AN: The flashback continues until half of the chapter.
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In which the she-wolf reclaims what is hers and realize what she had lost
*Year 299 After Conquest (AC) – New Past (3rd Timeline)*
Almost a thousand Wildlings, men and women, young and old march out of Castle Black.
Five hundred able men gave their words that they would help to fight against the Boltons. They have no place in Castle Black and going back to the north is the reason why they were in the castle in the first place. Eventually, Jon gave them another option – which Arya agreed – that they would be given land to settle in if they aided in defeating the Boltons.
She knew the new addition would bring disputes with the other lords later, but she would deal with that another time. After all, The North is a vast state and she's sure that there is an unoccupied land somewhere that the Wildlings could use.
The sway of her horse lulled Arya into tranquillity despite her mind being anything but. Carrot always is a docile mare and his careful step is one of the many traits of his gentleness. Even with the long hours that they had travelled, she didn't feel sore – even Carrot doesn't show signs of fatigue yet. And the fact that she can't feel her legs probably contributed a big part of it. At least, there is some advantage to being a cripple.
On her left, Jon is trotting near and behind them, Rickon and Osha steadily follow after them on foot. The two were busy chatting with one of the men they had become accustomed to. Jon introduced the red-head as Tormund Giantsbane. She didn't have the luxury to get well acquainted with the guy but judging by Osha relaxing and Rickon's carefree demeanour Arya guessed he was alright.
When they arrived along the coast to Bear Island, there were a few women that leisurely sat by the seas guarding their boats. It was a normal thing to have small vessels ready for visitors that wanted to get across to Bear Island.
Seeing the thousand people marching slowly towards them however made the women stand in alarm, their knives in hand.
Arya stopped when she's finally closed enough. "We meant no harm." She greets them.
Their eyes flicker up at her before they settle onto the crowd behind her again.
"My name is Arya Stark. This is my brother, Jon." when she got the women's attention, she continues. "I seek passage to the island. I was hoping to see Lady Mormont."
"You're in no luck." One of them said, her fingers had loosened her grip on the knife's handle. Though, Arya had no doubt that she would attack once she saw a threat from either of them. "Lady Mormont had gone to Winterfell."
Arya shared a look of befuddlement with Jon at the information. It was impossible that Lyanna Mormont didn't receive the news that Winterfell is in Bolton's hand now. After all, it's been weeks and if Ramsay had sent out a letter to Jon, then he must have delivered his message to all of Westeros.
Judging by Jon's letter, the content of the other letters must be more or less the same. Then, it could mean that Ramsay had called in the bannermen to assure their loyalty. Arya fought the urge to scowl at the fact that Ramsay had somehow managed to threaten The North to submission.
"Hold on…" another woman suddenly come closer. She had sheathed her knife back to her belt. "You're Arya Stark? Ned Stark's daughter?"
"Yes, I am."
The faces in front of her started and grew unbelieving. It lasted a moment longer before they realized what that means. One of them suddenly kneeled and bowed before greeting her properly. Soon, the others follow.
Arya can't help but cringe at how easy they kneel to her. "Rise." She ordered, perhaps a little too quickly.
"But, if Your Grace is here– Lady Mormont had taken all of our forces to join the others…to save you."
*
The cold wind slapped her face relentlessly making her eyes stung and Arya fought the urge to stop and rest. Instead, she leans toward Carrot further as the horse gallops at full speed, understanding that they are still far from their intended destination yet.
Sounds of multiple hooves can be heard from behind and the young Stark chanced a glance to see that Jon and two other men hot in her trails.
After they left the shore, Arya decided to ride ahead; wanting to reach Winterfell and her bannermen sooner. Jon, of course, had insisted that he would go instead but she was having none of it. She needed to see them herself and most importantly to ensure everyone that whoever that Ramsay has is most definitely not Arya Stark. So, she left Rickon and Osha with the remaining Wildlings to catch up after her and Jon.
Only when the light has gone out did they stopped and make camp. This happened for four days, until the fifth where they finally reached the edge of the wolfswood. She instructed the men to stay behind and wait for the others, asking them to remain there until she told them otherwise.
Ramsay could have spies watching over the wood and she didn't want to reveal the additional forces to the enemy before time. With Jon by her side, carefully the two manoeuvred their way through the forest.
Surprisingly, their pathways were easy and no one seems to be there but them. Just to be safer, they took a detour and ride around the castle perimeter until they reached the other side. That action, however, takes them to the first group of men that they encounter. It was too late for them to turn around as the soldiers already noticed the new addition. They were a dozen men, donning full armour and weapons at their side. They were walking towards them in careful steps as if nearing a prey.
"Arya, we should flee now," Jon whispered. Clearly, they can outrun them if they wanted to but then she noticed the armour that the men wore.
"I don't think we should… Look at their breastplate. It's Manderly's sigil." She points out. Before he can say anything, she signalled Carrot to trot closer. "You serve Lord Manderly?" she asked when they're close enough.
The men looked at her with a calculated gaze before one of them step out from the line to address her. "What's it to you?"
"A great deal actually… If you could take me to Wyman, I have something to deliver."
"And what is that, if I may ask?"
"You're looking at her."
*
As soon as they reached the camp where the bannermen settled in, there was no need to introduce herself. Murmurs of shock and confusion of her presence in their camp were understandable and she retold what happened the night the Boltons had attacked and how she eventually got to here. She watched as their eyes changed to fury and complete rage at a certain part of her story even though she kept her tone neutral and her face impassive.
There was a moment of complete silence befalling the camp and only then did she realize at the crowd that had gathered. The mask that she wore almost broke at the men's devastated faces. Did she just deliver the news of their relative's death? Their friend's? Or even their lover's?
