In which our little wolf starts to gather up the pieces.
*Year 298 After Conquest (AC) - Old Past*
The burden of knowing what lies ahead was wearing Arya out. It was less than a moon away before the royal visit and before everything went to hell for her family. She tried to deny the fact that she had gone back in time and settled on her having a nightmare or a vision instead. But, every day went by only strengthens her belief that she was indeed travelling back through time. Even though her body was of a small child, her mind was not. The experience she had had through the years in the run had matured her. Her muscles and limbs even remembered the sparring and fighting techniques from the famous Braavosi Water Dance to the Faceless Man - which she hasn't learned yet in this time. Though her strength was shrinking, due to her smaller frame, she still knows how to be deadly enough, and for that she was thankful.
Sleep has not come by easy after learning the truth. Her dark circle under her eyes worsening every day. But she couldn't care less about it. Not when the knowledge of the future is within her grasp. Just thinking about the fate of her family makes her want to run and tell them what is going to happen. But, she knows better. They would have locked her up in a tower and claimed that she had gone mental if she ever did that. So, she kept her silence albeit with much difficulty.
She has to be smart, of that she was certain. But, how? She wasn't quite sure yet. The only thing that is important for her is saving her family. So, she will set her mind on that particular goal.
That is why, she is here in her father's and mother's chamber, watching silently in the corner of the room as they lie in their bed peacefully - not knowing their daughter had come by to check on them every night. Where in truth, she had checked in every room of her siblings too. It calms her to know that they were safe and sound.
Arya lets out a small sigh as she looks upon their sleeping faces. They look so calm and peaceful. If only they knew what was coming.
She strides off towards the door, leaving them behind with not a single sound and merging as one with the shadow.
A few corner and stairs later, she's back in her own room. The dark greets her and she welcomes it. Taking a sit on her bed, she ponders silently on how to change the fate of her loved ones until the light takes a turn and greets her.
*
The dreaded day finally arrives and Arya cannot help but be restless. She has taken refuge in the Godswood with Nymeria, to practice or rather sharpen her sword techniques when everyone is busy attending to their last preparation before the royal escort comes.
She remembered how eager she was at that time. Admiring the knights. The Hound particularly stood up to her the most.
It was not because of him that the feeling of anger and resentment is radiating from her body at this very moment. But the fact of one evil and manipulated woman among them. The Queen.
Cersei Lannister's face has been haunting her since last night and she feels agitated to know that the woman is still alive at this time and is making her way to her sacred home.
She thrusts the wooden sword forward with a grunt, picturing the queen is at the end of the sword. It should be piercing right through her gut now. But, somehow her image is still looking down at Arya with an annoying smirk, mocking the younger girl.
Arya tightens her grip on the blade before putting another hand on the handle.
How dare she!
With another grunt, she brings the wooden blade upwards, cutting her from gut to throat. She spins to gain enough momentum before slicing the blade along the damn woman's neck. Her head separated and rolling down the ground to her feet. Arya smiles darkly, satisfied at her imaginary victim.
That's where you should be.
Nymeria stands up in an instant looking pass her, acknowledging another presence beside them. The direwolf lets out a sound as she tilts her head to the side, to let her mistress know. But, Arya is too distracted to notice.
"Seven Hells!" a voice startled Arya from her trance. She turns around to find Jon walking towards her and Nymeria. "Remind me not to get into your bad side, little sister." He continued.
"I will." She replied with a genuine smile this time as she studies his clean look. He wears shorter hair with no stubbles on his face. It makes him look younger.
Jon let out a slight smile at her remark. "Where did you learn that? I've never seen that moves before." He asked. Arya shrugged, masking her face into indifference.
"Nowhere." She answered, cursing inwardly because she was not careful enough of her surroundings. No one is supposed to know she's this good yet. "I'm just playing around." She said again. Jon raised one of his eyebrows, studying her.
"Well, this won't do. You're sweaty and all. Go freshens yourself before the King arrives." He said with a disapproving look. Arya fights the urge to roll her eyes at him.
"You're worse than my mother."
"No, I'm not."
Arya crosses her arms and looks up at her half-brother with a raised brow, mimicking him.
"Fine, don't freshen yourself then... I mean, who cares if the youngest daughter of Lord Eddard Stark is dishevelled in welcoming the guests. It'll only be the King of Westeros anyway." He said calmly.
Arya finally rolls her eyes at that, and let out a sigh as she tossed the wooden blade to Jon, where he easily caught it. A slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth in return.
