In which our former assassin takes matter into her own hands.
*Year 298 After Conquest(AC) - New Past*
It's just like any other morning as Arya stood over the open window. The sun was already up long ago, bathing everything that lives under it with its light and warmth. Small birds were flying around, enjoying nature at its best. And people in Winterfell are starting to tend to their daily chores.
The familiar routine has always been able to calm the young girl. She closes her eyes as she breathes in the fresh air, trying hard to will herself for peace of mind. Gods know that she is in dire need of one at this very moment. After the big revelation of The Queen's children lineage, The King announced the trial will commence in two days outside Winterfell before she was taken away.
Truth be told, Arya was not expecting any trial at all. Wasn't the revelation clear as night and day? Anyone can tell that Cersei's children are not a Baratheon. She just wished that Robert would punish the dreadful woman he called his wife already, but no. He lets her have a chance of getting away instead and because of it, one way or another, an innocent life will be sacrificed for nothing.
She sighs heavily but no one in the room heard her. With all the conversations inside her father's study, she cannot even hear herself think. She tries to build a wall inside her mind trying to stay focus but her wall crumbles as their voices find its way back through her ears.
"Winterfell needs you, Robb. It's too big of a risk to fight Sandor Clegane." Catelyn's voice echoes desperately.
"A risk I'm willing to take. As I have said before, they will get the reciprocation they deserved after attempting murder on Arya. I will show them how well The North remembers." Robb bits back.
Eyes still close with her back facing them, Arya frowns then, trying very hard to think of something or anything at all to solve this problem. Offering herself to fight in her trial will never be a choice. She can imagine their horror and rejection of it already. Maybe I can persuade The Hound somehow?
"I understand. But, you're the heir to Winterfell after your lord father. If anything happens during the fight…" the older woman trails painfully.
"If anything were to happen during the fight, mother, it would be The Hound's death and the Lannister twins after." Robb finished.
A set of footsteps echoes next, walking further into the room.
"Ned, perhaps we ought to change the participant." Catelyn voiced out. "There is still time before the trial."
"Mother," Robb calls before the older man gets a chance to say anything but she beats him to it again.
"Robb, as much as I have faith in you, my son, this is bigger than you think. We have to think about the consequences. You're the true heir to Winterfell and you're too valuable to be put in front." She argues, a slight annoyance comes through her tone. Arya shares the same sentiment.
The silence stretches inside the room as her mother's word lingers.
"Robb." Ned suddenly calls making the young man startled. "Are you certain you can win against Clegane?"
"Ned?" Catelyn calls back in protest.
Arya slowly turns around to face the four people inside the room. Her gaze lands on her mother and father who are staring at each other silently, though their eyes scream anything but. After seems like forever her father makes the first move to look away, only to catch Robb' gaze again, waiting. He cannot be seriously letting Robb fight, can he?
Robb shifts his stand while clenching both his fist tighter, probably to boost his self-confident. He did it with subtlety and Arya doubt that anyone present would notice but she did. "Yes, father. I'll make sure of it." He finally replied.
Arya wants to laugh then, though there isn't really anything amusing to laugh at. But seeing the tension in the room, she thought better of it. She loves Robb dearly, but he doesn't have a chance against The Hound. No one can beat the scarred and capable man. Well, just one. Brienne of Tarth did it once. It was quite a fight at that time and she wonders where the woman might be at this very moment. Her thoughts get distracted when voices fly around her again.
"Father, I don't think it is wise." Jon finally decides to speak up, moving closer to the older man. "You've seen us fight…and you know I'm a better fighter than Robb is. Let me do it instead." He finished.
Robb quirks his brow. "Trying to steal all the glory to yourself, brother?" his tone laced with sarcasm. Jon turns around to face him.
"There's no glory in this, only justice. And I intend to deliver it to The Queen and her lover." He replied evenly.
Robb holds his gaze. "Then, I'm glad we're on the same page."
Arya cannot help herself when she chuckles humorlessly at their exchange. "Justice?"
She doesn't expect anyone to hear her, but the silence creeping in has stretch long enough for Arya to notice that they are all staring at her, finally realizing her presence inside the room. She stares back at each one of them, before stopping at Robb and Jon. "The only justice would be Cersei and Jamie Lannister received their well-deserved punishment." She speaks her mind. Barely keeping her anger, she continues. "No one has to die for them but themselves. This trial here is a farce. The King is too damn coward to swing the sword himself. Hell, he can't even deliver the sentence when the obvious evidence is presented in front of his fat ass." She finished in one breath, shifting her eyes to her father last.
