Chapter 10: Yearning

King's Landing

"My sister will accompany us," Loras said, taking a last sip of his wine and getting up. Jon glanced at Aegon, who sighed and propped up his elbow on the table.

"This was your ridiculous idea, wasn't it brother?" Jon asked in a frustrating tone.

"Oh, don't blame this on me. You were the one being sickeningly civil. If I didn't offer this, they'd be convinced I was deliberately avoiding them."

"Weren't you?"

"That is another matter, really."

They made their way upstairs.

"So," Aegon said. "You're asking Arya or I am?"

"You go," Jon replied stiffly.

"Will you at least tell me what happened?"

When Jon didn't reply, Aegon stopped and turned to him. "You can tell me tonight. There is... something I have to tell you as well."

Jon shrugged. He stopped before Sansa's door and knocked on it, while Aegon went ahead to call on Arya. Sansa opened the door after the second knock, and was surprised to see him.

"Sansa." Jon smiled. "We were going riding. I was wondering if you'd like to come as well. Lady Margaery is coming too."

Sansa looked surprised. She gave him a slight smile. "I am sorry, Jon. I don't really like riding. But I do hope you enjoy."

Jon nodded. "Thank you. I'll see you later, then."

Sansa nodded and with a smile, closed the door. Jon looked to where Aegon was talking to Arya. She was in her breeches. Her eyes found Jon's, and she turned away quickly. Jon fisted his hands to his sides. He was still furious with her. Why is she acting like this? The kiss she gave him had almost convinced him of her affections, but then she had proved him wrong. Seems like I don't know her at all.

Arya closed her door, and Aegon walked back to Jon.

"Two minutes, she said." He leaned against the wall and sent a skeptical look Jon's way.

"What?"

"You want her, don't you?" Jon didn't answer and Aegon rolled his eyes. "Honestly, you know you're like an open book, right?"

"Stop making assumptions," Jon answered. "You are growing irritating."

"Says the boring brother," Aegon mumbled under his breath.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing." He shrugged. "I'm merely enjoying my time with you, dear brother. I'm likely to get murdered tonight."

"What? You're speaking like an idiot."

Aegon shook his head. Jon turned to look at Arya's door, which opened and she walked out, a smirk on her face. She was in her breeches and a tunic, her hair braided to her side. Her smile subdued slightly when she saw Jon, and she averted her eyes to Aegon.

"Who else is coming?" She asked, excitement evident in her voice.

"Loras and Margaery," Aegon replied, making a face at the last name.

The three walked down to the stables; Arya and Aegon made small talk consisting of a few punches and curses. Jon remained silent, but in spite of himself, turned to Arya a few times he had no choice but to join in on the conversation. One time, Arya smiled at him, but he didn't return it, ignoring her and speaking to Aegon instead.

The stableboy had already saddled Jon's and Aegon's horses. Arya went inside the stables to pick a horse for herself. Jon watched her immediately turn to a grey mare.

"This one," she said as she stroked her mane. The horse jerked back, but Arya caught her reins and went forward to touch her again. This time the response was less violent.

"She's young, Milady, but fast that one. A bit rough to ride, though."

"It's alright. I like her," she said. The animal had stopped to protest and had leaned against her hand. She even nipped her hand, at which Arya let out a laugh. Jon felt a tug at his heart. Why can't you be this happy when you're with me?

"Are we ready then?" Margaery's chirpy voice came from the outside. Jon turned to his side and saw Margaery and Loras standing, holding the reins of their own horses.

Margaery looked around. "Is Lady Sansa not coming?"

"No," Jon said. "Sansa does not enjoy riding."

"Oh." Margaery looked surprised, but then her face changed into a sly smile. "That leaves us five then. But it's always good to have other women around. I am sure Lady Arya will keep me company."

Arya blinked at her, like she wasn't expecting to be included in the conversation. Margaery ws looking at her smugly. She knew how Arya hated to be called that, and that she found absolutely no joy in Margaery's company. Arya frowned, and smiled cruelly.

"Well, if you can keep up, I'm sure I will," she said, and turned back to the chore at hand.

Aegon choked on his laugh, and Margaery glared at Arya, who was busy with the horse. Jon almost smiled himself, but it would have been too rude to the Tyrell woman.

He watched Loras walk to Arya's side. She tilted her head up and threw him a small smile.

"I'n glad you'll be accompanying us." Jon hated the way he grinned at her. Arya nodded.

