Lyra felt the tension in the Great Hall with all the Northern Lords gathered on either side of the of the room, two Southern men in the center, and the two royal monarchs seated at the table. Her unseeing gaze stared coldly at where the two men stood as she listened to Aegon speak.
"When I was a child, my brother would tell me a bedtime story about the man who murdered our father. He was stabbed in the back, his throat sliced open. His murderer then sat down on the Iron Throne and watched as his blood pooled onto the floor." Aegon described the scene he's been told numerous times growing up as he glared at the Kingslayer. "He told me other stories as well. About all the things we will do to that man once we took back the Seven Kingdoms and had him in our grasp."
Jaimie face held little reaction, he knew what he was in for when he faced the Dragon King.
"Your sister pledged to send her army North." Aegon pointed out, already deducing the reason for his presence.
"She did."
"I don't see an army. I see a man with one hand and one friend. It appears your sister lied to me." Aegon stated as he narrowed his eyes at Jaimie.
The other man beside him raised a hand, "Hold on, let me correct something, I'm not his friend."
Aegon turned his gaze to the other, "And you are?"
"Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, Your Grace." Bronn introduced himself with an easy smile.
"If you're not his friend, then why are you here?" Aegon asked as he raised an eyebrow.
"Well, his sister sent me bring him back by whatever means necessary. Promised me riches, castle and Lordship." Bronn shrugged, "But I knew she won't deliver on her promise. I saw those dragons. Can't count on someone to keep their word if they're dead. And I sure as fuck can't leave for Essos and start over from scratch when this cunt and his brother owe me for all Seven Hells I went through to keep their rich golden arses alive all these years." Bronn finished complaining as he glanced between the Lannister brothers.
The Northmen laughed at how casually he insulted the Lannisters, unmindful of everything around him.
Lyra sighed through her nose, "Ser Jaimie Lannister, did you know your sister was never going to keep her word?"
Jaimie bowed his head, "No, she lied to me too."
"Does she not realize the consequences of what her actions would cost all of us?" Lyra asked with a displeased tone.
"She never had any intention of sending her army North." Jaimie stated, "She has Euron Greyjoy and twenty thousand fresh troops. The Golden Company from Essos, bought and paid for. Even if we defeat the dead, she'll have more than enough to destroy the survivors." He informed them gravely, looking just as disappointed as everyone.
"Ser Jaimie Lannister, your sister saw the wight we brought when we came to King's Landing. You saw it too, did you not?" Lyra asked, her voice hollow and cold and her pale gaze stared into his soul.
"Vividly." Jaimie answered her.
"I wasn't alone when I ventured Beyond the Wall to catch a single walking corpse. Try and guess how many went with me, and how many came back alive and breathing." Lyra asked with a deep frown.
Jaimie was silent, unable to give a correct answer for either question.
"Twelve people went Beyond the Wall with me, they all came from the North and the South. Only five of us returned." She took a deep breath upon remembering that dark and horrifying experience. "They knew what they were getting into, the kinds of dangers they'd face. But each of them was willing to risk their lives fore they knew the fate of Westeros depended on them. And you mean to tell me that everything we did to get that one single wight was all for nothing? The men who gave their lives to prove about the Night King was meaningless?" She questioned the man with fury leaking out of her voice as she glared at the spot where Jaimie stood.
"It's not all meaningless, and it wasn't for nothing. I promised to fight for the living, and I intend to keep it." Jaimie stated, knowing what is at stake in spite of his sister's threat.
Aegon stared at him distrustfully as he tapped his index finger on table in front of them.
Tyrion stepped forward to defend Jaimie, "Your Grace, I know my brother-"
"Like you knew your sister." Aegon cut him off.
Tyrion sighed quietly then said, "He came here alone knowing full well how he'll be received. Why would he do that if he wasn't telling the truth?" He asked, staring pleadingly at the Dragon King.
"Perhaps he trusts his little brother to defend him. Right up to the moment he slits my throat." Aegon stated as he stared at the dwarf coldly.
"You're right, we can't trust him." Sansa stated, making Aegon turn to her in surprise. He was not expecting the woman to ever agree with him. "He attacked my father in the street, he tried to destroy my House and my family the same way he did yours."
