Chapter Text
It was late in the evening by the time the two women went back inside the castle.
The first race, which Daenerys had easily won, was quickly followed by a second, and then a third, and by then they had gotten so far away from Dragonstone, and the dragons were so tired of their antics, they opted for a more leisurely pace on the flight back home.
There were some weird looks from the worried advisors and Missandei when they walked inside, still giddy from their afternoon flight, but the Queen simply laughed, saying that they didn’t have to worry, that everything was fine and that they’d take their dinner in her chambers.
Arya, for her part, simply followed, a wolfish grin on her face when she saw the doubtful and worried looks they were giving them, and almost laughing out loud when Daenerys literally waved Jorah Mormont off before he could start preaching.
When they reached the corner of the hallway, the silver-haired woman turned around, clearly stifling a laugh as she put her finger to her lips and grabbed Arya’s hand, dragging her forward as they practically ran to her rooms.
The moment they had closed the door behind them, the two were fully laughing.
“Did you see their faces?” Arya said, in between the laughter, “Mormont looked constipated! And then you, just waving him off-”
“I told you,” the Queen replied as she continued into the room, still laughing as she plopped into one of the chairs, “Sometimes it’s just better to not give them a change to react. And besides, I really was not in the mood for a speech.”
Their laughter died down, the younger woman had joined her on one of the chairs now, lounging comfortably. It was quiet in the room, a comfortable silence, with the two women simply gazing at one another.
“Today was…” Daenerys spoke, hesitantly, her voice suddenly softer, “Today was amazing, Arya. Truly, I cannot remember the last time I felt this…”
Ecstatic?
Complete?
In love?
She shook her head, blushing, as she tried to finish the sentence in another way, but feeling it was increasingly hard to do with those soft grey eyes looking at her.
“… Well, since I felt this way… Thank you, for today.”
She smiled, one of those soft smiles that Arya couldn’t get enough of.
The former faceless man noticed the hesitation, and for a moment she wanted to ask what it meant… What ‘this way’ meant.
But a part of her was scared, so she simply let it pass.
“No, I’m the one who should be thanking you, Daenerys. Not just for today, but for these past few weeks. I had never expected I would be able to feel this way either.”
For a moment, the two looked at each other, both trying to discern what the other was feeling exactly.
Then the moment passed with a knock at the door, when Missandei, as well as a few servants, entered with their meals.
The Summer Islander gave a knowing smile as she entered, her earlier worry seemingly forgotten.
“Khaleesi, Arya, we have your meals for you.” As she stepped aside, a number of servants walked in with trays filled with food, and quickly set the small table for the two of them.
The young wolf was starving after the exertion of the day, and began to dig in even while the servants were still setting up, much to the amusement of both Daenerys and Missandei.
The latter, however, turned serious very quickly as she addressed the two of them again.
“Tyrion also asked me to bring you something, Khaleesi.” The seriousness in het voice immediately alerted Arya, who stopped eating abruptly.
As the Queen’s translator stepped forward, a letter in her hand, the world seemed to stop for the younger woman.
“Is that…?” Arya began, but as Missandei came closer, she quickly recognized the unbroken Stark seal.
The Summer Islander nodded gravely, sending the Stark girl a look of pity, before handing the letter to her Queen and bowing.
“I will leave you to read it, call me if you need me, Khaleesi… You as well, Arya.”
The room was deadly silent for a moment after Missandei and the servants left them, both women looking tensely at one another, the unopened letter clasped in Daenerys’ hand.
After a few nervous moments, Daenerys abruptly stood up and moved her chair closer to Arya’s, so they could sit shoulder to shoulder.
She placed her hand gently on the younger woman’s leg, and concerned violet eyes met anxious grey ones. Both women clearly wondering the same thing, and almost not daring to find out.
What did the Starks write…
Almost imperceptibly, Arya nodded at Daenerys, at which the silver-haired woman took a deep breath.
Carefully, in an attempt to keep the Stark seal as intact as possible, a gesture the young wolf much appreciated, she opened the letter, holding it in between the two of them, so they could both read it.
To Queen Daenerys Targaryen,
With much surprise, we have received your letter, asking for an alliance. The bond between House Stark and House Targaryen, though once strong, has long been broken, after actions of both our ancestors.
As you said in your missive, we should not hold you to your Father’s actions, as you do not hold us to the actions of our Father for his part in the rebellion.
We indeed hold no love for Cersei Lannister, and the rule she has over six of the Seven Kingdoms. Our family has suffered too much pain and loss at her hand.
