Chapter 13: Faith
King's Landing
Not much had changed in the three days Jon had been unconscious. The castle was more cautious, but things had started to cool off. No one had been allowed inside the Prince's chambers except his family, not even the Tyrells and the Stark sisters. Aegon tried his best to make his Father relent as he knew how much Arya was worried about Jon and that Jon would want to see her face when he woke up, but Rhaegar insisted. To his surprise, Arya agreed with his Father. She just wanted him to be safe, and of course she threatened to kill Aegon if he didn't keep informing her about his improvement.
Arya was strangely calm, but it scared him. It was the calm right before a storm. Aegon had confided to her and her sister about the Tyrells possibly being behind Jon's poisoning. It took him and Sansa much effort to keep her from barging inside Margaery's room and demanding answers. Aegon finally had to urge her to keep silent, at least until it was proved so. Varys was being late than usual; the poison was still not identified.
He and Sansa weren't able to spend much time together. Sansa was with her sister as much as she could, and it seemed although Arya and Aegon himself was repulsed by Margaery Tyrell, Sansa had befriended the girl. Sansa convinced him it wouldn't harm anyone. She wished to spend time with Margaery and he wouldn't tell her to do anything she didn't want to. Arya was another case altogether, and had gone to great lengths to try to convince her sister to carry a dagger with her, but to no avail. Sansa was sure Margaery wouldn't hurt her.
The castle had more guards than usual after the attempt on Jon's life. No part was vacant, and it made Aegon and Sansa's nightly rendezvous impossible. It won't be long though, he reassured himself. When Jon recovers, they will talk to their Father as soon as possible. Now that Arya and Jon were together, he doubted Jon would want to spend any more time pretending to be okay about the betrothal, and Aegon himself missed Sansa. Once their Father agreed, things would finally settle into place.
Jon was improving, to say the least, but he still looked weak the day after he woke up. The Maester assured them he would be better in no time, and the weakness was only a result of too much milk of the poppy and little food.
It didn't take much effort on both the brothers' side to talk to each other normally again. Aegon feared Jon would be wroth with him, but his younger brother only shrugged. He laughed saying the poison had got to his head, and after an hour or so, they were back to being as normal as they've ever been, as if there had been no fight at all. Aegon knew they would talk about it later, but for now this was enough.
Arya was mostly at Jon's side. Jon seemed to put much effort in taking when she was near, and he honestly seemed to heal faster. Arya also forced him to eat more, threatening to punch him bloody if he kept sending his food away. Jon knew she was being far from serious but he humoured her, and promised to finish his meals only if she promised to stay by his side. It was a relief as Aegon didn't have to worry much about both of them when they they were together. He still remembered Varys' words, and somewhere in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but feel restless about it all.
The Queen turned out to be much observant. Lyanna didn't fail to notice Arya constantly being at Jon's side and their not-so-hidden displays of affection. Once, she and Aegon walked in on them leaning against each other; Arya laughing, and Jon looking at her. The most foolish man would have been able to see the passion behind Jon's eyes, and it wasn't long before Lyanna was sure of what was going on and approached Jon directly.
"Are you sure you love her, and not just admire her or like her?" She asked. Jon was glad because he couldn't hear anger or fear in his Mother's voice. It was just surprise, and Jon knew instantly there would be no objection against their relationship at least from his Mother's side. Not that he had thought otherwise.
"I am in love with her. It's the only thing I'm most sure of."
He told her about him and Arya, about Aegon and Sansa, and how much they wanted to break the betrothal. Jon did left out the part about Aegon laying with Sansa as he thought it would only result in Sansa being viewed as dishonourable. His Mother promised to help him talk to Rhaegar, but she did warn him that he may not be as understanding as her. Jon knew his Father would not be as happy as his Mother, but he only hoped Rhaegar would see that he loved Arya. King or not, he was still his Father.
The only thing between them and their happiness was their Father and the damned prophecy. The Red Priestess continued to reside in the castle, and the recent events in Westeros had made the King listen to her more. It made him trust her visions, and there was no doubt it would cause much problems.
0-0-0-0-0-0
"Father?"
The day was almost done when Jon and Aegon finally entered Rhaegar's solar. The King didn't seem surprised to see them, and only waved his hand to bid them closer. Jon felt Aegon inhale sharply. He had to agree this was something to make even his brother nervous.
"Lyanna said it is important," Rhaegar said.
"It is," Jon replied. "It is about my betrothal."
Rhaegar nodded.
"I wish to end it."
Lyanna was right. His Father's reaction was nothing like her. His brows edged closer and his lips turned to a hard line. Jon knew this would be harder than he had anticipated.
"Is this a jape?" There was only anger in Rhaegar's voice.
"No, Father, it's true. I do not wish to marry Lady Sansa. I urge you to reconsider the betrothal."
"Are you out of your senses, Jon?" Rhaegar roared, standing on his feet. Many would have cowered at his voice, but Jon wasn't ready to relent so easily. When it came to Arya, he wasn't ready to relent at all.
