Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. They all belong to George R.R Martin.

Chapter XXVII - Life as a Cupbearer

Harrenhall

Being a cupbearer was harder than Alyssa thought. Though she didn't have to break a sweat, or spend the days being tortured, it was still a difficult job. Alyssa and Arya had to listen to Tywin Lannister and his War Council. Tywin Lannister's men would always be criticizing Robb, and that was unbearable. Many times, Alyssa was tempted to use the kitchen knife to stab one of the men who called Robb, a Green Boy. It was fortunate that no one knew who they really were. However, the thought of serving the very person who is Robb's enemy was painful.

Her father on the other hand was serving as a man who is going to serve food to the soilders. Gendry will work as smith with Hot Pie. Alyssa chuckled at the thought of Hot Pie working as a smith, but then again, it seems to be much better then being tortured by Lannisters. Alyssa placed her hand on her stomach, she could still feel the rats nibbling on her, which led holes on her dress. Lord Tywin had ordered the servants to give Alyssa and Arya a bath, however instead of dressing in dresses, they were given new breeches and new clothes to wear.

"The Starks has already extended their lines." Alyssa heard a Council Men said as she handed Arya a knife to cut the bread. Both Alyssa and Arya listened closely, wanting to hear any news of their brother. The Council men walked around and said, "Now with summer over, they will have a hard time keeping their men and horses fed."

"The Starks understand Winter then we will ever do and cold won't beat them." Tywin remarked coldly and Alyssa and Arya gave each other proud smirks. Winter is Coming, the words of House Stark. The North remembers what cold winters are like with violent winds, snow falling. Alyssa was glad that with summer over, winter isn't the biggest problem for Robb. She might not have an expertise in war, but everyone knows foods are important.

"Our spies report growing discontent among the Northern Lords." Armory Lorch said. "They want to return home and gather their harvests before the crops turn."

Alyssa frowned at that, discontent was the last thing they needed. When Winter comes, the pack must unite so they could survive through winter. Arya shot Alyssa a worried look, but they kept their faces down, not wanting the Lannisters to see their faces.

"And I'm sure if the same spies comes to our tents, they will report discontent over the Southern Lords." Tywin said.

"Lord Renly is dead." One of the Councilmen said.

"We know about that, but the Storm Lords all fled to Stannis', only the Tyrells remain, we must ally with the Reach. Have Joffrey betrothed to Margaery Tyrell." Tywin ordered.

"Isn't Joffrey betrothed to one of the Stark girls?" Lorch asked. Alyssa felt her heart beat, she was betrothed to Joffrey and with her believed dead, now it is Sansa.

"Alyssa Stark is dead. Sansa Stark is nothing, once this war is over, the girl is no importance. She will have other purposes." Tywin said. "And as for discontentment, this is war, no one is content." Alyssa walked to the other side of the room to get some food over and heard Tywin said, "We've underestimated the Stark boy for too long. He has a good mindful warfare, his men worships him. And as long as he keeps winning battles, they will keep believing he is King in the North. You've been waiting for him to fail, he is not going to fail."

Alyssa and Arya gave each other proud smiles, knowing their brother's achievements. Sooner or later, the war would be won, but their smiles faltered when Tywin added, "Not without our help. So how do we stop him?"

"We worked through the night my lord." One of the men said, he was eating some bread. "Perhaps we profit from some sleep."

"There is nothing you would? Reginald?" Tywin spat at his cousin. Reginald Lannister was a cousin from the lower branch of House Lannister. "And because you are my cousin, I am letting you to wake up from that sleep."

Reginald stopped eating and Tywin barked, "Go! I'm sure your wife must miss you."

"My wife is in Lannisport." Reginald said.

"Then maybe you should start riding." Tywin said. "Go, before I change my mind and send her your head."

Reginald Lannister got up immediately but Tywin continued, "If your name wasn't Lannister, you would be scrubbing pots in cook's tent. Go! Now!"

Arya walked to Tywin Lannister, with a jug full of wine, Tywin ordered, "Not wine! Water."

Tywin Lannister rarely drinks wine, his fool father Tytos Lannister loved wine, and as a result he couldn't hear people laughing at him. Tywin always drank water so he could hear people properly. "You'll be here for sometime."

