Arya

The dark, winding maze of stone hallways within the Dreadfort all had one thing in common: they were near as cold as a winter blizzard. In truth, Arya had never actually seen a real winter before, much less a blizzard, but it was hard to imagine how one could be colder than the castle where she'd been locked away. Of course, she wouldn't be trapped for much longer...not really. By tomorrow morning, the Lone Wolf and her second youngest brother would be free.

After Lord Bolton gave her back Vengeance, Arya spent the rest of the evening exploring the darkest corners of the Dreadfort. The paths that Lord Bolton would never let her follow. Once, she even stumbled upon some sort of secret passageway, but there was no time to see where the stupid tunnel led. In truth, Arya didn't want to know where the passageway led...not really; something about the tunnel – and it was a tunnel...or mayhaps a bottomless pit, but certainly not a hallway – frightened her...not that she'd never admit it. At first, she half-expected some sort of giant, blue-eyed Bolton spider to burst out and drag her down into its lair.

Then Ramsay's voice – half-terrified and half-mad with rage – began to slowly creep up through the tunnel although it was impossible to tell what he was saying. Before long a new noise began to echo through the tunnel and there was no question as to what it was either. The tunnel was where the screams came from...

Arya didn't have to worry about running into any of the Boltons because the Lord of the Dreadfort was still busy punishing his stupid bastard and Domeric didn't care where she went...not really. And yet, every time Arya got lost, she could've sworn that she heard footsteps following her. However, no matter how quietly the Lone Wolf turned around, the footsteps would always stop...only to return the next time she lost her way.

Eventually, Arya learned how to get to the dungeons – where Bran probably had to sleep – and not long afterward, she memorized all of the paths to and from Lord Bolton's chambers...more or less. See mother, I told you I would save Bran someday! I just...had to figure out how to do it first is all. Wherever she is, Mother will forgive me for getting Robb and her killed now...or she won't hate me quite as much, at least. Arya bit her lip as she began to make her way back to Domeric's chambers. No! That's how Lord Bolton would want me to think. My mother loved me and she always will too! I bet it wouldn't even matter to her that no one should want me after the things I've done. Rickon didn't seem mad at me, so he'll also forgive me, most like. Maybe Bran will too...maybe. Robb and Sansa will still hate me though, most like...

All I have to do is get the key to my stupid chain from Domeric while he's asleep. I can do it without waking him, he'll see! Well...actually he won't because he'll still be asleep, most like. Stupid Bolton. After that, I have to go to Lord Bolton's stupid chambers and kill him. I can't do it right away though...not really. I can't do anything to him until I find out why he lied to me and killed mother. The Freys killed Robb, that wasn't Lord Bolton's fault...not really. Lord Bolton, he...he wouldn't do something like that for no reason...would he? And the things he said about me, it...it can't all have been a lie. Lord Bolton didn't hate me...not really. He has to care about me at least a little bit. Lord Bolton deserves to die, but maybe he even feels a little bit guilty about hurting me...maybe. I need to know what parts were true; I mean...NO! I don't care what he thinks about me; he shouldn't have killed my mother! I hate him! Him and his...and his stupid...his stupid...I have to know...I mean, I...I need...

Arya's eyes grew watery, but she refused to let herself shed a single tear. I will not cry. I am a direwolf. Direwolves don't cry. And I'm not going to cry about killing Lord Bolton besides. I...I won't do it! Never! The Lone Wolf bit her lip and for a moment – despite everything that had happened – she felt a small pang of guilt, but then she thought of her mother and the feeling was gone. Once Lord Bolton is...after I've...once Lord Bolton can't...can't hurt anyone in my family ever again, I just have to kill whoever's guarding my brother in the Dreadfort's stupid dungeons, steal the key to his cell, and escape with Bran. He'll remember who he is when I free him, I know he will!

Even though Arya still briefly got lost every now and then, it didn't take near as long for her to figure out where she was as it had the first few times back when she'd been looking for the dungeons. There was another problem though...a far more dangerous one than simply figuring out the way to Lord Bolton's chambers and the Dreadfort's stupid dungeons. In truth, Arya couldn't decide whether or not Lord Bolton knew what she was planning to do in a few hours or simply thought she was planning something without knowing what. Lord Bolton, he...he thinks I'm up to something, I know he does! It's impossible to fool him completely, else that stupid bastard would've killed Lord Bolton himself by now, most like. I bet Ramsay only does what Lord Bolton says because he knows that his stupid father can see through anyone's lies...