"He is not, I assure you," Aegon answered. "It is his wish and-"
"No one is breaking any betrothals. Jon will marry Sansa Stark. I will hear nothing more."
"No!" Jon stood up. "I will marry Arya."
Rhaegar narrowed his eyes.
"You will not, Jon."
Aegon placed a hand on Jon's shoulder and shook his head at him. Jon took a step back and Aegon approached Rhaegar. Jon knew Aegon was much more adept at negotiating than he ever was, so he let him handle.
"You cannot say that without hearing all of it," Aegon said.
Rhaegar eyed him warily. "What is your purpose in this? You have nothing to gain by this."
"Actually, I do. You see, Jon doesn't want to marry Sansa." He pushed his hair away from his eyes. "I do."
He went on without waiting for Father to reply,
"Jon is in love with Arya, and I am in love with Sansa. Even if you break the betrothal it won't change things. I will marry Sansa and you don't have to worry about Lord Eddard. Please, Father."
"No," Rhaegar repeated. "This is madness! How can you fall in love with Arya, Jon? You are betrothed to her sister! And you," he turned to Aegon. "I thought you had no plans of marrying at all."
"No, I didn't. But I want Sansa, and she loves me as well."
Rhaegar stared at his sons then shook his head disapprovingly.
"I will not agree to this. You are children. This is a passing fancy, I'm sure. You-"
"Passing fancy for both of us?" Aegon asked, his veneer slowly crushing. Jon knew Aegon was slowly being pushed to his limits. It was not something that happened often, but he understood why this would be the moment it did.
"I'm sorry, Aegon. I gave given Lord Stark my word, and the whole realm knows of this by now. I cannot let it aside now."
"You rather will not," Jon spat. "This is all because of that godforsaken prophecy! Your head is so filled with useless prophecies you refuse to see anything else!"
"Jon," Rhaegar growled. "You dare speak to me in such a way?"
"This is not about the realm, this is just about you. No one is dying, Father!" Jon sighed. "You cannot put everyone's happiness in line for such a thing."
"And if we die? The war has already started. I do not wish to forsake the safety of anyone."
"Mother broke her betrothal," Jon countered. "You fell in love with Mother while she was betrothed to Robert Baratheon."
"And a war followed that killed tens of thousands of men. That same man is preparing to wage a war again, and this time there is more at stake than last time." He sat on his chair. "Do you wish to see Sansa and Arya and everyone you love get destroyed in this war? There is much beyond our own happiness. I need to make sure everyone is safe."
Aegon clenched his teeth in anger.
"It's just a betrothal, Father. One marriage will not decide the future of the realm."
"If it can, who are you to ignore it? You are Princes, you have duties, as do the girls. Do not put dreams in their heads they will not be able to fulfil."
"But, Father-"
"I will hear no more of this!" Rhaegar shouted. "And keep your voice low when you speak to me, Aegon."
Aegon cursed and turned to Jon. "Leave him be with his bloody prophecies," he whispered harshly. He turned to Rhaegar, and bowed stiffly.
"Your Grace."
Aegon crashed the door close loudly behind him. Rhaegar sighed.
"You have to understand, Jon."
"No, I don't." He stood up as well. "I will not marry Sansa."
"You will. You are a Prince and you will do what is expected of you."
"You want to destroy every bit of mine and Aegon's happiness, and you don't even feel remorse," he shouted. "You are a King."
He looked one last time over his shoulder before leaving the room.
"I won't marry anyone but Arya, Your Grace. Try and make me."
He heard his Father's furious call of his name behind him but he walked on. Fucking prophecies! That's all he can think of. First, Jon's own birth was claimed to be prophecised, and now this. He exhaled loudly in irritation. Aegon was nowhere to be seen. He had probably went somewhere to release his frustration.
It was a good thing he hadn't told Arya about this. He wouldn't have been able to tell her how his Father spat his wishes back in his face. What am I going to do?
0-0-0-0-0-0
Arya took the letter and sat down. Her face broke into a smile when she saw the familiar sign of the direwolf on it. She brushed her fingers over the sign then quickly opened the letter, her eyes scanning over the letter. She started reading, but her smile kept fading as her eyes went lower.
Across her, Jon seemed to sense it and he asked softly,
"What is it?"
Arya didn't reply, instead she read the letter twice all over again, trying to decipher the words properly in her head.
"Arya, is everything alright?" Jon asked again,
Arya bit her lip and folded the letter, putting it over her lap.
"It's Father," she said. She looked at the other person in the room and suddenly her chest tightened in a suffocating way. "He wants me back at Winterfell."
Arya couldn't decide whether she should be happy or not. She was going to see her family again; her Mother, her Father, Bran and Rickon. But what about the ones she'd left behind? She had known all along that she'd eventually have to go back, but she had decided to ignore the inevitable. She looked at Jon. I will have to leave him. Suddenly, the thought of going home seemed strangely painful.
"You'll go?" His voice was strained.
"Mother is sick, and he wants me there. He says it's hard to look after Bran and Rickon by himself." He lowered his gaze in disappointment like he was hoping she'd say no.
