The Twins. Arya had only been here twice. The first time was during the Red Wedding, where she was supposed to reunite with her mother and eldest brother. But instead, noticed a massacre of the Stark-Tully bannermen. The second time was to avenge their deaths. She did not expect to be here a third time.
Ever since the Red Wedding, after the murder of her mother, brother Robb, his wife and the rest of the Stark-Tully forces, Edmure Tully had been a hostage at the Twins to secure the Frey's hold in the Riverlands and the Tully's ancestral castle, Riverrun.
Now, here she was, standing before the West castle of the Twins. It was hard to see because of the heavy snowfall. She stood with Lords Jason and Patrek Mallister and all three of them had the hoods of their cloaks pulled over to protect their heads from the snow. Arya's direwolf Nymeria stood beside her and noticed that the direwolf wasn't bothered by the cold winds and heavy snowfall. She and the rest of the Wolfpack. Well, that's why the direwolf is the sigil of House Stark, Arya thought.
She glanced at the West castle while the other men waited for orders.
Patrek sighed in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm here again." He said.
"You're not the only one, Lord Patrek." Arya said before she could stop herself.
Jason Mallister frowned at her. "You've been here before?" He asked.
Arya nodded reluctantly. "During the Red Wedding, when the massacre happened." She cleared her throat avoiding the subject. "Anyways, Lord Jason," She said, pulling the piece of fabric Patrek had given her earlier. "You are to find Lady Roslin and my uncle's son with her."
Lord Jason took the fabric from her. "It will be done, my lady."
"Well, that is, if she is still in her chambers." Patrek said.
"And why wouldn't she be?" Lord Jason asked. "It's the hour of the wolf."
"Because Lady Roslin visits Edmure every night," Patrek revealed. "And it's about this hour that she carries a torch in the dungeons."
"And how in seven hells do you know that?" Lord Jason demanded.
"I was imprisoned in a cell next to Edmure's, father." Patrek reminded him. "I doubt it if Walder Frey even knows about that. Seems to me, that she's come to love him." He said.
"Alright, that's enough talk," Arya said. "It's time to teach the Freys a lesson."
. . .
The Twins, or sometimes called The Crossing, a stronghold that consists of two near-identical castles and a fortified bridge over the narrowest part of the Green Fork of the River Trident. It represents the only crossing point over the Green Fork for hundreds of miles in either direction. And, it's also the seat of House Frey. The upstarts who murdered my family, Arya thought.
Since her last visit, Arya had learned that her uncle is being kept in the East castle of the Twins. They are currently near the West castle, which meant they'd have to cross the bridge to get to the other side. There was no other way. The Green Fork runs deep and swift, it'd be hard to fight against its current, and they certainly didn't have time to go around it.
As usual, the wolves were their signal to start off the attack. Nymeria started to howl and the rest of the wolves followed.
In the distance, Arya could see Mallister men with grappling claws and ropes approaching the stone walls of the West castle. It was then followed by distant screams and clashing steel.
They waited for the portcullises to open. And when it did, Arya marched forward. Jason and Patrek started to follow but were almost overrun by the wolves, so they let the Wolfpack go ahead first.
Mudge, a member of the Brotherhood, the one she stole a knife in her attempt to kill the Hound after his trial by combat, was waiting at the gates. He was holding a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. He froze when he saw her and the hundred wolves of the pack.
"Princess," Mudge bowed, then to others behind her. "Milords,"
The fighting is still going on, Mallister and Brotherhood men against Frey soldiers. Arya turned to Nymeria. "You know our men, girl." She patted the direwolf's pelt. "They need help." She said, turning to the other wolves. "Eat."
Nymeria led the Wolfpack as they flaunted their sharp fangs and attacked Frey soldiers.
"Lord Edmure is imprisoned in the East castle, milady." Mudge informed as he led them to the portcullis that opened to the bridge. "The bridge is already safe to cross and Notch is waiting on the other side."
