Benjen
On the day they left, the two Stark brothers spoke one last time in the Godswood.
"I can't imagine you in the South," he told Ned. "You'd thaw down there".
"If I must, I must get to the truth of what happened to Jon Arryn. Don't mention this to Jon, I don't want him or the others involved in this."
"Maybe you shouldn't get involved either," Benjen said worriedly.
"I must," Ned said with determination. "If the Lannisters murdered Lord Arryn, unnoticed by the Crown, as well then they are a greater threat than I ever imagined. I wouldn't involve my daughters if have them remain here, but it would look far too suspicious, I shall have to do my best to protect them there. I can't tell Robert until I am certain. You know what he is like. I won't start a war if Lysa Arryn is wrong."
"Could she be? You know what she is like?
"Aye, but I know what Lannisters are like too. But I truly hope she is wrong" Ned finished with a dark voice and Benjen knew he was thinking of the consequences if Catelyn's sister was telling the truth.
"Is there anything I can do, Ned?"
"Look after my boy" Ned said. Benjen nodded.
"Ben," Ned said sadly. "I wanted to say, I'm sorry..."
"You've said it '' Benjen said. "I don't think you were right to keep this hidden for so long, but I understand that you did what you did out of love for Lya and Jon. We are brothers, Ned and brothers forgive each other's mistakes. You did the right thing in the end, so let's just let it go".
Ned smiled with relief as he pulled Benjen into an embrace.
"Tread carefully with the lions, Ned" Benjen said when they broke the hug.
"And you at the Wall. And, just be there for Jon, this might be difficult fir him. Meeting with Aemon''. Ned's voice was trailing off and his brother knew why.
"Ned, Jon is a Stark and one of us. Learning about the dragons won't change that. He'll always be your son."
Ned nodded quietly.
"Just look after him".
"I will," Benjen promised. He smiled. "There's another reason I wanted him at the Wall, Ned."
Ned blinked.
"What might that be?"
"I've got a few secrets of my own," Benjen said. When he told Ned the whole story, his brother actually laughed.
He said goodbye to his nieces and nephews. Sansa he had found was a true lady like her mother, formal and courtly, vut Arya was something else. Fierce and rebellious and full of life, she was like Lyanna and it made Benjen smile. Rickon was fierce and robust too, both he and his sister had the wolf blood in him. Robb would make a fine Lord of Winterfell; he was sure the boy had all his father's best qualities. Benjen said a long prayer for Brandon, who still lay trapped in his endless sleep. He feared for the boy, but he would not hold out hope, for Bran was a Stark and the Starks endured. He tried to comfort Catelyn, but it did little effort and left sadly.
Jon took his time, but eventually he met Benjen at the stables.
"Ready, lad" Benjen asked.
"Yes, uncle," Jon said.
He sometimes forgot how big the North was, the snow stretched for miles while growing colder and greater with each day. The journey itself went smoothly enough, je did his best to keep Jon company. They would spar in the morning and the evenings and while they traveled they would speak of the Wall and Winterfell. He found Jon spoke fondly of Joanna and he thought girls' gifts thoughtful, though he noticed something beyond the shields direwolf, there was also the red and black setting behind him, the colours of the House of the Dragons.
in the dark of the night when no one would listen, they would speak to his mother. of his mother, who looked and sounded just like her. Gods, how could he have missed it? His sister Lyanna, he didn't just have her looks, he had her spirit, Ned's ice was there, but there was also Lyanna's steel, her heart, her goodness. How could he have not noticed?
That was one of the many questions that rang in his mind during their journey north. He had always loved Brandon and Ned, but they were years apart, Lyanna was the one he grew up with, they spent all their time together, they raised one another, and shared all their secrets.
So why didn't she tell you?
He thought nothing of what went on at Harrenhal. Lyanna had simply been touched by what Benjen had to admit was a beautiful song, and when he crowned her, he thought it simply a silly infatuation, a meaningless slight, he noticed Lyanna seemed strange after that, and back at Winterfell but he put it down to nerves for her betrothal to a man who truly did not deserve her. How could he not have noticed, and why didn't she say anything? Had he done something wrong? Had he made a mistake and lost her trust? For whatever reason, his sister had left them all without a worry and let them think the worst had happened to her. And because of that, their father, brother, and who knows how many others had died, including her and her husband, and now their son was an orphan who grew up a bastard, deprived of his name and of a mother's love that he was sure would have Catelyn brought him eventually if Ned told her. He ought to feel angry at her, but for some reason, instead he felt angry at himself. Like he had failed somehow, not realizing what was happening and stopping his father and brother from going to that damn place.
His doubts brought him back to the lady words between him and Lyanna so long ago.
"I love you, little brother, never forget that".
"I won't, I love you too, Lya".
Then his sister had to ride for Riverrun for their brother's wedding and never got there. Word came that she had been taken by the dragon and fire was lit that nothing could put out. And he constantly wondered why Lya said nothing, her letter claimed she sent word, so why didn't it arrive?
These questions need answers for Ben's own peace of mind but he had no idea where to find them. Word was sent to them and nothing arrived. Or had it, but someone saw it fit to keep the truth under wraps and let their families suffer. If kept Benjen up at night.
"What would you have done, Uncle? Jon asked suddenly. Benjen raised his head. On the other side of their tent, Jon was sitting up from his makeshift bed. His eyes, usually dark, seemed to shine slightly in the moonlight that came in through the gap in the tent. Ghost sat beside him, eyes knowing.
"Jon?" he asked.
"If my father had told you about me, what would you have done?"
Benjen hesitated.
"I don't know, Jon," he said honestly.
"Uncle... I know why he did it, I understand, but it still hurts" Jon said sadly.
