A/N: I want to thank everyone for reading, alerting, and favoring this story. If anyone is able to Beta please contact me.

As they traveled South, Arya learned many things from the guards and Bran. The Vale was very mountainous and was based in the Eyrie. The nobility was mostly of Andal descent with the first men of the region living among the wilderness like savages. Bran had remarked that if the Andal conquest hadn't stopped at the neck they may have been living as the clans of the vale. Elsewhere in Westeros it seemed that problems had risen with the Stormlands. King Rhaegar had refused Lord Baratheon's marriage offer between his son Joffery and the Princess Daenerys. He had instead offered the Hand of the King his friend Edmure Tully in marriage to Mrycella Baratheon. This has caused Lord Robert to respond in a highly typical manner by sending the messenger's hands back to the King.

She remembered the Princess; She was beautiful, regal. Everything that could ever be wanted in a Queen. She then thought of the loud and brutish Joffery. A very ugly kind of person. Something that would never had worked. They stopped at various inns; it took them almost three weeks to reach the Northern lands. She learned a lot about her betrothed, Jon Arryn was supposedly a very honorable man. He was the master of laws for King Aerys but had quit the council after the King went mad. He had prevented all out war when her Aunt Lyanna had been taken. Lyanna had become the King's second wife. He had also trained her father, which in her opinion was nice but also gross. Brandon Stark was to squire for him as he had been a proficient commander during the war of the Nine penny Kings. After a fashion he was to be a knight of the Vale. As they rode into the vale she began to see the beauty of it. When they got to the Bloody Gate. The Eyrie straddled the top of a peak of the Mountains that seemed to rise several thousand feet high above the valley floor below that they stood on. The group approached by the narrow causeway near the high road. They passed through three way-castles guarding the ascent - and then, walked in single file, for the passage was guarded by archers. Bran had told her the Eyrie is considered impregnable to any attack, and its defenses have never been overcome. The castle wasn't as large as Winterfell or even Riverrun. The welcome party was a small one, a maester, an old knight and a tall serious old man. He couldn't be called ugly but he wasn't young enough to be handsome. Jon Arryn was serious, his features sunken and his eyes gaunt, like the castle itself he seemed drawn off.. Ever since they crossed into the Vale a bad feeling had set in her stomach. She shivered a little when she went into the courtyard. The elevation had made her light headed. Her brother helped her off of her horse.

"Brandon Stark." Lord Arryn said with a greeting, almost a ghost of a smile on his face.

"Lord Arryn." Bran said just as formally. Bran bowed his head. Arya then stepped forward.

"Lady Arya." Jon Arryn addressed her. Arya curtsied, never forgetting her first impression. Jon Arryn seemed to almost have a wistful expression. His face didn't betray any emotions though, when she curtsied . She was used to men looking at her with nothing more than annoyance. This man however merely glanced at her with sadness and fear.

"My lady you will find your room will be beside your brother until the wedding tomorrow. You will keep the room for your own personal use." Lord Jon Arryn was a gracious host. He led them inside the surprisingly pretty castle. It was truly beautiful although it lacked some grandeur that Winterfell had. She would be in charge of running the staff once she was the Lady wife of Jon Arryn. The Maester led them out into another court yard to a large tower. He informed them that this would be their personal quarters and that their staff would have rooms below their own. He then left them in the grand hall and went to attend to the other guests he said.

The master of their guard, Sir Bronn who had known Arya since she was a small child and he had been just a sellsword, was sitting with his men sharpening his sword. "So it seems that we have found ourselves a golden goose? Arya Stark, A great lady.. You've got to be shittin' me!" He motioned to the hall.

"Bronn? Should I have left you to guard Sansa and her whining?" She smiled frostily and was glad when Bronn smirk dropped. She sighed; this place was to be her home from now on. At least the bed was soft and the tower was cozy. She would at least be able to stay with Bran and Shae. Jon Arryn seemed to avoid being in her presence. He retired early walked off with his cane.

The next day came sooner than she would have hoped. The Arryn's kept the Seven, she'd known but it seemed strange to in a Sept. She wore a blue gown; it was beautiful, made of fine silks and fitted perfectly to her figure. She brought Shae into her room with her; the young woman helped her put her hair in one of the southern styles. She wore her necklace. Her father gave it to her on her last name day he had been alive.

