The Dragon in the North - Aemond Targaryen

16.

Vyara

Arya has been buzzing around my rooms excitedly for the last few hours, as I await the night nervously. Arya is beside herself that Aemond has instructed us to dress plainly and keeps jumping in and out of my wardrobe, trying to find anything that looks simple.

At around 7pm there is a knock on my door, I open it and a little boy I don't recognise hands me what appears to be some rags and runs away. I go back into the room and look at Arya who grabs them from me.

"What in the seven hells are these?" she spreads them out and we look at each other grimly. They are horrible, hooded dresses. "No way, I can't wear this!" she cries.

"I have a bad feeling about this Arya, where are they taking us? We could cancel, I could pretend I'm sick..."

"No! Vyara you promised we would go. I'm sure we can make them look pretty, somehow..."

I laugh, these wouldn't look pretty on the most beautiful woman in the world. Arya starts stripping off the dress she had picked and pulls it the rags over her heard frantically, running to the mirror.

"Good Gods, this is atrocious..."

I start loosening my dress and pull it over my head and pop the horrible thing on, standing beside Arya at the mirror and we both burst out laughing. We look like street beggars.

"This is awful Arya, surely they wouldn't be playing a prank on us?" I squint.

Arya turns and looks at me, "no, they are taking us into the city, I just know it. I know the men go in disguise to the city all of the time, visiting the alehouses and brothels."

I'm full of anxiety, "I think you are right, which is a terrible idea, Arya," I walk to my side table and pour us both a glass of wine. I down mine in one.

She is fixing her hair in the mirror, "it will be fun Vyara, imagine the things we might see!"

"I need you to be careful Arya, I don't want Benjen to get you drunk and take advantage of you..."

She laughs, "I will say the same for you, sister. One too many drinks and you'll wake up in the Prince's chambers!" she comes over and takes her drink and I poke her in the stomach.

"Shut up Arya, I don't even like him."

"OK Vyara, pretend all you want," she laughs at me and I roll my eyes.

We spend minutes peering into the mirror again. I've taken off all of my jewellery and have my hair in loose curls. When I put up the hood, I suppose I could pass for a commoner, aside from my eyes...

Arya and I have another drink and I listen to her buzz about Benjen, I keep wondering what the time is and know it's passing very quickly, as it always does when I'm nervous.

I check myself one more time, I look horrendous and dread to be in front of Aemond like this.

There is a knock and I jump. It's not coming from my door. I look around the room and realise it's coming from behind a tapestry on the far wall. I go over to it and push back the tapestry, seconds later, the wall is flung open, and I see a happy looking Benjen on the other side of the door.

"Ladies," Benjen says loudly. I think he's already had a few to drink and I'm worried the guards will hear him. He greets me happily and goes to Arya and I see Aemond exit the shadows.

He looks me up and down before stepping to me and kissing me on both cheeks, my stomach rolls nervously. He greets Arya before coming back to me. Him and Benjen are wearing similar outfits to ours.

"Vyara, you look well."

I roll my eyes at him, "Where are we going?"

Benjen has taken Arya's hand and is leading her back to the secret door.