AN: Thanks for the reviews, here are the responses as per usual.
Birdy1210: Yeah Arya is such a boss isn't she? I'm just trying to do justice to an amazing character. Fight scenes for me are just a matter of detail, give too much detail and it becomes too slow, give too little and you don't actually feel like you're there. I'll let you find out what happens with Sansa and Jon in future.
gw82: Thank you very much, I try to make my writing as detailed as I can without getting bogged down in it.
lordmantis: Glad you like them both, I certainly have enjoyed writing them. I prefer long chapters myself so chances are you won't see me write anything short. I have every intention of finishing this so unless something seriously drastic happens no worries there.
wawo20: Awesome, thank you
Elfvamp1-13-97: Getting Arya right is one of my biggest concerns with this story. I can't stand her being anything less than the absolute badass that she is, I could never turn her into a submissive idiot. Glad you like everybody else's development too. I'll definitely try to keep it up in future
Verite: Pretty same thing I said to Elfvamp, I just can't stand her being anything less than she deserves. Arya is my favorite character from the series and why other people tend to portray her as stupid is beyond me. I think it's great that people like the way I portray her and no need to thank me for keeping her as the sort of character she is, I wouldn't feel right doing anything else. Thank you for reading this, and hopefully this chapter is as amazing for you as the last.
naleight: Hey as long as you actually feel that way keep repeating yourself Yeah the last chapter was a lot of fighting what with it being a quick and concise conquest. I definitely try to make every fight have its own unique qualities based on who they're fighting and what the environment is, otherwise what's the point of writing them in detail. Yeah the whole Faceless Man thing is really interesting and I'm glad the way I decided to describe it worked for you. I liked writing the way she finished the assassination, I'm happy that it worked for you. With all the fighting in the chapter I figured a bit of humor needed to be thrown in to balance it out a little. As always thanks for the review, I love reading them.
Disclaimer: A song of ice and fire is the property of George R. R. Martin no copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made from this story.
After two days travel from the Iron Islands, the army was mere miles away from the Crag. As Aerion had said, they would make their way from there through the western hills and to the River Road. Arya and Aerion would leave Garlan and Loras to maintain command of the remaining men while they traveled ahead to the Vale, with all haste, in hopes that they could arrive before any hostilities began. Last they heard, the Queen's army was still a day from reaching the Mountains.
Aerion had spent most of the day prior sitting in their cabin and playing music as way of relaxing after the battle; Arya had sat and listened mostly as they talked between sets. At one point she had decided to tease him by undressing as he played, it was enjoyable for her as he struggled through the tunes as he tried to keep his gaze from her but in the end she won out and it ended very pleasurably.
Arya and Aerion were standing together on the deck of the ship, the castle in sight, when Arya had a thought, "You know my brother's wife, Jeyne Westerling, was from the Crag."
Aerion quirked an eyebrow, "You mean the one he married instead of the Frey girl?"
"Yes." Arya answered a little uneasily. She didn't know exactly how to feel about that. There has never been any word of what happened to her or what her involvement was in the Red Wedding. Perhaps I should stop by and have a conversation.
"Will you speak with her when we arrive?"
Arya nodded lips thinned, "Yes I think so."
"What do you know of her?" Aerion asked offhandedly.
"Only what I have heard, she healed my brother's wounds after the battle here and he took her as his wife after they shared a night together." Arya answered. Aerion allowed her peace with her own thoughts after that as fifteen minutes later they made landfall near the castle.
Arya knew she should probably just leave for the Vale immediately but wanted to know exactly what had happened. As they approached the castle with their 13,000 men there was no resistance. All of their men are either with Daenerys or with Bolton.
Arya and Aerion along with fifty armed soldiers made their way into the courtyard a man in his late forties, Lord Gawen Westerling, made his way out to greet them. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked loudly.
Aerion responded, "We are an army from the Reach, under the command of Garlan Tyrell and in service of Queen Daenerys Targaryen. We have come because my companion," he gestured toward Arya, "has some questions for a member of your house."
Gawen turned to Arya eyes narrowed, "And who would you like to speak to?"
Her voice was hard as steel when she responded, "Take me to Jeyne, now."
"Who are you to command me in my own house?" The man asked heatedly.
"I am a woman with thousands of men at my back who will take this castle from you by force if you do not cooperate," the man lost his confidence rather quickly at that, "but more importantly I am the Lady Jeyne's good-sister and I would speak with her."
"My daughter has no husband."
"She did." Arya pointed out coolly. To Gawen's credit, his eyes widened only slightly in realization.
"Very well then." The man knew he should not make a fight of it and quickly guided Arya and Aerion through the castle. They came to a door guarded by two Lannister men, probably the only ones in the castle and Gawen gestured for them to stand aside. They resisted of course.
"None but her family and the servants are meant to see her by order of Jaime Lannister." The guard on the left said.
"Jaime Lannister is not the Lord of this castle, I am. Now stand aside." The guards looked at each other and moved their hands to the hilt of their blades. Arya was not in the mood for any of this and quickly struck at the man on the right nearest her while Aerion, seeing her movement, did exactly the same to the man on her left. They were kind enough to only knock out the guards. The Lord of the Crag simply looked on knowing there was nothing to be done about it.
Arya went to the door and without turning to Gawen told him, "You may leave now." He nodded stiffly and left them to enter the room alone. Aerion grabbed her wrist before she could open the door though.
"Would you like to do this alone?" He asked kindly.
She gave him a small smile, "No, I will tell you everything I hear in within anyway, you may as well hear it now." He gave a slight nod and Arya quickly opened the door.
Sitting in the corner staring listlessly out the window was a thin young woman with part of her dress torn despite its clearly high quality. She turned to face her visitors and Arya could see that despite her slightly deteriorated health she was still quite pretty, though her chestnut brown hair was dull and her brown eyes lacked any light. After a moment of staring at Arya and Aerion she spoke, "Who are you?"
Arya walked over to the older woman, "My name is Arya Stark, you were married to my brother Robb."
Jeyne actually shot to her feet and began looking at Arya far more intently, "I was not just married to Robb, I loved Robb." She gestured to the tears in her clothes, "Even five years later, I continue my mourning. I only thank the gods that war broke out once more so I was not forced to remarry."
Arya was quite pleased with that response as it was honest. At least Robb can rest easy knowing his wife wasn't involved in his betrayal. "I believe you, I just have some questions for you."
Jeyne calmed before her eyes as she replayed Arya's words in her head, "You are Robb's sister Arya, truly?"
"Yes, I fled the Kingdoms after his and my mother's death." Arya explained calmly, "I have heard rumor of what actually transpired and I know it was Roose Bolton and Walder Frey who were the main conspirators in their murder. I was hoping you might be able to tell me more." Arya requested softly.
"Your brother worried for you, he never believed you were dead, only lost," Jeyne said half to Arya, half to herself, "Obviously I wasn't there but that was only because my mother was in secret talks with Tywin Lannister to help ensure I had no heir in exchange for a seat for House Spicer and a good match for my brother." Her voice held nothing but venom for her mother and Arya's nostrils flared at the piece of information.
Seeing that Arya was in no mood to continue asking questions Aerion spoke up, "How did she ensure there was no heir?"
"She was giving me a potion to prevent pregnancy under the guise of fertility potions." Tears threatened to spill as she thought back on it, "We tried many times and I felt like a failure that I could not provide my King with an heir."
