A/N: Recently going through some big changes, most of them good. But besides work, lots of personal stuff going on.

"Hurry up. Hurry. Up. Hurry up," Mingyu said in her heavily accented common tongue from

atop his horse while Arya ran on the sandy shores just outside of Volantis in her loose tunic and leather trousers covered with a skirt, something that Arya was hesitant to wear since she did not like dresses, but Mingyu told her that, "You want to be a good assassin, you got to make people, especially small-minded men, feel as if they can overpower you. If you do that, you will have them in the palms of your hands." Arya could see where Mingyu was coming from, but she was still not comfortable with what she was making her do.

A few days, Arya approached Mingyu to ask her something important, but she had to wait because she heard moaning from the side of the door of her quarters, which she shared with her uncle Benjen. She merely sat down and waited, having gotten used to such sounds, as she heard plenty of it from Jon and Daenerys and then from others. Arya leaned her back against the wall, being patient as she did not have anything else to do. The girls are off doing their own thing in Volantis now, and I just want something more challenging from Aunt Mingyu.

Arya did not find any problem with Mingyu if she eventually married her uncle Benjen, as she liked her and thought that she brought out a different side to Uncle Benjen from the quiet and icy demeanor that he gave when he was First Ranger of the Night's Watch. She had heard the stories of what her uncle was like during the days before Robert's Rebellion, and to see it all come out before her eyes was very warming for her. Good for Uncle Benjen. I can finally see what father and perhaps Aunt Lyanna saw before he became like he was before we all came to Yi-Ti.

Arya then took the time to remember what went on in the past few days. One of the most significant events that happened was the reappearance of Gerion Lannister, the youngest brother of Tywin Lannister. He had lost an eye during his many travels throughout the world and was shipwrecked in the same place where he obtained Blackfyre and Brightroar, both significant since the former was the heirloom of House Targaryen and the latter because of House Lannister.

But what Gerion said next surprised them all. "I want you to melt Brightroar."

Jon was surprised that he would ask that, while Daenerys and Rhaenys were merely curious at what he was saying. "You want us to melt the long-lost sword of House Lannister?"

"It's not that my house will lose anything, since I hear that my brother found the lost sword of House Rogare and turned it into his own, which my ugly and dead nephew named 'Willow's Wail.' And having spent much time with Brightroar, I realized that such a sword was the center of obsession for my family, to the point where my ancestor lost it while my brother obsessed over it, and I had to spend my youth and the best years of my life searching for it. What I hear about my family and what they've done… they don't deserve this. But made into tools… this sword might have a clean slate. And I will not allow this family to be further corrupted, if they place so much importance on a Valyrian steel blade."

"But uncle," Tyrion tried to plead with him. "This is Brightroar. You can't just melt it, after it has been missing from our family for centuries."

"Actually, nephew, I can," Gerion snapped at him. "I am a Lannister as well, and I held this sword for many years. It is mine, and therefore mine to give away. Are you going to try to dispute me?"

Arya was shocked as well. She heard that Gerion was the favorite uncle of Tyrion and Jaime, since his personality was markedly different from that of their father. However, something happened to him during his travels that made him more sour, darker, and more biting with his tongue. Even Tyrion, who was elated to see his uncle return alive, could not believe how much he had changed.

"So, King Daeron," Gerion turned back to him. "I give this sword to you. Whether you want to keep it as it is, I leave to you. But I do wish you would melt it, because I cannot stand the look of it as it is."

Jon approached him and took the sword out of his hands gently, before he nodded. "If that is your wish, Gerion Lannister… it is only right that I oblige. And I know just what to do with it."

While Jon kept Longclaw because it was given to him and Blackfyre since it was traditionally held by the king from House Targaryen, he gave Dark Sister to Daenerys since her skill with the sword had vastly improved from her first days in Yi-Ti as well as her abilities in unarmed combat. As for the Brightroar, Jon hired someone in Volantis who knew how to melt down the metal, as it was not just any castle-forged steel, to melt it down and turn it into two distinct tools for Rhaenys: a spear and a Dornish scimitar, both made from pure Valyrian steel. Rhaenys became instantly enamored by both these gifts, and she jumped into his arms and kissed him. Arya was caught off guard by that, even more so when Daenerys smiled and nodded in approval. Someone's not jealous, Arya thought.

Finally, the moaning ceased, and Arya waited for a little while longer before Mingyu came out of the door, her clothes back on. She was surprised to see Arya sitting in front of the door. "Arya? What brings you here?"

Arya was going to cut to the chase. "I want to learn how to be an assassin, like you."

Mingyu laughed and shook her head, making Arya offended. "No, you don't."

"Why not? I've been a member of the Jade Order like you have, and I know that you have learned from the best in Yi-Ti. I would like to know."

"You sure about that, Arya? About learning how to be an assassin?"

Arya nodded her head eagerly. "Of course, Aunt Mingyu. I want to learn from you."

