Yours and Mine

Heartbeats

The Kingsroad

The carriage moved rather slowly to Arya's liking. The men stopped occasionally to make sure the road was safe, and she groaned each time they did. Her sister was curiously looking out of the windows and enjoying the scenery. Arya didn't mind watching too, but at some point during the ride, her curiousity had turned to utter boredom. How long could someone watch the same road, same trees and the same sky?

As the carriage halted for what she supposed was the hundredth time, she cursed under her breath, catching the attention of her dear sister who instantly turned to her with a horrified look on her face.

"Arya!"

Arya threw her head back and closed her eyes.

"At this pace, I believe we are going to reach King's Landing by the end of the month," she muttered.

"It is only because there are rumours of robbers in these places," Sansa explained. "They need to make sure we are safe."

"Sansa, we are safe. Who would dare raid the King anyway? Arya chanted nonchalantly.

"Yes, of course. Even if they did, you would protect us," Sansa said teasingly.

Arya's eyes shone with mirth as she slid one hand under her skirts and pulled out a dagger. Sansa almost shrieked.

"Well, I do have this."

"Oh, dear Gods. You are such a peculiar creature! Hiding a dagger under your skirts!" Sansa shook her head. "I suggest you keep it hidden, and please try not to hurt yourself with it."

"Sansa, I've been using daggers since forever. Don't worry I won't hurt anyone," she said, putting the dagger away. "Unless of course the situation calls for it," she added, winking.

Suddenly someone knocked at the carriage door. Sansa opened it and their Father smiled at them.

"We will stop here for a few hours. Would you like to come out?"

"Oh yes!" Arya heaved a sigh of relief. She nearly jumped out of the carriage and breathed in. "I am so tired of sitting."

Ned patted her lightly on the shoulder. "Some merchants were robbed a few hours ago here," he explained. "We will wait here until the men make sure the road is safe."

"Isn't that what they've been doing since we left?"

Ned shook his head. "We have to keep the King safe."

"How far are we from King's Landing?"

"Five or six hours at this pace."

Arya nodded and looked around.

"Father?" Sansa asked, getting out of the carriage.

"Yes, child?"

"Is there any lake or river around?"

"Yes," Ned smiled. "Why?"

"I feel lightheaded. Can I go and wash my face?"

"I don't think that will be wise, Sansa. The place is not safe."

"Please, Father. You can come with me, then you don't have to worry," Sansa insisted.

Ned sighed and hesitatingly nodded at her daughter. "All right."

"Can I come too?" Arya asked excitingly.

"No, little wolf. You stay here."

"Father!" She pouted, and Ned laughed lightly.

"Your sister and I will be back soon. You wait here."

Arya groaned in dissatisfaction. As Ned and Sansa walked away, Arya leaned against the door of her carriage, arms crossed under her chest.

She was right. They hadn't even arrived in King's Landing and she was bored out of her mind. Gods knew what would happen once she did reach her destination. She kicked a pebble with her foot, sending it among the bushes on the side of the road.

"Lady Arya." She turned to see the King smiling fondly at her.

"Your Grace," she smiled lightly. "If you are looking for Father, he's gone with Sansa. They'll be back soon."

"Tell me Lady Arya, are you happy to be visiting King's Landing?"

Arya frowned at his question and replied, "I do not like to be far from home, Your Grace."

Rhaegar approached her with slow steps. Arya studied his face. His features were different from her Father's, but in his eyes Arya found the same gravity that her Father's eyes possessed. It made her wonder if Rhaegar Targaryen was anything like her Father, or were they as different as their appearances suggested them to be.

"You wolves cherish the cold. I asked your father once if he wanted to be the Hand and come stay in King's Landing. He politely refused though."

"My Father loves home," Arya said, somewhat proudly.

"Yes, he does. And so does your Aunt."

"I've never seen her."

"You will soon," he smiled, and Arya noticed the way his eyes lightened.

"I am sure she will be very pleased to meet you."

"So will I, Your Grace."

King's Landing

"Stop blabbering, both of you. They're here. Come on now."

Jon hadn't seen his mother this happy for a long time. She was running around the castle with a big grin on her face, making sure everything was in place and perfect. She was in a wonderfully happy state. Jon wished his uncle would visit King's Landing more, if it would make his Mother this happy. He wished he could share his mother's happiness though. He was going to meet his betrothed soon. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Sansa Stark was said to be very beautiful and a graceful lady, but could he love her? Of course, he would marry her because his parents had told him to, but love was another matter entirely. His brother had worsened the situation, talking about it all the time. Aegon said he did it because he was arguably more experienced with wooing women than Jon. Jon didn't argue; arguing with Aegon was a bad move when you have a headache.

Jon looked ahead and noticed the group of people approaching.

"There you go, brother. Your fate is approaching," Aegon said.

As they came closer, Lyanna lost her patience and went ahead of the others. Jon noticed a man with dark hair riding beside his Father. His hair fell on his shoulders.

"He looks like you," Aegon said, surprise in his voice.

"I look like him."

The men unmounted from their horses as soon as they reached the gates. Lyanna let out an unladylike shriek and jumped into her brother's arms. Jon looked at Rhaegar, who stood silently beside them. He didn't show discomfort at the gesture, much to Jon's surprise.

"Aegon. Jon. Come."

The brothers walked toward the men. Eddard Stark bowed before them, and up close, Jon was striken by the familarity between his and his uncle's features.

Jon felt Aegon nudge him, and he turned to face him. He was looking at something else, and Jon turned his eyes to the object of his brothers's attention.

A girl got out of the carriage behind the men. Her hair was auburn, and fell to her waist; she wore a deep blue gown that matched her eyes, which were as blue as the sky. She was beautiful in a gentle and elegant way. She smiled warmly and shyly and walked forward.

