In which things do not go as planned and the plot thickens...slowly.
*Year 298 After Conquest(AC) - New Past*
Arya clears her throat softly, shoulders straight while meeting with questioning pair of eyes across the room. She steels her face into indifference. "Jon, what are you doing here at this hour?"
Jon looks about to jump at the young girl right there and then at her question but he holds himself back, eyes twitching. "Checking up on my little sister, of course." He trailed. "Where did you wander off at this hour?" his last words mocking her last question.
Arya forces a smile, trying to look innocent. "I was just taking a walk around the castle."
He chuckles, disbelieving. "Taking a walk, you said? Right, care to explain why you climbed into your chamber then? Last time I checked, the door still works, because I came here through it."
Arya opens her mouth to say something but Jon gives her a warning look, making her think twice.
He steps forward. "Don't tell me, it's because you want to stretch your limbs and decides the best way to do that is by climbing your way inside."
Arya frowns then. "No. The guards were blocking my entry and I didn't want anyone to know I went out. So, I found another way in." She finished, shrugging. Nymeria comes towards her earning a stroke from her mistress.
Jon sighs. His hand rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Arya, do you hear yourself right now?"
She strides closer to the middle of the room then. "Stop making a fuss out of it, Jon. I just went out to take a walk. I'm not a child, you know." She detaches her fur robe and throwing it onto the bed.
"I'm making a fuss? Well, my apologies then. But, the last time I check, there's an assassin trying to kill you!" he chided before continuing. "You cannot just leave your room wandering alone when-" he stops suddenly as his eyes grew wide in panic. "You're bleeding."
"What?" Arya looks down to her body where Jon is looking, to find her shirt stained with red. She is about to check on it when another larger hand beats her to it.
"Seven hells, Arya… Does it hurt?" Jon asked. All the anger dissipates. Only concern flashes on his face now.
She shrugs not really affected by the pain. "A bit."
He pushes the younger girl softly towards the bed then, making her sit while he removes the bandage that soaked with blood now. "Your stitches are loose. I'll get the Maester." He is about to walk away but a hand resting on his arm stops his action.
"Don't bother Maester Luwin now. He's probably sleeping."
"And he will continue his sleep after he treats you." He continues firmly.
Arya manages to hold her eye roll at his stubbornness. "Leave the old man alone, will you? I'm perfectly fine. Besides, it's not even that bad. I hardly feel anything."
When Jon just stares back with judgmental eyes, still crouching in front of her, she reaches for a cloth on the side table and wet it with cold water before wiping away the smudges of blood on her stomach.
"See? It's not that bad, is it?" she asked with a raised brow. Her wound clean now with only a few drops of blood trailing from the small opening of the loosen stitches.
"You still need those stitches." His voice stern leaving no argument.
Arya sighs, defeated. "Fine, I have a needle and a thread somewhere around here." She's about to stand up, but Jon pushes her shoulders back down.
"Don't move, you're going to tear it further. I'll get it."
Not wanting to argue anymore, she remains seated while he rummages through her room to find them. A few moments later, he finally brings what looks like a sewing kit from her previous lessons with Septa Mordane from under the dresser. She wonders how it landed there in the first place.
"I'll do it." His voice brought her back from her thoughts. Before she can argue, he already makes himself busy separating a needle and a black thread from its bundle.
"Do you even know how?" she asked with a raised brow. Jon looks up at her.
"It can't be that hard. Now, stay still so I don't mess up your stitches more than you have."
She sighed heavily, not bother to hide it and does as he said. Nymeria stays calmly beside her on the bed. The time passes as she strokes her companion, loss in thoughts. His father and the King's conversation still fresh inside her mind.
From the way Robert was talking, he sounded like he believed her story. But, he seems reluctant to do anything about it. And the knife that her father held, which was used to kill her definitely screams Lannister. Perhaps that is not enough of a proof to the king. Cersei was and still is his wife, the queen of the realm and his children's mother. But, they're not his children now, are they? And maybe if she can prove that, The King will finally act and punishes The Queen accordingly.
