Chapter 7: Roses with Thorns

King's Landing

Arya sheathed her sword as she heaved. Jon as a teacher wasn't so bad. Actually, he was quite good in swordfighting, better than most men she had seen. He seemed to have perfected the art.

They practised for one hour. Jon showed her the best way to hold a sword without putting too much pressure on the body. She listened to him carefully. She was quite enjoying herself, and she liked his company.

When Jon told her it was enough for one day, she almost scowled at him, but stopped herself at the last moment, instead agreeing to his words. He looked at her surprised. This is probably the first time I've agreed to something so quickly.

"Who gave you that dagger?" Jon asked, pointing at the dagger on her hip. Arya pulled it out and showed it to him.

"Aegon did."

Jon arched his brow and kept looking at her. "You two are getting quite close."

"He is my friend, and he understands me," she said, putting away the dagger. She realised he had been staring at her, and added,

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Arya flinched nervously when Jon inched closer to her. He was so close. Their breathing had still not returned to normal from the fighting, and she thought she could hear his heartbeat because of the close proximity.

"What if I am jealous?" He asked. Arya stiffened at the question; she was looking everywhere but at him. What the hell is happening to me!

"You cannot be." She took a deep breath and looked up at him finally. "You should not be."

"Your cheeks are red," he teased.

"No, they're not!" She frowned up at him, and felt them grow warm. She unknowingly touched her left cheek, when she felt Jon's fingers brush her own, and the heat from his palm was enough to make her pull her hand away frantically; his still in place.

"I need to go back," she whispered. "The day is breaking."

Jon leaned close, "I want to-"

"I really should go," she interrupted his words and stepped back. He didn't try to stop her but Arya could sense the tension in the air. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it was going to break out of her chest. And what was with her blushing?

When he didn't say anything, she turned around and ran. She didn't know if the sudden heaviness in her heart was because he didn't try to stop her, or because she wanted him to.

Arya carefully hid the sword under her bed. Aunt Lyanna had given it to her as a present, after they both talked about swordfighting. She had told Arya how much she had enjoyed it herself, and had sneaked off with Arya's father and Uncle Brandon when they were young, to practice.

The sword was a gift, she had said, from Uncle Brandon to her, and she had kept it with her all these years.

She gave it to Arya when she said how much she wanted to practice. But Lyanna warned her against everyone knowing about it.

"You are still a Lady, even though we both know you hate it," she had smiled and said.

Jon was the only one who knew, and Arya felt in her heart he wouldn't tell anyone. She was starting to like him more than she did when she first met him. He seemed too serious. But now that he was smiling more around her, she realised that her opinion was changing.

And he seemed to like her too. He laughed with her and teased her. Although, sometimes the way he looked at her made her curious. And after what happened today...

He was standing too close to her. She shouldn't have let him do that, and her cheeks were burning. She had thought he was going to kiss her. She tried hard to push the image away of his face close to hers, but to no avail.

What would Sansa think? She is going to marry him. She was thinking about her sister's betrothed in a way she wasn't supposed to, and it made her feel so stupid. I am acting like a silly girl. Like someone from Sansa's songs.

It won't do. She had to keep those thoughts at bay.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Aegon stood next to her as the King and the Queen and Jon went forward to greet the Tyrells.

"You should go ahead, too," Arya remarked. She saw a beautiful girl, probably of Sansa's age, come out of the carriage. Her face was brightened with a smile.

"I despise those Tyrells. I don't even have an idea why they're here."

Arya snorted. "The girl seems nice."

Aegon shook his head. "You only think that because you don't know her yet. Margaery Tyrell is a devious thing." He pointed to her. "Look how she eyes Jon like he is some prey of hers."

The look on Jon's face made Arya want to laugh out loud. He looked like he was one step away from strangling her when she gave her his hand, and smiled sweetly at him. Arya scowled.

"Doesn't she know he's taken? Look at her, smiling like a stupid-"

"Oh my my," Aegon leaned down and smirked at her, "are you jealous, Arya Stark? I never thought I'd see the day. Do you fancy my brother? I mean, if you do, I-"

"Shut. Up." Aegon sneered, and nugded her with his elbow.

"How can you jest about things like this? Your brother is going to marry my sister." Aegon went silent, and replied after a few moments,

"It isn't their choice." His voice was strained. "They deserve a choice."

Before Arya could respond, Sansa wallked to them. Arya noticed the look that passed between Aegon and Sansa. It was the same look Jon gave her.

