ARYA STARK

"Of course I know that… only an idiot wouldn't." Lyanna said with a smile as she lowered the sword.

Arya stepped back a little as she looked into the girl's eyes and the way she curved her lips. Her smile… her features… they somehow felt… familiar… had she met this child before? She tried to recall if she ever had, but no… she definitely would have remembered.

"What is your name?" Arya asked her, being as friendly as possible.

Lyanna looked at her oddly and bit her lip. She didn't know whether to trust the woman or not… She was only asking her name… there was nothing weird about that… and she didn't look sketchy or strange…

"Lya…" she hesitantly replied.

Arya nodded and then stepped closer, now intrigued by the child yet still couldn't point her finger on it as to why. Perhaps it was because she was a girl that took an interest in swords and not dolls as most girls her age would.

"I'm Arya. That sword you're holding is called needle." Arya said.

"Needle…" Lya repeated. She smirked at the blade realising it suited its name. She suddenly could feel Arya staring at her gazing at it and she realised that she was of course the owner of the sword.

"Oh! This is your sword? I'm sorry I was meant to return it to you…" Lya quickly said, sheathing it back into its case and holding it out for Arya to take.

Now it made sense why she hadn't recognised or met this woman before. She was the visitor Torbin spoke of that she was meant to return needle to.

"That's okay." Arya said. "Would you like me to show you a few things?"

Lya stepped back, her smile fading a little. She analysed Arya closely. She wore a leather tunic and pants… unlike any woman she had ever met before… Was she a Lady? A highborn? If she were, she ought to be in a dress.

"Girls aren't meant to play with swords…" Lya sadly said as she thought about Septa and what she would say if she saw her. Her mother would probably tell her off too if she ever saw her wielding a real blade.

"Didn't stop me. We need to be able to protect ourselves if ever we are in danger. Wouldn't you agree?" Arya replied thinking the child to be smart, reminding her of her own child self.

Lyanna grew a small smile at her words and lit up. That's what she had always thought too.

"Sure…" she agreed as she handed Arya the sword.

Arya took it and smirked before she unsheathed needle and put on an excellent display of the water dancing technique. Lya gaped and went wide eyed at seeing the way she moved and motioned her weight behind her attacks and movements.

Arya had had years and years of experience and training on the battlefield. Lyanna could tell that Arya was somewhat of an expert and a master.

"You're amazing!" Lya said with a sudden enthusiasm as Arya finished. "Are you a soldier? How do you move like that? Will you please teach me?"

Arya laughed and nodded as she picked up a long stick from the ground for Lyanna to practice with. She really liked the youngling who she found cute and reminded her of herself from the personality to her clothing choice. She was a pretty girl who would grow up to be a great beauty but yet, she took an interest in swordplay. It was like she was Sansa but with Arya's personality.

"We can take turns using needle, but for now, try to keep up with my movements." Arya said. "Watch closely."

It was getting late, the sun was dipping and both Arya and Lyanna were still out in the forest practising water dancing. Lya was having too much fun and she had already felt she had gotten stronger having picked up a few tips and tricks from Arya.

"You're a very fast learner." Arya said, very impressed with how the girl was picking up so easily.

Lyanna was breathing hard and though exhausted, was happy to have learnt so much. She smiled at Arya saying that to her and again, Arya felt she had seen that smile before.

"I'd better be going home now… it's getting late and my mother doesn't like it when I'm out past dark." Lya said sadly as she sheathed needle. She went to give it back to Arya.

"Why don't you hold onto it for me… we can meet here again at the same time tomorrow and I can show you a few more things."

"Really!" Lya asked excitedly. Arya smiled at seeing her happy and eager to train with her again.

"Yes. I will be in the village for some time and need something to do in my spare time."

"Oh yes please! I promise that I will keep it safe!" Lya said.

Arya smiled and nodded. They said their goodbyes and Lya ran off with needle clutched safely in her grasp.

DROGON'S CALLS

Lya arrived home and hid needle under a few branches and rocks, ensuring that it was safe and hidden from her mother who she knew would take it off her in a heartbeat. She entered the house and joined her family for dinner.

"Lya! Where were you today?" her little brother Jai asked when seeing her.

"Oh… just out playing." Lya lied as she slipped onto a seat.

Ed eyed her curiously. He was good at being able to tell when his twin sister was hiding something. Lya crossed her eyes at him, returning the same energy. She hated when her brother looked at her like that. She noticed her mother wasn't at the dinner table.

"Where's mama?" Lya asked Tai who was seated next to her.

"She's in the bedroom… best not to disturb her…" he said with a reassuring smile as placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Lya sighed seeing through Tai's fake expressions and looked towards the closed door to her mother's bedroom. She worried for her mother… especially after last night when she had seen her in one of her states. It frightened Lya when she became like that…

"Tai… do you know which noble house of Westeros has a dog sigil?" Ed suddenly asked. "I saw a ship anchored at the docks and its sails had a dog embroidered onto them so I figured it couldn't be a trading ship… It has to be a noble house." Ed said.

