Author's notes.
This is a slightly AU universe in the sense that I have changed a few things in Arya's story. She was never a part of the Faceless men
Arya could not believe her bad luck as she lay dying for her own recklessness.
"Don't go" both Gendry and Bram had warned her "It's dark and the storm is very strong…we should return to Winterfell and continue in the morning"
But she hadn't listened to their reasons; she never did as her impulsive nature always guided her
"I know these lands like the palm of my hand" were her last words to them as she rode ahead, not looking back.
"This is my best chance to put an end to this matter" was the only thing on her mind.
Four years ago she had returned to Westeros with the rightful queen and her dragons. The others had been completely defeated and the surviving Starks, Arya, Brandon, and Rickon had returned to Wintefell as lords of the north.
All the people on her list were either dead or have been brought to the queen's justice. All save for one, and now, after many years of silence, she had heard news of Sandor Clegane. Apparently he was heading north, to the wall
She wanted to make him pay for the death Mycah and possible Sansa. There were other suspects in her sister's death in Eyre, but they were all dead and there were no direct eye witnesses to those events.
Now, as she lay dying after an accidental fall where she hit her head badly with a rock, she cursed her bad luck. She had survived through very dangerous situations but it was a "freak" accident what was going to claim her life.
Darkness began to envelope her and she closed her eyes
"This is the end" she thought, but then something strange happened.
The pain and cold disappeared suddenly, and she no longer felt the ice and snow on her body.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and what she saw left her speechless for a moment as she found herself on a beautiful landscape.
She stood up and looked around; she was on a green field surrounded by majestic mountains. The colours in the trees, the flowers, and the sky were more "vivid", and a sense of "peace" filled the air.
"Hello Arya"
She stood still as she heard the voice on her back, but she knew it couldn't be real.
When she turned her eyes widened
They were all there. Father, Mother, Sansa and robb; gone all signs of pain or worries on their faces
Before she could move or react, her mother came closer and took her in her arms in a loving embrace.
Arya felt as tears ran down her face but her mother just hugged her tightly as she began to cry.
"My baby" she said as she wiped out the tears from her face.
After all of them came and embraced her, Arya asked
"Is this heaven?"
"No" Sansa answered "This is just the crossing point between the land of the living and the afterlife.
Her father put an affectionate hand on her shoulders and said. "Arya, there is nothing I wish more than to be reunited with all my family…but there is something that must be done before you can come with us"
After a few moments, Arya asked.
"Unfinished business?" she looked at each of them and waited for an explanation.
"You are to watch over some people, guide them, and in the process you will learn a few things" her father explained.
Arya knew they were going to tell her something she was not going to like, but they exchanged looks.
"Arya, the people you have been assigned are Jon, Gendry, Tyrion and….Sandor Clegane" Sansa said.
"What?" Arya asked in disbelief. She looked at each of them as if this was some sort of a joke, but their faces remained the same
"How could I watch over him….Jon and Gendrey I would understand, even Tyrion…but"
She stared at Sansa and added
"That murderer…He killed you"
Sansa smiled sadly at her.
"Arya, Sandor didn't kill me. When I was at the court He and Tyrion were the only people who showed kindness to me. He saved me many times; even from being raped by a mob…He offered to take me away from court and I should have gone with him…When I died, he tried to save me but it was too late when he arrived at the Eyrie"
Arya didn't seem convinced. She had hated him for so long
"What of Mycah? He was an innocent boy?"
They all exchanged look.
Her mother approached her and said
"This is why you must go Arya…This mission is not only for them but also for you"
She took her face in her hands and gave her a kiss
"Know that we will be waiting for you" she said lovingly at her daughter
Arya was about to reply, but then a bright light enveloped her