A/N: This one picks up where the last Aegon chapter ended so there is a little overlap with the last chapter. There are times I could really do with a beta for this. If anybody is interested, let me know.

Chapter 56: Aegon

Aegon tried to stay calm. He knew Arya could take care of herself but he didn't understand how she could have left without saying anything, especially after what she had said of her Aunt. The Northmen had asked around. Nobody had seen her leave. She had not been taken, that would have been noticed. Aegon knew she must have left of her own free will.

It was not until the Blackfish returned that he found out anything. Aegon was in the camps speaking with his own men when Ser Brynden strode towards him. He was clutching a piece of parchment in his hand and he had a grim look on his face.

"May I have a word Your Grace?"

His tone was sharp but Aegon followed him without hesitation, walking quickly to keep up with the knight's long strides. As soon as they were clear of the other men and only Duck remained to overhear the Blackfish wheeled around to face him. He thrust the parchment at Aegon, clearly angry.

"I believed you to be a man of honour. Pray tell me, did you know of this?"

Aegon was sure the confusion showed in his face. He reached for the parchment and had to tug it from Ser Brynden's hand. He cursed as he read it.

Uncle,

I believe I know who has taken Olyvar. They will take me to him. I only hope I won't be too late. Please do not worry. I will be back as soon as I can. I do not believe they will harm me. I knew them once.

I know it is for the North to decide but if Olyvar returns without me I ask that you get word to Prince Aegon. He will know my wishes in this mayhaps even better than you do. I fear that my bannermen may be so wroth that they will act impulsively.

Arya

His first thought was that he was offended that he had not been told. She will share my bed yet she will not share some of her most important thoughts.

"I did not know Ser" he said stiffly.

The anger began to dissipate from the Blackfish's expression and worry replaced it.

"She is so stubborn" he muttered. "She hid this so that it would not be found until late".

"She disappeared once at Storm's End" Aegon offered, trying to reassure both himself and her uncle. "She came back after a few days".

He thought on what she had told him as he returned to his room at the inn. He sat by the hearth, warming himself. She will return. He knew she would as long as she was capable. Duty would force her return if nothing else.

Hours passed and Lord Connington joined him, he suspected to stop him from doing something foolish. He had offered Aegon the explanation as to why Arya did not write him, minus the usual lecture about Aegon needing to distance himself.

"She knew how it would appear. Questions would be asked, especially if you had gone after her and could not be found. The Northmen would have been reminded of Lyanna Stark and they would have wanted your head. I am glad she had the sense to realise that".

Aegon knew he was right. He reflected on what Arya had written in the letter to her uncle. She had shown more confidence in Aegon knowing her wishes than the Northmen. She knows I know her better. She knows I will be fair to Olyvar. He had also figured out where she had gone. The disappearance of a Frey and Arya's reference to having known his captors once led to one conclusion-the outlaws. Lord Connington was right. If Aegon had known where she was he would have gone after her.

As more time passed and darkness fell Aegon tried to push the nagging worry aside. He met again with his men, adjusting their plans for the march. It had to be delayed until Arya returned. There were few complaints from those staying in the inn but the leaders of the Golden Company were not impressed. Naught could be done about it. They could not execute their plans for the Riverlands without the Northern army. They needed Arya and the Blackfish.

Search parties had now been looking for Arya and Olyvar but the search had to be called off after dark. Aegon did not truly panic until morning came. He was in the stables of the inn and he heard a wolf howl. It was no ordinary howl, it sounded pained. When he emerged from the stables it was not long before Nymeria appeared and he saw her howl again. Aegon had been familiar with the connection between the wolf and Arya for some time now and he knew what it meant.

Something is wrong.

His guards were flustered as he hurried to saddle his horse. They began to question him then seemed to realise it was futile. They followed his lead, the other men in the yard quickly rushing to join them. He knew it would not be as many men as Lord Connington would advise but it would need to be enough. As he swung into the saddle he shouted to Harry Strickland to tell Lord Connington and Ser Brynden Tully and spurred his horse on, ignoring the stricken look on Harry's face.

The direwolf began to run ahead and Aegon tried to keep pace as best he could. The direwolf had an advantage covering the snow covered ground. The horses could be pushed as long as they kept to the road but when they veered off it, their pace slowed as their hooves sank through the crust. They lost the trail at one point and it lost them time. When they regained it Aegon realised they were headed to the river. He found Nymeria waiting for them on the bank. She howled once more and Aegon dismounted to join her.