"You look beautiful girl." Shae smiled at her. Arya smiled tightly too. All her fire would be wasted in these cold lands. She wished for the hundredth time that her father were here. Her brother waited outside her door. He commented on her beauty.

"Don't worry Arya, your husband to be will be good to you, to me as well. As it is. Do your duty and give the man sons. Give him sons and we never have to bow to Uncle Brandon or anyone else again." Bran told her as they walked to the Great Sept. It was filled with the lords of the Vale. They all rose as she walked in. Trumpets played as she walked with her brother down the hall. The Nobles did not look as rich or powerful as the nobles that were at the Royal wedding but they looked proud.

Lord Arryn stood there with a Septon in front of the altar. The ceremony was surprisingly fast. The septon talked about the gods and how the mother would bless them. Finally they came to the part that she knew, "Who gives this woman?"

"I Brandon Stark, Grandson of Lord Rickard Stark of the North do." Her brother said with a strong voice. He looked at her with a reassuring smile. She her breath leave her body when her stark cloak was removed. Jon Arryn put on a much lighter baby blue cloak. She looked to his old sagging hands as he fastened the cloak on her shoulders.

They looked at each other in the eyes for the first time. Her husband kissed her roughly, nothing like the she had ever felt. His lips were dry and chapped. His breath stank. She didn't feel anything for this man, not an ounce of anything but hollow feeling.

The feast was a grand affair. The Lords and Ladies of the Vale all were sat in the Great hall, they all were coming to the head table to swear oaths. She met with Ser Donnel Waynwood and had a grand time, her husband introducing her to Lords and Ladies for the best part of the evening. Much to her surprise they all seemed very kind and courteous. The Lords had commented on how they had respected her lord father, which brought tears to her eyes while Brandon squeezed her hand. Jon's bannermen were mostly in armor thought one man wore a highly fashionable tunic. He had a finely combed moustache. He stared at her with interest. Her thoughts of the man were cut short by a shout.

"Time for the bedding ceremony! Grab the little lady!" The men were gentle with her a few tried to grope her but Ser Donnel, her new vassal tried to defend her honor. He was a very nice man who was the Knight of the Bloody Gate. She met him yesterday after he returned with them from the bloody gate. She was laid on the bed with little grace.

"My lady." She turned to see a very naked Jon Arryn. His skin seemed to sag like the rest of his body. The only thing that was not sagging was his hard member. He looked at her with leering eyes. All of the earlier kindness wiped away. He slowly was moving towards her.

"My lord." She replied trying to be ladylike as possible. She was a maiden and didn't know the ways of the bed chamber, she always imagined that she would do this with someone around her age or that she knew. She tried to blush when he approached her and lowered his head so it was an inch away from hers. He licked his lips and she held back vomit that was at the back of her throat.

He was not as gentle as could be he lay almost over top of her. He forced entry. Arya gasped when he began to push inside of her. Her lord husband whispered close to her ears. "Forgive me my lady. It will only be painful the first time." Arya merely nodded shakily, keeping her pain to herself. Her lord husband pushed on. Cersei cried a little, it burned as the tears that rolled out of her eyes. Nothing could fully prepared her for this and she felt that all she wanted to do was go home. Leave and go back to Winterfell and to her toys and be carried by Robb and be teased by Sansa. Oh why did she have to do this?

"Please stop, No please…." She closed her eyes whimpered when her lord husband moaned and stilled inside of her. She wondered if she would be able to even go through even one more night of this. Jon spilled inside of her; he rolled over top of her. They didn't speak at all. She feigned a smile with tear leaking down her face. He sighed, "Forgive me." Jon stood up from the bed. He left her alone. For the first time that night she was grateful. She rolled over to her side and curled into a ball. She let out a sob at the thought of facing him in the morning.

