In which our little wolf tries to move on with life before it goes down the drain and secrets are shared, yet again.
*Year 304 After Conquest (AC) - New Future*
"Has anyone ever told you, that it's rude to stare at people?" Arya quirked an eyebrow in question. A small smile is tugging at the corner of her mouth as she held her gaze evenly to her brother.
"Not directly to my face, no," Jon answered unperturbed as he sips another mouthful of hot stew, still not breaking eye contact on his sister. His dark grey eyes shine with unspoken mirth of their own.
Arya hummed in feigned curiosity. "I wonder why." She murmurs.
Jon gives the slightest shrug at that. "Probably because they're too scared of me, given I'm a respectable lord now." he reasoned.
His tone is unmistakably one that is bragging. The only thing that is missing is his puffed chest as he uttered the words. But, Arya senses no offence in there and it only makes her grin wider.
"So I've heard… Do I have to call you Lord Stark now?"
"It would be preferable. But if you start calling by my title, then I would have to return the gesture…Princess." he tilts his head in mock salute, stifling a smile as he does it.
Arya glared in return. "Then, Jon it is."
A smile finally graces Jon's features as he down the last stew inside his bowl. He wipes his mouth clean with his sleeve and released a content sigh as his stomach is satisfyingly full. Arya watches her brother's every move in comfortable silence. His shoulders relax further as he leans back to his chair, eyeing her still. The crackle of the burning pines in the fireplace warming Arya's temporary room in New Castle and thus the two people inside it.
"I just can't believe you're still alive." Jon suddenly said, softly. The smile on his lips now gone, replaced by a thin line instead. "Everyone believed you were dead and we've mourned you…along with Father, Sansa and Bran."
A beat passes as Arya can only stare back, loss of words. Jon looks devastated as soon as he said those words. His eyes show a depth that is full of wreckage and pain.
"When Jamie Lannister wrote to us that he's going to kill Robert, we rode as fast as we can to get to Father. But, we were too late." He explains further, looking sad at that certain memory.
Arya blinks hard as she registers the words. "Jamie Lannister wrote to you?" she asked, surprised.
Jon only nods. "He was rather adamant about wanting revenge. He accused Robert and our Father of tampering the trial and murdering Cersei as if that justified his next action... And so he wanted to repay back with blood."
Arya suddenly felt sick as she remembers the moment she released the arrow for Cersei. She looks away from Jon's heavy gaze as her guilt doubled.
"We found Father and Sansa among the others. But, we couldn't find you or Bran and we were hoping that you two somehow made it out alive from the attack. But, six years have passed and we were losing hope…so Robb made a tomb for you and Bran in the crypt last year. We were ready to move on. I was ready to move on."
Arya slowly turns her head to Jon again. His dark grey eyes looked at her with such vulnerability that she couldn't tear away from them again. "I'm sorry, little sister."
Of course, Jon would apologize for something like this. He shouldn't feel sorry for wanting to move on with his life at all. It's not like he can control every horrible thing that has happened to their family. Though Arya knows she couldn't either, she had one chance that the others don't. She has the knowledge of what's coming for her family, yet she still couldn't save them. If anyone should apologize, it should be her.
"I'm sorry too, Jon." She said in remorse. Jon let out a frown, not understanding what his sister is apologizing for.
"I was with them when Jamie Lannister killed Father and when a soldier took Sansa's life. I was there and I couldn't do anything to protect them." She explains, her shoulders slumped as she looks down to her feet.
Jon reaches out for her hand across the table, taking them into his hold. Arya looks over to their joined hands, feeling his warm hands on top of hers. His thumbs running circle at the back of her hand in a soothing manner. Jon didn't say anything to comfort her and Arya was grateful for that. She knows she doesn't deserve it. His understanding gaze and supporting presence are more than enough to fill the hollowness inside her heart that seems to deepen every time she thought about her failures.
Silence engulfs the room except for the crackling pine that burnt loudly. Arya let her eyes fall to the dancing flames in the fireplace. A moment passed by in comfortable silence as both of them seems to be lost in their own thoughts before Jon decides to break the silence then.
"What happened, Arya? How do you survive all these years? Were you with Bran?"
Arya closes her eyes for a while as she regains herself, having already anticipated the set of questions. It's true that she had ponders on what to tell her family since she sets sail earlier. Telling them she was a slave could only deepen their pity for her and that is the last thing she wants from them. But, without telling them that part of her life, she couldn't justify Daenerys coming home with her. Arya decides that it's best to lay it all out.
So, the young woman takes a deep breath before speaking again. "When Sansa and I came across the Kingsroad attack, we were separated from Father and Bran and we tried to find them among the chaos. And when we did find Father, he was already losing his fight and then Sansa…" Arya pauses, as she swallowed a lump painfully. The horrid images are dancing at the back of her mind.
Jon's hands tighten around hers in comfort. She chanced a glanced at her brother only to find his kind eyes looking at her. His unspoken reluctant to let her continue the painful tale only strengthens her will to do so.
"It all happened so fast… The next thing I realized I was running away from that place. All I can think of is I have to go back to Winterfell. Thinking that Bran must have done the same only speeds up my pace. I only rest when it gets too dark to see. I couldn't remember how long I've walked and run among the trees and the cold air. I hate to admit it but I don't think I was heading to Winterfell at all. I was lost… And by the third day of wandering in the wilderness, a group of men– they were snatchers, found me. I was too tired to fight them and they caught me to be sold along with other children as slaves. I don't think they knew who I was then."