He could see a boat coming towards them. As it drew closer he saw that Arya was on board. Only a moment later he saw the man by her side. Whoever he was he was far closer than Aegon would have liked. As Aegon watched he saw the man touch her arm and lean his head in close to say something to her. Arya did not push him away. They looked to be familiar with each other.

He was striking and Aegon felt a surge of jealousy. It was not a feeling he liked. This man was bigger than him, his build was muscular where Aegon was lithe. He was dark where Aegon was light, with coal black hair and as the boat reached the shore he saw the man look at him with deep blue eyes full of hostility. His head bent to speak with Arya again and Aegon saw her shake her head.

He forgot his jealousy quickly when he fixed his gaze properly on her. Her eyes were downcast and as she went to rise he saw that she looked unsteady. When she looked up he could see her eyes were full of pain. She has been wounded in some way. The other man had taken her arm to steady her and Aegon stepped forward to take her hand to help her ashore.

"Arya" he said softly. He had an awful thought. "Did they hurt you?"

Arya shook her head and he exhaled in relief. The other man looked at him reproachfully as Aegon grasped Arya's hand. How have I offended this one? He helped Arya onto steady ground, wondering at the state she was in. She would not look at him. There was a cloak under the other man's arm and he held it out to Arya as he reached the bank. She didn't seem to see it so Aegon took it. He could see her trembling.

"Do you want to put it on?" he asked.

Her eyes finally met his.

"I don't know".

He turned to his men, telling them to see to the men on the boat. He had now spotted Olyvar Frey who looked to be in a far worse state than Arya. While they were busy he draped the cloak gently around Arya's shoulders, helping secure it. The other man began to look uncomfortable and Aegon spotted a knife in his hand. He recognised it.

"Why do you have Arya's knife? She never parts with it"

Arya answered him. "I let them take it. Gendry will give it back".

Gendry did give it back. Arya tucked it back away in its usual place and Aegon felt he should introduce himself and find out who the men were. He had suspicions, especially given her letter to her uncle and the lack of sigils, he wanted to confirm them.

"I am-"

"I know who you are" Gendry said abruptly. He awkwardly took a knee but he did not look happy about it. He introduced himself as Ser Gendry Waters. The other men who were leaving the boat followed his lead. None of their names were known to Aegon. He looked them over quickly and felt fortunate that their numbers did not dwarf his own party. He started when he saw the last men to come ashore carrying a body from the boat.

"Who is that?" he asked, looking to Arya.

She paled and did not answer. One of the men parted from the body and drew up alongside her. He was wearing robes of a pale pink and he looked both weary and wary. He spoke instead, his voice carrying an accent of the free cities.

"That is the remains of Lady Catelyn Stark".

Arya's mother. Her pain was starting to make sense now. He gave the man a questioning look.

"I am Thoros of Myr, Your Grace"

Aegon recognised the name but did not get a chance to respond. The men on the boat had disembarked bringing horses with them. A couple of them were now clambering back onto it to cross to the other side again. One was the man, Gendry who had been at Arya's side. Although Aegon was pleased to see him separated from Arya, he was not sure he should let them leave. The men who had accompanied Aegon began to try and stop them. Arya grasped his arm.

"I know I should not ask but please let them go" she pleaded. "I gave them orders".

Aegon looked at her a moment. She did not hold his gaze long. He wanted to ask about the orders but he did not think he would get an answer right then. He told the men to let those on the boat leave. Arya let go of his arm.

"They are the outlaws" he said. It was not a question.

Arya nodded.

"What of Lady Stoneheart?"

Arya looked even paler and Thoros interjected. "Lady Stoneheart is dead".

Aegon looked at the body wrapped in a blanket and began to get a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He remembered what she had told him of Lord Beric being brought back to life. He could hear Olyvar Frey speaking with the men. His voice took on a note of hysteria and Aegon caught the words Lady Catelyn and hanging. Arya's dark grey eyes were haunted as she looked at him.

"My uncle can't know. It would hurt him too much".

Right at that moment Aegon did not care what was proper. He stepped closer and snaked his arm around her waist to pull her to him, just briefly. He wanted to say something, anything of comfort but he could not find the words. She did not embrace him but she did not resist the gesture. He knew she had fixated on vengeance for her mother's murder, he was not certain she had ever grieved properly. She still did not sob or weep now.

"I will speak to the men" he promised.