Her husband was never around her for more than a few hours. He woke up hours after everyone else and would be in council for hours or drilling Bran. He ruled his lands generously. She stayed mostly in the tower but to learn mathematics, history and lineage. The day after the wedding she began her duties. She got court gossip from her cousin who had been forced by her mother to write to them to keep up family ties. The queen was sick. Lysa Tully had a lover even though she was betrothed to a Tyrell; it kept Arya and Bran at least away from the politics of the Vale. She wrote to her Aunt in Winterfell as well, Aunt Catelyn informed her that Robb hadstill not been betrothed to any and was resisting a northern girl that his mother had put forward. Brandon was at King's Landing too, visiting the Sansa and talking with the King.

Four months later she knew she was pregnant. She wasn't happy or sad with the news but she knew that her duties in the bed chamber would be severely lessened if she could give him a son. She had assumed she would have children eventually. She hoped it was a boy, if she had one and then a spare she wolu dnever have to be fucked by that sorry sack of shit again.

She consulted with maester Callis who had his suspicions. She was pregnant, probably conceived within the first month of the marriage. She didn't like her husband, but she tolerated him for she knew that his time was short. He visited her chambers every night and every night she wept. After a while Shae would come in after to comfort her.

That night when he came to her bedchamber she stopped him before he could remove his clothes. "My lord, I have something to tell you." She said trying to sound as brave as possible. "I am with child." She smiled and was surprised when he kissed her a little too harshly.

She was shocked and as usual didn't return his kiss. "Forgive me my lady. I am overcome with happiness by the news."

He didn't touch her that night but kissed her again and left her quarters. Arya was quite happy. She was glad to be on her own.

Her pregnancy was difficult and she did feel tired, she tired to eat but would only vomit the food back up. According to the maester she was still a little on the young side as she was only just tuned fourteen. Sansa sent her own congratulations with words of how their children would one day play together. She wanted to write back saying that her children would never play with dragon spawn but she was a lady and as such she sent back how she would be more than happy to. Jon paid attention to her now, her belly bloomed and the baby moved. Jon smiled whenever he saw her belly move, he would talk about his previous wife and how he had felt about being a father. The bay kicks took a lot out of her and she could not work too hard as it would begin to stress her child, her husband had decreed that if it was a boy then he would be Jon the second of his name. It was at this time that it was decreed that a grand tournament for all the realm would be hosted outside the eyrie near the bloody gates. The King and royal court would be in attendance.

"Brother? If you die in this tournament I will kill you."

Bran smiled at his sister's comment. They had left the stables of the Eyrie after much preparation for their journey. They had rode together in a carriage because of Arya's pregnancy. Jon had permitted that Bran could enter both the melee and the joust. Arya knew that Bran was good but she still had fear for him.

They passed through two long parapets built into the stone of the mountains. The pass of the bloody gate was narrow where it met the gate, watched over by twin watchtowers, joined by a covered bridge of grey stone that arches above the road. Archers are positioned atop the cliffs along the length of the narrow ravine, and train their aim on any who approach the gate. At the moment they all seemed to stand at attention for the Lady of the Vale.

It was the one way to enter and leave the Vale. Arya yearned to be far away from the smells and noises that plagued the city that they entered into. Exploring the lands was one of the many things that in her current condition she was not allowed to do.

There were few things Arya liked more than exploring with Bran. She remembered many of days and nights that they would look through the crypts of Winterfell to try and find Bran the Builder. Now she was confined to sit in a chair all day with Ladies of court as a tournament was held in her 'honor'.

"Do you protest?" Bran turned to him. "You could cheer for our cousins husband the great Prince Aegon? Or maybe our other cousin the Dragon-wolf Prince Jon of Summerhall?"

"That would be certainly awful," Arya said with a smirk, "I prefer Ser Brandon Stark, The Wolf who soars."

"Ser eh? Lets not get ahead of ourselves," Bran chuckled, knowing his sister wanted her Lord husband to knight him and be done with it. He had tried to explain to her several times that you had to do something impressive to actually earn a knighting. She had just shrugged at him and smirked. He did hope that he could prove himself to lord Jon. If he could become a knight he might be able to woo Meera. He had loved her since he was eleven years old.

"Are you prepared for the tournament?"

