AN: OK, this one starts off overlapping with part of chapter 32. We needed to see what happened between Arya and Melisandre before Jon and Arya spoke and it turned a tad awkward. Don't get too excited over mention of certain characters, I'm a little overdue in including the conversation appearing in the middle of this chapter. It doesn't mean anything will happen to include certain people in the near future :-)
Thanks for your feedback on the Rickon stuff, it will come in handy in the next chapter

Chapter 34

The red woman had somehow moved quietly enough that she had almost, almost caught Arya unawares. Arya had broken her fast and was creeping about the castle, quiet as a shadow, being the ghost in Winterfell. The men were distracted by the presence of the visitors and Arya had been let off her normal duties. She had time to fill in before Rickon's lesson and Jon hadn't been seen yet so she watched and listened.

The red woman got close but Arya heard the swish of her skirts. It was odd that she hadn't heard her footsteps. She smelled her as she heard her. It was strange, she even smelled red. Arya spun to face her.

"Why are you being sneaky priestess?"

The woman looked amused.

"I believe you know the power in being able to move undetected lady Arya".

Arya kept her face a mask. She has been watching me. She began to stalk off but the red woman kept pace with her, refusing to take the hint that Arya did not want to speak with her.

"I know you are not an unbeliever".

Arya tried to hide her frown. She heard footsteps and was relieved to see Duck approaching.

"That does not mean I want to talk to you" she retorted. "I'm not as stupid as Stannis".

The priestess gave the slightest flinch and Arya knew she had hit her mark.

"The Lord of Light shows me things but I am a mere mortal. I have been guilty of misinterpreting his messages but that does not stop me being his messenger".

Duck was getting closer and she saw him frowning.

"It will stop me from listening to your messages though" Arya shot back.

"Even if my messages are about your brother?"

Arya froze despite herself. The red woman smiled.

"I see the darkness in you but there is still light as well. Your love for your brothers is that light. You should cling to it. They need you. Others are just a distraction from your true purpose".

Dark heart. Arya tried to suppress a shiver at the reminder. She lost her composure at the insinuations the priestess was making.

"Don't talk to me of my family" she said angrily. "My family was taken from me. I was the lone wolf"

"No longer" the woman said softly. "Jon Snow needs you. He needs me too. He does not truly believe. He could do great things".

Arya turned on her.

"You will not use my brother! I will not help you corrupt him!"

She felt a hand on her arm and realised Duck had joined them. He was glowering at Melisandre.

"Is the priestess bothering you little lady?"

"She is" Arya said abruptly "but no longer. I am going riding. Make sure she does not follow me and keep her from Jon if you can. I mislike her influence".

"Aye" Duck replied.

Arya had not stayed to see what happened between them but she had trusted Duck to do as she asked. When she returned from riding she found Jon watching Duck and Rickon. After that it had become very awkward.

Stupid priestess. Arya had not wanted to talk of Aegon with Jon. She had felt shame when he suggested she was with child, shame quickly followed by fury and she could still see the dismay on his face when he knew she had been with Aegon and the embarrassment he felt at his mistaken assumption. No, not his mistake she fumed, it was the red woman.

Arya could at least console herself that the woman had lost her influence over Jon. She had seen how angry he was when Melisandre tried to speak with him afterwards. He will not be taken in by false messages again so easily.

The priestess had been right. Arya was a believer. She had not forgotten Thoros and Lord Beric. Lord Beric had been dead, she had seen it and the red god had brought him back. Arya did not worship the red god but she did believe. She knew the red woman had power too but the way she used it was dangerous. The priestess made too many mistakes. Relying on her messages might get Jon killed and Arya did not want that, not again.

She still remembered what the friendly man had said of the many faced god. She still remembered the teachings. It was hard to forget after the years spent in the House of Black and White. Arya supposed that the red god was one of the many faces. The kindly man had told her over and over that death was a gift, that it was an end to suffering. Arya had tried to obey, to serve so they would not send her away but in the end they were right when they had told her she did not belong, that she could not pay the price.

Arya could take lives, she could give the 'gift' but she could not blindly serve. She could not kill only the names they gave her and there were names she could not and would not give the gift to. She did not see it as a 'gift' when it took away people she cared about. She also now knew that a god would not take pleasure from good people being killed for gold, at least she thought a god wouldn't. If that was true then it was not a god she could serve.

Arya did not pray to a god, not really. Her prayer was something else. Ser Meryn, Queen Cersei, Raff the Sweetling, The Freys. She was confused after the red woman left with Jon. She was confused and angry. She could not understand why the woman had seen a vision that would make them think she would be having Aegon's child. She remembered Stannis and fought not to frown. People use their gods to do what they want, to believe what they want.

Arya knew she looked outwardly calm but inside she still fumed days after Jon had left. Brienne and Duck knew her moods now, they had picked up on the subtle clues she couldn't hide. The Blackfish knew something had happened but didn't press her. She knew he blamed Jon. It isn't fair. Rickon knew she was angry because Nymeria gave it away.