If someone knows when you're lying to them, does that mean they also know when you're trying to trick them without actually lying? Does Lord Bolton know what I'm doing even though I just left certain things out when I asked for Vengeance back? The Lord of the Dreadfort plainly knew the Lone Wolf was lying when she told him she wanted Vengeance back because every Bolton should have their own blade, but that was different...Lord Bolton was supposed to see through that lie; it was a decoy. The real question was whether or not she'd been able to trick him into thinking that her plan was to murder Domeric with Vengeance. In truth, even though Arya hated Domeric with every fiber of her being, she wasn't planning to kill him either...not unless he woke up while she was trying to steal the key to her chain. Domeric doesn't deserve to die...not really. I'd hurt him if I could, but I don't have to kill him and he was never even on my list besides. I would've killed him if he'd raped me or I'd ever seen him hurt Bran the way Ramsay did. Stupid Bolton.

*CLINK* *CLANK* *CLINK* *CLANK* Arya bit her lip and turned around, but the footsteps stopped and there was only darkness behind her...just like all the other times. I hate those stupid footsteps! I...I hope whoever's making them gets fed to Ramsay's stupid dogs! Did Lord Bolton send that stupid undergaoler to follow me? What if...what if he already knows everything I've been doing and this is all just a trap or one of his games? NO! I can't think that way. Even if Lord Bolton knows, it's too late to turn back now and this could be my last chance to save Bran besides.

At first, Arya had truly dared to let herself believe she'd managed to trick Lord Bolton, but that was before she'd started exploring the darkest corners of the Dreadfort. There were a few times when the Lone Wolf could've sworn she heard the sound of footsteps following her, but whenever Arya turned around they'd stop...only to begin again the next time she got lost. Worse, the footsteps got louder and louder every time...almost as though they were the sound of the castle itself as its darkness prepared to swallow the Lone Wolf whole, but that wasn't true...not really. In truth, the real sounds of the Dreadfort were the screams that occasionally echoed through the castle like ghosts haunting some ancient crypt.

For a while, the Lone Wolf was convinced that Lord Bolton had sent someone to find her, so he'd have proof of what she was doing before he punished her by forcing her to watch his stupid bastard do something horrible to Bran, but eventually – when the footsteps got so close that they gave Arya gooseflesh, no matter how hard she tried to pretend that she wasn't afraid – she turned around just in time to see one of the Dreadfort's undergaolers standing behind her. At first the man asked what the Lone Wolf was doing prowling the dungeons, but he backed down after she told him in a flat, emotionless voice that the Lord of the Dreadfort had given her permission to visit her brother. Arya then demanded to know where the dungeons were and the man showed her the way.

Even after her encounter with the stupid undergaoler, the footsteps continued follow her like a lion tracking its prey whenever she got lost. The Lone Wolf couldn't decide whether or not Lord Bolton had sent the someone to follow her, but either way, there was something about the undergaoler that Arya didn't trust...even if she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. The man certainly looked like an undergaoler; his face appeared to be covered in stubble – although that could've just been the darkness – and he had a cruel, dangerous look that the Lone Wolf had oft seen on the faces of men like Lord Vargo and Lord Urswyck. Well...it wasn't quite the same...not really. This man was neither young nor old and spoke in a rough voice, but the worst part was that his voice oft sounded oddly amused...almost as if the undergaoler were playing some sort of strange game with her and no one else knew the rules. That was the part that scared Arya the most; it reminded her of the Boltons and the games they would play with people...even if the undergaoler's voice wasn't near as cruel as his face.

Eventually, Arya reached a well-lit section of the Dreadfort and before long, she was standing in front of Domeric's chambers. At least the footsteps finally stopped; maybe that man really was just some stupid undergaoler...maybe. Lord Bolton. Ramsay Snow. Theon. Ser Ilyn. The Hound. Dunsen. Polliver. The Tickler. Valar Morghulis. Arya studied the door to Domeric's chambers for a moment and bit her lip. The Lone Wolf took a deep breath and slammed her fist against the door.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"Come in," replied a voice from within the room. "The door's unlocked, I think."

