Anythingdrabble Challenge 82 - Learning to dance

[m_findlow]

Title: Learning to dance
Fandom: Game of Thrones
Characters/Pairings: Ned Stark, Syrio Forel
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 82 - Footwork at anythingdrabble
Summary: Ned needs a man who can deal with Arya's obsession with swords.

Ned had been expecting the knock on the door. The man who entered at his call was known to him by name only, and he was startled to find the man even shorter and slighter than imagined, with thick curly black hair and the olive skin than was so common among folk from Essos.

Syrio Forel bowed low and graciously. 'It is an honor to be received by the Hand of the King.'

'Thank you for coming,' Ned replied, considering him for a moment. 'You were the former First Sword of Bravvos?'

'Which I served proudly for many years, my Lord.'

'That's good. I have a need of a swordsman of your skill.'

'I would be honored but I have heard your Lord Hand is quite skilled with a sword.'

Ned gave a grimacing smile. 'I pray my sword fighting days are done. It is my daughter I would ask you to teach. She has a sword and I would rather she know how to wield it than to think it a toy.'

He didn't have to ask Arya where she'd gotten the sword. It was Mikken's work for certain, and custom made for a girl of Arya's size. Jon, he knew. Those two had always been close and it was just the sort of thing the boy would do. Robb would never openly encourage Arya in such things, but neither would he stop her. Jon on the other hand would spoil her in whatever small ways he could. Ned knew he couldn't take the sword away. He'd already taken the girls from their home and their brothers. This one gift was all that remained and Arya adored it with all her heart.

'I have seen many men who think their sword is a toy,' Syrio replied.

'Many of them dead now, I expect,' Ned agreed.

T'here are many great swordsmen in King's Landing, though none so fine as Syrio Forel, but might I ask why his Lord Hand has chosen me?'

'Because I doubt there is a knight in all of Westeros that would know what to do with a ten year old girl wanting to play at swords. I've met many Bravvosi men and I've seen the way you fight.'

Syrio laughed at this. 'Yes, now I see what you mean. You wish to teach your daughter to dance, not to wield a club like a giant. Syrio Forel can teach this. A water dancer does not need to be large or strong, he only needs to be smart and quick. A girl can learn to be smart and quick.'

'I'm sure that this obsession will not last, but I'd appreciate your efforts nonetheless.' He was certain that Arya would grow out of this nonsense eventually and become the daughter she was meant to be. It would please Catelyn no end to see some of that wild spirit tamed out of her. If nothing else, perhaps Syrio could soften those stubborn edges with a different kind of discipline.