Arya actually went and put an arm around the older woman, "My brother would not have blamed you."
"I know he never did, he was always so optimistic about it, saying we would just keep trying." A soft smile came to her lips.
"What has become of your mother?" Arya asked tonelessly but Aerion could tell she was internally raging.
Jeyne's face went blank, "She's dead. A winter fever took her a year ago." Arya could hear the lie in her voice but it wasn't about her mother's death. She did something to cause her mother's death. The woman is definitely worthy of the name Stark.
"Good riddance to her, may she burn in hell," Jeyne was clearly in agreement, "how exactly did you do it?"
Jeyne stiffened immediately and her stuttered out her question, "What do you mean?"
Aerion chuckled and both women looked at him, "I'm sorry but your concern was humorous to me; you are speaking to your husband's sister who wants justice for her family more than you could ever possibly imagine, you have no reason to lie to her."
Arya smirked, "He is right, I could hear the lie in your voice and know you did something to your mother." Jeyne still eyed them warily so Arya continued, "I respect you for it. She destroyed your life and while some might call it kinslaying… I do not, I call it justice."
"I did kill her" Jeyne said just above a whisper, "I hated her with every fiber of my being for what she did… so I was able to convince one of my hand maidens to procure certain herbs for me. The herbs are common for healing when used alone so she thought little of it but when put together they sicken and weaken the body."
"How did you give it to your mother?" Aerion asked curiously.
"I pretended, for a time, to come out of mourning and behaved as proper daughter again," she smiled a little maliciously, "my mother was happy to believe I had changed and took tea with me here in my room until she was too sickly to do so. The maester didn't suspect any foul play because I didn't use any common poison so he just assumed it was a winter sickness." She couldn't hide her happiness at her success.
Arya was impressed, many wouldn't have thought things through quite so well, "You avenged your husband and my brother in some small way, so thank you." Jeyne smiled kindly at her good-sister.
"I did it for myself more than anybody but you are welcome," She paused a moment in thought, "You do know your Uncle Edmure is held captive at Casterly Rock?"
Arya shook her head, "I didn't but it makes little difference now. Tyrion Lannister is Lord of Casterly Rock and once the Frey and Bolton force is dealt with he will reinstall the Tully's at Riverrun."
"Oh, right then." Jeyne blinked in surprise, We were not aware of that development."
Arya looked at Aerion and he nodded minutely, "We shall leave you now; we need to make haste toward the Vale." Jeyne looked properly disappointed.
"Thank you for coming to see me." She rose and embraced Arya and whispered in her ear, "I am sorry, it is as much my fault as any that your brother is dead, I will always live with that regret."
Arya pulled away a small amount of anger in her eyes, "My brother made his own choices and he chose you. It was not your fault that he bedded you and it was not your fault he came to love you. Did he break a vow? Yes, but he did what he thought right. I can't begrudge him or you that. That being said he is my brother so I can't have a truly objective opinion"
She sighed, shaking her head slightly, "Robb did what he could to make amends for his decision but he was still betrayed. There are many people to blame, you are least among them." Her face darkened as she continued, "Rest assured though, Walder Frey will die for breaking guest right and Roose Bolton will die for betraying all of the North. Whether he agreed with Robb's decision or not, he was Roose's liege lord and King and will die for his betrayal."
"Is it really so… impersonal for you?" Jeyne asked slowly, clearly confused.
"No I have my personal reasons for wanting them dead as well; they still killed my brother and mother but they will die to see justice done as much as to see vengeance taken." Arya's voice brokered no argument.
"Do you plan to do this yourself?" It occurred to Arya that Jeyne would know nothing of her life before.
Aerion responded for her, "She does, she is a far better fighter than most men I know and that is only the barest of her many skills."
Jeyne smiled, "Robb always did say you were fierce." She bid them a final farewell as they made their way out of the room. A few minutes later they were back in the courtyard of the Crag.
As they reached their horses once more Aerion asked a question, "Why not bring Jeyne with us?"
Arya chuckled, "Come now Aerion, she may have a some fight in her if what she did to her mother is any indication, but it is quite obvious she is not the sort of woman that would thrive in a war camp."
"You're right I just think it wrong to leave her here almost as a prisoner." Aerion said offhandedly.
Arya stopped and looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, "You're right." She approached Garlan and Loras who were giving commands to their men, "Lord Garlan," he turned to look at her, "my brother Robb's wife is in the castle guarded by Lannister men. I would ask you to please take those Lannister men with you. They should be with the rest of the army as their Lord is one of the Queen's chief advisors."
Garlan smiled widely at her scheming, "Of course my Lady, I will inform Lord Westerling of this change of plans."
"And if you happen to ensure some of your men keep watch on these extra men who could blame you?" she asked innocently.
He quirked an eyebrow conspiratorially, "Who indeed?" He quickly made his way over to Gawen and explained the situation.
As Arya returned to Aerion he just stared at her a moment, "Well I guess that takes care of her prison."
"Agreed, with Jeyne's mother dead and no Lannister's to keep an eye on her, I doubt anybody will try to keep her under thumb any longer." Arya said confidently. Well I at least hope she will have some freedom returned to her. I will be sure to come back once the war is taken care of; hopefully I'll be able to give her the chance to come to the North after this over if she wants.
They told Loras they would see him soon and at a gallop, made their way from the Crag.
It was getting dark the second night after their departure from the Crag when Arya noticed a raven making its way toward them. They were only twenty miles from Riverrun and another two days ride from the Vale. Ah I wonder who that is from. As the raven came to land on Arya's shoulder Aerion began surveying the area around them and came to a decision.
"We can make camp for the night Arya, it is nearly dark and this area has good enough cover for just the two of us."
They dismounted and tied their horses then quickly set up their tent and furs. They were in a lightly wooded area with very little snow that had a hill that provided a barrier against the winds and a bit of cover from view to the north.
It was only twenty minutes later that Arya was sitting on the furs in their tent opening a letter from Nela. I honestly expected Rhea to contact us sooner. Aerion sat down beside her and they began reading together.
Hi Arya and Aerion,
Me and mum moved to Braavos last week. I miss Ashlyn but mum said that I can go back and visit her in Pentos at least once a year. I got to see snow for the first time when we got here. It was pretty!
Braavos is diferent than Pentos and waaaay diferent than the fishing village. The statue is really big, they call it the Titan.
Both Arya and Aerion chuckled at that as they remembered the first time they saw the Titan of Braavos. They were young when they first saw it, Aerion being the same age as Nela; both had found the thing a little awe-inspiring.
The house we live in is much nicer then our old one and their are more kids my age around and we play around the house. Masha and Mero live close by which is nice.
I saw the house of black and white you told me about Arya. It was kind of scary.
Mummy hired someone to give us lessons so that we can have more oprotunity in the future, or at least thats what she said. She is a nice older woman and I have learned a bunch of new stuff from her.
I'm glad your war is going well. I hope it is over soon then you can come and visit me!
Miss you lots,
Nela
Arya and Aerion were both smiling fondly as they finished the letter. Aerion broke the silence first, "Well she seems happy."
"She does, I hope we see her again someday soon." Arya said a little emotionally. The little girl had made a big impact on Arya.