Mingyu looked at her for a moment before he bobbed his friend. "All right. If that is what you want to do, I will not stop you. But there are some conditions that I want you to remember."

"Sure. Whatever you want," Arya accepted.

"Forget what you think or have learned about fighting. The Jade Order taught you many things, but there are limits to what even they can do. Being an assassin… you got to be able to cheat, cross boundaries, and not have any limits as to what you are going to do. Whatever I tell you to do, you do it, because it is what I have learned to do as well. You are unable to do it, we will stop, and do not ever ask me to train you again. Understand?"

Arya nodded slowly. "Of course."

However, the first thing that they did was her running. Gendry had accompanied her, since he was there to provide support and because he had a break. Arya liked seeing him as a leader, as he was being more confident and assertive about himself. If she looked closely, she noticed a little bit about his father in him. He is what Robert would have been had he not taken to food and drink, and not lusted after my aunt Lyanna.

Such was regular occurrence since a few days ago, as Mingyu had Arya begin with a morning run before proceeding with her practice in other areas such as poisons and knives. While the Jade Order made her conditioned with their dances, more coordinate, firmer, and muscled, Arya started to see why Mingyu was making her run. She wants me to start at the absolute bottom, to remind myself of where I am at. And therefore, I must comply.

Mingyu was not really conditioning her for combat, since the Jade Order had already done a good job in doing that. However, Mingyu's emphasis on poisons and knives was just only the beginning of how to make Arya sneakier. And she was going to make her watch the market, pick out anything out of the ordinary, since the key to assassins' successes was to use details to take advantage of any situation, as even a chair or a wooden pole could make a job easy or a failure. Certainly different than how the Jade Order did things.

Arya was pleased at how Gendry was looking at her. She could tell that the very sight of her caused Gendry's length to harden, but he was doing much to will such feelings away as he saw her approach the end of her run. Better having him harden again, for perhaps, I should mount him tonight.

However, for some reason, Mingyu didn't think Arya was running hard enough and had her horse gallop beside her. Compared to the other instructors in the Jade Order like Gong-Er, Mingyu was much less abusive and instead used light ridiculing to motivate her. He also took the time to learn the common tongue perfectly and never raised her voice, but his jesting was enough to rile Arya into putting more effort into her training. But methods were much preferable than the hard hammering from those like Gong-Er, who was merciless to Arya if she made a single mistake since the members of the Jade Order did not appreciate seeing a white devil amongst their ranks at first. I sure showed them, didn't I?

"Huuuurrry up, don't fall back. Huuuurrry up, don't fall back. Huuuurrry up, don't fall back.

Huuuurrry up, catch the pack," Mingyu repeated from horseback while sounding a little bored.

"If you're going to fall from exhaustion, Arya, fall on your face. Come on, catch up with the pace."

"Yes, Aunt Mingyu," Arya breathed out. She was willing to endure everything that she was putting her through, as it was all part of the plan.

Out of nowhere, Mingyu pulled out a bronze pan and started banging on it with a wooden stick while his feet were firm in the stirrups. The bronze pan was a kkwaengari, a musical instrument mostly to control dancing rhythms back in Yi-Ti, an instrument that the Jade Order was very much used to hearing. The sounds were so sharp and loud that it rang even in Gendry's ears, who was sitting on a boulder a good distance from where they were. Mingyu just kept banging on the bronze pan, to the point where Arya could see that Gendry was getting very annoyed at her hammering away. But Arya was more than irritated and ran at a faster pace. Just to stop his ridiculous banging.

Eventually, Arya reached the boulder and took a moment to catch her breath. However, Mingyu still banged at his bronze pan as she got off his horse. Having enough, Gendry walked up to her snatched the pan and wooden stick from her hands. "That's enough, Mingyu."

"Ah, you don't like it, don't you?" Mingyu grinned. "Consider it motivation, Gendry."

"Piss off," Gendry spat. However, Mingyu merely laughed.

"You're annoyed. That's good, because that is the same feeling your romantic partner has and the only way for her to not have that feeling is to put in more effort."

"I'm putting in my best effort," Arya protested.

"Maybe," Mingyu shrugged. "But that doesn't mean that I can increase the pressure on you. An assassin must never relax or settle, lest they become weak from complacency."

"Yeah, yeah, cunt," Arya grumbled, with Gendry surprised that she used such language. However, Mingyu took in stride and let out another laugh.

"Come on, your ladyship," she mocked Arya. "Let's move on to the next part of the training today." She brought a wooden box and out came a chicken.

"Are you serious?" Arya couldn't believe it.

"Calm it down," Mingyu said while the chicken was trying to escape her grasp. Having seen how the other boys at Winterfell did it, Arya held it tightly before stroking its neck and it slowly became calm.

"What now?" Arya asked.

"Break its neck," Mingyu commanded.

Arya was surprised. "Now?"

"Now. An assassin must ease her target before killing it. If you can calm a chicken, you can calm a man, therefore allowing you to strike when he is at his weakest."