"There, it's done." A voice brought her back from her thoughts.
She looks down to her stomach and found a perfectly align stitches in place of the old one. A slight tinge of pain around the edge of the skin but other than that, she feels fine.
"Wow, Jon. You're a much better embroiderer than I am." She stated honestly. "Did you practice secretly in your spare time, perhaps?" she taunts, trying hard to keep a smile from breaking out.
Jon looks up, glaring good-naturedly at the girl.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of. You know I will never judge you if you do." She continues, grinning widely now.
"Oh, shut it, Arya." He replies, rolling his eyes. A trace of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He finished off with a new set of bandages over the neat and dry stitches.
"Thank you," Arya speaks up breaking the silence. Jon stands up then and moves to sit beside her on the bed, but not before messing up his little sister's hair - a bit rougher than usual - making the girl groans in protest.
"You can show your gratitude by not wandering off all alone in the darkest of the night for a start." He finished sternly. She holds her gaze.
"I can take care of myself. I thought I have proven myself due to the recent event."
Jon looks at her with disbelief. "You were lucky then. And if it happens again…"
Oh, Jon. It got nothing to do with luck.
"I don't think they're stupid enough to try for the second time." she countered. He sighs in defeat.
"Even so, we have to be careful." He said back looking straight ahead. She does the same.
The sky outside is still dark over the open window. The crackling sound of the pine burning accompanying them as they both lost in thoughts.
"What's going to happen now, Jon?" she asked softly.
There is a long silence before he answers, "I don't know."
*
The next morning comes by quickly. After Jon left, not before warning her for the hundreds of times and making her promise not to try last night stunt ever again, she lays on her bed wide awake until the sun greets her.
And when it did, oddly enough she finally gets to close her eyes. But, as always her slumber doesn't last long when she hears a creak. Naturally, her senses in alert. Even though her eyes still rested, she can clearly distinguish the footsteps. It was careful and poised. She knows the sound very well. Her eyes slowly open to find her mother looking down at her.
"Good morning. Did I wake you, sweetling?" Catelyn asked, smiling. Arya pushes herself up while studying her lady mother. There are bags under her eyes and she wonders if her mother has trouble sleeping too.
"Good morning, mother. No, I was already awake."
The older woman lands herself on the side of the bed. She looks down and gestured to her daughter's wound. Arya lifts her tunic up and lets her mother replaces the bandage.
"It's healing nicely. If you're in any pain…"
"It's fine, mother. Truly."
Catelyn forces a smile, reaching with her right hand to cup the younger girl's cheek. "Do you think you can walk then?"
"Of course." Arya grinned and nodded at the same time. But her grin fades when the older woman's face darkens. Her muscle tense and her lips in a straight line. "Is something bothering you?"
Catelyn shakes her head gently, forcing yet another smile to assure the young girl. "We can break our fast in the great hall together then. But first, you need to change to proper attire." She explains, standing up and walks off towards the wardrobe full of dresses that Arya rarely touch.
"Can't I just wear this?" Arya asked with a pout, gesturing to her current wear. Catelyn looks aghast.
"Certainly not. Arya, how many times have I told you. A lady needs to present herself properly. And your attire is the first step in that direction." She counters. Arya feels a smile building, don't know whether to be horrid of what her mother will choose for her to wear or pleased that she finally sounds like her mother. She chooses the latter.
"I think everyone in Winterfell knows I'm no lady. And I doubt any dress in the kingdom will hide that fact." She said back playfully. Catelyn narrows her eyes at her from across the room.
"I think this will be perfect, don't you think so?" she asked ignoring the last statement her daughter made.
Arya studies the grey dress with light blue lining from up to down. It looks the same as the other ones she used to wear. "I guess."
With a sigh, she climbs down the bed gingerly and strides towards her mother.