"As you wish. Now, if you'll excuse me... I have to go and make myself pretty again. Come, girl." she said as she walks, Nymeria trailing beside her. "Though I doubt I can be as pretty as you." She continues with a grin, finally walking past him. Jon glares at his little sister good-naturedly, her loyal companion hot on her trails.
*
They are standing in a line waiting for the King to finally arrives. Just as before, Arya joined her family and stood where she should be. Her posture and expression calm. But her inside is a turmoil. She's afraid that she's unable to control herself when facing the one that she had killed before and will gladly kill again for the second time.
Maybe I should kill The Queen and be done with all of this. Surely, removing a big part of the threat will guarantee everyone's safety?
Her thought is short-lived however as the sound of horses and carriages enters her ears. And soon after, the royal escort comes riding in through the Winterfell's main gate. The horses come riding in first and along them were The King and his soldiers. She noticed a golden hair boy riding among them and instantly regret noticing him. It was Joffrey and he was still an eyesore even before it all begins.
Arya then trails over the carriages that came in soon after. So caught up in her own little bubble, she didn't even pay any attention to The King as her father greets his old friend.
When Cersei Lannister finally emerged from one of the carriages, Arya holds her breath, her knuckles white from clutching her fist so hard. It was a surprise that she was still standing at her place and not throwing actual daggers at the dreadful woman and her son.
She studies The Queen as she smiles and holds out her hand to her father.
Gods, how fake can she be? Anyone with at least one eye can see how she loathes everyone other than herself.
Her trains of hatred are in a sudden halt when the said person turns her attention at her. Arya starts for a moment when she has been caught staring, but she composes herself within seconds and holds her gaze - albeit more passionately. Steel and cold grey eyes boring into emerald green ones.
Cersei raises an eyebrow, judging the younger girl and Arya scowls in return. The older woman frowns, not expecting such malice behaviour from her subject.
Arya, on the other hand, has been plotting the woman's second death inside her head while she's at it. But, a nudge against her ribs stops her train of thoughts. She looks to her right, glaring at Bran, the perpetrator.
"Ouch, that hurts!" she hissed, rubbing her side. Bran gives her an alarming look, not believing her sister's illogical behaviour.
"What?" She asked, frowning now. Bran tilts his head, pointing ahead of her.
Arya finally looks at the intended direction only to find that Robert Baratheon, is staring down at her silently, along with everyone else presents. The silence creeps in and every second pass in awkward as they stared at the little girl.
Arya curses under her breath silently, forgetting the King of Westeros. "I'm sorry… Did you say something?" she finally asked, breaking the silence while trying to look as innocent as possible. Robert chuckles.
"I did. Three times in fact." The King trailed. "I asked what your name is, girl." He continues, a slight frown across his face.
"My name's Arya… Your Grace." She added the last part quickly when Robert stared at her with confusion and something else that Arya cannot decide.
He nods, studying the little girl one last time before moving on to Bran.
*
The feast later that night is an actual pain in the ass for Arya. She literally has to sit still through the whole night with drunk men on her left and right. The King is no exception.
She can't believe how that man came upon the throne in the first place. She bet he can't even lift his famous Warhammer now without knocking himself out. The thought of that drunkard ruling over the seven kingdoms is appalling. And with her father soon to be serving as the King's Hand, it only makes the dread comes in wave again.
She will not let that happen, one way or another, determined.
As Arya raises her goblet and swallows the ale, her eyes wander the hall until she finds her sister. Sansa is drooling with much obvious at the little shit, Joffrey. And her mother is doing her best to entertain the damn Queen.
The laughing and chattering noises are becoming too much for her to bear. With a grunt, Arya finally stands up and walks out of the dining hall.
With every step she takes, the chaos subsides and she starts to regain her sanity again. She doesn't realize where her feet have taken her. But, the sight of a familiar kennel greets her and she feels a smile building as she walks closer. It only grows when Nymeria finally comes running out. The direwolf stops short when the rope that binds her hindered her movements and she waits for her mistress to close in instead.
"Hey, girl. What have you been up to?" Arya asked, crouching and reaching her hands onto Nymeria's side.
The beast nuzzles closer and rests her head on Arya's lap as she continues to caress her.
A soft laugh naturally comes out from the girl as the direwolf moves to lick her face clean. The smell of raw meat accompanying the after effect.
"I reckon you had your dinner already then." Arya trailed. Nymeria let out a bark at that. "Good, at least one of us still hasn't lost her appetite." she continued with a grin.
Another bark can be heard soon after and Arya shifts her attention towards the direction of where the sound was coming. Greywind is standing at the entry door of the kennel, acknowledging the young girl. Then, Summer and Ghost emerged doing the same. She finds Lady relaxing just inside the corner, tending to her furs, ignoring everyone while Shaggydog is nowhere to be seen. Greywind barks again at her and Arya cannot help but smile.