"Do you want me to apologize? I won't. We were at war. Everything I did, I did for my House and my family, I'd do it all again." Jaimie said defensively.
"The things we do for love." Bran stated, repeating the last words he heard Jaimie said right before the man pushed him off the broken tower.
Jaimie stared at the young man in the wheelchair, expecting disdain for the damage he caused the boy, but all he saw is emptiness, as though the boy no longer exists.
"So why have you abandoned your House and family now?" Aegon's question brought Jaimie back to the present.
"Because this goes beyond loyalty." Jaimie caught Brienne of Tarth sitting amongst the Lords of the North. "This is about survival."
Deciding now is the time to vouch for Jaimie, Brienne stood up from her seat, making all eyes turn to her.
"You don't know me well Your Grace," Brienne began as she stood just in front of Jaimie and Bronn whose eyes widened at her height, "but I know Ser Jaimie. He is a man of honor. I was his captor once, but when we were both taken prisoner and the men holding us tried to force themselves on me, Ser Jaimie defended me...and lost his hand because of it."
Aegon glanced at the man's golden hand then back at the woman.
Brienne then turned to Sansa, "Without him my Lady, you would not be alive. He armed me, armored me, and sent me to find you and bring you home because he swore an oath to your mother."
Sansa was at a loss for words as she remembered her mother before she left for King's Landing all those years ago. How worried she was for all of her children. One of her greatest regrets is not telling the woman who raised her how much she loved her.
"You vouch for him?" Sansa asked after a moment of silence.
"I do." Brienne nodded with certainty.
Sansa sighed through her nose, "You would fight beside him." She stated as she stared between the two warriors.
"I would." Brienne answered with resolve.
What Sansa said next sealed Jaimie's fate, "I trust you with my life. If you trust him with yours, we should let him stay."
Brienne bowed her head then went back to her seat.
"What does the Queen in the North say about this?" Aegon asked his betrothed, hoping she would not side with Sansa and allow Jaimie to stick around.
Lyra sighed and leaned back in her chair, "I don't completely trust you Ser Jaimie, but I trust both Sansa and Brienne of Tarth. Besides, we need every man we can get, you can still hold a blade, correct?"
"Yes, Your Grace." Jaimie confirmed.
Lyra turned her head in Aegon's direction, "We need him."
Aegon couldn't argue with her reasoning. One more soldier is better than nothing. "Very well then." He conceded begrudgingly as he heard Tyrion sigh in relief.
Aegon turned to Grey Worm and nodded before the Unsullied general carried the swords he confiscated from Jaimie and Bronn back to them.
"Thank you, Your Grace." Jaimie bowed to Aegon.
With the meeting concluded, all the Northern Lords got up to resume their work.
Aegon pushed his chair back and turned to talk to Lyra only to see her swiftly stand up and abruptly leave the Great Hall with hardly a word for Aegon. With a quiet sigh, he strode out of the Great Hall at a fast pace with Tyrion, Varys, and Jorah following him.
Sansa watched her older sister leave in one direction while the Dragon King left in another. She glanced in the corner where Arya stood with her arms crossed, her expression almost unreadable save for the cold murderous look in her eyes. Arya's eyes met Sansa's a silent conversation between them before the elder nodded in confirmation. With the corner of her mouth turning up slightly, the She-Wolf silently left the Great Hall.
Aegon and his advisors walked through one of the hallways of Winterfell.
"Not only has Cersei went back on her word, she's gonna sit idle and just wait for what's left of us to come just so can pick us all off." Aegon furiously said, seething in frustration and anger at this development. "Obviously your plan failed spectacularly." Aegon added, not giving the dwarf a glance.
"Yes, it did." Tyrion admitted considering it was his idea in the first place to get Cersei to agree to a ceasefire. "When Lyra announced Cersei's pregnancy, I had hoped it would give her enough sense to help us survive." Tyrion said, knowing how his sister's love for her children is her only redeeming quality.
"Well, you were wrong. Now she has the Golden Company at her disposal." Aegon finally turned and glared at the dwarf. "Cersei still sits on the Iron Throne. If you can't help me take it back, I'll find another Hand who can."