The only person who really seemed to have some understanding was Brienne. The Lady of Tarth had seen Arya argue with the Lady Melisandre and when they spoke afterwards Arya had immediately realised that Brienne had some knowledge of the red god. The Lady of Tarth did not want to talk about it. She got that tortured look she often wore when Arya tried to press her on things so Arya let her be. She did confide in her though.

Brienne had met Thoros. She had met the brotherhood. There was something the Lady of Tarth did not want to tell her but she did tell Arya that the brotherhood was killing Freys. Lem and Tom were still there. Gendry was still there. Arya hadn't thought of him in years and she couldn't help showing her curiosity.

She was puzzled to see Brienne blush talking of Gendry. When she prodded her about it, this time Brienne did speak. Arya did not understand at first when Brienne began to talk of serving Renly Baratheon. She did see the Lady of Tarth get that look Sansa used to get when she spoke of the knights in her songs.

"Gendry looks like him" Brienne admitted.

Arya tried hard not to bite her lip. "Gendry looks like Renly?"

"Yes" Brienne replied. "Though I think he favours his father more".

Arya felt confused. "His father?"

"Robert Baratheon".

Arya went quiet. Gendry didn't know his father. She tried to think back. She couldn't remember King Robert well and her opinion of him was much lower now after knowing Aegon. He might have been her father's friend but he had done bad things. She did remember his black hair and she remembered Gendry's was the same.

"He still talks of you" Brienne said.

"Who?" Arya asked absentmindedly.

"Gendry"

She was startled and when she saw Brienne's expression she was immediately uncomfortable. She made an excuse to be on her own and stepped outside. King Robert wanted my Aunt she remembered. A shiver went down her spine. She knew how that had ended but the Gendry she remembered was not his father. She could only hope he still wasn't.

It was a frigid day. Arya could almost feel the snow in the air. Jon will not have an easy trip back to the Wall. His short visit and quick departure had made her think of the other Starks who were not in Winterfell. Rickon was here and she felt a connection to him now. She thought of Sansa. She did not believe her sister was dead but there was no trace of her. She thought of Bran. She wondered if he was still alive and if so, where would he be? She knew he and Rickon had escaped Winterfell at the same time but Rickon would not speak of him. There had been no sign of Bran but sometimes in Arya's wolf dreams she felt him, she felt Summer.

Rickon had managed to make it all the way to Skagos. Arya herself had made it to Braavos and was not found until she wanted to be found. Sansa had hidden herself well. Even if Bran was crippled Arya knew he was not alone. It appeared that the remaining Starks were good at escaping detection.

Arya had made herself busy writing letters. She had been slow replying to Aegon and she and Rickon wrote the reply together. She knew Aegon would be unhappy but Arya needed to try and make herself think of other things. He is not mine and I am not his. Certain dreams had prompted her recently to wake in the night almost aching to be touched. Every time she told herself she hated him for it. Stupid man, he did this to me. She distracted herself by writing the letters to the Stark bannermen. The ravens began to be sent out and Arya saw Rickon becoming more difficult.

The chatter in the castle rose when news spread that Tommen Baratheon had died. Arya was suspicious about the story. Kings did not usually die from being thrown from their horse. She did not dwell on it. He was a Lannister, Joffrey's brother and Queen Cersei's son. Arya was not sorry he was dead. Valar morghulis.

Myrcella Baratheon was to be crowned queen. Arya wasn't really surprised. She knew Myrcella had come back to King's Landing from Dorne. She was known to be betrothed to Trystane Martell. Arya did not remember much about Myrcella. She had been younger than Arya. She heard whispers that Cersei would continue to rule as regent.

The bannermen began to arrive. Robett Glover was one of the first. Not long after him was Wylis Manderley and Alysane Mormont. She did not know what Lord Wyman was doing, he spoke quietly with his son and Arya noted Wylis had brought the men Arya knew had been pledged to Stannis. The Young She-Bear surprised Arya too. Alysane took a knee when she met her.

"I apologise my lady, I would have been here earlier but I escorted Jeyne Poole to the Wall and was caught travelling when you arrived here".

Arya promptly asked her to rise. The woman interested her. Apart from the free folk and Brienne, Arya hadn't really known women as warriors. Alysane was fierce looking and she wore mail. The first time she saw Arya sparring in the training yard she smiled a toothy grin and took a seat in a prime position to jape good-naturedly at each of Arya's conquered foes.

Arya soon found she enjoyed testing Aly's skill and although Arya did not give her trust easily, she quite liked the woman from Bear Island. She tried to forget what their letter had said. I do not want to be queen and I do not think Rickon wants to be king. She was glad the She-Bear did not bring it up.

The new arrivals gave Arya plenty to listen to. She crept quietly, listening to determine who could be trusted and watching their faces as they spoke. That was how she heard something they had been trying to keep from her. It was Robett Glover, Whoresbane Umber and Lord Wyman who gave it away.

"He must be mad" Robett said, shaking his head.

"It was an opportunity to have the throne all but given to him" Whoresbane responded, spitting at the thought. "Our Lady of Winterfell will not be happy".

Lord Wyman had that look again, the one he got when Arya knew he had secret thoughts he would not speak. "I would not have thought anybody so willing to marry into the family who killed his own".