"Kt will stop, nephew, I promise. Now get some sleep, we still have much of a way to go before we reach Castle Black".
Jon sunk on his pillow, vanishing from sight.
"Why did you choose the Wall, Uncle?" he asked in the darkness.
Benjen took his time before answering.
"I, like you, wanted to be more than a lord's brother" he laid back sadly, staring into the darkness. "And... I wanted to get away from Winterfell. Too many... memories."
The days went by uneventfully, until finally Benjen pointed and watched as his nephew laud his eyes on the Wall, awestruck. His wonder only grew closer as they approached it, for the Wall grew bigger and bigger and the gloomy Castle Black, and Benjen fondly thought of it when he first arrived at the Wall.
They were greeted by Donal Noye and several other of his black brothers. Many staggered backwards at the sight of the great white direwolf coming towards them and Benjen couldn't help the smile.
"You've been gone longer than we expected," Donal told him when he got off his horse.
"I am glad to be back, Donal," Benjen said with a smile. "How was the Wall? How are the new recruits?"
"Mostly convicts, I'm afraid but no matter, we'll make men of the Watch out of them. Though it will take a while with a man like Thorne teaching them."
Benjen sighed. Alliser Thorne seemed to care little for whether his recruits improved or not. He constantly berated and bullied them, promising they would die when winter came as if it wasn't his duty to make sure they don't.
"Who is this?" Donal said as Jon dismounted his horse and came towards them with Ghost in tow.
"Jon Snow, my nephew," Benjen said as Jon came forward.
"Well met," Jon said politely.
"Well met, young man, '' Donal said. His eyes fell to the wolf, who stood loyally beside his master. "I didn't believe it when they told me, the direwolves had returned. Which of the stories is the true one?"
"We will tell that tale when we dine tonight" Benjen said and Donal nodded. Then he looked at Jon.
"Come to take the black like your uncle?"
"No, my lord..."
"Lord?" Donal almost laughed. "I am a blacksmith, young Snow."
"Of course," Jon said.
"My nephew is here to see how we're running the place on behalf of my brother," Benjen said.
"You tell your father we need more hands on the Wall, young man. Troubles stirs on the other side of the Wall."
"The wildlings?" Benjen asked.
"Continue to band together."
"We'll deal with them, we always have".
``There never had been a King Beyond The Wall before, Benjen" Donal said darkly and Benjen sighed.
"We'll speak on it later, for now I would like to get my nephew acquainted."
"Of course, I'll have young Snow seen in his room. The Lord Commander wishes to see you."
Benjen nodded, turning to Jon.
"I'll see you later, Jon."
"Of course, Uncle" Jon said and Benjen watched him walk off, Ghost trailing silently beside him, their things taken alongside him.
He made his way to the Lord Commander's Tower, glad to see the Old Bear again, who had been a guide and a friend to him since he came to the Wall. As he made his way he appreciated the surroundings around him, but his stomach turned when he saw the training yard where Ser Alliser Thorne was already giving the recruits a bad time. He shook his head and made his way to the Tower.
Lord Commander Mormont gave him a brief smile when he saw him.
"Stark, good to see you haven't forsaken us" he said. He invited Benjen to sit by him and they were poured wine by his steward.
"So, now you are the brother of the Hand of the King. How is the Lord of Winterfell? I heard about your nephew, I'm truly sorry Benjen. I hope the boy recovers."
"As do we all," Benjen said. "My brother is as well as he can be. His family as well. I hear the so-called King Beyond the Wall is still a problem."
"Aye" Mormont said heavily. "We are going to have to respond soon, Benjen. We will have to discuss that later."
He set his goblet down.
"I hear we have a visitor".
"Aye, my nephew".
"Young Snow, is it true he has a direwolf? That they all do?"
"Aye, I saw them myself, quite a sight," Benjen said with a smile.
"I shall hope to see it when I meet the young man. I suppose he'll be needing to go through all my reports if he's here to check up on the Watch. About time our brother got more interested in what goes on here, no offense."
"None taken".
"Mance Rayder worries me, Benjen. Word is he is gathering the clans of the wildlings into an army. Gods forbid they cross the Wall."
"We won't let that happen," Benjen said firmly.
"Aye" Mormont agreed.
They talked some more before the old bear dismissed him and he made his way to his room, passing by Jon's which he found empty.
He found he liked the familiar feeling of it, being at Winterfell brought back fond memories and his family was there, but the Wall was where he belonged now,he had said the words.
Reaching down below his bed, he brought out his gift for Jon. He removed the package and the sword glimmers like it had been forged yesterday, the silver long blade and the black and blue hilt, a direwolf engraved on it like it had been destined for him.
He smiled as he raised it, the blade he had kept all those years and yet never dared to use.
"Frostbite," he said.
282 AC Winterfell
His sister was waiting for him as usual by the Heart Tree, two wooden swords in hand. She smiled as she saw him.
"You're late, I was beginning to think you were afraid of losing".
"I won't lose, '' Benjen said determinedly. But lost he had. He had filled the role of his sister's teacher, repeating every word of Ser Rodrick's lessons to her, though much of it she had already learned from years of watching their brothers carefully. So the student quickly outgrew the teacher and now she stood over him, laughing triumphantly as she helped him up.
"You could take on Ned and Brandon one on two," he told her with a smile.
"Perhaps one day I will" she answered hopefully.
"You want to tell them," Benjen said in surprise.
"Maybe, you don't think they would tell father, do you?"
"I'm not sure, Lya".
"Would father really mind? I'm not doing anything wrong. I know it's not ladylike, but it makes me happy."
