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[wolfinthesnow]

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[wolfchild]

[ arya keeps her blanket wrapped around her. a corner trails on the floor behind her like a train. she waits for nymeria and jon to settle before finding a space next to him.

she tries to go to sleep, tries for what feels like an eternity ( it was only a few minutes ) before giving up. ]

Jon, I can't sleep.

[wolfinthesnow]

We could talk about why you're upset that Robb is marrying Lucrezia.

[Yes Jon figures this is as good a time as any, since it's not like he's going to get any sleep either way.]

[wolfchild]

[ she tucks her chin into her chest to hide her face. ]

I'm not upset.

[wolfinthesnow]

Then why does Robb think so?

[A pause]

You know what happens to him as well as I do.

[wolfchild]

[ better, actually. but she keeps that thought to herself. ]

I was surprised. I already talked to him and I told him I was surprised. I'm not upset.

[wolfinthesnow]

[He's quiet for a long moment.]

Arya. I'll not speak to him on this, if you don't want me to.

[wolfchild]

You couldn't, [ she says without any heat to her voice. jon's been keeping this lie longer than she has. ]

What did he say?

[wolfinthesnow]

About why you're not pleased he's marrying Lucrezia?

[wolfchild]

About what he told you.

[wolfinthesnow]

He said you were angry with him.

[wolfchild]

[ her eyes snap up in surprise. ]

I'm not! I'm not angry—

[wolfinthesnow]

[He's unruffled, just laying back on Nymeria]

Then what is it?

[wolfchild]

[ arya ducks her head again, looks at her nails. her answer is deceptively simple. ]

I don't want to go to another wedding.

[wolfinthesnow]

No?

But we will go.

[wolfchild]

[ he doesn't get it. arya turns around, giving him her back. nymeria noses her hair. ]

[wolfinthesnow]

Arya, you have to go. And you have to pretend to be happy for him. Even if you aren't.

[wolfchild]

[ she cards nymeria's fur through her fingers. ] I am happy.

[wolfinthesnow]

It's no use to lie to me.

[wolfchild]

Well, I am! [ she throws the asseveration over her shoulder at him. anger is an easy emotion to fall back on. familiar. her head still on her paws, nymeria growls quietly. ]

[wolfinthesnow]

Aye, of course you are.

[He stands up, then.]

Nymeria, don't be ridiculous.

[wolfchild]

She's not being ridiculous. She's tired.

[ but arya still pulls one of nymeria's ears in warning. arya curls up into a ball under her blanket and continues petting her wolf until nymeria licks her arm. ]

[wolfinthesnow]

Get some sleep, Arya.

[wolfchild]

[ she makes no answer, though she does not go to sleep quickly. far too awake now, a myriad thoughts tumbling through her mind.

jon did not understand what she meant; it might be for the best that he doesn't. no one needs to know. arya bites her tongue until the thick urge clawing up her throat passes. ]