In which our former assassin takes matter into her own hands.

*Year 298 After Conquest (AC) - New Past*

It was just like any other morning as Arya stood over the open window. The sun was already up long ago, bathing everything that lives under it with its light and warmth. Small birds were flying around, enjoying nature at its best. And people in Winterfell were starting to tend to their daily chores.

The familiar routine has always been able to calm the young girl. She closed her eyes as she breathes in the fresh air, trying hard to willed herself for a peace of mind. Gods know that she was in dire need of one at this very moment. After the big revelation of the Queen's children lineage, the King announced the trial will commence in two days outside Winterfell before she was taken away.

Truth be told, Arya was not expecting any trial at all. Wasn't the revelation clear as night and day? Anyone can tell that Cersei's children are not a Baratheon. She just wished that Robert would punish the dreadful woman he called his wife already, but no. He let her have a chance in getting away instead and because of it, one way or another, an innocent live will be sacrificed for nothing.

She sighed heavily but no one in the room heard her. With all the conversations inside her father's room, she cannot even hear herself thinking. She tried to build a wall inside her mind trying to stay focus but her wall crumbles as their voices find its way back through her ears.

"Winterfell needs you, Robb. It's too big of a risk to fight The Hound." Catelyn's voice echoes desperately.

"A risk I'm willing to take, as I have said before for the hundreds of time. They will get the reciprocation they deserved after attempting murder on Arya. I will show them how well the North remembers." Robb bit back.

Eyes still closed with her back facing them, Arya frowns then, trying very hard to think of something or anything at all to solve this problem. Offering herself to fight in her trial was never a choice. She can imagine their horror and rejection of it already. Maybe she can persuade the Hound somehow?

"I understand. But, you're the heir to Winterfell after your lord father. If anything happens during the fight…" the older woman trails.

"If anything were to happen during the fight, mother, it would be The Hound's death and the Lannister twins after." Robb finished.

A set of footsteps echoes next, walking further into the room.

"Ned, perhaps we ought to change the…participant." Catelyn voiced out. "There is still time before the trial." She continues.

"Mother…" Robb calls before Ned got a chance to say anything but the older woman beats him to it again.

"Robb, as much as I have faith in you, my son. This is bigger than you think. We have to think of the consequences. You're the true heir to Winterfell and you're too valuable to be put in front." She argues.

Silence stretch inside the room as Catelyn's word lingers.

"Robb…" Ned suddenly calls making the young man startled. "Are you certain you can win against Clegane?"

"Ned…" Catelyn calls back in protest. Arya slowly turns around to face the four person inside the room. Her gaze lands on her mother and father who were having a staring down contest. Her father loses or maybe he won when he's the first one to break away, staring back at Robb again, waiting. He cannot be seriously letting Robb fight, can he?

Robb shifts his stand while clenching both his fist tighter, probably to boost his self-confident. He did it with subtlety and Arya doubt that anyone present would notice but she did. "Yes, father. I'll make sure of it." He finally replied.

Arya wanted to laugh then, though there wasn't anything funny to laugh at. But seeing the tension in the room, she thought better of it. She loves Robb dearly, but he didn't have a chance against The Hound. No one can beat the scarred man. Well, just one. Brienne of Tarth did it once. It was quite a fight at that time and she wonders where the woman might be at this very moment. Her thoughts were distracted when voices flew around her again.

"Father, I don't think it is wise." Jon speaks up, moving closer to the older man. "You've seen us fight…and you know I'm a better fighter than Robb is. Let me do it instead." He finished. Robb chuckles.

"Trying to steal all the glory to yourself, brother?" his tone lace with sarcasm. Jon turns around to face him.

"There's no glory in this…only justice. And I intend to deliver it to the Queen and her lover." He said back evenly.

Robb held his gaze. "Then, I'm glad we're on the same page."

Arya cannot help herself when she chuckled humorlessly at their exchanged. "Justice?"

She didn't expect anyone would hear her, but the silence creeping in has stretch long enough for Arya to notice that they were all staring at her, finally realizing her presence. She stares back at each one of them, before stopping at Robb and Jon. "The only justice would be Cersei and Jamie Lannister received their well-deserved punishment." She speaks her mind. Barely keeping her anger, she continues. "No one has to die for them but themselves. This trial here is a farce. The King is too damn coward to swing the sword himself. Hell, he can't even deliver the sentence when the obvious evidence was presented in front of his fat ass." She finished in one breath, shifting her eyes to her father last.

