Chapter 22. Arya's Cousin
Robin stood over his mother's grave crying and Arya stood over him. "Mother oh my beautiful Mother."
Arya sighs, "I feel for your loss."
"How could you? She was my mother!"
"And she was killed by Balish for his ambitions-Your father was murdered by the Lannisters for learning the truth and so was my father-We live for them! We avenge them and kill them all."
"What am I to do now that she is dead!"
Arya grew angry-she grabbed him, stood him up and slapped him. "Cry later-now we fight! Find your manhood! You are the son of Jon Aryn-Act like it!" He shuddered a breath, "Better! Now you will take your place as Lord of the Vale-Summon your banners and we march to Riverrun-Join your army with our cousin Brynden and then we march on the twins-When the Twins fall the rest of the North will rally to us-Especially when they learn that Eddard Stark's daughter still lives."
"Do you think I can do all that!"
"Yes! Jon Aryn's blood runs in your veins so does that of the Tully's as it does mine! Fight with me."
"To what end?"
"To the end of Walder Frey, the Boltons, and the Greyjoys! We kill them all and avenge our families!"
"Will you help me?"
Arya smiles, "That is why I am here!"
Lords Linderly, Hunter, Royce, Egen, and Voleman stand at attention before Robin Arryn Lord of the Vale. They swear allegiance to him as their liege lord. "My mother made the mistake of not aiding my cousin Robb Stark-King of the North." He tried hard to keep his composure as he said the next words. "She was trying to protect me! We can no longer hide in the Vale while the fate of Westeros is decided-So I will march with my cousin Arya Stark. We will march to Riverrun and gain the support of my our cousin Lord Bryden. We shall retake the North!"
The Bannermen cheered out of respect, not because his words stirred them. It took three weeks and when the armies of the Vale were assembled they had an army 30,000 strong. Arya rode at the head of the army with Robin and her Dire Wolf. They stopped to camp after they reached the foot of the mountain.
Arya was sharpening her blades and creating her poisons for her darts when Robin came and stood in front of her. "Could you teach me to fight?"
Arya smiled, "Sure!" She already had two wooden swords and they went to a clearing beside Robin's tent. Arya walked around him studying his stance, 'You have never used a sword before have you?"
He was ashamed and it could be heard in his voice, "No-I was held in a tower since the age of 7!"
"Fighting is about a state of mind, heart, and body-If you believe you will die most likely you will." She made him mimic her movements slowly and purposefully. Over and over they drilled as some of the soldiers and men came to watch. Lord Royce was laughing, "You will never learn anything like that!"
Arya mockingly waved her arm in invitation, "Perhaps you would care to show us how it is done!"
He unsheathed his sword, "Certainly!" Arya gave Robin her practice sword, "I'll be gentle on you!" Lord Royce said.
He attacked first because Arya had a lazy stance up to trick him into attacking first, "He thinks because I am a woman-that he has the advantage!" Arya blocked forward and took a step as Royce spun around and attacked from behind, but Arya raised her blade up and back to block-She spun around to face face him arcing her sword to attack from the side-Royce blocked and countered trying to wrench her sword from her hand, but Arya flourished her sword and disarmed him, then she swept his feet from under him. As he lay on his back she pointed her sword into his face as the men watching laughed. "Never underestimate an enemy-Never become overconfident."
As they traveled Arya had Robin run on foot to strengthen his legs and build his endurance. Sometimes she would let him spar with Sandor or Gendry. Gendry became jealous as Lord Egen's son became infatuated with Arya. She would tell Gendry that he had nothing to worry about and she rejected all of Tason's gifts. Insulted Tason challenged Gendry to a duel. But Arya attacked both men with her duel swords causing the men to laugh. She cut Tason on the cheek and kicked him in the balls, then she turned on Gendry who grabbed her breasts during their duel. She cut him on the leg as he disarmed her right sword. The men cheered Gendry's name as it seemed like he was about to beat her. Then Arya did a split and punched him in the groin, she straddled Gendry and held him down.
"You can sleep on the ground tonight!"
"I was defending your honor!"
"You were being a man showing off." She kissed him and slapped his groin causing him to moan louder.
They all sat under the cook tent eating, "Lord Gendry! What house do you hale from?" Tason asked.
"Enough!" Robin yelled sitting next to Arya, he was aware of Gendry's parentage as Arya had confided in him and Gendry and Robin had become good friends. "My Cousin is not interested in your son!"
"Apologies milord! I just want to know who she is choosing over my son-and if he is as noble as my son from House Edgen."
"I don't mind answering. Robert Baratheon was my father-In fact it was Arya who saved me from Joffrey's guards."
When Edgen chuckled Sandor's hand fell to his sword, "You choose a bastard!"
"Careful what you say next sir!" Arya warned.
Robin jumped up drawing everyone's attention, "I said that is enough! Apologize Lord Edgen or I will strip you of your titles and give your lands to someone more worthy."
When he hesitated several men drew their swords. Edgen looks at Gendry, "I cry your pardon sir I mean no offense."
"None taken-I am not ashamed of where I came from."
"Nor should you be!" Robin said staring at Edgen. Arya just kept eating shoving chicken into her mouth. Within two weeks they had crossed into the land of the Tullys.