Aegon whirled around, leaving his advisors in the hallway as he stormed off in anger.
Tyrion turned to Jorah and Varys, "I suppose one of you will be wearing this pin."
Gendry wasn't expecting the arrival of the Queen in the North so soon while he was hard at work in the forge.
"Your Grace." Gendry greeted as he bowed his head.
"Gendry. Hard at work this early." Lyra commented as the sounds of fire burning and metal clanging rang in her ears.
"I don't mind. Being in the North actually encourages the lot of us to work hard in the forge." Gendry stated since the heat of the fires and swinging the hammer on the anvil keeps the cold off of him.
"That's good." Lyra said approvingly with a small smile.
"Also, the Valyrian Steel came out better than we expected. I just finished the first sword." Gendry said as he walked away to one of the racks and pulled one of the cloth covered items. He carried it over and laid it out on the table before he revealed it to Lyra. "It took me all night, but here it is." He said proudly as he stared at the blade as though it was his first newborn.
The Valyrian Steel gave off a scent she's most familiar with after wielding Long Claw for so long. A combination of dragon fire and blood. Her hand felt around the table's surface until they felt the pommel of the sword. Curling her fingers around the hilt, she lifted the blade off the table and ran her other hand along the smooth surface of the blade.
"Yes, this will work." Lyra breathed out a laugh as she assessed the blade. "Your master would be most proud of you." She laid the sword back down.
"I sure hope so, I just finished teaching the other blacksmiths the instructions on how it's forged. They were a bit squeamish about the blood requirement, but they got over it. By this time in one week, we should have at least twenty new Valyrian Steel swords ready." Gendry informed her after making the calculations in his head. The euphoria he felt when he first made the blade could never abate.
Lyra looked relieved, "That's good, because there's a special kind of Valyrian sword I need you to make for one specific person."
"Who?" Gendry asked as he watched Lyra's face turn into exhaustion.
"Ser Jaimie Lannister."
Gendry's eyes widened at that name. "The Kingslayer." He scoffed and chewed on his cheek. "Why him?"
"Because he came here to fight for the living." Lyra sighed through her nose, "Many of us just learned that Cersei never intended to send her armies here. But Jaimie left her service for this world's survival. He's a renowned fighter who is more than capable of wielding a sword. However, years ago he lost his right hand which he fights with. Though he has adapted his left to hold a weapon, he's more useful with his right." Lyra explained the details to Gendry who listened intently as he realized what she's asking of him. "Can you make one that will suit his fighting style?"
Gendry already went over the blueprints in his head before she asked him that question. "I already have an idea what to make for him. But it may take me a few days."
Lyra sighed and nodded, "Thank you, that's all I needed." She said tiredly as the heat from the forge made her nauseous and the clanging gave her a headache.
"Your Grace, forgive me for saying this, but perhaps you should get some more rest." Gendry pointed out, noticing her discomfort.
"I'll rest when I'm dead." Lyra said before she walked away from the forge.
Aegon was in his chambers stewing over this latest catastrophe. Fury is only the surface level of what he's feeling. Part of him wanted to fly to King's Landing and just rip Cersei apart, but after what happened last time he took Drogon when that spear shot them out of the sky, he knew he can't take the risk if there's more than one waiting for him. Not only that, but he'll end up leaving Lyra alone to deal with the Long Night.
"Fuck." Aegon angrily ran his fingers through his hair as he glared at the flames.
He heard the door open and turned to see Jorah enter his chambers.
"Forgive me, Your Grace." Jorah said as the door closed behind him.
"Have you done something to offend me?" Aegon asked calmly as he faced his protector and mentor.
"Many things." Jorah said with a rueful smile.
"Long ago, and long forgiven." Aegon said with a smile he reserves for the man.
"But you did forgive. Despite my failures." Jorah stated then looked down, "When I heard you named Tyrion your Hand, it broke my heart."
Aegon stepped towards his sworn sword, "When I named him Hand, I didn't know when I'll ever see you again." He said, remembering the pain and fear he experienced when he learned Jorah contracted greyscale. A death sentence to those who were unfortunate to make contact with it.
"You made the right choice." Jorah nodded.