"Yes, my Lord." Stupid Bolton.

...

Arya waited and waited for what felt like hours until she was certain that Domeric was sound asleep. Maybe I could just pick the stupid lock with Vengeance and...no, if I get caught then Lord Bolton will take it away forever. I can't lose Vengeance, not again! Not like Needle...

Domeric normally hides the key to my stupid chain, but tonight he forgot and left it on the empty side of his bed. All I have to do is get up and grab it now that he's finally asleep. Stupid Bolton.

It's been at least two hours since he went to sleep, most like. Domeric has to be asleep by now, The Lone Wolf decided as she slowly began to stand up. She lifted her chain with her right hand so it wouldn't make any noise when it dragged across the stone floor and leaned over the so-called King in the North's bed. Arya grabbed the key with her left hand when Domeric suddenly grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward. The Lone Wolf went flying onto the bed and by the time she realized what had happened, Lord Bolton's heir had his other hand around her throat. Although it was still possible to breath, it was plain that Domeric could crush his wife's windpipe instantly if she tried to reach for Vengeance and trying to speak would've been folly.

"I can't say I'm surprised to see you couldn't wait more than 15 minutes. We have a lot to talk about, I think. I know that father gave you a flaying knife although I fear can't imagine why he'd do such a thing. Even now, you get everything you could possibly want and yet you remain as ungrateful as ever." UNGRATEFUL? Your stupid hand is around my throat, I was forced to marry the son of the man who murdered my mother and tricked me into thinking she might not love me anymore, and your stupid bastard brother is trying to torture one of my brothers into thinking he's a 'Reek'...whatever that is; why would I want any of this? Are you insane?

"Nothing clever to say? No rude remarks? Good. Mayhaps there is still some small sliver of hope for you yet...probably not. Now then, you have two choices...well...I suppose you could try to grab your flaying knife in which case I fear I'd be forced to break your neck, but I doubt either of us would consider that a satisfactory outcome. The first option is that you give me your word that if I let go of your throat, you'll listen to what I have to say and make no effort to harm me. I believe we can find some common ground if we discuss this in a civilized manner, but whether or not that happens is entirely up to you. You will blink once if you agree. The other option is that I knock you unconsicious, bring you to my father, and inform him that I caught you trying to escape. You will blink twice if you would prefer this to a calm, civilized discussion." Arya blinked once. In truth, it wasn't a real choice at all...not really.

"Very well," replied Domeric, releasing the Lone Wolf.

"You're not going to tell your father you caught me trying to escape? I...I don't understand, why would –"

"I quite agree, it's almost as though father is trying to provoke me into attacking him at times."

"I never said that, stup...I mean...I never said that." I can't make Domeric angry right now, else he might change his mind about not telling Lord Bolton...

"That's okay, it's more important that whatever you really said, I think." Stupid Bolton.

"What I wanted to say was more important to me," grumbled Arya.

"Do you know what my father told me earlier this evening? He told me that if Lord Snow managed to capture and kill your brother Rickon, he was going to legitimize the bastard. Father also informed me of his belief that no number of adjustments would ever make me worthy of the Bolton name and that if I did not get you with child by the time Ramsay had been legitimized, he would be forced to 'reconsider' my position within our family. And yet, I can't very well claim my rights as your husb –"

"If you try to rape me, I...I'll bleed on you again. I really will!" Domeric shuddered.

"As you say. Of course, there is no need for such vulgar threats. A Lady should not torment her Lord husband in such a manner, I think."

"I'm not a stupid Lady."

"I fear I shall be never entirely recover from the way my hand was violated the night that father forced me to wed you. What you did to me that night was near as barbaric as the manner in which my father's bastard has treated your brother." WHAT I DID TO YOU? You were trying to rape me and I didn't even do it on purpose besides. I can't control when I bleed, idiot. Wait a minute...I'm the one who was forced to marry you, not the other way around. You better stop trying to say you were some kind of stupid victim just because you had to marry me, Arya silently fumed as her face turned crimson although fortunately, Domeric didn't seem to notice. Not again...stop making me feel this way! Stupid Bolton.

