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Rating:
Explicit
Archive Warning:
Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Categories:
F/MMulti
Fandoms:
Game of Thrones (TV)House of the Dragon (TV)A Song of Ice and Fire & Related FandomsA Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. Martin
Relationships:
Arya Stark & Daemon TargaryenArya Stark/ ?Arya Stark/Daemon TargaryenArya Stark/Aemond "One-Eye" TargaryenAegon II Targaryen/Arya StarkArya Stark & Laena VelaryonDaemon Targaryen/Rhaenyra TargaryenAemond "One-Eye" Targaryen & Arya StarkAegon II Targaryen & Arya Stark
Characters:
Arya StarkDrogon | Daenerys Targaryen's DragonDaemon TargaryenAemond "One-Eye" TargaryenAegon II TargaryenLaena Velaryon (Daughter of Corlys)Baela TargaryenRhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Rhaenys Targaryen VelaryonRhaenyra Targaryen
Additional Tags:
Arya Stark-centricTime TravelAlternate Universe - Canon DivergenceBAMF Arya StarkCanon-Typical ViolenceWarg Arya StarkTime Travel Fix-ItFamily DynamicsDragon Rider Arya StarkAegon II Targaryen is Not a RapistThreesome - F/M/MDigital Art
Language:
English
Stats:
Published:2024-09-01Updated:2026-06-17Words:520,544Chapters:90/?Comments:1,601Kudos:2,362Bookmarks:446Hits:94,300
A Song Told Through Time
wicked17writer
Chapter 7: Arya
Summary:
Arya POV
Notes:
Tissue warning.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 7
~Arya~
Arya was happy to have facilitated the reunion between Valeryon mother and father and daughter, an act of kindness she would have performed even if it didn't benefit her at all. And though she was wary of them at first, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys had proven to be most kind and welcoming for a Lord and a Princess. The relation between them and their daughter was never more evident than when they ignored her more odd or unladylike behaviors. Which, they did often. Though, that discretion might derive from a sense of gratitude rather than speak to their actual acceptance.
Three moons into her stay on Driftmark Arya had found much joy on the deceptively dreary island. Whether she was exploring the town of Hull with Baela and Lord Corlys, he giving her unlimited access to pester crews with question and go aboard every ship that caught her eye. Or shopping in Spicetown with Rhaena and Princess Rhaenys, who provided unlimited funds to buy whatever she wanted, even clothing she knew Rhaenys disapproved of. Or just sightseeing by the shipyards alone. The new setting was a breath of fresh air for her curious mind and the Valeryon's generosity left her every desire satiated.
All in all, she was glad her grand manipulation had worked out so well for all in involved.
"Blue." Rhaena said, looking at Arya for some sign she had guessed correctly.
"Nope."
"Red." Daemon guessed next.
"Nuh-uh."
"Green!" Laena tried.
"No." Arya snickered.
Baela pouted, "Your favorite color is black isn't it?"
"Ding ding ding!" Arya cheered, ignoring the groans of disappointment from Rhaena and Laena.
"Black isn't even a color." Rhaena muttered causing Arya to snort.
Lady Laena was in the ninth month of her pregnancy and had been confined to bed rest for a full moon. It had become practice for the girls and Daemon to gather in their chambers at the end of every day to spend time with Laena.
Sometimes the girls would spend the whole time telling their parents about their day and whatever adventures they got up to. Others, like today, they would play games to pass the time and keep Laena's spirits up during her confinement.
"I bet I can guess her favorite song." Laena teased, casting a mischievous grin to the four souls clustered around her bed.
Arya sensed a joke at her expense coming.
With a beautiful voice Laena began to sing, "The Smith he labors day and night, to put the world of men to right." The girls, now aware of Arya's preference for pretty laborers cackled. "With hammer, plow, and fire bright he builds for little children."
Daemon and the girls clapped as Arya shook her head, "Laena, first off, that is a verse not a song," Daemon threw a pillow at her head which she ducked, "And second, no, that is not my favorite song."
On her knees Baela jumped up and down on the bed as she demanded, "Tell us your favorite then!"