Arya sighed before looking sadly at the chicken. "Sorry." Remembering how it was done, she grabbed the chicken's neck and spun it around hard enough to snap its neck. She dropped the dead chicken on the beach, surprised at how fast that was.

"Very good," Mingyu complimented her while scratching her ear. "You were quick, and you didn't let the chicken suffer. The best assassin must ensure that any move they make will result in a quick death, because you don't want to prolong suffering. And suffering will cause needless distractions, because at least from a practical standpoint, if you wound your target, they can yell for help. Make sure your kill is fast, and clean. Unlike what that assassin taught Yujin."

Arya's mind flashed quickly to the sufferings from Yujin, and she got angry for a moment. "He liked inflicting pain on others."

"And that is part of how he fell, because he could not let go of the thrill he got from other's suffering. A true assassin avoids that. You understand?" Arya nodded in agreement to Mingyu. "Now, field dress that chicken. That's what we're eating."

Arya nodded while Gendry gave her his knife. "Well… that's one piece of advice I never thought to hear from her."

"On the other hand, Gendry, it makes sense." Arya proceeded to rip the feathers out of the chicken. "Now, you want white or dark meat?"

"What you take first, I'll take last."

Arya kissed his cheek. "You're a big man. White meat it is."


Rhaenys held her new weapons, her eyes in awe of the gifts that Jon bestowed upon her. Gerion Lannister had done himself a favor by showing how much he hated how far his house had gone down, in that he was willing to sacrifice Brightroar, the long-lost sword of House Lannister, for whatever they wanted to do with it. The amount of Valyrian steel in Brightroar was enough to make at least two new swords from it, so that left her, Jon, and Daenerys to do some thinking.

"It is not right for me to have the only Valyrian steel weapons," Jon declared. "I will take Blackfyre while keeping Longclaw, but Dark Sister, I will give to you, Dany."

Daenerys was surprised. "Are you sure about that?"

"You are becoming more skilled with the sword with each passing day, Dany. And it's only right that you have the sword of Visenya Targaryen, to cement yourself to whoever would doubt you."

Daenerys took Dark Sister in its sheath eagerly and kissed Jon while he rubbed the belly that would give way to the next generation of House Targaryen.

"But for you, Rhaenys, you already have training, your style resembling that of the best Dornishmen," Jon noted, causing Rhaenys to raise her shoulders and silently accept his praise. "Whatever comes out of Brightroar, you should have them."

"Anything that you are thinking of, niece?" Daenerys asked her.

As far as anyone was concerned, there were only two weapons that were most associated with Dornish warriors, their style being the most familiar with Rhaenys despite her own disdain for the Martells that showed their duplicity. The first one was a scimitar with a ruby decorating the pommel, and it felt light and balanced in her hand. And the second one was a spear that was made it out of all Valyrian steel, the pole and the head. When the spear and the scimitar touched against each other, it gave off a slightly loud ring.

"By the gods…. beautiful," Rhaenys could let out. "I shall call the sword… Sandstorm, and the spear… Venom."

"Fearsome names," Daenerys noted.

As if overcome by thankfulness, Rhaenys jumped into his arms and kissed Jon, which surprised him, but he just as quickly accepted it. Turning her head around, she saw that her aunt was smiling widely at them, as if liking what she was seeing. It made her surprised for a bit, but then, she overheard her aunt talking about having Rhaenys getting happiness, and if that happiness could be gained with Jon, Daenerys would encourage it. How the hell is she not jealous? A rare woman indeed, our aunt…

Rhaenys searched Daenerys' eyes, both communicating through them. And they knew each other enough to know what they would be saying.

I'm going to go to sleep tonight. Missandei will keep me company, and if you want to spend some time with him… have at it, Daenerys told her.

You are okay with that? Rhaenys asked one more time.

Why not? Daenerys told her.

"Jon," Rhaenys called out to him. "You want to… spend some time with each other?"

"All right," Jon was quick to answer.

Rhaenys led Jon into her private chambers, and on the table was a cyvasse table, which she set up to find someone to play with, but never found one. Until now.

"Cyvasse?" Jon asked her.

"Do you play?" Rhaenys asked, as if to challenge him.

Jon was surprised, but his eyes changed from surprise to eagerness. "Try me."

Just as quickly as they both sat down and began to play, it was clear to the both of them that another game was taking place. For Rhaenys, she had seen it this sort of cyvasse play before, which those at the brothel called "Cyvasse with sex." There was no dialogue, but just a man and a woman, a cyvasse board, cyvasse pieces, and a charge of sexual tension evident in the air. It was for those clients who were more… intellectually inclined before they did their business.

And now, it was her turn and she was thinking, "Rhaenys, you're playing cyvasse, but another game is going on…" Without thinking, her right hand went up her left arm and lightly caressed her throat.