"I'm sure they'll understand, but let's wait until after Harrenhal, you can show off properly" Benjen said with a smile.
He walked after steps towards the hollow trees and pulled out his gift. It hadn't been easy, getting it made, and all of the coins, a few of his friends pulled in as well, he had been saving, but eventually the blacksmith agreed. It wasn't anything special, but he wanted it so badly for his sister. Now as he brought out the sword, her smile made it all worth it.
"Is it really?"
"For you, sister," he said smiling.
She lifted it with joy, her grey eyes sparkling.
"Frostbite," she said happily.
"What?" Benjen asked in surprise.
"That's what I'll call it. Frostbite" Lyanna told him, raising it and looking completely like a true knight.
Jon
Jon had been warned, but while Castle Black looked impressive at first, the next glance showed it truly wasn't what it was said to be. Looking to the training yard, most of the recruits looked confused and some even helpless, like they weren't even supposed to be there. Their master at arms looked at them with disgust and even amusement when they fell over and stumbled and missed their marks. He knew most of them were convicts, but Jon found himself pitying them.
He imagined what he would have thought of them had he come here to stay not to visit. He would have been angry, certainly, to be in their company, condemned to be one of them. Turion, Joanna and Uncle Benjen had all been right, he was luckier than most.
He was given a moderate room even if it was a bit dump, he put his things on his bwd then knelt down to rub Ghost's head.
"You like the far North, boy?" he asked with a smile.
Ghost answered by running out of the room. Normally Jon would let him be, but he thought it better not to let Ghost have the run of the place, not yet. He felt silly running after him, but let out a small laugh when he found him outside, rolling playfully in the snow, almost invisible save for his red eyes.
"You like it" Jon said as the wolf rose.
He decided to take a stroll around the place as he waited for his uncle. Castle Black seemed a secure fortress and its gloomy appearance reminded him of Winterfell, but still, the conditions clearly weren't the best that they could be. The Wall itself however, was awe inspiring. Almost seven hundred feet high it stood, three times the height of the tallest tower in the stronghold it sheltered. It was a massive construction made of solid ice, stone, and earth, and the legends Old Nan told spoke of ancient spells woven into the structure to keep the darkness at bay, it was the end of the world as they knew it and some other world rested on the other side. It invoked a sense of fear yet curiosity in Jon and he was reminded of what Tyrion Lannister had told him back at Winterfell during a walk with Joanna.
"The greatest structure in the history of mankind, and also the most useless."
He was right, the sort of the growing structure in the distance only made Jon want to know what's on the other side.
Jon continued on his way but then he heard yet another loud grunt from the training yard. Making his way, he saw a recruit try a hit on his opponent, only for the both of them to end up on the ground.
"Useless, the lot of you, " Thorne said angrily. "When winter comes you'll be dead, dropping like flies."
The master at arms walked away dismissively, and Jon looked to see the recruits, all bruised, gathered around the two recruits.
"Damn him, damn this place and damn this thing" one of them called out, throwing his sword to the ground.
Jon walked over and picked it up.
"You need to work on how you hold it" Jon told the boy, who eyed him suspiciously.
"What do you care? Who are you anyway?"
"I'm Jon Snow," Jon answered.
"The Watch takes bastard lordlings again, does it?" said a short boy with a shrill voice.
"I've been sent here by my father, Lord Stark, to check the Watch's progress" Jon answered calmly.
"Oh, a highborn bastard, just what I need," spat another boy.
"What do you want with us?" asked the boy who threw the sword.
"I can show you some moves, if you want."
The boys remained suspicious, but Jon eventually got them round and soon he was sparring with them one by one, he found that when someone actually took the time to see what they were doing wrong they improved rather quickly. Jon actually enjoyed himself, until the master at arms returned.
"Ned's Stark's bastard wants to take my place" he sneered. "Too cowardly to join the Watch, bastard? You prefer doing your father's bidding like a servant, Lord Snow?"
Jon looked at the man and saw nothing but contempt in his eyes.
"I'm not a lord" he answered, trying to stay calm.
"Aye, that's for sure. Get out of here, the lot of you. I'm done wasting my time on you fir today".
The man walked off and Jon stared after him. He had been warned that the master at arms was a gruff man, but the level of venom in his words when he spoke to Jon actually shook.
"He's a dragon lover" Pypar, the boy who threw his sword, told him when he was gone.
"Dragon lover?" Jon asked.
"That's why he's here, he fought for the dragons in the Rebellion. It's why he hates you Starks, I guess."
Jon looked back after the man in surprise.
The boys dispersed as ordered, but Jon found most of them seemed brighter than when he found them.
His uncle was still nowhere to be seen, so Jon decided to take the opportunity and see what it was like to stand on the Wall and if it was as awe striking as his uncle promised.
As he climbed the stairs it finally occurred to him how high the Wall went for when he looked back Castle Black had become little more than a dark shape in the vastness of the snow.
He made it to the top with Ghost in tow and his breath stopped. Beyond the Wall we could see a vast white land, dark and endless. It stretched and stretched and Jon finally comprehended just why they said the Wall was the end of one world and the start of another and suddenly he remembered Old Nan's stories of the Others and the Long Night that had once made him shiver.
He scales the path slowly taking in the view until in the distance he saw three black figures. Three black brothers, two younger men and in front of them an older man, a much older. From here Jon could see the wrinkled, heavy face and the white eyes and Jon knew it was him. He thought of approaching, of greeting him, but instead something inside told him to turn and leave. But as he headed back for the stairs, he could have sworn Maester Aemon looked in his direction.