"No!" Rhaena clapped excitedly, a challenging gleam in her eyes, "Sing it!"
Predictably Baela began chanting, "Sing it, sing it, sing it." And then Laena and Daemon were calling for a song as well.
"That is not part of our game," Arya tried to deny.
"This is a new game." Daemon declared with a smirk.
"I don't even know my favorite song." She defended, but they wouldn't have it.
"Make one up!" Baela demanded as Rhaena called out, "Sing! Sing!"
"You are all gluttons for punishment." She playfully warned, but as it was all in good fun and in the name of entertainment, she committed to making a fool of herself.
Standing up beside the bed she made a show of 'warming up' her voice and she sang, "Me, me, me, me."
Daemon snorted, reaching for a cup of whine, "You're actually going to sing?"
She gave him and Laena a mocking curtsey, "For my Lord and Lady's pleasure? Of course! If you wish it so, of course I'll sing, as you are to be obeyed in all things and I am your obedient ward."
Daemon nearly choked as he laughed at her fake sweet voice, Laena patted him on the back as she and the girls chuckled too.
Loudly clearing her throat, Arya shut her eyes and reached deep inside for a song. With her memory she wasn't sure she would be able to find one and she half anticipated having to make one up as Baela had suggested. But to her surprise a melody came to mind.
She started humming. Then like whispers on the wind, she found lyrics. "My featherbed is deep and soft, and there I'll lay you down,"
Her mind failed her on the next line and she hummed until got back to a part she remembered, "For you shall be my lady love, and I shall be your lord."
Again, she couldn't quite make out the next line so she improvised until the lyrics came back to her, "la, da, da, la, la…She spun away and said to him, no featherbed for me, I'll wear a gown of golden leaves, and da da da la da, But you can be my forest love, and me your forest lass."
The song reminded her of Gendry, but she couldn't remember where she heard it or how it related to dead blacksmith, she had given her maidenhead. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised at how quiet they all were.
She had honestly expected Daemon to start heckling, but instead he looked thoughtful. Perhaps they were all too stunned to speak? "Was I that bad?"
"No!" Baela shouted quickly, Rhaena rushing to add, "It was good."
"Surprisingly good." Daemon said, raising his glass to her.
Laena held out her hand and beckoned Arya to her side. "My girl, my delightful surprise," Once close enough Laena pulled her into a heartfelt sideways hug, "You have a beautiful voice Arya, I didn't know!"
Arya chuckled and hugged her back, "Neither did I."
"And I love your song!" Rhaena gushed.
"Mushier than I would have expected from you," Baela conceded with a grin, "But good."
Once Laena let go and Arya settled into the bed beside her, Daemon offered her his glass. Uncomfortable with all the praise she drank from it greedily. Perhaps sensing her unease or just in a good mood Daemon surprised her when he began singing in High Valyrian.
He had a good voice and despite not knowing the words it sounded vaguely familiar, as all High Valyrian did to her now. She enjoyed the song very much.
Once it ended all the women clapped, much to Daemon's obvious pleasure.
Rhaena in a rare show of confidence, climbed into her father's lap and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "That was beautiful Papa."
Daemon smiled at her kindly and settled her more comfortably in his arms. "Thank you, sweet girl."
Curious Arya asked, "What did you sing? I mean, what did the lyrics mean?"
Daemon stared into her eyes as he answered, "Fire breather, winged leader, but two heads, to a third sing, from my voice: the fires have spoken, and the price has been paid, with blood magic, with words of flame with clear eyes, to bind the three, to you I sing, as one we gather, and with three heads, we shall fly as we were destined, beautifully, freely."
In the fireplace a loud cracking noise made Laena jump. This caused the girls and Laena to giggle and the tension following Daemon's haunting translation to break. But for Arya, the spell was not broken. Daemon and she continued to stare at each other until Rhaena once again complimented her father, distracting him.
The song…THE SONG.
Arya looked to the window; she knew somewhere out over the water where Drogon was currently hunting for whales, her dragon was staring back at her.
Shaking her head, she pushed the weird feeling to the back of her mind. She eyed the girls, a slow grin blooming on her face, "Okay terrible twosome, your turn to sing."
.