"He will be king then" Robett Glover said, sounding like he had a sour taste in his mouth. "Sixth of his name and all of us be damned".

Arya emerged from her hiding place making them all jump out of their skin. The Whoresbane cursed loudly, Ser Robett paled and Lord Wyman looked amused.

"Tell me what you are talking about" Arya demanded.

Lord Wyman smiled an odd smile. "If you have heard any of our conversation I think you know my lady. Prince Aegon is to marry Queen Myrcella"

Arya could not fully control her reaction. "Lies" she hissed.

She heard them talking as she stalked off from them. The Whoresbane had recovered from his shock. "The girl took that better than I'd expect".

She kept her face a mask over the next days while the whispers grew and anger mounted. Two ravens soon arrived bearing the Targaryen seal. One was addressed to Rickon, the other to Arya. Arya read hers privately, smiling at the contents. Almost all of the bannermen had now arrived in Winterfell. Rickon's letter was shared with all present.

Lord Rickon,

It has come to my attention that the Lannister's are spreading falsehoods that I am to marry Myrcella Baratheon. These lies are an insult to my House and the many others injured by the Lannisters and I believe are intended to cause enmity between us. House Lannister has committed atrocities against my family and yours and all of those who attended what is known as the Red Wedding.

I am writing to assure you that I will hold them accountable. These lies will not go unpunished. I am not sure that the North will consider me a friend after the actions of my grandfather but I do not wish for us to be enemies. I hope this letter will reassure you that I would never seek an alliance with the people who have inflicted such pain on the realm.

Aegon Targaryen

The letter was passed around and Arya could see the men thinking. She could tell Aegon had agonised over the wording. It was not his usual impulsive style. She felt their eyes on her and heard her name whispered more than once. Finally one of them had the courage to tell her what they were thinking.

"My lady" Big Wull said. "Forgive me but Lord Rickon mentioned you had received a raven too".

Arya smiled what she suspected was a wicked smile. "I did. Would my Lords like to read it?"

They looked taken aback by the offer. Arya would never have shown them her letters from Aegon but this one contained no declarations of love. He had written it in anger. She had been a little shocked. He didn't lose his temper often but he must have been furious when he wrote it. The parchment was almost torn in places.

She produced the letter with a smirk. "I must warn you, the language is colourful. We knew each other at Storm's End and as you know I say what I think. I was no different with him and he responds in kind". She passed the parchment to Robett Glover. She had taken to inviting a different bannerman to sit on the dais with her each day and today was Ser Robett's turn.

He didn't get far into it the letter before he almost choked on his wine. When he cleared the obstruction he was laughing so much he couldn't speak for a moment. Arya hadn't seen more than a smile from him before now. Whoresbane leapt up and snatched the parchment from him to see what was so amusing and promptly burst into laughter himself.

"Mace Tyrell tried to make him a match with Margaery in exchange for Highgarden's support" he chortled.

Ser Robett had managed to regain the power of speech. "Tried and failed you mean" he smirked.

One of the Flints was now reading it and he hooted. "He says he'd rather be joined to the stableboy than marry either Lannister or the Lannister widow".

Arya let herself laugh with them but she watched the room carefully. Not everybody was finding it amusing.

"I understand him refusing the Lannister whelp but he refused Highgarden support?" Lord Wyman asked, his tone more serious.

Arya interjected. "He does not need to marry Margaery to have the Reach" she said quietly, looking around the room. "Highgarden is almost alone in opposing him, the Stormlands have fallen and the rest of the Reach has fallen or sworn fealty. There was word from Randyll Tarly just after I arrived here. It is expected that he will withdraw support from the Lannisters. Dorne may follow now that they have heard that the Lannisters would break the betrothal. I do know they won't oppose Aegon".

Shrewd eyes were set on Arya. She looked down at her hands. "I have told you much of this but I did not want to look to be pressing the North to take any side".

Lord Wyman rested his chins on his hands, his fingers steepled. "He will take the Iron Throne then" he said. "Perhaps not immediately but it seems only a matter of time. Only the Westerlands and Riverlands stand in his way and most of the Riverlands only pretend fealty because the Lannisters have hostages. The Iron men are reaving but they cannot take the throne".

Arya's heart was in her throat. He did not name the North. "Aegon does not ask us to kneel" she said quietly. Yet was the unspoken thought she did not add.

She saw Rickon nod. Others followed his suit. The majority won. "Are we agreed?" she asked.

Their response confirmed it though they did have conditions. Arya expected nothing less. "I will send a raven. You can advise me on wording".

She did not know why the Manderleys were party to an alliance. She did not want to ask. The Blackfish took her aside once the men dissolved into their own conversations.

"If the North plans to march, you need to do it soon" he prompted. "Your host will dissolve, now is a better time than any other with the change of ruler".

Arya frowned. Something had been nagging at her. "I want to uncle but... Will the men follow a woman?"

The Blackfish responded quickly, giving her a pointed look. "Your mother asked me something similar a few years back. I will give you the same answer I gave her. They will follow if it is the right woman".

Arya met his gaze and nodded. She hoped he was right.