Arya nodded. "Good job, Mudge." She said.
"Secure this castle." Beric ordered. "And after you do, get the horses ready and head for the East castle to regroup." He said. "We're going with the princess North."
Mudge nodded, then went back to fighting.
Patrek Mallister frowned. "You're not going to Riverrun?" He asked.
Arya shook her head. "No," She said. "I'll be going North, back to Winterfell."
"What about your uncle?" Patrek asked. "Who's going to accompany him to Riverrun?"
"You are." Arya said. "After we get him, his wife and son, you'll get them back to Riverrun. Lord Blackwood and his forces may have secured the castle by the time you reach there."
Patrek nodded in agreement. "Alright."
Before they cross, Nymeria returned to her side with her mouth stained with blood, along with other wolves.
"Well, I have to say," Jason Mallister said. "These wolves live up to their reputation."
. . .
The bridge was only lit by torches at every few meters. Crossing the bridge, you could hear the rapid and swift current of the Green Fork.
Sure enough, when they reached the gates of the East castle, Notch was waiting, torch in hand. Notch was another member of the Brotherhood, Arya remembered him as one of the men who guided her and Gendry into Hollow Hill when they were captives.
"Princess," Notch nodded.
Once they reached the East castle's courtyard, they began to split up.
Arya approached two wolves from the Wolfpack and rubbed their heads. "Lord Jason," She called. "Let them smell the fabric and they'll lead you to Roslin Frey."
Lord Jason held out the piece of fabric to the wolves, who sniffed the cloth and then began picking up a trail.
"Lord Beric, go with him." Arya suggested. "Lady Roslin and my uncle's son will need protection when they get out of here."
Beric nodded. "Aye, my lady."
"The rest of you are coming with me." Arya said. "We'll find my Uncle Edmure." She turned to her direwolf. "Nymeria, stay close to me."
Patrek Mallister led the way as they entered the keep and below the dungeons. Thoros, Gendry and the Hound went with her.
Arya had explored the East castle when she came in disguised as a serving wench. She knew the layout of the castle, where the great hall, stables, the many chambers of Walder Frey's children and grandchildren, kitchens and lord's solar are located. She had explored everything, except the dungeons.
Thoros and the Gendry went ahead. Thoros' flaming sword was their source of light in the dark passageways of the dungeons. Gendry gripped his warhammer, ready to smack anyone who dared to come close. Patrek and Arya had their swords drawn. Nymeria stayed close to her. The Hound was just behind them, guarding their backs, mostly, because he didn't want to be anywhere near Thoros' flaming sword.
They turned a lot of corners until Patrek approached one cell and gripped it iron bars.
"Edmure?" Patrek called.
Someone in the cell shifted, but it was too dark to see.
"Lord Edmure!" Patrek called again.
The prisoner came closer to them and Arya could make out his disheveled auburn hair and blue eyes as he squinted at them.
"Patrek?" Edmure called. "Is that you?" He asked in disbelief.
Arya turned to Patrek. "Is that him?" She asked.
"It is, princess." Patrek replied.
Arya turned to Gendry. "Get him out."
Gendry draw his warhammer, and destroyed the lock with one swing. Edmure came out from the cell.
Arya grabbed a torch from the wall, held it out and pushed down the hood of her cloak. "Uncle Edmure?" She called.
Edmure frowned at her. "Who are you?" He demanded. "Why are you calling me uncle?"
Before she could say anything, Patrek spoke up. "She's your niece." He said. "Arya Stark."
Edmure's eyebrows went up in realization. "Catelyn's daughter." He reached out and touched her face and smiled. "You were only a babe in your mother's arms the last time I saw you." He shook his head. "But what are you doing here?" He asked.
"We came to get you out." Arya said. "Now, come on. Let's get you out of here."
"What about my wife and son?" Edmure asked. "And…and your brother?"
