Chapter Text
Tyrion watched idly as the younger Stark girl swung her sword in a graceful yet deadly dance, the last light of the sun glinting off the dull grey metal. The sword was a worthy weapon for the young warrior, beautifully crafted with a wolf added onto the pommel. He had a feeling the Baratheon boy had done that-Gendry or whatever he was called.
“I know you are there, you know”
Tyrion sat up straight. “I should hope so” he called out. “You would be a piss poor warrior if you hadn’t noticed my presence the last half hour”. Not the best idea to taunt a girl like this but when had that ever stopped him?
She stopped. Sheathing her sword she walked over to him and he had to remind himself again to show no fear. Varys and he had managed to put together a summary of her activities since her escape from King’s landing and…well neither of them had slept well that night. Forget sleeping, he hadn’t been able to look at a pie again without wanting to empty his guts out.
“Why are you here?” she demanded staring down at him. He leaned against the tree trunk and stretched his legs out on the grass. It would be night soon.
“I needed to clear my head” he shrugged. She cast him a look of annoyed disbelief. “And you thought watching me practice would clear your head?” she asked sceptically.
“Yes. You are a curiosity. I like to observe curiosities” .Careful now, he warned himself. This particular curiosity wouldn’t think twice before plunging that thing into his chest.
She let out a loud laugh at that. He noted that her laugh wasn’t like those of other maidens- it wasn’t sweet or musical and it didn’t sound like bells tinkling whatever the fuck that meant. It was loud and harsh and denoted real enjoyment.
“Don’t you just have to look into the mirror for that?” she asked, the laugh still present in her voice. “Dwarfs are curiosities, aren’t they?”
It was his turn to chuckle. “I have been called a dwarf for the last thirty one years and I’ve heard almost every jest in existence concerning dwarfs. You will have to try harder if you wish to upset me”.
He had half expected her to march away in a huff but true to her reputation she surprised him by flopping down next to him causing him to look at her warily.
“If you are planning to kill me, I feel I should point out that the North and South are battling out peace agreements currently and my death could put a wrench in the works” he said slowly.
She scoffed. “If I was planning to kill you, you would already be dead. You are safe from me my lord, at least for now”.
“Why?” the question slipped out before he could stop himself. Yes, excellent move Tyrion, asking an assassin whose mental balance he was still doubtful about as to why she didn’t want to kill him. It appeared his thirst for knowledge would end up killing him.
“My last name is Lannister, after all”.
She chewed on a blade of grass before spitting it out. Tyrion grinned. Definitely not a lady.
“You are not on my list” she said simply. “And from what I can make out you don’t seem to have actively tried to harm my family. I dislike your presence but I don’t need to kill you”
“A truly wondrous compliment my lady” Tyrion said ironically. “I suppose I can bring myself to eat pies again”.
She started then smiled. “That rumour that the Imp knows everything wasn’t entirely a lie, I see”
“Does it upset you?” he asked unable to stop himself. “Remembering that night?”
She cast him a look of amused surprise. “Upset me?” she laughed. I enjoyed it”. There was an almost loving glint in her eyes as she caressed her sword.
He swallowed.
She stood up and dusted the seat of her breeches. ”You should head back to the castle” she said. “Night has fallen and it’s dangerous out here for dwarfs who can’t fight”.
He stared after her as she went back to her dance, the point of the blade, gleaming and flashing, slicing through air so fast he could hear it whistle.
Arya Stark. A true curiosity.