"I was under the impression you didn't like him very much."
"I didn't. His mouth hardly stopped moving between Volantis and Mereen. It was all I could do not to throw him in the sea." Jorah said, remembering how painfully annoying that journey was and how great it felt to punch Tyrion unconscious for a moment of peace.
Aegon's mouth quirked up slightly. Tyrion does have that effect on people.
Jorah didn't stop however. "But the mind behind those words."
"He's made mistakes. Serious mistakes." Aegon stated, the sting behind this miscalculation still festered.
"As have we all. He owns his and learns from them. He got you this far in spite of his mistakes. I do believe he's one of the main reasons why you and Lyra are together." Jorah stated, smiling at how the young man found love with a kind and honorable woman.
Aegon couldn't deny that statement. Tyrion did advise him to give Lyra a chance, to mine the dragonglass, and to have a political match with her. He has to give Tyrion some credit for acquainting himself with the woman before her queenship.
"You're advising me to forgive the man who stole your position?" Aegon asked considering how they've known each other much longer than Tyrion.
"I am." Jorah nodded, "And one other suggestion, if you'll allow me."
Aegon was silent as he listened to his sworn sword.
"Sansa Stark."
Aegon raised an eyebrow.
Jorah elaborated, "She holds as much influence in the North and is the Queen's sister, second-in-command and advisor. I saw that small moment where you two were about to agree on something until she overturned her decision. You should try getting along with her."
Aegon breathed out a humorless laugh, "I don't think that's ever gonna happen. She hates me."
"She'll be your sister-by-law." Jorah pointed out. "While the North is drawn to Lyra Snow for her prowess on the battlefield and her leadership, Sansa Stark has a political mind. She has the support of the Vale and the Riverlands through her mother's family. When the Long Night is over, you need support from other Great Houses to win the Iron Throne. In fact, I do believe there is one young man who is the last of the Baratheon bloodline who is yet to be legitimized and must inherit the Stormlands."
There is some sound logic to that plan. His allies, the Tyrells and Martells are gone, Theon Greyjoy left to rescue his sister. Cersei won't give up her claim to the Iron Throne, so the Westerlands won't lend their support. Lyra is the heart of the North, her sister Sansa has ties to the Vale and the Riverlands, and Gendry has a family history through his father and theirs.
"It would take a miracle to ever be Sansa's friend." Aegon stated with a frown.
"What do you know about her so far?" Jorah tried again.
"She's Lyra's sister, she watched her father get executed, she suffered the abuse from Cersei, Joffrey, Littlefinger, Ramsay..." Aegon sighed and shook his head, "...the pain she went through."
"They were all the Mad Kings in her life." Jorah said, making Aegon turn to him, "Now think of one person you love who suffered her Mad King."
It took Aegon a moment to realize who he was talking about before he sighed and nodded his head.
Lyra found the person she was looking for sitting in front of the Heart Tree with a vacant expression.
She swallowed her saliva, "Bran."
The wheelchair bound young man didn't turn to acknowledge her. "Samwell told you...as I told him to." He said in a voice void of emotion.
Lyra walked around him until she was right in front of him. The soul standing before her was the Three Eyed Raven. But she desperately wants to see even the slightest remnant of her little brother.
"You know why I'm here." Lyra said, her breath unsteady as she stared at the Three Eyed Raven.
"You're more than a Snow. You are a Queen." Bran repeated the same words he spoke when she returned to Winterfell.
"Brandon," Lyra stepped forward and held the arms of Bran's wheelchair, "There is no way, in all of Seven Hells, that can be true. I don't want to believe it. I can't be-" She voice caught in her throat, unable to say the names of her parents as she struggled not to cry again.
"But you know it's true." Bran's detached voice held a small hint of sadness, "In your heart, in your blood, and in your soul, you know who you truly are. And who you are meant to be...what you are always meant to be."
Lyra knew what he was talking about as she straightened up and walked to where the Heart Tree stood. Her back was to her brother and hand rested on the white bark next to the weeping face. She bowed her head and let out a shuddering breath. "I can't accept it...I won't."
"But you will...it is inevitable."
