In which every action have its consequences.
*Year 298 After Conquest(AC) - New Past*
The cold wind swept by, making a few strands of her hair loose around the knot. It ends up caressing her face in an orderly manner. Arya knew she should turn around and disappear as soon as her arrow finds its mark. But instead, she held her ground. She had to be sure that her brother is unharmed.
Ignoring the chaos below, she looks down to find Robb among the sea of people. It was a challenge as the folk from Winter Town are scattering and running around the place as if it was raining fire when instead it was only one wooden arrow that fell upon them.
She had to squint her eyes to find the one she was looking for. Cersei's body is lying on the cold ground where she last stand. Her brother, Tyrion looking down at her rigid body from not far, probably still stunned by the arrow firmly planted on her chest.
She glances to another side and an auburn hair catches her eyes then. In an instant, it leads to a thick red-brown hair which is Robb's. Her mother is kneeling down beside Robb where he was lying down. Not far from them, Jon is standing face to face with The Hound, bridging the two fighters in between.
She lets her eyes wander back to Robb and sighs in relief when he shows a sign of life while trying to get up on his own. He looks fine without any serious injury though she cannot positively sure accessing him from up here.
A sudden chill comes then, making the hair on the back of her neck standing at ends. She trails towards her family one by one when her gaze finally stops at her father. Her body stiffens as her father locked eyes with her. His grey eyes much like her own are studying her inside and out and Arya cannot help feeling nervous and anxious at the same time.
She is tugged out of her nerves when suddenly a familiar sound of an arrow splitting through the air comes into her ears. Arya's head snapped towards the side where an arrow is indeed travelling and coming right at her. Her body reacts almost instantly, sidestepping the marked path. But, it becomes a second too late as the sharp steel cut through the flesh of the corner of her right arm.
She hisses in pain as she stumbles over the roof due to her lost footing. Deciding that this is no place for her to linger anymore, she gets up and jumps over the roof just before a second arrow finds her again.
The air splits in half as she runs away into the woods once more. Her breath is the only thing accompanying her journey back to Winterfell. She stops by the large tree to hide her quiver of arrows and the bow back inside its trunk where it belongs. Taking a glance behind her, there is no sign of life or whatsoever that had followed her. Though, it never means that she can rest.
Still panting hard, she wastes no time and begins to run again. As silent as a shadow, she sneaks inside the South Gate of Winterfell just as before.
The climb to her chamber is drawing the last strength that she has and she curses inwardly of her weaker younger body. It seems she will need more training on that. When she finally reached on top, she climbs over the open window and lands unceremoniously on the hard floor. She is still panting hard while trying to calm her nerves when suddenly a hand grip her shoulder.
With the adrenaline still rushing in and her senses on alert, her body reacts automatically at the foreign source. She grabs the hand away, twisting it before pinning the person against the wall. Her knife ready on the person's throat.
Vivid blue eyes are staring back in confusion and horror at the emotionless steel grey ones.
"Ar-Arya. Wha-what are you doing?" the voice trembled against the younger one's face.
Arya lets her eyes wander around her captive. Her thick auburn hair caught her eyes first and then her familiar face. She blinks hard when she finally realized it was her sister, Sansa. In an instant, her hand drops and she backs away, leaving the older girl the space that she needed.
"I- I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else." She said in remorse. Sansa frowns while rubbing her neck repeatedly.
"Did I hurt you?" Arya asked, concerned when Sansa only stares back silently, confusion and shock still visible on her face.
"Who did you think I was?" Sansa asked back instead. Arya turns around then, putting the knife on the bedside table before taking a seat at the edge of the bed.
"No one. It's just a reflex, I guess." She said, shrugging her sister's question.
Silence creeps in as her last words linger around, giving Arya the opportunity to revisit what she had just done.
She did it. She had killed Cersei Lannister.
Valar morghulis.
She's sure the arrow had hit the former Queen right in the heart and she knows where the heart is like the back of her hand. With the dreaded woman now gone, everything will be fine. Her family will be safe now, wouldn't they?
Yes, they will.She will make sure of it by any means necessary.
"Arya!" Sansa shouts conveniently at her ear. Arya flinches, snapping her head at the source who is sitting beside her now. When did her sister come, she did not realize.
"What?" she asked, frowning.
"I asked you what happened," Sansa said exasperated.