They lingered by the side of the river. The red priest, Thoros, suggested treating the Lady Catelyn's body by the Tully traditions. There was a small boat along with the larger ones at the crossing and time was spent gathering material which would burn. Aegon had more than one archer with them but Arya wanted to do it.

"I did not know you could use a bow" he said.

"I learned it" she said dully. "I just don't use it often".

The owner of the boat was less than impressed when it was set free to serve as a pyre. It only took Arya one shot from the borrowed bow to set it aflame, even as shaken as she was. Aegon promised the owner compensation when they returned to cross the river.

Darkness was falling but they could not remain there. He held the horse still as Arya put her foot in the stirrup to mount it. He could feel eyes on him, not just his own men but those of the outlaws who were seeking a pardon but he ignored them. Aegon had told them they would discuss it when they returned to the inn. He rode beside her, noting that Nymeria was staying close by her side.

Arya's expression was still, unreadable when he glanced at her in the moonlight. He knew she had suffered a blow. He could not imagine what it must have felt like to see her mother as she was. Aegon had looked at the body before it had been burned. It must have been a horror to see it raised. He thought of his own mother. It would have meant a lot to him to see her but not like that.

They were almost asleep in their saddles when they made it back to the inn. Their arrival was greeted by shouts. The Blackfish caught Arya as she almost fell from her horse. Aegon could hear him scolding her but even in the dark his relief was apparent.

"Olyvar Frey was taken by outlaws" Aegon offered as Lord Connington drew alongside him and the leading Northern lords gathered around. "I understand that it has been quite an ordeal. Mayhaps questions can wait".

The outlaws who had come to speak with Aegon were promised an audience after they had managed to get some sleep. He watched Ser Brynden guide Arya away and walked with Lord Connington to his own room. He could see Connington was frowning.

"I do wish you would not be so reckless Your Grace".

Aegon sighed and felt a little shamed. Lord Connington deserved better than him taking such risks. He had spent so many years keeping him safe.

"I did not mean to worry you my lord. There was little time to think".

It was late afternoon when he rose. He did not feel alert but he was rested enough to do what he had to do. He spoke with Olyvar Frey who revealed what had happened with the outlaws, finishing with what happened to Lady Stoneheart.

No wonder Arya would not look at me.

"Queen Arya saved me" Olyvar said, still looking pale. "She killed her mother but-it wasn't Lady Catelyn. It wasn't how I remember her". He grabbed Aegon's arm fiercely before remembering who he was speaking with. He quickly let go with an apology. "I keep hearing the way she wailed when she died".

"Lady Stoneheart?" Aegon asked.

"No, Queen Arya" Olyvar replied.

Aegon repeated the instructions he had given at the river. The Northmen were not to be told of who Lady Stoneheart was. It was enough that she died the way she did. They did not need to know she suffered the indignity of being a walking corpse afterwards. He then met with the outlaws in a private audience and heard them. The red priest, Thoros, had been sent out with Lord Beric Dondarrion on Lord Eddard Stark's orders. After the death of Lord Stark, Lord Beric and his men were labelled traitors. Aegon listened as he described how the Brotherhood had evolved. Some of it he knew from Arya. The rest was darker though.

They said they would bend the knee and they wanted a pardon from him. He was less than inclined to give it remembering what Olyvar had told him. He told them he would think on it. They would be kept in the camps, not prisoners but under close watch in the meantime and restricted to a limited area. They were not to leave. Thoros requested to speak with him privily afterwards. Aegon reluctantly agreed though he kept men with him and Lord Connington insisted on being present.

"I know you must think poorly of me Your Grace" Thoros began.

Aegon frowned. "Poorly is not a strong enough word".

Thoros shook his head, a sad expression on his face. "I was there the day the Lannister men lay Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys before the Iron Throne".

Aegon flushed. "That was not me". He was so tired of defending his identity.

"I am now aware" Thoros said softly. "The Lord of Light shows me visions sometimes in the flames. I know you think it was wrong to raise Lady Catelyn. It was not for me to question. The Lord of Light was not yet done with her".

"I worship the seven" Aegon said firmly. "It still was not right".

"I only ask that you do not judge our fate based on your passions Your Grace" Aegon felt the blood rush too his face again and began to argue but Thoros kept speaking. "We acted because we had no king to serve. Although we lost our way there are those of us who can still serve you well. Mayhaps we can choose a better ending for ourselves".

Aegon struggled to think on the priest's words past the reference to passions. He means Arya.

"You served the usurper Robert Baratheon" Aegon said, trying to keep calm.