"Lord Jason Mallister already is doing so." Arya said. "As for Robb…" She faltered. "He's dead. Along with mother and his wife."
Edmure nodded. "I know." He said sadly. "But he's here." He walked back into the cell, all the way to the stone wall adjacent to the iron bars and then crouched at the floor.
"Uncle?" Arya handed Patrek the torch and followed her uncle into the cell. "What—?" She gagged as soon as she noticed the smell. The air inside the cell smelled like a corpse had been thrown in and left to rot. When she got to her uncle and saw it, it was exactly like what she thought.
Robb. She thought. Arya knew it was her brother's corpse, or rather his bones. She knew, because the clothes worn were stained with dried blood and the skull wasn't of a human's, but of an animal. A direwolf. Robb's direwolf, Grey Wind.
Arya knelt before her brother's remains. She remembered everything that happened that night, when the massacre happened. The worst part was when she saw Robb with his direwolf's head sewn onto his body, and Frey men were chanting repeatedly, Here goes the King in the North!
It was that day she learned to kill without guilt. It was justice, she thought.
"Walder Frey made a jest out of it." Edmure explained. "He said I was getting lonely down here. So he had your brother's corpse tossed in, to keep me company he said."
Seeing her brother's bones littered on the floor, anger raged through her. The same kind of anger when she saw Robb's body carried around as Stark men were slaughtered.
Arya turned to the people outside the cell. "Can someone find me a box or a trunk or something?"
"Arya," Gendry started to say.
"Just please…" Arya faltered. She literally had to hold back tears. "I can't leave him here."
Thoros and the Hound went out searching.
"What are you gonna do?" Gendry asked.
"I'm taking Robb back to Winterfell with me," Arya said. "And bury him in the Crypts."
"Arya—" Edmure started to say.
"He's my brother, Uncle." Arya snapped. "It's where he belongs."
Nymeria went to Arya's side. The direwolf nuzzled Grey Wind's skull and made a sad whimper.
Arya reached out and caressed Nymeria's pelt. "I know, girl." She said. "We both lost brothers that night."
Patrek huffed. "If the Freys had anymore had respect for killing guests beneath their roof, they should've at least burn their bodies." He said. "But no, they didn't even bury them. They tossed the Young Wolf's corpse into his uncle's cell and threw his mother's body into the Green Fork."
Edmure turned to him, scowling. "They did what to my sister's body?" He shrieked.
"They threw mother's body into the Green fork." Arya explained. "But don't worry, uncle," She quickly added, so her uncle wouldn't be more upset than he already was. "The Brotherhood gave her a proper funeral after the wolves found her body." She said. "I don't know about Aunt Lysa but—"
"Lysa's dead too?" Edmure gasped.
Arya bit back a curse then nodded reluctantly. "Her son, Robin Arryn is Lord of the Vale." She said. "With Littlefinger as its Regent."
At that, her uncle groaned in frustration. "That prick never stops, does he?" He said. "Always wondered why Cat pleaded Brandon to let him live. He could've just killed him that day."
"What do you mean, Uncle?" Arya asked.
"You can't trust Littlefinger." Edmure said. "Do you think he actually married Lysa because he loves her? No, he's after the title that comes with it. I know that man, I grew up with him."
A few minutes later, Thoros and the Hound came back with a small trunk. "Lord Edmure is right, princess." The trunk looked small since the Hound was a huge man and because he was able to hold it with one arm, the other arm wielding a sword. "He betrayed your father at court when he questioned Joffrey's claim to the Iron throne."
"And how do you know that?" Arya demanded.
"I was there." The Hound said as placed the trunk on the floor and opened it before her. "Littlefinger held a knife against Lord Eddard's throat before they threw him into the dungeons." He explained.
Arya gently scooped up her Robb's remains and placed it inside the chest, including his direwolf's skull and cloak.
Then she remembered something she heard at the Crossroads Inn. "But Littlefinger rallied the Knights of the Vale aided the Jon against the Boltons." Arya said.