Jon's hold on hers tightens further at the last words, that it was becoming rather painful for her hands. Arya breaks away then only to hold his hands against hers again, forcing a slight smile in assurance. Jon works his jaw back and forth as he tries to calm himself down, albeit with much difficulty. But, when he finally succeeds, Arya continues her story.
"A man named Qazlas zo Yunzak bought me. He brought me across the narrow sea, to Slaver's Bay and put me into his fighting pit. I spend all my years there, fighting to survive." She paused again. Jon was looking ahead at the fireplace now, but Arya knows he was listening, rather intently as his dark grey eyes are busy absorbing it all.
"I was doing well in the pit, you know considering my lack of experience in it all… I was even the crowd's favourite. And I reckon I was the breadwinner there too." She tries to jape, but Jon clearly didn't find it amusing, given the deep frown he has.
"And then, one day I had a visitor who goes by the name Daenerys Targaryen. She was caught by Qazlas men when her dragon landed her on his territory. Qazlas put her into my cell the same day I planned to break out from that place. So, it was only fitting that I brought her along through my escapade. However, I didn't manage to break free but Daenerys did. She came back with her dragon and breaks me out of the fighting pit along with the other slaves too… And now I'm here." She finished.
Jon turns his head to his sister then, waiting for her to continue. But, clearly she was done as her grey eyes look back at him expectantly. Carefully, he pulls his hands away from her hold and stands up from his seat. His mind is reeling about what his sister had just said.
Arya waits patiently for Jon to gather his thoughts. After all, there is a lot to take in from what she has revealed.
"This man, Qazlas…where is he now?" Jon suddenly said, turning around to Arya. His face contorted in rage as he spat her former master's name.
"He's dead." She answered. But, Jon looks down to her, waiting for more. So, she continues. "He was dragged by a horse along the desert and dropped dead halfway before he even reached Meereen for his trial."
Jon seems satisfied by the fact that Qazlas did not die easy as he turns around again, giving his back to the young woman. He stays there motionless for a while before he faced her again. The fire on his features is gone now. Instead, in its place are the one of sympathy and sorrow.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, Arya. You shouldn't have to." He said, moving closer to her. He can't begin to imagine what his little sister had to go through all these years with being a slave fighter nonetheless.
"No, maybe I shouldn't have. But, I did anyway. I can't change that and no one can change that." She answered, standing up as she moves away from him before he can console her further. This is the exact sentiment that the young woman doesn't need from her family, least of all from Jon. She didn't want to be comforted. Wanting it would mean she was affected by it and she refused to admit that. After all, there is no one to blame her misfortune than herself since nobody forces her to make the choices she made.
A soft sigh escapes Jon as he stops his track, giving Arya her space. There are so much more that he wanted to ask about her time away across the narrow sea. But, seeing her reaction now, he reckons it was a sensitive topic and decides to store it away for another time. Another beat passes before Jon decides to ask another question instead that is of equal importance.
"And this Daenerys Targaryen…did she knows who you were when she saved you from the fighting pit?" his voice resonates through the room again.
Arya looks up to him then from across the room, after regaining herself. His wary tone doesn't go unnoticed by the young woman.
"Queen Daenerys doesn't know who I was when she saved us. She could have left me to die in the fighting pit, Jon…but she didn't. Even after knowing who I was, she could have mounted my head in a spike but she didn't." she defended, perhaps a little too enthusiastic to her liking. But, she was only stating facts after all.
Jon doesn't seem to be excited by the notion though, judging by his mild scowl. "Perhaps she knew how valuable you were being alive than dead." He commented sarcastically.
Arya moves forward again only to stop when she's an arm apart from her brother. "I know what you're thinking Jon."
"Do you?"
"I do." She really did, having to ponder the same doubt while she spent her time in the Great Pyramid of Meereen herself.
Jon sealed his lips in a straight line with a brow raised, waiting expectantly.
"She's the Mad King's daughter, yes. But, she's nothing like her Father. Queen Daenerys could have spared me the niceties she acquired me with since we made acquaintance, but it's all she ever gave me. I'm fed and clothed and safe. And if being alive is all she needed of me, then she could put me in a cage, tortured me and still kept me alive. She could ransom me for the North's submission yet she did not." She stated, as a matter of fact, holding her gaze evenly.
At the determined look of his sister, Jon let out a sigh. "Arya, she's a Targaryen." He reasoned as if the simple word alone would justify his contempt.
"You don't even know her, Jon. I thought you of all people know how it feels like to be condemned by a mere title and name alone?" she asked back, not bother to hide her disappointment.
Jon flinched at her reaction before he straightens himself again. "This is different. We have every right to be wary of her. She has thousands of armies and three grown dragons. What's to stop her from attacking the North and taking over Winterfell?"
"You're right… Nothing could stop her from doing all those things and yet here we are, unharmed."
Both of them held their gaze to each other, not wanting to back away, trusting that their opinions are right in their own eyes. But, Arya knows her brother in front of her well enough. When she was just a child, it was always Jon who calmed her down after she had cried a bucket over a stupid argument with Sansa. He was the one that defends her against other girls who called her funny names. So, when she sees his dark grey eyes flicker with uncertainties at his own words, she decides to drop the elephant on his shoulder.
"I had pledged myself to Queen Daenerys and in return, she will honour the North and not let any harm fall to us. Her war is not with us, Jon."