"Will you ride by my side, Prince Jon?" Margaery called out. Jon's eyes were focused on the couple beside him, when he turned to her. Why miss a chance?

"Of course, My Lady. It would be my pleasure. I would appreciate your company very much."

Aegon gaped at him like he'd grown two heads.

"Thank you, My Prince. You are so kind," Margaery replied, surprised herself. This was the first time Jon had said something to her other than the usual greetings and the replies to her enquiries. He felt satisfied his words sounded genuine.

He looked at Arya.

Seven hells, it worked! She was throwing daggers at him through her eyes, and if she was trying to hide that, she was definately failing. Arya pursed her lips and tightened her hold on the reins of her horse. The horse bolted again suddenly, and Arya gasped in surprise. Loras took the reins from her hands and controlled the animal. He put his hand on Arya's back, asking her if she was okay. Arya nodded and thanked him, looking oblivious to his touch.

Gods, Jon wanted to rip that hand off his body. How can he touch her? He growled low in his throat. Of course his plan had to backfire and he had to be the one fuming with rage all over again.

Loras helped Margaery sit on her horse and then proposed to help Arya too. But she threw him a look that screamed 'I'm better than you at this' and sat on her own. At least, he didn't touch her again. Jon was thankful.

As time passed, his anger for Arya about their fight had begun to dissipate, leaving in its wake another rage, but this time it was directed towards the man by her side. Jon had realised some time ago that he could be uncontrollably jealous when it came to Arya, but now it was turning into a murderous rage. Arya was too happy riding that she didn't notice the way Loras' eyes would linger too long on her, and how he seemed to lean closer every time he talked to her. Why did he have to lean? She wasn't deaf. She could very well hear him from some distance. She would have said the same thing to him out loud, Jon knew. But she was too busy enjoying herself.

There was something about her, that made him unable to keep his eyes off her. He had never seen anyone enjoy riding as much as she did. Her beaming face proved how much she loved it; mayhaps as much as Jon loved swordfighting. Aegon took Arya's attention and they both decided to race.

"You won't win everytime, wolf-girl," Aegon muttered, a smirk on his lips.

Arya scoffed.

Both of them galloped off. Arya returned first, cheeks flushed and breathing ragged. Her face was beaming with a smile, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"I presume you won?" Loras asked.

"Aegon's a snail."

"I heard that," Aegon called out. Both of them joined Jon and the others again. "I am defeating you one day, I swear."

Arya winked at him. "You're welcome to try, old man."

They reached a lake, and decided to stop. The horses were thirsty and Margaery had claimed she would faint if she didn't get off her horse soon.

Jon tied his horse to a tree and started walking towards the men, but was interrupted by Margaery.

"Isn't it such a hot day, Prince Jon? I feel so tired already."

"Yes it is. And it's a long way back," he said.

"Yes." Margaery sighed. "If I cannot ride back myself, won't you let me ride with you? Loras always refuses me."

Jon's face contorted at the idea. He was relieved when Aegon interrupted them.

"Have you seen Arya?" He asked.

Jon shook his head.

"She is probably nearby," Margaery said.

"I can't find her," Aegon said. "Will you go look for her, Jon?"

"Oh, we all should look for her, then," Margaery suggested.

"There's no need, really. Like you said, she's probably nearby. Jon can find her, can't you brother?"

Jon nodded, though suspiscious. What are you playing at, Egg?

"Why don't you look to your right?" Aegon asked. Jon almost asked him in return why was he not looking for her himself, but Aegon all but pushed him in the direction. Jon frowned at him, and went in search for her. A few minutes later, he found a clearing, and looked around, calling her name.

"Arya!"

"Shush, Egg! Can't you keep your bloody mouth shut?"

Jon looked at the direction the voice came from: top of a tree. His eyes fell on a particular one just beside him. Its branches were hanging low, and Arya was holding on one of them, standing on a rather big branch up above. She was looking away from him, leaning among the leaves. She turned and gasped in surprise when she saw him, almost losing her balance. Her hand clasped a branch.

"Jon-" she said. "I thought you were Aegon."

"What are you doing up there?" He asked, finally finding his voice after a while.

Arya smiled. "It's a starling's nest. New born birds. Why don't you come up and see."

Jon hesitated. "I don't think that would be wise."

