AN: This one partially satisfies two requests. We finally get development in the Arya/Connington relationship (I've had this in the works a while but it's a process) and I'm doing some foreshadowing on Lemore

Chapter 14

Arya was exhausted when she finally separated from Brienne. When she returned to her own quarters, Lemore was waiting for her in her solar. The sword Arya had taken from Brienne was sitting on the table.

"You did well, you are strong"

Arya felt defensive. "I don't need to be reassured. I'm a woman grown now".

She stretched out her hand running her fingers along the side of the blade. This was Ice. She felt her mouth twist looking at the pommel, the lion heads and rubies set into it.

"My father's sword can't have a lion pommel"

Lemore was quick to reassure her. "It can be reworked. We can get it remade into whatever you think it should be".

Arya nodded and set the sword aside, still seething.

Lemore put her arm around Arya when she took her seat. Arya tensed, then finally accepted the woman's embrace. "You don't have to be alone, Arya"

Arya didn't like being fussed over but she sat dutifully as Lemore brushed her hair out, humming some sort of tune. The rhythmic strokes of the brush were comforting, even if Arya didn't want to admit she liked it. Tears pricked her eyes remembering how her mother would sometimes sit with her like this. She angrily brushed them away.

There wasn't a lot of peace before Connington arrived "Leave us Lemore"

"My Lord, is this really the time?"

Connington looked at Lemore with cold eyes. "You may have a weakness for Starks, I do not".

Arya saw Lemore go very pale and she hurriedly rose, leaving Arya alone in the solar with Connington. He stared at her. Arya met his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. She had expected this. She had known it was coming.

"Whatever it is you are doing with Aegon, it ends now".

Arya sighed. "I have tried".

"He is to marry Daenerys"

"I agree"

Connington's eyes narrowed. "They you need to end this. Daenerys cannot see him clinging to you".

Arya pulled herself to her full height. "You do not know Daenerys".

"I know that she is his blood. She is Rhaegar's sister and Aegon needs to be her consort. He needs to win her hand".

Arya narrowed her own eyes now. "Then I suggest you tell him to go back to dying his hair blue, calling himself Griff and playing the sellsword"

Connington bristled "Tell me what you mean".

"I mean that he is too good for her"

Connington looked exasperated. "She is Targaryen. They are equal. You cannot think that-"

Arya lost control. She stamped her foot in frustration. "Stop being stupid. That is not what I meant. I know her type. She is drawn to dangerous men".

Connington frowned. "How do you know?"

"Servants of the House of Black and White do not simply kill. They gather information. I know things, lots of things"

Connington pursed his lips. "Tell me"

"Daenerys married a Dothraki khal, a savage man. She loved him. Even after he murdered her brother in front of her she still loved him. She then married a Meereenese noble but she has been fucking a Tyroshi sellsword. The sellsword is dangerous, just like the Khal was. Those are the sorts of men she loves"

She could see Connington thinking

"I'm not saying she is bad, from what I've learned she has a nature like Aegon's. They might like each other but she will not love him".

"They don't need to love each other" Connington said abruptly.

"I know that. I told Aegon the same. He will marry her if she will have him, I will see to it"

Connington studied her and she thought she could see grudging respect. "The longer he has you the more difficult he will be. He won't want to let you go".

Arya dropped into a seat and looked down at her hands. "He is happy"

"He is" Connington said grudgingly

"You knew his father"

"I did"

Arya looked up at him "Was Rheagar happy?"

Connington took the seat across from her. He suddenly looked very tired. "No"

"Let Aegon be happy while he can"

"There cannot be any Targaryen bastards" he said sharply

Arya refused to be offended. "There won't be"

They sat in silence for a while. Arya took note of the gloves, the excess covering over his arm. She stood, moving close to Connington and tapping his arm. "Will you show me?"

He looked wary, glancing quickly at the door before removing the glove. Arya sucked in her breath. His fingers were completely black and the grey was starting to creep up his hand.

"How long do you think you have?"

Connington wrinkled his forehead. "Maybe a couple of years. It might be more. Some people can last a decade though I've already lived with it for more than a year".

"If I give you something to slow the spread will you take it?"

He studied her. "Why would you do that?"

"He needs you" Ayra said simply.

A small smile crossed Connington's face. He nodded. "I underestimated you"

"Everybody does"