Jon's eyes gradually widen that it almost becomes comical if not for the seriousness of the topic. "You pledge yourself? But, you're not even a knight."
Arya knows he wasn't mocking her with the last statement, merely confused.
"I know that…but, Queen Daenerys doesn't seem to mind. I have counselled her many times since we set sail and she promised me that she will let us be if we don't interfere with her claiming the Iron Throne."
Jon opens his mouth looking about ready to argue but no words came out. He closes his mouth back with furrowed brows. His dark grey eyes are loud with unspoken words as he looks on to Arya's undeterred ones. They could have been at it for eternity for all Arya knows when Jon finally releases a defeated sigh.
He closes his eyes as he pinches the bridge of his nose before opening them again to look at the young woman. "I need to hear that from her. I need to see Daenerys Targaryen."
Arya let out a grin at that. "I thought you'd never ask."
*
The walk to the common hall is filled with silence as Arya leads the way with Jon trails close behind her. After asking for a servant girl to relay the messages to the Queen about them requesting for an audience, Daenerys agreed to meet in the common hall and that is why they are heading there now. Arya looks over to her shoulder to find Jon staring ahead. Though his mouth is sealed in a straight line, she can see his dark grey eyes are busy calculating everything she had told him moments before. The young woman doesn't know why but she had a positive feeling about this meeting. So, it was no surprise that there is additional bounce on her steps as she walks along the hallways or perhaps it was just the prospect of seeing Daenerys again that makes a smile forms on her lips.
"What's gotten you so jolly?" Jon asked suddenly, breaking the young woman's daydreaming about a certain silver-haired queen.
Arya wipes off the silly smile on her face. "Nothing." She answered with a shrug.
Jon doesn't believe it in the least but he let it slide as they are nearing the archway for the common hall.
The first person Arya sees when they enter the common hall is naturally the one that has been occupied in her mind. She schooled her face to indifference as her eyes captured the violet ones. When she notices that Daenerys is looking at her with a slight upturned of her mouth, Arya's stoic face shattered. The young woman can't help but greet the older woman with the same notion, not bothering at all to hide her smile now.
"Lord Stark." Someone suddenly said.
Arya reluctantly tears off her gaze from Daenerys and turns her head to the source, with the older woman doing the same. Tyrion is standing between the dragon queen and Jon at the right side with Arya conveniently at their left.
Jon gives a curt nod in return. "Tyrion Lannister." He greets back.
A moment passes as the two men eyed each other in silence. Arya had, of course, told her brother about Tyrion being the Hand of the Queen and Jon hadn't commented much about it. Though, judging by his stiff demeanour now, anyone can tell that he's uncomfortable.
"We hadn't expected you and your entourage until tomorrow," Tyrion said, with a forced smile. Arya had to give the dwarf some respect on how well he seems to act despite the bad blood that seems to flow from both great Houses.
"I rode hard… Being separated from a missing family member for six years can do that to you." Jon answered, clenching his jaw hard. The young woman would have appreciated more of her brother's devoted love for her if not for the tension that seems to rise every second.
Before Tyrion can come back with a reply, Arya clears her throat loudly. "Jon, I would like you to meet Daenerys Targaryen. The rightful Queen of Westeros." She announced, glancing towards Jon and then Daenerys who matches her gaze with a pleasing look once Arya had done the introduction.
Daenerys turns her attention to the young man who resembles a lot like the young woman she had a soft spot on. "Lord Stark, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I would like to formally thank you for your extended invitation for us to Winterfell. I hope your journey wasn't too rough." She greets.
Jon gives another curt nod as he speaks. "The roads were kind, Your Grace." He pauses before chancing a glance at Arya at his side who looks content at the civil conversation they seem to be having. He turns ahead again then. "It is I who should be thanking you, Your Grace... My sister said you saved her from enslavement and I can't be more grateful for that. So, thank you."
Daenerys let out a small smile in return. Her gaze flickers to Arya for a moment before she returns to Jon. "Actually, it's the other way around." She remarked.
The other two pair of eyes instantly turn towards her in question. The dragon queen ignores the scrutinizing gazes of her Hand and her favourite person. "Arya was the one that saved me from the fighting pit. If it weren't for her, I would not be able to break out from there alive and return back to save the others."
A beat passes as Jon absorbs the dragon queen's confession before a chuckle left him. "I swear Arya had me convinced otherwise only a few hours or so." He commented, glancing at the young woman at his side.
"Let's just say we saved each other." Arya interrupted then which Daenerys returns with a small smile.
Jon shifts his attention towards the silver-haired queen again. "My sister also said that you have no intention to attack the North?" He asked with a raised brow.
Daenerys clasps her hand together in front of her. "Arya speaks true… As long as the North doesn't interfere in me claiming the Iron Throne from Robert then we have nothing to worry about each other." She explains.
Jon looks pleased with the statement. His stance looks less tense than before as he assured her. "We won't."
The dragon queen mirrored his action, feeling more relaxed now. "I'm glad to hear that… And when can we expect to begin our journey to Winterfell?" she inquired.
"I would prefer to leave as soon as possible…but my men needed rest and a night of good sleep, so we should leave at the first sunlight on the morrow," Jon replied.
Daenerys gives a nod in understanding. "We'll make the preparation for departure accordingly."
Jon shifts his weight then as he regards the silver-haired queen carefully. "May I know how many men are you taking, Your Grace? I heard you have thousands of soldiers… surely you're not going to march them all to Winterfell? I'm afraid if you do, it will send the wrong message to the other lords."
