ARYA I

She was upset that her father would not allow her to attend the execution, but anger left her when her direwolf was handed over. She had golden eyes and gray fur, as beautiful as all puppies, even though one day she would become a ferocious beast.

At first their mother refused to allow them to stay in the castle, however, their prohibition was ignored and the direwolves remained in the rooms of each of Lord Eddard Stark's sons. Hers was named Nymeria, after the warrior princess.

"Do you say there's an adult male direwolf?" asked Arya.

"That's right, little sister", Jon replied, churning her hair. "It isn't possible that the mother of the puppies crossed the Wall while pregnant."

"How did they cross the Wall?"

"I don't know, maybe they swam. The important thing is that we all have a puppy."

"But their mother was dead, killed by a stag."

"I know, I saw her. A rose grew in her blood, father says that such roses only grow during the winter, or shortly before it.

"Winter is coming" said Arya.

Jon nodded.

"What do you think Robb's wife looks like?" asked Arya to change the topic of conversation.

"A delicate flower, like all southern women."

"Hey! There are brave women south of the Neck, like the dornishwoman.

"Maybe," Jon snapped. "But Robb will marry a lady from Highgarden, reminiscent of Sansa's songs."

Arya trembled at the thought that a person might be more boring than Sansa. Margaery Tyrell would be everything she hated and still be forced to call her sister. Unfortunately for her, she could not prevent the wedding, the marriage bond between the North and the Reach was Jon Arryn's last will in an attempt to foster peace in the kingdom.

Arya never met the old falcon, yet she knew her father loved him. The idea was silly, a woman from the Reach was not fit for the North, as the wife of the former Lord Mormont had shown. Arya was still young, but stories were still being told of the shallow Southern wife who brought ruin to the lord of Bear Island.

…

The King was not what Arya expected. He was an obese man, and it was hard to believe that he was the same one they called the Demon of the Trident. Even so, she showed great deference to him, despite hating everything about being a lady. Misbehaving was not an option if the royal family remained in Winterfell.

The one who did catch her attention was Ser Garlan Tyrell, one of Lady Margaery's brothers. Unlike her younger brother, much to Sansa's liking, Ser Garlan was a true warrior and did not despise her for being a girl. He was a better warrior than any of his brothers, perhaps second only to the Kingsguard.

"Come on", shouted Ser Galan. "I'm sure you can do better."

Arya watched the training from the balcony. Her brothers Robb and Jon, along with Theon Greyjoy, faced at the same time Ser Garlan, who despite being only one surpassed them in skill. Her brothers didn't seem bothered to lose, but Theon was different, too proud to give up.

Not far from her, Sansa and her new friends also observed the training, although it was Ser Loras who they hoped to see just. The flower knight was not so impressive to her, his face was dull, as if he was always sad. Also, he seemed not to be happy to be in Winterfell.

Still, Sansa and Margaery supported him. She could understand Margaery, after all Loras was her brother and was a similar age to her, but Sansa and the other ladies should realize Ser Garlan's superiority. Among all the women present, only Arya and Lady Leonette Fossoway supported the Gallant in the jousts.

"I see you admire my husband", Lady Leonette said.

"He's a great warrior", Arya replied.

"That's right", she confirmed proudly.

"Lady Margaery's ladies seem to prefer Ser Loras."

"Ser Loras played with them when he was young, my Garlan is something older for them. Look at them, Alla Tyrell, Mega Tyrell, Meredyth Crane, your own sister; all of them maidens, none bloomed, except Elinor Tyrell."

"What do you mean?" she asked confusedly.

"Oh! Nothing, only that they are the youngest. It is normal that they prefer Ser Loras."

"I'm young too", Arya complained.

"But you seem much more astute."

Arya was flattered and smiled at the woman. She was not too old, not more than twenty years old, yet she was married to Lord Tyrell's second son. If she remained in Winterfell accompanying her sister-in-law, maybe it wasn't all bad for Arya, and maybe she could learn to fight with Ser Garlan.

"What do you think of the Greyjoy boy?" asked Lady Leonette suddenly.

"He's a braggart", Arya replied truthfully.

"I think I must retire", Lady Leonette excused herself. "I think Elinor doesn't feel good, things of flowering women. We'll talk soon, Lady Arya."

Arya didn't bother being called a lady and even said goodbye to the woman with great courtesy. She was only curious about Elinor Tyrell, who did not appear to be sick, but happy. She chatted and laughed with Theon Greyjoy, was she hiding a terrible ailment because of court courtesies?

Arya did not know it and was left with the doubt, because she was not willing to join the other ladies or participate in their games. She just waited for the moment when her brother got married so that Lady Margaery's friends would leave the castle and return to the Reach, where they belonged.