The idea of joining forces with yours, and finally removing Cersei Lannister from the throne, is one the North could normally rally behind.
The situation now, however, is different.
Winter is here. An army of undead has been raised beyond the Wall, and is on its way to Westeros. The Night’s Watch can still hold them back for now, they have not been able to breach the Wall yet, but their forces are immense, and with each life they take, their forces grow.
We fear that they will not be held back anymore for long, and that soon they will be upon us. We have joined forces with the Free Folk, and are rallying the North and the Vale behind us, but the more reports come in, the more we fear it will not be enough. Especially since this enemy cannot be killed through conventional means. Only Valyrian steel, fire, and dragonglass can kill them. Three things we do not have in abundance.
We understand that this news might be shocking. You might even believe it a lie, an excuse for us not to send aid.
It is not, however. Upon the name of House Stark, we swear that the dead come for the Seven Kingdoms, and that if we do not defeat them here, their army will only grow to a size that, by the time they reach the South, will be undefeatable.
We would therefore request your aid. The dragonglass, of which Dragonstone is said to be full of, would help us arm our men.
But we need more than weapons. We need forces. And we fear that not even yours and ours combined will be enough to stop the White Walkers and their Night King. The dead make no difference between Houses, nor between Royals or normal people, men or women, children or adults.
We request your help in defeating this army, and will send the same request to Cersei Lannister. Only an alliance between our three forces can save us now, can save the world.
I, Jon Snow, the King in the North, leave for Dragonstone today, to parlay face to face with you on the matter, and to answer any questions you surely have.
In hopes of a favourable response, not just for the North, but for all of Westeros.
Sincere greetings,
King Jon Snow of House Stark
The room was completely silent as they read, the only sounds their shallow breathing, which increased in intensity as they reached the part of ‘Winter is here’. Both women had frowns on their faces as they finished and looked at one another.
“Arya, this…” Daenerys was the first to speak, her frown clearly fuelled by doubt at what she just read. “What your brother wrote, about an army of dead… What is he playing at?”
Anger seeped through her last words, which took the younger woman by surprise for a moment, her own head swimming with confusion as well, but even in her confusion she shook her head with certainty.
“He’s not.” Her voice cracked with emotion, both at reading something her own brother had written and at the contents of the letter. “He would never… Hard to believe-” she quickly continued, seeing how the Queen wanted to interject, “-though they may be, his words are completely honest.”
The silver-haired woman shook her head, the frown still plastered on her face, although there was less anger in her eyes now. “But, Arya, how can his words be true? An army of dead, white walkers, a ‘Night King’… Those are all fairytales! Ancient legends! Dead who walk the earth, it’s impossible!”
Her voice sounded exasperated, but the younger woman calmly locked eyes with her.
“A few years ago, people said the same about dragons… Stuff of legends, nobody had ever seen any of them, did they even exist?” At those words, Daenerys gasped, the reality of them slowly seeping in.
“But…” she reacted, doubtful violet eyes searching for truth in those calm, grey ones. “But there is proof that dragons existed. There are skulls, and bones… If these White Walkers are real, why haven’t we heard about them up until now, when they are suddenly ready to breach the Wall and kill us all?”
“But there have been reports, Daenerys!” Arya’s calm demeanour changed when she suddenly came to the realization. “I have read many letters from the Night’s Watch, asking for more men, warning people that an army of dead was growing beyond the Wall! Tyrion and Varys wrote it off as lies, as ways to enlist more men for the Watch… But they have been asking for help for years!”
The young wolf could no longer sit still and jumped up, walking away from the table, the food she had craved only moments ago now making her nauseous.
“These letters were sent all over Westeros, and were considered bullshit by everyone, and now… Now it might be too late…”
Daenerys looked at the younger woman, a person she trusted more than almost anyone, and back to the letter. She chose to believe her Stark, at the very least, but the reality of what believing this information entailed, suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks.
“So… An enormous army of dead people, who cannot be killed by normal methods, is on its way to Westeros… And if it isn’t stopped in the North, we’re all as good as dead ourselves…”
The Queen was completely deflated, reading the letter again and again, as Arya paced around the room nervously.
Her instincts kept telling her that this wasn’t true.
That it couldn’t be true.
That this was just another player in the Game of Thrones, trying to keep her from her birthright.
But her Arya believed it to be true; believed that her brother would not lie, not about these things.
And if that was the case… She shuddered at the thought.
Daenerys read the letter again, and frowned once more at the final part.
