Nothing much to say besides enjoy.
Chapter 9: A Better Life
Mya
She rushed through the halls of the Red Keep, her heartbeat racing like a stag being hunted by a hundred men because that is precisely why she is running.
"Keep pace, Arya!" She shouted from behind her, the youngest daughter of Eddard Stark trailed behind with her little sword in her hand.
She had, no they all thought that today would be a day for mourning, her father passing in the night made her cry her tears out but when the dawn came she chose to smile and stay strong. She had picked the day to start off with some training with Arya and Syrio Forel, Arya's dancing master. It was supposed to be a day of fun as her father commanded.
It wasn't, moments after they started a dozen Lannister men and Ser Meryn Trant marched into the room. One said that the King and Eddard wanted to see her and Arya, Syrio saw through this and called the false knight out. That started a fight right there, Syrio was swift and had disarmed six men and knocked out four with just a blunted practice blade.
Unfortunately, Ser Meryn was bigger, the knight snatched Syrio's sword from him and had his own poised to strike. Syrio took hers and told them to leave, that he would be right behind them but she knew, she knew that he wouldn't. Arya was crying when she was looking for Needle, a boy tried to take her and she saw Arya stick him with her sword.
Holding Arya's hand they entered the dungeons which by passing a door reached the lower levels where her father had the Dragon Skulls placed, next thing they knew they were outside the Keep and at the shore. Still holding her hand they went past another smaller door that led right into Mud Gate and into one of the less pleasant parts of the city.
"We have to save father and Sansa! And the wolves!" Arya tugged her hand away, wanting to stop for a moment.
"Fine but first we need a change of attire, Ser Meryn saw what we were wearing and the Goldcloaks will be on the lookout. And our hair, it needs to be cut." She said, giving off orders and Arya was first to hold her hair like it was priceless.
"I'm not Sansa, but I do like my hair- " She groaned, the child is being stubborn again.
"We can't do that if we get found, we need to be discreet... Otherwise, Syrio's fate will have been in vain." She ended and Arya finally calmed down some, a good sign of cooperation. She said nothing, only left for one of the few places that will hide them until it is time to save Lord Stark and Sansa.
[Later on... ]
"No!"
"Come on, it's life or death out there, please."
"I said no if my master finds out- "
"Oh! You would throw your sister out!?"
"Mya, don't start... "
Gods, arguing with this bull of a man is like getting Joffrey not to act like a prig. Arya stood by the entrance and sniggered at her and her half-brother's bickering, it isn't funny but amusing when she gets the Blacksmith heated.
Gendry Waters, well just Gendry but not to her. She was seven when she ran away, Cersei was helping her into her dress and she wouldn't hold still. In the end, the Queen told her, 'You might as well be a boy and live on the Street of Steel!' So she did. She went missing for a day and was starving, and it wasn't until Gendry found her and brought her back to his home.
Jon Arryn found her some time after, it was when she was told that was her half-brother. Of course, she couldn't tell anyone, no need to ruin Gendry's life with him knowing he was royal. She only told him a year after and he was angry with her for one whole year until he understood why she didn't bring him home, the Queen already makes her life hell and she didn't want that for her brother.
Years past and she and Gendry grew strong and together, him a blacksmith and her a bastard warrior. Now he's all she has left, with their father gone and all.
"We only need a place to stay, just for a day and maybe a haircut." She finally said and the little brother's face became sullen.
"It's just that, I don't know how long I am allowed here. My master said he is sending me to the Watch, he doesn't want me here." She was shocked to hear this, her brothers been an armorers apprentice for so long, it doesn't seem right that he would be getting tossed to the side now. She embraced her brother and told him it would be alright.
In the end, she and Arya were given permission to stay in his home for a few days, in that time she and the She-Wolf got their hair cut shorter. She liked it, much better than the long locks she had before then. Their change of clothes came next, wrapping cloth had to used on her to hide her bust so she appeared more masculine, Arya was already short and all so she was alright.