She tore away from the grieving faces. "What happened here?" she asked instead. There are more than enough tents being erected for all the men. Despite the obvious cold, everyone seems unbothered by it. The several fire pits that were lit have roasted meat over the flames. Still high up in her horse, Arya can even see a small courtyard made for sparring or some other recreational purpose at each corner of the settlement. It seems that they have been here for quite some time.
"Perhaps we should take this inside." Brynden Tully answered then.
Everyone is more than happy to escape the chilly air and agreed to the suggestion. Robett Glover ushered the soldiers away to their respective duty, while her great-uncle showed her to a tent.
Jon gets off his horse first before he helped her off hers. Sneaking her arms around his neck, he carried her effortlessly and followed after the trail towards the tent.
Being this close with her brother, Arya can't help but notice how worried he looked. "What's the matter?"
His eyes caught hers for a moment before he looked away and eventually say, "Nothing."
Jon was a terrible liar but she didn't get the chance to prod further when they finally entered the tent and he placed her down on the only chair by the table situated in the middle of the space.
Once everyone had gathered, filling the empty spot surrounding the table, she repeated her question.
Wyman Manderly decided to speak first. He told her when he arrived back at White Harborhe received a raven from Roose Bolton who claimed to have successfully taken over Winterfell. He demanded loyalty to House Bolton as the new Warden of the North and that his son had wed the Lady Stark.
There were grunted noises of disapproval echoing around the table as they too seem to have encountered more or less the same unpleasant experience.
"Why hadn't you?" Arya finally speaks up. The silence creeps in as she stared at each one of them. "Why hadn't you sworn fealty to the Boltons yet? They have the castle. They have the backing of the Lannisters and their forces are much larger than all of you combined." Her tone is nothing but curious.
Truth be told, she wouldn't feel betrayed if her bannermen had changed their loyalty. After all, they needed to think of their people and even more so, they had their own family to care for and how they could be threatened with their life.
"We would have, Your Grace." Lord Mazin breaks the silence. When he got her attention, he continued. "We would have bent our knee to the new warden if you approved of it."
"But, when we asked the traitor for an audience with you," Lyanna joins in then. "They refused."
Brynden crossed his arms against his chest. "That's when we think that something isn't right. We have been here waiting for them to show up with you…and now you finally did, on your own." There was a lift at the corner of his mouth as if this whole ordeal is amusing.
She doesn't share the same feeling. "What if I hadn't shown up? What then?" Arya can't believe that they gambled all of their men and themselves just to get approval from her. "The Boltons had flayed man for less reason than what you all did... You risk yourself in hope of – what is it that you hope for?" When the others only looked back at her, stunned, the smouldering inside her chest grew. "Yes, you were brave, I admit that. But, you were also stupid. You're openly taunting the Boltons; settling here despite the cold and hoping for a miracle to happen. Miracle doesn't happen and blunt loyalty gets you killed."
The 'I get you killed' was unspoken but Arya heard it loudest in her head. She didn't notice how tight she fisted her hands or how hard she grinds her teeth. The burning pain inside her heart was greater.
"You are our Queen." Grey orbs flicker to the hazel ones of Lyanna. "Robb Stark chose you and we chose you… I serve no one else but my queen. If I get flayed because of my belief then I would leave this world honourably." The Mormont girl declared with her chin high, daring for Arya to say otherwise.
Lord Hornwood agreed. "Lady Mormont speaks jarringly but she isn't wrong, Your Grace."
"Besides, the Boltons are coward rats… They wouldn't dare attack every single House of the North or else there would be nothing left to rule over." Robett Glover's voice echoed, mocking.
The last comment earned a few chuckles and some more House Bolton's shaming. And just like that, the atmosphere lifts up again. Arya can't help but be affected by it. She can feel the weight inside her chest gradually eased leaving behind a sense of calamity as the voices enveloped her.
"I guess it's decided then…" she trailed, snapping everyone's attention to her. Grey orbs flashed with determination as she looks on. "We have some rats to put an end to."
*
Of course, it is easier said than done.
Winterfell is a strong castle and they have been discussing possible ways to retake the castle for quite some time now and when the candles have been placed inside the tent, the men had only grown restless and still with no adequate strategy.
"We could lay a siege." Lord Hornwood had suggested. "We have enough resources to withstand for months and we can cut their water supply from the river."
"That'll be useless. They have 5,000 men and we only have more or less 2,000 combined."
2,500 men. Arya corrected. She has yet to tell them about the Wildlings and Jon's sideways glance to her acted as a reminder.
"Even if we managed to penetrate the doors, we are still at a disadvantage in numbers." Lord Dustin finished.
Wyman grunted. "Numbers are not the measure of victory, my lord. Or have you forgotten about the Battle of the Whispering Woods? Robb Stark's 18,000 men won against Tywin Lannister's 30,000 men. The odds were in their favour regardless of how much they lack in count."
"Aye, the Boltons had nothing against us. All we need is to attack when they least expected it. We'll get them when they're at their most vulnerable." Lord Glover concurred.
"If we can sneak past them, then that shouldn't be a problem."
"How in the seven hells would thousands of men sneak pass another thousand of men undetected? And every door of the castle is highly guarded. This is just a waste of time. I say we march there right now and kill the bastard and be done with it."
A loud chuckle echoed. "I didn't expect you to be this stupid, Lord Cerwyn. You said yourself that the doors are highly guarded, how can we march inside then? And while you're at it, why don't you announce the Queen's arrival to the bastard as well?"
"That hole of yours hadn't spat any sense either, Lord Dormund… Sneaking past?" he mocked a laugh.
Arya tuned out the rest of the conversation as she glanced beside her to where Jon is standing. He wears a look of discomfort at the now vocal discussion, perhaps expecting swords to be drawn and the men to cut at each other, next. She can't really blame him.
