Arya
She knew the castle of Kings Landing. She had escaped it once before and knew she could do it again. She did not have much time before Ramsey came to claim her, so had to act fast. There was always a man guarding her door, but the Mountains men were always drunk. She knew what she had to do. She wanted nothing more than to slit the throats of each of them, but that would be impossible.
She had her usual dinner with a drunken queen Cersei. "Ramsey will be here soon." She slurred.
"I look forward to meeting him... and telling him to go to the seven hells." Arya replied flatly.
"He will cut out your tongue for that, little savage."
"He can do what he wants."
When she was led back to her chambers, one of the Mountains men was guarding her door. He seemed drunk, just as Arya expected. She was pushed through the door full force and fell onto the chamber floor. Her palms were scratched from breaking her fall and her knees bruised, although this was a nightly occurrence and the wounds did not bother her anymore. She heard the door lock as she got back on her feet.
I will wait a while. She thought as she took the stolen bread from her pocket. Every night she had gathered small amounts of food that might last for the beginning of her journey. It was easily done as Cersei was always drunk and rarely paid attention to details as she mocked her. The man guarding her would have a sword and knife that she could steel after she killed him. His knife was carried on his ankle. She would kill him with it, then steal his sword and purse and run to the vaults were they kept the dragon skulls, like she did three years previously.
It was nearing midnight. Arya banged on the chamber door to get the guards attention.
"Stop that bangin'... What do ya want, ya little bitch." He sneered, far more drunk than Arya anticipated.
She clutched her stomach and bent over when he looked in the door. "Fetch the master... I am ill." She said in a groggy voice.
The man spat on the floor by her feet. "I'll do nout."
"Please... there is something wrong with me... I am in pain... if I die before Bolton marries me... the queen will have you flayed."
The guard thought for a moment. He knew she was right.
"Get back inside and I'll fetch..." he was saying but Arya cut him off by falling on her hands and knees by his feet. She grabbed his legs.
"Please do not leave me... I am scared." She sobbed as he tried to free his legs from her.
She found the knife and managed to hold it as he fought her. When it was secure she looked up, pleading in her eyes.
"Please ser... help me to my bed."
This took the guard by surprise. The pretty young girl was crying and begging for his help. Begging him to take her to her bed. His drunken lust outsmarted him as Arya knew it would. He stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind him. As he reached down to pick her up, she stuck him in the side of the neck with all her force and moved quickly from his grasp. His hands went to his neck and his eyes widened as he felt the knife. He tried to scream at her, but his breath only came out as sputtering of blood. He fell to his knees and tried to remove his sword, anger filling his eyes as he clawed his way across the flood to her. She just retreated. There was no way for him to survive or call for help. Even if he reached her his strength was fading rapidly. She just sat back and waited for him to die, smirking at him as he looked at her in a rage. As the anger in his eyes dimmed and his life was leaving his body, Arya crawled over to him, looked him in the eyes and said softly.
"This is for all the people of Harrenhal and Acorn Hall, you sack of wine." Before giving him an almighty smile.
She stood up and looted his body of anything that might be useful to her, gathered the bag she had prepared over the previous few weeks and sneaked out of the chambers, closing the door behind her.
Jon
Gendry had been out with fever for the best part of a week. During that time, Jon agreed to leave the nights watch, be legitimised by Stannis and take back Winterfel in the name of the Starks. Stannis had one other surprise for him after he signed his name, Jon Stark.
"You will need to marry. I have found you a wife that will bind us to the wildings." Stannis had said without blinking.
Jon looked to the Lord Commander. He had not thought about Stannis trading him in marriage. He scolded himself for not realising that that was part of his duty as heir to Winterfel.
"Do I get to find out who she is?" he said without hiding his anger.
"Don't worry. You are very lucky I have chosen her for you. You will marry the wilding princess, Val."