The War Council looked restless, and Arya nodded. Alyssa walked over and handed Arya a jug of water, but before they could take another step, Tywin said, "Girls! Where are you both from?"

"Maiden Pool my lord." Arya said. Tywin raised a brow and said, "I thought your uncle works in King's Landing."

"He does, my lord." Alyssa cut in making Tywin quite surprised. "However, my father and mother worked in Maiden Pool before their deaths, we went to live with our uncle in King's Landing later."

"And who are the lords of Maiden Pool?" Tywin challenged.

"House Mooton." Arya said immediately.

"And what are the sigils of House Mooton?" Tywin asked again and Arya seemed strucked. She doesn't know, but before Tywin could say something, Alyssa said, "A red salmon within a gold tressure, on a white field, my lord."

"And what took your sister so long to answer that? For someone who lives in Maiden Pool, she can't recognize the sigil of her overlords." Tywin said.

"My sister was very young when she left Maiden Pool, my lord. We came to King's Landing when she was three and I was seven." Alyssa said trying to make up false stories. Tywin looked at them closely and to their relieve, he believed them and said, "Could've fooled me. I thought you two were Northerners."

Alyssa let out a small relief sigh, and Tywin immediately dismissed the War Council. Tywin also dismissed them and told them to go down to see their uncle. Alyssa and Arya immediately left the room and went to find their father. They were delighted to be with their father, after all Tywin Lannister demanded their service many times.

"Did he hurt you both?" Ned asked worried, they both shook their heads and Ned gave them a relieved hug. Little did they know, there was a long hair man watching the three of them. The man was wearing Lannister armor.

oOoOo

Arya POV

As Arya Stark walked back towards Lord Tywin's Council room. She stopped looked at the man behind her in shock. It was Jaqen H'ghar. How is still he alive? And worse, how did he become a Lannister guard. She quickly lower her head, not wanting Jaqen H'ghar to see her. Jaqen H'ghar walked passed her and Arya sighed in relief. She then walked away from the direction only to find Jaqen H'ghar in front of her, looking very clean as if he has just taken a bath.

"A girl says nothing." Jaqen H'ghar said and Arya gasped. Jaqen H'ghar placed his arm on the wall and continued, "A girl keeps her mouth closed. No one hears, although your friends may talk in secret. Yes. A boy becomes a girl."

"I was always a girl." Arya said.

"And I was always aware." Jaqen H'ghar said surprising Arya. "But the girl keeps secrets, it is not for a man to spoil them."

"You're one of them now." Arya said knowing Jaqen H'ghar was dressed in Lannister armours. Arya grabbed Jaqen H'ghar's helmet and handed back to her and said furiously, "I should've let you burn."

Arya looked betrayed and turn around, but Jaqen H'ghar said, "And you fetch water for them now."

Arya stopped.

"Why is this right for you and wrong for me?" Jaqen H'ghar continued. Arya looked up and said, "I didn't have a choice."

"You did." Jaqen H'ghar pointed out. "I did." He said raising his brow. "And here we are." Jaqen moved forward causing Arya move backwards and Jaqen said, "A man pays his debts. A man owes three." He said making a hand gesture with three fingers up.

"Three what?" Arya asked.

"The Red God take what is his, girl." Jaqen smirked. "And only death may pay for life. You saved me and two men I was with. You stole three deaths from the Red God." Jaqen faced Arya and said, "We have to give them back." Arya looked into Jaqen's eyes who said, "Speak three names and the man would do the rest. Three lives I will give you. No more, no less."

"I can name anyone?" Arya asked narrowing her eyes. "And you'll kill him?"

Jaqen nodded and said, "A man has said."

Arya thought deeply, Joffrey, Cersei, Tywin, the Mountain, the Hound, but a sudden memory of Alyssa being bounded onto a chair with the man torturing her. Arya made up her mind and said, "The man who tortures everyone."

"A man needs a name." Jaqen said confused.

"I- I don't know his name. They call him the Tickler." Arya said.

"That is enough." Jaqen said and Arya smirked at that. Arya left Jaqen H'ghar alone, smiling at the thought of Alyssa will have her justice.