"I have to go, Jon. They need me," she added.
Jon walked to her bed, and kneeled before her, and locked his eyes with hers.
"Call me selfish, but I don't want you to go."
I don't want to go. The words got caught in her throat as she fisted her fingers in his hair. Jon closed his eyes and leaned into her touch.
"You have to come back," he said.
She nodded, but she didn't know how to answer. What would she come back as?
"I will talk to Father, I promise." He kissed her hands. "He will have to agree. I will write to you when this is all over. You have to promise me, Arya. Promise me that when I tell you to come back to me, you will."
"I will," she agreed, without hesitation. She shook her head. "Your Father didn't agree, did he?"
Jon stilled. "He is going to. Aegon and I will make sure of it."
"And if he doesn't?"
He looked up and cupped her face in his hands. "We'll be together, anyway. Mayhaps we'll run away to the Free Cities, Iron Throne be damned."
Arya rolled her eyes. "No, we won't! Besides, you won't leave Aegon and I won't leave Sansa here."
"Then, we'll take them with us."
"Sansa will kill me if I try to destroy her dream of being a Lady."
Jon kissed her head. "Aegon won't give up on Sansa and I won't give up on you."
"Aegon's been brooding. He hasn't spoken properly since yesterday."
"He's angry," Jon said.
Arya laughed. "We are a mess!"
Jon pushed her hair from her face, and traced her jaw with his fingers. Arya shivered from the warmth, and suddenly she felt like crying. She had not realized that the thought of being away from Jon would seem so scary. Jon, Sansa, Aegon. There was a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she had first arrived in King's Landing, she had wanted nothing more than to leave. But now things had changed so drastically. She didn't want to leave, and she knew it shouldn't make her feel as miserable as it did.
"Well, we got a few more days. Let's make the most of it," he said. "When you come back, you're coming back as my betrothed."
"We're not marrying so soon, Jon," she said, narrowing her eyes.
He sighed. "I just want you."
"You do have me."
Jon shook his head. "We'll talk about this later."
She couldn't agree more. Fighting was the last thing she wanted.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Aegon embraced her tightly in his arms.
"I'll see you soon, wolf," he said, smiling.
"You too, old man." She winked.
Sansa cried as she bid her sister farewell. Arya didn't seem too intent on leaving, and Sansa didn't want to let her, but all of them knew they would always put their family first. Jon clutched her tighter than everyone else, not caring that most of the castle was watching. His Father threw a pointed look at them and Lyanna just smiled sadly. She was sad too, he knew. Lyanna had tried her best to convince Rhaegar, but it seemed he wasn't willing to listen to her either.
Loras and Margaery politely said their farewell. While Margaery seemed happy, Loras had shook her hand almost sadly. Aegon hadn't forgotten what Varys had said about him fancying Arya. Maybe he wasn't wrong, because there was equal amount of regret and sadness in Loras' eyes when he let go of her hand. Margaery took her brother's hand and led him inside immediately, as if she was scared he would do something.
Aegon had arranged for extra guards to be sent with Arya. No one knew his actual motives, but Jon was more than happy to agree to the extra security. If Aegon had a say in it, he wouldn't have let her leave at all, especially knowing she just might be in danger, but Jon convinced him otherwise. He had to agree it was probably better for her to stay away until the betrothal matter would be solved. And besides, Arya would be more safe in Winterfell than in any other place. He was sad to see his friend go, but he knew she would return soon. Once he'll get permission to be betrothed to Sansa, Arya and Jon could be together. The only problem was his Father, and though Aegon and Jon had no clue what to do, they weren't ready to let go.
As the horses galloped away, he looked at his brother. Jon looked years older staring at the back of the carriage, that was literally taking his happiness away.
"Get your brother inside, Aegon," his Father said. "He has made quite a display in front of everyone."
Aegon wanted to retort back, but Lyanna shook her head at him. He scoffed and walked to Jon.
"Let's go inside, brother," he said.
"It feels wrong to let her go," Jon said. "Something tells me I shouldn't have."
"She'll be fine," Aegon assured him.
"You've been brooding," Jon said.
"I've just trying to find a solution," Aegon replied, pushing his hair away from his eyes. "And I've failed so far."
He had never really thought about what he'd do if his Father refused. He was sure he wouldn't. Maybe he had underestimated how much superstitions held power over Rhaegar Targaryen.
Jon kept staring ahead, then after a while turned and walked back with Aegon. He patted his back.
Come back soon, Arya. This one's going to be miserable without you.
A/N: Hey! There's no excuse other than my real life problems. Not problems, per se. It's these really really important exams which I cannot ignore. I have been neck deep in studies and I wasn't able to write even one word because of them. This chapter is a result of a much needed break. I hope you enjoyed it.
A reader PM'd me and we were talking about music and stuff, so he recommended I put up a playlist for each chapter of the story. They will be songs that hold significance to each chapter or simply the ones that I listened to while writing. I hope they help you get in the mood. Until next time, xx
Music:
The Highest Tide (The Wealthy West)
Love Like This (Ry X)