A/N: Thanks again for the reviews, your kind feedback makes writing this more fun. In response to , I will attempt to write some action stuff in the next chapter or so. I think my main aversion to trying to write it is because I have read some terrible attempts and I really don't want to commit that sin.

Chapter 45

Arya no longer felt any fear as she travelled by boat through the swamps, she was far more curious than anything else. Greywater Watch seemed to appear quite suddenly. The mists around the floating island parted to reveal the castle and waiting to greet them was two men. Arya recognised one as Galbart Glover. She had not met him before but she could see the resemblance to his brother. Lady Maege informed her that the other was Lord Howland Reed.

Howland Reed was a small man, like the other crannogmen. He had thinning brown hair and green eyes. His gaze never left Arya as she carefully climbed out of the boat accompanied by Duck, the Blackfish and the She-Bear. There was a deep sadness in his expression.

"Lady Arya Stark" he began, "I have wanted to meet you for some time".

"My father said good things of you Lord Reed" Arya said, trying to remember her courtesies. "I am pleased to meet you".

She introduced Duck and the Blackfish. Lord Howland was polite but it was clear that his interest was solely in Arya. She followed him into the castle, accepting the offer of refreshment. They ate and drank but Arya was mindful that the crannogman spent almost the entire time darting glances at her. As soon as they were done he requested a private audience. Arya saw Duck frown but she assured him it would be fine.

They had barely been alone before Lord Reed revealed at least part of the reason for his intense interest in her. It was something Arya had already suspected.

"Your Aunt was a friend" he said softly. "You look very like her".

"You are not the first to tell me so my lord" Arya said stiffly.

He paused a moment. "I hear that you are like her in other ways too".

Arya kept her face still, willing herself not to scowl. Lord Reed was not stupid, he picked up on her displeasure.

"Have you heard of the Tourney at Harrenhal?" he asked.

Arya thought for a moment. "That was where Rhaegar crowned my Aunt Queen of Love and Beauty". She had heard it at Storm's End.

Lord Reed sighed. "That is what is remembered from that tourney. There was much more than that".

Arya listened as Lord Reed recounted the tale of how he first met the Starks after being set upon by squires, of how her Aunt had defended him. He went on to tell her of the Knight of the Laughing Tree, the mystery knight who had defended his honour and how the knight disappeared after defeating those squires.

"Why are you telling me this?" Arya asked.

Howland Reed smiled and pointed at the hilt of the dagger Arya wore, causing her to tense.

"The knight was your Aunt".

Arya was fairly certain her shock was obvious. She could not hide it.

"My Aunt could fight?"

Lord Reed nodded. He went on to tell her of the search for the knight, Aerys sent Rhaegar to find him. Arya had a sinking feeling.

"He found her, didn't he?"

"I did not know at the time but I suspect so, yes" he replied.

Arya thought of Aegon, of how he had said he was drawn to her strength. She thought of her own weakness. Lord Reed says I am like her.

"People think Rhaegar abducted Lyanna" she said slowly.

The sadness was back in Howland Reed's eyes. "They do".

"He didn't did he"

Lord Reed shook his head. "No".

Arya began to fiddle with her braid, trying to find anything to do which would mean she did not have to look at her father's friend. She waited for him to bring up Aegon, sure that this was why he was telling her of the past. He changed the subject.

"Tell me of your brothers".

Arya was caught a little off guard but she composed herself quickly. He was father's friend. He wants to know of his other children. She took a deep breath and began to speak of Rickon first. She felt herself relaxing as she described her fierce, angry little brother. She spoke of his temper, of his grief, his tendency to lash out easily and to lose control.

"Despite that he can still be very sweet" she said softly, unable to help a smile. "He is very protective, he is a good brother". She looked down at her hands. "He looks like mother and Robb".

Lord Reed nodded and she could see sympathy in his green eyes. Just as she was about to begin a bitter and angry outburst against the Red Wedding he cut her off.

"What about Jon?"

Arya blinked and thought a moment before talking of her older brother.

"He is very like father. He looks like father, just as I do but he is solemn like father too and he is honourable like father". She sighed. "Honour and duty are very important to Jon".

