AN: In response to comments from the previous chapter, I leave little out by accident :) Yes, Ser Ilyn is dead. Roose is not on the list because I imagine Arya holds Ramsey more directly responsible, after all, he is the one who supposedly married her and has claimed her home and was doing god knows what to Jeyne Poole. In the books there are other characters we expect Arya might have a problem with who don't make the list. For example, Cersei is on the list but Jaime is not even though Jaime did plenty of damage to the Starks. The absence of Roose's name on the list does not mean Arya won't get stabby if she comes across him.

Chapter 12

Arya retreated from Aegon's quarters before dawn. He made a noise of protest as she slipped from his arms then promptly went back to sleep. She was summoned to meet with Haldon, Connington and Aegon after she broke her fast. They filled her in on the ravens. Arya hid her prior knowledge of the message from Bear Island, choosing simply to repeat what she had told Aegon the previous night.

She was disappointed that there was no reply from Jon. It made her worry that he didn't want to hear from her until Haldon mentioned heavy snow up North and that not all ravens would have reached their destination. When they told her about the response from the Eyrie she curled her lip.

"Littlefinger is as bad as the Lannisters. I don't want to see him or his representative. When I said I could prove my identity I didn't mean that I would be interested in some mummer's show with them".

It was decided to wait a little longer and see if more responses arrived before deciding how to respond to the Northern letters. In the meantime, Aegon had become tired of being shut up in the castle. He wanted to ride out and see parts of the realm, the safer parts anyway. There was a lengthy argument about it but even though he was outnumbered none of them could put him off. His final argument settled it.

"I need to be seen as somebody who cares about the realm, not some coward who hides in a castle"

They rode out two days later, Aegon intent on covering as much ground as he could. Arya rode with him along with a healthy column of sellswords and knights. They veered away from the main roads, visiting Bronzegate and Haystack hall before cutting back and stopping at the location of Summerhall. Arya had heard the name before but not the history. It was a sad story.

While they were travelling and there were less eyes, Ayra put Aegon's claim that he could fight to the test. He was rather sceptical when she challenged him

"I know you're sneaky and quick but this is swords" he said in a worried voice.

"Fine" she retorted back. "If you're scared we'll use tourney swords".

That set Duck off. He teased Aegon relentlessly until he gave in. It didn't really take that much, Arya knew he had pride.

He was good but she was still better. He was quick, she was quicker. He was stronger but that didn't help him when he couldn't catch her. His pride was wounded at first until she reminded him where she had been for the last three years.

"I could beat Duck senseless too you know"

"Hey" Duck protested and Aegon burst out laughing.

Arya felt a sense of freedom in being away from the castle. She had felt as much a prisoner as Aegon had. The two of them were more relaxed, they were able to ride their horses more recklessly as long as they minded the scouts and they did.

He surprised her. He took care of his own horse and managed his osn belongings. He blended in well with the people they met, if it wasn't for the use of titles nobody would even know he was a claimant to the throne. He conversed easily with the smallfolk. She could see his pain over the state of the lands, the devastation and it touched her. He did, however, take more risks with her.

The first time he came to her room in the inn they were staying in, she panicked and told him to go.

"Duck will know"

He smiled. "Duck already knows".

Arya felt stupid. Of course Duck knew, how could he not? He was Kingsguard and he was with Aegon almost constantly.

"We will still be found out!"

Aegon was unfazed. "I'm not sure I care"

"You should!" she protested.

Despite her concerns, his recklessness began to rub off on her. When he came to her one night as they neared Storm's End she rode him wildly. As she neared her peak she cried out in Braavosi, not even considering whether she might be heard. He grinned.

"Tell me what you said"

She laughed and refused and he frowned.

"That isn't fair" he complained, putting on a mock angry expression. "You picked the one language I don't know".

She smiled wickedly. "If I tell you what I said I will make you blush and you surely won't think I'm a lady".

He shook his head. "I don't want a proper lady".

"I still won't tell you, stupid" she retorted.

They were quiet for a little and she settled down to rest. She started as he began gently caressing her shoulder with his fingers. "I could legitimise your brother. I can do that you know".