“An alliance between my armies, the North and the South… If that is what is needed to save us from our doom…” She looked up at the younger woman, who had stopped her pacing to listen for a moment, her back toward Daenerys. “Even if I agree, which I concede will be necessary, if the Usurper does not…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Arya quickly spun around and spat out: “Cersei Lannister will never agree to anything like this!”
The look of anger on her face, and the darkness in her eyes were almost enough to frighten the Queen, but she knew her friend long enough now to realise the sadness simmering below the surface.
“If they send her the same letter, if your brother speaks with her as well, maybe she will understand…”
“No!” Daenerys had never known her Arya to shout, especially not at her, and looked on, shocked, as she continued. “No, Daenerys, she won’t! She might pretend to, to lure Jon into a trap, or whatever, but she will never – EVER – help anyone! The entire world could be at stake – the entire world is at stake – but she will still only think about herself! Moving forces away from her would leave her vulnerable, there is just no way! I can’t believe my brother would be foolish enough to believe this could work! Or Sansa, or Bran! They should have learned by now, I have learned by now!!”
Arya ended her rant by slamming her hand on the table, but hit a glass as she did so. Seeing the blood on her hand seemed to stop her, sadness replacing the anger on her face.
Cautiously, as one would a wild animal, the older woman stood up, grabbing a napkin and gently taking the young wolf’s hand in her own to examine the wound.
“I’m sorry…” Arya spoke, quietly, a dejected look on her face that pained the Queen. “I shouldn’t have yelled…”
Daenerys could see the hurt in those grey eyes, and gave a soft smile. “It’s okay, dear one. I understand.”
At her kind words, the younger woman shook her head, frowning. “No, it’s not okay. And I shouldn’t have said those things… They are desperate, of course they are, if they are even willing to parlay with fucking Cersei.” The word was punctuated, but Daenerys was happy to see the venomous anger was no longer there.
She put her hand on the young Stark’s face, and caressed her cheek, trying to make eyecontact with the other woman. “Hey…” When sad grey eyes looked into hers, she smiled again. “It’s okay to be angry… At the news, at their plans… But if the situation is what it is, we can only do our best to help. We will parlay with your brother, the dragonglass is not…”
Daenerys continued on, promising Arya to do all she could to help her brother, to aid in the upcoming war, but the former Faceless Man heard almost none of her words.
Instead, she looked at the blood on her hand.
The broken glass on the table, and the red wine mixed with her blood.
“You are right.” Arya spoke with a decisive voice, interrupting Daenerys. “We can only do our best to help. You can do your part, and I should do mine.”
The silver-haired woman was happy to see the sadness disappear from the other woman’s eyes, and the certainty that was now visible, but the way her wolf said ‘I should do mine’ confused her.
“What do you mean, Arya? We will do this together, won’t we?”
The gnawing feeling inside her stomach only grew worse, when she saw the younger woman shake her head and step away from her.
“There…” Arya began, hesitantly, refusing to make eyecontact with Daenerys as she walked towards the window, trying (but failing) to see the dragons in the darkness. “There are some things about me that I have not told you yet, Daenerys…” She looked down at her hand and the bloody napkin, and back outside again. “I have told you only fragments about my past… About my wish for revenge… How I am a monster…”
Her voice grew more and more quiet as she spoke, and at the word monster the older woman was immediately by her side, gently placing her hand on her shoulder.
“You are not a monster, Arya…” Daenerys’ voice was almost pleading with her, but Arya only chuckled in response.
“I am… Or I was, at least, before I met you.” Grey eyes quickly made eye contact with violent ones, the emotion apparent in them, before they looked down again. “And part of me still is, even to this day… I hate it, but at this time… I also need it. I need to use the skills I have, to help my family. To help you.”
She locked eyes with Daenerys again, the look of determination clear in them, and was met with a confused frown.
“I… I don’t understand, Arya? What do you mean? What skills, what…”
She looked distraught, which was the last thing the Stark wanted, but she shook her head remorsefully. “I can’t tell you, Daenerys, not now… It’s too dangerous…”
“Dangerous?” The Queen’s voice grew higher, her anxiousness clear in both her voice and the way she was grasping Arya’s shoulder. “What do you mean, dangerous? What will you do?”
“I will explain it to you, I promise. If all goes well, we’ll see each other again soon.”
She tried to keep her voice steady en sure, but could barely contain herself when she watched the panic in the other woman’s eyes.
“See each other again?” Daenerys all but shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. “You are leaving? You are leaving me?” She let go of the girl’s shoulder, backing away in shock.
