Eddard

"They've found them, my lord," said Vayon Poole, steward of the Starks.

Ned rose quickly, "Our men or Lannister's?"

"It was Jory. She has not been harmed."

"Where is she? Tell Jory to bring her here at once."

"I am sorry, my lord. The guards on the gate were Lannister men. They informed the queen when Jory brought them in. They've been taken before the king."

"Damn that woman!" Ned strode to the door. "Find Sansa and bring her to the audience chamber. Her voice may be needed."

Arya had been missing for about a day. He had sent and led search parties throughout that day, but the queen's men had also been looking. Sasuke was with Arya, apparently. Ned descended the tower steps in a red rage. Men called out to him as he crossed the castle yard, but he ignored them in his haste. He would have run, but he was still the King's Hand. He must keep his dignity. He was aware of the eyes that followed him , of the muttered voices wondering what he would do.

The castle was a modest holding a half day's ride south of the Trident. The royal party had made themselves the uninvited guests of its lord, Ser Raymun Darry, who had fought with the Targaryens at the Trident. The castle was far too small for the party, and so tensions ran hot and heavy.

The king had appropriated Ser Raymun's audience chamber, and that was where Ned found them. The room was crowded when he burst in. Too crowded, he thought. Left alone, he and Robert might have been able to settle the matter amicably.

Robert was slumped in Darry's high seat at the far end of the room, his face closed and sullen. Cersei Lannister and her son stood beside him. The queen had her hand on Joffrey's shoulder. The boy still clutched at his chest in pain, breathing heavily, his eyes wide and wild.

Arya and Sasuke stood in the center of the room with Jory Cassel.

"Arya," Ned called loudly.

He went to her and went to one knee. He took her in his arms. Arya hugged back and sobbed slightly.

"Don't feel bad," said Sasuke. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Arya nodded.

"Are you hurt?" Ned asked.

"No," Arya said. "Hungry some, we ate some berries. And Sasuke killed and cooked a deer at the same time. That was cool. But other than that, I haven't eaten anything."

"We'll feed you soon enough," Ned promised. He rose to face the king. "What is the meaning of this?" His eyes swept the room, searching for friendly faces, but there were few save for his own men and Sakura. It was fortunate, however, that Sandor Clegane and Jaime Lannister were both out leading search parties. "Why was I not told that my daughter had been found? Why was she not brought to me at once?"

He spoke to Robert, but it was Cersei who answered. "How dare you speak to your king in that manner?"

Robert stirred. "Quiet, woman," he snapped. "I am sorry, Ned. I never meant to frighten the girl. It seemed best to bring her here and get the business done with quickly."

"And what business is that?"

The queen stepped forward.

"You know full well, Stark. Your girl's sword fighting instructor tried to kill Joffrey."

"If I tried to kill him, he would be dead," said Sasuke.

"Sword fighting instructor?" asked Ned.

"Sasuke just scared him a little with gen- umm," Arya said.

"Genjutsu," Sasuke finished for her. "It was just an illusion. Speaking of which, I'm supposed to be teaching Bran to walk up trees. Let's hurry this up."

"No!" exclaimed Joffrey. "He stabbed me and she threw Lion's Tooth in the river!"

"Hush, child," said Robert, then to Arya and Sasuke, "You two, tell what happened. When you are done Joffrey will have his turn."

Sasuke and Arya told their story. When it was mentioned that Sasuke defeated Joffrey by making eye contact with him, Renly Baratheon began to laugh. The king bristled. "Ser Barristan, escort my brother from the hall before he chokes."

Lord Renly stifled his laughter, "My brother is too kind. I can find the door myself."

He bowed and left.

Joffrey was pale as he began his own version of events, which was largely the same, except that Sasuke was the aggressor who stabbed him through the chest for no reason.

"I think it is clear what happened," said Robert. "Given that my son is still alive, he must've fallen prey to an illusion."

"They must be punished!" Cersei exclaimed. "I demand a whipping for the boy and something for the girl!"

The top half of a flaming purple skeleton materialized around Sasuke and Arya.

"You're welcome to try," said Sasuke.

"He is a guest and she is a child," said the king. "There is no point in punishing them. Audience adjourned."

The skeleton disappeared and Sasuke strode out of the room, Sakura following behind and trying to talk to him. Arya also followed him out.

Ned sighed and followed them.