A/N: I know this is later than usual. Those who follow me on tumblr may have seen my post about my troubles. I have hit a non writing related hurdle (medical and personal stuff) and it has interrupted my writing. I will need to take a bit longer with the next one too. It is not that I do not know the story, just that I need to take some time to deal with other things.
Many thanks go to meli fan who read this for me beforehand. Her feedback helped immensely.
Chapter 83: Aegon
The first days after the battle ran together for Aegon. He felt betrayed and alone but most of all he felt angry. He sat on the throne carefully, not wanting to be one of those cut from the very first and seen as rejected. The faces watching him blurred together. As much as he did not want to think of him, Lord Connington's teachings would not leave him. The same words kept repeating in his head.
I am King now. I have to behave as a King.
That meant he could not weep. He could not drink his wounds away. He had a duty and the realm needed him. He gave the orders as needed though his patience wore thin and he suspected people thought him ill tempered. He met with the people and he knighted men and he attended meetings and tried to listen... and he stewed. He stewed on Lord Connington's lies, he stewed on the demands of the Faith and he stewed on Arya most of all.
She was meant to be better than all of them.
His anger got him through. At first he thought more people knew. One look at the Blackfish's dark expression upon being told and he knew that was wrong. He soon discovered that Arya and Lord Connington were the only people certain to have lied to him. Nym swore she did not know and Aegon believed her because he had to believe.
His anger at the two people he trusted most fuelled him. When Varys told him of the rumours circulating his rage against Cersei and Myrcella grew. When he heard that the Faith would send a septa to Arya's quarters he knew she would be angry and did not care. Varys advised him not to oppose them and Aegon did not have the fight in him to do so even if he wanted to.
She did not think of me so I will not think of her either.
He shook his head remembering of when he learned the identity of the septa. Nym looked gleeful and Aegon had to admire his cousins' resourcefulness even if their dishonesty provided further evidence that people could not be trusted. He wondered where the other Sand Snakes had hidden themselves. Obara was far less subtle. She came to him each day for the first three days after the battle with the same request.
"Let me take men to Oldtown Your Grace."
She never smiled when she made the request. Aegon denied it each day. He could not send the men away again already. The ships had not arrived yet to assist in any attack on the Greyjoys. Ser Brynden told him he must address some of the problems in Kings Landing first and that was one thing he and Varys agreed upon. Obara did not take it well. Her nature differed vastly from that of her sisters and she did not hide her temper.
"The Faith might presume far less if you show them your might" she snapped. "Take the Citadel back and next time they attempt to make demands you might remind them of your House words. They might not be so bold if they fear they have something more to lose."
Aegon saw those around him look stunned. Varys tittered.
"I'm sure your cousin japes Your Grace" the eunuch said in an amused voice. "No king in his right mind would even offer an empty threat to burn down the Citadel."
No king in his right mind.
Aegon knew the import of those words. "I am sure you are right Lord Varys" he said, fixing a frown on Obara. "That is in poor taste Lady Obara. I have told you of my decision. If I have cause to reconsider I will inform you."
Nym must have realised the damage Obara might cause as quickly as Aegon because as Obara bowed stiffly and took her leave Nym joined her and whispered into her sister's ear. Obara shot a defiant look over her shoulder but left without causing a fuss and he did not see her on the following days. His thoughts became clearer though his anger did not noticeably abate. His focus became on the dragons. His dreams came less frequently and he chose not to let them frighten him.
A King cannot fear dreams. My plans have not changed. I still need the dragons.
Dragons might be the solution. Aegon visited the sept in the Red Keep to light candles and pray and he spoke with the septons. The High Septon lay dying and the others would pick a replacement. Varys warned him that the new High Septon would not yield to him for long. The other had a reputation for being immovable and the Faith had become accustomed to enforcing their will.
I will get through my coronation then I must make decisions.
He did not want to oppose them and he felt conflicted. Aegon was raised to believe in the Seven. Varys told him that he must meet their demands to prevent war. He said that Aegon must think of the people. Aegon wanted to ask him, what people? The people who worshipped other gods were people too, not just those who worshipped the Seven. Aegon lived amongst them in Essos.
He said none of it though. There were so many problems to deal with and he felt weary already. He did not like feeling cornered. It made him want to push back. Arya's night visit had not helped. She showed no remorse and all she did was aggravate wounds that he did not have the luxury to let heal. He did not sleep after she left him. His mind was too troubled by what she said.