Everyone stared at her with a mixture of expression. Her mother and Jon looks startled. Robb merely arches his eyebrow, studying her and her father looks angry, which surprises her.
"Arya." Ned starts. His mouth set in a thin line. "You will not talk about The King in that manner again. You will not disrespect him. Do you hear?" he asked sternly.
Arya clenches her jaw tight, eyes burning with fury. She cannot believe her father's reaction. "I'm sure my manner is not at the front line of the situation we're currently in right now, father. Robb is signing up for his death, and you're going to let him?" she asked back. Her father looks taken aback by her response but he pulls himself back together.
"Arya Stark." He calls again. His voice slightly raised. The tension inside the room only grows. "You will mind your manner and never disrespect The King again." He told for the second time, dismissing her question. "Do you hear?" he stares down at her, unrelenting and clearly waiting for the young girl to answer.
Instead, Arya stares back silently. The fire inside her burns brighter and her chest rises and falls in a ragged manner. Her mouth twitching, trying to hold herself from uttering the words that she is sure she will regret it later.
Knowing that she can never talk her way through him, Arya turns around and walks out not minding the door when it bumps onto the stone wall, creating a loud thump behind her. She proceeds along the hallway in long strides. Her eyes burning with unshed tears of frustration with everything that happened with her father, the Lannisters, The Hound and Robb.
This is not supposed to happen!
And while her mind is busy reeling and throbbing of everything, she finds herself standing right in front of the weirwood tree inside the Godswood. She doesn't notice how she got here, but it seems her feet has taken a mind of its own.
The Gods face is staring back at her silently, mocking her, or so she thinks.
"Why?" her voice comes out so soft that she even barely hears it herself. But, the Gods clearly heard her when suddenly the wind blows from nowhere, slapping her face.
The sound created from the gushes of wind against the leaves irks her. It's as if they are taunting and laughing at her.
"Why?!" her voice is loud now, trying to win against the wind. "Why would you bring me back here if you're going to take them away again, one by one?!"
The wind stops abruptly and it's gone in a heartbeat. Her question is left unanswered and she cannot help feeling defeated.
*
Arya had been sitting by the Heart Tree for what felt like hours and it was – it had been over three hours. The sun had faded considerably and was fast approaching night. She had so much going on in her head that she just shut down the world around her.
When Jon comes running, panting hard with a relief look over his face, Arya merely stares back ahead, continue with her train of thoughts. She doesn't even realize that he is leading her back to her chamber. The next thing she knows, the soft mattress is against her back and the warmth of the fur engulfs her body. She sighs softly, feeling content and suddenly feels very tired. Her eyes close and within seconds, she has wandered off into a peaceful slumber.
But, as fast as it came, her sleep comes to its end when her eyes flutter open by themselves. A tray of food is the first thing she sees, sitting by the bedside table, left untouched. She turns around then, her back against the mattress and her face up.
The candles are out. The only light is coming from the fireplace where the pine burns, providing a dim light around her room. The crackling sound is music to her ears and she lets herself lost in it.
But, as her ears catch a set of footsteps echoing outside her room, she brings herself back in alert, ready. The door creaks then and she flutters her eyes close again, feigning sleep, knowing that she will have the upper hand if the intruder doesn't expect her to be fully awake.
The footsteps are calm and hesitant which she has trouble in recognizing. When it is approaching close to her bedside, it stops suddenly. It has stretch long enough and she wonders if she is dreaming of it all. But, it soon proves otherwise when her bed sink slightly acknowledging a new set of weight. In any other day, she would have open her eyes and launch an attack at whoever it is. But, somehow she doesn't feel the need to do that. Somehow, it felt safe.
Her instinct is proved right when the said person sitting by her bedside lets out a sigh. She instantly recognizes him. It's her father. When he reaches out to her hand later, it only strengthens her conclusion.
He doesn't say anything, just caressing her small hands against his larger ones. The warmth is comforting and it nearly brought her back to slumber.
"Sleep well, my child." His voice soft, entering her ears and then she feels his kiss on her forehead before he walks out, closing the door with a soft thud.
Arya opens her eyes then, staring at the closed door as if no one had been coming in here. She pushes herself up, swinging her legs over the bed before reaching for the tray of food and caught a hard bread.
As she bites into it, her mind has settled on a decision. She will not let either Robb or Sandor die in the trial.
*
"Are you sure that's wise?"
