the long journey to Meereen, Jaqen H'ghar began training Arya Stark in the ways of the Faceless Men, though he knew she would never become one. While he taught Arya, one of the other sailors taught Gendry to fight appropriately with his hammer. The men on the ship were loyal to their Queen and refused to have a useless boy stay in the presence of their queen.
It took three months for the ship to reach Meereen; at every port they stopped, Arya and Gendry would disembark and explore the city, though Jaqen warned them of the dangers of the city. Arya was fascinated with everything she saw, though she was appalled at seeing the enslaved people that wandered the town. When they returned to the boat, the captain told the children that it was the world's way; not all men were free.
"But the Dragon Queen freed Slaver's Bay," Arya answered.
"She did; perhaps one day she will expand her empire this way." The captain speculated.
When they finally arrived at the Bay of Dragons, Arya buzzed with excitement. She had never seen anything so beautiful; from the boat, Arya and Gendry could see the Great Pyramid with the Targaryen Sigil hung. As she stared at the pyramid, Arya suddenly heard a roar. She looked up and gasped; several dragons flew overhead, chasing each other and roaring.
"Are they fighting?" Arya asked.
"No, they are playing, and at the same time, they inspect the incoming ships. It is widespread to have one or two of them come closer to the ships to get a good look," The captain informed calmly.
He had been sailing into the bay long enough to know the routine, and he was no longer worried. The Captain knew that as long as he didn't pose a threat, he was fine. Right on cue, two dragons swooped down to get a better look, Arya and Gendry jumped back at the sight of the dragons so close, but the others went on about their business.
Arya watched, fascinated as the black dragon dropped down, skimming his wings along the water on one side of the boat as a blue one did the same on the other side. She could tell they were looking at her. Suddenly they roared and shot into the sky and headed back towards the Great Pyramid.
Arya looked at the Captain, worried, "What was that about?"
The Captain shrugged, "We'll find out when we dock."
By the time the boat reached the dock, they had noticed a company of Unsullied waiting for them and the Hand of the Queen. Arya looked apprehensively at Gendry, then at the Jaqen. "Come, a girl is expected to meet the queen. She should not keep her waiting."
Arya nodded; she quickly ran down below, with Gendry following her to grab their gear. Once they were ready, they disembarked and made their way towards the man surrounded by the Unsullied. Rhee smiled at Jaqen, who only nodded at him, "I see you were successful, Jaqen, thank you."
"Of course, a man had no problems locating a girl. Now a man will take his leave."
And with that, Jaqen turned and disappeared into the crowd with a new face so that he wouldn't be recognized.
Rhee then turned to Arya and bowed, "Welcome to Meereen, Arya Stark; I am Rhee, Hand of the Queen. Your father is looking forward to seeing you, but first, Queen Rhaesa would like to meet you," Rhee said.
Then Rhee noticed Gendry, "And who is your companion?"
"This is my friend, Gendry Waters. We escaped Kings Landing together."
Rhee stared at Gendry, "Welcome, Gendry Waters; please accompany us to the Great Pyramid to meet the Queen."
Gendry was going to protest, but Rhee cut him off, "I'm afraid I must insist. The Queen will want to meet the man who helped keep Lady Stark safe, as will Lord Stark."
At her father's name, Arya's face brightened, "Will my father be there?"
"Yes, he will. You may speak with him first. The Queen will give you a few moments to greet each other. Now, let us head back to the Great Pyramid."