"I accept your apology." For what? Wait a minute, I didn't eve say anything. "I fear nothing I do will ever be good enough for father. In truth, I am starting to suspect he never really loved me at all and that I have no value in his eyes except as a possible heir. Mayhaps I should've realized this when he forced me to kill my mother and tricked me into eating part of her, but in truth, she had no one but herself to blame." Even Lord Bolton wouldn't do that, Arya decided.

"What does any of this have to do with –"

"DON'T INTERRUPT! It's not safe! I...I am not a cannibal and I...I...I didn't really murder mother. People have to be polite and she didn't knock on father's door. That's what happens to when you have bad manners. I disobeyed father and that was rude, so father was only doing...he was only doing...I forced him to do it. I didn't want to! You understand, yes? I...I had to do it. Father made me and...and...and you don't think I'm a...a monster, do you," sobbed Domeric. Wait...what are you even talking about? Is this some stupid dream? I better not have fallen asleep while I was waiting for Domeric to fall asleep!

"I...umm...no," Arya weakly replied. I think you're out of your fucking mind; that's what I think!

"Good. I...I'm glad you'd understand because I wasn't going to let you try to escape from the Dreadfort if you didn't." WHAT?

"You're going to let me...but I...I don't under...I mean...no, I understand. I'm just...confused is all. Why would you –"

"If you get away then you...you're going to run away to the Wall, aren't you? Your father's bastard, Jon Snow, is there and it's where I'm going to flee to with your brother. Father, he...he can't get me at the Wall, but I need you to tell your half-brother how I helped you so I don't have to spend every night waiting for him to try and kill me first. You...you are going to the Wall if you escape, aren't you?"

"Yes," Arya lied. Jon's dead, idiot; Lord Bolton even said so at Harrenhal. Why would I go to the Wall? Stupid Bolton.

"Good. Then you'll tell your brother how I helped you escape?"

"I...I promise'll tell Jon you helped him the next time I see him." Without another word, Domeric tossed the key at the Lone Wolf's feet.

"Go. Hurry, before father notices." Ramsay will kill Domeric as soon as he sees that I've killed their father, Arya realized. Even if he is a stupid Bolton, Domeric doesn't deserve to die...not really. Not after he let me leave. Maybe I should ask him to come with Bran and me...maybe.

"Domeric?"

"Yes?" No, Domeric's still a monster, Lord Bolton just...made him worse is all. And he's too dangerous besides. I can't let him come with us...not really, else Bran and I will never be safe.

"Thank you."

"For what? You don't truly think I'm doing this to help you and your brother, do you?"

"I thought –"

"Don't be ridiculous, you never think."

"HEY! I do so think!"

"It matters not at all. What I do, I do for myself alone. Believe me, if there were any other way, I'd skin you alive with your own knife. Do you understand, you father-stealing, ill-mannered cunt?" FINE! Stay and die at your stupid Dreadfort then; I never wanted you to come with us anyway! I hate you! You and your stupid family!

...

Arya followed the dark, twisted corridors of the Dreadfort until she reached Lord Bolton's chambers. The Lone Wolf carefully opened the door and cautiously crept inside. Quick as a snake. Quiet as a mouse. Calm as still water. Arya approached Lord Bolton's bed and studied the Lord of the Dreadfort for what felt like an eternity. Vengeance grew heavy in her hand and Arya realized that deep down – despite all Lord Bolton had done to her and her family – she didn't want to kill him...not really.

I...I have to do it. It's the only way to save Bran. I can't wait to find out why Lord Bolton tricked me or which parts were lies before I kill him...not really. It's going to be hard enough already and if I wait any longer, I'll never be able to kill him. I have to do it...for mother, Rickon, Bran, and Robb. It...it's the only way... Arya's left hand began to tremble as she gently pressed the right side of Vengeance's blade down against Lord Bolton's throat.

*THUMP* *THUMP* THUMP* *THUMP* The Lone Wolf could feel her heart racing as she prepared to open the Lord of the Dreadfort's throat. Suddenly, Lord Bolton's pale, blue eyes shot open and Arya froze.