Jon's eyes widened. Val was beautiful, one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, in fact. All the men at Castle Black had stared at her when she was captured with Mance.
"I thought that might finally make you smile, you insolent pup." Stannis said angrily. "You are the most ungrateful boy I have ever encountered!" he raged.
"I am not ungrateful, Your Grace. But Val has slit the throats of three men so far... what makes you think she will consent to marry me?"
"She will marry you... those men tried to rape her, she killed them. I trust you will treat her with a little more care."
"The wildings do not live like us, Your Grace. They do not have our ways."
"She will learn to live them soon enough. She will be the lady of Winterfel. Go to her now and tell her of your betrothal."
Jon's jaw dropped open. "She does not know!"
"I thought you might like to explain things to her." Stannis said.
If Jon had thought it possible for Stannis to smile, he might have detected a smirk on his face. He left the room after giving the Lord Commander an exasperated look which was met with a shrug of the shoulders. He knew that no man would ever be upset to marry Val. Her long blond hair, high cheek bones and striking eyes made her a rare beauty. Her fiery temper and quick wit only gave her an exoticness which Jon had found intriguing. When he reached her chamber door, he let out a sigh and knocked. She answered wearing a woollen dress which clung to her body at her breasts and rounded her hips delicately. Her hair was braided and lying over her shoulder. Jon was used to seeing her wrapped in her cape, covered. Now he could imagine her body shape through her dress and he had to catch himself to keep his mind from wandering as he entered the room.
"What I can do for you, Lord Snow... or Lord Stark, I should say." Her eyes danced as she talked.
She fears nothing. He thought as he turned his gaze to the fire so as not to be distracted by her beauty.
"I have been legitimised, it is true. I am to return to my home and reclaim it in my father's name."
"And why are you telling me this?"
Jon sighed. "Stannis has decided that I must marry... make an alliance to strengthen his numbers and chances of winning the war."
He waited for her to say something, but she did not.
"I know you do not believe yourself to be a princess, Val, but Stannis does. He has told me that we are to be married. I, the protector or the North and you, princess of the wildings." He turned to look at her.
He face was impassive. She did not speak for a full minute.
"So I am to be your wife, and live in a castle, as a Lady."
"That is what he wants."
"Do I have a choice here, Lord Stark?"
"As much of one as I have." He answered angrily.
He did not expect Val to be happy with the news, but it still stung that she found the idea of marrying him so off putting.
"You do not want to marry me?" she asked as she turned her head to the side. "I suppose that is to be expected... you crows are not allowed women. I always suspected men joined so they could couple with other men." Humour and mocking lined her voice.
Jon had never met a woman who spoke like this to men. Arya had been wild, but she was so young, her insolence was innocent in comparison to Val suggestive tones.
"That does not happen here, as you well know... I had never thought that I would marry, but I never thought I would be a true Stark and lord of Winterfel, either."
Val's face softened as she looked at him, so confused and attempting to hide his fear.
"You are a beautiful woman, Val... and spirited, which I find much more amusing than the usual castle Lady."
He smirked thinking of Arya's antics and Sansa's disgust and disapproval.
"I would be happy to marry you."
He blushed and looked to the floor for a second. "I will not force you, though. If you think you can live as a Lady in a castle and be my wife... well only you can decide that. I will leave you to consider it. Perhaps you want to talk to Stannis about other options if you refuse. I will leave you."
He gave her a small bow and went to the door. He was about to open it when Val placed her hand on his shoulder. He turned, startled. She had a bemused look on her face as she cupped his cheek with one hand and leaned into him, kissing him softly. He began to stiffen and his whole body froze at her touch. He did not expect it and was unsure how to proceed. Val broke the chaste kiss and arched her eyebrow.
"Is that all I can expect of a southerner? Ye do not know how to please a woman." She was mocking him again.
"I am no southerner." He spat.