That evening Jon dined with his uncle, Lord Commander Mormont, and several other black brothers, all of whom listened eagerly to the story of how he and his siblings acquired their direwolves, except Thorne, whom sat eating his food in silence, expect for an occasional glance in Jon and Benjen's direction. But Jon paid him little mind, his mind still thinking of Maester Aemon.
Later, his uncle accompanied him to his room.
"What is it, Jon? You barely spoke."
"I saw Maester Aemon at the Wall, Uncle," Jon answered quietly.
"Did you speak to him?" his uncle asked in surprise.
John shook his head.
"Not yet".
His uncle nodded.
"You'll have to speak with Mormont tomorrow, they have to believe your actually here to report the Watch's progress against the Wildlings. But later, I think I can get Aemon to speak with you alone. If that's what you want, lad?"
"Aye," Jon said, trying to hide his nervousness.
Benjen nodded. Then he smiled.
"I heard about you and those lads" he said and Jon felt a sense of pride in his voice. "I can imagine Thorne's face. Don't pay him any mind, lad."
Jon nodded then retired to his room. He sat on his bed, Ghost lying next to his head, his mind going over and over on what he would say to the Maester, the man who was, as impossible as it seemed to Jon, his family.
Ned
They had been on the ride for a week, yet they still have not left the North. The days were long and hard. Sansa was enjoying her time with the queen and her children, but Arya preferred to stay away from them and instead explore on her own. Joanna stayed mostly with Sansa and her family but still made time for Arya for which he was grateful for his duties as the Hand of the King were already in place beginning with an invitation by Robert on a ride to discuss what had simply been called a matter of the state.
But his friend began with idle talk and eventually they spoke of how they once rode this way in search of justice for Lyanna.
"Is this where you met her, Ned? Your bastard's mother? What was her name again?"
Ned lowered his eyes.
"Wylla" he answered. He knew he could never deny Robert the answer, so he used Wylla's name, should anyone ever investigate they can confirm he had been seen in her company, with Jon no less. He later apologized to the wetnurse but Wylla didn't mind.
"I'll bear whatever price I have to protect this little one" she had told him as she cradled Jon in her arms, and upon looking in her eyes, which were full of such love for a child that wasn't even hers, he knew he had chosen right. If anyone was to be Jon's mother other than Lyanna, it would be her.
"She must have been some whore, to make the honorable Ned Stark forget his honor even for an hour. Robert laughed and Ned shook slightly at the insult to both his sister and her friend. "Gods, Ned, you never told me what she looked like? Maybe i had her myself?"
"I'd sooner not talk about it. I have dishonored Catelyn and myself."
"It was war, you're being too hard on yourself. Men father bastards."
Ned sighed internally, thinking of how many sons and daughters Robert may have that don't even know who their father is.
"I fathered one, and that's enough. Don't go back to it if you would".
Ned was saying this harder than he meant to, but it felt like Robert was insulting Lyanna, Jon and Wylla, and even Ned himself all at once. He had sacrificed his honor for family and would do so again in a heartbeat, but it wasn't easy to live such a lie? He knew Robert meant nothing by it, but still.
"Have we come all this way to speak of past mistakes, Robert. Hardly the matter of the state."
Robert scoffed.
"It's the dragon whore and her brother" he said, producing a letter and handing it to Ned.
"Ser Jorah Mormont, your old friend, has turned spy for us. I promised him a pardon if he proces useful."
Ned shook his head at that. Jorah Mormont had dealt in slavery and chose to flee rather than face justice, and now he was acting a spy to secure his freedom. Ned looked at what he had written.
Your Grace,
Viserys Targaryen has wed his sister to the Dothraki Khal Drogo, at the suggestion of Magister Illyrio Mopatis. I pray this troubling information finds you well.
Ser Jorah Mormont
"So? Daenerys Targaryen had wed a Dothraki across the Narrow Sea. Shall we send her a wedding gift."
"A knife for her and her brother's throats, '' Robert said darkly. "We should have seen them both dead ling ago, Ned".
"They were children. That girl still is, married or not" Ned said.
"Ned, can't you see? They're going for it. They've had that damn wedding so that they can have their army. I warned you and Jon, that poor fooll, that if you leave one dragon alive, never mind two, then they'll always come back to destroy what we've fought to build for that is their nature. I had the right of it."
"If Jon were here, then he would tell you that a Dothraki army is nothing when it's across a sea. They have never crossed it and never shall. Have you considered that the girl and her brother simply want the little power they can gather in Essos by marrying the Khal."
"They'd marry a nobleman from the Free Cities then, not a savage with an army of beasts by his side."
"We have nothing to fear based on whispers, Robert. Let them be."
"You'll see I was right. Stand with me then and together we will crush the dragons once more, every last one this time" Jon appeared in Ned's mind and the thought of Robert's promise turned his stomach. "And as Jon would if he lived, you'll tell me you were wrong" Robert finished with what seemed to be a growl and Ned decided to give him time to cool off before he trailed the conversation away from the dragons, relieving him of the thought of what would happen to Jon if Robert knew, and to the matter that was his priority. What were two exiles across the Narrow Sea, when a conspiracy at the heart of the Seven Kingdoms, at the heart of the Crown was possible? When the previous Hand may well have been murdered by his Queen?
Ned thought about how it could have happened, if Lysa was right. And why? That was the most important. If the Lannisters killed Jon Arryn, why? Why take that risk?
"Robert" he said at last, and his friend looked his way. "Tell me about Jon. What his last days were like."
Robert Baratheon took his time, and when he finally spoke, it was in a neutral tone.
"There was no warning, Ned. No reports of ill symptoms, not even a headache, as far as we knew. But Jon did become reclusive recently."
"Reclusive?" Ned asked.
"No one's seen much of him, he was either in his solar or out on errands, or studying old tomes. He was up to something, I guess. We'll never know what."