Arya put out her tongue at him. "You're not that heavy. Maybe." She turned to the birds again carefully, then looked over her shoulder down at him. "They are so little, and so soft to to-"

One second she was speaking, the next she was down in his arms. Jon didn't even realise when she had fell and when he had opened his arms. He only heard her little cry, then felt her arms around him. His arms wrapped themselves around her as well, and her body grew still against his, her face hidden in his neck. Jon couldn't believe what had just happened. What in the seven hells is with this girl!

"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly, although he was immensely amused by the situation. Did she just fall from a tree?

Silence followed, then a small voice, "I am not dead, right?"

A grin made its way to his lips.

"No you're not. Although, I'd advise against trying that again."

Arya looked at him and grinned, her arms were still around his neck. For a moment, everything seemed alright. Jon leaned closer to her, unable to resist the way she was unknowingly pulling him towards her.

"I do like to take risks," Arya said and smirked. He was holding her up around the waist so her feet weren't touching the ground.

Jon's stared at her face, his eyes momentarily dropping to her lips. Using one of his hands, he tugged a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his other hand around her waist. He felt her shiver.

"Then do," he whispered. "Don't be afraid."

Jon saw a flicker of sadness pass her eyes. Arya pulled away from him, hurriedly disentangling herself from his arms. She took a few steps back, and avoided meeting his eyes.

"Thank you for catching me," she said nervously, biting her lip.

"You're not that heavy, you know?" Jon replied, smiling. Arya glared at him. "Maybe."

"Shut up."

Jon laughed and they walked back to the lake. His anger had faded, his foul mood had been brightened and he felt in him again the overwhelming need to close to her. It was strange how quickly she made him forgive her, unknowingly at that. If she wants to, she can make me fall down on my knees for her.

During their return, luckily Margaery didn't repeat her absurd request again. Loras and Arya were behind them this time, and after a while Jon slowed down his horse to ride beside them.

"Lady Arya." She turned to Jon with a pointed look."Do you want to race back to the castle?"

Arya's lips curved into a smile. She ignored him calling her by her title, and nodded.

They were almost at the same pace, none faster than the other. But just before entering the gates of the castle, Arya passed him with a grin on her lips. Her hair had fallen loose, flowing in the wind. He wondered what it would feel like to kiss that hair, or run his fingers through it; whether she'd like that.

She pulled her reins and Jon pulled his. She got down but instead of handing the reins to the stableboy, told him she'd do it herself.

"Next time," Jon said. "I'm defeating you."

"We'll see, won't we?" Her voice was a little breathless. Arya went inside the stables ignoring the protests of the poor boy.

Jon stared at her back, and a smile came unbidden to his face. Whatever she was thinking, she was wrong. It was never supposed to be a mistake. The kiss was meant to happen as sure as he was meant to fall for her. What are you so afraid of?

Jon nodded at the stableboy when he took his horse. Arya turned over her shoulder and threw him a small smile. Gods, she is so beautiful.

There was no doubt now. Jon couldn't give up. He needed her to love him as much he loved her. And maybe she did, and was just not admitting it.

I will have you, Arya Stark. By the Gods, I'll have you.

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

"My incredible plan worked, didn't it?" Aegon was grinning proudly. "You did keep looking at her the way back."

"You are a shit," Jon said.

"Oh, come on! Thank me properly, brother. Don't be so ungrateful."

Jon shook his head at him and sighed. "Thanks, Egg. You were very helpful."

Aegon smirked. "Why were you ignoring her earlier?" He asked.

"She was acting stubbornly... is acting stubbornly," Jon replied.

"She can be very much capable of that. But you are miserable at denying what you want." Suddenly, he looked like he remembered something and smacked Jon hard on the back. "Why the fuck were you flirting with Margaery?"

Jon winced in pain. "I was trying to make Arya jealous."

Realization dawned on Aegon and he grinned. "You are getting good at this, brother. And did you succeed?"

"Mayhaps."

"She is changing you, I swear. In a good way, of course. You were horrible with women before."

Jon sighed. Aegon discarded his cloak on a chair and asked,

"So, is everything alright now?"

"It will be." She'd have to understand. He needed her to. Jon had learnt in one day it was impossible for him to ignore her. He felt in his veins, the relentless desire to feel her beside him. Damn him for being so weak.

Jon noticed Aegon's eyes become serious as he took a seat. "You wanted to tell me something. What is it?" Jon asked.

"There is something I must confess." There was hesitation in his voice. And fear.

