AN- Hey guys, another chapter here. I will be honest, this is the chapter I write because I want to write the next one, so it might be a little slow. Anyways, remember to R&R, and I hope you enjoy!
Into the Lion's Den
Atticus was in his wheelhouse, Arya laying on his shoulder, asleep. She slept quietly, as if she was purposefully trying to hide. He looked outside and smiled, seeing the gates to the great castle. He gently nudged Arya's shoulder, attempting to wake her. She mumbled something and pushed his hand away. Atticus chuckled and tried again, a bit more forcefully, only with the same result as the first time. He gets a mischievous grin and leans in close to her ear.
"Arya, wake up!" He yells, only for Arya to punch him straight in the jaw. He stumbles back a little, as the half awake Arya looks around.
"What is it, and why does my hand hurt?" She says, looking at him, her hair messy and her eyes half lidded.
"Well, first, I woke you up because we are here. Second, your hand hurts because you punched me." Atticus says, rubbing his jaw.
"Oh, sorry." Arya says, sitting up straight and adjusting what is left of her hair. She had decided to even it out, since when Cersei cut it it was uneven. She hated the fact that her hair was now just as short, if not shorter, that Atticus's.
"Anyways, we are here, so be prepared for the servants' daughters." Atticus says, confusing Arya.
"What do you mean?" She asks. Atticus chuckles as he remembers them.
"Well, they are a curious bunch, and you are quite an interesting person, especially to them. Its not everyday that you meet a noble girl from the North, or one who would rather fight with swords and where trousers than sew and wear dresses." He says. Arya sighs and nods.
"Well, I guess its fine, as long as they don't ask to do my hair." She says, twiddling a lock of hair in her fingers. Atticus looks at her sadly.
"I'm sorry that happened to you Arya." He says. Arya shakes her head,
"It's not your fault, besides, now when I have my dancing lessons my hair won't be in the way." She says. Atticus smiles and kisses her.
"Good way to look at it, sweet wolf. Maybe you could tell them its a northern style. I can imagine all the maids faces when their daughters cut their hair off so they be like you." He says. Arya laughs and returns the kiss and wraps her arms around his neck. The two are jerked apart when the wagon comes to a stop, causing them both to fall over and laugh. They both quickly get up and straighten their clothes. The door is opened and Atticus walks out first, looking over and seeing the entire castle's population is present. He extends his hand and helps Arya down. Immediately, he hears whispers and mumbling. Atticus silences it by using the same cold, hard look that only he had seen his grandfather give many times.
"She's pretty." One of the servants' daughters says. Arya hears this and gives a smile. Atticus's eyes soften, and he leads her to the front of everyone. He sees a lot of familiar faces and smiles. The first person he notices is his great aunt Genna, a large, assertive woman.
"Atticus! It has been to long!" She says, enveloping him in a bone crushing hug.
"Hello, Aunt Genna, please let go before I die." He says, and she lets him go. Gerion walks and pats him on the shoulder, giving a warm smile. Atticus motions to Arya, and she walks up to him.
"Everyone, this is my betrothed, Lady Arya Stark of Winterfell." He says. The many important members of the Rock greet her, ranging from the Maester to the Master-At-Arms to distantly related family members. Arya is then swept away by the tide of servants and their daughters as they bring her to her room. Atticus can't help but laugh at her situation.
"She seems like a nice girl, but what happened to her hair?" Genna asks. Atticus sighs and motions for them to follow.
"It's a long story, I'll tell you when we get to my chambers" He says, going over to the cart and grabbing Brightroar, and strapping the sword to his back. They go into the large hall of the castle,and Atticus makes his way to the room he had used when he was a ward. It was large, and was decorated almost exactly the same as all the other rooms, with the exception of Tywin's. He sits down at his desk, and explains everything that has happened. Genna gasps and Gerion scowls.
"How could Cersei do something like that?" Genna exclaims.
"Well, she was always a bit mad. Don't you remember when she was nine how she had her guards beat a girl for stealing her necklace?" Gerion responds. Genna nods sadly.