"What?" Arya asked again looking completely lost. Sansa looks annoyed by now and her hand ends up tugging the younger girl's arm.
Arya hisses in pain at the movement, glancing down where an arrow from one of the Kingsguard had slashed her right arm. Her cloth ripped open and so did her flesh.
"Sorry. But what happened to you? How did you hurt yourself?" Sansa speaks up. Her face mixed with concern and disbelief.
Arya stands up then, pulling off her stained clothes. "I guess Bran won't be seeing this anymore." She commented and throws it onto the fire.
"Arya!"
She sighs. "It's nothing, Sansa… I tripped and fell onto a sharp-edged rock thus cutting myself."
The older girl looks at her little sister incredulously. She lets out a sigh of defeat before walking towards the bleeding girl by the fire. Silently and gently, she pulls Arya's good arm towards the bed, making the younger girl sits while she rummaged through her room to find what she needs.
They fall into a comfortable silence as Sansa comes back and begin to clean the bloodied arm.
"Sansa," Arya calls softly. The older girl stops her action, looking evenly at her little sister. "You won't tell anyone about this, will you?"
Sansa looks down to the now clean wound, bandaging it close as she contemplates whether she should. Her little sister cannot seem to escape from trouble, especially from not getting wounded. First, it was the stabbing and now this. It's like she is collecting scars all over her body.
She sighs again. "I will not." She settled, but Arya still looks at her with those eyes, wanting more. "I promise."
*
It had not been long when a commotion was starting to build up outside the room. Arya has donned a fresh new dress now, and her injured arm is taken care of, thanks to Sansa. The older girl seems restless as she eyes the door and her sister repeatedly.
"I think they are back. Perhaps we should go and see?" she asked, clearly distracted by what's going on outside. Her face clouds with fear.
Arya walks closer to her sister then, reaching for her hand. She can almost feel her rapid pulse. "You should not worry. I have a feeling that everything went well." She assured with a small smile.
Sansa made a pause as if she is about to say something but a man barges into the room beats her to it. Both the girls snap their head at the intruder before them.
"Father!" Sansa shouts with relief, marching towards the older man. Ned's eyes flicker towards his youngest daughter first before registering his older one.
"Father, is Robb alright? Please tell me he is." Sansa asked exasperated. Arya moves closer to them as Ned put a rare smile on his face. The genuine smile he saves for his children.
"Yes, your brother is as fine as he can be. Nothing too severe." He answered kindly. Sansa sighs in relief but it only lasted a second.
"I suppose The Hound lost then." She murmured mostly to herself. Ned glances towards Arya again, meeting with similar grey eyes.
Arya stares on impassively as they both study each other. For some unknown reason, she feels exposed under his gaze.
"No my child, he's fine too." he finally said back. Sansa frowns, trying to put the pieces together.
Ned saves her the trouble when he speaks up again. "Someone interfere with the trial and murder the queen instead."
Sansa gasps loudly, covering her hand over her mouth. "The queen is dead? That- that is horrible."
Arya looks away fisting her hands tight.She deserves it. It's her or us. It's her or us. It's her or us.
She keeps chanting them inside her head like a prayer.
"Arya."
The young girl breaks away from her trance and turns around to find her father looking down on her. Sansa is nowhere to be seen inside the room.
"Yes, father." She answered softly.
Ned opens his mouth to say something but stops short. He lets out a kind smile instead, moving close to caress the girl's cheek gently. "Come, let's see how Robb fares."
Arya nods absentmindedly and obediently walks outside the room with her father.
*
As night falls, the news of Cersei Lannister's death has spread like wildfire around the North. Ravens keep flying in and out of Winterfell. Robert and Ned had spent their time mostly behind closed doors attending to letters and all sort of other things that Arya can only guess. There had been a simple ceremony for the late queen later that evening and the King had instructed an entourage to return her body to Casterly Rock.
The fact that Jamie Lannister and his brother Tyrion suddenly vanished didn't help either. The other twin was said to have escaped since the king detained him for further questioning, while the trial was happening. Tyrion, on the other hand, was last seen on the ground of Winter Town. The common folks were already starting to whisper about the strange circumstances.
Arya looks down to her untouched food. Her other family were sitting around the dining table enjoying their supper rather in silence. But, her mind was far from silence and peace. There are too many things to consider now that she had eradicated the evil woman. She had told herself plenty of times that her action was necessary. The woman was the source of all bad things that happened or in her case, will happen to her family. And she would do much more than just killing to ensure her family's safety.
