AN: This one turned sappier than I'd like. It had to be done though. See note from chapter 17 re editing and quality

Chapter 18

It took everything Arya had to calm herself after Stannis left. She made herself walk through further through the crypts, stopping at the most recent tombs.

"My lady?" Brienne said questioningly.

Arya knelt, touching the likeness of her father. It was so cold.

"Father" she said "I'm home".

She immediately felt stupid. His bones weren't even there. She angrily brushed away the tears which were threatening to fall. She felt Aegon put his arm around her. When she rose, he had stopped in front of another tomb and his fingers were stretched out to touch it.

"She does look like you"

Arya sniffled and inspected the tomb of her Aunt Lyanna. Brienne meanwhile had stopped at the tombs of Arya's uncle and grandfather. She had a strange expression on her face.

"What is it Brienne?"

Brienne shot an uncomfortable look at Aegon. "I was just remembering something" she mumbled.

"What" Arya demanded.

Brienne hesitated, still looking at Aegon who was also now prodding her to speak. She looked down at the floor.

"I was remembering how they died".

Arya didn't know much, only that they had died before she was born. "What do you know?"

Brienne shifted uncomfortably. "Aerys executed them".

Aegon tensed. "Why? What did they do?"

Brienne went a little pale. "I don't think I should be the one-"

"Tell me" Aegon demanded.

Brienne looked down at the floor of the crypt. "Rheagar had taken Lyanna. Brandon Stark went to King's Landing to challenge Rheagar. Aerys put him and the nobles he was with in prison and summoned their fathers. The fathers were all executed but Lord Rickard requested trial by combat".

"Yes" Aegon prodded, looking a little sick.

Brienne lowered her voice. "Aerys said his champion was fire. He burned Lord Rickard and he-he made Brandon watch. Brandon died trying to save his father".

Aegon almost staggered and she saw him keep a firm grip on nearest statue. "They call him the mad king. I didn't know all".

It took a little time to snap him out of it. The revelation had rocked him. Arya wondered how much more had been kept from him. He looked despondent well after they returned to the great hall. Arya took Duck aside, telling him to make sure Aegon didn't do anything stupid. She didn't linger, instead going back outside and into the godswood. It was warmer here and she was reminded of her childhood.

She knelt in front of the heart tree, bowing her head. She didn't believe in the old gods. The old gods had not helped her family but still she knelt.

She could have sworn she heard a voice. "Sister".

Her head snapped up but there was nobody there. She stayed in place, remembering. She wasn't sure how long she was there when the sounds and smells suddenly became sharper. She smelt Aegon coming before she saw him and as she watched, he came into view, Nymeria trotting along beside him.

He joined her looking very serious, kneeling beside her in the snow in front of the tree. She could see he had a hundred questions.

"This is the place you told me of. Your father's place".

Arya nodded. They were quiet for a while and she waited for him to speak again. The silence lingered. She looked at him. "Do you realise you have never asked me to kneel for you?"

Aegon blinked. He didn't say anything, he simply laced his fingers in hers.

She looked down at their entwined fingers. "They won't bend the knee".

She felt him tense. She looked at his face. His mouth had tightened and she could see he was very unhappy. "It isn't you" she said quickly. "They don't know you like I do and they have lost so much. They want vengeance but not like that"

"You could ask them" he said. "I saw you in there. You were amazing". He looked into her eyes intently. "You should be queen".

"Don't start that again" she said quickly.

He frowned. "I heard what they say about me in there. Some say pretender, others just spit about Targaryens. My grandfather-"

"You are not your grandfather" Arya said firmly "but they don't know that".

Aegon's grip on her hand suddenly tightened. "Are you using me?"

Arya's first reaction was shock, then she was indignant. She pulled her hand from his. "Do you think I would fuck you just to get something from you? You pursued me".

He immediately looked remorseful and reached for her again. "I'm sorry Arya". The pain in his violet eyes made her weaken. She let him take her hand again.

"You should be, stupid".

He took a deep breath and suddenly looked very vulnerable. "Would you still care about me if I wasn't-"

She cut him off "I wouldn't care if you were a bastard or a butcher boy". She leaned against him and felt him bury his face in her hair. She paused. "I can't ask them to bend the knee. Even if I could they won't do it. They might agree to an alliance".

He gave a heavy sigh. "Torrhen Stark. You didn't just go down there to show Stannis, did you?"

She shook her head.

"You're staying here aren't you".

Arya pulled back to look at him. She could see by the sadness in his handsome features that he knew. She had dreaded telling him. He smiled a sad smile.

"I heard you. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell".

She rushed to explain. "Rickon was only a baby when I left for King's Landing. He is still only a boy. He won't even remember father or mother" she lifted her chin and clenched her jaw. "He won't know about the Starks. I have to be here for him, I have to teach him-"

Aegon pressed his lips to hers. When they separated he traced the line of her cheek with his finger. "I know".

"I have to be the Stark in Winterfell until he gets here" she said wearily "and I can't leave until I know Winterfell is safe".

Arya felt as though she was being ripped apart inside. She felt frustration at her unfinished list. She felt burdened by her duty and she didn't know what she felt about Aegon. Everybody leaves me.

Arya took chambers which had been untouched by the fire. It was late when Aegon came to her. She didn't protest, she just took his hand. She wanted to memorise the way it felt when he kissed her, his lips against her neck and her breasts as his fingers worked to make her wet. He always said her name "Arya" when he spent his seed inside her. She lay, listening to his heartbeat when they were done.

"Duck will stay" he said.

She began to protest and he stopped her. "Duck will stay" he said firmly. "I'll leave you with some of the men. They've been told to listen to you and Duck. They know Winterfell is important".

She clung to him when he went to leave. He held her so tightly she thought he might break a rib. He pressed his lips to her forehead and she could hear his breathing was shallow and uneven. If I asked him to stay, he might she thought. She didn't ask.

His voice almost broke when he spoke. "Be safe my love".

Then he was gone. She avoided being near him after day broke, watching from afar as the men readied themselves to march back to White Harbour. Nymeria howled when they set off, she followed them for a little before returning to Arya's side. Arya just kept on repeating the same thing under her breath. Calm as still water. Calm as still water. She would not let them see her cry.

AN2: I know there is other stuff I have to deal with at Winterfell. I'll get to it but this bit was in my head and I wanted it out.