Ned thought on that, had Jon Arryn discovered something he shouldn't about the queen? Is that why she killed him? If she killed him, Ned reminded himself. Je would need to find out what Jon's final days were like, what he had been doing and if it had anything to do with Cersei Lannister.
"How's your wife, Robert?" Ned asked after a moment.
Robert's eyes shoot up at him in surprise.
"My wife, what about her?"
"You never speak of her".
Robert scoffed.
"What's there to talk about? We try to stay out of each other's ways. It's been worse since our little incident moons ago."
"Incident?"
Robert checked if they were out of the Kingsguard hearing range and looked to Ned.
"We were fucking, and she struck me. Right across the face. Then she stormed off and we've been at our worst since then."
"How did she feel about Jon?" Ned asked, feigning curiosity.
Robert shrugged.
"She said all the nice words but if she meant them I doubt. Let's not talk about that."
"Of course".
"You're daughter and my son seem to be getting fond of eachother" Robert said.
"Yes. Joffrey is all Sansa talks about these days."
"Well it's good they like each other. A proper girl like her might mature the boy."
"Perhaps" Ned said absent-mindedly, still thinking of Jon Arryn.
The rest of their rife whent by uneventfully as did the next few days. They moved out of the North at last and into the Riverlands. Ned tried to avoid the subject of Daenerys Targaryen and her brother. He would prevent Robert from taking action if he could, he did not want any more blood in Robert's hands, and he also felt he didn't want the death of Jon's aunt and uncle. They were in a sense his kin through Lyanna's marriage. Instead focused on taking over Lord Arryn's duties. He hoped once he had access to the Tower of the Hand he would find the answers to his questions about his foster father.
News was scarce, he got a letter from Jon and Benjen stating they were close to Castle Black. and one from Catelyn from Winterfell.
My lord,
Brandon has shown no changes. I have allowed the wolf to remain with him, he seems to sleep calmer with him. Robb does well as acting Lord, you would be proud of him. I hope you are well, my lord, and I pray you send me good news of our daughters.
Your wife.
Catelyn Stark
The brief letter brought him little good news, he was happy Robb was doing well, but Brandon showed no signs of improvement, and Catelyn wrote nothing of herself. Their last conversation had some warmth, but there was still a wall that needed to be brought down, and a part of him ached to take his daughters and ride down to Winterfell to his family.
He was buried in his thoughts during another hunt with Robert. They had set up camp near Daery and Robert insisted they find game themselves. When they returned a guard ran towards them.
"Your Grace, my lord, you must come at once" he said.
"What is it?" Ned asked worriedly.
"It's your younger daughter, my lord, she has disappeared".
Ned's heart grew cold.
Arya
She was laughing as Nymeria did her best to avoid her. Her wolf was all muddy and she needed to be cleaned out, but Nymeria hated it and tried to get away from her all the time and when she caught her she quickly yanked away from her, causing Arya to stumble and fall down, laughing again.
"You can't wear that today" said the voice of hervsister and she looked up to see her and Joanna riding towards her on their horses, her sister frowning while Joanna smiled at her.
"We'll be traveling with the queen today in her wheelhouse," she said, staring at Arya's clothing. Arya scoffed.
"I don't want to, '' she said. She loved Joanna like a sister, she certainly felt better in her company than Sansa's, but she didn't like spending time with her family. Prince Joffrey and his mother were both mean, the younger ones weren't so bad, but there wasn't much she could do with them.
"Septa Mordane said you have to" Sansa said dismissively.
"I won't, Mycah and I are going looking for rubies."
Mycah was a butcher's boy she had made friends with, but Sansa didn't like him, she once noticed her staring at her friend with a look of disgust and had been angry at her since then. At least Mycah didn't mind the way she dressed or the things she liked.
"Rubies?" Sansa asked.
"Rhaegar's rubies" Joanna said looking at the Trident. "This is where my father killed Rhaegar. They say the rubies in his armour broke and fell into the banks."
"The Queen and Princess Myrcella are expecting us, Arya," Sansa insisted.
"You can't see anything through the wheelhouse," Arya said.
"What is there to see?" Sansa said mockingly. She meant to continue but Joanna spoke up again.
"It's alright, Arya, go on ahead with your friend. Myrcella won't mind. I'll talk to my mother and explain that you were busy."
Arya smiled at her while Sansa stared at Joanna.
"You can't keep letting her off like that, Anna" she told her and Joanna frowned.
"Let your sister have fun, it's not her fault she doesn't like the wheelhouse."
"You sound like Father '' Sansa said, shaking her head. "But if Arya wants to spend time with the butcher's boy rather than the queen, she can. Me and Lady are gonna eat all your lemon cakes, Arya. You had a chance to get them don't be angry at me when you ask for one and they'll say their out of them."
Sansa turned and rode away.
"Don't mind her, Arya" Joanna told her kindly. "I'll talk to Myrcella and my mother. You go and play with your friend."
Arya smiled as she watched Joanna ride away after Sansa then turned to see Nymeria had run off, she could her scaling the banks of the Trident, and giggled as she chased after her.
Mycah was waiting for her by a tree and together they began scaling the water together, searching for lost rubies. He giggled whenever she thought she found one only to pluck a red rock from the water, but she laughed herself after Nymeria's stare made him step back. In the end they find no rubies, but Mycah suggested they have a sword fight with sticks and soon they were battering happily at one another with Nymeria trailing beside them.
She had managed to block most his moves and tried to hit him like she had practiced with Needle against the straw targets Joanna had made for her back at the barn, she managed some of them but they were only agitating her friend, he became more forceful and and when she went for a hit, his stick her hard and she cried out, seeing the immediate regret in his eyes.