"Aye," Bran said, he was ready to break the best riders that the kingdoms had to offer, he knew he would do better in the melee though as it had always suited him. He had been training and riding hard since he had been told by Jon that he was to enter the tournament.

When he wasn't training, he was watching his over his baby sister, baby by only a minute! She would always remind him. Trying to ease the suffering she felt constantly. It had not been easy for him either. Trying to have respect for a man who basically rapes your sister every night is hard. He had come very close to punching Jon Arryn in the Face many times. His sister was his weaknesses. The training yard of the Eyrie provided him an opportunity to study from some truly gifted Knights. There, he watched many knights of the Vale do battle and he had been taken under the wing of Lord Yohn Royce who was an outstanding general and a skilled warrior.

It was in watching Ser Donnel Waynwood Bran notice how the knight used his weight to his advantage during a fight. He understood that in the Melee he would need to wait and conserve his strength so that it would be between him and a more tired and heavier fighter. That was how he would have a chance in the melee.

"If you win the melee," Arya sounded pleased, "You carry the honor of a Stark with you Bran."

He was to be the only northern nobleman who would enter the lists. He heard that it was quite unusual for a northerner to be taking part but he didn't care. He had squired for Lord Brynden Tully and had seen Tourneys before. He wanted to show them that a northerner could do much more than they thought. Let them see, he would not allow the southerners to bother his sister or shame her. He was aware of the expectations Jon had of him. He would ride with his sisters favor and win her glory.

"I will show the might of the north," Bran promised, hoping to make an example out of the Crown Prince and his cousin. Famous southern knights who knew nothing of actual hardships. His words earned him a an eye roll from Arya who had always said he was a bit too serious when it came to Tourneys. He knew that he was so he but that didn't mean it wasn't important.

Arya let out a raspy laugh. "Bold words, my kin," a grin stretched across her tired face, "but I've seen you naked." She shook his head in dismay.

Bran tilted his head back and let out a howling laugh. "Arya did you ever think that we would beeling this way."

He wondered how long the tourney would take. He hoped that it was before the baby came so that Arya would not have to give birth in the middle of the tourney. She looked dreadful but the maester said she had at least two months until she would give birth. Bran had been keeping it a secret but if he won anything he would name her his Queen of love and beauty. He knew that he could never give her back what she had lost; namely her childhood. But everyday he would endeavor to make her smile at least once.

His musings were interrupted at the sound of the carriage coming to a hault. The door was opened and light came through. Bran immediately had to hide his frown when he spotted the Crown Aegon and his wife coming towards them. Following behind the Prince was Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard as well as a handful of guardsmen.

To think that this Order was once filled with men of exceptional skill and valor such as Ser Aemon the Dragonknight and Ser Duncan the Tall. Now, its ranks tainted with men unworthy of the honor. Bran had grown up on tales of great knights but he already knew that he hated Jaime Lannister, most known for plotting with the current King to kill King Aerys. It was a well known fact that they did not talk about

Despite his respect for the history of the Kingsguard he was still wary of them. No one could question the skill of The Sword of the Morning, Ser Arthur Dayne or Ser Barristan Selmy. Yet these supposed great men did nothing as the Mad King murdered many only to be brought down by the young Jaime Lannister.

"My prince, cousin, always a pleasure. We hope that you had an enjoyable journey." Bran knelt and bowed his head out of obligation than any actual respect for the heir to the Iron Throne. Sansa seemed to be staring absentmindedly up at her husband. He gave Bran a smirk and looked at the pregnant form of Arya with veiled disgust at her swollen stomach.

The eldest son of the King didn't bother to hide his disgust for the Vale and its lords. He was dressed in black and red silks, a fire breathing dragon embroidered into his finery. He wore several rings on his fingers, and a sword clung to his side.

"Does it always smell this vile here? Honestly it's like a horse shit everywhere," Aegon brought a hand to his face as if trying to wave away the smell. His words and gesture brought anger to the forefront of Bran's head. Arya looked at him with contempt.

"My pardons," Bran apologized, "I was not expecting the honor of your presence so soon. My sister and I have not yet had time to pile up all the horse shit, we will get right on top of that."