.
.
Before they knew it the baby was due to arrive within the week. Laena of course, was thrilled but her happiness was doubled when her brother unexpectedly arrived. Well, it was unexpected for Laena, secretly Arya had conspired with Princess Rhaenys to write to Laenor and invite him as she knew he was the missing piece in Laena's glorious return home.
The reunited siblings were overjoyed to see each other after ten years of nothing but correspondence. And it filled her with bittersweet feelings to watch the full House Valeryon reunion.
Over time it had become evident to her that the number of people Daemon cared for was very small, and though he liked and tolerated others, like Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys, he wouldn't actually choose to spend time with them if he could help it. She was unsurprised to learn he felt the same about Ser Laenor. Therefore, after initial introductions were made and excuses about the absence of his own family were lamented, she and Daemon made their escape.
"Do you really think it will be a boy?" Arya asked as she and Daemon sat down at the end of a dock, to drink and look out at the sea.
"Laena claims to know it for certain, but she said that before so I'm dubious." After uncorking and taking a swig, Daemon handed her the bottle.
"Perhaps it is your fate," She mused, "Or possibly very ironic revenge. For you to only sire girls I mean."
He laughed and she silently preened. Making Daemon genuinely laugh was not an easy feat but she was growing more adept at the skill every day. He knocked his shoulder into hers, "A most terrible fate indeed."
They spent most of the afternoon drinking and chatting. It was the most peaceful she had seen him.
Just as they were about to go looking for food a man came running down the dock all in a tizzy.
"Prince Daemon!" It was a Valeryon guard, "Prince Daemon you must come quickly!" A happy smile lit up the man's face as he gladly told them, "It's Lady Laena, the babe is coming!"
.
.
.
"The babe will not come." The Maester informed them dourly.
She and Daemon stood with the man in the corner of the room Laena had endured a day and night of painful labor in. Arya's eyes flickered to the bed where midwives fluttered about the expectant mother. Her eyes lingered on Princess Rhaenys who had been and remained by her daughter's bedside faithfully.
Princess Rhaenys, Arya, and Daemon had all been with Laena since her labors started, but it was all for naught and everyone knew it. But no one wanted to say it.
She looked at Laena. Her friend was exhausted, pale and weak and crying in her mother's arms, just begging for it to be over. Not today Arya silently prayed.
"We could try to save the babe." The Maester said with a grimace, "But the mother would likely not survive and I have my doubts about the babe as well."
A small noise tried to escape the back of her throat but she did not let it free. She looked up at Daemon. He was Laena's husband. Her lord. The father of the unborn babe. The decision was his.
He shook his head no. A few hours ago, when Laena's condition grew truly dire, he had stopped speaking unless absolutely necessary. Arya sensed him drawing inward, in every sense of the word, and she totally understood. She thought about hugging him, just then as he decided Laena's fate, but decided against it. He was in such a fragile state she did not know how he would react.
"I want a—I want to die a dragon riders' death." Laena told them all, her eyes shifted to Rhaenys, "Mother, please, help me."
Princess Rhaenys shook her head. Arya did not understand the older woman's pain, but she empathized. It had to be hard to watch one's daughter brought so low by cruel fate.
With wild desperate eyes Laena searched the room, "Daemon, husband, take me to Vhagar. Please, I wish to ride one last time."
"No." Rhaenys denied, "My girl you are too weak, you need rest to finish your labors--"
Laena snarled at her mother like the dragon she truly was, "I am dying!"
It was like a hand closed around her throat. Arya inhaled deeply. No one had said it. No had the balls to say it, but Laena. And now that it had been spoken she could not ignore the reality of their situation. She had to be strong. She had to be what was needed.
"No!" Rhaenys sobbed, hugging her daughter close, "No, you are not dying, my girl, my only girl."
Laena ignored her mother and called to Daemon again, reaching out a hand in his direction she pleaded, "Help me."
Daemon backed away from his dying wife until he ran into the door. There was heartbreak in his eyes and fear on his face. Laena looked to her then, "Arya."
She in turn looked to the Maester. "You are certain there is no hope?"