She smirked when Jon allowed his eyes to follow her hand, so she acted quickly, looked up, and caught Jon watching. She blinked, but she continued to play by having her eyes look down and presenting an expression of embarrassment. She smiled and looked down, while she remembered something else that she saw at the brothel. Slowly and with her fingers, she stroked the dragon, the most powerful piece on the board.

Jon gulped, causing her to suppress a laugh. She imagined Jon's thoughts as if he was thinking, "What is she doing? Why are her hands moving as if she is masturbating with the dragon? By the gods, I might have never played cyvasse in a long while, but Rhaenys throwing me off my game now."

"Check," Rhaenys says as she moved the dragon into the winning position. The silence became broken.

Jon stood up, studied the board, and confirmed that he has lost. He roughly pulled Rhaenys to her feet.

"Let's play something else," he suggested.

"Agreed. Up the stakes?"

"How?" Jon was interested.

"There is a variation of cyvasse, which I remember some of the girls playing at the brothel. Every time you lose a piece, you take off one of your clothing."

"How fascinating," Jon let out.

"How about it? One round?"

Jon sat back down across from Rhaenys again, but this time, he took off his boots. "Just to show my willingness."

Rhaenys let out a laugh before loosening the strings on her dress. "You are on."

Jon and Rhaenys continued playing, and she honestly lost track of how long it took for them to complete this round. But all she could remember was with each of their pieces lost, which were the rabble, spearmen, crossbowmen, light horse, heavy horse, trebuchet, catapult, dragon, elephant, and king, a part of their clothes came off. The goal of cyvasse was to kill the king, and she reckoned that by that time, they would be bare. A dragon could remove elephants from the board, a catapult could remove a dragon from the board, and a trebuchet could remove a dragon from the board among other rules. And the other pieces could be killed by the other three.

"If one of us gets the king first, we take off the things that protects our…" Rhaenys didn't need to continue.

"Right on."

However, unlike the first round, Rhaenys did not want to keep things silent. "I hear that Arya was called 'Horseface' during your life at Winterfell."

Jon laughed. "Oh, yes. That. That was the result of her being considered not a lady when compared to Sansa. Sadly enough, Sansa bullied her over her looks as well as the other girls at Winterfell, who thought she was a boy. That is how the name came about."

"But I heard Robb say that others saw her as your mother reborn."

Jon sighed. "Yes. I never knew about that until I saw… her. And the appearance was…"

Rhaenys immediately sensed that the topic was too heavy for him, so she switched direction. "And I take it that Robb was quite spirited?"

"Oh, yes," Jon brightened up again, showing to Rhaenys that her direction was wise. "Once, Robb and I built a great mountain of snow above a gate at Winterfell. One of the men of the Watch, whose name I remember as Mance Rayder, caught us. He was accompanying the previous Lord Commander of the Watch before Lord Mormont, and both he and I thought, 'He's going to tell on us.' But he did not."

"Why would he not do that?" Rhaenys asked, curious.

"I don't know, but he just put his finger on his lips and smiled at the both of us, which was all that we needed to see. And being the playful boys we were, we pushed the snow on Fat Tom, who was the slowest of the guards at Winterfell, and was he pissed at us. We were smaller and faster, so we just had him chase us around." Jon smiled at the memory.

Rhaenys could not believe it. "That sounds different from the man that I have met. I never saw Robb smile, although I heard about what had happened to him."

Jon exhaled out once more, as if feeling the pain Robb felt. "He lost his mother, and his wife, and his unborn child. And he must live with the burden that he had failed the northerners. If only one can assure him that it was not all his fault, that there were things that he could not control."

"Agreed," Rhaenys nodded. "Perhaps if he found another girl, so he doesn't have to be so dour anymore and feel some happiness again, because the Robb you tell me of sounds much more fun."

Jon grinned. "Robb should hear you say that. He'll appreciate the concern, but we also have to do it carefully."

"What about his… bedding of Lady Jaenyra?"

Jon shook his head. "Oh, no. I knew Robb when he was sleeping in Winter Town. They might have something special, but they are not going to be lovers. He needs someone more rooted, someone who can… smoothen out his rougher edges that he obtained. Lady Jaenyra, no disrespect to her, can't do that for him."

Rhaenys found herself agreeing with Jon. Jaenyra might have been able, but she was willing to bend or even break rules, something that Robb had learned to do but it would not do him any good if he could not find anyone to balance him out. "And he is still the Lord of Winterfell, so someone from Westeros, a good family, would be a better match for him, since he is eligible."

"Oh, definitely. Once we return to Westeros, perhaps I will consult with Dany and you on who he should marry."

"Looking forward to that," Rhaenys said before moving back to the game.

When a light horse was eliminated from each of their sides, Rhaenys took off her necklace and Jon took off his. When they both lost heavy horse, Rhaenys took off her bracelets while Jon unbuckled his belt. When they both lost elephants, Jon took off his shirt while Rhaenys untied the straps of her dress and allowed it to drop, showing her breasts to Jon's feasting eyes. Jon was momentarily distracted, but he continued playing, making Rhaenys more amused. But for Jon, he took off his shirt, making his sculpted torso exposed to her eyes. Whatever did that in Winterfell, I like it.

