Ned decided that he would meet with Arya in the garden, and from there, they would walk through the gardens, and Ned would explain everything to her and introduce Arya to her new stepmother. Then Ned would introduce Arya to the Dragon Queen.
As Arya and Gendry waited in the throne room, a servant came to escort them to their chambers so that they could freshen up. Before the servant left, she handed Arya a note from her father saying that once Arya had rested, he would meet her in the garden, "*We have many things to discuss, sweetheart. So many things have happened, but I will not explain them in a letter. Rest now, and I will see you in the garden later."* Eddard wrote to his daughter.
Arya was excited to see her father, but she did as she was told. Arya was filthy and tired, so she quickly bathed and laid down to take a short nap. An hour passed, and a servant knocked on Arya's door. She told them they could enter; the servant brought food for Arya and a light tunic and trousers so that Arya could change.
Once Arya finished her meal, the servant showed her to the gardens. Arya stared around in wonder. She had never seen a more beautiful garden or city. Arya loved that the town smelled clean and that, from what she had seen so far, there was very little poverty. Walking through the garden, Arya was awed at all the different flora. So many beautiful flowers and trees; many had fruits or berries on them that she didn't recognize but looked delicious. Arya couldn't wait to taste them.
Arya followed the servant through the garden until they came to the middle, where she saw her father sitting on a bench waiting for her. Arya smiled brightly and screamed, "Father!"
Ned turned towards her and smiled. He stood and opened his arms for Arya to run into them. Arya wasted no time rushing toward Ned and throwing herself into his arms; they hugged each other tightly, and for the first time in a long time, Arya cried.
Ned hushed and comforted his youngest daughter. He knew that the stress of everything that had happened was catching up to her, and she finally allowed herself to have a breakdown in her father's arm. When Arya controlled herself enough to speak, Ned led her to the garden bench and sat next to her. Arya held onto her father dearly; she couldn't believe she was with him. Arya was almost afraid to let Ned go; she was fearful that it was only a figment of her imagination.
For his part, Ned held on to Arya tightly and rocked her back and forth, giving her as much comfort as he could. He knew that his daughter was tough, but she was still only a child and still needed the comfort of her father.
After a while, Arya pulled away and looked into her father's grey eyes. "What happened, Father? Why was Sansa executed?"
Ned sighed, "Joffrey thought it was a more fitting punishment to take away from me that I cherished the most, my children. I am only glad that Yoren could get you out of the city."
"What happened after the execution?" Arya asked.
"I was taken to the black cells to live out the rest of my life, however long that would last," Ned told Arya.
"I don't understand, Father; why did Joffery kill Sansa instead?"
Ned closed his eyes, "Because he knew it was a far greater punishment for me to see one of my children killed than me be executed. It would make my suffering worse."
Arya nodded in understanding. She knew how much her father loved his children and could see how much it still hurt him to think about Sansa. Arya decided to change the subject and asked how he escaped the black cells. Ned explained that Lord Varys set him free and sent him to Pentos. Ned then told Arya everything that had happened until he arrived in Meereen. Arya became excited when her father said to her that he had met the Dragon Queen and had seen the dragons, "Will I get to see them too, Father?" Arya asked excitedly.
"Aye, the Queen's Hand has informed her that you and your friend are in the city, and she would like to meet you. But before that happens, there are other things we have to discuss. It's about your mother and me."
Arya looked at her father, confused, "What about you and Mother?"
Ned took a deep breath and looked Arya in the eyes, "Your mother and I are no longer married. I had the marriage annulled."
Arya's eyes widened, "Why, Father? Why would you do something like that? I thought you loved Mother."
"So did I, Sweetling, but so many things have happened these past few months that I can no longer be with your mother," Ned explained.
Ned then went on to explain Catelyn's role in Robert's Rebellion. That if she hadn't been so petty and jealous, that war never would have happened. Arya sat on the bench, stunned at her mother's actions, but somehow she wasn't all that surprised; Arya knew how petty and hateful her mother could be; how Catelyn treated Jon was a perfect example.
Arya scrutinized her father, her eyes narrowed, "There's something else, isn't there, Father?"
"Aye, there is. I also learned that your little brother, Rickon is not my son."
"What?! Do you mean he's a bastard?! Who is his father?"
"An old friend of your mother's, Petyr Balish," Ned informed Arya.
"LITTLE FINGER!" Arya cried, "The same man who betrayed you?"
"Aye."
"Oh, Father, how could she? I don't understand if Rickon is a bastard. How could she still mistreat Jon?"
"I don't know, Sweetling."
Arya glared at the ground, then looked at her father, "I'm glad you got rid of Mother; she does not deserve you, Father; you are too good for her. Does that mean I don't have to see her anymore?"
"Not if you don't want to," Ned said.
"Good, I never want to see Catelyn Tully again; I hate her!"
"Arya, you shouldn't say such things about your mother," Ned admonished.
"Why not? She never loved me as much as she loved Sansa. She always criticized me, always treated me less than Sansa just because I wasn't a lady. What kind of mother does that, Father? And I know she wasn't always kind to you either. Because I'm young doesn't mean I don't see, Father. Mother was all wrong for you. You deserve someone better. Someone who will not try to change you and will not resent you because of Jon." Arya declared openly.
Ned decided to take that opportunity to bring up Missandei, "So, you would not be against me remarrying?" Ned inquired.
"As long as your new wife treats you the way you deserve to be treated and loves you, I would not mind if you got remarried, Father. I would be happy for you."
Ned sighed in relief, "Well, then, I must tell you something. I met someone here in Meereen; her name is Missandei of Narth. She is the Queen's Lady and interpreter. She has been a great help to me while I've been here. Missandei is kind and generous. She is devoted to her Queen but is not afraid to speak her mind if she thinks she can help," Ned explained.
Arya looked at her father, who had a dreamy look on his face as he talked about Missandei. Arya had never seen that look on Ned's face when he spoke of her mother, and Arya knew that her father was in love with Missandei. Arya smiled mischievously at her father, "You love her, don't you, Father?"
Ned came out of his daze, "What?"
Arya grinned at Ned, "You are in love with Missandei, aren't you, Father? And you want to marry her, don't you?"
Ned stared at Arya for a moment, then chuckled. He hugged his youngest daughter and kissed her head, "My clever girl, Aye, Arya, I do love Missandei; I love her very much. So much that we were married a month ago."
Arya pulled away from her father and stared at him blankly. Ned began to get nervous as time passed until Arya beamed at him, "Well, then I think it's time for me to meet my new mother, don't you, Father?"
Ned laughed loudly and picked up Arya, "Aye, Love, I think it's time, and I know you will love Missandei as much as I do."
Arya hugged her father, "If she loves you, then I will love her."
And with that, the two Starks headed towards the Great Pyramid, where Missandei had lunch ready.