"The King will be joining us," Catelyn speaks up suddenly. Both women eyed each other. One is concerned and the other one is caught off guard, but Arya quickly schools her features again.
"Oh." she trails not sure what to say. The older woman proceeds to change her daughter's clothes silently. The sound of rustling clothes accompanying them.
"Is he going to ask me about what I saw inside the broken tower?" Arya asked after a moment. Catelyn pauses tying the laces over the hem, her gaze focuses on calculated grey orbs.
"Your father already broke that news to The King. But, he wants to hear it from you. Do you think you can do that?" The older woman said back. A small smile graces her features to bring comfort.
Arya returns the favour by doing the same. "Yes, I can do that."
Catelyn gives an approving nod before smiling more genuinely at the young girl. She continues tying the laces over the dress.
"Do you think The King believes me?" Arya asked again, breaking the silence. Catelyn looks down at her youngest daughter, caressing her cheek with a proud smile.
"I wouldn't know what he may think. But, it matters not because I believe you, Arya. Your familybelieves you."
And that is all Arya needs, she realized as she feels the warmth creeping inside her.
*
The walk to the great hall feels like an eternity. And when she finally arrives, Robert's face is the first thing she sees at the head of the table. Her father is next to him with her other siblings. The other side is surprisingly filled with Tyrion and the queen's children but there's no Cersei in sight. She scans around the room and found no Jamie Lannister either.
"Your Grace." Catelyn curtsies before guiding her youngest daughter to their seat.
"Lady Arya. I'm glad you are well." Tyrion speaks up loudly from across the table earning everyone's attention. Arya gave him a wry smile but not saying anything.
"How is your recovery? Great, I hope." Robert's voice echoes next.
"Yes, Your Grace," Arya answers softly.
Ned locks eyes with Robert for a moment as if they're having a silent argument inside their heads before The King finally breaks it. He started eating and soon everyone follows.
"So, Lady Arya, do you mind sharing how you defeat a full-grown man of an assassin by yourself?" Tyrion asks casually not before shoving a mouthful of porridge into his mouth.
Arya stops playing with her food and looks up at him. Everyone else is waiting eagerly and anxiously for her answers.
"I have great teachers to teach me the ways to best your enemies." She said vaguely. Syrio Forell, The Hound, Jaqen H'ghar and The Waif are certainly a great teacher to her in their own way.
Tyrion stares at her a moment longer than she likes before trailing towards Robb and Jon. "Indeed."
The great hall goes silent then, only the clatters of utensils against plate can be heard. Arya doesn't like it one bit. It feels like being in a calm before the storm.
Before long, everyone finishes their meal and is walking out of the great hall with the table now clean of the plates and leftovers food. Only a few of them left; Robert, her father and mother, Robb and Jon and Tyrion.
Ned walks closer to his youngest daughter and drags her away from everyone's ears.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Arya. But, I need you to tell The King what you saw inside the broken tower. Can you do it, my child?" he asked, grabbing her shoulders in a firm but comforting grip.
"Yes, father. Mother mentioned it on our way here. I just need to tell the truth." she answered calmly earning a proud look from the older man.
"I hope you have a good reason to call me here. I was attending a letter from my father." A voice so sweet and obnoxious at the same time echoes loudly around the great hall. Arya turns around to find Cersei standing not far from The King across the room.
"I'm sure Lord Tywin can wait." Robert counters as everyone else gathers around them.
"What is this about?" Cersei asked looking bored and annoyed at the same time.
"Lord Eddard's daughter claim she saw something disturbing the other day," Robert replied, shifting his gaze to Arya across the room. Cersei turns around and does the same.
Arya tries very hard not to scowl at the bitch Queen. Ned gestures her towards the others and she follows obediently.
"And pray tell why this concerns me?" Cersei asked, mocking now. Robert ignores her.
"Girl, tell us what you saw. And don't lie to me or it will have severe consequences." He threatens. Arya shifts her gaze towards her father who is standing beside her.
Ned gives an assuring squeeze on her shoulder. "Go on."
