A Doe in a Lion's Den

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones

Chapter 50: A girl has no name

In the hall of the House of Black and White, Arya was on her hands and knees scrubbing the stone. Months she has been here, waiting to learn about being a faceless man. She wanted to learn the ways to kill so she can complete her list. Over and over the names repeated in her head. Every night, though whispering the names in her mind the people she intended on killing: Cersei, Ilyn Payne, the red woman, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Meryn Trant, and Walder Frey. There were more names on her list, two she killed being Polliver and Rorge, stabbing them with Needle while being with the Hound. The Hound, she assumed was already dead after dueling Brienne of Tarth, and letting him die in the Vale. Also his brother, the Mountain, she had heard when reaching Braavos about the Red Viper killing Ser Gregor Clegane in a Trial by combat. Oh, how she wished to see it. Including seeing the deaths of Joffrey and Tywin Lannister. She hated Joffrey, for hurting Micah, taking pleasure in her father's death and being a horrible person. How she wished it was her who put the poison in his cup, let him suffer before stabbing Needle into his heart. Then Tywin Lannister, being a cupbearer she had respected him as a man of war, secretly learning about battle strategy, until learning during her escape that Tywin was the mastermind of the Red Wedding.

Arya narrowly escaped, thanks to the Blackfish grabbing her and vanished. She tried to free Grey Wind, but it was too late, watching the dire wolf being shot. Just as the Blackfish and Arya left, she witnesses the horrors of seeing Greywind's head sewn on Robb's body. The two scurry through the madness, trying to find remained of the Tully troops when there was another ambush. That was when the Hound took her, planning to sell her off to Lady Lysa. Even though she was with her Granduncle. Arya hated him for that, as the Blackfish was going to train her.

Now here she was, mopping the floors. She should have returned to the Riverlands or Winterfell, be with the Blackfish or Jon. Her uncle promised to train her, and Jon...he was her brother. Her arrogance told her to go to Braavos. To be a faceless man. Jaqen H'ghar had promised her that. Not a cleaning slave.

The doors opened, as two mean enter the room. Arya looked up, unable to detect their place of origin. There were no characteristics in their clothing that states Braavosi, the free cities or Westeros — dressed in short dark robes, armor around their chest and torso. Elaborate, yet flexible, unable to see unless you were looking for them. One had a red sash while the other a green. She tried to look at their faces, except they were cover by their hoods. One came up to her.

"Valar Morghulis," He said, his accent was not Valerian.

"Valar Dohaeris," She replied.

"We've come to speak with the person in charge of this establishment," The man who had dagger strapped to his waist said.

"There is no one," Arya said.

The man smirked, "If there was no one, then you are a ghost. Looking into those eyes, I can see a someone."

Arya was about to speak when Jaqen H'ghar appeared out of nowhere, "The man has been called, the man has come to speak. How can this man serve you? Two Thorns seek death?"

Both Thorns turned to face Jaqen H'ghar; both were cautious knowing the faceless man capabilities.

The Thorn of red spoke, "One of your men tried to assassinate our Lord's wife, along with her brother. "

"A gift to the Many-Faced God." Jaqen H'ghar replied calmly.

"You see, these two gifts hold no quarrels with anyone, victims who were born of a powerful name. Our Lord is willing to pay the golden price or the iron price." The Thorn of red continued.

"We've already killed one of your assassins," The Green Thorn said.

"A life has been taken then," Jaqen H'ghar said. "No need to fear."

"Bullshit, you will come to claim it." The Green Thorn growled.

"Who was the name that was gifted?"Jaqen H'ghar asked.

"Princess Elain Baratheon," The Red Thorn said. "Along with her brother, King Tommen."

Arya's eyes widen to hear that somebody hired the Faceless Men to kill Elain. She hadn't forgotten the Princess. Those brief moments of conversation, an archery lesson, and her attempt to save her father. Arya didn't believe in the Princess, thinking she was going to turn her into the queen. Instead, she was taken to an inn, and the following day was leaving King's Landing with Ser Joseph and Ser Yoren. After watching her father being executed. Throughout her journey she kept hold of the antler pin, now the bronze accessory was hidden next to Needle in the rocks. So to hear a reasonable person would be targeted astound her.

"Two names, two different orders," Jaqen H'ghar

"Our Lord wants to ensure both lives are not in danger, name your price and we shall pay," The Red Thorn said. "You already claimed Tywin and his whore, what more is there?"