"I am surprised my mother hasn't written yet." Aerion commented thoughtfully as he folded the letter
Arya agreed with the statement, "I thought for sure she would have sent us a letter quickly after all we had to tell her the last time we contacted her."
Aerion chuckled, "That's probably why we haven't gotten a message back yet, the thing is so long that the raven probably had to take breaks every few miles." Arya laughed at the mental image. Together they wrote Nela a response and sent the raven on its way.
For the next hour, they were mostly silent simply enjoying each other's company. Aerion read a book while Arya sharpened both Needle and her dagger; obviously Blackfyre didn't need any sharpening.
They both heard the soft crunch of snow beneath boots and moved into action Arya merely grasped the weapons she was already sharpening while Aerion grabbed his sword from where it sat in the tent. Both were smart enough while on the road to keep their armor on at all times even when they slept. It could be incredibly uncomfortable but neither wanted to be caught unprepared. It would seem it is a good thing too.
"Come out of the tent slowly and we might not hurt you," came a hollow sounding voice from outside of the tent. Arya and Aerion looked at each other and not knowing how many enemies stood on the other side of the tent, silently agreed to follow that instruction. Arya sheathed her weapons while Aerion kept his in hand as they exited the tent.
In the light of their camp fire Arya could see they were surrounded by ten people in total. Two stood up on the hill behind them while the other eight were evenly spaced around them. As Arya gazed upon them she realized she recognized them… all but one of them. So this is what remains of the Brotherhood without Banners? How disappointing.
Behind them upon the hill stood Lem Lemoncloack wearing what appeared to be Sandor Clegane's former helm. That didn't stop her from recognizing him with his yellow cloak. Next to him was Harwin, a man of the North, who served as a part of her father's household guard. She remembered bitterly his lack of help when she was captured by the Brotherhood.
To their right stood Thoros of Myr, far thinner than she remembered, and looking less than happy to even be there. Jack-Be-Lucky looked just as hideous as five years ago if not worse. The skin around his missing eye had lesions it that probably hurt terribly if the inflamed red color of the tissue was any indication.
To the left were three more, Notch was in the center. His blonde hair had taken on a tinge of grey and his brown eyes appeared almost lifeless as he stared at them unblinkingly. Likely Luke wasn't even looking in their direction he seemed distracted by something off in the distance. He had allowed his once clean shaven face to become bearded. It looked like veritable crow's nest upon his face. The last of them was Dennet whose once grey beard had turned white; he leaned on his longbow almost as if a walking stick.
The most shocking of the hostile group were the three in front of them. Jaime Lannister stood in battered and dirtied armor that was once white as the winter snow. His golden hair had lost some of its luster and his once clean shaven face now had a close shaved beard but he was still very much a handsome, if older, man. The most shocking difference from the last time Arya had seen the Kingslayer was his missing right hand. I am surprised no mention was ever made of that over the years. I wonder if he is as good with his left hand as he was with his right. Beside him was a massive woman wearing armor that most would expect to see sitting on a man's shoulders. On her hip she had a beautiful golden hilted blade. She was tall, far taller than any woman Arya had ever met before. She was the tallest person there by a good four inches. She appears almost the female version of the Mountain.
The final face she gazed upon was the face of a former friend. Gendry had not grown much since he was seventeen, he was lean and still had the powerful shoulder he had so many years ago. He had grown a beard thick and black as the hair on his head. He had on the bull's head helm he made himself when he was still working for Tobho Mott. He must have found Dunsen at some point. It's funny he looks like a combination between his Uncle Renly and his father. Of course Arya figured out long ago that Gendry was the child of Robert Baratheon, she found it hard to believe she didn't realize it when she was still a child and not a woman grown. He gazed at her impassively without a hint of recognition in his blue eyes.
There was one common trend both Arya and Aerion noticed in what remained of the Brotherhood without Banners, every one of them was gaunt in the face and pale. Gendry stepped forward and spoke in his deep voice, "What are two well armed and armored people doing in the Riverlands?"
Aerion answered the question honestly, "We are the champions of Queen Daenerys's army who fought and broke the Iron Islanders just three days ago. Now we ride to the Vale ahead of what remained of the Reach's forces to rejoin our Queen."
"Ah important people then?" Gendry said the word important almost gleefully, "How much do you think your Queen will pay to have you back?"
Arya was appalled and she almost snarled, "You are the Brotherhood without Banners, I hear you once fought to help the smallfolk of the Seven Kingdoms but now you would capture and ransom members of the army hell bent on insuring the realm is finally safe again."
Gendry shrugged disinterestedly, "We have to eat and money certainly helps with that. There aren't so many men in the Riverlands as there used to be so we take what we can when we can. If you are truly our new Queen's champions I have no doubt she will give us enough money to eat for quite some time."
Arya noticed Jaime looking at her more closely as she responded, "If you were so concerned about valuable prisoners you wouldn't torture and murder every Frey, Bolton and Lannister you can get your hands on, with the exception of the Kingslayer over there," she spat out, "even in the Free Cities we have heard of the travesties you commit against your prisoners."
"They get what they deserve," Gendry growled his blues narrowed within his helm, "and besides you are no Freys, Lannisters, or Boltons, so you have nothing to fear from us… as long as you cooperate of course." Arya found it hard to believe this man was the same person she had once been friends with. Much of his life has been a struggle and now he has spent too much time around the cruel and become cruel in turn. Arya realized with a start that could very easily been her. Between everything I saw and everything I experienced bitterness could very easily have turned to something worse. I could have become that cruel, that vengeful, and that heartless if it weren't for my time with the Faceless Men. Arya was never more thankful for the iron coin Jaqen gave her all those years ago.
Arya was broken from her thoughts by Jaime Lannister's still deep and confident voice, "You are right Ser Gendry," the word Ser lacked even a hint of respect to it, "she is not from any of our enemies families… she is a Stark, Arya Stark if I'm not mistaken." Gendry, who had turned to Jaime when he spoke, snapped his head back in Arya's direction so quickly she was surprised he didn't hurt himself. She and Aerion both fought the urge to laugh at his reaction.
"Arya is that really you?" Gendry sounded like he did five years ago for a moment.
"Yes, Gendry." She said evenly. He removed his helm and his eyes began roving her body and she didn't like it one bit. In his eyes she saw the same lust she had seen in other men since taking her own face again. Arya was self-aware enough to know that she harbored a crush on the older boy when she was ten years old. But it was a ten year old crush, age gives one perspective. Now, a look that would have made her blush like the maid she was five years ago caused an unpleasant shudder to run through her body.
Jaime stepped forward, "I made an oath years ago to return you safely to your mother if I could," he smirked, "I suppose I will finally be able to keep that oath."
Gendry looked to the other men, "Gather up their things, we leave for the hollow hill immediately." He looked at their two would-be prisoners, "They can keep their weapons but be wary."
Just ten minutes later, Aerion and Arya were riding alongside Jaime and the woman they learned was named Brienne. They chose to stay with the pair because Arya had no desire to be near Gendry at the moment, she decided to break the silence, "Ser Jaime," the man appeared surprised she actually used his title instead of his common moniker, "how did you realize it was me?"
"You always had the northern look to you, Lady Stark," he paused and looked at her more closely, "I did not know her well but I saw your Aunt Lyanna from afar. You look just like her, it made it quite obvious who you were."
