The Honored Guest-Chapter One -Guest of Pest?

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Summary: Ten-year-old Arya Stark has become lost in the woods following the awful "Joffrey incident" at the Trident on the way to King's Landing with her father, Sansa, the Lannisters, and King Robert Baratheon. She wanders into the camp of Aegon VI Targaryen and his Hand, Jon Connington, who have invaded Westeros with the intention of retaking the Iron Throne. Connington thinks that Arya could be a valuable hostage, but he has no idea what mischief Arya can cause.

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Dear readers – I have professed to be a devoted follower of Gendrya, however recently I have been seduced by a pair of excellent Arya/Aegon treatments, specifically the works of "madaboutasoiaf". Last week I found a collection of "drabbles" by this author that included an interesting short response to the prompt: "a kid Arya following Nymeria somewhere [following the Joffrey incident at the Trident] and getting caught in the enemy [of Aegon Targaryen] camp becoming the most annoying hostage to ever exist and giving Connington grey hairs". This story was so funny that I just had to write a sequel. I hope you like it. Here is the link to the source. I urge you to read it before my story.

"Drabbles" by madaboutasoiaf – Chapter 11 "The Hostage"

/works/1125691/chapters/4514268

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Connington was right. The girl caused chaos in the camp. She was everywhere at once and became an instant favorite. Since Duck had been appointed to look after her, he soon became infatuated with her constant chattering and her direwolf, and referred to her as "the wolf girl" as she requested. Arya even persuaded Duck to spar with her, waving the little wooden practice sword she wore at her belt, and he had been surprised at how quickly she took to swordplay. Aegon was also entranced by her energy and her direwolf and spent much time with her. Far too much time, Connington thought.

It was obvious that her father had allowed her to consort frequently with his bannermen, because she was as foulmouthed as a foot soldier, and told bawdy stories that could make the oldest campaigner blush. Jon wondered if she really understood the tales she recounted, but she seemed to possess a natural earthiness that belied her age.

She was a bad influence on Aegon – his language became coarser, but the men seemed to approve of him more. She refused to take 'lady lessons' with Lemore, but insisted on attending Haldon with Aegon. This proved to be beneficial because Arya had an insatiable interest in military history and was an adept pupil, forcing Aegon to work harder, for he did not want to be shown up by a girl.

Haldon told Jon that Arya was clever - she beat most challengers at cyvasse. "She has a head for strategy and tactics," he offered, adding, "She is skilled at sums, also." Arya had observed their food stores and calculated how long reserves would last based on the size of the army, and when they would need to resupply. She told Haldon that her maester at Winterfell had assigned her such tasks to keep her busy and out of trouble, since her talent was beyond her older brothers' lessons.

Connington was intrigued, looked closely at his disheveled little 'ward', sweaty and dirty from constant activity, her wild brown hair coming loose from the braid that Lemore fussed with, and realized that she would make a better squire than some of the lazy lordlings moping around the camp.

Arya seemed to have adopted Connington as a father figure, and often dropped in on him unannounced. No matter how brusque he was to her, she took no offense and shrugged off his rudeness, asking questions constantly. I hope she wore Lord Stark out, he thought. Jon realized that her presence might have a major benefit, because one day she told him that Aegon was a much better prince than 'that turd, Joffrey', and she would inform Father of this when she saw him again. Arya's obvious hate for King Robert and anything Lannister would make a Targaryen proud. He chuckled to himself that if her influence over her father was as effective as it seemed to be with the other men, mayhaps he could be persuaded to turn. Strange, he mused, she hasn't even flowered, yet grown men enjoy her company.

One day a representative of the Iron Bank of Braavos came to the camp, intent on discussing finances, and Connington, realizing that Arya was a valuable asset, instructed Lemore to make her presentable for dinner with the emissary. Getting Arya into a dress proved to be the biggest battle in Westeros. Aegon solved the problem by promising Arya that if she behaved like a lady during the visit, he would take her riding. Arya had told him that she was excellent on horseback, and missed riding. Arya allowed Lemore to put her in a flowery-smelling bath, dress her in an attractive gown appropriate for her age, and even let Lemore braid her hair up in a Southern fashion.

When Arya entered the dining tent with a defiant look on her face, Aegon and Duck stared at her. Aegon blurted out, "You clean up nicely," to which Arya scowled, "Stupid prince!" Observing the lad's reaction upon Arya's entrance, Lord Jon looked closely at the obviously irritated child. Lemore and her handmaidens had risen to the task and scrubbed the grubby urchin's skin and hair until she fairly glowed, revealing a very attractive maiden. In fact, attired in a court gown and with her hair styled in a mature fashion, the wolf girl could easily pass for a demure and pretty princess. It was no wonder that Aegon appeared to be captivated with her. I hope this infatuation does not become a distraction, Jon worried. Another thought vexed him, There is something familiar about the girl!

Arya behaved during the dinner, displayed manners that would have made her old septa proud, and the banker was suitably impressed and charmed. He japed with her and listened intently as she described life in the North in her usual energetic manner. Jon was relieved that she did not use any foul language or relate any ribald tales. He noticed that Aegon beamed like a proud father, thinking that he had tamed the wolf girl, and Duck, standing at attention behind the prince, had a broad smile on his face. Connington shook his head, thinking, I'm losing control of this situation!

As promised, the next day Aegon took her riding, with plenty of guards in case of an ambush. First they cantered, then she insisted on galloping, and finally she challenged the host to a competition of leaping over fallen trees. She easily outpaced most of the company and finally cleared a large tree that even caused Aegon's horse to balk. Connington observed the party as they returned to camp, and Arya drew his attention. Her large grey eyes were wide and shining with delight, her long brown hair was loose and wild, and her smile was broad and infectious. He suffered a shock as he recalled a similar sight at that accursed Harrenhal tourney so long ago. This time he did put his head in his hands, thinking, It is Lyanna Stark returned from the dead to ruin my life! He wondered if he would rue the day that Arya wandered into his camp.