Her words continued to plague him during the following day. Between that, receiving reports of her escaping into the city, finding out that she had led the wolves away and Nym telling him that Arya sobbed into her pillow over him Aegon was not sure what to think. He did not feel he could forgive her betrayal yet when he saw her in the cellar his resolve weakened. She always sounded so certain, so sensible and it was so much easier to be angry with her when he did not see her or speak with her.
She had looked so desperate. The affection she offered had been difficult to refuse. He still felt angry over his weakness when she spoke of leaving. She is going to leave. Aegon knew it with certainty but he did not feel ready to let go. He had not wanted to see her but the thought of not being able to see her if he wished still felt painful.
He now sat tensely at the head of the table waiting for her to arrive for the meeting. Varys kept speaking and Aegon tried to give him satisfactory answers. Nym entered looking beautiful as always. Gorys sat in his place shuffling papers and glancing at Nym admiringly as he always did. The Blackfish arrived before Arya and Aegon saw he looked tense too.
When the door opened again Aegon saw his own guards step through first looking pale as milk. He rose to see what the problem was. A score of Northmen were gathered outside and Aegon did not know whether to be irritated or simply confused. He heard Arya's voice and she stepped out from amongst them with a familiar large shape by her side.
Varys sucked in his breath. "Your Grace the animal must not enter. You do not allow steel in your presence. This is no different."
Aegon looked through the door at the direwolf. She stepped towards him not seeming to heed her mistress and whined.
"Stand aside" he ordered the guards. "The wolf will not harm me."
Nymeria looked at him with golden eyes and he saw Arya rest her hand protectively at the scruff of the wolf's neck. The Northmen hovered as Arya stepped forward with the direwolf leading the way. Arya tried to call her back but she loped awkwardly to Aegon. He glanced at Arya as she hurried along behind her wolf and it was an effort not to smile until Nymeria growled at Varys.
He felt guilty as Varys cringed back and the direwolf licked his hands. He almost forgot how intimidating she could appear, her size alone frightened most men. Aegon was used to that though, he took more notice of her limp and the wound along her side. I did not offer protection after the battle. He ruffled her fur as he moved back to his seat and Nymeria followed him and settled on the floor nearby.
She has still recovered more than I expected. He remembered Arya telling him of her intention to leave when the direwolf could move. It will not be long before that time comes to pass.
When Varys began to cautiously approach again Nymeria showed her teeth once more. It made Aegon feel apprehensive. The direwolf was wild but in the time he knew her she was not unnecessarily vicious. After Storm's End she only acted in such a way on command or in response to threats. Aegon eyed Varys.
Does she think him a threat to Arya?
Varys had said after Nymeria was wounded during the battle that mayhaps it would be better if she died. One would almost think she knew. The idea did not sit well with Aegon. It was true that her presence did cause problems. The people were frightened of her and it encouraged the rumours of sorcery but Aegon vividly remembered the day Nymeria saved his life and Arya revealed herself. The direwolf had protected him more than once. He told Varys no harm must come to the wolf.
Varys smiled but he did not look happy.
Aegon had not stood his ground over many things over those first few days. The direwolf was one and he told himself it was about the wolf, not Arya. The other was the Faith applying pressure over the Northmen. The alliance between Aegon and the Northern kingdom gave him justification to refuse them. He would not and could not act against or banish his allies from Kings Landing. He felt thankful that Thoros hid himself. Aegon liked Thoros and he was not certain he could protect him if the red priest had been present.
Varys would say he was a sacrifice for peace.
His thoughts were brought back to the present as Arya cleared her throat. "I hoped you would not object that I wanted Nymeria with me. She is getting sick of the Maidenvault and I like to know she is safe. I did not wish to leave her with the guards."
Aegon looked at her properly. She wore the circlet which was rather telling of her frame of mind. She raised her chin rather defiantly and he tried not to look too long. She wore a gown of dark blue wool with a dark grey cloak around her shoulders. Her hair was styled too though not as elaborately as most at court. It hung loose at the back with strands from the front weaved into braids. He glanced at her hands and saw that she tried to disguise them. A new bandage covered her injured finger.
He nodded to her and suggested for her to sit at the other end of the table. She frowned but did not argue though Aegon saw her glance at the direwolf. She appeared to relax further when the Blackfish took the seat Varys vacated, the seat on Aegon's right so that Nymeria was between the two of them. Varys moved to take the seat on Aegon's left. The others settled into their places along the table. Gorys sat beside Ser Brynden and Nym was beside Varys.