A plan was also made, if worse came to worse they would all go north, no doubt will be the safest place for them at the moment. As for herself, she and a sword and a horse will go looking for Arthur, wherever he is...
Arthur
He watched under cloaked face as the drunken soldiers boasted about his father and sisters being captured, that men and women he knew were killed and put on spikes. He gripped his sword wanting to kill them all, but he removed his hand and thought that if his wolf was here than there would be blood. There WILL be blood once he's saved his father and sisters.
"So when's he going to be killed?" One man asked with a slurred tongue to the other, the other man chuckled.
"The commander said soon, don't know when."
He sat there until the two men paid their coin and went back on patrol, he followed silently with his anger boiling over until he took his chance. He charged and stuck a dagger through the back of one's neck, shocking and surprising the other whom he kicked into a wall. Unsheathing his sword he circled the begging guard and slashed the bastard's throat open.
It began to storm as he felt rain padding his cloak, he turned from the dead men and continued his way up, closer and closer he got to the Red Keep.
He will save father even if he has to kill every single man in his path, no mercy.
Robb
He made his way up to Bran's chambers, to tell him goodbye and swear they would bring father, the girls, and Arthur back home.
Grey Wind followed behind and was the first to enter the room, Bran was awake and petting Summer. Both brothers smiled as he approached the bed and sat down.
"Your leaving?" Bran asked him and he slowly nodded, they needed to be fast and get south before the King knows they are coming.
The raven came eight days ago, that same day he called the banners and has six thousand soldiers camped outside whilst another fourteen thousand are gathering near Moat Cailin. He was angry yet that his brother was captured, that friends were slaughtered and that his father and sister were taken hostage by the Queen Regent and King Joffrey.
He swore that once he gets his father sisters released that he will get Arthur, then go home and never come south again no matter who calls them. He was then reminded of what the letter had said, how he got so angry.
They wanted the north to kneel, that his father had intended on treason, that Sansa and Arya are being gently cared for, worst when it concerned his brother. It stated in length that Jaime was attacked by Eddard, that Arthur being so 'honorable' that he helped defend Jaime despite earlier letters saying Arthur was kidnapped and taken by the Kingslayer. Either way, it was all lies, his father was the most honorable man in Westeros, his sisters are hostages and Arthur is a prisoner with a Lannister camp.
"But Robb, it's the middle of the night!" He shook his head to Bran, who said that out of worry.
"The Lannister's have spies, they can't know we're coming." Bran mentioned that their enemies have more men, "Aye, that they do." He responded and Bran perked up again.
"Can't I come with you, I can ride now- You've seen it. I won't get in the way, I pro- " He stopped his brother there, understanding his need to help out.
"There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. Until I return that will be you." Bran wasn't satisfied but he saw that the boy understood the command, "You are not to leave the castle walls while we are away, do you understand?" He asked Bran who nodded. "Listen to Maester Luwin. Look after Rickon." Bran swore it, "I will send letters whenever I am camped and if you don't hear from me, don't be scared." Even then his brother was frightened but strong at the same time. "Until I return." He smiled and got to his feet and left.
He met GreatJon, Lady Mormont, Lord Glover, Theon and Roose Bolton outside of the castle after he couldn't find Rickon, the boy was angry that he announced they would be leaving for war and must be hiding. "The forces are information, my Lord," Roose said and eyed him, the pale sight unnerving him somewhat but he remained strong and nodded.
"Very well. Let's move out."
A hard march and they were in Moat Cailin by three days, then onward beyond the neck where they would camp, and get a visit from his mother. He showed her the letter sent by Sansa, she believed it all lies and grit her teeth when she read the part about Arthur, preferring not to speak about his brother all and except talked about the battles to come.
"If I go to King's Landing and bend my knee to Joffrey- " His mother stopped him, finishing what he was going to say.
"No, you will never be allowed to leave. Our hope, only hope is to defeat them on the field." Her advice was sound and right, they have to win battles and through this the advantage when peace can be achieved through parlay.