Lyra turned to her brother once more, "But I never asked for it, and I don't want it."
"What you truly want is him...and he wants you."
"But will he still want me if he knows?" Lyra let out a breath of frustration as she began to pace. "He's my fucking uncle."
"Rhaenyra married her uncle Daemon and had children with him. Targaryens wed brother and sister, Starks wed their cousins." Bran pointed out as he watched Lyra have an internal battle.
"That's hardly the point. This succession, it has nothing to do with me." Lyra stated as she stared at Bran.
"It does. Whether you like it or not, it has everything to do with you. Your claim is just as strong as his, if not stronger."
"Forgive me if I don't want to be dragged into another Dance with Dragons." Lyra sarcastically said, her frustration rising by the minute. She breathed heavily as she tried to calm down from her internal conflict.
"It will happen here." Bran said out of the blue as he stared into the Heart Tree's face.
"What will?" Lyra asked, unable to understand his visions. She can accept his ability to look into the past, but has severe doubts about the future.
"You will tell him the truth here before the Heart Tree. You'll tell him everything." Bran stated as he watched Lyra's face turn from confusion to denial.
Lyra was silent after she heard her brother say those words. "I can't. There's no possible way I-" That gut-wrenching fear returned to her at the very thought of how he'll react.
"You have to...or it will rip you apart. He has to know."
Lyra leaned heavily on the tree as she fought to stay upright under the crippling weight of what those words mean.
Screwing her eyes shut, she asked, "When?"
"Soon."
That vague answer did not offer her any comfort.
"Then tell me how he reacts. How does it end?" Lyra asked, needing some semblance of hope that she and Aegon will still love each other.
"I don't know. That is all I am able to see. This is where it will happen. How you tell him is up to you alone. It can't be anyone else." Bran explained it to her as she quietly suffered her own despair of what it will cost her.
"You should get some more rest Your Grace." Bran suggested, glancing at her belly for a fraction of a second.
Though Lyra wanted to deny it, her exhausted body was telling her otherwise.
With a heavy sigh, she left the Godswood to find her bedchamber and get some extra sleep. Hopefully she'll be able to think clearly after some well needed rest.
It wasn't easy, but after some assistance from a couple of servants, Aegon found Sansa in the library with Lord Yohn Royce from the Vale who were having a strategic discussion.
Upon seeing the Dragon King enter, Sansa and Yohn stood up in greeting.
"Forgive my interruption, but I was hoping to speak alone with Lady Stark." Aegon requested of the Northerners.
Sansa and Yohn glanced at each other before the former nodded her head, letting him know she'll be alright.
Yohn walked away from Sansa and stopped in front of Aegon and bowed to him for a moment before leaving the room.
Aegon watched the older gentleman leave then turned to Sansa. "I thought you and I were on the verge of agreement before, about Ser Jaimie." He stepped further into the library.
Sansa stood proud with her hands behind her back, "Brienne has been loyal to me, always. I trust her more than anyone."
"I wish I could have that kind of faith in my advisors." Aegon said, still unhappy with Tyrion.
"Tyrion is a good man. He was never anything but decent towards me." Sansa said in his defense, remembering all the times the dwarf came to her aide when she was terrorized by Joffrey.
"Yes, Tyrion told me what Joffrey put you through, how Cersei deceived you. But in spite of all the horror you endured, you've become a strong and wise leader." Aegon said as he stood beside the table, "It's understandable why Her Grace entrusts the safety of the North to you in her stead."
Sansa kept her face straight as Aegon spoke about her accomplishments.
"I never should have trusted Tyrion's plan, nor should I have believed Cersei will agree to help us after the ceasefire agreement." Aegon shook his head, "The only way we thought Cersei will send her armies is on the condition that House Stark remains neutral in our war for the Iron Throne."
"Anyone who even thinks of trusting Cersei is a fool." Sansa stated to Aegon, calling him out on his folly.
"Yes, I was a fool." Aegon said as he sat down in the chair Yohn previously occupied as Sansa followed suit. "I fear Lyra's taking this much harder than me."
"Have you spoken to her yet?" Sansa asked, noting how Aegon didn't call her sister by her title.