Jaqen H'ghar stared at the men. His gaze very calculating and tilted his head as if hearing another voice. Arya watched him, silently begging to spare the princess life.

"A soul of king's blood is worth more than a single life," Jaqen H'ghar stated. "Two more deaths must be given and a price."

"Done," The Green Thorn said.

"The Thorn has brought these tributes," Jaqen H'ghar commented.

Green Thorn nodded, "They're waiting outside."

Jaqen H'ghar nodded, as he leads the way to the doors of black and white. Arya followed curiously in what her mentor would do. Outside, on a boat where six men. They were shackled and tied up. Arya having her experience could tell these prisoners were not worth living. She could see it in their eyes, they have killed, and enjoyed their killing. All six murders, on their knees, shackled. The Thorns stepped aside as Jaqen H'ghar examine the tributes. The she-wolf watched curiously until the assassin took a knife out and killed four out of the six in one fellow swoop. Her eyes widen, not expecting such agility. The Thorns remained in place, hands hovering over their blades. Jaqen H'ghar wiped his blade on the body of a corpse and faced the two.

"The man seeks his payment," he said.

The Red Thorn oblige, he went to the boat and pulled out a bag filled with gold. Jaqen H'ghar opened the bag and nodded in approval keeping his calm face. Elain and Tommen are no longer a gift to the many face god."

"Can you tell us who order the hit?" Green Thorn asked.

"The man can not give the name," Jaqen H'ghar answered.

The Red Thorn pulled out another bag of gold.

Jaqen H'ghar raised a brow, "The man can not give a name, but he can tell you what these men are. One man, of small fingers with a Mockingbird, he who gave the princess."

"And the other one?" Green Thorn asked.

"A man of two griffins who serves the dragon," Jaqen H'ghar answered. "He is the one for the lions."

Both Thorns nodded. They can not be sure on the names but will discuss this with their Lord.

"The man and girl must go, we will take the bodies," Jaqen H'ghar said.

"By all means," Red Thorn said.

They took four bodies off the boat and onto the deck. Jaqen H'ghar went inside to get the collectors leaving Arya to stare at the two Thorns.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"Seeker of truths," Green Thorn said.

"And how do you know the Princess?" Arya asked.

"She is married to our Lord," The red thorn answered.

"Do you kill?" Arya asked.

"Only when it's necessary," The Red Thorn said. "Does this girl know the princess?"

Arya was about to answer but stopped. She couldn't tell these men who she was. She could not risk exposing her identity and losing the opportunity to become a faceless man. "The girl is no one."

The Red Thorn sighed. "Choose wisely if you wanted to become a faceless man or not. Otherwise, there will be nothing but death."

Arya simply nodded.

Both Thorns got on the boat.

"What will you do these two?" Arya asked, still looking at the two prisoners who were terrified in what happened.

"Depends, if they prefer the drown god or the black," Green said. "No good to society. A child rapist and a sadistic murderer. What do you think?"

Arya didn't know what to say.

.o0o.

Elain's POV

Forrester was laughing hysterically. Ser Wensington merely smiled. Why would my knights be this entertain, you may ask? Simple, boys can't help with fart jokes. All day Derek has done nothing but fart. The Nanny said it was normal, to let the gas out since his stomach is small. Not going to lie, seeing my son squinch his face, grunting was quite adorable, or when he has a concentrated look. Just seeing his eyes go center.

It has been a two since the assassination attempt, almost three months since Derek was born. It surprises me how fast he was growing. It saddens me that I could not have some way to secure this memory of him being so small.

Thinking about the Faceless man, I have been slightly paranoid. I need to do more than walk through gardens. Sadly, I can't leave the central ring of the castle without the risk of being assassinated. Always my food has been tasted, the necklace Oberyn gave me on my neck. I am regularly checking it to see if it changed color. All this stress has made it hard to commit to my son fully. If a see a movement in the shadow, I jump.

Willas seemed to have the same notion. All around could be a threat. I do hope his Thorns could solve this situation so we can live in peace. So much has happened, important events missed in fear of being assassinated. Garlan and Leonette did their duty to represent House Tyrell, but they would come back saying some lords were slightly disappointed in not seeing the Regent of the Reach and his family.