"When he helps you for something, don't expect not to do anything in return." Edmure said. "You can't trust him. And don't ever trust that man." He advised.
Arya snorted. "I've learned to choose people to trust after they chopped off my father's head." She said. "And besides, I was just informed that he betrayed my father."
"If you're going to expose him, don't do it just yet," Edmure warned. "Or you will lose the support of the Vale. Don't make the same mistake your brother did."
Arya frowned at him. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"Robb beheaded Rickard Karstark after he murdered two Lannister boys meant to be traded in exchange for you and your sister Sansa." Patrek recalled. "He lost nearly half of the northern army when he did. And we lost the support of the Freys when he married a foreigner."
After Arya placed Robb's remains into the trunk, she stood. "We'll worry about that later." She said. "For now, let's get out of here."
The Hound picked up the trunk and held it in his arm.
As they made their way out of the dungeons, there was suddenly a loud booming sound that shook the castle.
"What was that?" Edmure asked.
"The mangonels had probably started firing." Patrek said.
"The what?" Arya shrieked in disbelief. "What did you have those for?"
Patrek frowned at her. "You gave orders, princess." He said.
Arya was almost afraid to ask. "What orders?"
Patrek shrugged. "You said to sack it and burn it to the ground."
Arya's eyes widened. "What?!" She exclaimed. "I never gave that order!"
"Aye, you did, my lady." Thoros said. "We were all there when you said it."
Another loud thud shook the castle.
She took a deep breath. "Let's just get out of here." Arya said.
. . .
As they made their way out of the dungeons, Patrek Mallister had informed Edmure of the things that had happened to the Riverlands and the North after the Red Wedding and the siege of Riverrun; and how the North had been retaken back by the Starks and how his niece, Arya Stark, had rallied the Brotherhood Without Banners, loyal Tully bannermen and the infamous Wolfpack.
As they got out to the courtyard, everyone was there. Beric and the rest of the men of the Brotherhood with the horses ready, Lord Jason Mallister and the two wolves she had sent to guide him, and a young woman with brown hair in her early twenties carrying a little boy in her arms. Roslin, Arya thought. Uncle Edmure's wife.
Arya glanced around her surroundings. The East castle was on fire and it lit up the entire courtyard. There was barely snow on the ground due to the heat of the flames. Nymeria and the Wolfpack were feasting on the meat of the dead Frey soldiers. There was also no fighting anymore, at least on this side of the Twins, but she could hear wails of women and children trapped inside the burning castle. It must have been the similar to the story of Harrenhal, how Harren the Black and his family were trapped and torched inside their own castle.
"Roslin!" Edmure called when he saw his wife.
Roslin was clutching her son, trying to get him to stop crying. She smiled wide when she saw her husband running to her. "Edmure!"
Edmure wrapped his wife and son in a hug. He then took his son into his arms. "Hello, little Brynden." He said. The little boy had his father's auburn hair and his mother's brown eyes. Arya found it amusing when she heard her little cousin's name. Apparently, they had named him after her great-uncle the Blackfish, Brynden Tully, probably because the Blackfish died during the siege of Riverrun after her uncle surrendered the castle to the Freys.
Another loud explosion shook the castle and caused one of the turrets to collapse. The debris fell to the courtyard nearly crashing one of the wolves.
Arya didn't know if she would be furious at the Mallisters and the Brotherhood for taking her sarcastic comment about burning the Twins seriously, or be mad at herself for looking all serious when she said it during their war council.
But there was no time. What's done is done, she thought. The castle's already burning and they need to get out before it will collapse on them.
Arya glanced out the gates and saw that the West castle was also in flames. That meant the bridge is the next thing that will be destroyed.
"Uncle," Arya called urgently as she approached him. "You need to go, now." She insisted. "You need to get out of here."
Edmure frowned at her. "But where will we go?" He asked.
"Home." Arya said. "To Riverrun."