A voice suddenly appears out of nowhere making Sandor choked his drink. He coughs violently as tears build up inside his eyes. His voice echoes around the courtyard where he has taken refuge. The light shining through the gaps of the walls, slowly filling the entire place with its warmth. It was still early for people to start the day and he thanked The Gods for that as he can't stand another living being at this very moment.
Focusing on his burning throat, he takes another gulp of wine out of his waterskin to help to settle the pain. He finally looks up to the person who had to creep up on him and finds a young girl staring at her with her clear grey eyes. He recognizes her in an instant.
"What do you want, wolf-girl?" he growled, taking another sip of his wine.
Arya stares back calmly, unbothered. "We have good food, you know. You need only ask." She replied.
"Sod off."
"I don't think being drunk all the time is a smart move."
Sandor stands up from where he was seated, marching towards her in three long steps. Arya stays rooted at her spot as he bends down to her face. His breath hot on hers.
"I said sod the fuck off." He threatened.
"This is my home. I can stay wherever I like." She countered.
Sandor glares and grunts before turning around, walking away.
Arya decides to slowly follow him at a pace. She watches silently from his back when he takes yet another sip from his waterskin. They are walking in a harmonious stride, separated with only a few meters between them. But then, Sandor stops and turns around abruptly, facing the young girl.
"Is there something you'd like to say to me?" he asked, frustration in his voice. Arya stares back silently, debating inside her mind.
"Well then, go on. Don't let me stop you." He urged, grumpily.
Taking a deep breath, she walks closer towards the scarred man and stops just a mere inch away.
"I want to know why you're fighting for the evil bitch Queen." She said back.
Sandor raises an eyebrow with a ghost of a smile on his face, clearly not expecting foul words coming from such a young girl. "It's none of your concern."
"In case you haven't heard; she and her twin brother tried to kill me."
"You said that like I give a damn."
Arya clenches her fist tight, trying hard to keep the hurt from showing. "How much money does she give you? I will pay you more." She offered.
They stare silently for a while, searching and studying each other, accompanying by only the sound of their breath when suddenly, Sandor lets out a hearty chuckle.
"You're a fierce one. I give you that." He said with a glint of amusement in his eyes. Without waiting for a reply, he turns around and walks away, leaving her with a trail of laughter.
This time Arya doesn't even bother to follow him again.
*
The long-awaited day has finally arrived. It has become a hot topic of the folks in Winter Town as the trial by combat will be taken place there. It is not an everyday occurrence where The Queen is facing a trial let alone in Winter Town, this side of the North.
It's still rather early, but it doesn't make a difference for Arya as she never gets to rest her eyes anyway. She walks out of her room then and proceeds to the familiar hallway. Knocking the intended wooden door before Robb comes into her view. With his obvious eye bag, it looks like he didn't get any rest either.
"Arya, what's wrong? Is everything alright?" he asked, studying his little sister and glancing around the hallways for any trouble.
"You mean, apart from you going to fight The Hound in a few hours and may get seriously injured in the process or possibly dying? Yes, everything else is okay." She counters. Robb's face softens.
He lets the door open wider for her to enter and Arya slips in. He takes a seat on his bed while she stands not far from him, her arms across her middle.
"Arya," he calls, making the young girl stares at him. "I'm going to be fine." He continues with a forced smile. She sighs.
"Can you at least look like you meant it?" she asked softly. Robb chuckled.
"Do I look that bad?" he asked back. Arya nods truthfully.
He stands up then, standing right in front of her. "I'm going to be fine, Arya." He said again with a genuine smile this time, gripping both her shoulders tight in a comforting manner. Arya forces a smile at that.
"I suppose you have a plan then?" she waits expectantly. Robb only raises his brow looking lost.
"Well, I'm going to fight him. Isn't that obvious?"
Arya closes her eyes tightly, taking a deep breath, calming her nerves.
"How do you plan to do that, Robb? The man is twice your size and strength."
"He's not that big."
Arya ignores his last statement before continue. "You need an advantage against him. Do you know his weakness?"
"He has one?"
"Yes, he does. Everyone does." She counters. Robb looks away, thinking hard.
"I don't know. I don't have time to study his moves or anything." He finally said.
"Fire."
"What?"
"Fire. He's afraid of fire." Arya said again softly. Somehow, it doesn't feel right to expose it to Robb.
"How do you know that?"
"I heard someone talking about it." She replies, her heart digs painfully at the lie. Robb looks pass her in deep thought.
Seconds pass and then minutes before he finally breaks away from his thought.
"Thank you, I'll put that information into good use." He said with a slight smile before turning serious. "You don't have to go to the trial."