I'm failing my duties as Lady of the Reach. So much happening with my life at risk, Derek needing my full attention and being the Lady of Highharden. Lady Olenna told me not to worry, with all that is happening she told me to rest. On a few occasions does she have me attend what she call lessons. Observing her deal with the castle, staff, and trade that women of Highgarden deal with. To read books about House Tyrell, and observe the art of trade how Lady Olenna discusses one of the lesser houses on the crops.

Sighing, I had Derek on my lap reading a book about the Tyrells history. The adventures of Ser Alester Tyrell. Derek was intrigued, reaching out to touch the paper in the book and smacking the pictures, as if asking what that was. I chuckled at his curiosity, is just like his father.

"Reading stories?" Willas asked as he entered the room.

"He likes it," I answered. "Although, I think he likes the feeling of the paper. Very touchy on my dress."

Willas came over and grabbed his son, "You've become like Daddy? Very curious?"

Derek gave a laugh like a huff with a smile. His tiny hands were going to Willas face, feeling the slight beard. Willas smiled as he took his son's hand, kissing it.

"Was it an invention day or political day?" I asked.

"Invention," Willas answered. "Finished making the scorpion and now testing it. Garlan wants to play with it."

"The man is always waiting for a battle," I teased.

"That he is," He agreed. "Truly wanted to join the battle. But our father wanted him to stay in case the Reach was invaded."

I nodded, wouldn't blame Lord Mace. Many Houses were severely affected by Robert's Rebellion. Houses were going extinct, families forced to send their sons who are of age under the Mad King while others Houses wanted to support Robert. That is why there are more ladies than there are lords.

"Would you like to watch?" Willas asked.

Curiosity got me, as I stood up. Willas kissed Derek on the cheek, handing him over to the nanny, before taking my hand. Our son was already fed, so he should be good for the next hour. Leaving our apartment, Willas lead the way to the wall that has a view of the field. There the scorpion was as Garlan, and a few guards were getting it ready. It was massive, never thinking the crossbow would be that big. Garlan got hold of what appears to be an arrow. A giant black steal arrow. He set it in the crossbow and latched the string back. He took hold of the handles and maneuver the scorpian around, up and down, though dealt with resistance in left to right. He aimed to a tree that had three painted targets. Garlan aimed and fired, getting between two of the targets. Garlan repeated this a few times until he hit the mark. Afterward, he gave the scorpion to the guards and made his way to the wall.

"You've got to give the Dornish credit on their ingenuity three hundred years ago," Garlan announced. "And the marksmen."

"What did you notice?" Willas asked.

"It's heavy, difficult to move up and down. They must've waited till Meraxis was low enough to strike." Garlan explained. "The lever to pull back the string takes to much time and energy. Also no sight."

Willas nodded as he took in his brother's evaluation.

"I'll give it a try later, see what other modifications that the scorpion may need," Willas said.

"Thanks for letting me try," Garlan said then looked at me. "How's Derek."

"A ball of energy," I said.

Garlan laughed, "Hopefully Leonette and I have a kid so Derek can have a playmate."

"If you stop hunting and training, you will have the energy to perform," Willas said.

Garlan laughed, "Seriously, when was the last time you had sex?"

Willas glared at him while I stared down. It has been four months. The last month of being pregnant I couldn't perform without my body protesting. Now my body is still recovering from giving birth to Derek. If I didn't have the tear, I would be able to perform. With the tear, the maester said to wait. Let alone Derek waking up in the middle of the night, since I was nursing our son.

"Say, do you have that aphrodisiac potion?" Garlan asked.

"A what?" I replied now curious.

"No, you stole the last of it when I left for King's Landing," Willas answered.

"Shame, Leonette enjoys it," Garlan said.

"Then visit Dorne," Willas grumbled as he leads the way back inside.

Garlan could be heard laughing from behind.

"What was he talking about?" I asked him curiously.

Willas sighed, "Oberyn introduced me to some sort of Dornish drink, an aphrodisiac that increases one's libido."

"Oh," I said.

"I hardly use it," Willas said. "You already know that."

I blushed, knowing how long he could last. Hell, on our honeymoon it was never ending with small breaks in between. Willas saw the blush and laughed. He was lucky my stags aren't with us, or I'll make it a full year of no intimacy.

"Don't you have modifications or something to do," I grumbled.

"No," Willas answered. "The rest of the day is spent with my family."

I nodded with a smile.


Another short chapter.

Can you guys figure out who hire the faceless men?

Thanks for reading and please leave a review.