"No, she needs alone time to calm down before I can talk to her. She's quite frightening when she's angry." Aegon admitted, remembering the fury he witnessed in the Great Hall when she spoke to Jaimie.
Sansa's mouth quirked up, "She knows how to leave an impression on people."
Aegon smirked lightly before he became serious. "I know you don't like me."
Sansa leaned back in her chair and clasped her hands together in her lap. "It's not about dislike, it's about trust." She gave him a cold look, "I know about you and my sister. I know you're going to marry her."
Aegon bowed his head and breathed out through his nose with a soft smile, "You found out."
Sansa let out a humorless laugh, "It's hardly a secret, and it's not like you two made much of an effort to hide it when you're strolling through camp."
"Subtlety isn't our strong suit. Neither of us are good at lying." Aegon said, unashamed to admit their relationship.
"I can tell." Sansa nodded, knowing Lyra is too honest and honorable to ever deceive people into following her.
"Next you're going to say how I'm marrying her to gain the Northern supporters for my cause." Aegon guessed frowned and nodded, "You're right about that, but that's not the only reason. Lyra is truly one of the rarest people I've ever met. Compassionate, wise, annoyingly honest, honorable, and just. She knows how to lead people. She's reliable and is levelheaded." Aegon sighed as he stares at the table, "She doesn't play the game, she genuinely cares about the people around her and how hard she's fought to keep them alive. Even now she's fighting to protect everyone." A smile crawled onto his face, "Your sister's one stubborn woman. She never gave up in convincing me about the dead. A woman who goes to that kind of length is more than worthy of my respect."
Sansa listened to Aegon talk about her sister. The fondness within his voice and how he describes her character. He's not wrong about any of it.
"She's in love with you. I see it on her face when you're close to her." Sansa states then sighs, "When she left for Dragonstone all those months ago, she had the look of a cold dead person. Like she's ready to die at any moment." She leaned forward, "But when she rode into Winterfell with you beside her, I knew something changed within her. She's happy and looks more alive now than before."
Aegon's smile widened at Sansa's assessment.
"Do you love her?" Sansa asked, watching Aegon's reaction.
"Yes. I do." He answered, "I don't know how or why, but I think I fell for her the moment she set foot on Dragonstone. Anytime we argued about which war is more important to fight, I always get this thrill. She challenged me at every turn and won our battle. She's fighting for the same reason as I am, and we want to rid this world of tyrannical monsters so everyone can live peacefully."
Sansa silently listened to how Aegon spoke about his love for Lyra with a passion she didn't expect from him.
Aegon let out a breath before he spoke again, "I know you don't like me, but for the sake of the woman we both love, can we try to get along with each other?"
"It all depends on what you plan to do with the North once you have Lyra as your wife." Sansa said with her back straight, taking on a diplomatic tone.
"I'm not trying to conquer or subjugate the North. I want to save it." Aegon said as he tried to make her understand.
"Then why not leave us as an independent kingdom?" Sansa asked the Dragon King.
Aegon sighed as he leaned back, "You've heard about what happened with Highgarden and Dorne?"
"House Tyrell and House Martell are gone." Sansa answered.
Aegon went on to explain, "Say the North gets it's independence. What happens if some House from the Reach follows that example and decides to take the lands for themselves? They break away from the Seven Kingdoms and try to expand their borders to consume the lands right next to them? And then another House rises up declaring their independence from Westeros. They'll be squabbling over resources and land just to rule over the other in their endeavor for supremacy over the nation. This in turn drags everyone into another meaningless war. None of us have the time, patience or resources to handle any more of those fights. We can't afford to fight amongst ourselves." He said as he shook his head as though to rid himself of the very idea of more wars to come.
Sansa couldn't deny the scenario, it will have a damaging affect if people follow their example should the North gain independence. What he said though, about fighting amongst themselves, it was exactly as Eddard Stark said to his children about how they need to be united.
Aegon wasn't finished, "I know you've all suffered your fair share of Southern tyrants in the past. While it will take years, decades even, to prove you all wrong, I'm not gonna give up protecting the realm, and neither will your sister. With Northern blood on the throne, your people will be assured, and they will be under our protection."