A laugh forced her to turn her eyes back to the guests. A man, very handsome, was speaking with Jon, who seemed to be at more ease than before.

"The Knight of Flowers," Sansa worded her guess.

Aegon nodded.

The party made their way to the castle. The fat man beside the King was surely Mace Tyrell. The handsome man walked after his Father. At one point, his eyes met Arya's and he beamed at her.

The introductions were made. Aegon acted true to his words; the nod he offered them was lax. The girl was too busy paying attention to Jon. She was beautiful, Arya noticed. Her hair was falling down her back, and her smile was capable of making men fall down on their knees.

"We would like if you'd break your fast with us, Lord Tyrell," the King said.

"Yes, yes, Your Grace. I would like that very much."

Arya's eyes couldn't help but stray to Margaery Tyrell. She had taken Jon's arm and was speaking to him carelessly. She looked at Sansa, but she wasn't noticing. Arya's hands clenched, and she couldn't place the reason behind the twinge in her heart everytime she looked their way.

"He doesn't like her, don't worry," Aegon said from beside her. Arya dropped her fork down in surprise. Aegon offered her another one.

"I know. I am not worrying about anything," she replied.

"I am not a fool, you know. Contrary to what you and my brother think," he said, sipping his wine, "and neither blind."

"Stop saying these things!"

"Arya." He placed his hand gently over hers, which was placed in her lap. "I am not judging, but it is too obvious."

"But, I haven't done anything," she whispered.

He looked at her and smiled. "Not intentionally."

"I am not in love with him," she said. It was the first time she had said the word out loud. I can't be.

"Mayhaps you're not. But you do like him more than you think, Arya."

"Don't," she said. He didn't reply.

She can't love Jon. It would be wrong in all ways possible. Sansa would never forgive her, and more than that she wouldn't forgive herself if she was the reason behind Sansa's unhappiness.

Aegon was wrong. He didn't know her that well. She wasn't a girl who was interested in love and romance. She had always been more interested in weapons than men.

Until Jon.

She had to go back to being the girl she once was, who didn't let such thoughts enter her mind.

She missed her home.

She was standing watching the guards practice when someone cleared his throat behind her. She turned and saw Loras Tyrell standing with his arms crossed.

"A dragon for your thoughts?"

"I don't know you."

"We were introduced in the morning, if I remember correctly." He walked until he was by her side.

"You do. I don't." She was in no mood to speak.

He chuckled, and held out a hand to her, "Loras Tyrell. And you're Arya Stark."

She offered hers and he took it. He pressed the back of her hand to his lips. Arya would've protested, if only she had cared.

"Your sister is betrothed to Prince Jon," he commented.

"Unfortunate for your sister."

Loras arched his brow at her, then shook his head in amusement. "Margaery's actions are too perceptible, are they not?"

"Your sister should know it won't be taken lightly by some."

"Not by you too, it seems."

"Ser Loras," Arya feigned a smile. "You musn't blame me for worrying about my sister's future."

"Of course not. It is only expected." He brushed his hair away from his face with his fingers. "Margaery must be kept in check, I agree."

"Oh, I am sure she is a very clever girl. She will surely know what's best for her." Arya smiled. "And what's not."

Loras hummed. They stood side by side for some time, until the men dispersed. Loras bowed to her.

"I will see you, Lady Arya."

Not. Lady. But she didn't care. He was too cunning, she could make that out by the way he talked. She decided to follow Aegon's footsteps. It's better to avoid these Tyrells. Arya didn't correct him, as she'd have corrected most people. Maybe it's better if he doesn't call me by my name. She didn't want to become friendly with him.

"Of course."

He nodded and left.

Arya decided to keep her distance from the Tyrells. There wasn't a chance in thousands she was going to befriend Margaery, and while Loras seemed nicer, he was not to be trusted too. The way his mouth curved sharply at her words made him look sly and scheming.

She met Jon when she was retiring to her room that night. He was leaning against the corridor, and beamed at her when she was near him. Arya made a note in her mind not to speak too much or act too close to him. She had to stop it before it was too late. I have to compose myself.

"I haven't had a chance to talk to you today." His voice was soft and somewhat filled with regret.

"You were busy. I understand."

He frowned. "If you're talking about Margaery. You know how much I hate her, but Father said-"

"It's fine, Jon." She sighed, and forced out a smile. "I will see you tomorrow. Good night."

Jon grabbed her arm before she could walk past him.

"What's wrong? Have I done something?"

"No." Arya bit her lip to keep her emotions in control. "I just need to sleep."