"Ser Barristan said much the same." Arya responded genially.
"You are being surprisingly kind to me, Stark." Jaime said suspiciously.
Aerion chuckled beside them, "It was Lady Stark a moment ago, Ser Jaime."
"I suppose it was. And who exactly are you?" Aerion quickly explained his heritage.
"I was there when Ser Barristan killed your Grandfather." Jaime said once the story was finished.
"So were thousands of other men." Aerion responded emotionlessly.
Jaime actually laughed at that, "Very true." He returned his attention to Arya, "I never did get an answer to that question Lady Stark."
"I am a prisoner and outnumbered, it would be foolish of me to provoke my captors," she made a motion toward his missing hand, "a lesson you clearly didn't learn."
"Yes I wasn't a very good prisoner, I always imagined your father was much better at it." Jaime's tone was light but with a hint of something else.
"If you seek to get a rise out of me, Lannister," She looked him straight in the eye, "you will fail."
Jaime smiled cockily, "Oh I doubt that very much." Aerion was forcing himself not to laugh beside her. He obviously knows what's coming next.
Arya's voice was completely neutral when she responded, "You are many things, Lannister: a sister fucker, an attempted child murderer, a talented knight and a fool but you will never be able to get a rise out of one of the Faceless Men." Arya didn't see it but Gendry's face went ashen when he heard her statement. Meanwhile, Jaime and Brienne's jaws both dropped in surprise while Aerion couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up inside of him.
He leaned in and whispered to his lover, "I will never get tired of peoples' reaction to that little tidbit of information."
"Me neither," she replied with a small smile.
"Thank you for not adding Oathbreaker into that," Jaime said lightly, "it has always angered me that my greatest moment is my most reviled."
"I do not begrudge you killing an evil man, not even one you were sworn to protect. If I were forced to choose between Aerys and the people of King's Landing I would likely have done the same." Arya said evenly.
"I am surprised to hear you say so," Jaime half-smiled, "it was certainly not your father's opinion."
"You think so?" Arya questioned, genuinely curious if that was his belief. Jaime nodded with certainty, "There are many reasons my father begrudged you the act of killing Aerys Targaryen and while I will admit breaking your sworn oath was amongst them it was not the only one."
"What does that mean?" Jaime asked eyebrow raised.
"We Northerners believe in dispensing justice by our own hand, you took that from him; not an hour before he arrived to do it himself you took his justice from him." Arya stared into his vivid green eyes and he knew the truth of what she said.
Jaime thought about those words for a long moment, unsure how to respond, "I can respect that." He paused, "I will not pretend to have loved your father but he did not deserve what was done to him."
"He was the best of men." Arya said head held high.
Jaime didn't agree nor did he refute her claim, he just rode along quietly for a while , the only noise the crunch of horse hooves on snow. Finally, when he could no longer hold it in he asked the question that had long since been on the tip of his tongue, "What happened in the capital, we have heard only that it was taken by your Queen?"
Aerion answered him, "I assume you wish to know of your sister's fate?" Jaime nodded minutely, "She is dead; the Queen drove a blade through her heart after she admitted to all of her crimes."
"She is dead?" Jaime asked his voice barely above a whisper.
"Aye but not before she admitted to her incest, her infidelity, and all of her plots that saw Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark dead." Aerion's voice was neutral, clinical even. He didn't feel the need to cause more pain to a fresh wound.
"I always loved her more," Jaime said out in empty space more to himself than anybody else, "I did anything she ever asked of me for so long."
"She was a monster by the end, driven by vanity and pride." Arya said a little bitterly.
"She sold me out before the end didn't she?" Aerion merely nodded weakly in response, "She never could forget a slight even for a moment and I didn't come for her."
"It may come as some small relief that she did what she could to save your children before the end." Arya offered that small condolence.
"Tommen and Myrcella will be spared?" Jaime said hopefully.
"Yes, your sister claimed it was only Joffrey who was born of incest and the Queen chose to believe her; you should know your son looks very much like you." Aerion responded.
Clearly perplexed the Kingslayer questioned, "Why would Daenerys spare my children?"
"Because," Arya started loudly, "she does not believe in punishing a child for the sins of their parents and your sister gave her the opportunity to let them live their lives in peace."
"Then Daenerys Targaryen is a far better Queen than my sister ever was." Jaime said with finality.
Arya snorted derisively, "A blind man could see that easily enough." Jaime's nostrils flared momentarily, even if he agreed, he did not like the slight but he said nothing further on the matter. They were silent for a while before Arya asked something that was nagging her, "Why are you here with the Brotherhood, Jaime? And more importantly, why is it that the shadow of my mother left you alive?"
Both Arya and Aerion watched as Jaime noticeably glanced in the direction of the large woman beside him. Surely that isn't the reason. He took a moment before responding, "I was in the Riverlands ending what remained of the War and helping Frey and Lannister alike claim what was theirs. I was in Pennytree when Brienne came to find me, claiming she had found your sister and that the Hound was going to kill her. It was a rouse she was forced to participate in." Brienne actually looked ashamed of what she had done, "I was brought before the Lady Stoneheart and I thought then and there that I was going to die."
"Why did it spare you?" The distaste in her voice for what was once her mother was obvious.
"The Lady was convinced to give me a choice, fight and kill Lannisters and Freys or watch first as my friend died and then be killed myself. I could not sit by and watch as one of the only true friends I have had in my life died because of me." He told them earnestly, " So I decided to fuck being a Lannister, the name has caused me little but strife in my life, and join for the sake of myself and my friend. They have benefitted greatly in their endeavors from having me in their group."
"It was that simple?" Arya asked skeptically.
"Oh no of course not, I have been watched constantly every moment since I joined three years ago and had I caused any trouble I would have been killed immediately." Arya almost chuckled at the nonchalant way he said it.
"You chose to betray your family name for the Lady Brienne?" Aerion asked without any accusation.
"I am no Lady." Was heard from the large woman but Jaime continued on as though there was no interruption.
"Yes," Jaime replied automatically, "Lannister's were more than willing to look down on me since I was beaten at the Whispering Wood and lost my hand. Brienne was first my captor and looked down on me much the same as others have in the past but we came to understand and respect each other and I am happy to call her my friend." The mannish looking woman on his left blushed ever so slightly at his praise.
"I can respect that," Aerion responded, "but what of your oaths?"
"I think it far more honorable to save a friend and try to save as many smallfolk as I can than sit on my ass in the capital guarding Tommen from Cersei's imagined threats." Jaime explained vehemently. No one had reason to argue with that point.
An hour later, they were approaching a familiar place for Arya, the hollow hill. They dismounted and with the ten men arranged around them they walked into the forgotten cave. Arya immediately noticed the lack of other people in the cave, unlike the last time she was here.
Sitting in a chair by the roots of the weirwood tree that stood above was the Lady Stoneheart. The thing that was once her mother was more grotesque than she imagined. The creature's skin was pale as the Others and appeared petrified, her hair as white as an old maester, the cut's on her once beautiful face never healed and the deep cut across her throat gaped open just as it did when Raymund Frey slit it with his dagger. It was a terrible sight for Arya to behold. That thing is not my mother.
Gendry approached and began speaking in a hushed whisper with the thing. A minute later a disgusting smile formed on the Lady Stoneheart's face. It gestured for Arya to step forward and so she did. I truly wish I had never pulled her body from the river during that wolf dream all those years ago.
