Chapter Text
Arya and Edric only stay so long as to see Aegon crowned king in the Sept of Baelor.
Looking splendid in black and Crimson he seems to have already caught the eyes of the ladies at court. Aegon seems to pay little attention to this as his crown Is already weighing heavy on his head, and with the loss of Jon Connigton it is placed on Ashara Dayne’s shoulders to guide the young king in matters of court; for Aegon may be a conqueror but now he must prove himself a king, one that shall start a new age and erase whatever pass sins the Targaeryn’s have committed.
Arya does not envy his position, but whatever doubts Aegon has he hides them well. He showed no fear or apprehension when the high septon placed a crown of bronze upon his head, inlaid with valaryian runes, and now as he sits on the iron throne he looks at home, although how can he? When rooms full of strangers whirl around him- vying for his attention
Arya does not take part but watches as the courtiers flock to their king- the ladies fluttering and the men bowing so low that their faces almost kiss the floor.
Next to her Ashara shines with pride like she is witnessing her own son come into kingship. ‘’ He does well.’’ Arya mummers.
Ashara looks at her with tears in her eyes, ‘’ He does.’’ She turns her attention back to the throne where Jon quietly talks with Aegon, both men seemingly in serious conversation with one another. ‘’ He looks so much…..like his father.’’ Arya hears the hitch in the older woman’s breath and takes her hand in hers. Ashara squeezes her hand for a moment before letting go.
‘’ And how are you?’’ Arya touches her hair unconsciously feeling the barbed strands tickle the back of her neck, and shifts a little as she feels the bodice of her dress hug her ribs painfully. For all Tyene’s efforts Arya still had not gained all her weight back and it would take time for her hair to grow. She tries to not think about it, but she could always feel the courts eyes on her and it did not help.
‘’ I’m well.’’ Arya smiles as she catches Edric’s eye as he spins Tyene around. Ashara catches Arya’s eye and smiles. ‘’ He barely leaves my side.’’
‘’Can you blame him?’’
‘’No, because I have not left his side either.’’ The music ends and another dance starts, this one slow. Edric lets go of Tyene and walks toward Arya. With a grace she has always envied, he bows to Ashara and holds out his hand to her.
‘’ Please.’’ He asks quietly. She chokes out a laugh before placing her hand in his. He leads her across the floor at a slow pace- timed with the music. Back and forth they weave with the other dancers until they are merely another couple enjoying the dance.
Edric pulled her closer than was necessary, brushing a brief kiss along her cheek, ‘’ Ned.’’ She whispered. Edric grinned wickedly, but his eyes were soft as he looked at her.
‘’ Your brother has made inquiries.’’ Edric spun her around so that Arya could see Jon who was looking at them with an unreadable expression on his face.
‘’ Inquires?’’ She asked. Edric chuckled and led her off the floor before the dance was even finished. When they were far enough away from the crowd he handed her a cup of wine.
‘’ Threats actually- as to when were to be wed,’’ Arya nearly chokes on her wine as Edric chuckles.
Once she has composed herself she joins him in his laughter. With one step she presses her lips on his, but before he can respond she steps out of his arms. ‘’ And what did you say?’’ She inquires.
Edric huffs and cast a glance In Jon’s direction. ‘’ That as soon we get to Starfall I shall march you up to the sept and place my cloak around your shoulders,’’ he looks intently at her, ‘’ like I have wanted to do for many years now.’’ Arya looks around the room, and seeing that no one is watching them, grabs his hand and pulls him down the hall. When she starts to walk to her room he stops her with a tug on her arm. She stops and turns to see him shaking his head.
Arya sighs, ‘’ You are not that afraid of my brother, are you?’’ She teases him. His lips quirk, but he pulls her towards him.
Edric brushes the tips of his fingers across her cheek and she shivers from the heat that courses through her. ‘’ I promised your brother-‘’
‘’ That you would not bed me till after our wedding.’’ She says impatiently, ‘’ but you see we are already married.’’
Edric gives her a quizzical look and Arya takes the chance to drag him into her chambers. Once the door is shut she presses her lips to his, tugging at the locks of his hair. Edric hesitates before breaking the kiss.
‘’ Arya-‘’ He starts.
Arya is having none of it though as she starts unlace his tunic while explaining to him,’’ Your gods are the ones with all the rules. The old gods on the other hand, ‘’ she pushes his tunic off of him and runs her hands down his bare chest, tracing the scars she knew well and the new ones, still pink, ‘’ they are simpler. You took me into your home and I gave you a daughter, and’’ Arya leans up so her lips brush his ears, ‘’ you have had carnal knowledge of me.’’ She feels him dip his head down kiss her gently on the shoulder. ‘’ We have been married for many years now- you were just too stupid to realize it husband.’’
His eyes are soft when he tells her, ‘’ I don’t think that shall be a good enough explanation for Jon.’’ Arya shrugs and begins to unlace herself from her dress, a suffocating thing made of purple velvet and myrish lace- nothing like the fashions she was used to.
‘’ I don’t care about Jon.’’ She steps out of her dress, the only thing protecting her from the cold, her smallclothes, and saunters over to him, brushing her lips against his as she whispers, ‘’ I thought of you every day Ned. Did you think of me?’’ He cups her face in his hands and deepens the kiss leading her to the bed.
‘’ Everyday Arya- everyday.’’
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‘’ I am sorry you could not stay longer Lady Dayne.’’ Aegon brushes a kiss on her knuckles as she tests the new name out in her mind. Edric had not wanted to wait and so they had, had a small ceremony in the sept (much to her chagrin).