When he looked at Arya again she sat very upright and alert. If he did not know better he might have taken her for one of the ladies in court. She told him often enough that she was not one of them. I am not a lady she would say. The only indicator of her discomfort was the way she held her hands. She saw him looking and quickly dropped them to her lap.
She told me she does not have the hands of a lady.
He looked away and saw Nym smiling at him knowingly. He scowled at her for her impertinence. I can look at Arya without turning into a fool. Her presence did not mean he was weak. He had not forgotten what she kept from him. He quickly tried to turn his mind to the things he needed to speak about in the meeting instead of remembering her in the cellar.
I need to forget about the other times she wore a gown.
Gorys spoke first, telling him of the arrangements for the coronation. The choosing was underway.
"The sparrows will choose the replacement. It will be a man of a similar ilk to the last."
Varys did not look bothered. "You will have their blessing, Your Grace."
Nym laughed lightly. "They give you credit for bringing the Freys to justice for the Red Wedding Your Grace. It pleased them that you chose to treat the affront to all the laws of gods and men as a higher cause than immediately seeking the throne."
Aegon did not look at Arya. If him getting the credit bothered her she did not let on.
"I am the rightful King" Aegon responded. "They should have offered the blessing from the first. They have forgotten their role under the false rule of these usurpers." He hesitated a moment. "I thought they might even expect more from me."
"Oh they hope for more Your Grace" Varys replied. "They still want the tree worshippers as they call them gone from the city." He gave an apologetic acknowledgement in Arya's direction but she did not respond. "They wish for you to give your men leave to join the Warriors Sons. They also speak of the house of the gods as crumbling."
Aegon heard a noise and saw Arya frowning at him. Ser Brynden wore a dark expression too.
"I am not going to ask my allies to leave" Aegon said firmly. "We spoke of this already."
Arya's expression softened and she looked to Varys. "What do they want done with the Great Sept my lord?" Her tone sounded brittle and Aegon remembered after a moment why it was so. Her father died there.
"They wish for a new place to worship" Varys replied. "They say the Great Sept is tainted from the execution which took place there."
Aegon heard Arya's quick intake of breath. "Where do they want to build a new sept?"
"They will tear down the old and build something more modest on Visenya's Hill. If His Grace were to send them some men and assist them in this..."
"Aegon is King" Arya's voice cut across. "He must not buy his blessing. A bought blessing is no blessing at all. The gods know the difference."
Varys fell silent and Aegon looked around the table.
"I will decide about the sept after the coronation and not before" he said. "The gold we have must be used sparingly."
Gorys nodded approvingly. "This is true Your Grace."
He did not like figures so well as other things but he knew from Gorys that he had little enough gold at this early stage in his reign. The Iron Bank must make the gold available.
"The king promised men to the Night's Watch first" Arya said and Aegon heard the note of indignation in her voice. "If men are to be spared they must go there first."
"I remember the promise" Aegon said firmly. He fought the urge to sigh.
"The Faith might choose another claimant Your Grace" Varys warned.
Ser Brynden intervened. "Which other claimant?" he asked in a quiet voice. "They will oppose Daenerys when she lands. Stannis is spent and tainted by his priestess."
"I have heard enough" Aegon said. "I made my decision. The coronation must be first."
"Very good Your Grace" Gorys replied respectfully and Aegon saw him marking something down on his parchment. "I will make the remaining arrangements."
He got little respite. The subject changed to other repairs in the city and requests for lands and titles. Aegon listened for a while as the items to discuss were read out from a scroll. His focus wavered when Arya began to speak rapidly in a hushed voice with Nym before turning back to him.
"Should you not be making these decisions with a full council?"
"King Aegon has many cares" Varys said "and finding people he might trust is one too many at the moment."
It was a barb aimed at Arya and Aegon knew it. He knew Arya must have heard it for what it was but she did deign to answer. Aegon knew he looked indecisive. The problem was not that there were no men for the positions. The problem was too many options being presented and after the recent betrayal Aegon doubted his own judgement.
It makes me look weak.
He turned to Varys. "I do not have so many cares that I cannot do what is needed my lord."
Arya interjected once more. "If you are to discuss the effect of the battle on the city there is more to discuss than simple property damage."
He looked at her sharply. "What do you speak of?"
"What do you know of the aftermath of the battle? What do you know of what our armies did?"
"I was with you and then I went to the throne room. I do not know what the men did during that time." Aegon frowned at her when he realised what she might be suggesting. "I know well enough what soldiers do in wars. I have not forgotten my mother and Rhaenys. I gave no such orders."