A hand went up to the gash along the Lady's throat and a terrible, raspy, hard to understand voice emitted from its mouth that Gendry was able to translate, "Arya, it is so good to see you daughter."
"I am not your daughter creature." Arya growled out.
The Lady did not take kindly to Arya's response "Do not speak to your mother like that child. You will show me respect."
"My mother was Catelyn Tully, a woman who loved her family, did her duty, and had honor enough for a knight." Arya spoke fondly of the woman who she'd spent her childhood butting heads with constantly, but her voice hardened as she continued, "You, thing, are nothing more than a shadow, an echo of the woman. You kill every Frey, Bolton or Lannister you can get your hands on, except the Kingslayer because he could get you even more of the former. You kill and torture them for offenses they did not give, something my mother never would have done."
The Lady Stoneheart seemed to go into a rage at her words, and Gendry quickly relayed what was said, "You would lecture me. I do what I can to avenge your father, your brothers, and your sister. Any child of mine would understand that."
Arya unconsciously echoed Robb's words, "My father knew mercy when it was warranted and killing boys fighting in a war they probably never wanted for treachery at a Wedding they probably weren't even present for is folly."
"What would an assassin know of mercy?" The question wasn't from the ghoul-like woman but the large man beside her. Stoneheart showed a surprising amount of emotion as its once beautiful blue eyes opened in shock.
"More than any man here I think," Arya said evenly, "the Faceless Men give the gift as swiftly and kindly as we can whether the target is vile or not. Death is a release, sometimes for the ones who survive them and other times for the one who dies."
She paused a moment before returning her attention to the Lady. Her voice was sharp as Valyrian steel, "Beric Dondarrion should have let death take you creature; you have poisoned the Brotherhood's purpose and turned good men into monsters. You are hollow and I only hope that it is because my mother's soul isn't in there any longer." Gendry was properly chastised while the Lady Stoneheart snarled at her words. Arya's eyes widened slightly at the noise. I'm beginning to think we might need some help getting out of here. Perhaps provoking a mad monster wasn't my best idea in the world but gods know it felt good.
Nothing was said for a long moment and a wolf's howl was heard somewhere nearby. Gendry turned to the Lady Stoneheart, "What would you have us do with them?"
"Kill the girl, that is no daughter of mine and I wouldn't have an imposter ruining her good name." The creature rasped out almost unintelligibly but most understood all the same. "The man you can take to the Vale and ransom to the Dragon."
Gendry hesitated before walking forward hammer drawn, "I am sorry Arya but you are not the girl I remember."
Arya laughed in his face, "You are leagues away from the man I remember Gendry Waters."
"Kneel" As she did so a flurry of things happened all at once.
Behind her, Aerion drew his sword and began attacking Lem Lemoncloak. At the same moment, three wolves burst through the caves entrance, in the middle was a great direwolf that immediately ripped into the throat of Dennet who had knocked an arrow to fire at Aerion. Gendry was entirely distracted by the turn of events and Arya took advantage. She reached down and gripped the larger man's booted ankles and gave a hard yank toward her.
Despite having over a hundred pounds on the smaller girl, Gendry's legs went out from underneath him and he fell hard onto his back. Arya quickly stood and unsheathed her weapons. She smirked as she looked down on her former friend, "Bet you're regretting letting us keep our weapons now?"
Gendry turned and attempted to get up but Arya stepped over to him and kicked him hard in the head, knocking him out instantly. Arya turned to see Lady Stoneheart standing from her weirwood seat and approaching her when suddenly a grey blur knocked the thing onto its back and growled and barked right in the creature's face.
That situation taken care of Arya turned around to survey the rest of their little fight. One of the wolves had its claws digging into the chest of Lucky Luke as he bit at his face. The other was being wrestled to the ground by Notch. Jaime, Brienne and Thoros only had their sword drawn but did not attack those of the Brotherhood or Aerion. As Aerion fought both Lem and Harwin simultaneously, Beardless Dick and Mudge attempted to attack him silently. He noticed the attack and brought his sword to bear now fighting four men at once. Well I can't let him have all the fun now can I.
Arya jumped into the fight and steel met steel as she met one of Mudge's strikes with Needle. These men were no knights, not really despite what Beric Dondarrion claimed, but they were experienced. Arya moved seamlessly so that she and Aerion were both fighting two opponents. Quickly it became apparent to the four men that they were overmatched greatly.
Two minutes in, Arya caught Mudge in the thigh with Needle while parrying a blow from Beardless Dick with her dagger. She directed Dick's blade with the parry so that he drove through and killed his comrade with a thrust to the stomach. Meanwhile, Aerion managed to go on the offensive against the two most experienced members of the Brotherhood. He killed Lem with a slash to the neck that severed his head from his shoulders in a spurt of blood.
Another minute and Arya killed Mudge as she feinted to the left which he went to the block and drove through with the dagger, pushing it through his eye and into his brain. The main screamed out in pain. Harwin seeing he was now outmatched two to one surrendered before he lost his life. "Yield, I yield." He yelled as he dropped his sword. He was knocked out hard but left alive.
Neither Arya nor Aerion sheathed their weapons. The fight was short as would be expected against lesser opponents but the three most dangerous of the Brotherhood had stayed out of it. Aerion approached Gendry's unconscious body, "Brienne, a hand if you would please?" She did as he bid and they lifted the man and put him against the wall of the cave.
Arya meanwhile surveyed the scene around her. The two wolves were devouring their fresh meals while Nymeria still stood over the Lady Stoneheart who showed nothing but apathy at her plight. Arya slowly approached her direwolf. The humongous wolf looked up at her and actually started wagging her tail. Well good to know she doesn't hate me for the rock throwing all those years ago. Maybe she can feel me there in the dreams just as I can feel her. As Arya stood next to her old friend she began petting Nymeria's head and the beast leaned into her touch lovingly. Arya couldn't help the wide smile that burst forth on her face.
Nymeria snapped her head back toward the ground with a snarl as the creature beneath her tried to move, "I wonder creature if you remember Nymeria? She is the wolf that pulled you from the river five years ago." Stoneheart looked confused so Arya explained, " I know because I saw it happen through her eyes; it was as much me as her. I was distraught to see you were dead." She paused before continuing bitterly, "I should have left you to flow to the sea."
Arya ran her hand through Nymeria's fur, "Now she would kill you in an instance… and I know why. You are no longer part of the pack, you would threaten its very being."
The creature tried to talk but nothing came out with her arms pinned to the ground, "But I would not have her dirty her teeth with such putrid flesh and bitter blood." Arya gently pushed at the direwolf and Nymeria willingly moved from atop her would-be victim and went toward Aerion and began sniffing at him. Arya smiled slightly when she began licking at his hand.
Arya returned her gaze to the shadow of her mother and her smiled turned sad, "I loved you once, despite not listening to your lessons, I loved you."
Arya leaned down and brought her dagger to just over Lady Stoneheart's heart and thrust. A rasping breath escaped the creature before it fell silent.
Aerion approached her as she stood but she spoke before he could and whispered for only his ears to hear, "I'm fine love, I'm fine." He just opened up his arms and she hugged him tightly, "I shed tears for my mother five years ago. That thing was a pale imitation; it was a mercy ending its tortured existence. I can only hope her soul has been with my father's all these years."