Leaning back, she closed her eyes. As absurd as it may sound, Arya had actually agreed with Lord Dormund. They could sneak the men inside little by little and finish the enemies while they're unaware. Stealth and speed were what she excelled at once. But, these men, on the other hand, didn't have the training or the equipped of an assassin. They are soldiers. They use force and strength instead.
There was a distant howl that interrupts her train of thoughts and she opens her eyes to another howl loud enough for everyone to hear. Even the chatters in the room had quietened down. She wondered if those were Shaggydog's and Ghost's. Or perhaps they were just regular wolves.
A certain gold-eyed direwolf came into her mind uninvited and she clenched her jaw tight at the last image of Nymeria bleeding on the ground impaled with arrows. Arya shakes the awful image away and forced herself to remember the Nymeria that she saw last in the Godswood another lifetime ago. That Nymeria is strong and healthy and well. And she will remember her by that.
A thought suddenly occurred to her.
"I know how we can get in," she mumbled to herself, but since everyone had gone quiet, they heard her loud and clear. "I know a way we can sneak past them… There is an opening, unguarded in the Godswood. The direwolf used to go out and come into the castle through it. If they can get inside, then the opening must be wide enough for men to go through." It is true that she saw them another lifetime ago but, there was a high possibility that the opening existed in this timeline as well.
A beat of silence ensued as her last sentence echoed. Their eyes danced around each other unbelieving.
"Are you sure, Your Grace?" Lord Mazin blurts out.
"Yes, I am. I saw them myself."
Jon shifted at her side. "When did this happen? Why didn't I know about it?"
He sounded nothing but curious but Arya is done being questioned. "Perhaps if you stayed, then you would know." It came out before she can control herself and she pretends she didn't see the hurt crossing his feature but it did its job nonetheless. She addressed the others again. "Have a small group to scour the area around the Godswood first. Search for any holes on the walls or on the ground that are big enough to crawl into. Lord Mazin, if you please?"
"Of course, Your Grace."
"Do it discreetly. We don't want the enemies to find out that we're even there." She advised last. Lord Mazin gave a nod before exiting the tent with determined eyes.
"Once we found that opening, we could send in one thousand men first. They can open the gate for the others." Brynden speaks up then.
"I say we send in all of our men in. Let the Boltons trap inside so they got nowhere to run." Robett countered.
The room buzz with chatters again now that they have some sort of plan. Arya guessed it is time that she tells them about the reinforcement. She leaned forward for their attention. "We'll strike at midnight, where the night is the darkest. Leave one hundred archers with me. We will guard the gates from the outside and finish anyone that might try to escape." The men nods and grunts in approval at that, so she continues. "We will also receive help from five hundred Wildlings. Jon will lead them alongside you when you infiltrate the castle."
The questions begin almost instantly.
"The Wildlings? By the gods, why would they help us?"
Arya calmly answered. "These Wildlings have been forced to leave their home in fear of their lives. They seek shelter from us and in return, they will aid us in this."
Lyanna leans forward, catching grey orbs. "Those savages have been raiding and stealing from Bear Island before I was even born. When they managed to cross the Walls and the bay of Ice, it is my people that have to defend ourselves against their attack. And you've taken them in to provide shelter?" she scowled.
The young Stark gave a look of her own. "They have the men that we need. If we want to win this, then we need them. You know more than I do that even one man can make a difference out there on the battlefield." She glanced to the others before finding the Mormont girl again. "I'm not asking you to accept my decision but whether you like it or not, the Wildlings will fight with us... But if you think you can fight against two fronts then, by all means, go, they're waiting north of the Wolfwood as we speak."
The silence that came after was deafening to everyone. You could drop a needle and hear the sound. Lyanna still had that cold gaze directed at her but Arya can see the subtle shift of the girl's expression.
"We will discuss the Wildlings further after we defeated the Boltons. For now, we wait for Lord Mazin and in the meantime, prepare your men and explain to them of what will happen… Get some rest. We have a long night ahead of us."
The dismissal was apparent and after a series of nods and silence acceptance, one by one leaves the tent until there were only Jon and her left.
"What was that?"
A soft sigh finally escaped her tiredly. "What was what?"
Jon moved to her line of vision. "You were taunting them. What if they decided to attack the freefolk anyway?"
"Well, they didn't."
"You weren't exactly not encouraging them either… You gave the freefolk your word that they will have land to settle in once they help us and yet you didn't even tell the other lords about that. Do you even care about those children and women?"
Her grey orbs stay rooted down at the table as his words echoed the space. Her eyes were looking but not really seeing and the knots in her muscle are beginning to sore from the long hours of sitting down which is why she didn't expect the chuckle that came out in response. "Do I even care?" she mutters to herself. "I don't know, Jon. What do you think?" she finds his gaze calmly.
Jon clearly looked taken aback at the questions directed at him.
When he stayed silent, Arya continued instead. "I don't need to tell you what happened when you force people of your authority. You have the scar as a proof to that…"
"So, you're going to use the Wildlings and then discard them?"
"That's what the other lords seem to believe. That's what I'm going to lead them with."
His frowns only grew. "You're lying then."
"I'm withholding the truth." She shrugs.
"What happens after all this end and they still wouldn't accept the freefolk?"
"I hoped that with the victory and wines down their throat, they would be more receptive of whatever I said."
"And if they still did not?"
"We'll think of something."
A beat of silence pass as they looked at each other. His dark grey orbs were staring at hers with something that Arya cannot decipher. But, the answer managed to satisfy him, at least for the time being. He walks closer to her then. "Come on, you must be tired." He sneaks his arms behind and carries her to a bed – which Arya just realized – situated a bit further inside the tent. "I'm going to ride back and check on Rickon. We need to prepare the freefolk too." He said right after placing her down.