"My daughter, Sansa, Your Graces."

Just then, another girl came out of the carriage, and Jon's breath got caught in his throat.

The girl looked so much like him, it was astounding. Her skin was pale and there was a carelessness about her looks. She looked at him and Jon noticed her grey eyes. She looked like a mirror to him; her dark-hair fell in waves down her shoulder. She wasn't as beautiful as her sister, but there was something very attractive about her. Attractive, striking and wolfish.

"And that is Arya," Ned smiled. "Doesn't she look like you, Lya?"

Jon looked at both the women. Yes, they did look alike.

Lyanna kissed Sansa on the cheek and whispered something in her ear, at which Sansa blushed. She then went to Arya, who was staring at her aunt as if she'd seen a ghost. Lyanna held her at arms's length and gasped. "You do look like me, dear one."

Kissing her cheek, Lyanna smiled warmly at her. Jon noticed how the girl's eyes filled with pride and admiration at his mother's words.

"Jon," his Father called him. Before he could look his way, his eyes met Arya's for the second time. Her brows frowned and she bit her lip, staring him in the eye. Something made him look away.

"Jon," his Father called again. "Lady Sansa, your betrothed."

Jon turned to the older girl, who smiled shyly at him. He took her hand and kissed it; Sansa kept her gaze on the ground. She then turned to Aegon, who took her hand and kissed it as well, at which Sansa blushed a deep shade of red. Jon looked at Aegon, who was smiling and staring at Sansa.

"And Lady Arya."

She came in front of him and gave him a nonchalant smile. Jon was surprised, as women usually seemed shy when first meeting the royal family, highborn or not. But this girl was standing there as if they were just some ordinary people she had come to visit; she wasn't affected at all, contrary to her sister. Jon took her hand to kiss it, but she scoffed.

"I don't think there's need to do that," she muttered.

"Arya," her Father warned, shaking his head. Jon heard his mother chuckle and whisper something to his Father and his Uncle, making both of them join in her laughter.

"Oh fine, go on with it." Jon couldn't help but smile at her words, as he pressed a kiss on the back of her hand. She frowned at him again before going to Aegon, who was smirking.

"Well, well, the wolf doesn't like courtesies now, does she?" He asked teasingly.

"I don't like useless things."

"Well, that makes the two of us then." Arya rolled her eyes and smiled at Aegon. He didn't kiss her hand, just simply shook it. Arya seemed pleased at that.

"Come inside the castle, children. You must be tired," Lyanna bid them and went inside. Sansa followed his mother, and Jon followed Sansa.

"I'm more like bored," he heard Arya mutter under her breath.

"Well, the journey is more enjoyable when you ride a horse," Aegon said.

"If only they'd let me."

"You like riding?" Aegon asked, surprised.

"Of course," she replied proudly.

"Would you like a race then sometime?"

"Really?" Arya exclaimed with wonder.

"Of course," Aegon said. Then he lowered his voice, "Just don't get me in trouble."

They entered the hall and Jon realised he had been eavesdropping all the way. He paced ahead of the two. His Father and Ned Stark were talking; they stopped just as they saw him.

"Nephew," Ned addressed him, first time since his arrival.

"Uncle." Jon smiled.

"Do you like Lady Sansa, Jon?" Rhaegar asked.

"I haven't spoken to her yet," Jon said. "But I am sure I'll like her."

"I hope you do, son. Marriages do not work if you don't love each other," Ned spoke.

"I am sure he will." Rhaegar looked over Jon's shoulder and smiled. "Aegon and Arya seem to be getting along."

"It's surprising," her Father said. "Arya doesn't get along much with others. Aegon seems like a good lad."

"He is," Rhaegar replied. "And I think they have befriended each other so quickly because Aegon is a bit like Arya."

"I hope they don't bring the castle down," Jon said, amused.

"Keep an eye on them, Jon, will you?" Ned joked.

Jon nodded. "I will."

Their talk was interrupted by Lyanna, who instructed Jon to escort Lady Sansa to her chambers, as the girls were probably too tired. Aegon offered to escort Arya, who was more than happy to comply. Jon linked his arms with his betrothed, who still looked intimidated by all of it. Arya took Aegon's arm as both of them followed Jon and Sansa, laughing and talking. Both the girls had been given rooms adjacent to each other.

"I hope you don't mind Arya's behaviour," Sansa said to Jon.

"Of course not. I have grown used to all that living with Aegon."

Sansa nodded.

"Are you happy with this match, Lady Sansa?" Jon asked.

She smiled gently, "My Father knows what is right for me, Prince Jon. I can rely on him to make decisions for me, as I did in this case as well."

"It seems," Jon smiled at her. "We are both bound by duty."

Aegon let out a rather loud laugh, followed by Arya's own voice.

"They are not, it seems."

"No, they aren't."

When they reached her room, they bowed politely to each other. Aegon and Arya walked ahead, and stopped when they reached her room. Arya thanked him and glanced at Jon, then went inside her room.

Aegon was beside Jon in seconds, putting his arm around his shoulder. He was still laughing.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Jon remarked.

"I think I have found my match, brother."

"Have you now?" Jon asked sarcasticly.

"And I thought I was wild. Seven hells! Jon, can you believe she rides horses, and knows archery and swordfighting!"

"Swordfighting, truly?" Jon asked surprised.

"Yes, and she even challenged me to a duel."

"That good?"

"She even told me about her sister. Come on, Jon," Aegon grinned. "I will tell you about your sweet Lady Sansa."

Jon didn't object but honestly, the dark haired girl intrigued him more than his betrothed did at this moment.