The man nodded in confirmation, "I could give her something for the pain, make her comfortable--"
"I don't care for comfort!" Laena cried, pushing her mother away, "I wish to see my dragon one last time, please! Please!"
Everything inside Arya went cold. She numbed herself to all her emotions. Like blowing out a candle, all the grief and horror and pain and despair she felt just went quiet. Because she had to be what Laena needed.
Her voice was steady as she said, "Daemon, pick up your wife."
She felt nothing when Laena looked at her with gratitude. She turned away to look at Laena's husband. He had not moved, had not looked away from Laena and her desperation. Grabbing Daemon's arm, she dragged him to his feet and pushed him over to the bed, ordering, "Pick her up now."
Rhaenys moved to intercept them, but Arya easily grabbed the woman, spun her around and put her in a chokehold. Daemon finally looked away from Laena and to her, with wide eyes he asked, "What are you doing."
"What is necessary." She responded, turning to snarl at the Maester who was going for the door, "You fucking move or scream for help, and I will kill her." She would not. But her voice was emotionless and her eyes were hard, so she had a fair chance of the man falling for her bluff.
To Daemon, she repeated herself more sternly, "Daemon, take Laena into your arms. NOW!"
He finally obeyed.
"Vhagar," Laena whispered weakly, "Take me to my lady."
Once Laena was secure in Daemon's arms, Arya let go of Rhaenys. She did not check on the gasping woman instead she ran to the door and opened it for Daemon and Laena. Lord Corlys and Ser Laenor sat on a bench waiting anxiously for news.
Wearing matching worried expressions, the pair spoke at the same time, their words overlapping. "What's happened?" "Laena!"
As both men stood Arya rushed forward and pushed them back down ordering "STAY!"
She directed Daemon coldly, "Move!"
She could sense Laena wasn't long for this world, and her silent prayer changed, from not today to not yet. If they were to fulfill her dying wish, they did not have time to explain themselves.
She let Daemon and Laena get in front of her, and when Laenor and Lord Corlys invariably tried to follow, she was quick to lash out. She slammed Laenor's face into wall first then aimed a kick to Lord Corly's leg, the one he had told her ached in the rain from an old war wound.
Like with Rhaenys she did not stop or check to see if they were all right after her attack.
It was easy to catch up to Daemon and Laena, she grabbed up a torch from the wall and made her way in front of the pair lighting the way forward.
She blocked it all out. She had too. The shouts of concern from Laena's family as they rallied and trailed after them. The noises of surprise as she shoved servants out of the way. The sound of her own racing heart…breaking.
None of it mattered. Only the mission.
She focused instead on the sound of Laena's wheezing as she struggled to keep breathing. And the sound of Daemon's heavy footfall that meant he was still behind her.
.
.
.
When they made it outside the cool wind barely registered as it hit her heated skin. She stomped towards the largest living dragon in the world like she was going into battle. But battle would have been preferable.
What was happening to Laena wasn't an act of war but the consequences of violent nature. A most terrible fate, indeed. She would have preferred an enemy she could fight, for it was death itself which had come to claim her dear friend. And no one, not the good or the wicked, could evade death forever.
Not yet. She prayed.
"Stop." Laena commanded weakly, at this Arya froze. But she did not turn around. Not until Laena said her name, "Arya."
Daemon stood, holding his wife, his face as stony as Arya's heart felt, but his eyes were wet betraying the emotion he could not hide. She approached the pair with silent footsteps.
Just over Daemon's shoulder she noted Corlys trying to keep Rhaenys upright, the woman was nearly bent over as she wailed with grief. Beside them Laenor was fighting with one of the guards trying to get past him to where she, Daemon and Laena were.
Arya spared a thought for Rhaena and Baela. They had been sent to bed hours ago with a spoonful of milk of the poopy to help them sleep in spite of their worry. She did not know if that would turn out to be a blessing or a curse come morning.
Laena's hands were cold as she cupped Arya's face, "My kind and ferocious girl," Laena pressed a kiss to her forehead then stared into her eyes, "You will keep them safe for me?"
She could not speak or the wall between her and her sorrow would crumble and she would drown in it. So, she nodded in agreement.
