Chapter Text
JON
To everyone’s surprise, the Lord of Starfall wrote to Lord Stark that his brother, former Kingsguard and the Sword of Morning started regaining his swordsmanship with his left hand after many years of recovery and rehabilitation. Eddard Stark wrote back to him offering his natural son Jon Snow as a squire.
It was unusual to broker a marriage for a younger daughter - a third child; earlier than her older siblings, but rumors had it was to send his bastard away from wrath of his lady wife, lady Catelyn. Some said the Daynes demanded Lord Stark to make amends for his broken betrothal to Lady Ashara, whose tragic death was never forgotten.
That’s how Jon Snow and his favorite sister Arya Stark came to Dorne.
A willful and wild 8 years old girl, Arya refused the idea of marriage in principal, but promise of future with her favorite brother’s company and exotic Dornish culture of female warriors persuaded Arya to pay a visit at least.
Arya was introduced to a handsome boy who’s about Sansa's age – with dark blue eyes and neatly tied back pale hair. But it was not his hair style which caught her attention but a small bow in his hand.
“Is that your bow?” Arya blurted out, ignoring the shy smile the boy just given her.
“Oh, no, my lady. Urm, I have this bow made for you for your arriving gift.”
That earned young Edric Dayne, "Ned", his future lady’s approval. The future lord of Starfall was shy but his politeness and inclusion of Arya in all his activities pleased Jon. Arya was younger than Ned but louder and more competitive as she was raised with numerous siblings. Ned had no siblings but a young aunt Allyria who was about Jon & Robb’s age, perhaps 1-2 years older than Jon. The four youngsters in Starfall immediately settled into easy companionship, Jon and Arya turned out to be the perfect complement to fill the gap in their Dornish counterparts.
Arya found Allyria much more patient older sister figure than her own sister Sansa. Allyria was a beautiful young lady, but she was easy to laugh aloud, less religious and actively participated in all martial trainings and outdoor adventures in ways Sansa never did. Allyria would take her to orchids and forest where they could find all interesting small creatures and flowers, or swimming in the river. Arya thoroughly enjoyed two moons she spent in Starfall.
When it was her time to go back to Winterfell, she was sad to leave Jon but was happy that they have found a wonderful place where Jon could become a knight and receive a good training. Arya made Edric promise to take care of Jon. She was leaving with the bow and also one of Edric’s practice swords. Jon laughed at the memory how she took it from shy Edric and was pleased that Arya accepted her betrothed, who was very good boy.
That was the year Jon became four and ten and Arya eight.