"Ah a joke," Aegon narrowed his eyes at Bran. "It seems that you think you are quite funny SQUIRE Brandon Stark."

The Prince's insults of Bran seemed to affect the women more. Arya tightened her grip on Bran's arm while Sansa seemed to play with an invisible string on her dress. It seemed both boys were ignorant of their reaction.

"It does not matter it was hardly a good one. Anyways good-cousin, we just wanted to see how your sister was doing." His violet eyes seemed to flash, and a smirk at his lips. "Sansa wanted to know if she was pregnant or just had gained quite an appetite since arriving at the eyrie. I'm still not sure."

Brans stomach curdled. His hand twitched, wanting to go for his sword that was by his side, but he stopped himself. He would not allow himself to get baited by the Crown Prince. The boy only seemed to egg Bran on wanting a fight.

"She seems rather ill?," Aegon said to gain a reaction, "that would be from having an old fool like Jon Arryn fucking her every which way." He paused. "Though the only plus for you Lady Arryn is that you could be a widow before the tourney is done. I've seen the man and it nearly made me vomit from the jowls on him. "

His stomach rolled in indignation. It took every ounce of his self control to restrain his fists from meeting the Prince's face. Bran smothered the glare he wanted to shoot at the boy prince. Fighting to keep his emotions was all he could do. The boy seemed to want to fight him but Bran knew that the Kingsguard would slice his head off the second he drew his sword.

"It seems that I got the pretty Northern girl while your sister who is quite… interesting to look at, was given to a man who can barely see," the Crown Prince boasted.

The Kingsguard chuckled at their prince's words. While the Sir Bronn and his men glared back at the insults being given to their Lady. Bronn was fiercely loyal to the two as their father had hired him when he had left for the Iron Islands. He was only supposed to be in Winterfell for a couple of months but when Ser Eddard had died he had stayed on. He was the closest thing the two had to a father now.

Bran felt the burning rage that lashed and churned inside his stomach.

"How dare you nephew? This is a relative of your wife and the wife to one of the most important vassals," the voice called out. Aegon's eyes went wide as he saw his Uncle Oberyn and his paramour striding towards them. Bran and Arya looked at each other confused.

"I am to be King!" He shook as his Uncle approached. "I can do what I want!"

"Your Grandfather thought he could do whatever pleased him," Oberyn said. "Mayhaps you should ask your guard behind you what happened to him."

"You dare," Ser Jaime face darkened in outrage. It was quite Taboo to mention the death of King Aerys in the new court of his son.

"You threaten the Prince in front of his Kingsguard?" Ser Oswell Whent stepped forward, a hand on the pommel of his sword, his sworn brother, Ser Jaime did the same.

"I am not threating the prince Ser Oswell I am educating my nephew," Oberyn turned to Bronn, "The next time Ser Oswell speaks, kill him. There; That was a threat, see the difference?"

Ser Oswell roared and drew his sword. He expected the guards of house Arryn to back off. They didn't.

"No need to get blood on your pretty white cloak," Ser Bronn's eyes were steely as he looked at the Kingsguard. "The Lady Arryn is gonna go now. If I see one of you shites anywhere near her you'll be needing new Kingsguard alright?."

Ser Oswell was stunned. He had no idea who this guard was but he couldn't be a knight, a sell sword perhaps. A tension was all around them as Arya began to walk towards her tent, Men on both sides looked ready to come to blows over words exchanged by the nobles. As they walked away Arya shot Bran a glare and he returned a sheepish smile.

A swell of pride filled Bronn upon seeing his charges responding to the bastard Prince. They kept their mouths shut in the face of two Kingsguard knights and a handful of guards. If it had come to a sword fight Bronn had no doubt that they would be able to face all the odds.

ASASASAS

"It wasn't a threat," Bran said, trying diffuse the situation as they talked to an angry Jon Arryn, "Just a history lesson that we didn't even give. He insulted Arya many times my Lord."

Jon looked skeptical as he sat in front of the two. They both had looks of shame on their faces even though they had done their best to stay out of a fight with Aegon. Silence was what followed.

"My Lord," Bronn voice came out clearly, "The Prince Jon would like to meet his cousins, he brings with him his mother Queen Lyanna."