"We did not get enough time together…but I want you to know I love you like a daughter." Tears were falling down Laena's beautiful face, with a mother's loving sternness she ordered, "Don't watch."
Again, Arya nodded, her movements feeling wooden now.
When Laena released her face, she walked away and did not look back.
Behind her, too faint to actually decipher what was being said, she heard Daemon and Laena exchanging their final words.
Beyond them, Laenor was shouting at his sister begging her to return, Rhaenys sobs were guttural and spoke to the woman's pain. And Lord Corlys, he said nothing, made no noise, but she could see, even from a distance he was crying.
Dutifully Arya closed her eyes when she heard Laena call out to Vhagar.
She had promised she wouldn't watch. But she forced herself to listen.
Laena's family screamed in horror as they realized Laena's true intentions. Arya was not surprised though; she and Daemon knew Laena would never ride again. She couldn't. She was dying too quickly.
She felt someone bump into her as they rushed past her, probably Rhaenys, trying to save her daughter from the death she had chosen.
Listening closely, she learned it was Laenor. Daemon and he struggled as Laena called out to Vhagar again, pleading to be burned alive.
Everything was pain.
Then there was the sound of a dragon breathing fire.
And more screams of anguish.
.
.
.
"You fucking bitch!" She was tackled to the ground by Laenor. She did not open her eyes; she knew just a few feet away Laena's corpse was still smoldering and she did not wish to see it.
She did not defend herself either. She welcomed the pain. She needed it, an outlet for all she could not let herself feel inside.
She let Laena's brother punch and scream and rage at her as was his right.
Daemon pulled him off her, and Laenor continued to rave at them, "This is your fault! Both of you! YOU KILLED MY SISTER!"
She opened her eyes then, or well, eye as one was already swelling shut. She watched as Laenor tried to grapple with Daemon as he had done with her, but Daemon wasn't as eager to feel his skin split open and blood ooze out as she was.
She found it odd how Daemon denied none of the awful accusations and merely held Laenor back from attacking him successfully. She had expected Daemon to react more like Laena's brother was. His nature was fire and blood and yet he reflected her in the moment. Cold and closed up inside.
Slowly she sat up, a hand on her probably broken ribs. Daemon stared at her. Expectantly. She didn't know what he needed from her in that moment so she replied out of instinct, "Valar Morghulis. Valar dohaeris."
Her voice, her words, the sight of her beaten face, she was not sure what did the trick, but in Daemon's arms Laenor suddenly deflated. Without anger to sustain him, Laena's brother fell to his knees and wept.
No longer a threat, Daemon moved away form the man and to her side. He offered her a hand and she took it because she didn't think she could get to her feet without it.
He looked her over critically, assessing her injuries with his eyes. He lingered on the hand held protectively over her side. "Do you need a Maester?"
She breathed deeply and pushed on her injured side, it hurt but the pain was not incapacitating, so she judged her ribs to be bruised and not broken as she feared. "No."
Daemon pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her back and burying his face in her neck. It was a switch she had not expected, from cold to comfort in the blink of an eye. Slowly, she abandoned clutching her injury and hugged him back. He was holding her too tight, she could hardly breath for how her ribs sang in pain. But still she held onto Daemon.
He was a quiet crier. If she could not feel the wetness on her skin, she would not know that was what he was doing. She wanted to do something to ease his suffering, but she knew she could offer little help in this regard.
Still, she tried. "I can tell the girls if you want."
"No." His answer was a gasp.
She let her head fall into place on his shoulder. "Okay."
.
.
.
They told Baela and Rhaena together. And even though she held them as they cried, she still felt cold inside.
Arya had loved Laena and though she was very sad she was gone she felt as if grief and all of her emotions were far out of her reach. And frankly, she wasn't sure that was a bad thing.
.
.
.
Notes:
In the show I felt like Laena's end was very brutal, but like, we didn't know her that well so it didn't hurt that much? So, I hope my version of her death was more painful for everyone.
Also, I am wondering if there is another character POV you all would like to hear from? I feel most comfortable writing Arya/Daemon right now, but I have an idea and I was wondering what you all thought.
All feedback is appreciated!
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