Everyone looks at her with mixed reaction. Her mother and Jon looks at her, startled. Robb merely arch his eyebrow, studying her and her father looks angry, which surprise her.

"Arya." Ned starts. His face serious. "You will not talk about the King in that manner again. You will not disrespect him. Do you hear?" he asks sternly. Arya frowns then.

Her eyes burning with fury. She cannot believe his father reaction. "I'm sure my manner is not in the front line of the situation we're currently in right now, father. Robb is signing up for his death, and you're going to let him?" she asked back. Ned looks taken aback but he pulls himself back together.

"Arya Stark." He calls. His voice slightly raised. The tension only grows further. "You will mind your manner and never disrespect the King again." He told for the second time, dismissing her question. "Do. You. Hear?" he asked while staring down at her, clearly waiting for the young girl to answer.

Instead Arya stares back silently. Her lips in a straight line. Her chest rise and fall in an orderly manner. Her mouth twitching, trying to hold herself from uttering the words that she was sure she will regret it later.

Knowing that she can never talk her way through him, Arya turns around and walks out not minding the door when it bumps on to the stone wall, creating a loud thump behind her. She proceeds along the hallway in long strides. Her eyes burning with unshed tears of frustration with everything that happened with her father, the Lannisters, the Hound and Robb.

Why is this happening? This is not supposed to happen!

And while her mind was busy reeling and throbbing of everything, she had stopped right in front of the weirwood tree inside the Godswood. She didn't notice how she got here, but it seems her feet had taken a mind of its own.

The Gods face was staring back at her silently, mocking her, or so she thinks.

"Why?" her voice came out so soft that she even barely hears it herself. But, the Gods clearly heard her when suddenly wind blows from nowhere, slapping her face.

The sound created from the gush of wind against the leaves was irking her. It was as if they were taunting and laughing at her.

"Why?!" her voice loud now, trying to win against the wind. "Why would you bring me back here if you're going to take them away again, one by one?!"

The wind stops abruptly and it was gone in a heartbeat. Her question was left unanswered and she cannot help feeling defeated.

*

Arya had been sitting by the Heart Tree for what felt like hours and it was – it had been over three hours. The sun had faded considerably, and was fast approaching night. She had so much going in her head that she just shut down the world around her.

When Jon came running, panting hard with a relief look over his face, Arya merely stares back ahead, continue with her train of thoughts. She didn't even realize that he was leading her back to her chamber. The next thing she knows, the soft mattress was against her back and the warmth of the fur was engulfing her body. She let out a soft sigh, feeling content and suddenly felt very tired. Her eyes closed and within seconds, she had wandered off into a peaceful slumber.

But, as fast as it came, her sleep came to its end when her eyes flutter back open by themselves. A tray of food was the first thing she sees, sitting by the bedside table, left untouched. She turns around then, her back against the mattress and her face up.

The candles were out. The only light was coming from the fireplace where the pine burnt, providing a dim light around her room. The crackling sound was music to her ears and she let herself lost in it.

But, as her ears caught a set of footsteps echo outside her room, she brought herself back in alert. When the sound of her door being pushed enters next, she closed her eyes back, feigning sleep, knowing that she will have the upper hand if the person didn't expect her to be fully awake.

The footsteps were calm and hesitant which she had trouble in recognizing. When it was approaching close to her bedside, it stops suddenly. It has stretch long enough and she wonders if she was dreaming of it. But, it soon proved otherwise when her bed sink slightly acknowledging a new set of weight. In any other day, she would have open her eyes and launch an attack at whoever it was. But, somehow she didn't feel the need to do it. It felt safe.

Her instinct was proved right when the said person sitting by her bedside let out a sigh. She instantly recognizes him. It was her father. When he reaches out to her hand later, it only strengthens her conclusion.

He didn't say anything, just caressing her small hands against his larger ones. The warmth was comforting and it nearly brought her back to slumber.

"Sleep well, my child." His voice soft, entering her ears and then she felt his kiss on top of her forehead before he walks out.

Arya opens her eyes then, staring at the closed door as if no one had been coming in here. She pushes herself up, swinging her legs over the bed. She reached for the tray of food and caught a hard bread.

As she bit into it, her mind has settle on a decision. She will not let either Robb or Sandor die in the trial.

*

"Are you sure that's wise?"

