AN- Hey guys, new chapter here. I am sorry it took me so long to update, but it's testing season at school so studying came first. Anyways, remember to R&R, and I hope you enjoy!
What we Need
Casterly Rock- Atticus was in the halls of the great castle, preparing for the arrival of the lords who control the ten thousand soldiers left in the Westerlands, along with his grandfather, Tywin. Atticus walked along the tables in the great hall, making sure they were stocked and ready for the lords that would be coming. He stopped when he hit his hand against one of the tables, causing him to wince.
"Damn, this still hurts." Atticus thought to himself. It had been a few days since he got back, and the wounds, both emotional and physical, still hurt. Lord Eddard's body had been sent to Robb and Catelyn, so he could be laid to rest with his family. Atticus mused over his face, with the large bandages still over the cut on the left side, next to his eye. It was long, and if it was a few inches to the right he would have lost the eye. Atticus is broken out of his thoughts when he spots Jon, flanked by Gerion and Genna, who were walking towards him quickly.
"Atticus, good thing we found you." Genna says. Atticus looks at her, confused.
"What's wrong?" Atticus asks.
"Arya hasn't been the same since father died, and she isn't getting better." Jon says, worry on his face.
"Worse? What do you mean worse?" Atticus asks, concerned about his betrothed. He was already aware that she had been depressed, rarely eating, not attending her water dancing lesson, and she didn't really smile anymore.
"The girl has been in the old Godswood, sitting in front of the heart tree, praying. Jon went to talk to her, but..." Gerion trails off, his voice lowering.
"But what?" Atticus asks.
"I talked to her for almost an hour, and not once did she speak or acknowledge me. The only time I saw her move is when her lips would occasionally move when she prayed. Maybe...maybe you should talk to her." Jon says. Atticus sighs and nods.
"I will, let me just get some things first." He says, walking off to prepare. Jon and Gerion nod, but Genna is still worried.
"Do you think he can help her?" She asks. Gerion sighs as he turns to face his sister.
"I hope so, I really do." He says, and Jon nods as well.
Riverlands- Catelyn Stark, widow of Lord Eddard Stark, was sitting in her son's tent, knitting as she thought of their next move. Robb was talking to Theon Greyjoy, making sure the ward was ready to travel to the Iron Islands. She had tried to convince him against it, but the boy had been stubborn. Robb walks in, and turns to Cat, who does not look up.
"It is done?" She asks, sounding disinterested. Robb sighs at his mother.
"Yes, it is, but we have other matters to attend to." Robb says, pulling out two letters. Cat looks up from her work.
"What are those?" She asks. Robb hands her the letters.
"The first is from Arya, it came with... father's body." He says, choking on the latter part of the statement. Catelyn opens the letter, and reads it. Her eyes harden as she reads of how Arya was attacked, but is still in good health. She recognizes that it is her daughter's handwriting, though the letter was more formal than she expected.
"And the other one?" Cat asks, looking at the broken seal on the letter, obviously the stag of House Baratheon.
"And the second, is from Stannis Baratheon." Robb answers. Catelyn reads the letter, and gasps.
"This...this must be why your father was arrested. He must have known the truth." She says. Robb nods grimly.
"Aye, it must be. It seems that Atticus knew also, when he went to try to save father and Sansa." Robb says. Catelyn nods, and hands him back the letters.
"I believe someone else should know of this news." She says. Robb nods, understanding her meaning. He leaves the tent, and makes her way to the stockades. When he arrived, he found the once proud Kingslayer, in chains and now unclean and unshaven.
"The King in the North. What have I done to earn the honor of a visit from you?" Jaime says with a smirk.
"I am here to show you this." Robb says, showing him the letter. Jaime refuses to look at it.
"And what exactly is this?" The Kingslayer asks.
"A letter, from Stannis Baratheon, sent to all the houses of Westeros. It says that Joffrey and his siblings are bastards, and that you are their father." Robb says.
"I have one child. His name is Atticus, perhaps you know him? I know your little sister does." Jaime says with a smirk. His smile drops when he hears growling. He turns to the left, and sees Robb's direwolf, Grey wind, circling the outside of the cage.