Jon seemed to jump up in surprise at the news of the Prince and the Queen. He was shocked to see that they would want to see his wife and good brother. Not to mention, it was known that Brandon and Lyanna had a falling out after she married Rheagar. He looked at his wife and good brother with trepidation. It was said that the Queen was imposing and serious. Jon motioned to let them in

"My Queen and Prince," Jon declared, "I would be pleased to introduce my wife Lady Arya Arryn of the Vale and my good brother Brandon Stark, my squire." At his words, the knights and men stood aside allowing Bran and Arya to see a beautiful women walking up. She had soft brown locks that seemed to cascade down her side. Her face was kind and her cheek bones defined. Her eyes were the same grey as theirs. Beside her was what looked like their father reincarnated but younger. The boy looked at them with slight fear.

"Oh my you are very much Ned's children, "The Queens voice filled the room, "And you have the look of a Stark like my Jon here. I am so happy that we are able to meet, I wanted for us to come to Sansa's wedding but… the north will never forgive me the way I ran away not doing my duty," A soft laugh from the Queen set Arya and Bran at ease.

"I am happy to meet you my Queen," Arya curtsied and bran bowed staying silent. Jon gave them a small smile and Bran and Arya smiled back, They all were similar in their shyness.

"Jon talk to your cousins," The Queen urged her son forward. There was nothing he could do but walk towards them and start to talk. They began with how life was were they were born. Jon told them what it was like to squire in the reach and Bran talked about the riverlands. They all shared laughs as the Queen sat silently while her relatives conversed. They sat for hours talking about family and the tourney. Eventually Bran and Jon talked about jousting while Arya talked with the Queen about her upcoming baby. When it was time for the first of many feasts they parted ways and went to the outdoor pavilion.

They walked towards the feasting tent and climbed the steps before reaching the grand table that they were seated at. Bran sat beside Arya and Lord Yohn, to see Sansa and her husband sitting at her table working on calming him down with the Lannisters nearby.

Instant relief came to him upon looking to his good friend Bronn standing beside them, he patted Bran's shoulder and smiled down at him.

"Bronn please make sure that Arya is safe tonight." Bronn's blue eyes widened at his request.

"Don't I always?" Bronn began to scold, but stopped and gave him another nod.

He moved across the table and without speaking pulled Arya into his arms from where she sat and held her close.

"Bran?" Arya said, "What's wrong?"

From the corner of his eye, he could see a fuming Prince Aegon staring up at them from the other direction who seemed irate at being put out, He leaned back, so that he could meet her eyes, but his arms remained around her. "I will always protect you. No matter what happens I won't leave your side."

"I know that," She frowned. "is this about what happened with the prince?"

She inwardly chided herself for letting the Prince get to both Arya and her brother.

Bran pushed out a breath of annoyance, not wanting to dwell on his on his emotion that he was trying to hide away from his sister.

"I'm fine," he assured her, smiling. "I'm fine, dear sister I promise. He just made me angry the way he spoke to you. All I can think is that he will be the future King,"

Arya stroked his hair. Her eyes closed, a smile came to her lips, "It will all be okay in the end, he will leave and we will be here, alone," her voice gentle, she separated from him and smiled again.

"The Prince," Bran muttered, he shook his head and broke a piece of bread, "If he dares to disrespect you again- I won't take that. This is our home."

"Don't be stupid," Arya's face creased with anger, she slapped Bran's shoulder and took a sip of her wine.

"Don't worry," Bran spoke bitterly. "He threatened to hurt you. You'll be safe."

"My protector," she said. Bran gave her a lopsided smile. The feast was becoming quite rowdy as dancing had begun. Jon Arryn had already left for the night and most of the older nobles as well. Ser Bronn and Ser Donnel were both standing guard beside the twins as they were the last two at the high table.

When she stood up to leave, her belly kicked and she gasped. "The Babe is kicking!" she gave him a frantic smile. In that moment all Bran could do was grin.

