Arya
Arya was unhappy. Today her Lord father rode out to execute a deserter from the Night's Watch. As usual only the boys were allowed to join him. It was no surprise, but this time even Bran rode with them. It was enough to rouse her envy as Bran was even two years younger than her. Not to mention she had to remain here with Sansa to practice stitching.
As always Sansa was absorbed by her chatter with Jeyne Poole and little Beth Cassel. Arya had to contend herself with Septa Mordane. If the woman was more of a pleasant company she wouldn't mind so much, but the majority of their conversations concerned Arya's crooked stitches. The whole work was not only boring, but also utterly useless. Arya doubted anyone would ever want to wear a handkerchief embroidered by her hand.
The morning passed slowly and unsurprisingly Arya's work received a critical judgment from the Septa."That will not do…That will not do at all!" the Septa chided while Arya wanted nothing more than to throw the stupid handkerchief at the giggling Jeyne Poole."Tomorrow you will have to try again. Maybe Sansa will be able to aide you."
Normally, Arya would have given a snapping remark, but today she didn't care. Instead she obediently nodded her head and made her way to the large window that allowed a good view over the courtyard.
It was the best place to keep watch out for her Lord father's return.
While waiting she watched the coming and going. She found Mikken carrying material to his forge, the guards laughing over a stupid joke and a group of children running wild. Arya occasionally played with them, but today she was in no mood to join in. Her sadness came so suddenly, but it started in the morning when she was allowed to take part in her brothers' lessons with the bow. It really surprised her when both her Lord father and mother gave their approval. For the last two years she begged to train with the bow, but her Lord father didn't agree out of respect for her Lady mother's , both her mother and father have changed much since Jon's disappearance. Her father was often sad and looked lost in thoughts. When he was busy playing the Lord it was hard to see, but Arya always recognized it.
In such moments she wanted to do nothing more than to hug him, but she also knew that none of her actions will be able to take away her father's sadness. At first she didn't believe it and was convinced that her Uncle Benjen told a lie. The idea that Jon could have left her out of his free will appeared almost impossible to her. Of all his siblings he always understood her the best and now he was gone. Even her Lady mother was different. Before Jon's disappearance she used to be very strict with Arya if she didn't behave like a lady, but these days she was often more than lenient. She didn't punish her when she tried to sneak out of her lessons and stopped forcing her into those scratchy dresses Sansa liked to wear so much. The arrow practice was just another sign of her mother's change.
Sadly, none of this brought her brother back to her. That it was Jon who first thought her how to use a bow dimmed her mood only more. She wasn't even able to rejoice over the fact that she bested Bran when Jon wasn't here to talk about her success.
"Are you still sitting here?" Sansa's soft voice roused her out of her whirling thoughts. "Are you not hungry?"
Arya leaned on her arms and angled her head to look at her sister.
"Oh, I completely forgot about it," she replied and felt a little embarrassed by her loss of time." Was mother angry with me?" she asked and hoped otherwise.
"Mother noticed your absence, but I don't think she is angry. Rickon caught a light fever and she is entertaining him with a story while Maester Luwin is taking care of him. You know how fussy he can be. I also think she is more upset with father for taking Bran to see the executions."
Arya moved aside so Sansa was able to sit down next to her.
"It is way beyond midday. I wonder what what keeps them so long.I don't think it usually takes that long to get back here," Arya added and Sansa nodded her head in agreement.
"Maybe there was heavy snowfall," Sansa offered as a possible explanation and patted her shoulder."I am sure they will soon return to us, though I hope Theon will refrain from giving us the details during dinner."
"I don't think Theon will care about your feelings," Arya replied and flashed Sansa a cheeky smile."But if you want I can throw my bread at him. That works every time."
"You have my full support," her sister replied and stifled a smile. Even Sansa was changed. While she was still annoying Arya realized recently that her older sister was trying to build a better relationship with her. Last time she even scolded Jeyne Poole when she dared to call her Arya Horsface. Arya also wondered if she was doing this, to soothe her regret.
Maybe being kind to me is her way of making it up to Jon, she thought and granted her sister a supportive smile."It would be my pleasure."
Sansa jerked her head and then her blue eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh, it seems they are back!" Sansa stated and rose from her seat before hitching up her dress along the way. Arya sprinted after her and was barely able to catch up with her sister. It was no surprise as Sansa was tall and lean like their lady mother while Arya was short and agile like a little squirrel.