She stares back ahead at Robert calmly. "I went to the broken tower and I saw Queen Cersei with Ser Jamie, her twin brother inside." She finished. But, the man seems to wait for more.
"They were…fucking." Arya blurts out for a lack of better words, her face straight.
Cersei has the nerve to laugh loudly at her statement. "You dare sputter nonsense of your Queen, wolf girl? I can call for your head now!"
Arya can see her mother and siblings panic at the royal words. But Robert's own words calm them soon after.
"No one is going to call for anyone's head," he said with the voice of authority. Cersei chuckles, disbelieving.
"You're going to let her get away with what she just said? She insulted me, your Queen and lied to your face. This is treason." She replies evenly. Robert stares at Cersei and Arya repeatedly, debating from within.
Arya steps forward then, closer to them. "I know what I saw." She said through gritted teeth.
Cersei crosses her hands against her chest, looking towards Catelyn. "Is this how you raise your children? Rude, a liar and wild child. If I have one like her, I would cast her far away. That way, she won't taunt your family name."
Before her mother can answer, Arya steps in.
"Oh, but you know your children best, don't you?" she asked calmly. Cersei immediately tilts her head to the side, startled.
"What did you just say?"
"Your children are Lannister through and through. Arrogant, selfish and sadistic. Well, at least one of them is." Arya continues earning a few gasps from her family.
"That is enough!" Robert shouts, although his command falters a little.
"Don't you hear what I just said, Your Grace?" Arya asked desperately.
"I heard enough, girl. Now hold your-"
"No, you're not!" Arya shouts back. She hated how her voice sounds so small and seems like everything that comes out from her mouth sounds like a whine from a little girl.
"Arya," Ned calls her desperately but she ignores him too.
"Why can't you see it? The Queen's children are nothing like a Baratheon would. They're Lannister through and through. Golden hair instead of black and emerald eyes instead of blue. They're not a Stag. They're a Lannister's Lion."
Silence creeps in as her words sink in, probably too shocking for anyone to acknowledge. She glances over to Cersei who is fidgeting around now.
"Robert, my love… surely you wouldn't believe what the girl said? It's a preposterous thing to think of in the first place." she said softly, walking closer to her husband.
Robert's face is a sight to see. Frowning with mixed emotions. It looks as if he's in a battle with his own mind. After a moment of staring and glaring at his wife, a look of disbelief crosses his face.
"You lied to me? Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen are Jamie's?" he shouts with wide eyes. Anger and hurt on his face.
"No, I would never!" Cersei is close to him now, reaching for his hands but Robert yanks his hand away, making the Kingsguard step in and drags the Queen away from him.
"You'd rather believe a fucking little girl's word over mine, your own Queen?!" she asked, squirming around the guards that try to take her away. Her voice bellowing inside the great hall.
Robert turns his back, ignoring her. His hand rest on the bridge of his nose. A headache is starting to grow inside his head.
"It seems you have already labelled me as a traitor. And since I will never have a fair and just trial, I demand a trial by combat!" she continues, standing tall and proud. Somehow she manages to escape through the guards' grips and stands where she was last.
Robert turns around then. Anger still visible on his face. He doesn't even sentence her betrayal and yet she already makes demands on it. It only proves further that the previous claims to be right. He grips his fist tightly, making his knuckles turn white. "And which lad will fight for you?" he seethes, deciding to go along with it. Cersei smirks as if she's waiting for him to ask that.
As if on cue, the sound of footsteps echoes through the room. Arya turns around to find a man walking towards them. A big, tall man. A man that she had once spent her time with. One of her great teachers that teaches her how life works - Never in your favour.
"Your Grace." The Hound bows slightly at the king, making his armour squeak in reaction. "It would be my great honour to fight in the Queen's name."
Arya is left speechless. She feels betrayed, angered and confused. But, it all crashes when Robb suddenly steps forward. His face with equal determination.
"Then, I will fight in my sister's name."