"I ate too much of Robert's food and drank too much of his wine" Thoros corrected. "I was a poor priest but I was first sent for your grandfather Aerys. He preferred the pyromancers".

Aegon thought on that for a moment.

"Keeping the red priest near you is not wise" Lord Connington said, frowning.

"He would not be near me" Aegon said quickly.

He called the audience to a close, repeating his earlier decision to delay judgement and accepted the food brought to him once the red priest was gone. Lord Connington was still talking of the outlaws but Aegon was only half listening. He was distracted by thoughts of what Thoros might know. As much as he did not like what the priest and his followers had done, there was no denying that the man had some power.

He walked through the camps as darkness began to fall and found the Northern lords talking in lowered voices. He heard Arya's name mentioned more than once. He ran into Ser Brynden and saw that the man looked haggard.

"How is she Ser?"he asked.

The Blackfish tensed and for a moment Aegon thought he would not answer. Then he gave a heavy sigh.

"She is aloof and withdrawn. I believe she has barely slept. She speaks when she has to. She cannot meet my eye. Questions are being asked".

Aegon did not have to ask what sort of questions were being asked. He had answered similar himself at times from his own men. A king or queen was not afforded much time.

"Is she in her room?" he asked.

The Blackfish shook his head. "She will not stay in the inn. She muttered something about memories. She has moved into her pavilion".

"I will try to speak with her"

Ser Brynden eyed him warily. "I'm not sure what you think you can do Your Grace".

Aegon strode towards the pavilion, the other man walking with him. "I did not tell you this Ser but she was rather damaged when I met her". He flashed a smile. "I managed to annoy her back to the woman you met in Winterfell".

The Blackfish laughed, a short, loud laugh and Aegon knew he was amused despite his worry. "I suppose it is worth a try".

When they arrived at the tent they were met by a handmaid fleeing. She halted when she saw Ser Brynden.

"I tried Ser, she was not interested".

When Aegon entered the tent he saw what they were referring to. Arya was sitting in a partitioned area further in, looking at her hands. Nymeria lay by her feet. A discarded hairbrush was on the table before her. She was wearing the same clothes she wore when Aegon found her and her hair was dishevelled. She looked exhausted. She did have a cup of soup in front of her but it looked almost untouched.

The Blackfish retreated and Aegon approached her. He sat next to her but she did not speak. A Cyvasse board was discarded in one corner of the tent and he rose to retrieve it, rummaging to find the pieces. When he returned to her side he began to set it up.

"I don't want to play Aegon" she said softly.

He thought quickly. "I will play myself, you can watch". He grinned. "At least my opponent will be a challenge".

He saw her start to scowl and felt a glimmer of triumph. He played a little while, remembering the games they used to play when they first met. He did not look at her, feigning concentration. He could feel her eyes on him.

"Why are you here?" she asked in a small voice.

"Do you not want me here?" he asked.

She fell silent and after a little while longer she reached for the white pieces. She always chose the white. They played in silence. Aegon heard a footfall at one point and turned to see the Blackfish leaving. He had clearly come to check on Arya. When the game ended she finally spoke again.

"Don't let me win the next one".

He smiled and set up the board again. He could see her concentrating and although he hated to ruin it, he had to press her a little. They couldn't just play Cyvasse forever.

"I know what happened".

She tensed. "How much do you know?"

Aegon reached for his elephant, pretending to be lost in thought before he answered.

"I know everything".

He heard her breathing change just slightly. She was controlling her expression but he could tell she was distressed by her eyes.

"I had to do it" she said quickly. "It wasn't her any more. She was suffering".

She pulled back and began to rise and Aegon caught her wrist to try and stop her leaving. She wrenched her arm free but she sat back down. He continued with the game though he could see she wasn't concentrating any more. After she lost rather badly she shoved the board aside and turned her face away.

Aegon shifted his seat to move closer to her and picked up the brush. She looked at him with startled eyes.

"May I?" he asked.

When she didn't throw him out he assumed she wouldn't fight him. He wasn't quite sure where to start. He had played with her hair often after they made love, he was rather fond of it but he was not familiar with women's habits. People had looked after him his whole life. He had never had to take care of anybody else.

"Tell me if I do something wrong".

She sighed and began to undo the braided parts. He set the brush down and quickly followed her lead, noting that her fingers trembled when he made contact with them. He began to gently brush when the braids were gone.

"My mother used to brush my hair sometimes" she whispered.