He could tell that she loved to mock him and it infuriated him. He grabbed her around the waist with one hand and slid the other into her hair, pulling her into him as he kissed her hard. His tongue found hers and he allowed it to explore her without restraint. He thought of all the japes and laughs she had as his expense, the way her eyes danced as she mocked him and his anger at her transformed into lust. He trailed kisses down her neck, making her gasp. He turned her around so that she was up against up the door and he allowed his hands to move up her bodice and into her hair, and cupped her face as his lips found hers again. He broke the kiss and looked at her. Their eyes were glassy and full of need.
"Why did you not try and stop me, My lady?" he asked confused.
Her breathing was ragged as she answered, "I kissed you first... so I thought it only fitting that I allow you to kiss me, once."
He smiled "Once?"
"We free folk do not marry every man we kiss, Lord Stark." Her mocking tones returning.
Gendry
He had been out a week, Jon told him, when he woke up. He tried to get out of bed. He needed to get back on the road to save her.
"Be still... Stannis is giving us his men. I have been legitimised and I am to reclaim Winterfel. Arya will be saved... but you will not if you do not get your strength back." Jon had said.
"But... she could be married already... he could be..."
Jon cut him off. "She has escaped King's Landing again, Gendry... I do not know why we ever thought the queen could keep her." He said smiling.
Gendry mouth dropped open. "Escaped... where?"
"We don't know, but Stannis has sent men to find her and bring her here. Then we will march on Winerfel."
"Why are you not gone?" Gendry demanded angrily.
Jon sighed. "I was not allowed. I am to be married and Stannis would not let me go now that he needs me to claim Winterfel to secure the North... I tried but, he is as stubborn as a mule."
Gendry was not amused.
"I am doing all that I can Gendry... do not doubt it. Stannis's men will find her and give her my letter and she will allow them to take her here. She will be well... I know it."
"I can't stay here and wait." Gendry said.
"You will." Jon said sternly. "I will not tell Arya that I allowed you to get yourself killed before she arrives. Stannis wants to meet you... you had best get dressed."
Gendry dressed and was led to Stannis rooms. He did not recognise anything. He must have been very ill when he last walked these halls, he thought. He walked in to the room and stood before the King who was looking down at a map, not bothering to acknowledge him. A woman in red eyed him from beside the King. She seemed to examine him from afar which made Gendry very uncomfortable. Jon shifted beside him, obviously feeling her glare too. When Stannis lifted his head, he gasped. Jon and Gendry gave each other a quick look, unsure of what was going on. Stannis mouth was ajar and he was silent, staring at Gendry. Finally he spoke, or rather shouted.
"What is your name, boy?"
"Gen... Gendry Water's, Your Grace."
"Water's... a bastard from King's Landing." Stannis's tone was more understanding than actual question.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Who was your mother?"
"A tavern worker."
Jon and the Lord Commander looked to each other in confusion. Gendry looked as if he might wretch from nerves.
"Has anyone ever asked you about your mother before me?" Stannis demanded.
Gendry's brow furrowed. "Yes... the two Hands's... Lord Arryn and then, after he died, Lord Stark, when he became Hand of the King."
Gendry heard Jon inhale sharply at the mention of his father. Stannis' eyes widened.
"Did they say anything about your father?"
Gendry looked up at the King. "I never knew my father, Your Grace... and the two Lord's made no mention of him."
"Aye... well, I hear you travelled with Lady Stark. Get your strength back and train with the others; you can help us take Winterfel. Are you good with a sword?"
"I prefer the war hammer, Your Grace."
Stannis shock his head and muttered. "I should have guessed."
It was now the Lord Commanders turn to gasp. "Seven Hell's," he exclaimed, looking at Gendry more closely.
Jon was about to ask what was wrong, when Stannis dismissed them with a loud grunt. When they left the room, they both looked at each other.
"What in the Seven hell's was all that about?" Gendry asked.
"I don't know... but we will find out soon enough I fear." Jon replied...