Silence hung for a moment and he saw discomfort on the faces of the people around the table.
"Mayhaps you might speak to the people" Arya said softly. "There are things they think were done in your name and some love you not. They do not see you stir from here and they do not think you care."
"I care about what happens to the people" Aegon said defensively. He knew there was a risk during the battle but the loss he suffered blinded him. He did not want to admit to that. "I will ask after what you speak of. If there is cause for discipline it will be administered swiftly."
He clenched his jaw as he thought on it. Nym began to get mutter too, objecting to the notion of Aegon being held responsible and she and Ser Brynden began to debate matters of honourable behaviour. Varys stood and cleared his throat.
"I must visit the privy Your Grace" he said politely. "Do you wish to adjourn the meeting?"
Arya's gaze met his and she gave the slightest shake of her head along with a subtle gesture of encouragement. She showed little expression but he did not need her to. Varys cleared his throat and Aegon ignored him. He looked at the others around the table. None of them wish to stop.
The meeting tired him already and Arya's presence clearly emboldened both Nym and the Blackfish. Debate is what I need. His advisors simpered to him before. They tread lightly for fear of offending him. Two days ago he might have stood and left the meeting but not now. He shook his head at Varys. Arya wore the smallest of smiles and he tried to ignore it. Varys excused himself, saying he would return.
Aegon turned to the Blackfish. "What do you advise about me seeing the city?"
"You will need good guards" Ser Brynden replied. "You will need city guards too."
Aegon wanted to groan. It all came back to choosing people. This never used to be so difficult.
Gorys and Arya became embroiled in a conversation about the Gold Cloaks and Aegon tensed once more. He sent out his own men to patrol the streets after the Gold Cloaks fought against him entering the city. Varys told him only the previous day that he must reinstate the gold cloaks with his own man in charge. By the sound of the discussion at the table the others agreed.
"I will choose somebody to lead them" he told them.
Arya turned back to him. "About the small council" she began.
"I need a Hand" he said stiffly.
She looked momentarily startled before she nodded. "You don't have to keep them" she offered. "You can try somebody and see."
He tuned out as Ser Brynden began to rattle off history and the Hands who had served. Lord Connington's name came up hesitantly as one who served only briefly.
"Will you accept Ser?" he said, looking to the Blackfish.
The ageing knight looked grave but not shocked. "I am not one of your men" he said at last. "This decision will not please them."
Aegon set his jaw. "You have given me good counsel these past days and for weeks before that" he insisted. "It was this or offer you a place in my Kingsguard but I expected you might baulk at that."
Ser Brynden laughed but Arya remained still and silent. He wondered if she was unhappy. It will take family from her. He steeled himself. Her wishes did not matter to him. Her wishes cannot matter... except they did. He knew that they did when the Blackfish turned to Arya.
"I must find Edmure" he told her.
"You can still do that" Arya replied. "You have my leave."
When Varys returned to the room it was settled. Nym looked as though she plotted something, Aegon knew not what. Arya and the Blackfish remained serious and Gorys looked relieved. The position would be temporary but it eased Aegon's burden. Before he took the throne he had no notion of how much Lord Connington did for him. When he shared the news with Varys the eunuch looked pleased.
"Shall we discuss the other positions?"
Aegon relented to word being sent to Randyll Tarly to offer him the position of Master of Laws. The man was capable and Aegon knew he must offer something to those who changed allegiance. Maester Gormon would resume as Grand Maester. Aegon did not have grounds to execute him and only the Conclave had the power to replace him. The only position remaining, aside from the Kingsguard, was the Master of Ships.
"Asha Greyjoy knows more than any other" Arya suggested.
"You cannot suggest a Greyjoy" Nym said, appalled.
Aegon spoke almost at the same time. "A woman cannot be Master of Ships."
It was him Arya rounded on. "Why not? Give me a reason why aside from her not having a cock."
Varys tittered and Aegon flushed. "Her family are at war against us" he said, trying to sound calm.
Arya narrowed her eyes. "Did she not fight with you all the way from the Twins? You saw no objection then. We still have her brother to ensure she does not betray you. You and she want the same outcome."
Aegon could not find any more words. He thought quickly and looked around the table. Nym watched him warily and Arya had become expressionless but he suspected her annoyance had not faded. Dorne allowed women to hold high positions. I cannot object to a woman with two women at the table. He also knew from conversations with Asha Greyjoy that Arya was not wrong.
