Shadow2001, you read my mind:)

Aegon

He heard Jon speaking to her through the door and hurried up to sit on her bed. His eyes fixed on the door; she would come in at anytime now. For the first time in his life Aegon was really nervous, if this won't work he didn't know what else he could do.

He's been planning this with Arianne for more than a week. His cousin has become his best friend, and his counsel on women issues. She was hostile at first, but once she realized that he didn't want to marry her, she was relieved and the two of them were quick friends. He told her of his problems with Arya.

"She sounds like a scared little girl" Arianne said to him.

"She is nothing but, she's tough, my little assassin", he said fondly, "but I don't know how to get through to her, maybe if I told her that she won't have to be a queen…"

"I said that she sounds scared, not stupid. Don't lie to her, you know she would have to do all the things that she told you she doesn't want to. You should give her something in exchange, that she'll know she's safe"

"I don't think she needs my protection, she's a better fighter than I am…" he snorted, he thought that Arianne would understand that, being so much like Arya herself.

"I didn't mean physical protection, I meant emotional protection. From what you say, she has been on her own since the age of nine, seeing all her beloved get murdered and becoming a heartless assassin. She trusts no one, rightfully so. You need to let her know that she can trust you, that you will protect her soul. And if that means letting her get on with her vengeance that's fine, as long as she won't let it consume her. Be her anchor, something she can come back to when she's lost. Oh, that's perfect, tell her that!" She was very proud of herself.

"But how do I do that? She made it quite clear that I mean nothing to her." he said sadly, remembering that night at the Eyrie.

"Make her miss you. When she comes here, pay no attention to her. Flirt with others, you can use me". She battered her eyelashes at him, making him laugh. "Or better yet, use Jon!"

"I'm not flirting with Jon"

She laughed so hard she nearly choked. He knew what she meant though; Jon was Arya's favorite brother, and his newfound brother, he was the strongest connection between them. He really liked Jon, and why shouldn't he? If Jon was the merging between Rhegar who looked similar to Aegon, and Lyanna who looked almost the same as Arya, then Jon probably looked similar to the son Aegon and Arya would have. And Jon was great to have as a brother. Aegon needed to show Jon that he is interested in Arya and persuade him that he is the right fit for her. With Jon's support, getting back to Arya's affections would be easy.

Arianne calmed down a little. "You should make your move after the feast. Ask Jon to get her in a good mood and wait in her room. You should let her go to sleep with your words in her thoughts. She'll be running to you the next day, I'll bet my life on it."

"Don't be too haste, you don't know Arya, she would probably kick me out screaming from her room"

"I know girls though, especially tough girls", she told him, then looked at his troubled face and added, "You should grow a beard, to make you look more northern, more familiar".

And they set their plan into motion. Jon was happy to help, threatening Aegon that if he'll hurt Arya he'll send Ghost to rip his throat out; Aegon responded that his Dragon was bigger. When Arya arrived four days later he thought that he would break and beg Arya to talk to him, but Arianne kept him strong. At the morning of the legitimization ceremony he was worried that he wouldn't last until after the feast, he told Viserion that as he was saddling him, the dragon looked at him as if he understood, and he thought that he was telling him not to worry, sometimes Aegon thought that he could hear the great white dragon speak in his head, but that must have been some of the infamous Targaryen madness that was in him. Later that morning, after Jon was officially legitimized and they were climbing the dragons he spotted her in the crowd and she looked at Jon, she was scared. He wanted to go there and hug her, but he couldn't, not yet. "She shouldn't be scared, he's my blood" he said quietly to the dragon. Viserion turned to look at Arya, reflecting Aegon's thoughts with his stare. She then turned to look at them, her beautiful grey eyes shimmering, and her perfect mouth slightly ajar. He saw that bastard Gendry putting his arm around her, trying to comfort her, but she didn't even notice, she closed her eyes, shying away from his stare. He smiled to himself, thinking that maybe Arianne's plan will actually work.