"What is it?" Jon asked again, his voice flooded with curiousity. Aegon stood up and began pacing the room. A habit he had picked up from their Father.

He took a deep breath and stood before Jon. "I slept with Sansa."

Jon was gobsmacked. He stood there registering what he'd just said. Wait, what? He thought for a moment Aegon was probably joking, but one look at his face proved otherwise.

Before he knew what he was doing, Jon punched Aegon in the face.

"What the fuck, Egg? Were you out of your mind?"

Aegon rubbed his face with his hand, his face contorted. "Thanks for destroying my handsome face, brother."

"Egg!" Jon growled.

Aegon sat down on a chair and lowered his head. "There is no way to apologize, I know. But honestly Jon, while I do regret not telling you, I do not regret doing it."

"You shouldn't have done it. It is a dangerous line you crossed."

Aegon ran his hand through his hair and leaned back on the chair. "You are breaking the betrothal, anyway. I will marry her after that."

"You think it's all too simple," Jon said, shaking his head in disapproval. "You should've told me sooner, Egg." He paused. "Does Arya know?"

Aegon nodded.

"We asked her not to tell you. I wanted to tell you myself. She wasn't happy when she found out either. I know I betrayed you, but I love Sansa, Jon. I knew you'd come to your senses and break the betrothal. It was obvious you didn't like her."

"It's not about the bloody betrothal!" Jon roared. "You have been fucking the daughter of the Warden of the North behind everyone's backs! Are you completely blind to the consequences that may arise, brother? If she gets with child-"

"She took Moon Tea," Aegon interrupted him.

"What else have you been doing behind my back? And when everyone finds out, what then? You would dare spoil her reputation and dishonor her? A daughter of Eddard Stark losing her maidenhead to her betrothed's brother before her marriage. Has all sense left you?"

"I cannot undo what we've already done. You are speaking as if I forced her to do it. That is not the case, brother. And who will know? I will marry her. We've been discreet. No one has to know."

"You talk like a fool."

"If loving her makes me a fool, then so be it," Aegon said.

Jon let out a deep breath, and sat on the chair beside Aegon. "You shouldn't have, Aegon. I have no objection against you loving her. But there will be consequences, brother. Not everything goes according to plans. Who knows it better than us?"

Aegon gave Jon a pointed look. "What about you? Convince me you wouldn't have done the same thing if it were you and Arya instead of me and Sansa. If you can love someone you're not supposed to, why can't I?"

"This is not about me and Arya! And I haven't slept with her!" Jon's anger rose. "I am not you. I have sense of my duty. I know what I must never do."

"But you want to, don't you?" Aegon smiled cruelly. "Don't bring duty into this, brother. I haven't done my duty, but tell me, have you? Is Arya your duty?" Jon didn't answer. "Sansa is your duty. Your duty is to love her, but we both know you are not capable of that. Would you have preferred she fell in love with you instead? So that when you and Arya inevitably fall in love, she end up crying and having her heart broken?"

"Is that your excuse then? You laid with Sansa so that she won't love me, and wouldn't want to go on with the marriage?" Jon growled in frustration. "I don't want Sansa's heart to break either, but was laying with her your only way to show her you loved her? You both were being reckless and you've put so much in jeopardy. Couldn't you have waited some time until I convince Father to break this match? Or were you too proud to keep your hands to yourself?"

Aegon glared at Jon. "You do not know anything about me and Sansa, Jon. Don't presume you know everything about everyone." Then his voice lowered. "As I told you, I apologize for keeping this from you. But I will not apologize for doing what I did. I love Sansa. We will convince Father to break the betrothal, and I will marry Sansa. I am sorry, brother, I truly am."

He rose and gathering up his cloak, left the room, closing the door with a loud bang. Jon fell back on the chair. He thrashed the glass of water on the nearby table on the ground in frustration. His own brother. Egg has been lying to me all this time. Egg!

How can they be so foolish? Sansa who was such a dutiful girl. Jon couldn't have imagined in a thousand years she'd do such a thing. He understood they were in love, and it wasn't that what was wrong. But laying with each other...

Aegon should've known better. And they had kept it from him for Gods know how long. The hurt would probably have been less if they'd just told him sooner. Even Arya knows. He'd never felt so betrayed in his life. Aegon had messed things up tenfold. If a child...

No, he couldn't let that happen. Eddard Stark was his Uncle. He'd never let his House go through such shame when he could prevent it. And Sansa, the sweet girl.

