A/N: Thanks for the reviews, they warm the heart. I try. But there was a concern about a specific detail and I would like to say that it will be addressed in the next chapter. (And also, you have a very keen eye. Because this detail does become important later.) Anyways, I want to apologize for not updating sooner, but I had no time last week.

Here I leave you this and hope that you enjoy it.

As always, I don't own anything.

Chapter 5: Discarded Memories

She wasn't sure how she ended up in the old tower but there she stood seeing all of Winterfell. Looking around the tower, she laughed. We laid here together after Stannis left the first time. The Stark princess found herself reminiscing about her childhood memories and the new ones she made with Gendry. She idly wondered if they should rebuild the broken tower but was spurned from her thoughts when she felt arms coil themselves around her waist. But they were the wrong hands, the scent was different. It's not Gendry, she thought, but the arms were familiar.

Then the person spoke.

"Hello, Cat."

Arya's eyes widened, turning she was face to face with none other than Aegon Targaryen. He looked different from when she saw him last. Gone was the blue in his hair, replaced with the silver of the Targaryens but his purple eyes were what gave him away. She was sure that she looked different as well. No longer did she have cropped hair or wore knee-length breeches and leather jerkins. She was dressed as a princess should be dressed and he every aspect of a prince. Although she was surprised to see him again, she finally found her voice.

"What are you doing here?" she mumbled, trying not to quiver. "And what do you think you are doing? Let go of me."

He smirked and held her tighter to his chest.

"Let. Go. Of. Me." she repeated through gritted teeth, shoving his hands down. Whatever signs of nervousness she had before, faded instantly.

"I thought I'd get a better welcoming than that, Cat. Or is it Arya? Can't seem to recall." he shrugged. "As for what I am doing, I'm just greeting my Cat like always."

She huffed and strode past him. "I'm not your Cat. I am Arya Stark of Winterfell and you are a guest in my home. If you'd like to continue as such, I'd prefer it if you did not approach me."

Aegon laughed as reached for her again. She swatted his hand from her and shoved him back. The Dragon Prince stumbled back into the wall. Before he could recover, she slapped him hard across the face.

"Don't touch me! The next time you lay a hand on me, will be the last time you have hand." she seethed. Aegon rubbed the spot where her hand landed, breathing heavily. She turned to leave the room before stopping.

"Welcome to Winterfell, your grace." she spat out with a mock curtsy.

Arya fled the tower, unsure of where to go. She thought about the forge, but she couldn't bear to see Gendry at the moment. So she ran until she came across the Godswood.

No, I can't do this. He can't be here. He's the reason I left Braavos, and I won't let him ruin this. Arya knew that she was conflicted but couldn't admit what she felt for the lost prince and was gasping for breath, trying to calm herself. But this wasn't what she needed. She needed someone to talk to. Someone who wouldn't judge or look down upon her.

Jon.

Her mind went to Jon in a flash but realized that he was too far from her reach.

Bran.

Yes, she would talk to Bran. He would know what to do, he always knew what to do.

He'll understand. I'm sure of it, at least I hope he does, she silently thought. Mucking up her courage, Arya decided to pay her younger brother a visit.

He was in the library. It was there that Bran spent most of his days, alone or on occasion with Meera or Jojen Reed. He was in the middle of reading an interesting chapter, when he felt his eyes roll back into his head. He was inside of Summer and padding through the halls. He barked when he saw Arya coming closer and then turning the other way. He must have sensed that she was looking for him as he tugged at her dress.

"What is it Summer?"

The direwolf whined and nodded toward the library. She shook her head in agreement and followed the giant wolf.

Just as she opened the door, Bran returned to his body. He gasped and Arya ran over to him.

"Bran? Are you alright?" He could hear the hesitation in her voice.

"I'm fine Arya. Just a little surprised to see you in a dress, again. For the second day in a row." Bran replied.

She frowned as her brother was quite amused. "Shut up. I need to talk to you about something."

"Is it about Rickon again? Surely he doesn't want to call me father now does he?" he retorted with a small laugh.

She burst into laughs with her brother before sighing and sitting down. "No. It's not Rickon. I wanted to talk to you about-"

Arya was cut off by a door slamming open and an enraged Sansa at the door. Her beautiful older sister's face was as red as the leaves of the heart tree. Oh this can't be good, Bran thought.

"ARYA STARK! Where in the seven hells were you?! I told you to come to the courtyard an hour ago! How can you be so insolent?!"she screamed.

"And I told you that I would, Sansa." Arya retorted.

"And yet, you were not present. Do you know what humiliation I went through?" the queen fumed.

The younger Stark sister rolled her eyes. "So what did you tell them?"

"I simply told them you were not feeling too well and could not properly welcome them. But that you would be present at feast tonight." Sansa answered in a commanding tone. Whenever the young queen spoke in that tone, everyone knew better than to question her commands.

Arya just stared at her sister and then looked back to Bran.

"We'll speak later, Bran. I promise." she said in a soft voice.

The Stark boy nodded and squeezed her hand in comfort. She smiled and walked to the door.

"And where are you going to now?" the queen asked, still angry.