"What will happen to Prince Joffrey, father?" Sansa's voice breaks the silence in the dining hall, successfully earning everyone's attention.
"He's no prince now. Just Joffrey Waters. Better get used to it." Robb interrupts, casually putting a hard bread inside his mouth.
"The King has decided to send him away to the Umbers, as a ward," Ned answered gently.
"And what of Myrcella and Tommen?" Bran asked timidly. Ned glance over his son for a moment before speaking again.
"House Royce and Blackwater respectively."
Silence settles in then, leaving the others to their own thoughts. But, Ned decides to speak up again.
"The King will be taking leave in two days' time." he trails, exchanging a look with Catelyn before continue, "And I will be his new Hand."
At the word, Arya's head snapped to the head table so fast, it nearly twisted.
"You're going to King's Landing?" Bran asked eagerly.
"Yes, along with you and your two sisters," Ned answered, smiling fondly at Bran. Sansa was thrilled by the looks of it.
But all Arya could feel was dread. The incident at the Red Keep where Joffrey was calling for her father's head and Sansa's wailing came flashing through the back of her mind uninvited. She didn't realize she had stood up rather abruptly, making the chair squeak loudly inside the great hall.
Everyone was looking at her expectantly.
"You cannot go there!" Her voice came out desperate. Ned looks at her, frowning.
"Arya – "
"It's too dangerous, father. The Lannisters are still out there. And we have a whole month to travel to King's Landing. They can attack us on the road or send assassin for revenge as they did once with me. We cannot leave Winterfell. It's not safe there in the South." Arya finished, gasping for air afterwards. Everyone blinks hard as her words sink into their system. Ned shared a look with Catelyn before settling on his youngest daughter once more.
"Arya – "he tries but again, he was interrupted.
"Father, please listen to me. We cannot leave Winterfell." Arya said exasperated.
"Child, it will be alright. The King has enough men to escort everyone safely throughout the journey." Ned counters. "I promise we will be safe."
Arya looks down, her hand gripping tightly against the edge of the table. She tried very hard not to shout at him. Voicing out on how he should not make a promise so casually, how stupid and naïve of him to think that the King's men were enough to protect them.
A horrible sound of metal meets flesh entered her memory and she shivers involuntarily. She cannot handle her father execution again. True, there will be no more Cersei and Joffrey there, but nothing good will ever come by going to the South. She doesn't think she has the strength and the will to go through this again. They cannot make me!
"I don't want to go!" she shouts defiantly and turns around before making her exit.
She heard faint calling of her name from behind, but she could care less. Continuing her strides, she arrived at her room in record time. She lands herself down on the bed. Her ragged breathing sounding loud to her ears. Not a moment after, a knock can be heard.
"May I come in?" her father's voice came next. He didn't wait for her answer though and decides to let himself in anyway.
He takes a seat beside her, making the mattress sinks further. Silence engulfs them as both waits for each other to speak up. Arya was contemplating to tell him everything right then. About the time travel and that she was the one who had killed Cersei. It was really inviting at this very moment. Maybe then her father would really listen.
Ned let out a soft sigh. "Arya, if you wish to stay, then I will not force you to come with me," he said. Arya looks to her side then, searching for his eyes.
"I don't want you to be the King's Hand." She voiced out, almost pleading.
"It's a great honour to serve as the Hand." He stated.
Arya tries very hard not to chuckle at his comment. Honour means nothing to a dead man.
"I had a dream, father." She trails. Ned looks at her curiously. "In that dream, you were being dragged forcefully to the Red Keep. You hurt your leg, so you could not escape. And so the guards push you forward to be presented to the folks. They were shouting and cheering. And they were calling for your head. Kneeling before them, you were helpless to stop the executioner from using your sword, Ice. As was I. I cannot do anything as the blade came down upon your neck." She said in a hollow voice. Ned blinks hard to process what she said.
"I don't want to lose you again, father. I don't think I can survive it this time." she continues, her eyes were beginning to cloud by unshed tears.
If Ned notices the strange use of words that Arya used, he gave no comment. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her tightly, leaving no space between them.
"Arya, my child, you will never lose me as long as you keep me inside your heart." He whispers softly, stroking her back in a calm manner. "The day your horrible dream comes true will be the day that when pigs are able to fly, do you hear?" He asked, smiling slightly as he releases his hold.