"If I lose?" He didn't want to think of the possibility that he might lose this war, didn't want to imagine it.
"Do you remember what happened to the Targaryen children?" He nodded, they were killed in their sleep on the orders of Lannisters, and it's Lannisters they face. "If you lose, then we die, your father dies, your SISTERS die." And Arthur will die, He thought and steeled himself and got up to his feet.
"Then war it is."
Mya
She made a risk coming out of the shop, a giant risk with how much the Goldcloaks are looking for them, and a murderer of two guards down to the Street of Silk.
Yet they need food and some water, or for her is wine. She rubbed a hand through her short cropped hair, her blue eyes looking at all of the produce and bread. Arya herself wanted a cake, pricey but she has gold dragons and silver stags so she can afford.
Looking past one stall she saw herself in the reflection of a mirror, trousers and s sleeveless shirt, a coat and a sword at her hip. She picked out a few things and paid the man, "Thank you." She told the man and turned to leave and only bumped into a man, "Sorry... Ser... Arthur?"
His violet eyes widened as he realized who she was, they would embrace but she looked like a man right now and that would be strange. Instead, they both left for a quiet spot where he pushed her against a wall and took her lips, rough and passionate and she liked it. She linked her arms around his neck and brought him closer as the reunion got a bit more heated. They separated after a couple minutes and briefed one another on everything.
He told her how he was treated by the Kingslayers men, that he found his wolf whom she hasn't met quite yet, and how Jaime let him escape instead of wounding him further. She was amazed he made it here as fast as he could, if only it were on better circumstances rather than the ones they were greeted to.
"My fathers being held prisoner, I have to get him out and my sisters, and their wolves." She smiled at his protectiveness, despite how Sansa had treated him in the past couple of months.
"Sister, me and Arya got out. She is staying with my half-bastard brother." She informed him and Arthur looked confused as all hells.
"Half-Bastard brother?"
She and Arthur moved back to the smithy, where they were greeted to the sight of a shirtless Gendry swinging around a half-finished sword and Arya was giving him lessons on how to get into a proper stance. The fourteen and eleven-year-olds acting like children, they should be that way as well but not now, not anymore.
Arya screeched in happiness and jumped into Arthur's arms, he spun her around as brother and sister are reunited. Gendry and he looked to one another with smiles, they are happy for the two and soon another sister and Arthur's father will join the reunions. Once everyone calmed themselves, a plan was to be made to free Eddard and Sansa.
"Dusk isn't far from here, I want you and Arya to leave. You can come to if you wish." Arthur said and they were all confused, she gritted her teeth and stepped forward.
"You cannot be serious, you cant get them out alone! No one can, alone." She stated and Arya finally realized and approached Arthur, tugging on his shirt with tears in his eyes.
"Please, you cannot go! They'll kill you! I won't let you!" Arya shouted and hit Arthur who only stood there, holding his sister.
"I have to. I have to repay father for my foolishness, to save them all." He nodded to her and though she didn't want to, she began pulling Arya away and the girl struggled.
"Come back to me! You arse!" She yelled out, Arthur smirked and left not a moment afterward.
Arthur
Night fell on King's Landing as he went inside of the dungeons secret exit, torch, and sword in his hands.
Four objectives he has in his head first is the wolves, second is his father, third is Sansa if she isn't in the Black Cells, and last is to find 'Ice' because he won't leave his families ancestral sword in enemy hands.
First the kennels, he looked both ways before entering past the hole and hiding from the first patrol of guardsmen. No deaths, he needed to be discreet to till he gets his father and sister out and then men will die. He moved quickly towards the kennels where he saw Nymeria and Lady, energetic and eager to leave here. He unlocked the hatch but turned his head and saw a guard standing there.
No time to react before the guard had his spear ready, but the wolves were as they pounced on the lad and tore him apart.