Then came the dragon, catapult, and trebuchet, and the king left, as all the other pieces were eliminated. By this point, all that was left was the garments covering their intimate parts. And Rhaenys so wanted to get the king, so to see Jon's cock. Probably big, as he is now.

Through a series of movements, Rhaenys used her knowledge to finally get the king on Jon's side. But it was by sheer luck, as Jon used some tricks that she didn't expect. He used the king to take out her catapult and trebuchet to make way for his own dragon, but she nearly lost her own dragon, but she got to his king first.

"So… I won. Let's see it," Rhaenys beckoned him.

Jon let out a laugh before he stood up and pulled down his garments. Rhaenys gulped, looking at the size of his length. By the gods, he got hard for me… as I wanted him to.

"But Rhaenys, you're a virgin," Jon reminded her gently. "Will you be all right?"

Rhaenys felt a wave of warmth for him, as that was the first time anyone showed that to her. It made her want him even more, and she stood to reveal everything to him, by making herself fully bare before him. "I will be fine, Jon. Come on, now. Don't… hesitate."

He stood there contemplating for what felt like forever until he ever so calmly closed the door that was still open. He seemed confident when he strode over to her and pulled at the back of her calves putting her on her back making our hips meet while pulling her somewhat towards the bed in the room. Making her feel like she was in a vulnerable position until he kissed her without any words.

She became calm and reassured when he continues to kiss her as he pinned her hands above her head on the bed. She pulled her hands out of his grasp and push him off her. He jumps back with a bit fright as she sat up scooting back to the head of the bed board her back against the pillows. He watched after his fear passed, while her feelings were confirmed about his cock being hard.

She looked deep into his eye's and once again kissed him making butterflies erupt as they always did. She pulled back ever so gently and looked down blushing as she realized what was about to happen.

The floor was unexpectedly cold within the halls of their manse in Volantis, despite the hearts warming up their rooms, which made her realize once again that she was nearly fully exposed to him. Goosebumps rose in her arms and legs as Jon lifted her chin up to meet her serious stark gaze.

"You are mine tonight," he finally decided. Just as quickly, he lifted her up by her thighs making her wrap around him as he steadily walked to the bed laying her down ever so gently. "I will try to take it slow."

Attacking her neck as if there were something sweet upon her skin. Then to her lips as hungry as ever. Flashes of lightning were all Rhaenys could see before he had her on her back kissing her like it was the last night together, ever. It was her turn to feel dominant. She took charge and turned him over flat on his back sunk in the feather pillows.

Jon looked beyond raged for, but a second until she kissed him. He opened his mouth, and she made their tongues dance together in a deep kiss.

Before he could respond, Rhaenys went low, and her hips met his. His hardness radiated with warmth as she guided his shaft into her. She sat slowly as he yelled out a groan. She could not realize how large it was, but she felt her tight walls become looser by the moment. She went back up and he looked relieved for a moment until she went back down. It was a little painful, more than Rhaenys had expected. Until Jon did something she never thought he would do. He bounced his hips up, thrusting up into her.

"Mmmhh!" Rhaenys moaned. She was so embarrassed at how prudish she was being despite expecting this.

She felt the color of her checks turn red as she looked down on him.

With a free hand, he pulled her face closer as he retook dominance of the kiss. The other one he wrapped around her waist using it the pull her up only to push her back down thrusting yet again. He then grabbed a few of the cyvasse pieces nearby from the table and traced it along her naked body. "The move that I would have made," Jon said as she felt the dragon piece on her ass.

"Of course," Rhaenys chuckled. However, she remembered something. "Stop. Wait." He looked at her, his deep grey eyes looking into her violet one, slowly kissing her and savoring the moment. Suddenly, he shifted under her. She stopped and looked at him.

He then thrusted deep into her. He was gifted down south so a small thrust was still a big one. A gasp could be heard loudly along with a moan.

"Jon!" Rhaenys yelled as she clawed his back. Her yells did not alarm him one bit. Roughly he kept going, in and out. In. Rhaenys was not prepared at how big he was and no matter how many times he took her, it was still much for her to handle at one time.

"Relax, love. Always so tense," Jon asked.

Rhaenys relaxed her walls around him and helped him thrust. She felt warmness and tingles that were different. It felt good to her. She felt selfish as she pushed her hips to his meeting his thrust with her own.

Rhaenys stopped. For the first time in what felt like a long time, she stopped him, and he did not finish. He looked mad. She sat up and left a peck on his lips before she turned around, leaving him on his knees behind her. Faster than he can comprehend, she knelt in front as he faced her back and she spread her legs lining him up at her entrance. Slowly and steadily, she leaned back as his long thick shaft filled her.