Her face burned from the cold a she stepped outside into the icy air, but all this was forgotten when she spotted her brothers and Theon carrying something in their arms.
"Arya! Sansa!" Bran exclaimed loudly, his pale face flushed from the cold air."Robb found direwolf pups. Five of them, one for each of us," he added and showed her the small bundle of fur he cradled in his arms.
Arya's pulse sped up and she felt excitement wash over her."Where did you find them? And are you sure they are direwolves?" she asked and a hundred of further questions lingered on her tongue, but then Robb joined them and showed them two other pups. Both of them were grey-furred and had golden eyes.
"Those are the female ones, one for each of you," Robb remarked and smiled. It was an honest smile and so seldom seen these days.
"Give her to me," she replied and stretched out her arms.
"Here," Robb said and lifted one of the pups into her arms while Sansa picked the other."But careful, those are direwolf pups."
Arya didn't care and let her hands wander through the soft grey fur of her pup. Slowly the pup opened its eyes and Arya's heart swelled with love.
You are mine, she thought and followed her siblings inside. You are all mine.
Inside they were greeted by their lady mother who wrinkled brows when she saw what they were carrying in their arms.
"By the gods…are those wolf pups?" she asked as Bran proudly presented his pup to their Lady mother.
"Aye, the children found the pup's dead mother. Robb and Bran were insistent to bring them here," their Lord Father added in a serious tone. It was the face of the Lord of Winterfell.
Fearfully, Arya looked over to her lady mother and awaited her impending reaction.
She saw the disapproval showing on her lady mother's face and feared the worst, but then her expression softened.
"Well, now that they are here I don't think I have the heart to send them away," she replied and ruffled through Bran's hair."But if they are to remain here you will have to take care of them. They will be all your responsibility," she added and looked at each of her children."Understood?"
The reply was an unquestionable "yes" and so they went to work. Robb organized them milk to feed the pups while Arya and Bran started to build a sleeping place made of hay. All her gloomy thoughts were washed away in that brief moment of happy relief.
"What are you going to name yours?" Bran asked after a while as he continued dipping a piece of cloth into the bowl of milk Robb organized for them.
The answer to that question was not difficult."Nymeria…like the Princess of the Rhoynar."
"And what are you going to name yours?" she asked Bran in return.
"Summer," Bran replied proudly before looking over to Sansa and Robb.
Sansa was carefully brushing her pup's fur while Robb was occupied with feeding Rickon's pup. Due to his youth their little brother was unable to care for it. Robb's own pup was already sleeping and sated from the milk he received earlier.
"Robb!" Bran called out."What did you name yours?"
Robb lifted his head and ruffled through his hair."I was thinking about Greywind."
"What about Rickon's pup?" Sansa threw in."What name did he choose?"
"He calls the little one Shaggydog…or Shaggy…quite a fitting name given his shaggy fur," Robb replied and continued to feed their brother's pup.
Their industrious work was only interrupted by their Lady mother who called them for dinner.
Arya was not happy to leave Nymeria, but she hardly ate anything today. She completely forgot about it with all the sudden excitement surrounding their new family members.
Wanting nothing more than to return as quickly as possible she slurred down her food, but sadly they weren't dismissed yet.
"Before you go, your lord father needs to make an important announcement," their mother insisted.
All eyes in the room turned to their Lord Father who paled visibly under the sudden attention.
"What is it, father? Is it about Jon?" Robb asked and Arya heard the fear in his voice.
Trembling she gripped for the table.
"No, not about Jon," their lord father replied."The King…King Robert will be coming here to Winterfell in company of his family and court."
"But why would the King come here?" Robb asked skeptically.
"Jon Arryn…died," came their Lord father's prompt reply. His tone was grave and Arya saw the sorrow shining in his eyes.
Robb's face changed to a similar expression, though he looked more pensive than sad.
"Oh, that is wonderful!" Sansa added with a beaming smile and clapped her hands together.
Bran shared her joy."I am finally going to see the knights of the Kingsguard."
Arya was unsure what to think about the King's visit. She also wanted to see the Kingsguard, but then she thought of Robb's pensive look.
What is he so worried?