And Arya. Arya would be shamed too along with her entire House. It wouldn't do. He'd have to break this betrothal as soon as he could. He'd have to talk to his Father. Aegon's words had proved both he and Sansa were very much willing to repeat their actions. Sansa would have to marry Aegon soon, or things would get broken beyond repair.

Winterfell

Ned felt the hands grabbing his shoulders and shaking it. His own instinctively went to the sword on the bedside table, without even opening his eyes to see who the intruder was. He bolted up straight in his bed, then recognized the familiar face.

"Ser Rodrik."

"My Lord." He bowed. "I apologize for interrupting your sleep. But there is some urgent news."

"What is it?" Ned glanced to the side of the bed. Cat had not returned from Rickon's room. The little boy had a bad dream and had called for his mother in the middle of the night. A maid had come running to bid her, and Catelyn had hurried away.

"Pyke has been attacked, My Lord."

Ned stood up and wrapped a cloak around himself.

"A raven arrived. Maron Greyjoy wrote that Stannis Baratheon has attacked Pyke. It wasn't addressed specifically to My Lord, so I opened it," the knight added.

"Maron Greyjoy? Where are they now?"

"He writes his sister Lady Asha has left for Winterfell with a bannerman of Lord Greyjoy's. He wants Winterfell to keep her safe."

"Are you sure this is not faux? And Stannis Baratheon? How did he attack?"

"The letter was sealed with their sigil, My Lord. I believe it isn't fornitcated. There is no mention of the magnitude of the attack."

"It must be big. A Greyjoy doesn't usually ask for a Stark's help."

"My Lord," the man asked. "May Lady Asha be let in through the gates?"

"Yes, yes," Ned nodded. "If this is true, we must keep her safe. She is still a Lady of noble birth. But keep an eye on her companions." He rubbed his temple. "Stannis Baratheon... what is the purpose of all this? There is no fued between the houses."

A knock was heard on the door and Jory Cassel asked for permission to enter. Ned nodded.

"My Lord," he bowed. "A raven has arrived from Casterly Rock."

Casterly Rock?

Jory handed him the letter and exited the room. Ser Rodrik closed the door behind him.

Ned opened the seal and read the letter. He went over it thrice before folding it.

"It is true. Lannisport confirms there has been an attack on Pyke. Lady Asha's brother has sent another raven to Casterly Rock, informing him of it. Tywin Lannister says the Fury and its companions closed in from the South. Great Wyk has been burned."

Ser Rodrik looked grave. "Do you think the Lannisters have a hand in this, My Lord?"

"Tywin Lannister is not foolish, Ser Rodrik. He knows the finger would first be pointed towards him. He would never attack from the South as it would make it too obvious they were part of it." Ned's eyes suddenly turned cold. "There is another House with ships in the South."

"The Tyrells," Ser Rodrik whispered.

Ned opened the door of his room.

"Do you think we should send troops, My Lord?"

"It would be useless now. The attack has already happened. We will wait for Lady Asha. She can tell us of the matter clearly." He started walking to the solar. "Bring me Maester Luwin. I will send a raven to King's Landing. The King must be informed. I doubt it has been already done."

Ser Rodrik nodded and left his side.

Balon Greyjoy is a headstrong man. He would never have asked for anyone's help even if he was on the brink of getting defeated. Maron Greyjoy acted wisely. But Ned still suspected why Stannis Baratheon did all this. A coward's work. No honorable man attacked in the dead of the night. And how had his fleet gotten near Pyke in the first place without anyone noticing? There was no doubt there was another party involved.

Then he remembered...

Victarion Greyjoy and his fleet were in the Narrow Sea. That is why Stannis could succeed. Victarion would have crushed him if he had been there.

The Maester entered the solar. After the letter was written, Ned bid him to send it right away. The King needed to know. It could be a declaration of war, or a rebellion.

Rebellion.

What if it was Robert? There was no reason for Stannis to attack anyone. Storm's End had sworn fealty to the King amd there had been no problems between them and any other House. But Robert... Robert had big reasons. What if the Priestess' words were true?

For now, Ned shook the thought away. First, he had to know what had really happened. And for that, he needed to see Asha Greyjoy.

A/N: Please review. =) The Greyjoy rebellion never happened in this universe, so Maron Greyjoy is still alive (or, was). Theon is not a hostage therefore he is not at Winterfell.