As they broke apart they found that the three wolves were eyeing Thoros and Jaime carefully while Brienne finished tying up Gendry. Arya approached the two men.
"Why did you not fight? We would have been hard pressed to fight all ten of you but now five of your former number lay dead." She could guess Jaime and Brienne's motivation. This is probably their way of finally escaping from the Brotherhood.
Thoros spoke up first, "I have been a part of this group since the beginning, I watched as we did real good for people when my friend led us… but over the past five years," His eyes were haunted, " I have watched this group do terrible things. It has sapped me of my will and any happiness I ever felt. I am glad to see Lady Stoneheart dead."
"Why have you not done anything sooner?" Arya asked a little hotly.
"Apathy," was the man's one word answer. She shook her head in disgust but said nothing further.
Arya turned to Jaime, "And you?"
"I would think that obvious," Jaime started as though she were touched. She glared and he straightened as he continued, "you offered an opportunity for both Brienne and me to be free of them. We have lived mostly as prisoners for the past five years brought out only when my face or our swords were needed." Thoros nodded his agreement with the statement. "We did not raise our swords in your aid in case you failed."
"Such nobility," Arya snorted loudly.
"Wisdom is not always noble, Lady Stark." Arya nodded in response.
"What will you do?" Arya asked both men.
"I will return to Myr," Thoros said quickly, "I have had enough of the Seven Kingdoms to last three lifetimes."
Jaime looked more contemplative, "I doubt Daenerys will be welcoming should I present myself to her, the question is whether you will force me to do so."
"Your offenses against my family were no worse than the ones against hers so what makes you think I won't just kill you here and now?" Arya wasn't implying anything just curious.
Jaime chuckled, "Because you have seen me and what I have become. I am not the same man who pushed your brother from that tower and you are not the same girl who lived peacefully in Winterfell."
"You're right you are a different man." She stopped and thought for a moment, "You would be happy to know your brother is her Hand, he has tried to soften her distaste for you."
"I am glad to hear my little brother is doing so well for himself but I doubt even his words could save me from death if it is the Dragon Queen who makes the decision." Jaime said confidently.
Arya nodded, "You are right, I have had enough conversations with her on the matter to know that she will likely kill you despite Tyrion's arguments."
"So what shall you do Arya Stark?" She crossed arms over chest and fell silent for a time in thought, and Gendry roused in that time while Harwin still lay unconscious.
"You will leave this place unmolested Jaime Lannister," She uncrossed her arms with a self-assured nod, "you and Brienne."
"Why?" Jaime asked, surprised at her decision.
Arya stared him in the eye as she answered, "Because I have taken many lives and I have more than one still to take; many of their crimes were worse than yours and none sought to atone in any way. You have and I can respect that."
"Your father would not let me live." Jaime pointed out
"Maybe not," Arya agreed with a shrug, "but while I learned many lessons from him and respect him more than any man, I must do what I think is right."
"It is right to kill your own mother but not me?"
Arya snapped at him, "You are trying very hard to get me to kill you, Lannister. I did not kill my mother, she died years ago. That thing was an abomination that sullied her memory." She turned to Thoros, "I hate your friend for bringing her back." Thoros lowered his head in understanding.
Jaime pulled her attention back toward him, "What will you tell your Queen?"
"The truth." She said simply. Brienne returned to Jaime's side as she finished binding Gendry who had been listening with interest since waking. "Leave now, all three of you but beware there is likely a wolf pack nearby."
They quickly mounted up on horses and left the hollow hill. Only Arya, Aerion and three feasting wolves remained now with Harwin still on the ground unconscious and Gendry tied up and staring at her. She approached Aerion who offered her a warm smile, "You did the right thing." He comforted her.
"I think so, I suppose time will tell for sure." She turned to the former smith whose eyes had yet to leave her.
He spoke when she finally looked at him, "Why did you do this?"
"Because it needed to be done; there was nothing good about what happened here." Aerion responded.
"And let us not forget you were about to kill me before the fighting broke out." Arya added hotly.
"I wouldn't have done it." Gendry said weakly.
Arya shook her head in disbelief, "Yes you would of," she drew closer to him, disappointment clear upon her face, "because you lost touch with the person you used to be."
"I did this in honor of you," Gendry almost yelled, "she was your mother and I thought you would want vengeance for what was done to your family."
"Gods you were always rather dull weren't you?" Arya questioned exasperated, "I might want revenge but not on every man who only did as they were commanded by their lord. I want Roose Bolton and Walder Frey and that is it. If you did this for me than it was in vain, for I feel nothing but pity for you and the whole Brotherhood."
He could tell he was getting nowhere there, she was always quicker than him. So he changed tactics, "Let me come with you." Gendry insisted.
Arya shook her head, "No Gendry, you could have come with me years ago but you chose to stay with the Brotherhood instead." Her eyes held nothing but pity for what Gendry had become, "Leave this place, find somewhere to ply your trade and try to regain some of your humanity." She went to turn away.
"I love you." It was a desperate plea meant to make her turn back. The statement actually made both Arya and Aerion laugh but it was Aerion who replied first.
"Please," Aerion said scornfully, "you love the girl you used to know; she is not that person anymore. If you loved her you would never have been willing to do her harm, you wouldn't hate the fact that she was a Faceless Man, you would accept her for everything she is." His violet gaze pierced into Gendry like a dagger, " I can see it in your eyes, you lust after the woman your friend has become but you do not love her." Arya grabbed his arm afraid that in his anger he might do something he would regret.
"Aerion is right and even if you do love me, I don't feel the same. Once, when I was still just a child taken from her family, I loved you but age makes us wiser Gendry." With that she moved to one of the dead men and grabbed their dagger; she placed it within reach of his feet if he stretched.
"Do not follow us Gendry Waters, for the love I bore you as a child I will overlook what you were going to do here today." Aerion did not look entirely happy about this but allowed her to continue, "But should I see you again, I have no doubt Aerion will be happy to remove you from this world and that's assuming I don't get the opportunity first."
"What makes you think he can?" Gendry asked stubbornly. He was always so gods damned stubborn.
Aerion glared down at the older man and Arya was quite sure this was the angriest she had ever seen him. He didn't yell or rage, he whispered softly, "I learned to fight from a Braavosi First Sword and Ser Barristan the Bold, I can beat the Knight of Flowers and Garlan the Gallant in single combat and I killed the Mountain. You are a threat to the woman I love, tell me what do you think I would be willing to do to you after you nearly killed her."
Gendry lost his bravado rather quickly, "You killed the Mountain?"
Arya smiled at Aerion, "He did and in amazing fashion. Now have fun cutting yourself free Gendry. Try to find some actually happiness instead of dwelling in memories." She then knocked him out once again.
As they left Arya turned to her mother's body, "Aerion can you bring that with us please? If nothing else I would like to burn her." He said nothing but quickly did as she asked. They left Harwin to wake in the cave same as Gendry.
Nymeria loped happily beside Arya the other wolves in tow as they exited the cave and she looked down on the animal she had missed so much in the past six years. Gods she got big, it's one thing experiencing it in my dreams it is completely different seeing her with my own two eyes. She began rubbing the fur near the nape of Nymeria's neck, "I missed you so much girl." Arya wasn't surprised that the other wolves didn't attack her or Aerion. My girl has complete control over her pack. What did surprise her was that Nymeria was so far south again. She hadn't had a wolf dream recently and thought the direwolf was still further north in the Riverlands.
