AN: The promised Jon and Sansa chapters are on their way. I have each sort of half written. I'm finding Sansa the hardest to write. I want to get her "voice" right and it is tricky. I anticipate one or two more chapters after this before Jon, the Sansa chapter will be shortly after that.
Thanks for your feedback, it is much appreciated :)
There will be no update tomorrow, I have a full work day.

Chapter 21: Brienne

Brienne felt out of place at first in Winterfell. She was not liked though that was not unusual for her. She tried to ignore the laughter and the mutters of Brienne the Beauty. She was not there for them, she was there for the Lady Arya.

Arya Stark did not need Brienne in the same way her mother had. Brienne was allowed to be her shield for parts of the day but she now had a fair suspicion that it was some sort of show. Lady Arya was not at all the delicate girl people might suspect from her small figure and their ideas of what a highborn lady should be. She had proven that to Brienne on more than one occasion. There were times Brienne had wondered if Arya even wanted her there. She was so closed off, so distant and at times so very angry. Then there were the times when there were glimpses of warmth, times when Brienne would see the girl who had put her hand on Brienne's arm and told her not to be upset when she lost Oathkeeper.

Yes, Arya Stark did not need Brienne in the same way her mother had but Brienne had come to realise with time that she was needed. There was still a lot Brienne didn't know about the young woman she served. She had seen her closeted away with Ser Rolly and her prince, whispering about her past. She had seen the shared looks. For all that, Brienne knew this secretive young woman trusted her too.

Brienne couldn't help being flattered to be included as part of the Lady of Winterfell's inner circle. It was a strange feeling to be valued for something other than her swordsmanship. Arya told her things, things she did not tell the high lords in the great hall and she trusted Brienne to keep those secrets.

It had been a shock to find out that Catelyn Stark's younger sons were still alive. Brienne still remembered Lady Catelyn's grief the day she had heard the news of their deaths. She had told Arya of it. The girl had barely shown a flicker of emotion at the tale.

Brienne had found the lack of expression unsettling at first, she still did but she was learning to read the girl better. Arya was better than anybody Brienne had ever known at hiding her feelings but with the right provocation they could be seen. Subtle things gave away that she was angry, or that she was amused. It could be seen in the girl's grey eyes if Brienne looked close enough.

Her smiles had almost dried up when her prince left. Her laughter was gone. Brienne tried not to judge her. She had tried to be careful at first when she had let out her disapproval, she still remembered how badly that had gone.

"My lady, is it wise to be spending so much time with the prince?" she had so stupidly asked, thinking that she was being delicate.

Arya's features had clouded with anger. "Nobody really cares if I'm a maiden Brienne. As long as they think I'm heir to Winterfell I could fuck a dozen men and it would make no matter".

Brienne had gaped at her, too shocked to respond further. With time she had realised that there was more between the two of them than a prince taking advantage of a vulnerable girl. Brienne had been on guard duty the night before Aegon had left. She tried to look as though she had not seen him enter her chambers. When he emerged, he looked a broken man.

The Lady Arya was far different than Brienne could have imagined before she met her. She remembered Lady Catelyn telling her that Sansa had been almost born a lady. The same could not be said for Arya. She was no maiden, she had not appeared really interested in being a lady until she had discovered her brother was alive and duty had called her. Brienne could see that Arya wanted to shun her title. She was bold, she struggled with courtesy and she refused to dress the part.

Arya Stark did not look like the Lady Catelyn but there were times when Brienne could see her mother in her. She had the same strength and when she called on that strength she was most fearsome to behold (as Stannis had learned). She also had a certain dignity which Brienne had seen in Catelyn Stark. Other times, however, Arya was filled with such darkness that it frightened Brienne.

Brienne had agonised over whether to tell Arya about her mother. She had the unsettling feeling Arya knew Brienne held a secret. The girl seemed to see into people. Brienne had almost confessed the truth more than once but in the end couldn't. Arya may show little emotion but beneath the masked exterior there was a lot of rage and Brienne was ashamed to say she was too afraid of the girl's reaction

The Lady Arya had claimed Winterfell, she had claimed the allegiance of the Stark bannermen but keeping them (or keeping them happy) was going to be the greater challenge. When Brienne met her as she emerged from her chambers that morning Arya had an air of determination about her.

"I have spoken with Manderley" she said "but the others will be harder".

Brienne nodded. As they walked, Ser Rolly joined them, he and Brienne flanking the young woman. Brienne was interested to see the knight carrying a bundle in his arms. It was a long object wrapped in cloth and Brienne had a sneaking suspicion she knew what it was.

"They will not respect me because I am a woman" Arya muttered. "I need to show them".

They walked into the great hall and sat at the dias to break their fast. Brienne saw people look curiously at the bundle Arya had left sitting on the table in front of her but she made no move to uncover it. When the meal was finished, Arya stood and cleared her throat, asking for the attention of those in the hall.

"It is time to deal with the prisoners".

