ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʇɐᴚ ʇǝǝɹʇS ǝɥ⊥

♕. ᴀ ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ sǝuoɹɥ⊥

CHAPTER EIGHT | The Sept Of Sorrows

The young Stark walks without words, the taunting words of the Kingslayer still fresh in his mind. He walks through the corridors slowly, offering curt nods to those who pass him. The air almost somber, the walls knowing. He opens his sister's chamber door without warning, the steel beneath the cloth in his hands nearly weightless.

"Septa Mordane says I have to do it again. My things weren't properly folded, she says. Who cares how they're folded. They're going to get all messed up anyway," Arya scoffs, throwing a cloak into the wooden case, a deep frown across her features. Jon glances at her white and grey direwolf pacing about, raising an eyebrow.

"It's good you've got help," He says, his tone low and gruff with a boyish hum, a gentle reminder of his youth. The amusement in his words reaching his sister but likely being lost on a stranger.

"Watch. Nymeria, gloves." Arya's frown falls, a smile taking her lips as she squares her shoulders. Nymeria stops in her tracks, taking a seat as she stares with a blank expression. The silence persists for a few seconds before Jon turns back to his sister.

"Impressive," He says, a smirk ghosting on his lips as Arya tells him to shut up. She tries once more, but Nymeria merely tilts her head. "I have something for you. It has to be packed very carefully."

"And I you," Arya says, rushing across the room. She tosses several things onto her bed. A blunted wooden sword, an incomplete knitted cloth with a sloppy direwolf sewn atop, and many parchments. Her grumbles fill the room before a chuckle supplants it before returning before her brother with furs covering her hands. She places it on the bed, nodding toward him, "You go first!"

"Close the door," Jon instructs, chuckling as Arya practically skips across the room. Her eyes never leave the cloth in his hands. Barring the door, she says no peeking. He removes the fabric, assuring her he will not look as he turns, holding up the dainty steel. Arya beams as she steps forward while Jon removes the sword from its sheath, "This is no toy. Be careful you don't cut yourself."

"It's so skinny," She takes it from his hand, her eyes traveling up the blade.

"So are you. I had the blacksmith make it for you special. It won't hack a man's head off, but it can poke him full of holes if you're quick enough," Jon says, smiling as she gently waves it in the air. Her eyes locked upon her sword. She says she can be quick. "You'll have to work at it every day. How does it feel? Do you like the balance?"

"I think so," She fiddles with the base before looking up at her older brother. The two with the most Stark likeness besides Bran and Rickon. Jon leans down, placing his hand on the side of Arya's face.

"First lesson," His eyes lock with her own he speaks as though a sensitive secret sits between them. Small Arya clinging to his every word, so enthralled she fails to notice the smirk that threatens his lips, "Stick them with the pointy end."

"I know which end to use," Arya rolls her eyes as Jon hums a softness to him that the gods would soon wipe from the earth. He leans back up, dropping his hand, taking in every little detail of his sister as his future looms beyond the walls.

"I'm going to miss you," He says, a silence sitting between the two before she steps forward, arms out wide. Jon flinches back, calling out careful as Arya's sword swings ahead on his right. Arya places it down on her bed, looking up at her brother before jumping up. Her arms around his neck, he holds her from the ground as the two embraces. Jon mutters, "All the best swords have names, you know."