ASASASAS

The week after nearing the beginning of the joust Bran found himself breaking fast with the Knight of Flowers. Though, it was quant Ser Loras seemed pleased that he had secured time with the brother of the Lady of the Vale. It was quite boring conversation about the tourney and how long it would take. This Small tent was a colorfully decorated with spacious seating and table space to sit the three comfortably at its benches.

He was sitting across from him was his sister, Arya who looked very sick. She was wearing a dress in the southern fashion, that wasn't well suited for her. She looked as if the shade of green that she was wearing was maybe closer to her skin tone than was needed.

"You are beautiful as ever, my lady," Ser Loras declared at their table. Bran snorted which earned a glare from both Arya and Loras, "What? Sorry I can't lie to my baby sister… you look like shit Arya,"

"Thank you so much for that brilliant observation of a woman with child."

Bran felt heat come to his face as he looked at Ser Loras only to hear his giggling. He looked up to see his sister's eyes shining towards him with a silent laughter. "Well at least you look better than Sansa does, They have her in Targaryen purple, she looks like an interesting dessert."

They both rolled their eyes and Loras shook his head before going back to their food. They were breaking fast on rye bread, expensive orange juice, and a smoked meat that had been cut into fine strips. Bran and Loras ate at a much faster pace than Arya. They finished and headed to the practice yard. As they left her husband entered. Jon had his cane and two guards behind him

"Are you still upset about what happened at the opening feast," Arya looked up from her plate to meet his eyes . "I thought you would not want to see me for a while,"

"Well you do hold my child, it is quite difficult to stay away," Jon gave her a very frosty smile that did not meet his eyes.

"Well that's one way to keep your favor," Arya said with a hollow laugh. "Shall we sit through the opening together?" She knew that she had to at least go to the opening before she would be able to make excuses. Of course she would watch Bran but he wasn't till mid day. Her husband hummed in agreement and held out his arm for her.

Her three sworn guards stood behind her.

"Mayhaps, after the tournament when the babe is born, we could go to the sea?" By then, they had gone to the stands that would be holding the watchers of the tourney would sit. They mounted the steps to the box they would sit in with the King. They sat beside each other in an almost uncomfortable silence.

Arya hummed her agreement, as she sat in silence. They rested there in relative silence exchanging smiles and the occasional words trying to not act like the strangers that they were. They could never really get to know each other as they were both very silent people. Jon was silent by nature and Arya was silent by choice.

This is my life, she realized. The meals they'd take as husband and wife in the great hall. Lord and Lady or within their own chambers. She suddenly began to pray for his death. She wished that he would just die so that he wouldn't bother her with his needs anymore.

Soon, she reminded herself. He would not live forever and with his gout he might not live another decade. She wished for a live that was her own

"Yes that would be very nice Jon." He watched closely. She seemed like she was in pain

"Are you alright my dear? You seem quite distressed."

"What do you mean?"

"You had this pained expression," he gave her a thoughtful glance, " Tell me if this is all too much for you, if need be I can make up excuses for the King."

She felt a hard kick just then and grabbed on to Jon for support. The problem there was that Jon was quite unsteady himself due to his advanced age. She clutched her belly and panicked while wobbling with Jon. The maester was notified and sent for his supplies. The maester reassured her that it was just the baby trying to make his way out and that it wouldn't be long before she felt labor pains. She went to her tent only to find that Shae and her staff were waiting, they laid her on the bed while the maester prepared. She cried and shamelessly called for her mother, not even caring that her mother hadn't seen her in many years. . She felt the pains just then it was unlike anything she had ever felt. She looked at the Shae with tears in her eyes asking for her brother. She was crying too. She yelled for the maester to do something. In less than thirty minutes she had almost passed out three times from the pain, Jon as usual was nowhere to be found.

Shae pulled her hair back out of her face and whispered that she would be alright. She cried into the woman's shoulder. The maester finally shouted. "My lady, I can see the baby's head. Push, my lady, push. You have to keep going my lady!"

Arya screamed at the pain but pushed, she was crying and sobbing aloud. She continued to push throughout the pain. She did not expected shae's bright happy eyes to be peering at her and gasps from the maester. Then she heard the cries of a baby . She opened her eyes and saw the delighted face of Bronn and Shae. "A boy. You have a healthy and strong son Lady Arryn." He said happily. Arya and Shae cried at the same time. She wished her father could be here. "I want to see him." The maester handed her the baby. He cried loudly, he was an deeply red wrinkly baby. He had dark hair just like Ned and Bran, he opened his eyes, and they were grey just like hers. He would be a Stark more than an Arryn. She made that promise.