A voice suddenly appears out of nowhere making Sandor choked his drink. He coughed violently as tears building up his eyes. His voice echoes around the courtyard where he had taken refuge. It was still early for people to start the day and he thanked the Gods for that, he can't stand another living being at this very moment. The light shining through the gaps of the walls, slowly filling the entire place with its warmth.

He takes another gulp out of his water skin and it helped settling his burnt throat. He looks up to find a young girl staring at her with her clear grey eyes. He recognized her in an instant.

"What do you want, wolf-girl?" he growled, taking another sip of his wine. Arya stared back calmly.

"We have good food, you know. You need only ask." She said. Sandor frowns then.

"Sod off."

"I don't think being drunk all the time is a smart move."

Sandor stands up from where he was seated, marching towards her in three long steps. Arya didn't even flinch as he bent down to her face. His breath hot on hers.

"I said sod the fuck off." He threatens.

"This is my home. I can stay wherever I like." She counters. Sandor let out a grunt and turns around then, walking away.

Arya slowly follows him at a pace. She watched silently from his back when he takes yet another sip from his water skin. They were walking in a harmonious stride, separated with only a few meters between them. But then, Sandor stops and turns around abruptly, facing the young girl.

"Is there something you'd like to say to me?" he asked, frustration in his voice. Arya stares back silently, debating inside her mind.

"Well then, go on. Don't let me stop you." He continues.

Taking a deep breath, she strides closer towards the scarred man and stops just a mere inch away.

"I want to know why you're fighting for the evil bitch." She said back. Sandor raised an eyebrow with a slight smile on his face, clearly not expecting foul words coming from such a small girl.

"It's none of your concern."

"In case you haven't heard, she and her twin brother tried to kill me."

"You said that like I give a damn."

Arya frowns, trying hard to keep the hurt from showing.

"How much did she pay you? I will give you more." She said back.

They stared silently for a while, studying each other, accompanying by only the sound of their breath when suddenly, Sandor let out a chuckle.

"You're a fierce one. I give you that." He said with a glint of amusement in his eyes. Without waiting for a reply, he turns around and walks away, leaving her with a trail of laughter.

This time Arya didn't even bother to follow him again.

*

The long awaited day had finally arrived. It had become a hot topic of the folks in Winter Town as the trial by combat will be taken place there. It is not an everyday occurrence where the Queen is facing a trial let alone in Winter Town, this side of the North.

It was still rather early, but it doesn't make a difference for Arya as she never gets to rest her eyes anyway. She walks out of her room then and proceeds to the familiar hallway. She knocks the intended wooden door and Robb came into her view. With his obvious eye bag, it looks like he didn't get any rest either.

"Arya, what's wrong? Everything's alright?" he asked, studying his little sister and glancing around the hallway for any trouble.

"Apart from you going to fight the Hound in a few hours and may get seriously injured in the process? Yes, everything else is okay." She counters. Robb's face softens.

He lets the door open wider for her to enter and Arya slips in. He takes a seat on his bed while she stands not far from him, her arms across her middle.

"Arya…" he calls, making the young girl stares at him. "I'm going to be fine." He continues with a forced smile. Arya sighed.

"Can you at least look like you meant it?" she asked softly. Robb chuckled.

"Do I look that bad?" he asked back. Arya nods truthfully.

He stands up then, standing right in front of her. "I'm going to be fine, Arya." He said again with a genuine smile this time, messing up her hair for good measure. Arya forced a smile at that.

"I suppose you have a plan then?" she waits expectantly. Robb only raised his brow looking lost.

"Well, I'm going to fight him. Isn't that obvious?"

Arya closed her eyes tightly, taking a deep breath, calming her nerves.

"How do you plan to do that, Robb? The man is twice your size and strength."

"He's not that big."

Arya ignores his last statement before continue. "You need an advantage against him. Do you know his weakness?"

"He has one?"

"Yes, he does. Everyone do." She counters. Robb looks away, thinking hard.

"I don't know. I didn't have time to study his moves or anything." He finally said.

"Fire."

"What?"

"Fire. He's afraid of fire." Arya said again softly. Somehow, it didn't feel right to expose it to Robb.

"How do you know that?"

He told me himself.

"I heard someone talking about it." She replies instead. Robb looks pass her in deep thought.

Seconds pass and then minutes before he finally breaks away from his thought.

"Thank you, I'll put that information into good use." He said with a slight smile before turning serious. "You don't have to go to the trial."