"My father knew the truth, and was killed for it. Do you understand what your secret has done to the Seven Kingdoms?" Robb says, as Grey wind walks up to his side.
"I have no secrets, boy." Jaime says. Grey wind growls and snarls in his face.
"Really? Tell that to Atticus, your so called only son." Robb says, confusing Jaime.
"What do you mean?" Jaime asks. Robb leans down to the Kingslayer.
"Atticus knows. He knew before he went to save my father. We both know he wouldn't save him if he thought he was lying." Robb says. Jaime looks at the ground, saddened by this.
"It seems my son is a better man than I. No wonder your sister wants to marry him." He says.
"My sister's betrothal to him is over. She is to marry Waldron Frey when she comes of age, as per the agreement with Walder Frey states." Robb says, shocking Jaime.
"You promised an already betrothed girl to a Frey? What is he, the twenty second son? You know your sister better than I, but I can tell you that my son will be less than pleased." Jaime says.
"We all must make sacrifices for the cause." Robb says, causing Jaime to scoff.
"The cause? You do realize that my son is the only thing between you and my father. Atticus has ten thousand men under his command, and his and Arya's love is the only reason he went to save Ned Stark." Jaime says, causing Robb to look at him quizzically.
"Their love?" Robb question, and Jaime chuckles.
"Of course, you were in Winterfell, you didn't see how smitten those two are. Ask her if you don't believe me." Jaime says. Robb stands, and looks down at the Kingslayer.
"Atticus is a Lannister, I am at war with the Lannisters. I imagine you can see why my sister marrying the heir to Casterly Rock is a problem." Robb says.
"True, but you will have to pry the two of them away from each other. You and I know that you have no chance of doing that." Jaime retorts.
"Be that as it may, Arya will marry Waldron Frey when they come of age. She can not disobey me in this." Robb says, causing Jaime to scowl.
"She is your sister, not your soldier! Ned Stark gave his blessings to the marriage! I gave my blessings to the marriage!" Jaime says.
"You have no say in this matter, oath breaker." Robb answers back.
"Fine, but you will have to go to Casterly Rock yourself if you want to give the girl to a Frey." Jaime say. Robb turns to leave, but stops at the door.
"I will go to Casterly Rock someday, but it won't be just to get Arya." He says, and then walks away. Jaime looks down and sighs.
"I hope you fair better than I in this war, my son." Jaime thinks to himself.
Casterly Rock, Godswood- Atticus walked through the Godswood, a basket in his right hand and two practice swords on his back. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he never felt comfortable among the Weirwood trees. Atticus rarely entered any Godswood at any castle all, let alone the one at the Rock. From what he had seen from Winterfell and Kings Landing, the branches of the sacred trees were much more tangled and contorted at Casterly Rock. It gave an eerie aura to the place, and it was something Atticus did not enjoy, nor want to spend his time around.
"Maybe it's a little joke by the Old Gods. Having me fall in love with a northern girl while I can barely stand to be near the objects of her religion." He thought to himself, chuckling a little. Atticus rounded a corner, and saw said northern girl. Arya was on her knees, her hands clasped and her head tilted downwards, her eyes red from crying. She was wearing a black tunic and trousers, showing that she was in mourning. Atticus slowly approached her, setting the basket down and sitting next to her. Atticus reached out and touched the carved face of the Heart Tree.
"It's odd, to touch something living, but older than any man or animal." Atticus says. Arya does not respond, causing Atticus to sigh. He looks over and sees a dead tree. He walks over to it, and touches the dead limbs.
"Even these trees can't live forever. But even though it is gone, the other trees go on. I do not follow the Old Gods, nor do I know if trees have spirits, but if they do, I would like to believe that they would want the other trees to go on." He says. Arya begins to crack a bit, shifting a bit. Atticus sits back down next to her, before he continues.
"Not a day goes by without me wishing that I could have saved your father. At night I dream of throwing myself in front of the blade that killed him, or I dream of..." Atticus starts to say, only to be stopped when Arya's hand shoots out and punches him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Before he can recover, she stands up.