"You shouldn't go alone."
"I'll take someone with me."
Without as much as a glance, he exits the tent and left her there. Arya lay back wondering whose tent did she just took over but the thought soon overpowered by the coldness that creeps in. She doesn't know whether the cold emitted was from the night or from within her. Only when Ghost came through the flaps much later and lay beside her, did she feel warm again.
*
They found the opening.
It was much later at midnight and the camp grew busy at the confirmation of the plan. Men were hushing out orders as to not want to draw that much attention. Even the sound of steels being sheathed and passed around sounded louder.
Arya was waiting for Carrot by her tent as she looked on to the organized chaos the soldiers are accustomed to. She had instructed one of the archers to bring her horse and her own set of bow and arrows. Ghost had been a silence companion ever since.
It was when the archer had returned with his hands full did Jon finally arrived from his own task. He was greeted by the direwolf first as he walks towards them.
"How was Rickon?" she asked when he's near.
"He's alright. Osha will stay with him."
Arya nods, already missing the two by her side. If things go south, at least she's sure the older girl will never let anything happen to Rickon.
"What about the freefolk?"
"They're ready. I need to know where this opening is before I lead them."
"You can find Lyanna… She's about to head there with another group later."
He saw Carrot waiting then. "You're going too?"
"With the archers." Didn't she make herself clear earlier?
"Arya, it's too dangerous… you don't need to be there."
"On the contrary, Jon. I need to go and help."
"But, you're–"
"A cripple?"
He looked offended. "That's not what I meant."
"Useless then?"
"Stop it, Arya."
"I'll stop when you stop treating me like a child."
He goes down on one knee, staring levelly with grey eyes. "But, you are… You may be the Queen but you're my little sister. I'm not going to forget that and I'm not going to let you forget that either." As if to prove a point he reached out and ruffles her hair without mercy.
She glares through messy locks that managed to break free before swatting his hands away. "If you do that again, I'll have to cut all of your fingers."
Jon smirked. "You wouldn't dare."
Her lips twitched. "I very much dare… I would do anything to protect my hair." Jon chuckles at that and they share an easy smile. "I'm going, Jon." It was final and he must have sensed it too because his expression softened, almost defeated. "Now, will you help me with Carrot?"
He finally relented and did as was told. "Be careful." He advised as he strapped the last binding around her leg.
Arya gave an assuring smile. "I'll see you on the other side." She bid and watched him leave.
*
They waited in the dark. The only lights were coming from the torches up at the castle walls across them. The night was quiet except for the time there was a deafening howl echoing through the night air. In the darkness, Arya can clearly see the guards' faces on top of the wall as they murmured among themselves about the occurrence.
Luckily, their visions were limited. Otherwise, they would notice the twenty archers that were with her, hiding behind the trees and waiting at the hunter's gate. The other archers were dispersed to the north gate, east gate and main gate respectively.
She didn't count how much the time has passed since her mind are occupied with worry and anxious of Jon's and the other men's fate. But, she heard the faintest sound of a cry first before it became louder and then grew in numbers. The guards that were stationed at the bridge were also nowhere to be found.
She leaned down to pet Carrot who was amazingly calm despite being in the darkness and the growing chaos inside the castle walls. Reaching for the bow across her chest, she took it out and settled it in front of her. Her movements caused the others to prepare themselves and ready their weapons as well.
As time went by the noise grew louder and more desperate. Arya waited patiently for the door to open, but it still didn't. Not only when the cries sounded nearer and the stomping of multiple hooves can be heard, did it finally crack open.
Her arms moved on their own accord as her eyes caught two horses through the gap. When they revealed themselves, Arya let loose her arrow. As soon as the pointed blade finds the throat of the first men, three more followed from the others and hit the remaining one. The Boltons' men didn't manage to pass through the gate as their bodies slumped and fell to the ground. Their horses escaped the doors without riders instead.
She brought the bow to her face again and let loose another one where it hit another throat of the enemy. With the gate opened, she can see a clear view of the inside where her men and the Boltons are battling each other. She whistled for Carrot to go closer and then let another arrow loose, aiding one of the disadvantage wildlings. He caught her eyes from afar before moving on to the next enemy.
Arya did the same without thinking. She had nock another arrow as Carrot increase its pace at her command. The other archers trailed after her. One by one, the Boltons gasped at the sudden arrow embedded in their flesh before going limp and fell down. She didn't count how many that she had killed and the next thing she realized, she was at the heat of the battle.
Carrot moved swiftly with her command and her arrows keep finding flesh to plant themselves into. All the while, she tried to find Jon but none of the faces is familiar. The only difference that Arya could make was their attire. The Bolton's armour was an apparent flayed man on their chest and the ugly oversize hats that they wore and those were where her arrows had been seeking.
Reaching for another arrow from her new barrel, she released one at the back of the enemy where he fell on top of the man that he just killed. As Carrot manoeuvred his way among the chaos, Arya cleared his way of any possible threat. She was about to release another one when she realized something was coming fast at the corner of her eye.
On instinct, she ducked immediately and felt the swish of splitting air passed by. Carrot whines at the sudden weight changed and at the arrow that Arya had ended up planting near its feet. She cursed under her breath before correcting herself again. Snapping her head to the source, she finds the man who was responsible for Nymeria's death and the death of her people.
Even from afar, Arya can see the obvious smirk that Ramsay wore. His hands were equipped with his own bow and arrow. He was about to release another one but Arya was faster. The sharp blade ended up inside the wooden wall behind him as he moved out of the way in the last moment.