Tai tried to remember but didn't know much about Westeros as he had only ever lived in Essos.

Ed was curious to know. He enjoyed learning about Westeros and hearing of the gallant battles and wars of the past. Westeros was intriguing and he wished for one day to become a soldier himself. An important one too… like a commander.

"Hm… I don't know sorry Ed. Ask your mother later, she would know." Tai replied as he continued to eat.

Ed and Lya looked at each other curiously. How would their mother know a thing about Westeros when she had only ever lived in Essos? Then again, their mother was a very smart and intelligent woman whom they respected for being knowledgeable. They finished their meals in silence.

Dany sat in the bedroom staring into the flame of a candle. Her shoulders were shuddering as a cold sweat emerged on her brow. She clutched at her dress as her chin quivered, feeling her blood pulsing with adrenaline and fear.

She could sense something wrong. Something wrong with Drogon. He was calling out to her now more than ever… but why? She tried to shut him out, to shut out his cries for her. It was so hard to do. Tears leaked from her eyes as she felt in a way that she had abandoned one of her children… She placed her palms over her ears.

"Please… I can't…" she quietly whispered as tears leaked from her eyes.

She could sense his fear and longing for her. Dany cried, biting her lip as she tried to resist communicating with him. It was painful.

"Mama…" a small voice interrupted from the doorway.

Lyanna cautiously walked in and crouched down next to her with a bowl of stew and a cup of water in her hands. Her mother seemed hardly present and looked distressed. Lya backed away feeling her heart speeding up.

"Are you okay?" she asked her.

Dany snapped out of it and looked up at Lya and quickly wiped her tears away coming back into reality. She only just realised her daughter was in the room. Oh no… she hated when her children would see her like this, she would always try to avoid it.

"Why are you crying?" her daughter asked her as she looked on at her mother with concern and worry.

"I'm sorry my dear… I was just thinking about something… I didn't mean to frighten you." Dany said as she gave Lya a small and reassuring smile.

Lya looked at her mother almost fearfully as she stepped closer.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she sweetly asked. Now was her chance to get closer to her mother and find out just why she would have these trances.

Dany shook her head and smiled gratefully.

"It's alright my love… I'm okay now." Dany said, opening her arms for her child.

Lyanna went into her mother's arms and cuddled up to her tightly. She was for sure going to go back to Arya tomorrow and learn to wield a sword because she wanted to protect her mother now more than ever.

Lya fell asleep with her mother on the bed and Dany stayed awake with her eyes shut as she could hear Drogon's cries. She tried so hard to block him out.

'What's the matter my love?' Dany thought as Drogon continued to whimper and roar.

WARGING

Arya was near Drogon's nest. The dragon was furiously fighting against Bran who was attempting to warg. Arya crouched huddled up in a tree as she looked on at the dragon who was being incredibly stubborn.

"Come on. Just give in." Arya said almost in an annoyed and impatient tone.

When Bran would attempt to warg, the dragon would hunch over and become almost paralysed in a way. It would pulse and react as if it were having a seizure. It was a huge beast to conquer, but she knew that he was getting tired and eventually, Bran would succeed. If not today then tomorrow, if not tomorrow then the next day. She couldn't lose hope.

"What are you fighting for? There's nothing left for you so just give in…" Arya whispered as the dragon still fought against their methods.

It lasted until early hours of the morning and eventually, Bran had stopped his efforts for the day. That was Arya's queue to take off back to the village and get away from Drogon before he would replenish his energy and sense her being nearby.

Arya sat on the bed inside of her room at the Inn where she was staying and rubbed at her face stressfully, They were unsuccessful yet again and she wondered if they would ever be able to bring Drogon back to King's Landing. Arya laid down and shut her eyes feeling exhausted.

She thought of Jon. Perhaps his Targaryen blood would help in their quest to bring the dragon down. He had killed its mother though… It was too big of a risk but Jon was literally the only Targaryen left. Arya sighed and drifted to sleep.

HEADING SOUTH

Jon was outside in the cold open air, saddling a white horse that he was readying for a long journey's South. He was going back. After ten years he would be returning home… He didn't know how to feel. Happy? Sad? Grateful? Remorseful? Guilty?

A small crowd of free folk gathered around him to see him off. They were sad to see him go.

"We're going to miss ya." said Tormund as he came to hug his long time friend.

"I'll miss this place too." Jon replied. "You're all like my second family."

"I appreciate that Snow." Tormund said with a smile as he patted Jon's cloaked shoulder. "Remember my words. There's always a place for you North of the Wall if you ever wish to come back."

Jon gave a sorrowful smile.

"I'll remember," he replied. "Goodbye old friend."

"Goodbye Snow, off with ya." Tormund said practically urging him to leave.

Jon hoisted himself onto the horse and with one final nod to Tormund and the free folk, he rode off with Ghost prancing by his side. First stop, Winterfell to see Sansa and then onto Kings Landing.