He caught her sneaking glances at him all through dinner; Arianne was very amused as she pointed it out.

And now he was sitting on her bed, hoping that Jon will do his part.

She entered the room, a small smile on her face. Good job Jon Aegon thought as he scanned her features. The green dress that Dany had given arya was beautiful, and it fitted her perfectly. It reminded him of the one that she wore to dinner at the Eyrie, and he guessed that Sansa conspired with his aunt to match it after seeing his reaction the first time. It's seemed like everybody wanted this match but Arya.

"Hello, little assassin", he said in a low voice, finally meeting her gaze. She seemed breathless and shocked at the sight of him. He pulled up his biggest smile for her, and stood up.

She tore her gaze from him and bowed her head. "My prince", she said curtly, "how may I be of service?" she stepped away from him and went to stand near the window. She wasn't going to make it easy for him.

"I'm riding into battle the day after tomorrow, I thought I'd say goodbye. I wasn't sure I'll have the time to do so tomorrow" he stepped closer to her, his eyes not leaving hers.

She bent down and started removing her shoes. She sat on a wooden chair by the bed and sighed in relief.

"There is no need; I'll be joining you later on with the rest of the men." She pulled her chin up, daring him do forbid her from doing so. He smiled at her.

"I know, I wouldn't have it any other way. You're my best warrior."

She frowned at him and then squinted. "If that's so, why do you need to say goodbye?"

"Well, I don't know if I'll survive long enough to see you again. And I didn't want to die without telling you how much I love you". He went to kneel beside her, looking up on her. She looked down on him angrily, frowning and tightening her lips. After a long silence she finally spoke, "I'm not saying it back!" she said angrily. But she was not pushing him from her either. He held her stare "I don't care".

She stood up abruptly, and he fell back. She made a furious sound and smashed her hand on the wall. "Aegon, I can't do this! Why won't you understand? I can't….", her shoulders began to shake and he realized she was crying. He jumped on his feet and went to her, turning her to face him.

"Arya, I do understand. I'm not asking you to change for me, I'm not asking you to become a perfect lady for me", she looked up to him, her eyes huge and sad. She had been so happy earlier and he made her cry, was he really doing the right thing? Shouldn't he just let her go free as Jon Connington suggested?

"So what are you asking of me?" she shook away from him and went to sit on her bed. "I told you, I can't sit by your side and let murderers and traitors kiss my hand while I smile politely at them. I won't."

"Then don't, if you want to go on with your vengeance that is only your right, though I don't know who is left. Your brother and sister had also avenged your family, you are not alone in this, don't turn everyone away. What I'm asking you is to let me in. I want you to let me pull you out when you get too deep, I want to be your anchor to this life, so you won't forget that you still have a life, that you are still loved". He sat down next to her and held her hand lightly, she didn't look at him.

"Arya, I don't want to be your lord", her hair covered her face and he reached out and tucked it behind her ear. She turned to him, her face unreadable. He smiled to her, his most loving smile, "I want to be your partner". Arianna had told him to leave her to sleep on his words, he hoped that he had convinced her enough; he kissed her hand and stood up. "Goodbye, Arya". He turned to leave.

"Wait!" she said urgently, he tried to hide his smile when he turned to her. "Yes?" is all he managed saying at the determined look on her face.

"I… I need help unlacing my bodice, I can't reach it and I don't think I'll find help at this hour".

He raised his eyebrows in surprise, wondering at this strange gesture. She came closer to him and turned her back, taking her hair in one hand and exposing her neck. He shrugged and set on to unlacing the bodice. That thrice damned thing was so complicated he didn't even know where to start. After a short struggle, that was accompanied by giggles from Arya, to his pleasure, he finally found a knot that made it a bit loose and continued working on it from there.