"It's just me… Robb and Bran are still in the feast," she said as a matter of fact. "I don't know where Jon is." she finished, staring at Ghost.
The direwolves simultaneously turn around to their home as they heard the disappointing answer, ignoring her completely. Arya chuckles softly. "Well, nice to meet you lot too."
She shifts her attention back at Nymeria, caressing her at her favourite spot just behind her ears.
A sudden sound of footsteps from behind, moving towards her makes a chill run down her spine and her senses were on high alert almost instantly. She squared her shoulder, hands still caressing Nymeria as she waits for whoever it is to come closer.
The steps, she realized is uneven, almost like the person is about to fall. Probably one of the men from the feast that has too much to drink, she concludes. And choose to ignore the presence altogether as it should bear no threat at all.
"Cute dog. Is it yours?"
Arya stiffens as the familiar voice echoes through her ears. The memories of being the man's hostage come to light. She slowly stands up and turns around then, facing him. "She's a direwolf." She said back, looking up at the man.
The Hound seems taller now or maybe because she is shorter this time around. He grunts, seeming to disagree with something as he lifts his cup over his mouth. "Little girl shouldn't play with a beast like that." He commented, staring down at Nymeria.
She quirks her brow in response. "I couldn't agree more..." She trails until he catches her eyes. "But, I'm not a little girl and she's not a beast."
Arya moves to release the rope that holds Nymeria. The direwolf instantly is at The Hound's feet, growling and baring her teeth. Even though she is still a pup, she looks quite intimidating. The Hound startling and spilling his drink is proof of that.
"Nymeria, be nice," Arya calls. The direwolf makes her way back to the young Stark, tail wiggling behind her back as she rounds the girl's feet in excitement. Arya bends down to stroke Nymeria's head, whispering "Come on, let's go for a walk."
Nymeria instantly relaxes, following her mistress out in the open.
"Have a good night." Arya bids goodbye before leaving The Hound to his solitude. Another grunt is all she gets in return.
*
The day Arya fear is finally here. The King is out with his father and brother along with a few more men for a hunt in the Wolfswood and they will not be back in some time. She remembered how her brother's fate is moulded on this very day. She bounds to not let anything happen to Bran.
So here she was, running towards the broken tower. She arrives just in time to catch Bran in the opposite direction of her. Arya hastens her steps then. "Bran!" she called.
Bran comes running towards her. "Want to race up this tower, Arya?" he asked, excitement plastered on his face. Arya smiles.
"Maybe later… mother's been searching for you." She replied instead. His smile gone, replaced by a frown instead.
"What for?"
"I don't know… You should ask her that and not me."
"Fine." Bran sighed. He is about to leave when his eyes dart towards his sister again. "Hey, aren't those mines?" he asked, pointing at Arya's choice of attire.
"Who else will I borrow these breeches and tunic from." Arya shrugged in confirmation. Bran rolls his eyes at that before storming off with Summer hot on his trails.
When the silhouette of her brother disappears completely, she sighs, suddenly feeling very tired. "Do you think this is going to be enough?" she asked looking down. Nymeria tilts her head to the side, staring back at the girl. "Should we follow him?" she asked again earning a bark from her counterpart.
Arya sighed again, letting her eyes wander over the abandoned tower. Maybe she ought to take a look, just to be sure.
"Stay." She ordered. Nymeria whimpers uncomfortably as Arya walks towards the tower but do as she was told.
As silent as a shadow, she climbs the stairs of the broken tower until there are no more steps to go. A wooden door greets her and she pushes it slowly.
She hears more than she can see what's coming from the inside room. There is more than one person inside, she is sure of that and they are making unusual sounds. She pushes the door further, revealing almost the entire room.
What she sees shock her and leaves her frozen. She can't seem to do anything but stares, wide-eyed at the two blonds before her where The Queen and her twin brother are riding each other's off with pleasure.
Sudden nausea threatens to come out at the scene unfolding in front of her but when two pairs of eyes are staring back at Arya, acknowledging her presence, she wasted no time fleeing the scene.
She didn't look back as she runs as fast as the wind until she reaches the Godswood. She lands herself unceremoniously on the ground as she tried to catch up her breath. Her back against a tree where Nymeria joins at her side soon after.
A short mirthless chuckle left her uninvited as the scene from the tower replayed inside her mind and Bran's demise in another lifetime did too. "It wasn't an accident, Nymeria." She whispered, clenching her jaw tightly.
The Lannisters seems to be responsible for harming every one of her family it seems. "The more reason why I should kill them."