Sansa didn't take that into account with all the chaos going on around them. If Lyra were to have Aegon's children, then the North will truly be tied to the South. With Lyra's guidance, that child will grow into an honorable and trustworthy ruler.
Sansa nodded then sighed, "You make a good point, I don't completely dislike you. But it's going to take more than that to earn my trust."
"Stubborn like Lyra, you are sisters." Aegon said, not offended as he smiled at his future in-law. "If it makes you feel better, I don't dislike you."
"Oh, and why's that?" Sansa asked as she raised her eyebrows.
Aegon smiled sadly, "You fought against your fair share of tyrannical monsters. I've seen it all the time in Essos, men women and children sold like livestock and treated like tools for their own amusement." He sighed through his nose and pursed his lips, "I myself suffered those mistreatments as well. My older brother Viserys sold me to the fighting pits."
Sansa heard the rumors about what happened to the Dragon King in the past, but to hear him admit it took her by surprise.
"In spite of all the pain, I learned to make use of it, to learn from that experience so no child will live with a collar around their neck." Aegon said as he remembered the countless slaves he freed in his crusade to make life better for them. "But the one person I wished I could've saved died to bring me into this world." He clenched his jaw at the knowledge of what his existence cost another, "With my father's madness, the one who suffered the most was my mother." He stared directly at Sansa, "When I heard about what you went through, it made me think about her. The pain she suffered every single day at his hands. You are what my mother could have become had she found the strength to fight back against him."
Sansa smiled sadly and with understanding. She heard stories about Queen Rhaella and how kind she was as a person yet carried so much sadness on her lovely face whenever she stood next to her husband. Being compared to his mother and being praised for the strength to endure and fight back filled her with pride.
"Thank you for telling me. I'm sure your mother would be very proud of the man you are today." Sansa said as her dislike of him began to lessen.
"I sincerely hope so." Aegon said as he tapped his fingers.
"When are you and my sister getting married?" Sansa asked him as a way to change the subject.
Aegon smiled, "We initially planned to wed after the Long Night. But after what happened with Cersei, I believe it's only right to get married sooner."
"I suppose I have to get started on making my sister's dress then." Sansa said with a fond smile then turned serious, "While I don't know how to accept you as our King, I can at least tolerate you as my brother-by-law."
"You're okay with me marrying your sister?" Aegon asked, surprised by Sansa's words.
"I can see how much you and Lyra love each other. Who am I to deny her that kind of happiness?" Sansa added, knowing this will make Lyra happier if her family begins accepting her new husband.
Lyra was resting in her bedchambers when Arya entered.
"Arya." Lyra greeted as she sat up in her bed when she recognized her sister's nearly silent footsteps.
"Sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to talk with you." Arya said as she came over to the other side of the bed where she laid.
"Sure. I haven't spent a lot of time with you since I got back." Lyra said as she felt Arya's presence close by.
Arya took note of the bags under the elder sister's eyes and how pale she looks. "You haven't been feeling well." She stated as she sat on the bed.
Lyra sighed through her nose, "I'm just tired, that's all. So much has happened all at once. I guess my body is still readjusting to the North after being away for so long."
Arya pulled the blankets securely around her sister. "Not easy being Queen."
"Care to switch?" Lyra grinned humorously.
Arya breathed out a small laugh, "No thank you. I'm not responsible enough."
Lyra shrugged, "Worth a shot."
Arya breathed out through her nose, "You had to deal with an awful lot lately."
Lyra chewed on the inside of her cheek, "I manage. But we'll figure something out...somehow." She looked down at her lap.
"Hey, just take it easy okay?" Arya said as she held her sister's hand. "You lose a couple battles to win a war." She squeezed her hand tighter. "And we will win."
Lyra breathed out a small laugh, "When did you get so wise?"
Arya smiled at her sister as her thumb stroked the older woman's knuckles. So many things she wants to say to her at this moment, but with so little time to spare.
"I'm sorry." Lyra said suddenly, making Arya look up.
"For what?"
"For leaving you that day all those years ago. I didn't say goodbye to you back then. I'm so sorry." Lyra whispered, the regret she felt all those years when she left in the middle of the night, leaving only a sword as a farewell gift to her younger sister.