"No. Something is wrong. Tell me." he said and pulled her arm tighter. She faced him and propped her chin up.

"Leave my arm, Prince Jon. I need to go to my room."

His eyes widened at her words and he loosened his grip on her arm. She pulled it free and faced away from him.

"Goodnight, My Lady," he said stiffly.

"Goodnight."

She heard the sound of his footsteps until they faded away, leaving her alone in the corridor.

She walked past Sansa's room. The door was open so she peeked in. There was no one inside. But Sansa had retired half an hour ago. Where is she?

It had been more than forty days since they arrived in King's Landing. In the first few days, Arya had explored almost the entire castle. The loneliest corners, the hideouts of some of the guards and kitchen-maids. Aegon had showed her the chambers Jon and he used to play in when they were little. It had a replica of Balerion's head hanged on one of its walls. The room was deserted now, although the maids were instructed to keep it clean. The eyes of the dragon had shone like rubies when Arya had looked at it.

Arya had searched everywhere she could, but she didn't find Sansa. She at last decided to go wait for her in her room when voices from an abandoned part of the castle halted her in her tracks.

She walked closer, careful not to make too much noise. She turned round a corner and saw it.

She put her hand around her mouth instantly to stop the loud gasp from escaping her mouth.

Sansa and Aegon stood there, arms wrapped around each other, their lips meeting in a frenzy. Arya froze in her spot in shock for a few minutes before retreating the same way she had came. They had not seen her.

So, that was why Aegon was talking this morning like he was! He said he won't judge her, because he was commiting the same mistake he accused her of. He likes Sansa! That explained the glances, the smiles and the blushing she had been witness to for the last month. And Sansa liked him too, for God's sake!

What have we done? Everything was getting messed up. Arya was blaming herself for possibly destroying Sansa's marriage, but Sansa had contributed the most to that. Arya didn't know much about court affairs, but she knew it was treason what Aegon and Sansa were committing. She had never expected Sansa to be so carefree in her decisions. She was the one who always thought twice about everything, she put her duties first. What happened?

Arya wasn't one to judge, but her sister was dragging herself into a pit she wouldn't be able to get out of. All of us are. Arya wasn't sure what she felt about Jon, or what he felt about her, but she had tried to keep her distance from him, and although it was more painful than she would acknowlege, she had almost succeeded. But these two were crushing everything she did. She knew and feared what the result of this affair might be. She would've gladly congratulated her sister for finding love. Aegon was one of the best men she knew, but not like this.

She waited in Sansa's room for her to return. She didn't come back, and Arya feared the worst. Please, don't Sansa. If anyone found out, the punishment would be grave. Sansa, her gentle sister.

Here they were, the serious and dutiful sister loving another man than her bethrothed and committing treason, and the wild and carefree sister worrying about the consequences of it all.

What has King's Landing done to us?

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Lyanna walked with soft steps. When she reached the door, she entered the room and closed it behind her. The room was filled with candles, and the heat was almost unbearable because of the glowing fireplace.

"Your Grace," the woman bowed.

Lyanna nodded and took a seat in one of the chairs. "I want to ask you something."

"Anything, Your Grace."

"Is all of this really true? There has been no reports of Robert Baratheon gathering an army or of preparing to declare war. I must tell you the King is not going to be pleased if all of this is for nothing."

"The betrothal is not for nothing, Your Grace. It is necessary."

"Are you sure it's Sansa Stark?"

"I have told the King. It is a Stark I saw in my visions. A woman of beauty and courage. She is meant to be Queen."

"Sansa and Jon are not in love," Lyanna said. "It's been more than a month. There is no affection other than friendship. I don't want my son to enter a marriage without love."

The Priestess looked surprised. "But they will love each other. Their love will strengthen them and guide them."

"I am not letting them marry unless I am sure of both of their happiness. Tell me," Lyanna asked. "What if he comes to love another?"

"I have played my part, Your Grace. I have told you what I've seen. What is bound to happen. And it will happen, sooner or later. The Prince will love only one."

Lyanna stood up. "I do not properly understand what all this is. The King is too keen on prophecies. But I am not, and nor will my son live a life of an unhappily married man because of one. I ask you one last time, are you sure it's Sansa Stark?"

"A direwolf, Your Grace. I am sure." The Priestess nodded.

"You better be." Lyanna walked out of the room. Rhaegar was trusting this woman blindly. She had studied Jon and Sansa together. There was nothing: no spark, no attraction. They only seemed friends.

Gods help my son. And my husband.

A/N: Please leave a review.