"The Honored Guest" Chapter 2 Correspondence
Meanwhile, back at the audience hall of Castle Darry:
Lord Eddard Stark observed the scene before him with contempt. Robert was drunk and arguing with Cersei, who continued to scream at him. Joffrey was cursing and whimpering and still trying to get sympathy for his wounded arm. Sansa was trying to console Joffrey, while his response was to insult her and pull away. Joffrey had accused Arya of attacking him with her direwolf, knocking him down with a stick, snatching his precious sword, and throwing it in the river. Sansa did not help at all – her recollections of the incident were incoherent and she burst into tears when pressed. All Lord Stark knew was that Arya had been missing for three days now, and no one could find her.
Several search parties, including Stark bannermen, had gone looking for her, and Ned was afraid that if Lannister soldiers found her first, she might not be returned alive. He was exhausted from searching, himself. How can such a small girl cause so much trouble? he wondered. He was not surprised, though, even back at Winterfell, Arya had a knack for mischief. He sighed, I hope we survive this. As much as he loved Robert, he had not wanted to leave Winterfell, and now the Queen was calling for Arya's head on a spike as soon as she was found. He had no use for this nonsense. He wished that they had never left home.
Ned didn't know what to think of the message from Jon Connington as he gripped the parchment in his hand, originally intending to show it to the King. Greetings, Lord Stark, it read, You will be relieved to learn that your wayward daughter, and her pet wolf (you are a brave man to allow your children to have wolves as companions!) were fortunate enough to find our camp before encountering any tragedy in the forest. Lady Arya is safe and unharmed and has become our honored guest. Perhaps we can discuss arrangements to return her to her family. Lord Jon Connington, Hand to King Aegon Targaryen, Sixth of His Name.
Ned mused, 'honored guest'. That means that she is considered to be a hostage and Connington will expect to have Targaryen sympathizers exchanged for her release. He studied the pandemonium in the hall again. Robert was too drunk to think coherently and Cersei was out of control with anger. Jamie Lannister and The Hound were out leading search parties, and there was murder in their eyes when they left. His eyes narrowed, and he thought, I don't trust these Lannisters, mayhaps Arya would be safer if she stayed in the Targaryen camp for a while. He allowed himself a small smile, Connington has no idea what a challenge she can be. He may be eager to return her in a few more days.
House Darry had supported Rhaegar Targaryen, and the three of older brothers of the present lord had died at the Trident. Lord Raymun Darry kept his own counsel, but he had no love for King Robert. Castle Darry was small, and felt even more cramped with Lannisters, Stark, and Darry soldiers eying each other with hostility. This cannot continue, or blood will be shed, Ned thought, we must continue on to King's Landing. He changed his mind about showing the message to the King, and returned to his quarters, considering his reply to Lord Connington.
In the Targaryen camp:
Lord Stark's response:
Lord Connington – I am thankful that Lady Arya has not come to harm, and grateful that you have informed me so promptly. I trust that you will treat her with the respect due to one of her station. King Robert is presently indisposed, and I will discuss with him the details of returning Arya to her family when he is well. I will respond with our recommendations as soon as possible. Please inform Arya that we are concerned about her and ask that she be brave and patient. In the meantime I suggest that you do not try to put Arya in a dress or force her to do needlework. She is unlike typical girls of her age, and will only cause trouble if you treat her as one. As strange as this may seem, if you handle her like a lad, she will be more compliant.
Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Hand to the King Robert Baratheon
Lord Connington viewed the parchment with wry amusement. So Eddard Stark does not make haste to recover his troublesome daughter. And he does not tell me anything I have not already learned. He called for Arya to be brought to his tent. When Arya arrived, Jon saw the mud that spotted her breeches and boots, but it was obvious that Lemore had hurriedly cleaned her face and rebraided her hair. She looked worried at first, and Jon told her, "Lady Arya, I have received a letter from your father. He regrets that he cannot arrange to have you returned to him immediately. He counsels you to be patient and brave."
Arya actually looked relieved. "Good," she replied, "I like it better here." She started chattering rapidly, "Septa Lemore is nicer than Septa Mordane, who always tried to get me to wear dresses and practice needlework. She didn't even want me to take lessons with my brothers. Duck is teaching me swordplay and he said that I learn quickly. Haldon is a good maester and does not fuss about teaching a girl. My sister Sansa and her friend Jeyne were always mean to me and called me 'Arya horseface'. Queen Cersei is a bad-tempered bitch who always gave me dirty looks, Prince Joffrey is an evil little shit, Prince Tommen is fat and stupid, and Princess Marcella is just like Sansa. King Robert is an old, fat, clumsy, smelly drunk, and does not even look like a king. A king should look like you or Father."
Connington was startled. The child compares me to her father, and fancies that we look kingly!
Arya had stopped to take a breath, but continued, "And I don't like the way King Robert stares at me when he is not drunk – like Nymeria stalking a rabbit."
Connington thought, So Robert has also seen her similarity to Lyanna. If Lord Stark is aware of this, he cannot be happy.
Arya was biting her lip now and frowning, "I really miss Father, though." She looked at him with wide, shining grey eyes. "Can I write to him, my lord?"
She is clever enough to be charming when she wants something, he observed, I'll wager she has her father wrapped around her fingers. He replied with a smile, "Of course, my lady. You will tell him that we are treating you well and that you like Prince Aegon's company?"
She looked at him as though he had two heads. "Of course I will write that, what did you think?" She ran out to find Haldon, who would help her write her letter.
Connington could not help but chuckle. This could get very interesting. But then he frowned. I only worry about her influence on Aegon. He has obviously become enchanted by her and that direwolf.