He must not have understood what she did because she slowly went back and forth, concerned with her own pleasure as her moans made her silent for but a few times. He grabbed her hips and rocked his hips with hers until he got rough. He must not have liked what she did.

His roughness concerned her not one bit while she grabbed a pillow biting on it, muffling her moans so no one could hear them.

That was the night he took her for the first time. He would not let her leave after, nor did she intend to leave him. However, she felt herself crying, her happiness replaced by sadness because she never felt this happy before, and she wished that there was someone else there with her so that she can share what she was feeling.

"Rhaenys, what's wrong?" Jon noticed her tears.

"It's just… this felt so good… and I've been so alert for so long that I… didn't imagine myself letting my guard down."

"Because everyone around you wanted you dead or to use you?"

Rhaenys sniffled before nodding. "And I thought you wanted to use me, but… it's just so… relieving, that I can finally be at ease around you and Dany."

Jon held her tight before kissing her forehead tenderly. "And you never have to be alert when you're around us, because we will love you forever. I love you a ton."

"And I love you a ton," Rhaenys repeated his words before kissing him and feeling the strain that had resided in her mind finally release after so long.

But while she entered a deep sleep, she found herself transported to another place. It looked like the tower of joy, the place that she barely remembered but knew clearly at the same time. And she was surprised to see two people she wanted to see always.

"Kepa? Muña?" she could barely speak.

Her father and mother noticed her after running around with each other. "Rhae?"

They all hugged each other, happy at being reunited once more. Rhaenys cried, while her mother and father followed suit.

"I've missed you, so much," Rhaenys could hardly speak.

"Us too, our precious daughter," Rhaegar said.

"I don't…" But then, she heard a baby cry and she ran inside the tower of joy. There, she saw another woman, who she recognized as Lyanna, and she was holding an infant in her arms.

"Who is that?" Rhaenys asked with nervousness.

"Why, it's your brother," Lyanna told her.

"My brother?" Rhaenys couldn't believe it. However, all she wanted to do was to hold him, the one who would never grow.

"Here," Lyanna allowed her to hold him. By this time, both of her parents were inside as well.

For Rhaenys, she looked closely at her brother, her infant one, and could recognize him instantly. But the sight of him made Rhaenys finally lose control of her feelings. She then sobbed and fell to her knees.

"I'm so sorry, Aegon. I'm so sorry," she cried out.

"What are you sorry for?" her mother asked.

"I couldn't protect him. I trusted Varys too much—"

"That man, who is burning in hells, you didn't know better. And he will never blame you, because you did nothing wrong," her father assured her.

"No… I…. couldn't protect my own brother," Rhaenys finally let the last of her bad feelings out. "He's dead because of me."

"No, no," her mother hugged her tightly. "There is only one person that killed him, and it's the Mountain. And I know that you come home, he will be dead. Your real brother will be avenged."

"And you will have more memories, if what we saw tonight is the first indication," Lyanna added. "But please… let go of this guilt you have inside of you. You're not alone anymore, so please… move on, for all of us."

Rhaenys continued crying, but she felt as if a burden was lifted from her shoulders. And she could have only done that with the three beside her now.


"It is all right, Arianne. There was no other way," Oberyn told her.

"But uncle, is this even right? I know that I had to take the crown, but this?" Arianne was worried and about to have second thoughts.

But Oberyn was quick to find more words to assure her. "Look, niece. You could not trust my brother, your father, to rule anymore, and Trystane cannot do it. It leaves only you."

Arianne sighed while shaking her head. "Why did it have to be me that knows what to do?"

"Whatever the case, Arianne… our family, our house, now depends on you. No one else. You must lead us. Whatever doubts that you still have… take it away. And remember aunt Elia, the one you will never know because of the Mountain."

Arianne looked at her reflection once more, now wearing garments befitting her new station. She had to make her father abdicate for health reasons while her brother was also put under lock and key, but he was still comfortable. But Arianne knew that her uncle was right, and she had to focus on what she had to do to ensure House Martell's survival.

Arianne received Ser Garlan Tyrell into the court at Sunspear, the second son of Lord Mace Tyrell and the Queen of Thorns. Garlan was similar in appearance to his younger brother, the late Ser Loras Tyrell, but he was taller, more broadly built, and possessed a well-trimmed beard. Garlan was five years older than Loras was when he was live, and he was an exceptionally skilled swordsman, as Arianne's connections in Highgarden stated he preferred to train against three or four swordsmen because he wanted to better prepare himself for actual battle. However, his lack of interest in gaining glory makes him less famous than the late Loras. Too bad for him. He could do with a little glory seeking.

However, the court at Sunspear was empty, with only her, Ellaria, and Oberyn along with her. They could not allow anyone to know what was going on, especially because there was too much at stake. And even with events in King's Landing no longer involving Joffrey since he was killed by the same executioner that killed Ned Stark and in the same manner that he died, there was no way that they would be able to work with the Lannisters anymore. And Arianne realized that the only one to run things properly in Sunspear was herself, as she could no longer trust her father after finding out what she learned, and her brother Trystane was not capable of running Dorne properly. Consequently, she gained the loyalty of Areo Hotah and took control of the rest of the guards in Sunspear, confining her brother and her father to their quarters.