Nymeria turned back to her packmates and gave a clipped bark and they both quickly left the hollow hill. Nymeria nudged Arya's hand once more and she warged into her direwolf's mind to find what was going on.
She quickly found herself seeing through Nymeria's golden eyes and feeling what she was feeling. The massive wolf was elated to have finally found her human. She had sensed Arya when she reached the Crag and brought three of her pack to hunt her down, for lack of a better way of putting it. The clipped bark had been her dismissing the other two wolves back north. Looks like that warning was unneeded, the pack is nowhere near here. Arya was happy to find that Nymeria would stay by her side. Just like it always should have been. She found herself back in her body moments later.
Aerion was smiling as he walked over, "So I take it this the Nymeria I have heard so much about?" Arya's bright smile was all the response that he needed. Just as before Nymeria was happy to accept Aerion's touch.
"She seems to like you." She couldn't hide her excitement.
"A good thing too," Aerion said fondly, "the Mountain I can face… but a direwolf, no thank you." They both chuckled. A minute later, Catelyn Tully's body was tied to the back of Aerion's horse and they left the hollow hill. They wanted to leave before Gendry had the chance to wake again and cut himself free.
Three days later, they were nearing the Vale. The first day after leaving the hollow hill they had passed the Inn of the Kneeling Man and while Arya considered seeing if Hot Pie was still there decided she had seen enough of old friends on this trip.
That same night they built a pyre and burned Catelyn's body. Aerion had been silent and just held her to his side as they watched her mother's body turned to ash.
Snow had slowed their travel and delayed them a day; Nymeria had been particularly helpful that day guiding them down their path and even hunting three rabbits that she gladly shared with her human and her human's mate. Now though, the mountains of the Vale were easily visible and both could see Daenerys' army encampment.
Soon they were riding through the camp many casting worried glances at the direwolf at their side but none willing to do anything about it seeing the people who were with the great beast. They quickly made their way through the encampment before reaching the Queen's tent. Voices could be heard from within, Daenerys's voice was distinctly recognizable as they entered the tent, Nymeria just behind them, "Has there been any news from the emissary we sent out to the Bloody Gate."
"Not as of yet your Grace," Was Ser Barristan's reply. They were arranged much as they usually were, sans Tyrion, leaving Daario on her right instead. I imagine that doesn't sit so well with Aegon.
"Very well, I suppose it is time we made our plans then. We can only wait here so long." It was at that moment that Daenerys looked to the tent entrance and saw the new occupants. A large smile broke out across her face.
"You have returned, we heard news of your success in the Iron Islands. Congratulations." The same thing was echoed by all others present even. It was funny that Daenerys clearly wanted to embrace them but stopped herself in the current situation.
"I'm sure you will have an excellent story for me but for now please take a seat, we were discussing how to attack the Vale." They both nodded and sat next to each other with Obara on Arya's left and Aerion at the very end of the table. As they sat Nymeria was revealed in the tent's entrance and every pair of eyes in the room widened.
"What is that?" Asked the Queen a little slack jawed.
Arya smirked, she still loved causing trouble when she could, "She is my direwolf Nymeria, you remember me mentioning her, your Grace?"
"I thought you said she was lost to you?" Her eyes never leaving the great beast.
"She was," Arya agreed cheekily, "and I look forward to telling you how she found me."
"Very well," Daenerys gathered herself and became serious once more, "As I was saying, we can wait only so long for the emissary. What shall we do?" Attention left the now laying Nymeria as the Queen returned to the topic at hand.
Aegon spoke up, "Burn them, the Vale is not nearly as important to the welfare of the country as the Reach. There is no fear of destroying farmland."
Daario snorted, "Do you not see the mountains around us, fly to low and archers from above that are entirely unseen will pour as many arrows as they can into our greatest weapons. No, if we use the dragon's it can only be once we pass through the Bloody Gate and into the Vale of Arryn."
"Dragon's cannot be killed by mere arrows." Aegon said confidently.
"That might be true my Prince," Edric Dayne said amiably, "but how many arrows to the wing before they can no longer fly. The dragons were of great use to us in the Crownlands but here they might very well be injured."
Aegon was becoming irritated, "Then why did we even bring them?"
"Fear," Aerion spoke up, "their presence makes it infinitely more likely the Vale will surrender without a fight."
Surprisingly, Connington was the first to voice his agreement, "He's right, the Vale has had no part in the wars that have plagued the land; with the dragons here they are far more likely to give up without a fight."
"Besides nephew, no one is saying the Dragons will not be used if it comes to battle; just that they must be used with caution." Daenerys said reasonably.
"Very well," Aegon said a little grudgingly. At that moment the emissary returned.
"Ah what perfect timing," said Daario sarcastically, "you couldn't have arrived twenty minutes ago and saved us all this conversation." He was silenced by a sideways glance from Daenerys.
"What do you have to tell me?" The Queen asked kindly.
"Lord Petyr Baelish, Lord Protector of the Vale, would bid you join him tomorrow at the Gates of the Moon to discuss peace." The emissary said calmly.
"Why is Robin Arryn not Lord of the Vale? By now he is old enough to take control of his lands." Daenerys asked.
Arya spoke up, "I remember my parents always said that my cousin was a sickly boy, if he is the same now he may not be fit to take the Lordship."
Obara nodded beside her, "That is what we assume in Dorne, though little mind is paid them considering their neutrality over the years."
"I hear Lord Baelish is a schemer and a master of lies matched only by Varys."
Ser Barristan spoke up, "We should be wary in this. To have kept the Lords Declarant at bay for so long he must have quite a bit of support in the Vale."
"The man likes to work from the shadows I doubt he will be foolish enough to do anything overt." Daenerys reasoned.
"Desperation can make men do things they wouldn't otherwise your Grace." Arya warned.
"I will take that under advisement," she addressed everybody, "still we must decide what to do should peace talks go poorly."
Grey Worm spoke up for what Arya was quite sure was the first time ever in one of these meetings, "Send Unsullied into the mountains. We will drive out their archers and make it safe for rest of army to make way to Bloody Gate and into the Vale." Everybody was a little stunned he actually spoke up.
Ser Barristan meanwhile was contemplating the proposal, "It is a good plan as long as they are able to navigate the mountains."
"Very well, should it come to battle that shall be our course of action. Once that is done we shall take the Bloody Gate with relative ease and the Dragons can rain fire down upon them from there." Daenerys dismissed all present but as expected kept Arya and Aerion back.
"So tell me what happened in the Iron Islands." And they did. Daenerys was happy to hear that Arya destroyed the Dragonbinder and even happier to hear that Euron's death had led to a speedy end to the fighting.
"How long do you think before Garlan and Loras join us?" Daenerys questioned.
"A week maybe more, they have almost entirely infantry with them and the snows delayed us a day." Aerion answered.
"Good, it is not that I think we will need the extra men but should this come to battle the greater our numbers the better. Now tell me of your journey here."
"Our journey here was just as interesting as the battle itself." Arya said lightly.
Daenerys chuckled in response, "I imagine it is even more so," she had taken to petting Nymeria unconsciously, "otherwise this beautiful creature wouldn't be with you."