Daenerys exchanged a look with Tyrion as if they're having a silent conversation between them before she turns ahead again. "I understand your concern. You need not worry for I would only bring one hundred of my men with us… Though I'm sure they wouldn't even be needed, I do have to keep up with my appearance."
Jon blinks a few times as he ponders over the new information. His stance relaxes further as he seems to accept her reasons. "Of course… Winterfell can accommodate your men." He assured in confidence.
Daenerys let out a smile then. "Wonderful… I'm sure you would want your much-needed rest, my lord. So, please don't let me kept you any longer."
Jon gifted a small smile before nodding his head in return. "Your Grace." He said, dismissing himself. He exchanged another look silently with Tyrion one last time before he turns and ready to leave the common hall.
Arya watched as Jon slowly walks away before she turns to Daenerys instead. The young woman can't even begin to describe how relieved she feels the meeting had turned out. Truthfully, she had the tiniest doubt that the meeting would turn sour somehow. But, everyone seems to be taking it well. As well as any other Lannister, Stark and Targaryen involved that is. She gifted another honest smile at the older woman, trying to convey how much she appreciated her effort which only soon becomes her ogling unashamedly at the Targaryen Queen. Though Arya guesses Daenerys doesn't mind the attention, given that her purple eyes shine with unspoken tenderness.
"Arya, are you coming?" Jon called over his shoulder from the archway. His brows furrowed as he regards his little sister's stationary state.
The said young woman blinks a few times before she registers that her brother is expecting her presence. "Oh, right," Arya mumbles awkwardly. "I should go." She said softly to the older woman, reluctant clearly showing on her features.
Daenerys smiles fondly at the adorable look. "You should."
Arya let out a sigh before nodding her head in agreement. As she finally joined Jon, she takes one last look over her shoulder to find that Daenerys is still watching her closely and the warmth in her chest only doubled.
*
It takes Arya a walk back to her room with Jon that she remembered they will be leaving for Winterfell on the morrow at first sunlight. When her brother continues to tell her how he and the others were living in Winterfell for the past six years was like, Arya listened wholeheartedly but sometimes she can't help but think about the limited time she had left until they leave. It was much later when her brother is fast asleep on her bed – which she took a few times convincing for him to finally lay on – that she sneaks out of her room and decides to try fulfilling her promises.
The now dark sky was lit with stars and of the full moon as the young woman strides along the dark alleyway, trying to recreate the path that The Waif might have taken. She hopes that she can find anything of Missandei before they left for good. But, judging by the lack of discovery she had for the past hours, her hopes are only thinning out.
The former assassin let out a sigh as she rounds up the corner of the emptied local tavern down at White Harbor. This was useless, she thought grudgingly for the second time. The Waif would never venture out so far in the villages to be rid of a body as it would only take a lot of hassle. Arya remembered her own experience in the Frey's residence another lifetime ago. After killing both Walder Frey's sons, she simply cut them into tiny bits before making a pie out of them. That way the evidence of the bodies conveniently perished. It was only fitting that she should consider that alternative as well for this particular incident. But, the thought of Missandei being treated more or less the same only makes her stomach knots.
Another sigh escapes her then. Her legs are starting to hurt from the fruitless rounds she made in every part of the villages and harbour. Deciding that she will never find what she's looking for, Arya trailed her way back to the castle, trying her luck there instead.
She walks past the hallway that leads to a certain dragon queen with much difficulty. Her sore limbs are calling for rest and the queen's chamber is naturally calling for her. Arya wonders if the older woman is already asleep or is she still awake, waiting for her presence. The thoughts of Daenerys warm body around her own as they lay together last time almost made her took a detour to the room. Almost.
The young woman keeps to her intended course and enters the hallway that leads to Missandei's room instead. She stops abruptly when she notices that there are Unsullied guards stationed outside the Naathi's former room. Wondering what the purpose of them guarding an empty room, Arya carefully advances towards them. The two guards glance to her direction after noticing her presence and simply give her a curt nod in greetings. Arya returns the favour and proceeds to enter the room then.
The back of a woman enters her vision as soon as she let herself in. When a pair of shining violet eyes caught her gaze, Arya instantly knows why the guards are outside. Both women only stare at each other silently before Daenerys let out a small smile.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" the dragon queen greets. Arya slowly walks further inside the room and closer towards Daenerys then.
"I could ask you the same thing." The young woman replied.
They didn't need an answer though as they know exactly the reason why they're here in the once occupied room.
Daenerys looks away as she reaches for an abandon handkerchief on the bedside table. Her purple eyes are glaze over with regrets as she stares at the small clothes around her hand. Arya wonders if it once belongs to Missandei. "I told Grey Worm to stop the search," Daenerys speaks up suddenly. "I need him and the Unsullied to march South and be ready when we join them after the visit to Winterfell." She explains looking forlorn.
The young woman contemplates on what to say at that. She wants to console and wrap her arms around Daenerys tightly if it can release the older woman out of her misery. Arya only manages a step closer.
"You should've seen his face… He looks devastated when I gave the order. And as always, worthy of his Commander title, he complies with my wishes without argument… I wished he didn't though. I wished he asked for more time to find Missandei because I would– I could at least give him that." Daenerys said as she moves to sit down on the edge of the bed. Her head down as she stares at her tightly clasped hands on her lap.
Again Arya wanted to say something comforting and soothing to the older woman. She wanted to be like any normal person would when their loved ones are grieving and mourning, but unconsciously only her feet move closer.