He looks down on her, waiting for her to answer. Arya forces a smile before she gives a slight nod, earning a kiss at the top of her forehead.
*
It was almost dawn as Arya arrives at her solitary place. She never had a chance to rest her eyes after her father's visit. And so she decides to come here instead, in the Godswood. The heart tree was almost glowing from the moon's dim light. She stood by the tree, staring fiercely at the Gods face.
On the morrow, at this same time, she will depart to King's Landing along with her Father, Sansa and Bran. She knows she had shout her opinion to not go there again, but who is she kidding. She cannot leave them all alone in the damn South. All troubles start from that stinking part of the city. The others would be safe in Winterfell. She hopes so.
It breaks her heart to be separated from her family again, especially Jon. At least he will not be leaving to take the black. Robb will need his support. Rickon will have her mother's undivided attention now that her younger children are away.
She shivers as the wind came brushing pass her suddenly, making a few noises along the way. Looking up to the Gods face, she leaned on the trunk and shut her eyes. A sense of deja vu was filling her. But, it goes as quickly as her consciousness began to slip away.
~~~
*Year 304 After Conquest(AC) - New Future*
The first thing she felt was the throbbing inside her head. The next thing was the awful smell of rot, piss and blood. Her back sore from the cold and hard ground or bed she was laying on, she wasn't sure. These were all feeling foreign but somehow the disoriented and nausea feeling she has is familiar. She opens her eyes then, studying the little room she's in. A ray of light is shining through the small opening from on top of the wall and onto the metal bars.
Arya sits up then, instantly regretting her action as a wave of pain shot inside her head. She grunts in response and automatically curled herself inward. Her hands at the side of her head, clutching hard. It was like her brain is being ripped apart from within her skull.
After a moment, the pain becomes bearable. Arya tries to sit up for the second time. She looks around in panic at the small place she was currently in. The stone walls at her side and behind her is only an arms-length and in front, is indeed metal bars. It looks like she's in a cell of some kind.
She swallows dryly, making her throat itch. As she reaches up to her neck, panic starts to crawl in as her hand comes upon a chain tightly against her skin.
What the hell is happening? Why am I in chain?!
She wanted to scream but all that comes out is a groan. She tries a few times again to make words but to no avail. At her frustration, a guttural sound that sounded like a growl comes out instead, which shocks her beyond reach. She stops her action immediately and tries to recall back how she got here. The last thing she remembered was the Heart Tree in Winterfell. She remembers falling asleep there and now she wakes up in here, wherever here is.
All the while, she tried very hard to put the pieces together that she did not realized there were people walking to her appointed cell.
"You are making a big mistake by doing this. You don't know who I am and what I am capable of." The voice echoed. Arya looks up in surprised to find two men dragging a woman forcefully.
Her eyes linger at the hair a little while longer for her hair is of silver-white. A strange colour which Arya rarely see.
"Oh? Enlighten us then." one of the gruff men said, halting their movement. The woman straightens her shoulders and looks up at the men.
"I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Unburnt, Mother of Dragons and Breaker of Chains." She said in one breath. Threats evidence in her voice.
The men eyed each other and the woman with many titles repeatedly before breaking into a fit of a laugh. Arya can see the woman flinched at the loud sound echoing inside the place.
"The only thing you will ever be is our master's little whore." The man commented after calming himself.
They proceed to drag her to their original way and it was close to where Arya was until they indeed stop right in front of her metal door. One of the men unlocked the door, making the sound of chain echoing through the place. The other man shoves the silver-haired woman inside roughly before locking the door again.
"Well, if you are not ripped apart by Accalia first." The gruff man commented suddenly, earning a chuckle from his companion.
They both walk away muttering to themselves leaving the two behind. The silver-haired woman back was in front of Arya, probably not realizing another presence inside the cell.
"Let me go this instant or you will suffer the consequences!" she shouts angrily, trying hard to get the men's attention. The metal door bangs against its hold, creating a loud rattling noise.
Arya winced at the sound as it only worsens her throbbing inside her head. She clutches her head in response not noticing she's growling again, loudly enough for the silver-haired woman to stop her action.
As the noise fades away, Arya let out a small sigh. She looks up to find that the foreign woman is watching her with frightening looks over her face. But all Arya can see is those beautiful pair of violet eyes.