He paused a moment and caught her fingers, raising her hand to press his lips to her knuckles. Her breath shuddered a little.

"Why don't you hate me?" she said quietly. "Why haven't you run from me?"

"Mayhaps I am mad" he said softly, attempting a jape as he kept brushing. She did not take it very well. She began to rise again and he wound his arm around her waist to keep her with him. She was knocked off balance and sat again awkwardly. "That was a poor attempt at humour, I am sorry".

"Mayhaps it is true" she said in a low voice.

He would not be insulted. She wants to drive me away. He kept brushing. He saw her wince when he hit a particularly bad tangle and he began to work at it with his fingers. As he scraped her scalp with his nails he heard a pleased sigh.

"I keep imagining if it was my mother" he said hesitantly. "I don't think I could have done it". She tensed again and he was quite certain she was upset though her expression was guarded. He quickly clasped her hand. "That does not mean it did not need to be done".

He had spent time thinking of what he would say. Connington had made his thoughts on raising corpses quite clear and that had helped somewhat. He suspected Connington was imagining fallen enemies rising. Aegon could never be quite sure how Arya would react though. He was relieved when she twined her fingers through his.

"I did not think anybody would understand. I wanted her back but it was not her. She would not want to live like that".

Aegon resumed brushing. The tangles were almost gone. "I have told them not to speak of it to the Northmen and your uncle. If you wish to tell them it is your choice. For now you should drink your soup though. I am sure it is quite cold".

He saw her smile weakly and felt a surge of relief when she raised the cup to her lips. Very little time passed before there was a scuff and he saw Arya stiffen. He looked up and saw the Blackfish. Aegon stilled the brush, sure that he looked guilty. What he was doing was fairly innocent although it was improper. Ser Brynden looked at them, his brow furrowed. Aegon was about to try and defend himself when Arya spoke.

"You need not look like that uncle. Prince Aegon is only brushing my hair because I would not do it myself. You did want it brushed, didn't you?"

Aegon almost felt as though he was going to swallow his tongue. Arya was doing a good job of appearing rather calm. She took another long swallow of the soup and Ser Brynden's jaw worked. He looked at Aegon.

"I see you are having more luck than the maid did".

Aegon forced a smile and willed his hands to work, just a few more strokes with the brush so that it would not look as though he felt caught out, even if he did. The Blackfish sighed and left them. As soon as he was gone Aegon dropped the brush on the table as though it was red hot. He shifted a little further away from her.

"I thought he was going to come at me".

He was surprised to see Ayra look amused though her eyes were still a little sad. "I will speak with him. It isn't as though he caught us fucking".

It is only a little better. Aegon knew something would have been read into it. The contact was too intimate, too familiar. Arya was known to rebuff far less from anybody else but at least one good thing had come of it. Aegon could see that she had begun to let her guard down. She broke into a wicked grin.

"The maid also wanted me to have a bath. I suppose you want to help with that too".

Even after the fright he just had the mere thought was enough to quicken his pulse. "Don't tease me woman" he said gruffly.

Arya quickly became serious again. "The Lannisters still have to pay"

"I know" he said gently. He thought of her whispers. Ser Meryn, Raff the Sweetling, Queen Cersei. "I need to ask you something".

"What?" she asked suspiciously.

"I know about the names" he blurted. "I've heard you when you share my bed and you think I've fallen asleep. I know about Cersei but who is Ser Meryn and Raff the Sweetling and what did they do?"

She hesitated before giving him the explanation. He could see that she was defensive about it. It reminded him of what she had said to the assassin that night in the inn. If she is wronged she does not let it go. He tried to imagine the girl she then was witnessing such horrors. He had thought his life difficult living on a boat in Essos. He had come to see exactly how sheltered he had been, even if he had been hiding to survive. He rose to leave her and pressed his lips to her brow before he left.

"You should not have been put though those things".

"You won't stop me?" she asked.

He gave her a wry smile even though the idea was an uncomfortable one. "I could not stop you even if I wanted to".

Arya shot to her feet and pulled him into a kiss with a lot more heat than was wise given he had just been caught being too familiar with her. He could not help pulling her close, pressing her small form against him. She parted from him abruptly, her face a little flushed.

"Go now" she said. "I have to see my uncle and apologise to the girl I scared off".

As he took a step back he saw that she still looked a little sad but her bearing had changed. She was not looking so burdened.

"If you need to talk about-" he began.

She cut him off, looking solemn. "I will find you".