"Don't ever say that! I don't blame you for what happened! Joffrey killed my father, and if you had done that, both of you would be dead!" Arya yells. Atticus slowly gets up, and immediately hugs her. She cries into his shoulder, returning the hug. After a few moments of silence, Arya looks up, and giggles.
"What is it, sweet wolf?" Atticus asks.
"I think you had a growth spurt." Arya answers. Atticus looks down, and realizes its true. Where Arya was once at a chin, she is now only to the top of his chest. He also notices how small she is. Arya was, at most, five feet even.
"Perhaps you have shrunk?" He japes. Before Arya can retort, her stomach growls loudly. Atticus smiles and points to the basket. Arya kneels down and opens it. She pulls out a small meat pie, and scarfs it down. Atticus looks at her, and can't help but chuckle.
"Now, how about you show me some of your water dancing?" He says, standing up and pulling the wooden swords off his back. Arya smiles and takes the sword from him, settling into her sideways stance. Atticus picks his sword up and points it at Arya. She swings at his legs, which he parries, and then pushes her back. Atticus lunges at her, but misses as Arya side steps. The two of them trade hits back and forth for a little while, neither doing more than grazing the other.
"Would you actually start trying?" Arya says. Atticus smirks and blocks the next strike, and pushes Arya's sword out of her hand.
"That's what happens when I try." Atticus says, dropping his sword. Arya punches his arm, and then examines his face. She reaches up, and softly touches the bandages on his face. Her hands go inside them, and she feels the still healing wound.
"This is going to scar." She says. Atticus nods, and brings his hands to her face.
"Yeah, but I will still look good, right?" He says in mock fear. Arya pushes down on the cut, causing him to wince.
"No more bad jokes." She says. Atticus nods slowly and leans down, and kisses Arya. She returns the kiss, and wraps her arms around his neck. They continue like this for around a minute, until a loud coughing causes them to stop. They look in the direction of the noise, and see that it is Tywin Lannister, standing proud and tall.
"Am I interrupting something, Atticus?" He teases. Atticus steps forward, and gives his grandfather a handshake.
"Not at all, Lord Tywin." He says, empathizing the name.
"Good, now I believe we should return to the main hall." Tywin says. Arya and Atticus nod, and follow the older Lannister. When they arrive to the great hall, Tywin turns to face them.
"Now, before we get to business, I have a few things for you two." He says, walking over to Arya first.
"I heard that you used to have a bet dire wolf, and that your name day was a week ago, is this correct?" Tywin asks.
"Yes, my lord." Arya answers.
"Good, now think of this as a late name day present." Tywin says, and snaps his fingers. A servant comes in, carrying a small female lion cub. She hands it to Arya, who looks at Tywin, stunned.
"Thank you, my lord. But I thought that the lions were gone." She says.
"Your welcome, and for the most part, yes. I had this one shipped in from Essos, where they are still in abundance. Besides, you are to be a Lannister, it would make sense for you to raise it." Tywin says. Arya nods and looks down at the cub, giving it a small smile. Tywin turns to face Atticus.
"Now, I have something for you, Atticus." He says. Atticus looks on as Tywin has a few soldiers bring in a large box. Tywin opens it himself, revealing a set of red plate armor with gold accents. Atticus got closer, and ran his fingers along the armor. He touched the face of the golden lion on the red breast plate, and then picked up the helmet. It reminded him of the Hound's helmet, only instead it was a lion.
"Than you, grandfather." Atticus says, placing the helmet back down.
"Good, now let us go to my quarters, and discuss why I am really here." Tywin says. Atticus nods and follows the older man. Arya watches them leave, and then walks to her room. She sets her new cub down, and smiles at the cute little thing. As she plays with it, Jon walks into the room.
"What are you going to name her?" He asks. Arya thinks for a moment, before deciding.
"Visenya, after the warrior queen." She says. Jon nods and sits down next to her.
"It's good to see you talking again, sister." He says. Arya turns and smiles.
"Yeah, I'm sorry if I have been...difficult." She says. Jon hugs her and smiles.
"It's fine, you have the right to grieve for father." He says.
"As do you, he was your father too." Arya says. Jon nods slowly.
