Chapter 5: Loyalty

Arya and Sansa were sent to guest rooms within Castle Darry. They were to wait as their father did the deed of killing Lady, Sansa's direwolf. The Queen demanded that a direwolf should die since Arya had sent Nymeria away days earlier.

Arya heard Sansa's wailing cries from across the hall and Septa Mordane comforting her. She felt guilty. She and Sansa never got along much but Lady was loyal and innocent. Arya wanted to do something but she had guards stationed her door.

That cunt prince Joffrey ran to his mother with his cock between his legs. He lied and said Arya had Nymeria attack him but really he attacked her and the direwolf defended her owner. Arya knew no one would beleive her so she sent Nymeria away.

While she thought about everything a mad idea came to mind. Arya ran to her window and looked around to see no one below. She climbed onto the frame and looked down. She was at least twenty feet away from the ground. The young girl saw a bank of bushes below and closed her eyes.

She kept her eyes shut when she jumped. It was over as quickly as it started. The bush cut through her wool dress and into her side. The cut was deep enough to bleed but it burned. She ignored the burning and stood up.

The she-wolf sneaked around the castle until she found the stables. She didn't see her father anywhere but saw Lady chained to a wooden post. 'Just in time.' She thought.

Arya made sure to stick to the shadows as she moved closer to the wolf. "Lady." She whispered from the shadows.

The direwolf perked up at her voice. The wolf stood and walked to her but the chain was at its limit. Arya cursed. She crawled out of the shadows and into the light and began to unbuckle the chain from her collar.

She heard the door that connected the stable to the castle open and began to panic. She heard footsteps come closer. When she thought she was caught she removed the chain from the collar. The girl quickly pulled the direwolf by the collar into the shadows. She peeked out to see her father. The hand of the king looked around the sable before running back inside.

Arya saw the opportunity and took it. She ran out the stable with Lady at her side. She was careful not to be spotted by any Lannister men. When she was far enough she kneeled down next to Lady. "I'm so sorry girl but they would've killed you." She removed the collar, "Go, go find Nymeria girl." As obedient as ever Lady rushed off into the woods in search of her sister.

Arya stood back up and ran back to Castle Darry. Ran through the stables and into the halls. She was lost. It was like a maze. Nothing like Winterfell, where she would've known every nook and cranny.

She was relieved when she found the stairs to the upper level but her father's voice stopped her, "We need to find her before the Lannisters even know she's gone."

"I'll tell them to be discreet about it but what about the wolf?" She heard Jory Cassel ask.

Her father paused, "Find a wolf, skin it and give it to the queen to satisfy her." He ordered.

Their footsteps got closer so she quickly ran left down a flight of spiral stairs. Her feet small enough to hardly make a sound. The stairs kept going lower and lower until she stopped at a wine cellar. She found a small space between two shelves and sat down and waited. She didn't know what she waited for.

"Where did you get this?" A strong voice said from behind a shelf of wine.

A woman replied, "A servant found it while changing the king's sheet. While everyone was fussing about the Stark girl and prince. It was sealed by the Spider."

Arya recognized one of the voices, "If they are marrying a Dothraki Khal then they must be making their move." It was Ser Raymun Darry.

"If it were up to the usurper no one would know of this." The woman replied.

"And no one will." Raymun replied before continuing to say, "Except for the right people."

"Who do you have in mind?" She asked.

"Celtigar, Velaryon to start. I could have Lyman fostered at Claw Isle to pass it along..." His voice trailed off as footsteps were heard, "We will continue this after the Lannisters, Starks, and Baratheons are long gone."

Arya heard them scurry away and took her chance to crawl away before she was met with the sight of boots. She slowly looked up to see her father. She stood up and waited to be yelled at bit her father only picked her up. Even though he was silent she knew she will be disciplined if not by him then by Septa Mordane.

He carried her back to her guest chambers and closed the door. He kneeled down to look into her grey eyes, "What did you do?" He whispered.

"I saved her!" She yelled only to be shushed by Ned. "Lady didn't do anything wrong. She was innocent. Aren't we suppose to protect the innocent?"

Ned almost smiled at the sentiment but he frowned. "Do you know what would've happened if you were found by a Lannister man?" Arya avoided his gaze, "The queen would've had imprisoned or worse for defying her justice."

Arya snapped, "But it wasn't justice!"

"The queen won't see it that way." Her father solemnly replied, "If she found out then she would've punished you and I wouldn't be able to take action."

Arya looked up at him unsure, "Did I do something bad?"

Ned wasn't sure how to answer, "You did what you thought was right. But the queen ordered her death and it is our duty to stay loyal to the crown."

"So we have to stay loyal to the crown even if the crown is wrong?" The young girl asked, "Isn't that why the Targaryens are gone, because they were wrong?"

Ned paused and sighed, "That was different. You'll understand when you're older." Arya rolled her eyes at the answer, "I'll have Septa Mordane send Sansa in so you won't feel alone." Arya made a whining sound as he exited the room.

Before anyone says anything. Yes, this chapter was an excuse to save Lady. I think there is potential for her. And I have the Darrys as more players than pawns in the game of thrones.