“No!” Arya quickly responded, placing both her hands on the distraught woman’s face, pulling her closer to her again. “No, Daenerys, I am not leaving you! I need to go, yes, I need to make this right, but you…” Her own voice cracked as well, as the former assassin suddenly became aware of the feelings she had for the silver-haired woman. “I don’t even want to leave you, if I could, I would be by your side for all eternity. And once this is over, I will be. I promise you, I will.”
She felt tears escaping her eyes, and saw violet eyes similarly glisten with unshed tears.
Arya swallowed dryly, both her hands pulling the other woman even closer, stormy grey and violet eyes drowning in one another.
“I need to leave, so that the world doesn’t go to shit… So that we can be together afterwards.” Her voice grew deeper, raw with emotion, as she pulled Daenerys even closer.
The older woman, though still perturbed, placed her hands on the other woman’s hips, and pulled their bodies together, just as their lips met.
They kissed, first softly, then more roughly, their lips fighting for dominance.
When they paused for a moment to look at one another, their hearts were beating so loudly in their chests, they could barely hear anything else.
It was like the world didn’t exist around them anymore, like time had stopped.
All the emotions of the past hour had been piling up.
All those pent-up emotions of the past few weeks together, it all came to a culmination now.
Their lips met again, quickly, roughly, the hunger apparent in both of the women as their hands began wandering.
Daenerys’ hand quickly found its way under the loose-fitting shirt Arya was wearing, caressing her abs and moving upwards towards her breast.
Arya, though less practiced, may or may not have imagined getting her Queen out of the intricate clothes she was wearing, and deftly unknotted the laces keeping the outfit together.
Together, they moved towards the bed, hands wandering.
Clothes being discarded.
A slight pause, when Daenerys noticed the many scars on Arya’s body.
But the young wolf gave her no time to ask questions, as she hungrily bit the other woman’s neck.
Questions, doubts and fears, those were for later.
This night, finally, it was time for love.
The next morning brought a golden glow into the room. Their curtains, due to their nightly actions, had not been shut, and even the food from the previous night was all still laying on the table, almost entirely untouched.
Daenerys woke up in the sunlight, wondering for a moment why the curtains hadn’t been closed, before the realisation brought a smile and a blush to her face.
For a moment, she wanted to bask in the sunlight and the feelings of the previous night, but a part of her was afraid to turn around.
Afraid that the bed might be empty… That it was all a dream.
When she did turn around, though, her heart filled with joy at the look of her little wolf, lying next to her, her face hidden in her pillow.
The Queen chuckled. “Good morning, sunshine.”
She placed her hand on the bare shoulder next to her, tracing a large scar that ran from the shoulder to the girl’s back with her finger.
Arya’s response was a grunt from within the pillow, which caused Daenerys to laugh again.
A single grey eye opened up and looked at her frustratedly. “Do Targaryens not use curtains or something? It’s ridiculously sunny in here.”
Her annoyed look was quickly replaced with one of love, when the other woman’s hand began to caress her cheek, and Daenerys placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Arya almost melted in her pillow at the gesture, hardly believing this was real. That this could happen to her.
“The curtains, my dear, would have been closed, and the food from last night taken away, but I assume Missandei must have come in to do so and-” Daenerys chuckled, a blush forming on her cheeks, “well, decided that it wasn’t the best time for that.”
“Oh, crap!” Arya groaned again, hiding her head behind her hands.
“Oh?” Daenerys reacted, a joking glimmer in her eyes. “Are you ashamed to be found in bed with your Queen, Arya? Did you not enjoy last night? Because I had a feeling you very much did.”
Her voice went low again by the end, and Arya’s body reacted instantly, going in for another hungry kiss, and pressing her naked body up against her lover.
Instead of continuing however, for a repeat of the previous night, she stopped herself and grew serious.
Daenerys noticed the shift immediately, and knew as she looked into those determined grey eyes what had brought it on.
“You need to go, don’t you?”
Arya nodded sadly, putting her hand on her lover’s cheek, and caressing it with a calloused thumb.
“I do, yes.”
“Will I see you again?” Daenerys hated how her voice sounded so small, so weak, but she had to ask.
Arya swallowed dryly, and nodded.
“I promise, Daenerys, I will do everything in my power to help in this coming war.”
The silver-haired woman shook her head, her eyebrows arched. “That’s not what I want, though. It’s selfish, I know, but…”
The younger woman looked at her with determination clear in her grey eyes, but also love and complete honesty, and nodded.
“I will do everything in my power to come back to you, my love. I promise.”