Chapter XXXIII: The Aftermath

"I am glad to see you awake, Lady Arya."

When Arya's eyes finally adjusted to the light, she saw a face she was not expecting to see.

Daenerys Targaryen's silver hair caught so much light that it was shining. Arya looked at her face and saw her smiling. Arya lowered her hand to touch her abdomen and found that the wound had been bandaged. Her head didn't ache anymore either.

"You were bleeding very badly," Daenerys said. She handed Arya a glass of water and she accepted it gratefully. "But it was not a deep wound. Your ears were bleeding too, but I guess it's healed now?"

Arya couldn't feel any pain there, so she nodded.

"How long have I been here?" She asked. Her voice was small. She cleared her throat twice.

"Two days," the Queen replied and Arya realized that Daenerys was being strangely nice to her.

"And how did I get here?" Arya remembered losing consciousness outside Kings Landing. She remembered the dragons, the fire. Sandor. Cersei.

Her head started hurting so Arya closed her eyes for a bit.

"Your wolf dragged you here."

Arya's eyes opened in shock.

"Nymeria?"

Dany frowned, and Arya realized that she didn't know what the wolf's name was.

"You were covered in blood and mud. But luckily, Lord Tyrion found you and called the medic. You haven't opened your eyes since. And your wolf hasn't left the camp either. She's been scaring everyone to death."

Arya laughed softly. She wanted so badly to feel Nymeria's soft fur underneath her fingers.

"I guess I should thank you for killing Cersei Lannister."

Daenerys looked at her with a calm face. Arya realized that the skin under her eyes had turned dark. She probably hadn't slept well for days.

"She killed my father," Arya said softly, and played pwith the hem of the loose shift she had been changed into. She guessed it was Daenerys'. "I owed him this," she added. She realized that her list was finally complete. Her enemies were dead. Every single one of them. She had no more names to recite every night before she went to sleep. For some reason, it did not bring her the joy she had thought it would.

"What happened of your war?" Arya asked.

Arya followed her gaze. The Queen was staring absentmindedly.

"We have him in chains. Jaime Lannister." The name made Arya alert. "We won the war, but there were repercussions. When that wretched horn blew my dragons lost control. The one I was riding I managed to tame but the two others flew over King's Landing and burned the entire city to ashes. So you see Arya, I may have won the war but I have no Throne to sit on. And more than that, my dragons are perhaps lost to me forever."

Arya was surprised at the Queen calling her only by her name, but she figured it wasn't a very good time to dwell on that. Daenerys looked sad. Arya remembered losing Nymeria as a child. It had been like losing an arm or a leg. But then she realized, with sadness, that the dragons were the only true family Daenerys had, and they were not just animals to her. They were like children.

"My brother never loved me," Daenerys said. She looked at Arya and then moved her eyes to her hands entwined on her lap. "We grew up as siblings but none of us held any love for each other. I was means for him to become the King, and for me- he was someone I couldn't survive without. When he died by my own orders I did not feel a thing. When my beloved Drogo died, it was like my heart had shattered. But those dragons were my children. And the family I never had." She looked at Arya. "I know we're not friends, but- I think you understand. What it's like to lose family."

Arya nodded, and remembered her father again. The way she used to bring him wild flowers and how he'd playfully scold and then kiss the top of her head like all was forgiven. Mother used to chase her around, and shake her head at her everytime she went inside the castle covered in mud. Robb used to be her guardian against her mother's scoldings, since Jon never could come in front of Lady Catelyn. Baby Rickon used to admire her and Arya would run across the yard with his hand in hers. They would return home after sunset with their wolves on their heel, all dirty and muddy and laughing, earning dangerous glares from their mother.

"I know," Arya replied. "I'm afraid I know all too well."

To her surprise, Daenerys laid a hand on hers. Arya smiled and took it with hers. She did not like Daenerys as a Queen, but perhaps- just perhaps- Daenerys as a person wasn't so unlikeable. In that moment, she knew what pain Daenerys felt and could understand the amount of will it took for her to stay strong. She sympathised with her, and for that moment chose to forget that she was the same Queen who had threatened Bran.

Daenerys nodded to her and called a woman inside. The woman- Missandei, Arya remembered- laid a scroll in her hands. Daenerys took it and bid her away. After she left, the Queen placed it on Arya's hands.

"I wrote to Winterfell," she said.

Arya's heart stopped.

"Did Jon write back?" Arya clutched the scroll in her hands.

"No," Daenerys replied. Arya let out a breath. "Sansa did. She sent a raven for you." Daenerys pointed at Arya's hand. "And another for me, saying that by the time my raven had reached them, Jon had left for Castle Black. She also said that she'll need my army to help defeat the Others, but I-"

She paused. Arya looked at her expectedly. She wanted to quickly get on with this and read Sansa's letter.

"My dragons did not only burn King's Landing. One of them burned more than half of my own army as well. I have only a couple of hundred of my men left and most of them are too weary to move so quickly to another battle. Euron Greyjoy destroyed my fleet before dying himself. I'm afraid- as much as I want to- the only help Jon will get from me are me and Drogon."