Edmure's scowl deepened then shook his head in disbelief. "Arya, Riverrun is under the control of the Freys." He said.
"After tonight," Arya shook her head. "Not anymore."
"What do you mean?" Edmure asked.
Arya sighed. "It's a long story and we have no time," She said. "But I've ordered the Blackwoods retake it from the Freys and the Lannisters. Don't worry about it." She assured. "Lord Tytos Blackwood will be waiting for your arrival. And you will take on your title as Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident."
Edmure was still in shock. He stared at her. "What about you?" Edmure asked. "You're not coming with us?"
Arya shook her head. "No, uncle." She said. "I'm going North. I'll be going home too." She shrugged. "It's about time we both do."
Edmure smiled at her and nodded. Then he did something she wasn't expecting. He wrapped her in a hug. Arya gladly returned the same hug, holding back tears. She hadn't been this close to family since well, she couldn't even remember.
When they parted, Edmure placed a hand on her shoulder. "Before you go, Patrek told me that there's a new King in the North." He said. "Know this: the Riverlands is still pledged to the North. King Jon may not be my nephew, but he is your brother. Stark blood runs through his veins. He's my king just as Robb was. I'll send a raven to Winterfell once we reach Riverrun." He promised. "And I'll send men to Winterfell once we've keep the Riverlands in check."
Arya nodded in agreement. "You should address it to Sansa though." She said. "Anyways, you should get going before the bridge collapses."
Edmure mounted his horse Lord Jason had prepared. Patrek helped Roslin and little Brynden up to sit behind Edmure. Jason and Patrek Mallister then mounted their horses.
"Safe travels, my dear niece." Edmure said.
"Safe travels, Uncle." Arya replied with a smile.
She watched as her uncle's party went out the gates and crossed the bridge to the west side of the river. But as their party reached the middle of the bridge, another explosion shook the castle.
"Arya, watch out!" Gendry screamed as he pulled her back from the gates just as the portcullis slammed down where she stood a second ago.
She stumbled to the ground. If Gendry hadn't pulled her out of the way, the portcullis's metal latticed grille might've impaled her.
Gendry helped her up. "You okay?" He asked.
Arya nodded. "Thanks." Then she frowned when she saw a gash on his right jaw. She reached out and gently touched it. "What happened to you?" She asked.
"Some Frey soldier slammed the side of his shield on me." Gendry said. "But it's nothing." He assured. "Don't worry about it."
Beric cleared his throat. "Pardon me princess," He said. "But it's not safe for us to remain here. We need to leave."
Arya glanced at the people present. Besides Gendry, the Brotherhood only had fifteen men left. Beric and Thoros stood beside each other; the Hound with the small trunk carrying Robb's remains, Anguy and Dennett, the Brotherhood's longbowmen; Harwin, one of her father's household guards; the others Jack-Be-Lucky, Likely Luke, Mudge, Notch and five others whose names she didn't know. They were all waiting for her to give orders, even Nymeria and her Wolfpack.
"Let's get out of here." Arya said.
She mounted her horse. The others did the same and they rode out of the East castle to the east banks of the Green Fork with the Wolfpack on their trail.
. . .
They rode on for about a mile before stopping to look back at the Twins, which had both castles already ablaze. Its towers were already crumbling. Arya could make out the mangonels, Patrek had called it, settled by the west banks of the Green Fork, catapults which were loaded with large rocks doused with oil and set it in flames before being thrown onto the walls.
Now, they were watching as a new one is being loaded and thrown, hitting the stone bridge. The bridge slowly collapsed on to the Green Fork, with its rubble washed away by the river's swift current.
As Arya stared at the burning castles and the collapsing bridge, she couldn't help a feeling of satisfaction surging through her.
The North remembers, she thought. Surely, that will be enough of a message to other houses who would dare cross the Starks of Winterfell.
They continued to head on north. Arya led on with a satisfied smile on her face and her direwolf Nymeria at her side.