Stannis and the Northerners had taken prisoners in the battle with the Boltons. There had been a rather heated exchange before Stannis left. He had considered them his prisoners. Arya had claimed they were Winterfell's prisoners. By the end of the argument it had been decided in Arya's favour. It was for the North to decide their punishment. The Bolton's had betrayed the North, the North would dispense justice.

Her announcement was met with murmurs of approval. The first of them were brought up from the dungeons. The Lady Arya sat in the high chair reserved for the Lord of Winterfell, ready to make judgement. She was dressed the part in her boiled leather over woollen pants and grey boots. Her dirk was in its place at her hip. High lords sat to her right and left. Brienne had taken a guard position opposite Ser Rolly at the head of a line of armed men. She could see that for all the thirst for vengeance, people were eyeing Arya doubtfully. They do not think she can do this.

The first man brought forward was one of the Bolton's men. He knelt, looking nervous. Lady Dustin spoke first, demanding his name and title. Brienne watched though her eyes were trained more on Arya than on any other. The girl had her mask on.

The other lords asked other questions, questions about the battle for Winterfell and the man's role in it and questions about the imposter posing as Arya. Brienne noted that Arya stayed silent and her mask did not shift. After a few minutes she raised her hand to get attention.

"I have a question for this man".

The prisoner bowed his head, mumbling pleasantries to the Lady Arya.

Arya looked down at the prisoner and Brienne saw something which chilled her in the girl's eyes.

"Were you at the Red Wedding?"

A hush fell in the hall. The prisoner began to tremble and Brienne saw fear in his eyes. He began to babble a negative. Some of the knights and Lords began to mutter. Arya called for silence.

"I will know if you are lying" she said in an icy tone. "I will ask once more. Were you there".

Brienne saw a dark stain spreading in the man's breeches. His bladder had let go. He began to plead mercy.

The Northmen were on their feet. An uproar began. They stepped forward to seize him. Brienne saw Arya jump to her feet, commanding them to stop. They froze and looked at her. Brienne could see the challenge in their eyes. They wanted their vengeance.

"My lady" one of the Wulls said "You cannot expect us to spare him".

"I did not say that" Arya replied. "I only ask that I pass judgement".

The murmuring became louder and the anger in the room began to increase. It took longer to silence them this time. Brienne heard more than one muttering about women and questioning Arya being involved.

Arya stood. "My father was Lord of Winterfell, he passed judgement and carried it out. My brother Robb was Lord of Winterfell after him and he did the same. I stand in their place. It is only right that I do the same". She gestured to Ser Rolly and he passed her the bundle from earlier. Arya unwrapped it and the hall erupted in gasps and exclamations as the sword was revealed.

"This used to be Ice" Arya announced loudly. "My father used this sword to pass sentence. The Lannisters took it when they murdered him and had it reforged". Her face twisted in fury. "They gave it a pommel of lion's heads and rubies, I had it reworked in Storm's End".

She held it out so that everybody could see the black and red ripples in the Valyrian steel. The pommel now had a wolf's head, fangs bared. The stones which formed the eyes looked like chips of ice.

"I sentence this man to die and it will be by my hand" she declared. "Bring him and let the others watch".

Arya strode forward. The expressions in the hall ranged from doubt to horror to fascination and some of respect. The prisoner began to weep as he was pulled along. When they made it outside and a block was found, the crowd had gathered around. Brienne was feeling rather ill and she could see some others looking concerned too.

"You don't have to do it yourself girl" one of the Norreys said.

"Yes I do" Arya said firmly. She turned to face the people. "I was at the Twins. Nobody saw me but I was there". Her expression darkened. "I heard Robb's bannermen in the feast tents screaming, I saw them dying. I know many of you doubt I can do this. You do not know me but know this. You all want vengeance? Nobody wants it more than I do and nothing will stop me. I may not have commanded armies but you will find I am not weak".

Brienne moved to stand by her as she told the man to say his last words. It was an unintelligible string of excuses and pleading. Brienne looked at the girl standing over him. She did not flinch. When it was done she turned to her audience, appearing unconcerned at the spray of blood which had struck her as she carried out the sentence.

"It is done" she said calmly. "He will not be the only one. Who's next?"

The men gathered eagerly around her, talking to her as they moved on as though what had just happened was nothing out of the ordinary. The young woman had proven herself in this at least and for now she had cemented her place. She had shown her strength.

Arya seemed tireless as the day wore on. Where others came and went, the girl remained. She would not stop. It would take more than one day to finish questioning all the prisoners but the Stark girl was relentless in her pursuit of those who had wronged her family. She was the last to stop for the day.

Brienne watched her as she escorted her back to her chambers, taking in Arya's demeanour as she left the hall. She was no less determined than she had been at the start of the day, even though on close inspection fatigue was clearly trying to set in. When Brienne suggested she take a rest on the morrow, Arya gave her a look which sent a shiver down her spine. The answer was a clear "No".

Brienne began to get the uncomfortable feeling that Arya Stark did not just have some of Catelyn Stark in her, she also had some of Lady Stoneheart too.