"He's going to be a great man." Arya said proudly. Never once had she felt such a deep connection to someone who wasn't her brother. The baby resembled his father and brother. "I think he'll have yours and Bran's hair and eyes m'lady." Bronn said with a proud smile. She smiled back. The Crown Prince and Sansa entered alongside Prince Jon.

"My lady your cousin is asking after you." The older man said carefully. "she wishes to come and see the child and make sure that you are well." She was sore and tired and now Sansa wanted to come see her. Sansa came and sat right beside the bed. She peered at Arya with curious eyes.

Jon shyly stood guarded from the other side of the room. "Uhem Lady Arya the Royal family wishes you and your son well and hope that."

"The House of Arryn thanks you for that." Arya said seriously with a very gracious voice.

"Have you thought of a name Arya?" Sansa asked, she still seemed in awe of the baby. "I was thinking that maybe he could Rickard, after our Grandfather." She said softly caressing the baby's little face.

"Yes I'm sure father would be happy with that choice. Though it is a bit northern." She answered as Arya cradled the baby's head as he nestled against her bosom.

"I think that it is very nice." Jon said with a furrowed brow. "Yes he will be a strong warrior as all Stark men are. He will do honor to the memory of Ser Eddard Stark." She smiled and nodded when Jon gingerly touched the forehead of little Rickard. Jon seemed entranced by the baby. They sated for an hour more before leaving her to get rest with her son. She closed her eyes and was awakened by the voice of Bran.

"He is ours Arya. We will keep him safe. Raise him as one of us. The lone wolf dies but the pack survives." She smiled up at her brother. He had Rickard in his arms and was rocking him gently. He looked like ideal father. Young, handsome and a loving, caring man. Arya wished that she had married a man like her brother instead of Jon. He hadn't shown up since she had fallen ill at the start of the joust

She felt a raw ache when she saw his tears. She took Rickard into her arms and Bran hugged the both. He was sure to be careful of the baby, she was happy he was here with her, like he always was. "What did you name him?" He asked her carefully.

"Rickard, Lord Rickard Arryn of the Vale." She said, not minding the mouthful that the mane was. "He will do great things." Arya said proudly. It was slightly fitting she thought, that she would have a child before Sansa and a boy none the less.

Bran nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "As my sister commands." He kissed her brow.

It was announced that little Rickard Arryn had arrived healthy to the tournament. The King sent his congratulations. Uncle Brandon sent a short congratulatory note and urged for her try for another child as soon as possible. She wrote back that she would do as he commands. She wished she could tell him that she would raise her child to hate Lord Brandon Stark but she was quite sure that he would not appreciate it. Her lord husband had the child presented to the court and all the old families of the vale cooed over their new heir. Arya recovered from the birth rather slowly as it was not easy on her small body. Her rooms became the nursery again. She moved to his quarters she slept alone for a while. Then he started again. It was constant, two months after Rickard was born he entered her room late one night. "I need a spare."

"Another child?" Arya asked once she had stood up. Jon was almost twice her size. She could see that he was giving her that look. The look she dreaded. A tear rolled down her cheek as he began.

"I'm… I am sorry," Jon stood up from the bed and laced his breeches. "You know this is never what I wanted, but I have a duty to my ancestors and the great house of Arryn."

"Thank you my lord for your honor." Arya said while running her fingers over the fabric of the bed sheets. Jon Arryn looked away, feeling the shame. He left very suddenly. Shae came in around an hour after and pulled off her soiled nightgown and bathed her. Arya always wanted a deep scrub after a visit from her Lord Husband.

""I shudder to even look at him, gods how much longer can I do this." She said honestly. She would have kill him I she thought she could get away with it.

Shae smiled sadly, "You can do this and you will. You have been through hell but you will survive," She patted. She asked for another wash as no matter what she did she never truly felt clean.