Before she could assure him she was alright, she heard a shrill laugh. Mycah jumped in shock, dropping his stick.
"Arya?" said another voice and she turned to see her sister's and Prince Joffrey, who was laughing at them, while Sansa looked horrified.
Angry tears stung her eyes.
"Go away" she told them angrily
"Your sister?" Joffrey asked Sansa, whose face was red with embarrassment. She nodded, and Arya shook her head at her.
"And you are?" Joffrey asked, looking at Mycah.
"Mycah, m'lord," her friend said nervously.
"He's the butcher's boy" Sansa said and Joffrey laughed out loud again.
"A butcher's boy who wants to be a knight?"
"He's my friend, go away" Arya said.
"Pick up your sword, butcher's boy" Joffrey said, ignoring her. "We'll see how good you are".
Joffrey raises his sword to Mycah, who stood trembling.
"Leave him" Arya said, but Joffrey was grinning as he approached the trembling boy.
"M'lord..." Mycah said beggingly.
"That's my betrothed sister you hit" Joffret said darkly.
"She asked me to spar," Mycah said.
"It's true" Arya shouted, but again she was ignored. Joffrey raised the sword's tip and slowly cut the boy's cheek. Blood flowed down his face.
"Stop it!" Arya screamed, raising her stick threateningly.
"Arya, stay out of this," Sansa said, shaking with fear. But this time it was Arya who ignored, she lunged at Joffrey furiously hitting his side with her stick. The prince gave a yelp, moving away from Mycah, who immediately turned and ran. The prince yelped, turning to her angrily.
"Little bitch" he said angrily and raised his hand to strike her. It happened so fast. A grey blur hit Joffrey and he tumbled to the ground, and Arya recognized Nymeria. Her wolf had her teeth in the screaming prince's arm.
"Arya! Stop it" Sansa screamed.
"Nymeria to me" Arya called and her wolf quickly let go of Joffrey's arm and ran over to her, her fangs bloody.
"You.. hurt... me" Joffrey croaked. "I'll tell my... mother".
Je looked pathetic, lying there crying on the ground. Arya stared at him angrily and looked down to see his fallen sword. She reached down and raised it, taking all her strength into it.
"Don't hurt me" Joffrey begged.
But Arya heaved the sword into the water.
"She didn't hurt you that much," she said, tears in her eyes.
Then she ran, leaving her screaming sister rushing to the prince. She got to her horse and leaped on, galloping away from them, Nymeria running at her side. They kept running for a long time after that.
When she finally stopped she got off her horse and cried into Nymeria's grey fur.
She couldn't go back. Her wolf had hurt the prince and they would both be punished. She couldn't go back.
When she was done weeping, she tried to look for Mycah, she sent Nymeria after him but her wolf returned soon afterwards, and failed to lead her everywhere.
Let them not find him, she thought. It's my fault not his, let him get away.
Night came and she sat down with her wolf by a tree trunk, having left her horse behind. It quickly grew cold and she tried to make a fire, but there was only enough wood for a small flame that brought little comfort. Her head lay against Nymeria's fur for more warmth and she listened to her wolf's breathing, tears in her eyes again.
"It's my fault, Nymeria, all of it".
She could head back North. Back to Winterfell, they've probably sent her back home anyway, no one would want her in the this. Robb would understand, but the thought of the disappointment in her mother's eyes decided for her. Not Winterfell. The Wall. She should go to the Night's Watch and find Jon. He wouldn't care that she sparred with Mycah and he wouldn't care that Nymeria beat someone. She should do that, she ought to find Jon and he would figure something out.
She didn't sleep that night. Or the next night or the night after that. She moved slowly,regretting leaving her horse behind. She found berries to eat but there was nothing else. She knew they'd be looking for her, she once heard a nearby galloping of horses and hid behind a thick bush with Nymeria the search party passed by shouting her name. Once they went, she ran with Nymeria again until she stopped by a rock and sat down for her fourth night. Nymeria brought her a bloody squirrel but she let her wolf eat it. She spoke against her as she ate and cried again. She felt stupid, only babies cried, but sge couldn't help it. She wasn't afraid, she was never afraid of the dark, not since Jon pretended to be the ghost of the Winterfell crypts and while everyone else ran, she instead punched him. She wasn't afraid. She just wanted to go home so much. She cried and cried until she heard a sound and jumped, startling Nymeria.
"Arya?" called a voice.
"Go away," she said against herself.
"Lady Arya '' said the voice and she could see the form of Jory Cassel emerge from the treeline on a horse.
"My lady" he said.
She jumped between him and Nymeria as he approached.
"It was my fault not hers. I won't let them take her".
"You have to go back with me, Arya" he told her, eyes gleaming with pity.
"No. I won't".
"Your father is worried about you. So is your sister".
"Liar," Arya said. "She's happy I'm gone. She always wanted me gone."
"That's not true, '' Jory said, getting off his horse. "Arya, you need to come back, there's nowhere else to go".
"I'm going to the Wall. Jon won't care that Nymeria bit Joffrey'' she said stubbornly.
"Jon will tell you that the best thing for you to do is to go back. Come back with me now, or I fear others will fund you, and they'll take you by force."
"What about Mycah?" said Arya tearful again.
"They haven't found him yet" Jory said and she saw the sad glint in his eyes.
"They're going to kill him, aren't they?" Arya said tearfully.
Jory didnt answer.
"There's nothing to ve done. Come now. We have a long way to go."
"What about Nymeria?" Arya told him, looking at her wolf.
Jory sighed.