"I will think on it" he gritted out.
By the conclusion of the meeting he felt worn out and nobody looked particularly happy. Aegon decided on auditioning men for his Kingsguard. He had names in mind, warriors he knew were formidable but he did not know whether they might be suited. He trained in the yard each day as an escape, fighting with blunted weapons and with an audience. He knew their abilities.
None of them are Duck.
He thought on it while having his dinner. When he took a walk afterwards he came across Margaery Tyrell once again. She did not seem to notice his desire to be alone with his thoughts. Her efforts were wasted. Aegon refused the offer to marry Margaery once and even if she was beautiful he had not changed his mind. Her wit, grace and charm made her pleasant enough company but she lacked something.
She does not have Arya's spark.
Aegon knew he would pardon the Tyrells. Margaery will return to her family. It might not be all they hoped for but they were fortunate Aegon did not have them attainted as traitors. Margaery touched his arm lightly and smiled at him and he smiled back but he made an excuse to immediately part company with her. He watched her leave wondering how far she might go if she thought him considering her. He knew other ladies in the court, especially the Dornish, appeared rather willing to share his bed.
Bedding Arya has caused me enough trouble.
He remembered Arya in the cellar, the way she had touched him. He remembered glancing at her when she rose at the end of the meeting. She reached across the table and her hair swung to the side revealing the line of her neck. The mark he left on her was gone but while he looked at her she turned and caught him. A slight flush rose to her cheeks but her expression, the raised brow and curve of her lip almost looked like a challenge.
She does not rely on flattery.
He found himself wondering at the time if she would still be willing to share his bed then felt ashamed by his weakness. He had turned away quickly. Arya called to Nymeria and the direwolf pressed a wet nose at his hand once more before following her mistress. He saw by the way Arya held herself that she was still annoyed by his comment over Lady Asha.
I am still angry with her too.
He seemed to be convincing himself less with each time he saw her. His thoughts of Arya were interrupted by Varys. The Master of Whisperers called on him often. He followed Varys into Maegor's Holdfast.
"You must be less burdened after making so many decisions Your Grace" Varys said pleasantly.
Aegon hesitated. "The work is not done yet my lord."
Varys robes swished as he walked and he nodded amicably. "Lady Arya was of assistance to you."
Aegon tried to determine his meaning. "The Northern Queen is entitled to attend" he said slowly. "Her men have been important in assisting my cause and her continued absence would raise questions."
Varys followed Aegon into his solar. "I quite agree Your Grace. Forgive me though, I only wonder if you realise what may come of it."
Aegon began to feel irritated. He poured himself a goblet of wine and sat. The crown he was to wear lay on the table before him. Varys kept it safe and gave it to him after the battle. It was that which Maekar wore and Jaehaerys the second after him. His grandfather's crown might have been given but Varys thought it a bad omen. Aegon looked at the black iron and gold and ran his finger over it avoiding the sharp points.
"Speak plainly" he said abruptly.
"It is not only the possibility of Lady Arya's presence in your bed that the Faith disapproves of" the eunuch told him. "If anything they fear her influence. They are not the only ones. I hear whispers of discontent over her having your ear. There is talk of her use of dark magic."
Aegon forced a laugh. "She does not use dark magic." He did not know what it was but there was no dark art to it.
Varys smiled. "That may be so Your Grace but it does not remove fear that you might speak with her voice."
It was all too much. Aegon set a cold gaze on Varys.
"You may go now my lord. I intend to retire soon."
Varys bowed politely and retreated. Aegon drank his wine and stared at his crown. Part of him wanted to hurl it across the room but that would achieve little and tales had already spread of his temper since the battle. Instead he fiddled with the bandage covering the cut on his hand and stewed a little more. He had not spoken to Arya nor seen her for days. Even now they had only spoken in the cellar and within one meeting. It was one thing for Aegon to choose not to see her in his anger.
I will not allow them to dictate to me, not on this.
Aegon scrawled on parchment and called one of his guards over to collect it. He gave instructions to have it delivered to the Maidenvault and retreated to his chambers to sleep. When morning came he did not know what was worse, the lingering feeling of resentment or the uncertainty. He did not receive a reply to his message.
The men awaited him in the training yard. He followed through on his plans and saw Nym watching him. Ser Daemon Sand accepted a white cloak. That decision was not so difficult. Daemon had served his uncles for years and Aegon met him when his cousin Arianne came to see him in Storm's End. He was one of Dorne's finest swords and Aegon knew he must trust that Daemon would uphold the oath.