Arya blinks hard. "What?"
"Father doesn't want you there."
"But, it's my trial."
"It's alright. You don't have to be there."
"I want to be there." She said evenly. Robb sighs tiredly.
"Arya, can you please just listen to father this one time?"
Arya closes her eyes then, nodding reluctantly. Her lips sealed in a thin line and her face looks defeated. Robb closes in and reaches for her, wrapping his arms around his little sister.
"Do you want me to get anything for you from Winter Town?" he asked softly against her ears. He feels her head shake against his chest as she tightens her arms around him.
*
Walking back to her room and waiting there is torture. The fight should start any moment now and she is still stuck inside her room. Going out through her door is not an option as her father has placed two guards there to keep watch on her, in case she fled.
One way or another, she will get out of this room. She has plans. First, to not let Robb and Sandor fight, well at least to not let them seriously injured each other. Second, to punish The Queen herself. They will never see it coming. The evil bitch will certainly not.
Arya glances over the open window then, finally deciding what she should do next. She is about to climb over it when a knock against her door stops her.
"Arya, it's me. Open up." A familiar voice said behind the door. She sighs before turning around to open the door. Sansa comes in without an invitation.
"I can't wait alone in my room so I thought of coming here." She explains absentmindedly, not before landing herself on the bed. But, the younger girl is too busy calculating her climb down.
"Where are you going?" Sansa's voice slightly raises as she finally realized Arya's attire of breech and tunic.
Arya turns around in alarm. "Keep it down Sansa, or the guards will hear." she hissed, closing into the said girl. "I just wanted to go to the Godswood…to pray. I can't stand waiting here doing nothing." She continues, explaining herself. "Can you keep watch for me? Don't let anyone come in here until I get back?" She pleads. Sansa looks confused and stunned that she's lost of words to answer.
Arya takes advantage. "Thank you, Sansa, I'll make it short," she said dismissing her sister before climbing over the window and down the crooked walls. Within moments, she reaches the ground and gives a wave of goodbye at Sansa who stands with her mouth open by the window.
Turning around, Arya runs silently and swiftly through the courtyard and then towards the South gate. There are fewer people in Winterfell making it easier for her to sneak out. As soon as she gets past a guard who is too busy chatting with a servant girl by the gate, the cold air welcomes her. Her thin garment doesn't help much in providing the needed warmth. But, she cannot argue with it as it helps her moves faster. A cloak will only get in the way.
She keeps running through the woods and stops just in front of a tree. If it was anyone else, they would think it was just an ordinary tree. It is. However, that is not the secret. The secret lies within its trunk.
She slides her hand through the hole and reaches for a bow and arrow that she had hidden prior last night. She slings the quiver of arrows around her shoulder and holds the bow. A piece of small cloth ties around her face, covering her nose and mouth.
Without wasting any more time, she dashes through the woods like a wolf. Ducking and jumping around the wild leaves and rocks and the roots. The beginning of the commotion of the people from Winter Town can be heard and she knows she's nearing the edge of the forest.
And sure enough, a few moments later, the roar of the crowd greets her ears. Her eyes catch the sea of people gathering around, cheering for the Hound or Robb, she isn't sure. She has to go higher for a clearer view.
Ignoring the chaos surrounding her, she strides towards an inn that she's sure is high enough to look past the gathered crowd. She starts climbing effortlessly until she reaches the roof. As she crouches on top of it, a flaming sword catches her eyes first.
It was Robb's and surprisingly he is leading against Sandor. It looks like he can almost win this. Arya grips her bow tight, debating if she should just let him be.
No, there is only one person that should die today.
And that person is standing down there, right across the other side from her father, mother, and Jon.
Ever so slowly, she stands up. Her stance relaxes and her back straight as she reaches for an arrow at the back of her quiver. She nocks it before raising and drawing the bow towards her face. With an arrow pointed ahead, she finds her target and holds her breath.
Cersei is smiling as she comes into view and Arya knows something has happened with Robb. At the corner of her eye, the burning sword is nowhere in sight. Without wanting to waste any more time, she releases her breath and the arrow escapes through her fingers at the same time.
The arrow flies down, splitting through the air and find its way straight into Cersei's heart. A scream from the crowd echoes next, successfully stopping the fight. The Kingsguards are moving swiftly around The King, protecting him.
A look of shock and horror cross Cersei's face as she glances down at the arrow planting deep inside her chest. As she falls down to the cold ground, Arya was sure that emerald eyes had looked up, noticing her. But it was of no use, the former Queen had long gone before she can do anything about it.