"To my bed chambers, after all. I am not feeling well." Arya sarcastically supplied.

Both Stark siblings stared at Arya before she stormed off.

On her way to her rooms, she came across Rickon and Shaggydog.

"Arya! Arya!"

Her mood lightened when she saw who accompanied him. Gendry. She smiled at her baby brother before scooping him up.

"Hello, love. And what are you boys up to?" she asked as she kissed his button nose.

"Nothing!" the little boy grinned.

"And now, I know you're lying." she said.

Rickon smirked. "How'd you guess?"

Arya set him down and took his hand. "You always smile before you lie. It's quite alright Rickon. You can tell me."

The little wild boy looked up at her and spoke. "Sansa said you weren't feeling to well. And she wouldn't tell me, what was wrong with you...so I asked Gendry to come with me to your room."

"That's sweet of you my little wildling. I rather not stay in my chambers all day but if you are to be my company, then it won't be so bad."

Gendry cleared his throat, getting her attention. "Are you sure you don't mind, milady?" He winked at the last part while she scowled.

"No I don't. Come now."

The boy beamed at her and she lead the boys to her rooms. Arya silently laughed as Gendry pretended to get lost on the way. Rickon then told him to hold his hand for the reminder of the walk.

She told Rickon stories that Old Nan used to her and her siblings, as well as a few that Gendry had heard at the inns. Gendry also told Rickon about how they took Winterfell and the little boy grinned at how Gendry described Arya, like a true warrior. They both tickled him and played games with him until he fell asleep on her bed. She smiled as she brushed his auburn locks from his freckled face and clutched onto his direwolf as he dreamt.

The room was quiet and peaceful as she watched her brother sleep. The last couple of weeks Arya had grown very close to Rickon and had come to accept his view of her as his mother. She hoped that their mother would be proud of her now, wherever she was, dead or alive.

"You're awfully quiet. Is there something the matter?" Gendry noted.

Arya whirled around to face him. "No, nothing's the matter. I'm just not feeling to well as Sansa had said earlier."

"Would you like for me to get the maester?" he asked worried.

"No, I'm sure it's nothing. Just need some rest is all." she lied.

He came closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. His presence always seemed to calm her and make her forget. He kissed her temple and led her to the bed again. He beckoned for her to lie down and she did. Shaggydog stirred but dropped back down next to his master.

"Sleep love. I must get going, don't want the queen to flay me for not doing my job." he joked.

She nodded and kissed him goodbye. As soon as he left, she fell into a deep slumber.

She was dreaming again. The dream was different from the last one, except this was no dream. This has happened before, she thought. It's like a memory. She was in a tavern having a pint of ale. She wasn't with anyone but then again she was No One. No, she was more like scouting the place for her next target. They hadn't mentioned who she was to kill next but she was sure she had an idea. The name Griff was pretty popular around the docks and in the taverns. The son of a sell sword and incredibly handsome with his sun kissed skin and blue hair. Exceptionally kind with a good mind and a great show of leadership. Young Griff, they called the lad. But there was just something about said person, that threw her off. He had to have been hiding something...something big, something dark.

And this is what she was determined to find out. She watched the man everyday for two weeks, learning everything she possibly could about him: where he lived, who he lived with, what he did during the day, what time he ate and took his breaks, everything. And then she heard it, a name she thought to be dead and gone: Jon Snow.

Cat huddled closer to the window of the small house where the Young Griff and his "father" lived and listened intently at the information being divulged.

"You cannot be serious?" the blue haired man spoke.

The older man was pacing the room. "But I am. The Usurper's brother is said to be at the Wall with Ned Stark's bastard, helping to save the seven kingdoms as King's Landing is said to be in ruins. There is no other perfect time then now, your grace! We must strike while the Lannisters and the Baratheons have distractions upon them."

Young Griff sighed as he contemplated the proposition. "I need time Jon. Give me at least a day or two to ponder this."

"As you wish, your grace." The man bowed and left the room.

Cat saw as the Young Griff approached the window and she fled immediately. Now, she definitely had reason to believe that he wasn't who he said he was. All she had to do was find out what he was planning so she could return home, to Jon...

And then everything shifted. No longer was she in the tavern but in a room with Young Griff. They were talking and she ever so sensually leaned forward for the skin of wine. The man eyed her with nothing but lust and want. She reveled at how easily a man became distracted in the presence of a comely woman. She touched his arm and laughed at his japes, keeping silent as he drunkenly revealed information to her. This was going to be easier than she thought. It took but three nights to coax the man of gossip and news from Westeros.

This soon became a routine for them. She sat and flirted with him, as he talked about what he would do if he was ever a king. And every night was the same: they met at the brothels where she was staying, they talked, and then he would leave. The man who was his supposed father often accompanied him but nonetheless stood outside her room at all times, they would share a kiss or two but it never went any further than that. That night was different though, that night he tried to bed her.

She rose to say goodnight to him and placed a chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth and bid him goodnight.

"Goodnight, Young Griff."

"And goodnight to you, Cat. Cat of the Canals."

She blushed, playing the part of a swooning lady. She turned away, only to feel that the purple eyed man was still in the room. She stayed calm and did not let her emotions betray her.

