āWhy arenāt you down in the yard?ā Arya asked him. He gave her a half smile. āBastards are not allowed to damage young princes,ā he said. āAny bruises they take in the practice yard must come from trueborn swords.ā āOh.ā Arya felt abashed. She should have realized. For the second time today, Arya reflected that life was not fair. She watched her little brother whack at Tommen. āI could do just as good as Bran,ā she said. āHeās only seven. Iām nine.ā Jon looked her over with all his fourteen-year-old wisdom. āYouāre too skinny,ā he said. He took her arm to feel her muscle. Then he sighed and shook his head. āI doubt you could even lift a longsword, little sister, never mind swing one.ā Arya snatched back her arm and glared at him. Jon messed up her hair again. They watched Bran and Tommen circle each other. āYou see Prince Joffrey?ā Jon asked. She hadnāt, not at first glance, but when she looked again she found him to the back, under the shade of the high stone wall. He was surrounded by men she did not recognize, young squires in the livery of Lannister and Baratheon, strangers all. There were a few older men among them; knights, she surmised. āLook at the arms on his surcoat,ā Jon suggested. Arya looked. An ornate shield had been embroidered on the princeās padded surcoat. No doubt the needlework was exquisite. The arms were divided down the middle; on one side was the crowned stag of the royal House, on the other the lion of Lannister. āThe Lannisters are proud,ā Jon observed. āYouād think the royal sigil would be sufficient, but no. He makes his motherās House equal in honor to the kingās.ā āThe woman is important too!ā Arya protested. Jon chuckled. āPerhaps you should do the same thing, little sister. Wed Tully to Stark in your arms.ā āA wolf with a fish in its mouth?ā It made her laugh. āThat would look silly. Besides, if a girl canāt fight, why should she have a coat of arms?ā Jon shrugged. āGirls get the arms but not the swords. Bastards get the swords but not the arms. I did not make the rules, little sister.ā - Arya I, AGoT
"Brother Dear" - by Jenny Dolfan