Arya thought hard. Drogon was the biggest one. One dragon would be enough, wouldn't it? And they had the Northerners and her wolves. They should be enough. They would have to be.

Daenerys sighed.

"I haven't wrote to your sister. I believe I should." She stood up and nodded to Arya with a smile. "Rest, Lady Arya."

She turned around but Arya called her name.

"I'm not a Lady," she said. "You can call me Arya."

Daenerys smiled.

"And," she added, sitting up. Her muscles ached and her head hurt. "I would like to return home as soon as possible. If you could give me a good horse-"

"But I think you should rest more," Daenerys suggested, looking at Arya's bandages through her shift. "There is time yet."

"I'm afraid there isn't," Arya said. She looked at Sansa's letter in her hand. "I have to leave for Winterfell. I'll be fine; I've lived through worse. Will you come with me? The North needs you."

Daenerys contemplated it for a second but then shook her head.

"I have yet to try and get my two children back. I will see you in the North after I'm done here," she said, and opened the tent flap to leave. "I will send you warm clothes and you can have any horse you want."

"Thank you."

"And please. For the time that you're here, keep your wolf beside you. She's very terrifying."

"Of course," Arya replied.

Dearest sister,

You cannot even imagine how happy I am to hear that you are alive. Bran assured me, but feels good to have proof. I heard of King's Landing. I am almost happy to hear that wretched place is destroyed.

Things are not well. Jon has left for Castle Black and the War is near. Bran spends hours in the Godswood. He's troubled.

Come home as soon as you can. Your wolves howl all through the night.

I have written to Jon that you are well. He's been miserable, Arya. I'm so sorry that we had to put him through this.

I will await your arrival. I miss you. So does Bran.

Come home, wolf girl.

Sansa.

Sister. Sister.

Arya woke up with a start. Her heart sped up as sweat rolled down in drops down her forehead.

You have to bring him with you.

"Who?" Arya asked aloud. She was never going to get used to Bran being inside her head.

Jaime Lannister. They will kill him. He must not die. Bring him home with you.

"The Kingslayer?" Arya's voice was hushed but shocked. "You want me to save the Kingslayer?"

We may yet have need of him. Get him out of that place.

"He's Daenerys' prisoner."

She has Westeros. She will have no more need of him.

Arya sighed. A cool breeze entered the tent and she felt her skin chill.

"It will be a long journey back to Winterfell, won't it brother?"

I can keep you company.

Arya laughed softly.

"People will think me mad if I talk to myself. But- you trust me not to kill him?"

You know what's at stake here, sister.

"I know. I still don't get why you want him alive."

He has a Valyrian Steel sword.

"I'll just take the sword then!"

No. He is a good fighter. He has a purpose.

She rolled her eyes. There was no point in arguing with Bran, not when he used his wise voice. And Arya knew that Bran wouldn't get out of her head as long as she didn't listen to him. She got out of the tent into the night air. The air was crisp. She missed the cold icy chills of the North. Stars covered the night sky, and Arya waded through the different tents in search for the prisoner. She had settled Needle on her hip.

Nymeria had went into the woods to hunt, and Arya prayed that she wouldn't return soon. The wolf was far from silent and had a temper that made her growl at every stranger she saw.

Right.

Arya rolled her eyes again.

"Get out of my head, Bran. I'll manage," she whispered.

I'll help.

"I'm older. Listen to me."

Of course, big sister.

Arya realized how much she had missed him. She wanted nothing more than to hold him in his arms then. Him and Sansa. And Jon the most of all.

As she looked around, she remembered the last time she'd seen Jon. She did not even know what she was going to say to him when she saw him again. Damn them both to the Seven Hells. They were idiots.

There.

Arya looked ahead. And saw him. Jaime Lannister, bound in chains, sleeping with his head against a tree. A guard was stationed beside him. Arya did not want to kill, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the guard was dozing. She approached with silent steps, but then stopped suddenly as she heard footsteps beside her. Her hand went to Needle.

"Lady Stark," the imp's voice cut through the silent air.

"Lord Tyrion," she said in surprise. Unexpected. "I did not expect you'd be up so late at night."

The imp smiled, but Arya could see that it was just a formality. She knew that he could sense something was amiss.

"And you, My Lady, are the last person I was hoping to see here." He glanced briefly at his brother. "I only came to give my brother company. And what reason might you have to seek him?"

"I was simply dying to get a glimpse of the Kingslayer." Arya said the last word with a click of her tongue and venom in her voice. She wondered if she did manage to take the Lannister- would she be able to resist the urge to gut him like a fish.

"I'm right here you know."

Arya turned and met green eyes with her grey ones. The Kingslayer smiled through his teeth.

"Hello, Arya Stark. So nice to finally meet you."

Arya narrowed her eyes, and kept her attention on Tyrion.

"I want him."

