Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. Everything here belongs to George R.R Martin.

Chapter XXVIII - Reading and Hiding

Harrenhal

It was another day for Alyssa and Arya as cupbearers. After meeting with their father who told them to be safe, Alyssa and Arya went back to the Council room, to get a jug of water for the War Council. Part of Alyssa wanted to put poison in them, but she was sure that Tywin Lannister could see through it. After all, he almost thought that Alyssa and Arya were Northerners and would've seen through Arya's lies about them coming from Maiden Pool, when in reality they were from Winterfell.

"Can you read?" Tywin demanded from Armory Lorch, one of his advisors at the war council.

"Pardon?" Lorch asked.

"This letter detaining our infantry movements for the future, was meant for my brother, Ser Kevan Lannister." Tywin said. "Ser Kevan is at battle here and it clearly states here that you should hand him this letter once he returns to Harrenhal. Instead, you handed it to Lord Ondrew Locke."

"My apologies, my lord-"

"Girl!" Tywin called out and Alyssa and Arya looked at each other. "You, the elder one. Fetch me the history of the greater and lesser houses, it's the one on the-"

Before Tywin could finish talking, Alyssa had already taken the huge book on the table and handed to Tywin who let out a small laugh, surprising the War Council and he said, "My cupbearer can read better than you."

Alyssa left after Lorch shot her a dangerous look. Tywin flipped the pages and finally settled on House Locke and then spat, "To whom does House Locke owe allegiance to?"

Lorch looked at the book and Alyssa smirked, he was illiterate. Arya tried not to smile, although they might not have an education like Robb, Jon, Bran did at Winterfell with Maester Luwin, they are aware with the fact that House Locke owes allegiance to House Stark, especially since Alyssa's great-grandmother was a Locke.

"My lord, I-" Lorch stuttered.

"To the Starks of WINTEFELL!" Tywin yelled. "Who has twenty thousand men and my son!"

Alyssa almost dropped the jug on her hand, his son. Robb has captured Jaime Lannister, that's good news. Alyssa thought delighted, it means the Lannisters will never dare to hurt Sansa.

"I judge you more than something good then brutalizing peasants and stabbing little girls." Tywin spat in disgust as he closed the book. "It seems I overestimated you. If you ever put my son's life at risk again." Tywin said barely controlling his seething. "Leave us!"

Lorch left after glaring at Alyssa, while Tywin ordered Alyssa to put the book away. Alyssa did as she was told and Tywin joked, "Maybe you should devise our next battle plan."

Despite Alyssa trying to control herself, she couldn't help but smirk. Tywin ordered the Council to leave, and suddenly another man came in. Alyssa immediately recognized him it was Petyr Baelish. She met him at the Tourney, but Arya didn't. Alyssa whispered to Arya, "That's Littlefinger. He knows me but doesn't know you."

They turned their backs at Baelish who barely spare them a glance.

"Wine?" Tywin offered.

"Thank you." Littlefinger said. Arya took a deep breath and grabbed a jug of wine and poured it into the cup. She walked forwards as Alyssa pretended that she dropped a fork and reached down to get it.

"What news of the camp?" Tywin demanded.

"I travelled here directly from Renly Baratheon's camp and from King's Landing." Littlefinger said.

"Ah! Late King Renly." Tywin said in disgust. "Rather a short reign." He taunted. "Murdered by a woman I hear."

"So they say." Littlefinger confirmed. "But some people talked of other forces. Dark forces." Littlefinger smirked as he went to drink from his goblet. Arya went to Tywin to get his cup.

"Men often blame demons for their grand plans to unravel." Tywin said amused.

"It is my belief that the situation of Renly's death give us an opportunity." Littlefinger smirked.

"You're not the first person in the world to think that." Tywin said. "Yes, a crisis is an opportunity, but what other insights?"

"The Reach's help." Littlefinger said. "Your son, Lord Tyrion, has suggest the betrothal between His Grace, King Joffrey and Lady Margaery Tyrell. A clever idea."

Tywin snorted, "A clever idea, anyone could think about this."

"The Tyrells are one of the richest kingdoms in Westeros and have fertile lands. They are capable of feeding the capital which is now in riots, and the Reachmen are untouched by war and they have enough supplies and their bannerman are wealthy. Loras Tyrell wants to avenge his family, Mace, Willas and the Queen of Thorns wants Margaery to be Queen."

"House Tyrell rebelled against my grandson." Tywin said though he could see the merits in this idea.

"Perhaps, but we need them. And one day, their treason shall be served." Littlefinger said. "For now, with Robb Stark marrying a Frey-"

"Not for long." Tywin muttered.