Ramsay turned around and starts to run out of the courtyard then. And Arya waits for nothing before she did the same. Carrot moved to chase after the bastard, not bothering of the men that were fighting each other on the ground and only listened to what she commanded. When Carrot finally reached the Great Keep, Ramsay was already mounting on a horse and galloping out of the east gate.
Arya didn't think twice to start and follow him too. Eyes front, she leaned forward as Carrot ride after him. The cold wind outside felt colder and the night, darker. With the distance growing, the lights from Winterfell grew fainter until there was nothing but the moonlight. She followed until he rides along the Kingsroad and into Winter Town.
There was a new addition at each side of her. A blur of white and black, growling and snarling before they ran pass her and closer to the man in front. Gaining confidence from the direwolves, Arya let go of the reign and reached for her bow. She held her breath as she aimed for Ramsay's back. Becoming one with the sway of her horse, she released her fingers. The arrow flew forward in speed that defeated even Ghost and Shaggydog and ended at the edge of Ramsay's shoulder.
He groaned in pain before stumbling forward at the force. It took only the slightest shift of his body for him to lose control. The next thing she saw, he was halfway out of the saddle and his weight gave in and he crashed onto the ground. His body rolled in the dirt until he stopped while his horse still galloping without him.
Carrot reduced his speed at her signal and finally stopped where Ramsay was sprawling on the ground, still recovering from his fall. His gaze follows his horse that was riding further and further away from them before he snapped to where Ghost and Shaggydog were growling loudly by his feet. He looked up and found her last.
"Your Grace, what a lovely surprise." He greeted, flashing a smile.
Arya said nothing but reaching for another arrow from her side.
"Your Grace… I only did what my father told me to." He moved to sit but the movements trigger the two direwolves and he planted himself back to the ground again. "But, my father is dead now. I'm the Lord of House Bolton. You will have my fealty and my men will be yours." He offered.
Arya nocked it, aim for his left leg and released. As soon as the arrow penetrated his flesh, he cried out.
With heavy breathing, Ramsay chuckled and continued. "Think about your enemies in the South. The Lannisters are still in power… We have to be united to even think about defeating them."
Another arrow found his right thigh. His head falls back as he screamed in agony. It was awhile before he finally able to pull himself together and looked up at her again. "Well? What do you say, Your Grace?"
Still with an arrow, Arya put her bow down and finally looked him in the eye. "Alright, I'll give you another chance."
His smile grew at her words.
"I'll accept your fealty if you cut off your cock and eat it."
The smile faltered. "What?"
"Cut off your cock and eat it." She said in slow motion, mocking him.
When Ramsay didn't respond for a while, Arya released another arrow without warning. It planted right at his crotch. She ignored his loud scream. "There, I've cut it for you. You just have to reach and put it inside your mouth." When he managed to look up at her, he glared with fiery eyes, sputtering a few incoherent words.
Arya aims and released another where it embedded at the same spot. "No?"
His body jerked at the new arrow inside his flesh. His chest rises and fall in quick succession. "You–"
He didn't get to finish his words when another arrow penetrated his throat. Arya looked on silently as he choked in his own blood and the life slowly left his eyes. When she's sure he won't get up again, she turned Carrot around and ride away. Ghost and Shaggydog trailing close behind.
*
*Year 301 After Conquest (AC) – New Past (3rd Timeline)*
Arya exhaled and finally knock onto the wooden door. Exactly five seconds passed before the door opened and Jon emerged from behind it.
"Are you packing?" she greets him.
"I'm nearly done… Do you need something?" he asked. The coldness in his tone was not unnoticed by the young Stark and she decided that she couldn't let him go without clearing the air with her brother.
"I just need to see your face, so that I can remember it when you're gone." She tried with a smile.
Jon sighed. "You sounded like you'll never see me again." Eventually he shakes his head and opens the door wider to let her in.
She wheeled her way inside at the invitation and noticed the neatly packed clothes beside his bags on the bed. "I don't think you'll need thick shirts or the fur coats in Meereen."
Jon gave no response to her comment and when she turned to face him, he had his arms crossed against his chest and his gaze on her. "Are you still mad at me?" He asked after a while. Seeing the young girl only frowns, he continued. "For leaving you after your fall. Are you still mad at me?"
"No, I'm not." She answered almost instantly.
"Then why are you sending me away?"
She looked away, containing a sigh to break free.
"And don't say about how we needed to ally with the Dragon Queen and that she is the only one that has enough force to win us this war… Because you can send anyone other than me to deliver your fancy letter."
"But I don't trust anyone better than I trust you." She caught his determined gaze with her own. "We need the best man that House Stark has and it's you. This is important – Daenerys Targaryen is important… and I trust no one but you to protect her and deliver our proposition."
A beat of silence enveloped them for a while. Jon moved to take the chopped wood and throw it onto the fireplace. The cracking sound of burning entered the room as they watched the fire dance.
"How do you even know she has the dragons and the armies?" He broke the silence.
"I have my resources."
"If she rejected your proposition?"
"She's a Targaryen exiled across the narrow sea. Westeros is her birthplace and she'll need ally once she gets here." Arya said, looking at the fire but really seeing the silver-haired queen that she cared for instead. "It'll be foolish of her to refuse our offer."
Jon sighed again. "Perhaps we should switch places. You're better in this than I am."
Arya swallowed the bitter taste of how much she wanted to do that instead. "The North needs it's Queen, I'm afraid. The Lannisters are still relentlessly attacking our borders and the freefolk are just finally settling in… Besides, you were the Lord Commander. I'm sure you did something right before you got stabbed."
Jon glared at her, but with no heat behind it. "You better have a castle ready for me when I get back… I have sacrificed enough for you and the North." He japed back.
"I'll have one built especially for you."
They shared a smile before she closed in and wrapped his middle in a hug. Jon tightens his hold. She savoured the warmth of him before she could get the chance to do this again in a long time.