Arya gave her a look of sadness. "I already forgave you. I mean, who can blame you, a girl could only take so much Sansa."
"Be nice to your sister." Lyra admonished gently.
Arya snorted through her nose, "I'm not mad at you. I never was. I'm just glad I got to see you again."
Lyra's eyes filled with guilt, "I should've been there for you all those years. When our father-" Her voice caught in her throat at the mention of Eddard. "I should've left when I heard the news that day."
"Then you would not have seen the Night King, you would not have killed Ramsay, and you would not have brought us all here together. We're all here now, that's all that should matter." Arya comfortingly said as she inched closer to give the woman a hug.
Lyra was surprised but didn't object as she returned the embrace.
Arya held onto her sister for as long as she could, fighting the urge to cry.
Arya was the first to pull away. "You seriously need to cut yourself some slack." She stood up to gently push her sister to lay on her back. "And you can start by getting more proper rest." She added as she pulled the covers tight around her, tucking her in the same way Lyra did for her before.
"Ordering a Queen to go to sleep. That's funny." Lyra smiled wryly as Arya chuckled under her breath.
"It's all I wanted to do in life." Arya said before she walked away from the bed. She stood in front of the door and gave her a long lingering look before she left the Queen's bedchamber.
Aegon left the library after his long talk with Sansa. While things are tense between them, he hopes their relationship will improve with time and patience.
As he walked down the many hallways of the castle, he saw Arya walking towards him with a bag slung over her shoulder.
"Going somewhere Lady Arya?" Aegon asked when the young woman got close enough.
Arya pursed her lips, "I'm leaving for the South."
"What?"
Arya stepped closer and whispered, "Cersei Lannister will send her armies."
Aegon's eyes widened when he realized what the young she-wolf's intentions are. "Does your family know?"
"Sansa has an inkling, Bran already seen it coming, and Lyra...I'll tell her when I get back." Arya bowed her head as she resumed her walk.
Aegon followed beside her, "Her Grace will not be please when she finds out her youngest sister has disappeared."
"No, and she will not approve of what I'm about to do. But she needs help." Arya stopped and turned to Aegon, "Lyra carries a lot of weight on her shoulders. It's much more than what she can handle right now. If I do this, it will take some of the pressure off."
Aegon knew there's no use arguing with the younger sister of his love. It's not that he disapproves of the idea, he's more worried about the fallout should Arya Stark fail.
"You've wanted this for a long time, haven't you?" Aegon asked with a sigh.
"This is as right a time as any." Arya added as they resumed their walk.
Aegon decided to give her a heads up, "If you are going there, you should be aware of who Cersei keeps close to her. Her Hand, Qyburn, once worked at the Citadel, but was expelled for his experiments. He may look harmless, but I can guarantee you he is dangerous. The second one is the Mountain, Ser Gregor Clegane. But he's not human anymore. Whatever Qyburn did to him is no different from the White Walkers. If you do intend on killing Cersei, Qyburn is your best bet. He is also Cersei's Master of Whispers." He added, giving Arya a little hint to go on as it will prove extra useful to her.
Arya smirked, "I'll be sure to send the Golden Company as well. You can call it my wedding gift to you and my sister."
Aegon shared her smile, "She would love that very much."
"I'm sorry I won't be there for your wedding." Ary's smile faded as she adjusted her hold on her bag.
Aegon gave her a stern look, "The best present you can give your sister is to come back alive. She has buried enough family members."
"I know, and I will come back." Arya promised before she gave Aegon a hardened look, "One last thing before I leave. Never hurt my sister." The underlying threat beneath her words was not lost on Aegon.
"Understood."
Arya bowed her head then left Aegon alone in the corridor.
The Dragon King sighed, he is not looking forward to breaking the news to his betrothed. But one thing he can say about Arya, she's his new favorite in-law.
Bet none of you expected me to update so soon with how I spaced each update out. THIS is the chapter I've wanted to write for so long.
Rest assured, we are getting to that moment where Lyra tells Aegon the truth. It will be filled with emotion and drama. I just wanted to space this out for something I'm sure you all suspected.
Thank you all for reading. Tell me what you thought in the review section below.