"Is there something you need Griff?" she asked not facing him.

He came up close behind her and placed an arm around her lithe waist. Murmuring, he answered. "You."

He spun her around and crushed his lips to hers. She froze, pushing him off of her and walking away.

"No."

He came at her again and kissed her, trying to pry her mouth open with his tongue. She shoved him away from her once more and then slapped him. He crashed into the wall and into the small dresser.

"I said no!" she yelled.

The man outside slammed the door and looked at the scene before him.

"What is the meaning of this?!" the older man shouted. He saw Young Griff stumbling near the wall and went to help him, not looking at Cat.

"I said, what is the meaning of this whore!" he repeated.

"I am not a whore! This man tried to bed me without my consent!" she fumed, tearing as she assumed a scared woman to do so.

Griff glanced at the woman that his son had just tried to dishonor and gasped. It was like seeing a ghost from the past, a past he wanted to leave behind. Looking down at Young Griff, Griff yanked him from the floor and pushed him out the door. He whirled around and took one more look at Cat before apologizing.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to call you a whore. I hope that you can forgive my son for any wrong doings he might have done. Be assured that he will be disciplined."

"I understand. Now, if you please I would like to rest now."

"Yes, of course."

Once the men where gone, she quickly packed her belongings and left the brothel that night. All she had to do now was wait and pray that he didn't come looking for here ever again.

She was sweating again when she woke. She blinked and sat up, scanning the darkened room. It was quiet and all she could hear was the cackling of the flames. Arya turned to her side and noticed that Rickon was gone but there was a note in his place. Curious, she read it.

Arya,

Didn't mean to disturb your sleep, you looked so peaceful. The feast will commence without you. Sansa will be angry but I explained that you were genuinely not feeling well. Stay in your chambers for the rest of the evening, and try to avoid trouble please.

Bran

Just as she finished reading the letter, a knock came at her door. She froze for a moment and called out.

"Who is it?"

A male voice replied. "It's me, Bran. Open up."

Arya closed her eyes and sighed in relief. "Just a moment."

Padding, she opened the thick wooden door. Bran was in his chair outside but not alone. The Dragon Prince was with him. Arya felt her heart drop but still greeted them both.

"Bran. And I assume you are Prince Aegon."

"Indeed my lady."

She bowed, awkwardly and turned her attention to Bran. "Forgive me, your grace but I am not feeling too well and wish to speak with my brother in private. Surely you don't mind. I don't wish for you to catch an illness because of me."

"Of course not. I am sorry for rousing you from your sleep. I best be on my way. My lord, my lady."

Bran glanced back at the prince and then Arya.

"What was that about?" he asked arching his eyebrow.

"Come inside and I'll tell you." she muttered.

Bran wheeled himself inside and watched as she barred the door. She sat in front of the fireplace and beckoned him over.

"Okay I'm inside, now will you tell me what that was about? And don't think that I haven't forgotten about the conversation in the library either." he supplied.

"Yes, but what I am about to tell you cannot leave this room, Bran. Promise me that whatever I tell you, it won't leave this room."

He nodded. "I promise Arya."

She exhaled and began to speak. "I never told you how I took Winterfell, did I?"

"No, but what does that have to do with any of this?" he questioned.

"Everything, Bran. Everything."

He stared at his sister and reached for her hand. "So tell me then."

"I left Braavos as soon as I heard that my family was still alive. I heard that Winterfell was sacked by the Bastard of Bolton and made my way here almost immediately. But the only reason, I knew any of this was because of Aegon Targaryen. He told me about what was happening in Westeros, while I was in Essos."

Bran's eyes widened. "So you met the prince already. Why lie about it? I don't understand."

She gulped and took a deep breath. "Because he is also the reason I left Essos."

"Why?"

"Because he tried to bed me."

Arya saw as the confusion left her younger brother's face and anger take over. "That's why you didn't show up at the courtyard and avoided the feast, isn't it."

It wasn't a question.

"I'll kill that bastard. Prince or no prince, I will have his head." he seethed.

Arya had seldom seen Bran when he was angry, but now he was furious.

"No, Bran. I'm not finished." she paused. "There is still another thing we have to talk about before you take actions."

"What more could there be, dear sister?"

Arya did not want to do this, but had no other choice. She needed to sort her feelings out for both the Dragon Prince and her bastard blacksmith.

"It's about Gendry."

"What about Gendry, Arya?" he was starting to become concerned.

"I'm in love with him."

The room went silent as the younger Stark processed the said information.

"Arya, I want you to tell me everything. You hear me? Everything."

The elder Stark nodded and began her story from the beginning.

A/N: Thoughts? Let me know...

Also I have some news that I need to discuss with you all. I will be leaving for two weeks and will not be able to update any more chapters until I come back. The good news is that I have half of the next chapter already written and will publish it when I come back, so don't worry, the story will continue.

So sorry for the inconvenience to those who love or follow the story. :/

Also I would like to add that I don't hate Aegon, I just find it really hard to write his character. And I will explain Arya's feelings toward both men because keep in mind that she is still a bit naive when it comes to love and not all are pros on the subject. So please, just be patient all will be revealed.