He left at sunrise the next day with his entourage heading to White Harbor.
Two days later, Sansa walked through the main gate with Sandor Clegane by her side. Arya welcomed them with a smile and the older girl broke down in her arms.
*
*Year 304 After Conquest (AC) – New Past (3rd Timeline)*
"Are you alright?"
Arya looks to her right where Sansa is looking at her.
"You look pale." She continued, her blue orbs scanning the girl up and down searching for any discomfort.
"Just a bit cold." Arya dismissed and looks back in front.
There were waiting in a line at the courtyard. Rickon was at her left and the other occupants of Winterfell had been standing in formation behind her, waiting patiently for the arrival of their guest. Arya, on the other hand, had her stomach turn to knots while she waits for a certain silver-haired woman to walk through the main gate.
They had been communicating via letters over the years from the moment that Jon had convinced the dragon queen of the North's allegiance until the dragon queen had set sailed to Westeros with her armies and finally defeated the Lannisters and taking over the crown with the aid of the northern army as well. This will be her first visit to Winterfell and Arya had been dreaming about this moment for a long time. Not to mention that Jon will finally be coming home after three years.
"Do you need more furs?" Osha's voice cuts through from behind.
"No Osha, I don't need more furs." She would look ridiculous with an infinite number of furs on her lap.
"More coats then?"
"No. I don't want to look bulky."
"Of course… Wouldn't want to hide all of those curves you got."
A few suspicious cough – which Arya can clearly hear the snickers – echoed from Sansa and Rickon. She rolled her eyes and ignored them.
"How about a scarf then?"
"Shut up, Osha."
"As you wish, Your Grace."
Osha was lucky that she couldn't do anything other than panicking at this moment. Though, Arya vowed to get her back after this ends. The kitchen always needs helps cleaning plates after all.
Her revenge thoughts got interrupted when the horn blew from up the bridge, announcing the arrival of their guest. She straightened up and her gaze didn't tear away from the door opening.
Arya noticed the silver hair almost immediately. As her regal silhouette walked through the gate, her gaze cast around the courtyard before she looked in front and noticed her staring. Daenerys didn't tear away from her gaze until she stopped and stands right in front of her.
"Arya Stark."
Her voice cause Arya's inside to tremble as if they recognized the one thing that made her fall apart. That dreadfully beautiful sound was always a dream too far that she couldn't reach but now Daenerys is here. She could stretch her arms and touch her and the older girl would not disappear.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
The violet orbs in front were clear and kind and Arya could see the depth inside and notice how much it resembled the girl that she once knew another lifetime ago. She opened her lips, trying to utter a word but failed. Her heart felt like it would come out from her throat instead.
There was a flash of another Daenerys where she was looking at her with blood on her face and her violet eyes dimmed of life. It was the image that Arya dreamed most during her bad nights. She pinched the back of her hand hard under the furs and flinched at the pain. Instantly, the image disappeared and replaced by the real Daenerys who was still staring at her curiously and waiting. Luckily for the young Stark, Sansa came to the rescue.
"Welcome to Winterfell, Queen Daenerys. I hope your journey was kind."
Daenerys shifted her attention to Sansa, smiling. "Thank you, Lady Sansa. It was."
Sansa proceeds to introduce Rickon then before someone else walked towards them. "Jon." she exclaimed and meet him halfway before they both engulf in a hug.
"Look at how tall you grew." Jon joked as he looked Sansa over with a smile.
Rickon steps forward as well and wrapped his arms around Jon next, welcoming him.
"You grew too." He commented as he pulled away and reached for Rickon's face tenderly.
When he finally found her watching the whole exchange, Jon walked closer and kneels in front. "And you, little sister…not so much."
Arya smiled anyway and threw her arms around him. "Welcome home, Jon," she whispered, tightening her hold on him. He returned the favour before finally letting go.
"You must be tired." Sansa starts, gaining the guest's attention.
There were about fifty men with horses and wagons. Arya glanced around the group and stops short when she found another familiar face among the royal entourage. She wore a dark yellow long coat and her hair was tied back but the curls are still visible. Missandei's brown eyes noticed her staring and the Naathi instantly lower her gaze in respect, unaware of the emotion behind the grey orbs.
"We've prepared a room for you in Guest Tower. I'm sure you want to settle in… A small feast is also being prepared as we speak and it'll be ready in a while." Sansa finished.
"Thank you, Lady Sansa. Everyone would be overjoyed when they know that they would get drunk today." Daenerys answered lightly.
They shared a smile. "Arya insisted we prepare the best service for you and your men."
It was an invitation from Sansa. Arya knew she should say something. She should greet the silver-haired queen properly now but her tongue froze and she could do nothing but end up staring again. She can feel the frustration from Sansa as she interrupts the long silence with a question to the dragon queen.
At the background, the servants escorted the other men to their respective quarters and Sansa finally left with Daenerys. As Missandei, Jon and Rickon follow close behind, Arya finally able to breathe easy.
She ignored Osha's penetrating gaze from the side and watched Daenerys back disappear inside the castle walls.
*
The sun had fallen and the royal escort was seating in the Great Hall, waiting for the feast to begin. Arya had successfully made a salute, officially welcoming Daenerys Targaryen, the Queen of the Six Kingdoms without making any eye contact with the said person that sat beside her – fearing that she might lose the ability to speak again. The men cheered and begin feasting soon after. All in all, the young Stark deemed her effort as successful.
She chanced a glance at her side where Daenerys was having a conversation with Sansa and looks back in front. It was a bad decision as the sight that lay before her reminded Arya of the last feast that she attended with Daenerys another lifetime ago.