Daenerys looks up then having notice Arya's advance. "We're not going to find Missandei either way, are we?"
The young woman froze as she looks upon Daenerys pleading eyes. The older woman is practically begging for Arya to say otherwise and Arya wants to at least do that if it means it can ease Daenerys hurting. But, she doesn't want to give the older woman false hope.
"No. I'm sorry… We're not." Arya said softly.
A mirthless chuckle escapes Daenerys then as she looks away. "Couldn't you at least lie to me?" A single tear roll down her cheek as she asked.
Arya clenched her jaw as she stares at the offending tear. She had never seen the dragon queen openly cried before. She decides she hated it. Her fingers seem to have a mind of their own as she gently grabs the older woman's chin, guiding her to look up at grey eyes again. "I would never lie to you about this." Arya declares as she efficiently wipes away the tears that managed to escape the violet eyes.
Daenerys closes her eyes as she leans further at the touch. A small smile pulls at her lips as she sighed tiredly. "I know."
But the smile is gone as fast as it arrives when the dragon queen went silent. Her features turn to one of pain and Arya panicked at the sudden change. She pulls away almost immediately, afraid that she had overstepped her boundaries but Daenerys is faster as she leans forward instead. She rests her head onto Arya's middle, after pulling the young woman close and grabbing at her attire in a tight hold, efficiently stopping her from moving away.
Arya's body immediately goes rigid at the intimate action. She looks down to find only the crown of Daenerys head that is visible as the older woman buries her face onto her middle. If not for the slight shaking of Daenerys shoulders, Arya wouldn't know that the dragon queen is actually crying. Even her sob sounded like she's holding back. The young woman can only guess how much this means to Daenerys for her to let her emotion on display.
It was awkward at least for Arya as the older woman seems to be so still while crying her hearts out. Arya's hands slowly reached upward to hold onto the back of Daenerys head. Gently, she caresses the silver-haired lock and massaging her scalp in an attempt to ease the older woman's tension. A soft sob escapes instead and Arya continues her caress, not stopping once even though her hands are gradually starting to ache from the awkward angle. As the sobs are getting more pronounced by the minute, Arya wonders if Daenerys at least feels better at having properly mourned the deaths of her loved ones.
Arya can't help but wonder if the reason she felt so terrible is because she has not.
*
True to his words, Jon and his group were ready for departure at the first sunlight the next day. They were currently preparing for the last minute once-over before the group is ready to finally depart. Jon passes the rein of one of the horses to Arya as he gifted her a small smile before he moves on to Lord Wyman, officially saying his goodbye.
Arya turns her attention to her horse then. It was a beautiful male stallion with chestnut as its coat and a long light grey mane that almost looks white if you look from a distance. As she strokes its neck in a rhythmic manner, her eyes unconsciously stray around the busy courtyard to find Daenerys.
Her mind wanders off to last night as they spend the night together in Missandei's appointed room. They had gathered all Missandei's belonging later that night and decided to throw a small ceremony for the Naathi early at dawn. Arya doesn't know why Daenerys even bother to do that. Missandei is still gone whether they had a proper service or not. There is nothing that can change that horrendous fact. But, the young woman kept her silence as they move towards the shore, armed with things that once were of used to a certain Naathi. Grey Worm, Jorah and Tyrion and a few others that knew the older woman were there as they gave the last farewell to their friend, companion and lover.
As Arya chance a glance to her side, Daenerys was staring ahead at the ocean where the small boat that carried Missandei's belonging drifted further away from them. The violet eyes look upon the vast sea with a strong and firm gaze that Arya almost doesn't remember that they were once broken and dejected only a few hours ago. It was only then that the young woman realized this funeral was more for the sake of the living than the dead.
"Ready, little sister?" Jon's voice brought her back to the present. She turns her head to her brother then.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replies with a small smile.
"Are you sure you don't need help getting up?" he asked with a smirk.
Arya narrowed her eyes as she regards Jon who is unusually being chirpy this early morning. "Have you perhaps forgotten who beats your ass constantly in horse races when we were younger?" She asked with a smirk of her own.
"Of course not… but, with those years away, you might be the one that forgets how to ride one." He answered with a shrug.
Arya let out a huff then, clearly not impressed. She made a move to the horse side and inspects the saddle that is on it. Finding it perfectly attached to the back of the horse, she lifts one of her feet to secure the stirrup and grab a hold of the reins and its mane with her left hand and her right hand on the saddle at the same time. She springs herself upward with her other leg and gently settles onto the saddle. She looks down to Jon then. "Does that satisfy your curiosity of my competency, Jon?" she asked mockingly with a grin.
Jon let out a chuckle as he shakes his head. "Show off." He mumbles under his breath.
"Apologize dear brother, but I cannot hear you from this height… perhaps you could speak louder?" Arya asked again, looking down as her grin grows.
Jon rolls his eyes at that before he decides to ignore his sister and move on to his own horse. Arya watches silently as her brother gave the last orders to his men before he mounts his own horse. With the added advantage of heights, the young woman takes the chance to properly take a look around the courtyard to find her favourite person.
A few moments later, she notices a flash of silver hair from the back of the group. Daenerys is walking with her head held high as she regards her soldiers that consists both the Unsullied and Dothraki. Jorah and Tyrion are by her side respectively with Yara Greyjoy at her back. A dozen Ironborn is trailing close behind their Captain.