"Well you may not be happy by the time we finish explaining what happened." So they told the Queen of their encounter with the Brotherhood, meeting Jaime Lannister, nearly being executed by Gendry, Nymeria's timely arrival, killing Lady Stoneheart, and finally letting the five remaining members of the Brotherhood walk free.
"You let the Kingslayer go?" Daenerys asked evenly if not a little more quietly than usual.
They both answered, "Yes your Grace."
"Why?"
"Because it is what I felt was right." Arya said head held high.
Aerion added, "And for what it's worth I agreed."
"He killed my father." Daenerys voice rose.
"In defense of the common people," Arya quipped back, "his crime against my family was far worse. My brother Bran did nothing to anyone and yet he tried to kill him to hide his most awful secret."
"And you did not kill him in return for that act? What of Roose Bolton, will you not kill him for your brother's sake? He is on your list." Daenerys's voice had hardened significantly.
"I will and had Bran died there is no amount of reason, no show of honor or change, that would have saved him from my anger but what Jaime did was not done for greed or power; it was done on the command of his sister who he foolishly loved. I could not kill him because the man he is now would not have done what the man in that tower did six years ago."
"Would he still have killed my father?"
Arya had no reason to lie, "Yes."
Daenerys slumped back into her chair, "I cannot change it now. I was not there and while I am tempted to strike both of you for the decision, I know it is only foolish pride that drives my anger."
"For what it is worth, your Grace," Arya said gently, "the man would be dead if I thought there was any lie in him when he told me of his motivations for staying with the Brotherhood. He spent years forced into their service for the sake of his friend; the good may not wash out the bad but it doesn't mean the good isn't there and I felt he had paid enough for the evils he did in his life."
"Thank you Arya, Aerion. Please leave me I would be alone with my thoughts." They bowed their heads and with Nymeria behind them left the tent and found that their own had been set up since their arrival.
A half an hour later out of their armor for the first time in days, Aerion and Arya laid on their furs in silence.
"Do you really think I did the right thing?" Arya asked
"I do, the man easily could have run during the fighting but stayed till the end. He essentially threw himself at our mercy and it is not folly to give mercy when someone has truly changed." Aerion gently stroked her hair while he spoke, attempting to sooth her.
"But am I hypocrite? I was more than willing to kill his sister but spared his life." Arya turned to look him in the eye as she asked her question.
"I don't think you're a hypocrite. As far as I can tell Jaime Lannister's only real crime was loving a poison. That pales in comparison to his sister's crimes and no I don't include killing the Mad King amongst his crimes." He paused a moment, "I do not think you should forgive all who have wronged you and your family, as I know I couldn't, but one moment of forgiveness for a man who has tried to change is not hypocritical. You did what you felt was right off of a gut reaction, overthinking it now will do nothing but drive you insane."
She leaned in to kiss him, "Thank you, I rarely feel any sense of doubt in these matters but it all happened very quickly and it is good to know you think I did the right thing."
"I'm glad my opinion matters Arya," Aerion said with a smile, "but as long as you feel you did the right thing that is enough."
"And usually it is… but I just couldn't tell this time, so thank you truly." He leaned into kiss her this time and after four days of sleeping in armor without any real physical contact with one another, they quickly divested themselves of their clothing and thoroughly ravaged each other.
It was nearing noon the next day when Daenerys and her retinue reached The Gates of the Moon.
Before they left, the Queen found them both before leaving and she treated them as usual, "I will not claim to be happy that the Kingslayer was allowed to live, but I was not there, I did not see him, so I cannot say what I would have done. And I am not the sort of Queen who punishes her most loyal friends for doing what they thought was right." She smiled wryly, "Of course if your decision comes back to bite me I will be quite angry."
They both laughed, "I don't believe Ser Jaime will ever bother you your Grace but we will keep that in mind." Aerion responded.
"Oh, please bring Nymeria," Arya quirked an eyebrow at the Queen who chuckled, "Well if I can't have Drogon there I need something else to intimidate them."
As they neared the Bloody Gates there was nobody in sight. I am surprised they don't even have archers watching our movement. What are you up to Baelish?
An hour later, they reached the Gates of the Moon, Winter home of House Arryn, as the Eyrie was unreachable as the snows rose. Speaking of the snows they became progressively higher as they made their way through the Mountains, by the time they reached the castle they were over four feet high. Oh the advantage of dragons; if it comes to battle this snow will be gone in mere moments.
As they approached the doors opened and they were met by a single woman with black hair and blue eyes. She was dressed much the way Arya preferred, as a man. She immediately recognized the similarities. Hmmm another of Robert's bastard children, you can probably go to every kingdom besides Dorne and find one.
"Queen Daenerys, I am Mya Stone, Lord Baelish bids you welcome and has commanded me direct you to the Great Hall where he will meet you to begin discussions." There was a hint of distaste in the twenty- four year old woman's voice when speaking of Baelish.
They were quickly guided to the Great Hall, Daenerys's soldiers spread out around the room and the leaders of her army took their seats. They waited patiently for the first ten minutes, annoyed for the next ten, and offended for the last ten.
Daenerys was not the sort to expect people to fall all over themselves because she was Queen but she did expect promptness as a matter of manners. Finally, after thirty-five minutes of waiting they heard footsteps approaching, but when the doors opened it was not to a sight they were expecting. Standing their covered in blood was a woman, though she kept a ladylike poise about her.
Arya stared wide-eyed at the new arrival. The hair was darker than it should have been but the eyes were the same blue as when they were children. The face was more striking and one could easily see Catelyn Tully's features shining through; the figure had turned from that of a young woman to that of a woman fully grown but Arya could see it all the same. This was Sansa.
Before anyone else even had the chance to move Arya was on her feet and by her sister's side in a moment, "Sansa, what happened?" She asked even as she checked her sister to make sure the blood was not coming from any unseen wound.
She was forced to stop as her sister grabbed her hands and forced Arya to look at her. Her voice came out in a stutter, "Ar…Arya, is that you?"
"Yes, it is me Sansa." Her sister smiled radiantly and embraced her more warmly than she had in her entire life. Neither paid mind to the blood as joy overtook them.
"I thought you dead." The older sister said through tear filled eyes though none actually spilled.
"Not dead just lost." Tears came unbidden to Arya's eyes as well. If I am to cry again at least it will be in joy. "I never thought I would see you again."
"Nor I you." The Queen approached them with Ser Barristan and Aerion just behind.
Daenerys's voice was kind as she began, "I am sorry I don't mean to intrude, but I feel I must ask… whose blood that is? And where is Lord Baelish?"
Sansa turned to the Queen and curtsied perfectly. Sansa, always the consummate lady. "I apologize your Grace, but Lord Baelish will not be joining us as this is his blood. He is dead."
AN: So kind of a cliffhanger, never done that before.
I enjoyed writing this chapter as some major things happened from a character perspective for Arya. Hopefully people like the way I handled everything. I initially considered killing Jaime and letting Gendry join them but decided against it and I honestly like the end result of everything. It took me a while to decide what to do with Nymeria but couldn't bring myself to part her from Arya again. The rest of her wolf pack will still serve a purpose later on; they are still there in the Riverlands and with Nymeria being the overwhelming alpha it is still her pack.
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Thanks everybody for reading