Instead of the happy faces that the men wore, she saw them maimed by swords and arrows. The wine that spilt from their mouth came out as blood. Daenerys chooses that moment to seek her attention and as Arya turned to the older girl, all she can see is the blood that came out from her lips and the knife twisted in her heart instead of the smile she wore.
She excused herself in a hurry and wheeled her way from the High Table without as much as a glance. The chatters flowed around as she passed the men. Arya tried to block the noises and the horrid images, pushing her wheels so fast, she felt her hand hurting and her heart racing.
When she finally managed to get out of the Great Hall, she closed her eyes tight and willed the memories to go away. She pinched her forearm next when that didn't succeed. The short sharp pain made her grunt and for a while, that was the only thing that occupied her mind. She pinched harder, so hard in fact that it might leave a bruise later.
Everything is fine. Everyone is safe. Daenerys is safe. She keeps repeating them inside her mind until her chest rises and fall in normal fashion again.
"Arya, what are you doing here alone?"
She opened her eyes to find Osha down the hallway, walking quickly towards her. "I just needed some air." She lied as the older girl bend down to check on her.
"You're sure?"
Arya nodded and Osha instantly relaxed. "Well then, may I ask you a question?" She straightened up and looked down on her.
"If you insist… Though, I'd rather not hear your nagging on this beautiful night." Arya retorted, already forgetting the cause of why she was out in the hallways in the first place.
Osha continued anyway. "What's wrong with you?"
The young Stark raised a brow. "Is that an actual question?"
"You've been acting weird ever since the dragon queen arrived." She starts, unperturbed. "Staring at her and then not even looking at her when you addressed her… You haven't even greeted her properly. I may be a Wildling but even I know how rude that was. Are you trying to provoke her? Because you may as well succeed by the end of this night if you keep on doing whatever it is you're doing."
"It wasn't that bad. Sansa was there, keeping her company… And the dragon queen wouldn't wage war against us just because I ignored her."
"War had been wage for much less."
"I'm going back inside," Arya replied and turned around to go but Osha easily stopped her track, blocking the path. She had a look on her as the black orbs scrutinize in silence. "What?" Arya asked annoyed.
"Do you fancy her?"
She swallowed a lump. "What?"
"You do," Osha answered herself. When Arya only blinked, the older girl continued. "You fancy her." Osha smiled wide as if she had cracked open a treasure chest. "I've been by your side long enough to know that you never reacted to anyone this way. It all makes sense now… I would've never thought that your taste would be this exotic, little lady."
Arya chocked on her own breath. "Exo–She's not exotic." She chided.
The older girl grinned wider if that's even possible. "This is exciting news, Arya. You shouldn't cower and run away." She moved behind and starts to push the wheelchair.
"Where are you taking me?" Arya asked as her chair gain speed.
"You need to go to Daenerys Targaryen and look her in the face and greet her properly like a proper queen."
Arya can do nothing but let herself be handled by the wildling. They entered the Great Hall once again where the feast was more or less the same when she left it earlier. But when the young Stark looked at the High Table, Daenerys wasn't there anymore. She searched the room and easily noticed the silver hair by the window. Osha seems to notice the dragon queen too because she had already pushed the wheelchair towards that direction.
As they neared, Daenerys finally noticed their presence. She halted whatever conversation she was having with Missandei and turned to the oncoming people. The last thought that Arya had before she was placed directly in front of Daenerys was she's going to kill Osha later.
"Your Grace." Both Osha and Missandei greeted the two monarchs.
"Are you quite alright? You left rather abruptly, earlier." Daenerys greets.
Arya gathered her fist and caught violet orbs, determined. "Yes… I just needed some air." She cheered silently when a complete sentence came out from her lips.
Daenerys let out a soft smile. "I'm glad."
Gaining confidence, Arya continues. "I believe I owe you an apology."
Daenerys quirked her eyebrow. "Do you now?"
The young Stark felt her heart warm by the familiar gesture. "I apologize for being such a bad host earlier. It wasn't my intention to be so…unusual. If I was being honest, I was nervous."
A look of surprise crossed Daenerys feature.
"Aye, she usually gets cold feet around pretty ladies." Osha suddenly joins in.
Arya closed her eyes in irritation, planning where she should hide the older girl's body once she's done with her.
A soft laugh escaped the dragon queen. Missandei at least managed to repressed it and let out a smile instead. "I'm honoured that the she-wolf of Winterfell, the hero of the Siege of Winterfell and guardian of The North was nervous about meeting me... If I'm being honest, I was nervous too."
The young Stark found Daenerys gaze once more. "My apologies again, Your Grace. If there's anything that you'd like, you can tell me and I'll make it up to you."
"There is one thing…" Daenerys trailed. "I would like to call you Arya. I feel like we've grown close through the letters and as if I've known you for a long time. Of course, it'll only be fitting if you call me Daenerys as well."
Arya smiled softly. "Of course."
"It is decided then." Daenerys straightens and steps forward, offering her right arm.
It didn't take long for Arya to accept the invitation as she too reached out and grasped Daenerys forearm. The warmth of the older girl's skin against her own made its way through Arya's heart.
The warmth didn't go away until the next day and even the next. Even when Daenerys was ready to travel back to Kings Landing and Jon decided to go with her, Arya's heart prevails, knowing that keeping her safe was the only thing that mattered and her brother will make that happened.
But when five months later, a letter arrived inviting her to attend a wedding that will take place in three months, Arya's heart shattered, for the names written were of Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Stark.
~~~
*Year 305 After Conquest (AC) – New Future*
Her eyes fluttered open slowly and dim lights greet her. She takes a mouthful of air before releasing it. Her mind weighs heavily as the memory that came rushing in her sleep a while ago gradually comes to light and settled at the front of her mind.
Everything had happened.