Arya sighed in relief, "Ahh, so this is what breathing feels like", she touched her neck lightly and rolled her shoulders back. he couldn't help himself and kissed her neck, he could feel her holding her breath and decided to continue kissing her up her neck, one hand still unlacing the bodice and the other went up to caress the front of her neck and the top of her breasts. She made a low moan that made him hot all over. He reached her jaw line and gave her a final kiss there, he knew that if he wouldn't stop now he would spend the night here and she'll leave him again in the morning, breaking his heart all over again. He had to do what Arianna told him, Arya had to miss him. He stepped away from her. "There my lady, glad to be of service".

Before he could even move she turned to him, hunger and passion filling her eyes, one hand still holding the dress to her body. She grabbed his hand, "stay", she said in a hoarse voice. He gave her hand a little squeeze and let it go. "I won't, I have learned my lesson. I won't be fooled again. You can't have a heartbroken man fly into battle".

"I won't leave this time" she said and his heart lurched with hope, she came closer to him and went on her tip toes to whisper in his ear, "now that I have my anchor". She took a step backwards and took her hand off her dress; it fell down on the floor revealing her perfect naked body. Aegon gulped and stood in front of her gaping, he must have looked like a fool. She smiled at him, radiating confidence and strength, "I want to be your partner, Dragon Prince".

Aegon was dumbstruck, how can this be, could he actually get what he wants, that easily? There must be a trick, she came closer to him. "What made you change your mind?" he asked her, barely able to speak, his body was urging him to grab her and make her his.

She came closer and extended her hand to his cheek, "the beard, it's irresistible", she smirked and jumped on him. He caught her and she wrapped her legs around his waists. He put her on her bed and climbed on top of her, kissing her all the while. She tasted like honey and wine. He kissed her all over her body, savoring her taste and her smell. She moaned and called his name hungrily. He kept on caressing her and kissing her, she begged him to enter but he did not want to hurry, he took extreme pleasure in pleasuring her and when she moaned it made him blissful. When she came to threats he surrendered and pulled down his breeches. He climbed on top of her and looked in her eyes. There was a grey storm rolling in them and he felt like he was caught in it, he stroked her cheek, "I love you Arya Stark, more than I ever loved anything in my life, and I will always be there for you, always. my love". She kissed him forcefully and pulled him in her.

He took it slow, savoring every moment, every feeling, and every sound. It built up nicely and then Arya started to move faster, and he matched her. They both reached their peak together.

After, she cradled in his arms and he grabbed her tight to him. He will not let her get away again. "Hey", she said kissing his chest gently, her lips were cold, "you can let go, I won't leave again", she snuggled closer and her loosened his grip, he would have to trust her.

Later, when he opened his eyes again he was lying on his side. Arya's back was close to his chest and his arm was around her. He held her closer and kissed her head. She stirred beside him and turned around to face him. He looked lovingly at her and smiled, he couldn't believe his eyes. She was perfect. This was perfect. He played with her hair and she wriggled her fingers in his chest hair.

"I want to make this formal", he said to her, "Before I go"

"What do you have in mind?" she mumbled, he was surprised that she didn't hit him or worse.

"The gods wood. Let's speak before a heart tree". He knew that it would mean more to her that way. Arya didn't believe in gods anymore, only in the god of death, but the heart tree meant the north to her, it would be like having her family there.

"I want Jon to be there" she said quietly. Aegon was at a loss for words. She actually agreed to this. Maybe she thought he would really die in battle. He didn't care if he did, now. He didn't think he could ever be happier.

"And Dany too, and Connington", he said, he owed it to them. He felt her nodding. He hesitated for a minute before asking, "what about Gendry?" He didn't want him to come, but he knew that Arya was very attached to him. "No." she said quietly.

"Well" he said starting to rise, "meet me there at noon?"

She grabbed his arm and pulled him to her. He fell on top of her, her breasts brushing his chest. "Just one more time" she whispered rising up to kiss him, and he obliged.