He fled the kennels and saw another guard or two but before they could act, an arrow pierced one of the men in the back. He and the others turned and saw Mya standing their, bow ready to launch another into the other guard. He fought and parried three hits, then stuck him in the gut and the man crumbled down.
"I thought I told you to go!" He seethed and didn't get to say another word, she kissed him roughly and pulled away.
"And I told you to come back, now man up and ready yourself. I will get to Lord Stark and you get to Sansa, she should be in Maegor's Holdfast. Now!" Mya said before leaving, he whistled for Nymeria and Lady to follow her.
He left, the Red Keep was awake now with the deaths and cries of two. One guard poised his spear at him and he moved left and lit the man on fire with his torch, he screamed loudly before he slashed the man's throat open. He ran for Maegor's holdfast, Mya said as much and so he moved fast, the only thing stopping him was the guards that he would run into and would spend a minute of fighting on each one.
One room was empty.
Another had two people making love.
Yet another one was empty.
No room seemed to have Sansa in them, at least until he passed a corner and saw none other than his sister, and the Hound.
"Well, well, well. Little Wolf is rescuing a Bird, come then." Sandor taunted him and he wanted to, but the man was more experienced than he was, bigger too. He went through a dozen scenarios of him trying and getting killed in the attempt. He felt helpless at this moment, looking to Sansa with an expression of shame before slowly turning and fleeing.
Sansa cried for him to come back, but he didn't. He forced it down and thought that if he escapes with his father at least, gets north or to Riverrun, the home of Lady Starks family. They can fight them and save Sansa from the fate of being prisoner, The North will Remember this and blood will be paid in blood. He made it out to the entrance and saw his lover and father readying three horses, he rushed to them and heard the shuffling of feet behind him and saw a dozen Goldcloaks and Lannister Guard, and the King.
"Arthur the Bastard, Mya the Whore and Ned the Traitor. This must be my Nameday for the Gods to give me such a gift, to repay you for humiliating me." Joffrey boasted and his cunt of a mother standing beside him, the enemy began surrounding him. "Take them! Take them all!" He heard Joffrey cry out and went to cut the head off the snake.
The men were charging him, he swiftly picked up a spear from the second man he killed and with a jolt of strength threw it. Time seemed to slow down as the spear flew through the air and hit Joffrey right into the shoulder, the king falling to the ground flatly and the Queen crowing for protection of her son which seemed to stop the pursuing men. He told Mya to get on her horse as he jumped on the one with his father, arrows flew as they rode through the gate and across the drawbridge.
The escape was narrow and there were many turns but they came right out of, Mud Gate was all that was open to them and they escaped with Mya feathering the three guards with arrows to help, a mile off was where they found Arya and Gendry and Dusk waiting with two more horses.
"Gods that was exciting! Arthur are you alright?" Mya turned and asked him, he'll ask her why she was okay with him wounding her brother later but his father comes first.
"Father, are you alright? Father?" A groan and the Warden of the North fell from the horse, four arrows sticking from his back and he lost it.
Eddard
The sun was blurry, he felt himself leaning against a tree. Looking around he saw his youngest daughter on his right, and Robert's bastard son. Looking left he saw his oldest son and another of Robert's bastards, a daughter. He felt ill, and weak from strength or will to live, he could feel his life fading from him and could hardly speak for himself.
"Art... Arthur... Arya... Wh- Where is Sansa?" He uttered out the question and both of his children lowered their heads, he knew then that Sansa was left behind. Looking towards the fires he saw 'Ice', and the three wolves laying down peacefully and quietly. "Where are we?" He asked next and Gendry answered him next.
"Northeast, we're sticking off the Kingsroad for fear of patrols." Gendry was a good lad, he nodded and saw the boy walk towards the fire. Mya squeezed Arthurs shoulder and said she would be there for him before leaving.
"Aye, we should be nearing the Gods-Eye in a day or two. So you just hang in there." Arthur told him but his expression was grim, the boy knew he wasn't going to make it. Arya was still in tears, though she was wiping them away faster than they appeared.