When the royal group is finally at the front of the one hundred groups of soldiers, Jorah passes the rein that he got from a stable boy to Daenerys then, and the dragon queen wastes no time in mounting her horse gracefully. The moment she did, the purple eyes instantly caught grey ones. Arya studies the Targaryen Queen dutifully as she looks her over trying to find any discomfort. Daenerys seems to know Arya's intention even from a distance as she let out a smile in assurance. Satisfied, the young woman returns the smile before she turns around and trots towards Jon at the forefront. The thoughts of Jorah, Yara and one hundred soldiers guarding Daenerys ease her mind as she rides her horse at Jon's side. Her brother glanced towards her one last time before he guides them out of New Castle's gate.
*
It was early dusk later that day when they finally decide to settle and raise up tents. Though Jon seems reluctant by the idea, wanting to arrive at Winterfell as fast as he can, he gives in once he looks over his shoulder and saw how tired the soldiers who are on foot were, having to travel all the way without a means of transport. Arya was glad that they have the night off. That means she can ease her thoughts of seeing her remaining family again. She doesn't know why every time they get closer to Winterfell, her gut keeps churning and doing somersaults. If Jon accepts her with open heart, surely Robb, Mother and Rickon will do the same, won't they?
That same doubts and concern keep lingering inside her mind along the journey. It doesn't help when she can't even ride beside Daenerys, having to maintain their distance. The young woman doesn't know if the act of being close to the Targaryen Queen is something that she should do or could do. She doesn't know if Daenerys would mind being seen together with her openly, with Jon and all these men close by.
Hell, Arya doesn't know what they even are at the moment.
Sure, they kissed and share the same bed and even share their feelings for each other. But, what does that even mean? The young woman hadn't had a clue at all.
Arya absent-mindlessly pets her horse as it eats away the hay that she brought. The familiar sound of people doing about their business buzz around her ears as they move along to their respective task. A burst of sudden familiar laughter snaps her attention then. She looks over her shoulder and found a group of three men are hurdling around the building fire at the clearing. As Arya narrows her eyes to see better, she recognized the pale blond hair of Tyrion and then Jon who is sitting on a makeshift chair from the bark of a tree.
The young woman blinks as she takes the strange sightings of Jon laughing, joining Tyrion. She decides to investigate and walks away from her horse then. Nearing them, only then she realizes the third man is actually Jorah who is sitting beside Tyrion across from Jon. When the Lannister dwarf passed around a bottle which could hold suspicious content, not before pouring onto his own cup, Arya let out a chuckle.
Of course, only Tyrion would manage to put aside their differences with a glass of alcohol. Arya remembered her own time with the dwarf in the Great Pyramid of Meereen as he used the same method to lose their tension then. She was about to leave them be when familiar silver hair caught her eyes.
Daenerys was pouring the wine to her own cup after she had taken it from Jon who sits beside her. The older woman is listening intently to what Jon has to say now. Arya's brows furrowed on its own as she takes in the sight.
Since when are they friends now? She thoughts bitterly.
Her feet move on its own accord and before she knows it, she was there with them. Daenerys notices the young woman first followed by Jon and the others.
"Ah, Princess Arya…care to join us?" It was Tyrion who speaks but Arya doesn't even glance at him, having her gazes fully locked on violet ones.
"And got drunk? No, thank you, Lord Tyrion." She said, perhaps a little too cold to her liking. She blamed the cold Northern air for that.
Daenerys raised a brow with a slight upturned of her mouth as she regards the young woman in question.
"Take a seat, Arya, we're only having a cup. I purchased this fine gold arbour a few moons ago… and only get the chance to share it today." A new voice sounded then. Arya tears her gaze away to find Yara is also there, sitting beside the dragon queen with a smirk.
The young woman blinks hard as she registered another presence beside Daenerys. Arya clears her throat forcefully trying to regain her control. Silently, she moves to take a seat beside Tyrion then. The dwarf happily pours the wine to another empty cup before giving it to her. She thanked him and takes the first sip, ignoring the questioning gaze from Jon and the knowing look from Daenerys.
"We were just talking about you," Tyrion speaks up again. Arya looks to her side to find mismatch orbs looking at her.
"I beg your pardon."
"We were talking about your assassination…the one that my sister and brother planned?" Tyrion asked casually as if he's asking about her favourite dish.
Arya swallows the bitter taste of the wine. She had a feeling that this will lead to uncomfortable memories. "What about it?" she asked back.
"Your lord brother here keeps denying that he had anything to do with how well you were handling yourself with a sword as a child," Tyrion explains.
Arya looks over to Jon then as he speaks. "It's true… The only thing I remembered teaching Arya is how to swing a wooden sword properly. We hadn't had much time to actually train. Her Lady Mother was constantly on my neck and hers every day. And even when we did find a way to escape, I only trained her basics of swordplay." Jon answered then.
Tyrion takes a sip before he said. "Which is why I find it odd when I had the chance to inspect the dead assassin." He changed his gaze to the young woman then. "His body was filled with holes and slashes from a smaller knife which I assume were yours… The cut was precise and deliberate as if he's against a professional killer. It was peculiar and till this day, the thoughts keep bugging my head." He explains.
Silence envelops them all as Tyrion's last words hung heavy in the air. Arya tries her hardest to remain stoic as she stares at every faces present. She lingers at violet eyes for a moment as the older woman's eyes seem to spark with something akin to recognition.