His hopes of marriage were dashed.
By the end of the training session Aegon named two more to the Kingsguard. It surprised him how many wanted the positions knowing what they must give up. They want the glory and prestige. He dismissed them, telling them he would resume choosing on the morrow. Haldon walked with him telling him of ravens sent out and those received back. Few had come in as yet.
It is early days.
He went through the motions of his other duties and supper time found him in his solar. Ser Daemon had taken up his post and was lingering unobtrusively. The hesitant knock came and Aegon felt a surge of disappointment when only Lemore entered. She curtsied gracefully before him.
"I do hope you are well Your Grace."
The formality felt strange after all they had been through. Aegon beckoned to her and gathered his composure.
"Will you sit?"
She took a seat at his table and produced a piece of parchment.
"Queen Arya could not attend" she said quietly. "She offers her apologies. I thought I might deliver them myself."
Aegon took the parchment from her and urged her to help herself to the food on the table. He tried not to look too eager as he unrolled the parchment.
Aegon,
I do not know what provoked you to take such a risk but after a visit from Varys I can guess. I wished to see you, truly I did but you must take more care. I know from my early lessons that King's Landing is a dangerous place and no one is spared from those dangers.
I must warn you. I have learned that there were hopes you might be a puppet. I know you better than to think you might let anybody use you in such a way. Be wary and remember what was said of who you might trust. I know you received good counsel on this prior to the battle. Do not let your anger make you blind to this.
I know you will try to do what is right. I know you can be a good King. I may question you but I know you have honour. Do not let anybody take that from you.
Arya
The letter was lengthier and contained more than he had seen her write in some time. Aegon raised his head to look at Lemore and saw her pick up a goblet to drink. Her hand shook a little. That told him more than anything she might say. He might have asked her why she came with the letter given she did not have Arya to escort but he knew.
Arya feared the letter might be read if entrusted to a messenger.
Aegon crumpled the parchment and tucked it away. He spoke with Lemore, hearing stories of her time in the Red Keep with his mother. He knew her real name but he found it difficult to use. Instead he kept to the one he knew better and she relaxed in his company. He told her of his decisions made and she smiled and cautiously patted his shoulder. The gesture was familiar though it never used to have to be cautious. When he told her of the appointment of members of his Kingsguard she smiled.
"I know of that" she said. "Queen Arya heard of it and rushed down to the training yard. She and Ser Brynden might be testing them right now."
Aegon knew what it meant. Arya wants to see if they are worthy. He might have been angry but all he felt was relief. The knowledge that Arya might test not only their skill but their motives comforted him. This is what I needed her for. Her ability to see into people was what was needed most right now.
When Lemore took her leave Aegon rose and quickly read the parchment once more. He knew not to be foolish and though it was difficult he walked to the hearth and dropped it into the embers. Once he felt certain no evidence remained he moved across the room and retrieved the item hidden away.
It had been brought to him not long after the royal apartments were searched following the battle. A scuffle broke out over it. Many fought to claim it for themselves otherwise he might not have seen it. Valyrian steel was hard to come by. He removed the wrappings, slid it from the scabbard and held the sword up to the light. The ripples in the steel flashed red. It was almost the twin to that which Arya held, almost identical save the pommel. The one Aegon held was shaped into a lion's head with ruby eyes.
The decision of what to do with the sword was a difficult one. Aegon knew many still hoped he might offer it as a reward. They think the Starks only need one valyrian steel sword. It was true that the Houses usually only kept one. Aegon looked at the sword torn between his residual anger, now feeling more hollow and fading, and the hope he felt from the words he read in her hand. He knew those words were not easy for her to write.
She believes I can do the right thing.
It was one constant in all the time he knew her. Arya counselled him and supported him. She might question him but she always maintained her belief in him, even after the times they argued. He resented being judged whether they were distant or whether she spent time in his presence. His Aunt concerned him more than the Faith and the damage was likely already done there. The rumours would have spread.
I will not avoid Arya and seem to confirm some guilt but she was right not to come.
Aegon sighed as he inspected the sword once more before sliding it back into the scabbard and wrapping it up again. He had made his decision about it. It was not the popular one but it was the right one.
A/N 2: Before anybody says it I know Brynden Tully was not the best political choice as Hand. It is a temporary situation. If anybody has better suggestions I am all ears (not Tyrion, Aegon does not even know he is still alive yet). I'll be writing Arya again next then I hope to switch POVs and locations. I want to get the story moving again.