Everything that she just dreamed about really happened. They were memories. All of those deaths, sacrifices, and later victories had happened. And she finally remembered why she was in Kings Landing in the first place. Her heart tugged at the thought.
"You're awake?" a disembodied voice sounded, breaking her swirling thoughts. Before Arya can investigate who it belongs to, Rickon appears in her line of vision. He perched himself at the side of the bed, looking down at her with concern. "How do you feel? Is anything hurting you?"
Arya shakes her head lightly. "I'm fine." she props herself up against the headboard. Looking around the room, there are few candles lighting the space. From where she can see outside the closed window, the skies are pitched black.
"We thought you were poisoned…" Rickon provided, "But, you hadn't touched any of the food or drank anything. So, the maester didn't know what could have possibly made you sick." He trails, eyes not really looking at her but someplace else above her shoulder.
She squeezes his hand in assurance. "I feel fine now. Don't worry about it."
He finally looks at her though there are still doubts lingering his feature.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"A day." He looked outside the window and then. "Almost two."
It felt longer than that as her muscles protest in silence. She felt sore and oddly worn out even though she slept all day. "You look awful," Arya commented as she studied Rickon's face. His eyes red-rimmed and he looks tired.
"Someone had to take care of you." He retorts good-naturedly.
Arya chuckled softly. "Hop in then… I'll read you a bedtime story, just like old times." She moves away to give enough room for him.
The offer seems too good to decline and he settles in instantly beside her. Sighing in content, he asked. "What's the story?"
She reached for a random book that was left on the bedside table and read the title. "Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History."
"History? That's dull."
"Dull?" Arya asked scandalously. "Dragons, wyrms and wyverns are everything but dull creatures."
Rickon huffs his disagreement but snuggles in closer anyway. And Arya opens the first page and starts reading. When his eyes finally closed and his breathing even out, she continued anyway. Hoping for the sentence to escape her from the reality that she's about to face in the morning.
*
Osha fusses over her the next morning. It was more than usual that Arya was borderline annoyed at how the older girl seems to care for her. Eventually, the young Stark managed to usher her away with the help of Jon as he suggested that she should bring a meal for her.
With the two of them left in the room, Jon sat on a chair beside her bed. Arya takes the time to really study her brother. His stubble is kept short and neat and so does his hair. His attire simple yet looks luxurious befitting on who he will become in the near future.
Almost immediately, her mood soured.
Jon wasn't aware of the changes as he speaks. "You scared us, Arya. How do you feel now?"
"I'll live." She answered short.
"Good, because I have somewhere to take you tomorrow." He smiled.
Arya raised a brow. "Should I be worried?"
"Not at all… You'll love it. Dany showed it to me when I first got here. It's a beautiful place–"
There it is again. Dany. "Did she ask you to call her that?"
Jon halts midway of his sentence and blinked in confusion at her question. "What?"
Arya grits her teeth. "Nevermind… Tell me about this place again."
He looks at the girl strangely for a moment before shrugging it off and continues to retell about his favourite place for the second time. Arya listened but all she can think about is how pretty the nickname is and that she will probably never get to use it.
*
It was much later in the evening as Arya flips through the pages of 'Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History', trying to not to think about anything other than what was written. Osha had comfortably settled at the small table across the room, minding her own business when a knock sounded from outside. She abruptly stood up and put away the knives and the whetstone to get the door.
Arya looks up, curious, and was greeted by the sight of the last person that she wanted to see instead.
"I hope I'm not interrupting?" Daenerys greets, walking inside the room when Osha had opened it wider. Missandei trails close behind her queen.
The dragon queen walks closer until she reached Arya's bed and sees the front cover of the book she held. "Interesting choice of reading… Do you always have a fascination with dragons' lore?"
"No… I was just passing the time." She answered and put the book away. Osha's penetrating gaze was not unnoticed by Arya at her blatant lie.
Daenerys was still standing near the bed even though there is a chair in front of her. And Arya looks up to violet orbs, hoping that the older girl would leave her alone.
Daenerys seems to have a different idea. "I heard that you felt better." She inquired further.
"Yes, I am."
"Perhaps, you should have the maester to look you over again, just to be sure. They still couldn't find out the reason of you passing out."
The silver-haired queen is nothing but concern and Arya can clearly hear it in her tone. But, the fact that she will marry Jon keeps pushing its way at the front of her mind incessantly.
"There's no need. Your maester will not find anything." She dismissed.
Missandei looks uncomfortable and beside her, Osha gives a look that made Arya sighs inwardly. She finds Daenerys eyes and tries again. "The only person that knows about my condition was Maester Luwin. He used to brew a concoction to ease the headache… But, he died in the war before he gets to pass the undisclosed recipe."
Daenerys gaze softens. "He didn't have any records?"
"They got destroyed when Winterfell was taken."
An awkward silence befell the room and Arya let her eyes wander to the dragon queen. She looks the same as Arya last remembered her. Her silver hair shines against the lights and Arya remembered how soft it feels around her fingers and how good it smells when she wakes up by the wild mane.
She yearns to reach out and tread the lips that she had admired many times with her own. Her clear violet eyes once held such familiarity and serenity to her that it was impossible for Arya not to be held prisoner by them.
But, whatever that she had didn't matter. The familiarity that she possessed is now remained as foreign. And Daenerys had found another person to share those things with.
"I feel tired… Do you mind if we continue this another time?" Arya asked, masking her face into indifference.
"Yes, of course. I'll leave you to rest." Daenerys offered one last smile before she turns and walks out with Missandei in tow.
As soon as the door is closed, Arya lies on the bed and rolls to her side. She can feel Osha's silence presence by the bed behind her back before a sheet is being placed around her. Closing her eyes, she relishes in the darkness and emptiness that it provides.