"Sorry, girl. You're too young for my tastes," Jaime blurted out. "And I have this repulsion against Starks-"

"Shut up." Arya's mouth formed a line. "I want you to come to me to Winterfell. My brother Bran wants to see you."

"Brandon Stark," Jaime Lannister whispered, and Arya saw the color drain from his cheeks. At once, the man sat up with his back straight and tugged on the chains around his wrists. The clink woke up the guard and he hastily went alert but Tyrion bid him away from the place.

"And why would he want me there? He has all the reason to let me die."

Arya frowned.

"Why reason does Bran-"

"What is going on here?"

Arya turned, and saw Daenerys Targaryen watch them with narrowed eyes. The Queen approached them slowly but with caution. Arya wanted to smack Bran in the head for this. Now she would have to change tactics.

"Your Grace," Tyrion greeted with a bow.

"What are you doing here, Lord Hand? And Arya?"

Arya bit the inside of her cheek. A cluster of thoughts formed in her head.

"I'm here because-" She paused. "I need to ask a favour of you."

Daenerys looked surprised.

"And what favour is that?"

Arya looked directly at Jaime Lannister's face. He was no longer smiling or making japes. He looked serious- tensed, even.

"I want you to give up the Kingslayer to me. I want to take him to Winterfell."

Daenerys' eyes darkened. She looked at Arya dangerously.

"And why would I allow that?"

Arya managed a sly smile.

"Because I killed Cersei Lannister for you." She heard the Kingslayer hold his breath sharply. "And for that you have yet to repay me."

"You did it for Your Queen." Daenerys did not look amused. Arya wondered if the very fragile thread of friendship that had not so long ago bound them, would break loose at this very instant.

Arya shook her head.

"I did it for the North, and it has shown it's loyalty to you through me killing your greatest enemy. Now you must prove yours to us."

"I did not realize that the North and I had separate causes."

"We do not," Arya assured her. "But not giving us what we want in exchange for the favour we have done you by killing Cersei- it will surely mean disloyalty on your part."

"And you claim to speak for the North?" Daenerys' voice was high. "When your King is my husband?"

Arya curved her lip.

"I am Arya Stark of Winterfell. I speak for the North as much as Jon does, or any of my siblings."

"He killed my father," The Queen said. "And for that he must be judged."

Arya wanted to say that he had killed a madman, but she stopped herself from defending someone like him.

"His father killed my mother and my brother and his wife. His family destroyed mine. He is no friend of mine or of the North."

Daenerys stared at her. Arya did not lower her gaze. Bran had put her in a difficult position. She had little experience in politics, but she wasn't unsure that Daenerys would take her blunder.

"And what do you think, Lord Hand?"

Tyrion was silent for most of the time. He finally cleared his throat.

"I believe my brother is as great a enemy to the Starks as he is to you, Your Grace. I see no reason why him being entrusted to them would cause any difficulties."

Arya wanted to laugh. Tyrion was helping his brother. He knew that Daenerys would kill him as soon as possible, and if Arya took him, he might have a chance to live.

"And why exactly does Lady Arya want him?" Daenerys looked at her again.

"My brother wants him. He says he is important in the war to come."

"And I should trust your brother's judgement?"

"I believe you only have to entrust him to us. You do not have to trust me or my brother, but I will assure you that he will no longer be of any danger to you or to the realm. If he is, then in the name of my father's Gods, I swear that I will kill him myself."

"Please," she added, looking her in the eye. "We need him."

Daenerys thought for a while, then nodded her head, although reluctantly.

"Then take him and do as you please," she said. She looked at Tyrion closely before turning around and leaving. When she disappeared from her vision, Arya closed her eyes briefly.

"What exactly do you plan to do with me?" Jaime Lannister asked.

Arya ignored his question.

"Where's your Valyrian Steel sword?"

The Kingslayer looked up at her and shook his head. Tyrion intervened.

"I have it with me," the imp said. Arya nodded.

"Bran wants nothing more from you than for you to fight." At that, the brothers gave her a look of disbelief. "The Great War is coming and we need every man we can get, and my brother seems to think that you are a valuable weapon against the Others. So, Jaime Lannister. All we'll ask of you is to fight. You have fought your whole life for that wretched sister of yours. So for once in your life, fight for something that's right."

Tyrion vanished and appeared a few minutes later with the sword covered in a cloth. Arya watched as Jaime looked at it for what seemed like hours. When he looked away, she knew that he had made his decision.

Well done, Lady Stark.

"Shut up," she muttered under her breath. And with that Bran was gone.

"Thank you, Arya Stark," Tyrion said. Arya shook her head.

"I am not doing this for you."

"I know," Tyrion agreed, but bowed his head to give her a small smile. "But thank you still. And to your brother."

Arya shrugged. The sky was being filled with white light. It would be dawn in a few hours and she could not wait to leave this place.

"So shall I be given a horse to ride?"

She looked at the Kingslayer. His eyes were covered by his hair.

"Might as well. But if you try to do something-"

"I won't," he told her, and looked her in the eye.

For some reason, Arya believed him.