Arya instantly looks away then. "I got lucky." She shrugs, sipping her drink as she finds Jon's eyes. "Besides, Jon is being modest. You were a great teacher regardless of how lacking our training was." The young woman continues, finding mismatched orbs then. "And, when someone tried to kill you, you'll be surprised to find how capable you truly are with your life hanging by the thread."
Tyrion only hummed in response, not looking quite convinced himself. "My head was nearly cut in half if you hadn't stepped in at the right moment. As I remembered quite clearly, I wasn't able to defend myself at all…shitting myself, surely." He chuckled earning a few snickers from the group.
Arya proceeds to sip her drink then, trying to hide her discomfort. She looks up to find Daenerys looks pass her in a frown. But, after a moment, the violet orbs instantly locks into grey ones again, having noticed the attention. Arya doesn't know why she felt exposed at the gesture, but she did.
The conversation seems to move past the topic of her assassination and onto one of dead men shitting themselves. Arya decides to tune out the rest of the conversation as she emptied her cup and excused herself to tend to her horse. Without waiting for a reply, she was up and away from the group and the warmth of the fire. She takes a detour to the woods, walking slowly as she hears a different step behind her. The person didn't even bother to hide their following as their boots noisily crunch against the twigs and dried leaves.
"You put your horse deep in the woods?" the familiar voice sounded then. Arya stops her track and turns around to find Daenerys not far from her.
"What?"
"You said you wanted to tend to your horse?" the older woman asked again with a raised brow.
Arya shrugs then. "I'll do it later." She answered nonchalantly, trying to hide her nervousness.
But, it doesn't seem to do well with the older woman as her gaze keep studied Arya inside and out. The young woman turns around then and proceeds to walk away, deciding to further the distance between the questioning gaze.
"Can we talk?" Daenerys shouts from behind as she followed the young woman, trying hard to keep up the pace.
"I'm actually quite busy…perhaps we can find another time to have that talk." Arya called back over her shoulder, speeding up in return.
Daenerys let out a huff of annoyance - knowing fully well that the young woman was far from being busy - as she sprints forward instead. Her hand managed to grab Arya's arm and in an instant, she turns the said woman around, putting a stop to her escaping. "Arya, we need to talk," Daenerys said more firmly, holding her gaze until the young woman squirms uncomfortably.
Arya let out a defeated sigh then. "Fine…what is it?" she asked calmly, though her insides are the exact opposites and she had a feeling of what the dragon queen wanted to talk about. Her thoughts are proved right when Daenerys released her hold and speaks again.
"You've never told me about the attempt assassination on you when you're just a child." She inquired, waiting for the young woman to continue.
"You never asked," Arya answered, which only earned her a glare from the older woman before Daenerys continues.
"What Tyrion said about the killer–"
"Tyrion doesn't know what he's saying." Arya interrupts then, feeling a little irritated.
Silence engulfs them both at the sudden outburst. Daenerys held her gaze unperturbed by the growing irritation from the young woman. Seconds turn to minutes as they stand there without words coming out from neither one.
Arya released a tired sigh then as she looks away. "Can we not talk about this?" she doesn't want to experience another fall out after having to explain the actual reason of how she managed to kill her assassin. The first time she tried to explain about the time travel, the dragon queen doesn't believe her and Arya only ended up shattering her own hope. The last thing she wants is for that to happen the second time. She looks towards Daenerys again. "I miss you." She said honestly instead, trying for a change of topic.
Daenerys eyes instantly soften at the remark. She moves closer towards the young woman then. "I'm here."
"I know… and I still miss you, awfully." Arya said back, almost whining.
Daenerys let out a smile as she proceeds to close in further. They're only separated by inches apart now. "Even if I'm here?" she asked with a raised brow.
Arya only hummed in response. "It still isn't enough, I'm afraid."
Daenerys lifts her arms upward then, wrapping them around Arya's neck as their noses touch each other. "How about this then?" she inquired with a teasing smile.
Arya let out a grin as she inhaled the sweet smell of lavender. "Not quite...but I'll settle for this." She answered unashamedly.
"Good…this way we can continue our talk then," Daenerys said back earning her a groan from the young woman.
"There's nothing to talk about, Daenerys… Let it go." Arya pleads, wanting to move away, but the older woman's hold on her neck only tightens. Great, now she truly can't escape.
"You shouldn't say that… It'll only make me want to do the exact opposite." Daenerys answered as she pulls away from Arya's face, though her arms are still securely in place.
The umpteenth sigh escapes Arya for that day as she closes her eyes, relishing the warmth of their bodies press together. She could at least enjoy this.
"Arya, I know the last time you tried telling me about your story, it went horribly…" Daenerys trails and Arya opens her eyes. "But, I promised I'll listen this time. Can you tell me about your...time travelling again?" she hesitates the last words, feeling slightly disbelief at the meaning it holds.
The young woman searched the violet eyes that are inches apart from her own and found nothing but earnest in them. Perhaps the second time is a charm. Unconsciously, her own hands move upward to Daenerys hips before she finally relents and nods her consent.
"Thank you." The older woman breathes out. "So, previously back on the ship, you said you were a Faceless Man in another lifetime before you come back to live in this one... Is that how you managed to best your assassin even though you're only but a child? You knew he was coming after you?" she inquired.