"Yes, but I never thought she would do something like this." She says. Atticus sighs and looks at the older Lannisters.
"We'll deal with her if something like this happens again. Anyways, give me a rundown of the state of the castle." He says. Gerion and Genna sigh and nod.
"We had a bit of a scare last week. We were told by one of the mine overseers that we ran out of gold. Turns out that after only a bit more digging we found a whole new vein. I think that he may have known, and that he was keeping it from us." Gerion says. Atticus looks at him seriously.
"What makes you think that?" He asks.
"A few of the miners have been complaining to your grandfather about him stealing from their pays and threatening or beating them so they keep quiet. Tywin wrote it off as petty complaints of the peasants." Genna answers.
"We can't have people trying to steal gold or mistreating the common folk, I will deal with this. Anything else I should know?" Atticus says.
"Many of the lords of the Westerlands want to come to the Rock and meet your betrothed." Genna says.
"Well, Jon said Arya's name day is in about a week. They can meet her then." Atticus says.
"Speaking of name days, how was yours?" Gerion asks, giving him a smile. Atticus looks at him confused.
"What do you mean?" He asks. Genna and Gerion look at him, a bit worried.
"Your name day was last week, don't you remember?" Genna asks. Atticus sighs and rubs his face.
"No, has it been that many months already?" He mumbles to himself. There is an awkward silence for the next few moments.
"Great, our future lord is a forgetful one, hard for him to pay debts if he doesn't remember that he owes them." Gerion japes. Genna and Atticus laugh halfheartedly.
"Well, if that is all, I will prepare for the girl's celebration.?" Genna says, standing up and leaving.
"Good, and Uncle Gerion, bring me the overseer." Atticus says. Gerion nods and goes off to retrieve him. When he and Genna leave the room, they turn to talk to each other.
"That poor boy, so stressed that he is forgetting his own name days." Genna says. Gerion nods and goes to find the overseer.
"True, I remember that was how Tywin was when he was Hand of the King under the Mad King." Gerion says as he leaves.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Arya was getting a major cleanup from the servants. They had shown her to her room and had immediately given themselves the task of finding her a dress to wear for the night. After many different ones being thrown at her, she had finally reached her limit.
"Enough!" She yelled, startling the servants.
"Sorry, my lady." One said, and the others all nodded in agreement. Arya took a breath to calm herself.
"It's fine, it's just that...I have been on the rode for a while now, how about you draw me a bath?" She says. The servants nod and go off to fetch some water.
"Of course, Lady Arya, right this way." They say as the lead her to the tub. Arya strips down as they pour warm water into the tub. She slips inside slowly, and sighs in contentment. The other servants leave as an older girl, around Robb or Jon's age, with blue eyes and blonde hair walks in.
"Hello, my Lady. I am Aurora Lannister, and I shall be one of your new handmaidens." She says, walking over to Arya.
"One of my handmaidens? I have more than one?" She asks, as Aurora begins to gently comb through Arya's hair.
"Yes, the other one of us is getting a dress ready for you. Would you prefer Lannister or Stark colors?" Aurora asks, and Arya scowls at the mention of dresses.
"Stark, and did you say you were a member of House Lannister?" Arya says. Aurora chuckles a little.
"Actually, I am a member of the cadet branch in Lannisport, my Lady." She answers.
"Oh, I see. House Stark has a cadet branch, House Karstark. They were founded by Karlon Stark, and after being called Karl's Hold Starks for a while, it was just shortened to Karstarks." Arya says, and Aurora nods.
"Ah, that makes sense. It must be a northern thing. Is keeping your hair short a northern thing as well?" She asks. Arya looks down sadly.
"Well, not exactly. Tell me, have you ever met Queen Cersei?" Arya asks.
"No, I haven't has the honor" Aurora says. Arya gives her a very unladylike snort.
"If you do, keep wine and daggers as far away from her as possible." Arya says darkly. Aurora shifts uncomfortably in her seat.