Lord Reed looked intensely interested, prodding her to continue. Arya spoke far longer than she intended, telling tales of when they were children. Few people had ever been interested in her bastard brother, it felt good to speak of him. She told Lord Reed of how clever Jon was, of how he had always been able to see more than others. She then confessed how burdened Jon had become. She told Lord Reed of the Night's Watch, of what Jon had told her of the Wall. She even told him of her annoyance at the red woman's presence and her talk of prophecies. She abruptly stopped when she saw his reaction.

"I had hoped he was wrong" he was muttering. "I had hoped this would not be"

"What my lord?" she asked curiously.

Howland Reed shook his head.

"Does Jon ever ask about his mother?"

Arya bit her lip before she realised what she was doing. She had forgotten what Ned Dayne had told her of Wylla.

"He does not speak to me of it" she replied, frowning. "It hurt him being treated differently when we were young but he has now turned down three offers to be legitimised".

Howland Reed paled.

"Three offers?"

Arya looked at him suspiciously. "Yes. Stannis offered him the first time. Then he refused to be Robb's heir and break his oath and disinherit me and Rickon".

"What was the third" Lord Reed pressed.

Arya flushed. "Aegon offered to legitimise him" she mumbled. "He is my friend" she added defensively.

When she made herself look at Howland Reed, she saw he was gripping the table so tightly his knuckles were white.

"You must be careful not to repeat history Lady Arya" he said in a strained voice.

Arya lifted her chin defiantly. "I am not my Aunt" she declared. "I would not abandon my duty to live in a tower". She frowned. "I won't start a war. Aegon plans to marry his Aunt. She is on her way to Westeros with dragons. Aegon is not his father".

Lord Reed sighed and looked weary. He muttered something about dragons and three heads which Arya did not catch. "I do not believe they are so different. The news has reached me that Prince Aegon is marching towards the Twins".

Arya leapt to her feet. The Freys. She muttered excuses and darted through the door to find Duck and the Blackfish. She blurted the news the moment she saw them. The She-Bear reacted more strongly than the other two, looking rather satisfied. The Blackfish looked like he did not know what to think.

"We have to go"

"Lady Arya" she heard Lord Reed's voice behind her. She turned to look at him. "Please stay".

"I cannot my lord" Arya said firmly. "The Freys must answer to the North".

Howland Reed had that sad look in his eyes again. "You have her boldness".

"I am not her, my lord" she said stubbornly. She quickly tried to soften it. "Thank you for your help and for your loyalty to my family".

He knelt. "Our allegiance remains to the Starks".

Arya left not only accompanied by Duck, the Blackfish and Lady Maege but also Galbart Glover and his men. When they emerged from the swamp and met those at Moat Cailin, the men reacted as she had expected. They would march for the Twins at first light.

The Blackfish sought her out afterwards, dropping into a seat across from her as she sipped at a cup of their low supply of wine. His lean frame took on the appearance of a relaxed bearing but she could see tension in his craggy face.

"I wonder at the motivations of this Prince, child".

Arya made sure not to betray anything. She decided just this once not to scold him for calling her child.

"Do you uncle?" she asked. "I do not".

He gave her a sidelong look.

"What is he like?"

Careful now. Arya paused, trying to think of how to describe Aegon.

"He is very trusting, sometimes too trusting. He is bold and brave but it borders on reckless at times. He is idealistic. He can be stubborn and he can be impatient".

"You make him sound terrible" Ser Brynden interjected.

Arya shook her head. "Those are his bad points but he is not at all bad. He is also honest, generous, loyal, kind, very clever. He acknowledges his mistakes and is quick to make amends. He listens to people, both smallfolk and noble and he knows his history" she paused. "He does not want to repeat the past".

"You know him well?" the Blackfish asked suspiciously.

He has heard the rumours

Arya attempted to shrug off the comment. "If you had spoken with him as much as I have you would know him too".

She was relieved when he let it drop. Sleep did not want to come for Arya that night. Her head was full of the things Howland Reed had said and thoughts of vengeance against the Freys. I will avenge mother and Robb. The Boltons were finished. The Freys would be next. When she rose the next morning she was ready before anybody else.

We are coming Walder Frey.

Postscript: I know I'm a tease. Jon's parentage will be revealed, just not to Arya first :-)