Game of Thrones: In the Heart of the Storm

Chapter 2 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks.
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
jean d'arc: Well, clearly, or how could there be a contingent of the Stark army encamped outside King's Landing :) Yes, they're all alive, as I said at the start, series AU so things happened differently :)
Veridissima: Thanks; glad you liked her and yeah, Arya's in a desperate situation, the question is, what will she do?

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.


Desperate Choice

Joffrey stood smirking as he observed. He was in one of the main city squares in King's Landing. This one had been chosen for its size, to ensure a large audience, for the main event that would be happening today. He had been observing the gallows that had been constructed, it was finally all set up, the men working on it had just finished setting up the noose.

"Excellent, the Stark girl should be grateful we even bothered to make this all for her." He remarked. "Give her a large send off; so many people to see the life choked out of her."

The man nearest him, who was in charge of the construction of the gallows just nodded.

Thinking for a moment, Joffrey turned to him. "Get a block, set it up under the noose...I want the bitch standing on it when the rope's put round her neck, then I'll personally kick the block away."

"Yes Your Grace."

With that he hurried to get to work. The Stark girl's height, the height of the noose and the block would ensure he got his wish and would get to watch as the bitch died in slow agony and utter humiliation.

'Perfect, at last I'll avenge myself on that bitch...If only we'd been able to grab the fugitive she thought she could protect...how stupid, she's a girl, she can't fight.' He thought to himself. 'I know that fugitive was my bastard half-brother, pretender to the throne; what was the Stark bitch doing with him anyway, knowing how much of a whore she is, she was likely fucking him...He must have been desperate.'

Turning away he began making his way back to the Red Keep.

Smirking as he walked, he reflected on his plans, certain of his victory.

'Now even the Starks and their pitiful army have no choice. They can only sit there outside the gate and wait for her to die...My plans are known to them, so they'll know, if she dies, it's her own fault.' Joffrey reflected with glee. 'That'll teach them to cross me, they'll have no right or reason to do anything after that.'

He knew of course he would win, that this day would end with the Stark girl dead, Arya Stark's pride was going to make this an easy victory for him.

Shaking his head as he considered that he pondered. 'So full of herself, and for what, she's an ugly beast who can't behave properly and this is what she deserves. That pride is going to get her killed, that'll be the beauty of this, I may be the one putting her to death, but she's the one who got herself killed.'

Almost laughing at that he approached the two jailers.

"Now, you've heard, circumstances have changed, so..." He began, glaring at them as they shifted nervously.

But finally they bowed. "Yes, Your Grace."

With that they reluctantly handed over the money he gave them and left. They wouldn't be the ones he sent to retrieve the Stark girl from the dungeons, he had already sent word to the relevant jailers and told them when to go retrieve her.

His plan was perfectly worked out, after her refusal to accept his mercy, he'd have her marched out, set up and then they'd wait. When the bells from the Great Sept began ringing to signal midday, they would wait for the third toll of the bell and then, he'd kick the block out from under her.

Pleased with this perfect plan, he returned to the castle.


In the dungeon, Arya tensed when the door to her cell opened, torch light breaking the almost perfect blackness of her cell. But it wasn't her jailers as she expected; it was her sister.

"Sansa." She spat. "What are you doing here?"

Sansa bit her lip. "I'm trying to help you."

That immediately set Arya off. "Oh yes, like you helped me be sentenced to death without a trial...you didn't even try to help!"

"Arya, please listen to me. I spoke with Joffrey, pleaded with him to show you mercy, to spare you..." Sansa burst out.

Arya glowered however. "And I'm supposed to be grateful for that; wasting time when we know he's..."

"He's come to a decision, if you just hear me out, you might still live." Sansa burst out desperately. "He wants you to come to throne room, the jailers will bring you...You are
to bend the knee, beg his mercy and apologize for...attacking him, insulting him, all of that..."

Arya was beside herself at that. "What, you expect me to believe that, that he'll just, and for me to…!"

Sansa then spoke without thinking. "He's already promised father..."

"Father, father is here?"

Realizing what she had said Sansa nodded. "Yes, he's outside the walls with a small force...there won't be a rescue Arya, don't fool yourself. All they can do is wait. If you concede to Joffrey's demands, he will spare you and release you to father...He's been pretty much forced to swear that he will do this."

Arya was frozen in disbelief at this revelation.

There was a stony silence, until finally, Sansa broke it.

"Please Arya, think about what you're going to do." She pleaded. "Before long, the jailers will be coming for you, they'll take you to the throne room. If you don't concede to Joffrey's demands, only death awaits you...If father were to hear that...oh, please, Arya, just...think."

Arya did not reply however, she was just too lost in thought, even though she did hear what Sansa said. Leaving the cell which was closed again, Sansa felt herself trembling.

'Oh please, whatever Gods are listening...give my sister the wisdom to see that her only hope is to obey...' She thought desperately. 'Please, I don't want to lose her; let her see that she must save her life; even if it costs her, her pride.'

Inhaling shakily Sansa then made her way to the throne room, Joffrey had demanded she be present. She just prayed that Arya would not fall into Joffrey's trap and would surprise them all.

She was alone now, with her thoughts. Arya considered her options; her father was outside, a possible escape for her, but only if she made the choice presented to her. He couldn't intervene or rescue her, only she could save, or doom, herself here

She thought on how Joffrey wanted her to grovel at his feet, likely still naked, humiliated before the royal court. She had lost a day she knew; her execution had been brought forward to today and this was the only way to stop it.

If she did not beg forgiveness, on her knees, or if she acted her usual self, only death would await her. Thinking on her Stark pride she then found herself thinking.

'What would my family think of my actions, what I'm about to do?' But she already knew the answer.

The choice was hers and it had to be made now. Just then she heard the approaching footsteps of the guards and straightened up as much as her chains would allow; as tall and proud as she could, not caring her breasts would be on full display to them as they entered.

Her mind was made up, Arya thought about it all, her pride as a Stark, her family, what they expected, how this would affect them and knew she had made the right choice. The Gods would determine her fate, she would simply accept that and follow her decision. The choice was made and whatever the consequences, she would face them, she was a Stark of Winterfell; and she knew how to judge a situation as best she could.

This was her decision and it had been made, now she could only await her fate.


End of chapter, things are getting more desperate now, what will happen next, stay tuned. Read and review please.