"Well, I am going to go help the other handmaiden, my lady. Call for us whenever you need." She says, and walks out, leaving Arya alone. After she thoroughly cleans herself, Arya steps out of the bath, and puts on her small clothes. She calls for her handmaidens. She meets the other one, Gerion's bastard daughter Joy Hill, as they help her into the dress. It is a beautiful grey dress, with white trimmings, and large billowing sleeves, a classic Westerlands style. Arya frowns, as this is the style of dress Cersei wears. Arya is finally laced in, and walks out of the room and to Atticus's room. She is surprised when she hears shouting from the inside.
"I will not have anyone hurting my subjects! Guards, put him in the dungeons for the night, tomorrow he shall have his trial!" Atticus yells from his room. The door swings open as a man is dragged out by two guards.
"No please my Lord!" He yells as he is dragged away. Atticus, face still exhibiting a cold fury, walks out of his room, and is surprised when he sees Arya.
"Hello Arya, you look very nice" He says, flashing a smile. Arya looks at him, still bewildered by what she just saw.
"What was that?" She asks, pointing toward where the man was being sent. Atticus sighs and leans against the wall.
"Just handling some business. How has your time at Casterly Rock been? " He asks, trying to change the subject.
"Well, except for this stupid dress, its been fine, my new handmaidens seem nice." She says, causing Atticus to smirk.
"Don't worry, you can wear whatever you want, though I think I can have the seamstresses make something for your name day feast that would be the best of both worlds." He says, confusing Arya.
"What do you mean my name day feast?" She asks.
"Many of lords and ladies of the lesser houses want to meet the girl who will become Lady Lannister." Atticus responds, and Arya sighs.
"Fine, but I won't be wearing a dress. Speaking of name days, when is yours?" She questions, causing Atticus to become a bit embarrassed.
"Well, it was last week, I kind of forgot it." He says. Arya punches him in the arm.
"You idiot, I had gotten you something after you bought me the necklace, and I wanted to give it to you on your name day." She says, twiddling her fingers on said piece of jewelry. Atticus looks at her, a bit curious.
"What is it?" He asks. Arya sighs and leads him to her room. She goes over to a trunk and pulls out an arming sword, and hands it to Atticus. It is well made, a high quality steel, and a good point of balance. It also has a very plain, but practical scabbard of a black leather.
"I had it made for you by this apprentice named Gendry since I heard father say he is really good, and because I couldn't afford his master without borrowing money. I thought you could use it since it's easier to carry around than Brightroar." She says. Atticus smiles and kisses her on the forehead.
"Thank you, I really do appreciate it." He says, strapping the sword to his waist.
"Well, your welcome. Hey, do you know where Jon is?" She asks, since she hadn't seen him since she had arrived. Atticus smiles and points out the window and to the courtyard, where Jon was currently giving the guards some lessons in swordsmanship.
"I asked him to due me a favor and whip some of the lazier guards into shape" He says. Arya smiles at her big brother.
"Well, might as well give him the position of Captain of the Guards." She jokes. Atticus thinks the idea over for a moment.
"Maybe, but the current Captain is doing his job alright. If he does something wrong, Jon is going to be up there on the list of replacements." Atticus responds.
"Good, now I am off to go change into something better." Arya says, and heads off to her room. Atticus chuckles and goes to the main hall. He looks over everyone present and can't help himself as he stats categorizing everyone as either ally or enemy. His eyes wander over everyone.
"Allies" He thinks to himself as he looks at Gerion, Joy, and Genna. He then looks at the others, the ones he doesn't trust, such as Aurora, who I suspects to be a spy for Cersei.
"Enemies" Atticus thinks again, his gaze intensifying. He finds himself staring them down, and only stops after he catches a glimpse of his face in a mirror, and has to shake his head to clear the image of them from his mind. The green eyes that help mark him as Lannister no longer appear as the confident ones his father has, or the happy ones that Myrcella and Tommen have. They are the cold, calculating and ruthless eyes that belong to Tywin Lannister.
AN- Another chapter done. Well, remember to R&R, and I hope you enjoyed!