‘’ I am eager to see my daughter again- and my sister.’’ Aegon clears his throat and brings out a letter-unsealed, and gives it to her.
‘’ If you could give this to your sister I would be very much in your debt.’’ She blinks in surprise before nodding as heat rises in the king’s cheeks.
‘’ It would be my pleasure your majesty.’’ She turns to Jon and he hugs her tight.
‘’ Be careful. If you get tired-‘’
‘’ You are worse than a mother hen Jon.’’ She kisses his cheek and Edric steps up and lifts her onto her horse.
Tyene puts her hand up in goodbye and Arya does the same as they ride off. She still holds the unsealed paper in her hand and while she itches to open it and reads its contents she stops herself. Something told her these words were written in haste, but meant only for her sister
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Arya barely gets off her horse before Nymeria pushes her to the ground, her long tongue sliding along Arya’s face.
‘’ I’ve missed you too.’’ Nymeria blacks off and Arya holds her scruff and pushes herself back up- wiping the sand off herself. Nymeria goes over to Edric and bumps his chest, making him stumble.
‘’ I told you I would bring her back.’’ Edric glances at Arya and she smiles.
She turns as squeals of laughter come from behind her. Suddenly she is bombarded with two bodies holding on to her. She kneels down and looks at her daughter, more beautiful than the last time she saw her, and the tears trickle down her cheeks.
‘’ Astria.’’ Arya hold her daughter to her chest and kisses her hair. Her daughter holds her just as tightly.
‘’ I have missed you and father so much.’’ Arya pulls back in surprise and looks at her daughter, so young but so old, pride wells up in her.
‘’ I have missed you too, so much.’’ Arya’s voice breaks and she glances to Arthur who stands next to Edric. Arya opens her arms and Arya is surprised when Arthur’s arms wrap around her middle. ‘’ You have grown so tall.’’ She says. Arthur pulls back and grins.
‘’ Uncle Edric has been teaching me how to fight.’’ Arthur puffs out his chest in pride and Arya laughs amid her tears.
‘’ You must show me later.’’ Her throat tightens at how much she missed them.
‘’ Arya!’’ A figure in silver walks briskly to her and for a moment Arya forgets herself and rushes to her sister. They clutch each other, seeming more like sisters then they ever were. Between tears Sansa gives her a tongue lashing the likes of which, not even Edric had given her.
Then Allyria comes and it is much the same. It seems to her as if the world is spinning and it is only steady hand on her arm that keeps her from falling to the ground.
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Arya enters Sansa’s chambers and finds her sister brushing her hair.
‘’ Let me do that.’’ Sansa hands her the brush and Arya fumbles as she pushes the brush through her sister’s hair. A pang goes through her when she remembers their mother doing much the same to the both of them.
Sansa stops her hand and smiles gently, ‘’ I miss them too.’’ Arya wraps her arms around her sister’s shoulders and for a moment they don’t say anything, both too caught up in their memories, both good and bad.
Her sister is the first one to pull back and take the brush from Arya’s hands. Arya sighs before pulling out the letter from Aegon and putting it in front of her sister. Sansa takes it carefully from her hands before placing it from her and stares at it as if it would set fire at any moment. Just what had happened between them?
‘’ If you do not want his attentions I-‘’ Arya starts but Sansa waves her off.
‘’ It’s not that, it’s just….complicated.’’ Their eyes meet in the mirror and Arya gives her sister a smile.
‘’ It always is.’’ Arya leaves her sister and walks briskly to her chambers only to find Nymeria, Edric, and Astria occupying the bed. Nymeria lifts her head at Arya’s entry only to place it back on the bed.
‘’ Is there room for me?’’ She asks teasingly. Edric laughs quietly before scooting over. Arya climbs onto the bed carefully, not wanting to disturb her sleeping daughter.
Edric wraps an arm around her and kisses her cheek as Arya cards her fingers through daughter’s silver looking hair.
‘’ They could not be without you tonight.’’ Edric murmurs in her ear. He lays his head in the crook of her neck and Arya snuggles into him, feeling herself drift off into sleep.
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Rickard Dayne is born two years after Arya’s return to Starfall.
Arya smiles when Rickard is placed in her arms, her winter babe. Edric watches as his son cries and looks on with pride.
‘’ Each one more beautiful than the last.’’ He says and kisses Arya on the cheek. ‘’ Thank you.’’ Rickard looks up at her with violet eyes and dark hair and Arya wishes more than anything that her father could be here to hold his grandson in his arms.
‘’ I wish Sansa could be here.’’ Arya breathes out. Edric shrugs.
‘’ Your sister is busy in the capital, she said she would be here soon though.’’ The room bursts open with Arthur and Astria running to the bed, with Allyria in tow.
‘’ Well?’’ Astria asks looking at her pink skinned brother.
‘’ Meet your brother Rickard.’’ She tells her daughter. Gently she guides her daughter until she is holding Rickard in her arms. Everyone looks on and Arya finally feels at peace. She has a feeling that she would no longer wake in the night wondering if she would find herself in the black cells again. This is no dream, and her newly born son proves that. Soon enough Allyria ushers everyone out, leaving Arya and Edric alone again.
Edric holds his son who is now fast asleep, leaving Arya to place her head on her husband’s shoulder. ‘’ I love you.’’ Arya says.
Edric looks up from their son and places a kiss on her forehead, ‘’ and I you.’’ She had never pictured herself as happy as she is now and Arya prays everyday to her gods that it will remain so.