"They can't punish her if she's not found" he said and Arya saw what he meant. She cried out, but then she realised he was right. She remembered Joffrey's smile when he was hurting Mycah. Je would hurt Nymeria too. She couldn't let him.
She looked at her wolf, whose eyes were looking up at her like a mirror.
"Nymeria" Arya said, the words hurting her mouth, "go away".
Nymeria turned her head, almost in surprise. But she did not move.
"Nymeria, I said go away!" Arya shouted. Her wolf didn't move. "Go!" she cried, coming towards her, waving her arms as if to push her away. "Go away, run. Don't come back. You stupid! Go away! She just go! I said go!"
Nymeria stared at her and then she was running. Away from the forest, away from Jory, away from Arya.
She watched her wolf's grey pelt vanish in the dark and then turned and weed into Jory's arms.
She continued crying on the ride back to Darry where the King and Queen were staying, and when she saw her he sighed in relief and took her into his arms. She cried.
Joanna
This is all my fault, she thought as she weeped into her pillow. It was the fourth night since Arya vanished and they have found no sign of her.
She sat in her room crying, feeling guilty. She should have known better, when her mother suggested Sansa and Joffrey go on alone for the day, sge shouldn't have let them, she should have known Joffrey would do something. She should have known he couldn't get left alone with them but she did nothing and Arya paid the price. If anything happened to her she would never forgive herself. She promised Jon she would look after his sisters and she failed. Gods, she was a fool.
Tommen and Myrcella did their best to comfort her, they came to her room every night to play with Ser Liom, who wasn't built for travel and was releasing, finally staying in one spot. She appreciated it, but it brought little relief.
She would have to write to Jon and explain what happened. Explain that she made a mistake and she was sorry. She hoped that Arya would be safe and well, but she could make no promises. Arya was a strong girl but four nights was a long time.
But in the middle of that night, the castle of Darry came to life.
"They've found her" called her uncle Tyrion from the doorway. "She was far off in the woods. But she's alright as far as i know. Joanna lept and ran past him, grabbing her cloak to cover her night dress. He followed her all the way
They were in the viewing hall, they were told. They burst in together to see a crowd gathered around Lord Stark. Arya, dirty and ragged, stood by his side, weeping into his cloak. Her grey eyes looked at her beggingly.
"Anna, tell them" she said quickly as her father held her.
She turned to see her father, mother, and brother, his arm covered in bandages.
"Joanna, we've got your wild little friend," her mother said with half a smile.
"And she's spitting out lies" Joffrey said snidely as she glared at her brother.
"I'm not lying" Arya cried as Joanna walked over to her.
"She and her friend beat me with sticks, then she said her wolf on me"
"He was hurting Mycah then he was trying to hit me" Arya weeped as Joanna tried to comfort her. " Nymeria was protecting us".
"Liar!" called Joffrey angrily.
"Sansa was with them wasn't she?" Joanna said.
"Yes, I've sent for her" Lord Stark said and soon Vayon Poole brought Sansa, who looked nervous.
"Sansa, tell everyone what happened" Lord Stark said and Arya looked between her sister and Joffrey.
"I don't remember" she said and Joanna felt anger at the obvious lie "it all happened so fast".
"Liar!" cried Arya and she meant to throw herself at her sister but Joanna grabbed her and held back as she struggled for Sansa, who was backing away fearfully. "Liar! Liar! Liar!"
"Arya, calm down," Lord Stark said.
"Arya, it's alright" Joanna said soothingly.
"The girl is as wild as that filthy animal of hers," her mother said. "Robert, I want her punished."
"She's a child, mother, '' Joanna insisted. "She spent four nights in the forest, she's been through enough hasn't she?"
"She hurt your brother," her mother said aghast. "Joff will have scars for the rest of his life".
"So he will," said her father, glaring at Joffrey. "Perhaps they will teach him a lesson. Ned, see that your daughter is disciplined. I will do the same with my son."
"Gladly, Your Grace," Lord Stark said looking relieved, but Joanna knew it would be short lived.
"What about the wolf?" her mother said expectantly looking at her father.
"I'd forgotten about that," the king said gruffly.
"No sign of the beast, your Grace" said Jory.
"So be it" said her father, relieved.
Joanna scowled when she heard her mother's next words.
"A hundred golden dragons to the man who brings me its skin!"
"A costly pelt. I want no part of this, woman. By yourself your own coats."
Both her parents were looking at each other with contempt.
"I'd thought you'd deliver for your wife, my king" her mother said coolly.
"A fine trick without a wolf" her father spat.
"There's another wolf" said the queen triumphantly and Joanna's heart skipped a bit. Lady.
She looked to her father beggingly but her father's words made her shake.
"Fine. Ser Ilyn, see to it."
"Robert you cannot mean this" Lord Stark said in horror.
"Enough of this Ndd" her father said, clearly tired of the whole situation."I will hear no more. A direwolf is a savage beast. Sooner or later it would have turned on your girl the same way the other did on my son. Get her a dog, she'll be happier for it."
Joanna could hear Sansa crying out behind her.
"He doesn't mean Lady? Please Lady didn't bite anyone, she's good! It was Nymeria, please it was Arya.
"Lady wasn't there" called Arya angrily.
"You can't do this" Joanna said looking them both in the eyes. It's ridiculous. It's not fair."
"Life isn't fair, little one" her father told her.
"Please, Robert," Lord Stark said. For the love you bear me. For the love you bore my sister. Please."
But her father simply looked to her mother in loathing.
"Damn you Cersei '' he said and Joanna recognized the look in his eyes. It was the look he had whenever she would turn up with broken toys or fresh bruises when she'd been out with Joffrey. He would look at them, ask, look almost like he meant to say something, then turn away accepting whatever cover story she or her brother made up.