"I won't lie to you all... I am dying." He said aloud and continued as Arya and Arthur tried to intervene, "But still you must all go home, take both Gendry and Mya with you. I don't have long now, I can feel it." He can and the blood seeping from the binds his son and Mya and Gendry unsuccessfully put. He sighed and closed his eyes, thinking about his life and what he's done with it.
His life began as a second son, meant for nothing much and to marry some girl and further his own line of Stark in some hold in the North. That vision was made different when he met Ashara, his beautiful star of whom he thinks of at night when the stars are high and the weather was cool. She would be his wife and father a trueborn Arthur and a baby girl who was taken much too soon from them, he would live a happy life and die in the arms of his true love but life is as cruel as fate.
His eldest brother was murdered, along with his father and sister was taken by Rhaegar Targaryen. He called the banners and marched to war to avenge them, he fought and won and saw the corpses of Rhaegar's son, daughter, and wife and saw no justice for their undeserved rape and murder by Gregor Clegane and his followers. He rode south for his sister and only found a bed of blood and blue roses, and a baby boy named Jaehaerys Targaryen, soon becoming his son named Jon Snow.
He had a son and a daughter with Ashara. Ashara flung herself from a tower days after he left with Arthur, he mourned and endured hateful glares from Catelyn for years until their other four children were brought into the world and he loved them all without judgment, soon he would count Theon as his adopted son after the Greyjoy Rebellion ended.
Then years later he was named Hand of the King, after the former and his second father perished. He served King Robert and saw him die, vowed to protect his children and so far he would like to think he is. He was imprisoned and put inside the Black Cells for days, hungry and thirsty and afraid, he will have soon agreed to declare Joffrey his King to save his daughters and son. His son and Mya saved him from his cell, and he would repay their risky endeavor with dying from blood loss and infection in his leg.
He looked up at the sun and remembered his sister's request, hoping he has done what he promised to do and take care of Jon, oh Jon Snow.
Everything is still now.
It is fading.
"Father! Stay with us! Father!" He could hear his children calling for him, shaking him but nothing can be done. He can only sigh aloud and dream.
Dream of a better life.
Arya
She sat with her knees covering her mouth as she watched Arthur and Gendry bury their father, she couldn't think. Only dream of killing those responsible for this.
Joffrey, Cersei, Jaime... A list she will grow until everyone on it has felt the pain she's felt until they've suffered what she and her family have suffered until they are as dead as her kin. Arthur took a deep breath and cried silently, she could see he has the same expression she has, the same pain and a craving for vengeance.
They will kill them all, down to the last one.
A/N: Wanted to change Ned's death, he wasn't being treated when he was in the black cells so the wound on his leg festered, then the arrows put in his back. Joffrey isn't dead but I did want to kill him though, it would send a message that Lannisters can be killed, that Tywin isn't so powerful. Mya has a new look, kinda like she looks like in the books or wiki, she also knew Gendry but kept a wrap on who he was. Arthur swears vengeance with Arya. News of Eddard's death won't be spread but his escape will and will have Robb move faster. Things with Jon are almost the same with some mentions about Arthur. A family reunion shortly after the Battle of the Whispering wood also.
Now, this chapter will diverge the storylines of Arya and Gendry, wounding Joffrey and saving Eddard will also shake things up for Sansa including seeing Arthur abandon her outright but not without much choice. And this stalls the moment where Robb becomes King in the North until Arthur and Arya give him the bad news.
Metal Flash, Yeah the relationship between Master and Students his a valyrian steel wall. Tywin will certainly blow a fuse, but then again Arthur is a bastard and with Eddard missing wasn't so valuable a prisoner now. I put it on heavy hesitation, if Arthur hadn't left quickly then Jaime will have taken him captive once more. Cat wouldn't have, I agree but Eddard might have and like you said Robb would have too. Mya a Baratheon, reckless decisions kinda come with the bloodline.
Let's take a moment and thank everyone for following and favoriting, It is truly an honor!