Arya blinks hard. "What?"

"Father didn't want you there."

"But, it's my trial."

"It's alright. You don't have to be there."

"I want to be there." She said evenly. Robb let out a sigh.

"Arya, can you please just listen to father this one time?"

Arya closed her eyes then, nodding reluctantly. Her lips sealed in a thin line and her face looks defeated. Robb closed in and reach for her, wrapping his arms around his little sister.

"Do you want me to get anything for you from Winter Town?" he asked softly against her ears. He felt her head shake against his chest as she tightens her arms around him.

*

Walking back to her room and waitng there was a torture. The fight should start any moment now and she was still stuck inside her room. Going out through her door was not an option as her father had placed two guards there to keep watch on her, in case she fled.

One way or another, she will get out of this room. She had plans. First, to not let Robb and Sandor fight, well at least to not let them seriously injured each other. Second, to punish the Queen herself. They will never see it coming. The evil bitch will certainly not.

Arya glanced over the open window then, finally deciding what she should do next. She was about to climb over it when a knock stops her movement.

"Arya, it's me. Open up." A familiar voice was behind the door. She let out a sigh before turning around to open the door. Sansa came in without being invited.

"I can't wait alone in my room so I thought of coming here." She trails not before landing herself on the bed. But, the younger girl was too busy calculating her climb down.

"Where are you going?" Sansa's voice slightly raised. Finally realizing her attire of breech and tunic.

Arya turns around in alarm. "Keep it down, or the guards will hear." Her finger over her mouth. "I just wanted to go to the Godswood…to pray. I can't stand waiting here doing nothing." She continues, explaining herself. "Can you keep watch for me? Don't let anyone come in here until I get back?" She pleads. Sansa looks horrified and stunned that she's lost of words to say.

"Thank you Sansa, I'll make it short." Arya said for one last time before climbing over the window and down the crooked wall. Within moments, she reached the ground and gave a wave of goodbye at Sansa who stood with her mouth open by the window.

She ran silently and swiftly through the courtyard and then towards the South gate. There were less people in Winterfell making it easier for her to sneak out. As soon as she gets pass a guard who is too busy chatting with a servant girl by the gate, the cold air welcomes her. Her thin garment was not helping in providing her the needed warmth. But, she cannot argue with it as it helps her moves faster. A cloak will only get in the way.

She kept running through the woods and stops just in front of a tree. If it was anyone else, they would think it was just an ordinary tree. It is. However, that is not the secret. The secret lies within its trunk. She slid her hand through the hole and reached for a bow and arrow that she had hid prior last night. She slings the quiver of arrow around her shoulder and held the bow. A piece of small cloth was tied around her face, covering her nose and mouth.

Without wasting anymore time, she dashed through the woods like a wolf. Ducking and jumping around the wild leaves and rocks. She can almost hear the commotion of the people from Winter Town at the edge of the forest.

And sure enough, the roar of the crowd greets her ears. Her eyes caught the sea of people gathering around, cheering for the Hound or Robb, she wasn't sure. She had to go higher for a clearer view.

Ignoring the chaos surrounding her, she strides towards an inn that she was sure was high enough to look pass the gathered crowd. She starts climbing effortlessly until she reached the roof. As she crouched on top of it, a flaming sword caught her eyes first.

It was Robb's and surprisingly he was leading against the scarred man. It looks like he can almost win. Arya held her bow tight, debating if she should just let him.

No, there is only one person that should die today.

And that person is standing down there, right across the other side from her father, mother, and Jon.

Ever so slowly, she stands up. Her stance relaxed. Her back straight and she reach for an arrow at the back of her quiver. She nocks it before raising and drawing the bow towards her face. With an arrow pointed ahead, she finds her target.

Cersei was smiling as she came into her view and Arya knew something had happened with Robb. At the corner of her eyes, the burning sword was nowhere in sight. Wanting to waste no more time, she takes a deep breath before releasing the arrow through her fingers. she watched as the arrow flies through air and find its way straight into Cersei's heart. A scream from the crowd echoes next, successfully stopping the fight. the Kingsguards were moving swiftly around the King, protecting him.

A look of shock and horror cross Cersei's face as she glanced down on the arrow planting deep inside her chest. As she falls down the cold ground, Arya was sure she had looked up, noticing her. But it was of no use, the former Queen had long gone before she can do anything about it.