"What do you mean Lord Tywin?" Littlefinger asked.

"The Crags have been taken by Robb Stark and it's Lady, Sybell Westerling, born a Spicer written to me. A smart offer she has, of course everyone knows of the Rain of Castameres."

Alyssa and Arya shared a worried look, they would have to tell their father. After Littlefinger left, Tywin dismissed them. Alyssa and Arya immediately rushed to where their father is at.

"Alyssa! Arya! What's wrong?" Ned asked seeing their worried face.

"Littlefinger is here, father." Arya gasped. "He saw my face."

Ned turned grim and Alyssa said, "Father? Why are you upset? Littlefinger was fostered with mother at Riverrun-"

"Because he betrayed me." Ned said shocking them. "He-he promised that he will gather the Gold Cloaks to support me to ovethrow Joffrey, that bastard, but instead he turned the tables around, pointed a knife towards my throat and said, 'I warn you not to trust me.'"

"That traitor." Alyssa said in disgust. "But there's worse news father."

Ned's face grew paler as Alyssa and Arya told them the conversation between Tywin and Littlefinger about the Tyrells and Westerlings. Ned said, "Thank you for telling me girls, once we escape from Harrenhal or if Robb takes the castle, we will go and help your brother."

Alyssa and Arya smiled widely at that. For many years, they have not always been considered equal as their brothers, though their father treated all of his children equally, including Jon who is a bastard. The daughters of House Stark did not enjoy the same privileges that the sons of House Stark did. Now their father is including them in their plans, saying how they will all help Robb.

oOoOo

That night, as Alyssa was tidying up the tables in the War Council, she tried to sneak a peek into the letter. She saw her brother name Robb Stark. Lord Tywin had sent Arya to clean another room. Alyssa got chills with Tywin.

"Who taught you how to read?" A voice interrupted her. Alyssa almost jumped and quickly said, "My father."

"I thought he died when you were seven." Tywin noted.

Alyssa cursed herself and quickly said, "Yes, but I learnt when I was five."

"I tried to teach my son Jaime how to read." Tywin said grabbing the letter from the table. He turned to Alyssa and said grimly, "Maester came to me one day and told me he wasn't learning. Couldn't make sense with the letters. He reversed them in his head. Maester said he heard of this affliction and they simply must accept it. Huh!" Tywin scoffed. "After that, I sat Jaime down for four hours everyday until he learned. He hated me for this for a time. For a long time, but he learnt. How did your father die?"

Even though her father was not dead, Tywin had no problem in being bold to ask her.

"I rather not speak of it my lord." Alyssa said and Tywin nodded.

"What was he?" Tywin asked.

"He-he was a steward to Lord Mooton." Alyssa said.

"A steward who could read?" Tywin asked suspiciously.

"My grandfather was a steward too, and his before. The children of House Mooton were very close to my father when they were young." Alyssa said. "But because my father had no sons, so we had to leave Maiden Pool."

"Don't you have an uncle?" Tywin asked. Damn! Alyssa thought. That man asks too much questions.

"Yes, but he is from my mother's side." Alyssa said quickly. "What about your father?" Alyssa asked trying to change the topic, but she knew it was the wrong thing to say, seeing the dark look on Tywin's face.

"Go." Tywin snapped and he left. Alyssa grabbed the letter that Tywin left on the table, she passed this to Arya and said, "Give this to father."

oOoOo

Arya POV

Arya Stark did as what her sister told, she read the letter, and found out it was plan to try and defeat her brother at Silverhill. She had to give it to her father who might know something about it, and how to fix this, as she ran down the stairs of the tower, she immediately bumped into a man. She was surprised to see Ser Reginald Lannister, whom Lord Tywin dismissed a few days ago.

"Where are you going girl?" Reginald asked dangerously.

"To the armory my lord." Arya said looking down, knowing this was where her father would be. With Gendry and Hot Pie.

"Why?" Reginald asked narrowing his eyes. Arya gulped and said, "Lord Tywin ordered me to."

Reginald glanced at her suspiciously and saw the letter on Arya's hand. He grabbed it and read it and demanded, "Where did you get this?"

"Lord Tywin gave it to me." Arya said timidly.

"What for?"

"To take to the armory."

"Why would he do that?" Reginald demanded. Arya looked down and Reginald made a move to grab her but Arya quickly ran to his direction, in between the Lannister soilders, who quickly moved aside. Arya hid under a stonewall and Reginald moved passed at her. She gasped in relief. Now she has to find Jaqen H'ghar, for the girl has a second name now.