Snow Like Ash ▸ Game of Thrones

Family, Duty, Honor

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CHAPTER 02 :
FAMILY, DUTY, HONOR

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Arya

"They came to us from WhiteHarbor and Barrowtown, from Fairmarket and King's Landing, from north and south, from east and west. They died protecting men, women, and children who will never know their names. It is for us to remember our brothers. We shall never see their like again." Maester Aemon said solemnly.

"And now their watch is ended," all the brothers in black chorused.

"And now their watch is ended," said the maester, concluding his eulogy of those who had died during the Battle at Castle Black

Arya watched as the feeble maester descended the stairs slowly and took a lit torch in his wrinkled hands. He lowered the flame to the corner of the funeral pyre that held the deceased men in black. Once the fire took, the elderly man handed off the torch to the plump man beside him that Jon had introduced to her as Samwell Tarly. He lit the next corner of the pyre and gave it to her brother. Arya saw no happiness in his expression as he took his turn lighting the pyre. She wished she could comfort her brother.

She looked to her left slowly to see Queen Rowynn, and several of her closest knights and advisors watching the funeral. Arya had come to trust the young royal and the rest of her house, and while she knew that Jon might not make the same choice, she desperately wished he would. An alliance with House Nyrs would almost secure the return of Winterfell to her family, but that was not the sole reason she hoped for their deal to work. In the short time Arya had spent at Castle Nightfire she had learned that there was a chance for her and her siblings to be safe and happy. Rowynn had also allowed her to continue her sword training, assigning her a talented knight, Ser Rygos, to train her. She was not sure if it was smart for her to do so, but she began thinking of Castle Nightfire as a safe-heaven that was untouched by the many problems plaguing the Seven Kingdoms.

"Do you wish to retire for the night, Your Grace?" One of the burly knights questioned.

Rowynn shook her head without looking away from the intensifying fire below. "It is still early, Raegnar. I would like to hold the council with the commanders before I do retire for the night though."

The knight took his leave after bowing slightly. Arya pursed her lips into a taught line. "Have you talked to Jon?"

"I did earlier, but I told him I would give him time to think about his decision," Rowynn answered softly. When Arya's expression faltered, the silver-haired girl faced her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Even if he chooses not to take my offer, we will find a way to best align our houses, I swear it by the old gods and the new."

"I believe you," the younger girl responded with a light smile.

"You should go to your brother," said Rowynn as she looked down at Jon. "Spend as much time with him as you can before we have to go."

Arya nodded, and followed the queen's gaze to her brother who was still watching burning funeral fire. He then glanced over his shoulder at the balcony where she was standing, and they exchanged short smile. She looked at Rowynn as Jon turned his gaze to the silver-haired queen. Arya smirked to herself when she caught both of them smile lightly at each other.

She took her leave quietly, disappearing into the castle behind them. Arya knew Jon would value any one of his sibling's opinion of Rowynn and her offer, but since she was the only one at Castle Black the task of advising him fell on her shoulders.