Arya

It's been five days since Aegon left for the Twins and Arya was starting to get uneasy. Maybe she should head there herself, just to check if he's OK. He should've been back by now. She was scared that she'll find a body floating down the river, tears of blood on its face, its throat slashed and its once beautiful auburn hair torn and filled with mud… She buried her face in Nymeria's fur and tried to hide from the sight, seen through the direwolf's eyes so many years ago. Gendry told her of her mother's revival as the Lady Stoneheart. He told her that the Lady Stoneheart was a walking corpse, only living for revenge. She knew that he tried to warn her not to become the same. Gendry always tried to make her forget about her revenge, with his jokes and smiles and hugs. He tried to make her act like before, when they were both young, but she was not that girl anymore. That girl had a home and a family and a future, Gendry was with her when she got ill, the hound was with her when she was dying, in Bravos that girl died, and No one was born. She was still no one, wearing the face of Arya Stark, the king's justice, so she can perform her duties more easily. After she'll be done with that, she'll take Nymeria and they'll run free somewhere, maybe beyond the wall where freedom still exist. They will have no name, no responsibilities and no care. Only life. She would've taken Gendry with her, because he's strong and fun, but he is to be a lord, because of her doing. Oh, well.

She reached her favorite spot at the top of a little hill. It had knee high grass and she could sit there and disappear for a while. On a bright day, she could see all the way to the twins. She looked that way and searched for Aegon and his men. Nothing. A glint of sunlight caught her attention. She turned to see Viserion flying in the distance, hunting. The dragon had moved closer to the Twins to be near his master whether he needs him. She didn't miss his presence now that she had Nymeria, yet through the dragon she felt a bond to Aegon, and she definitely missed that. She looked back at the Twins. Where are you, Dragon Prince?

She laid back and looked at the sky, enjoying her time alone. In the past few days, Gendry hasn't left her side. He was everywhere, always in good spirits. It was fun in the beginning, she hasn't laughed for so long, and it seemed like a whole new experience to her. But he was getting too close for her liking. Yesterday he took her hand gently in his and looked deeply into her eyes, searching for something that was not there. Arya was afraid that he was going to try and kiss her and ruin everything, that stupid bull. She couldn't let him do that, he's going to leave her again and she can't let it get to her. Luckily, Haldon got up from his sickbed today and demanded Gendry's presence.

She was starting to feel her resolve weaken, with all this attention, first from Aegon and now Gendry… what would happen to it when she'll meet Sansa? She was terrified even to think of it. What would Sansa think of her? She will probably shake her head sadly at her sister and tell her how disappointed she is of her. While Sansa stayed in the Seven Kingdoms and survived on her own, Arya just ran away and returned when the danger was gone. Eventually, Sansa was the brave one, Not her. Arya was always the black wolf of the family, even Jon was a better Stark than her, and he wasn't even a Stark!

Oh, Jon. she missed him terribly. She should've convinced Aegon to go to the Wall instead of the Storm Lands, so she could've visit her favorite brother, Aegon would've agree, he would've done everything she asked of him, and smile that big smile for her. She realized that she missed him. Yes, she was still furious with him for not letting her go with him, but she missed his smiles and gentle words nonetheless. She was truly worried that those scums will do something to him…

Never trust a Frey. She should go there right now, no one needs to know. She will take care of them and save her prince. She got up quickly and drew her sword, If they'll harm a single silver hair on his perfect head…

Nymeria growled softly at her side and bared her teeth. "What is it girl"? Arya turned her gaze at the direction Nymeria was looking, but saw nothing but clouds. "What's wrong"? She put her hand on Nymeria's back and then she felt it. The dragon was close.

"Seven hells! I knew I shouldn't have let him go. I will kill every one of them, there will be blood spilled tonight!" she started running down hill and stopped halfway down. The great white dragon was starting to land in front of her. He settled down in the foot of the hill. Arya stood there, watching. Hoping.