She wasted no time in making sure that the Martells were on the right footing, since she knew that the Lannisters represented a sinking ship, which was clear after the remnants of the small council were so quick in executing Joffrey and propping up Myrcella as their puppet. Moreover, she had reports that indicated that the Seven Kingdoms was millions of golden dragons in debt, and that the Iron Bank was for sure going to call in their debts, but the only thing stopping them was Tywin Lannister, who was the only one keeping things together at the Red Keep as Cersei had withdrawn herself into mourning for her favorite son and Lord Jaime was put in charge of the Lannister forces that would soon retaliate against the Vale for supporting Sansa Stark in her fight against the Boltons. Should something happen to Lord Tywin, then everything would fall apart. Maybe I should encourage him to depart a little earlier than he would expect, she mused.

"Welcome to Sunspear, Ser Garlan," Arianne said to him. "I do regret that we could not meet under better circumstances, but the stakes demand that we meet in secret."

"I understand, Princess Arianne," Ser Garlan responded. "I have the authority of my grandmother Lady Olenna and the rest of my house to act on their behalf, so whatever I promise you and whatever we agree on, they will back it."

"That is good to hear, Ser Garlan. Now, we have a problem that allows our interests to align for once. Given the bloody history between our houses, that is something, wouldn't you agree?"

"It is," Garlan agreed. "Harlan Tyrell vanished with his entire armies in the sands of Dorne, and Lyonel Tyrell died with a hundred red scorpions in his sleep. Two of my ancestors died at your hands, so this is… momentous. I wonder if my ancestors would roll in their graves upon seeing me meet you."

Arianne found that interesting, that Garlan would say such things. Tyrell men were not known to be so sharp with their tongues, with Olenna being the exception since she only married into the Tyrells. However, it appeared that the Queen of Thorns must have taught him more than a few lessons in being more open with his thoughts, and not caring about the consequences. Might not be as glory-seeking as his dead brother, but much better than Loras and even Willas, no disrespect to him and his condition, Arianne thought to herself, as she and everyone else in Westeros knew about his bad leg.

"And I could say the same about you, considering that you were all too willing to wag your tails to the Targaryens all the time, from when they raised you up from simple stewards. How does make you different from dogs?"

Garlan was taken aback at how cutting her words were, and that made Arianne worried for a moment in that she thought that her words were too much. To her relief, he moved his head to and fro. "Well, the one thing we are is loyal, and we knew better than to challenge the structures that we benefitted from, although I must admit, loyalty is something that we have not practiced to the highest degree. And our mistake in having Margaery marry the yellow monster that is now dead put a target on our backs, especially since the Hightowers are trying to supplant us with their little shit in Ser Myles Hightower."

Arianne chuckled in amusement, in that Garlan's tongue was sharper than expected.

Obara was the first to speak. "I hear that you are good with a sword like your dead brother."

"Obara," Arianne told her. "Be nice."

"Not as flashy as Loras, but who's to say he's any better than him if he won't boast?" Nymeria added while ignoring their cousin.

"I wonder if he can hold up against all three of us. If three men he can beat, then three woman he can win against," Tyene was the last speak."

"I am an honorable knight," Garlan spoke back to them. "We are not in the business of fighting ladies, but if what I hear about the Sand Snakes is true… you're not ladies after all. Would you like to see how I fight then?"

The three Sand Snakes were surprised, before they all laughed. "Indeed, we are not. We should spar, before you leave," Obara said.

"Of course," Garlan obliged, causing Arianne to be more impressed with him.

"I think we should move to business," Ellaria could see that the meeting was getting off topic, even though she was also just as amused. "What is it that Ser Garlan could negotiate on behalf of her house?"

"Yes, of course," Ser Garlan remembered his purpose of being there. "As you know, the Hightowers are in the favor of Lord Tywin, who is truly becoming a thorn against Highgarden. And with his proposed marriage to Queen Myrcella with Myles Hightower, his intentions are clear. He wants to replace us at the Lord Paramount of the Reach and Warden of the South.

Arianne got herself familiar with the basic details of Ser Myles Hightower, son of Ser Baelor and eldest grandson of Lord Leyton Hightower. It was a match concocted by Tywin Lannister in order to secure the loyalty of the Reach's second most powerful house. Arianne was relieved that Myrcella's betrothal to Trystane Martell, which was concocted by Tyrion Lannister before he fell from power after being accused of poisoning Tommen Lannister, had ended. But then came the maneuvering that characterized the Lannisters, since Tywin had a need to keep the Tyrells in check after the whole messy sequence of events with Joffrey. Also, Arianne knew that Tywin sought to secure more favor with the Starry Sept, particularly considering the troubling High Sparrow, who was getting more active after finding a base in the kingswood and the smallfolk were getting more and more persuaded by his words. By this point, the smallfolk in even Flea Bottom are getting even more powerful and taken with his words. If this keeps up, he might find the High Sparrow not as in control as he would like to exert over, Arianne thought. She also knew that Tywin was also contemplating to get the Faith Militant back to the levels it enjoyed since before the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator, as he needed another way to raise troops since most of the Lannister bannermen were either used up or dead after being thrown into the meat grinder that was the defenses Stannis had laid out throughout the stormlands before he and Selyse were killed. If he's not careful, it could cut the hands that he is working so hard to toughen.