Arya sucked in her breath and rolled over to face him. He would make Jon a Stark in name. He would do that for me.

"I know he can't hold lands or have titles in the Night's Watch" Aegon said quickly. "I just thought-"

Arya stopped him with a kiss. "Thank you". She couldn't wait to write to Jon.

Nymeria had been following closely, accompanied by a large number of the grey wolves which had formed her pack. Arya woke to her howling and knew instantly there was a problem. She had expected it ever since Aegon had told her about Nymeria growling in his chambers. She lunged, pressing the point of her dagger right at the heart of the intruder just as he managed to press his own blade to her throat. Aegon woke in the middle of it.

She was sure she was a sight. She hadn't dressed and her hair was hanging wildly around her face. None of it mattered.

"A girl will die" the intruder said.

"I think not" Arya shot back. "If you wanted me you would have done it already. It is not my name which has been chosen".

She heard Aegon scrambling but didn't look at him. "We're not killing him Aegon" she said quickly. "Not yet".

"The many faced god is unhappy" the intruder said. "The gift must be given".

Arya snorted. "Don't pretend this has anything to do with gods. The House of Black and White has been paid for a service. That is all".

The mask of the faceless man faltered and he blinked. "Just so".

Arya thought back to Harrenhal and Jaqen H'ghar's talk of exchanging names. "I was told once that a name can be exchanged. As long as the many faced god has his due it should not matter".

She saw the expression flicker and the blade dropped a little. She continued. "Two of His servants have been given the gift while undertaking this task, why do you still come?"

The man in front of her smiled. "More than one offer was made. Somebody is praying very hard".

Arya would have laughed if she wasn't so frightened. Fear cuts deeper than swords she told herself. "I want to let you go" she said.

"Arya" Aegon protested.

She ignored him. "I want you to give the House of Black and White a message. How many servants are they willing to lose?"

The man frowned. "One will succeed".

"And then what?" she challenged him. "Do you think I will let it go? The House of Black and White will be my enemy". She thought of her list. "Somebody once called me dark heart. I think I understand why. If you wrong me I will not let this go".

The man nodded. "The message will be delivered, Arya of House Stark".

She kept her dagger pointed at him as he made his escape. When he was finally gone she realised she was trembling. Aegon put his arms around her and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

She tried to put it out of her head and enjoy the rest of the ride back to Storm's End. They arrived just after lunch and Arya instantly knew something was wrong when Haldon sought her out in her quarters.

"There has been a raven Lady Arya" his eyes were full of pity. "Jon Snow is dead".

Arya couldn't answer him. She sat, dry eyed in her solar trying not to think. Lemore came to her not long after and found her staring dumbly at Needle. Arya was vaguely aware of her talking in a sweet voice, brushing stray hair away from Arya's face and stroking her arm.

Arya had said at the House of Black and White that she had no heart, only a hole. For a hole it was hurting quite a lot. I really am the lone wolf now. She wasn't sure how much time had passed when the door to her solar burst open and Aegon strode in.

"When you didn't come to dinner they told me. I'm so sorry".

His face was so solemn and sad and so different to his usual bearing and it tore at her. Arya could have withstood a lot of things right then but Aegon broke her. She took one look at his face, somehow looking so like Jon used to after he had been slighted by her mother and she crumpled. His arms were strong around her as she sobbed. She could feel his fingers smoothing her hair and heard him trying to make soothing noises and she clung to him.

The door opened and closed and she was sure that Aegon would be taken away but he stayed. At one point she heard Lemore say "Leave them be" and guessed Connington had come. She knew he would be wroth but right then she didn't care. Her eyes were bleary and she could only just focus on Aegon's features when she finally lifted her head.

"Do you think he would have read my letter before... do you think he knows that I'm alright and that I missed him and-"

Aegon's voice was gentle. "Yes". She could see the doubt in his eyes as he said it but just this one time she didn't want to see the lies. She buried her face in Aegon's tunic again.

AN 2: I'm sorry readers, I swear I'll make it up to you :)