Viserion stretched his wings and looked at her; she saw intelligence in the dragon's eyes, like she saw in Nymeria's. The direwolf was behind her, not daring to come any closer to the huge beast. The direwolf and the dragon, the beasts of legends and songs. The prince appeared behind his dragon, clearly not seeing her. "Viserion, why in the seven hells did we land here, this is at least an hour walk from camp! I really don't get you sometimes, you big oaf". He dusted his shirt and trousers and stretched his arms and legs. He was with his back to her, so he couldn't see her watching him as he straightened his hair and bent down to fix his boots. "You're back" she said quietly, not moving from the place she stood on, slightly uphill from where the dragon had landed. Aegon must have jumped two feet high in the air. He turned to look at her, surprised and amazed, and she could see that his shirt was covered in brownish-red stains, was it blood? "What happened? Did they hurt you?" she couldn't move, she didn't trust her own feet, and her left hand darted to her sword's hilt. "Arya" he whispered, then lowered his gaze to his shirt, "no, they just… they say that in the north a man carry out his own sentence, so I thought… if I should do justice for the north, it will only be appropriate to… I'm sorry Arya, I know you wanted to do it yourself…" she ran over to him, leaving Nymeria behind, and hugged him tight, burying her face in his chest. She would've cried if she remembered how to. She didn't know how worried she had been until she saw him standing in front of her, alive and unharmed. She felt like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. He was surprised by her hug, and stood frozen for a moment before hugging her back. He kissed the top of her head and said "I've missed you too, my little assassin". She pushed back from him, what was she doing, he was the royal prince of Westeros, and she was… who was she? "I'm sorry, my prince, I shouldn't have done that, I was out of line, I was… just happy that you came back unharmed from the Frey's jaws…" he seemed amused by her babbling. "You're right Lady Stark, you shouldn't have hugged me, why, that hug was so fierce I might have cracked a rib" he chuckled. She lowered her gaze, how dare he mock her! He was silent for a moment, and she realized that he wanted her to look at him, so she did, her eyes showing him nothing but ice and fierceness. He smiled at her, his infamous big smile. "What you should do, when you greet you Prince, is this" he bent down, took her face in his hands and kissed her. She could smell the blood on his shirt, she could smell the smoke from his dragon in his hair, his lips were cool and knowing against her inexperienced mouth, his hands icy against her burning flesh. Was she blushing? She never blushed! She didn't know how to respond. They didn't train her for this in Bravos. She closed her eyes and tried to surrender to him, but it felt all wrong. He was the prince; he would marry the princess of Dorne soon. She can't have him and she can't get attached to him, or she will suffer for it when he will be taken from her, just like all the others. That's how it is, you learn to love someone, and then they're gone. You can count only on yourself. She should stop him right now and punch him in the throat… just in a minute or so.

Suddenly she heard an angry growl from behind her. Aegon finally broke the kiss, she didn't even know how long it lasted – a minute, maybe more maybe less. She just knew she was relieved that it's over, yet she didn't pull back from his embrace.

"What in the seven hells was that? Did you just growl at me?" he looked at her, his purple eyes devouring every inch of her. He wanted more, thank the gods for Nymeria. She took a step backwards and turned to her only friend, "Not me, my prince. It seems that Nymeria is wiser than me." She petted Nymeria's back lovingly. You are the only one that I can trust not to leave me, because you are me. You want nothing from me, so I can never let you down. Aegon looked at the Nymeria with amazement. "Is that… is that a direwolf"? Arya nodded, his eyes widened and he looked just like a little boy facing the biggest cake ever, "Wow! Can I…" he reached his hand to touch her, and was welcomed with a low growl, making him pull his hand back. That was strange; Nymeria let Gendry touch her all the time, "I guess not, huh? Well. She is gorgeous, Arya. Like you". He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at her. Arya snorted, why do they keep saying that, are all man blind and stupid? She decided to ignore that remark. "It must be the dragon's scent that she doesn't like. We should head back to camp, your men will be anxious to see you alive and well, my prince". She took a few steps before he grabbed her and brought her close to him. He stroked her hair, "They can wait for a few more minutes", he bent down for another kiss and his lips almost touched hers again, but she turned her head and pushed him away. This cannot happen, stay strong. "What's wrong? didn't you like it?" he looked at her with his most miserable expression, extending his hand to her. She was almost tempted to run to him and fall into his arms, like in Sansa's songs, but luckily Nymeria nudged her foot and snapped her out of it. "You are the prince of Westeros, soon to marry the beautiful princess Arianne of Dorne. I am a mere servant to your grace; let's not pretend it can be otherwise". She shot him her iciest stare to let him know that she was serious and that this discussion was over. He knew that stare; he used to give it to her when she was stepping out of line, yet he was never able to hold it long. He stared at her, and he looked like she had just slapped him, and he didn't understand why.

He sighed, "As you wish my lady of Justice. Come, then. We have a long walk ahead of us, and I have many things to tell you."

They walked through the woods like nothing had happened, and all she could think about was the feel of his lips against hers.