"And Dorne has languished long enough with the Lannister shits on the throne," Arianne agreed. "Why we tolerated them after the sack of King's Landing is beyond me, since it was their Mountain that raped and killed Elia."

"You are goddamn right, niece," Oberyn made his voice loud and clear that time. Arianne knew that besides her, her uncle Oberyn had all the reason in the world to want the Lannisters dead. Unlike her father, she could work with her uncle since they both shared the goal in removing the lions that controlled the Iron Throne.

"So… we are one and united against the Lannisters, then," Garlan noted. "Very good. That should make the upcoming rounds easy to get through."

"Of course," Arianne agreed.

"But to be clear, you are only doing this because you want to save your skins and power," Oberyn pointed out. "However, the Martells have more cause to be angry and have revenge against the lions."

"Especially since if what I hear about this Myles Hightower is true. If they are, then Ser Myles Hightower is just like his namesake, the one who reported to have robbed from the Hightower vaults during the Dance of the Dragons," Ellaria added.

Arianne knew about the infamous Myles Hightower, the distant relation of Otto and Alicent Hightower. But instead of coin, he displayed greed for something far more addictive, power. And from what her people in the Red Keep were saying, she could surmise that whenever he walked around the Red Keep and saw him charming the young ladies at court by presenting himself as "King Consort of the Seven Kingdoms," his ego was fed. Not that different from all the power-hungry shits that I had to deal with.

But for Garlan, he was offended by what both Ellaria and Oberyn said. "Wait a moment. We have as much cause for anger against the Lannisters as you do."

"All right, all right. That's been established," Arianne stopped them, as it was her turn to be the peacemaker. "Now, we both agree that a bond must be made between us, as we are one against the Lannisters."

"And the both of us want the Targaryens to come back, especially since they are rising in the east."

Everyone in Westeros knew that it was only a matter of time before the Targaryens returned to reclaim their throne, but everyone knew that unlike the first time the Targaryens came, there would be no mercy shown that Aegon the Conqueror was generous to give. And so, it was only an issue of who would side with them first. Given where Daeron Targaryen was raised, he will first show leniency to the North, since it is his family after all. He might show mercy to Dorne because of Rhaenys, but that's not a guarantee since it was my father that caused the mess with Aegon Blackfyre, Arianne knew clearly.

"The matters that we should include in our discussions is how we are going to support the dragons. They will come with their hardened armies, as well as numerous freedmen that have no reason to be disloyal to her."

"You think that we should raise our troops accordingly?" Garlan inquired.

"No, that will only tip off Tywin on what we are going to do. And we should do this careful, especially since he might have people watching us."

"But we should also not worry so much, because Tywin might be good, but there are limits to even what he can do. The only one capable of handling the little birds necessary to get him more of the information he needs, is in the Black Cells still."

"Do you think we should get Qyburn out of the Black Cells? And he will help us?"

"If we can get someone inside the Black Cells."

"And if we do this, we have to consider the possibility that he might not be able to be on the same boat as we are, since he does have his own agenda." Arianne heard the rumors of the former maester who was expelled for not having limits on what he was going to do.

"That will be negotiated with, because as of now, he has no reason to be loyal to the Lannisters anymore, especially after what they did to him."

"Meanwhile, I will contact my cousin Rhaenys again. I must make sure that we can work together, despite what my father did. But as of now, please accept our hospitality."

"I shall, Princess Arianne," Garlan accepted graciously before he moved to his quarters. Arianne kept staring at his back, becoming more interested in the second of House Tyrell.

Ellaria noticed that. "I would say… don't wait. Take what you want, and if he's not that good under the sheets, don't waste your time and forget about him."

Arianne nodded. "I shall."

A/N: Arya is expanding her repertoire, so instead of being good at hiding behind faces, she might... not be there

Arianne is making the bond with the Tyrells, as both are seeking to support the Targaryens since it's either that or continuing to support the Lannisters. And she's now getting a thing for Garlan ;)

Now, the key part of the chapter: Rhaenys/Jon finally becoming a thing. I had to rewatch the Tudors and the Thomas Crowne Affair (the one with Steve McQueen) for the cyvasse scene, while they also bond over Jon's family. But Rhaenys can finally let go of her last bit of guilt, not being able to protect Aegon. Now, she can truly move forward.