Ever since Daenerys heard what Tyrion had to say about Arya's attempt assassination, she can't help but think about what the young woman had said to her a while ago. As her Hand said, not just anyone can defeat a full-grown assassin, let alone a child. That is why as Daenerys tries to find a justification to solve the riddle, she only came up with one; that Arya somehow got lucky – as the young woman claimed herself. But, then Daenerys recalled the first time she met the young woman in Qazlas Pit and how well the girl fights and managed to survive against the other bigger and stronger fighters all those time being locked away. Luck is certainly not the answer. This is why she had come to this implausible reason instead.
Arya managed a nod then. "Yes. It is as you said. I led two different lives in two different timelines. The first was with me being a Faceless and the second, with being a slave fighter... And yes, I sort of knew what was going to happen and was ready for the assassin then." She finished and waits for the inevitable.
"You knew what was going to happen..." Daenerys mumbles quietly more to herself than to the young woman. Disbelief colouring her features. "But, how does that even possible? How do you even manage to travel back into the past?"
"I stopped asking that question a long time ago."
A beat passes before Daenerys let out a mirthless chuckle. "This is insane... Absolutely maddening."
"It is." Arya concurs as she watched the older woman's eyes busy taking all the information. She waits patiently for the dragon queen to say something else. The silence lasted a definite while longer before violet eyes finally shift their attention onto grey ones again.
"Does this mean you're older than me, then?" Daenerys asked suddenly, frowning.
Arya blinks hard as she let the question sinks. She certainly had not expected the older woman to accept this so easily, least of all that kind of question from her. Arya can't help but let out a laugh then. "I have the knowledge of the past and the possible future and yet my age is of importance to you?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, this is as significant as everything else, mind you. I have the right to know if I've been snogging with an elderly woman." Daenerys defends herself.
Arya snorts at that. All the tension melts away as she wraps her hands firmer around the older woman's hips. "The only thing that aged is my mind and my experience… I'm proud to say that all the other parts of my body remain to be in its prime state of a young woman." She said in defiance.
"Oh, do they now?" Daenerys trails with a building smirk. "Perhaps you could let me see then? Just to fulfil my curious heart," she said, looking back with a seductive gaze.
Arya was about to answer when she finally registered the words from the dragon queen. She swallows a lump nervously as her mouth suddenly dried up. "Um…well, I don't–I don't know if that…we should–we should probably head back. It's getting late." She stutters and curses herself inwardly at how stupid it sounds. She can feel her face heats up by the second. The playful stare from the Targaryen Queen only makes it worse.
Daenerys hummed in response. "Yes... We probably should." She agrees but not actually showing any signs to move.
They end up staying in each other's arms for a little while longer. The silence accompanies them as the two use the moment to take in each other's features. Arya decides she doesn't mind if she's lost and drowned by the violet depths in front of her even for eternity. Something must have shown up in her face because the dragon queen suddenly flashed a gentle smile.
"What?" Arya wondered.
Daenerys gives a light shake then. "Nothing... I'm just marvelling at how beautiful the young woman in front of me is." She said still plastered with a smile.
Not expected to hear that reason, Arya felt her face heat up further at the sudden compliment. Beautiful is the last word she would use to describe herself. But, clearly, Daenerys doesn't have the same opinion. She looks away then, trying to regain a bit of her dignity.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you before." the dragon queen speaks again and Arya looks to the older woman then. Her smile is gone now replaced by a thin line instead. Her eyes convey of one that is regret.
Arya smiles in assurance. "It's fine… I had a hard time believing it myself, sometimes."
A light chuckle left Daenerys as she leans forward, resting her forehead against the young woman. It was only for a while before the dragon queen finally removes her arms around Arya's neck and steps away. The young woman tries not to show how unhappy she was at the sudden separation and kept her silence. When Daenerys takes her right hand into hers, intertwining their fingers together, Arya feels slightly better. She let the older woman guides her through the now darkening forest as they head back to camp.
They were only at a few steps before something caught Arya's ears. Light clatters of hooves and crunching leaves and twigs are closing towards them in growing speed. In an instant, her feet stop moving as she tries to listen better.
Daenerys ends up stopping too at the sudden halt. She looks over her shoulder to find the young woman is looking pass her with a frown.
"Something the matter?" the dragon queen asked as she moves closer. But Arya only stares ahead, unresponsive. Daenerys tugs lightly their intertwining hands then, trying to gauge a reaction making the young woman snaps her attention towards her again.
Arya was about to say something when a sudden growl rendered her from doing so. Both of them snap their heads at the direction to find a figure slowly coming out from the shadows of trees. The flash of its long canine teeth is the first thing that Arya sees before she takes in its form as it stops advancing and regards them with a threatening growl. Unconsciously, Arya steps forward, bridging herself between the predator and the dragon queen.
It was unmistakably a wolf that is standing in front of them. Her fist tightens as she works silently inside her head on how to get away from the wild creature. But, her thoughts sway when another wolf decides to emerge not far from her left side then. And then another from her right. And then another from behind her. Before Arya can barely take a breath, they were surrounded by a pack of wolves. She curses inwardly as she doesn't even have a weapon on her person at this moment. She can feel Daenerys stiffen up from behind her as the beasts circled them with hungry eyes and ready to pounce at a moment notice.
Arya thought nothing could get worse than this but when Daenerys let out a gasp, the young woman turns around to find they are face to face with a giant wolf that is exceptionally massive than the others that she had to tilt her head up to really look at it. Even its snouts and canine teeth are larger and deadlier. But, Arya was so entranced by its shimmering dark golden eyes to actually take notice of its feral behaviour. She can't help the building smile of disbelief as she regards the beast, no, the direwolf.
"Nymeria?"