And then she was angry.
"You coward" she said out loud and the room went quiet, all eyes on her. Her mother looked shocked, but Joanna could swear she saw a twisted smile appear on her lips, almost proud. Lord Stark looked at her in shock and horror and shook his head slightly for her to stop. Her uncle stared at her beggingly.
No, hd mouthed.
Her father was looking at her with his piercing blue eyes, and the room seemed colder.
"Say that to me again" he whispered, but she didn't bother, there wasn't anything she could do for Lady, not here anyway.
"I'm not having this, '' she simply said. And she stormed out, past Lord Stark who held a weeping Sansa, past her uncle, and out the door. She didn't care what they would do to her, there was something she had to do first.
"You shouldn't have said that" said a voice.
She turned to see Myrcella and Tommen standing beside the door, clearly having been listening.
"I know," she admitted sadly. "You should go to your rooms."
"I don't want them to kill Lady," said Tommen quietly. "She didn't bite Joffrey. She doesn't deserve it".
"Neither do I" she said quickly. "Go to your rooms now, you shouldn't be out here at this hour, I'll see you in the morning."
"What about you?" Myrcella said suspiciously.
"I need to do something".
"You're going to save Lady?" Myrcella asked quietly.
Joanna said nothing. She tried to smile for them
"Go to tour rooms. It'll be alright i promise".
"We're going with you," Myrcella said as she tried to move away."
"Myrcella..." she said in surprise. "You can't..."
"We don't want Lady to die." Tommen said tearfully.
"She won't".
"We can help," Myrcella said. "I know how. She chained up by the gatehouse. Ser Thain is watching her, he has a key. He's probably drunk again. We can do it now."
Joanna looked in surprise at her little sister.
"Stay in the keep," she told them firmly. "I'll come back."
"But what if Mother finds out?" Tommen asked.
"Don't worry about her, brother," she said with a smile. "Now gone on. I'll need to be quick."
They obeyed and returned to their rooms while she made her way over to the gatehouse as quickly as she could. As Myrcella promised, Lady sat quietly by the gatehouse, chained up.
She made sure no guards were nearby and approached. The wolf raised her head up in acknowledgement.
"It's going to be alright, Lady," Joanna promised. Then she turned towards the gatehouse. She eun quietly and inside she saw Ser Thaine slumped over a wall, blond drunk as her clever sister predicted.
He stirred slightly as she reached for his keys strapped to his waist and she nearly jumped, but he did nothing more than that. Breathing heavily, she took his set of keys and ran back to Lady, no longer bothering to be quiet.
"I'll be alright" she said as she searched for the right key and she wasn't sure if she was talking to Lady or to herself. She unlocked the chain around Lady's neck at last, but the wolf still sat on the ground.
"Lady, get up" she said and the wolf obeyed, Sansa had her well trained. She led it away from its post but she wasn't sure what to do with her now. She'd have to hide her somewhere until she could get her out of the keep. She heard a sound behind her and looking back she could see the firm of Ned Stark in the distance. As she'd expected, he'd chosen to do the deed himself.
She was starting to panic when she heard someone shout.
"Open the gate!"
She heard noise inside the gatehouse as Ser Thain staggered drunkenly to obey and the gates quickly opened. A party rode inside fast on their horses, she recognized the Hound's burned face and saw red on his arm.
"Lady, run" she cried but the wolf stared at her. She heard men call out as they noticed her. "Lady. Run. They're gonna kill you if you don't. Find your sister. Run for Sansa, Lady. Run!"
For a moment, she could swear she saw recognition in the wolf's golden eyes and then Lady ran, running not like the dog she often acted like, but the wolf she truly was, past the panicking horses like a grey blur and through the closing gates, and out of sight.
Triumph surged in Joanna and she actually laughed, even when she heard Lord Stark come over to her.
"What have you done?" he asked quietly, and she knew he was thinking of whatever punishment awaited her.
"It's alright, my lord" she said, looking up at the sky and touching the pendant Jon gave her. "It's alright."
?
The forest was cold and dark but full of noise as the scared, red haired boy run through the fields as they came after him on the horses. They were getting closer and closer. She could see the boy's broad, frightened face as the horse leading the charge approached him. On top of it was a man with half his face ruined by flames long ago. She could feel the blood lust in him, the dark, and watched him raise his sword for the kill.
It was instinct, she jumped up and she left at the horse, her teeth sinking into its neck, and it stumbled and fell. The man screamed as he hit the ground and as she released the dying horse from her hold she saw him come to her angrily, blade raised. But she wasn't alone. A grey blur appeared and a new set of teeth buried itself in the man's arm. The other wolf quickly let go as the man staggered back, tending to his bloody wound. He was ready to strike again and his companions dismounted their horses to aid him, but the two wolves were so much faster, they were soon far from them. When the danger passed she finally looked at the other wolf and recognized her at last.
It was her daughter, her fierce daughter. And soon the other, her calmer daughter, joined them, and she felt the call of a pack once again.
?
"No!"
"You weren't s'posed to be here".
The voices were clear and loud as was the woman's fear. She was screaming, struggling for the blade in the man's hand, but he overpowered her and she fell down.
"No!" she cried.
"It's a mercy" the man said as he was walking over to the bed, overcome by bloodlust that seemed like the trigger for him to pounce. His teeth were soon in the man's neck and when he tasted his blood he looked to see it splattered on the woman. He now saw her clearly, her blue eyes and auburn hair. His eyes. His hair.
"Mother" Bran Stark tried to say through Summer's throat.
(Please leave your thoughts in the comments. I enjoy reading your reviews. Let me know if I make any mistakes or need to change something(: )