"Yes he was, I think I should visit my mother's family at a later time." He says, confusing Arya, until she remembers that Atticus gave Jon a letter from their father.
"Who are they?" She asks.
"They are House Dayne, my mother was Ashara Dayne, sister of Arthur Dayne." Jon says, shocking Arya. After around a minute of silence, Arya speaks.
"Wow." She says, causing Jon to chuckle. Arya joins in, and the two eventually end up laughing as hard as they can. The two calm down, and then continue to chat on things they haven't talked about in a long time. As they talk, the topic eventually makes it way back to their father.
"Such a weird thing, that a drunken fool like Robert Baratheon will be mourned by so many in the south, yet our father will not." Jon says.
"Well, I won't mourn Robert Baratheon, that's for sure." Arya says offhandedly. Jon looks at her quizzically.
"What do you mean?" He asks. Arya squirms in her seat, looking a bit uncomfortable.
"Well, he was always so weird around me, especially this one time he was really drunk." Arya says.
Flashback, a few months ago- Arya was in the halls of the Red Keep, looking for her father. She was wearing the same clothes she wore to her dancing lessons, since they had just finished, and she was sweaty and a bit sore from the lessons as well. She was broken from her thoughts when she almost bumped into the king, Robert Baratheon.
"Oh, excuse me, your grace." Arya says. Robert looks down at her, and smiles, very obviously drunk.
"Its fine lass, just let me get the girls to leave." He says confusing Arya. He moves to the left, and two almost nude whores walk past him, saying plenty of things that Arya was sure her mother would wash her mouth out with soap if she said them.
"This is our king?" She thinks to herself.
"Your grace, have you seen my father?" Arya asks. Robert stumbles as he makes his way to a chair.
"I just saw Ned earlier, I think he was doing...something about taxes." He answers. Arya nods and turns to leave, only for Robert to stop her.
"I'm sorry, your grace, I must go find him." She says.
"No, stay here for a minute." He commands. Arya gulps and nods.
"Very well, your grace." She says. Robert leans in, his breath reeking of alcohol.
"How old are you, girl?" He questions.
"Twelve, your grace." She says, feeling like just being in the king's presence is enough to crush her.
"Twelve, I remember your aunt Lyanna at that age. Has Ned told you about her?"Robert says.
"Yes, your grace. I have been told I am a lot like her." Arya says. Robert chuckles, his belly jiggling like jelly.
"Yes, you do look like her a lot. She was so beautiful." He says, gripping Arya's arm with more force than she would expect. He pulls her closer, so that she is on his lap.
"Your grace, stop!" Arya says, trying to pull away. Robert holds her close, not releasing his grip.
"Lyanna, my Lyanna." He says. Arya continues to squirm, trying to escape the iron grip of the fat king.
"Your grace, Ser Barristan needs to speak with you." A voice says. Both of them turn and see Jaime Lannister standing in front of them. Robert huffs angrily and lets Arya go, causing her to land on the ground.
"Fine, escort the girl back to her room, Kingslayer." Robert says, and leaves. Jaime nods and goes over to Arya.
"Are you alright?" He asks. Arya nods, and stands up.
"Yes, and thank you. How does your sister deal with that?" She asks, dusting herself off.
"I don't know. Robert rarely touches her anymore." Jaime says.
"Lucky her, lets head back to my room." Arya says. Jaime nods and then head off in the direction of her room.
Flashback end- Arya and Jon sat silent for a few minutes after the story. Neither moved an inch, until Jon sighed and laid back.
"Two things. One, remind me to thank Ser Jaime when I next see him. Two, I can't believe I left you and Sansa in a room alone with that prick." He says. Arya nods her head in agreement.
"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure he forgot about the entire thing when he sobered up." Arya says.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Jon asks. Arya sighs before answering.
"I don't know why. Perhaps it's because nothing too bad happened, and that I didn't want anyone to worry." Arya says, sounding a bit ashamed. Before Jon can say anything, Atticus opens the door. The two northerners look at him, waiting for him to tell them what has happened.
"I convinced my grandfather to let me and my men stay in the Westerlands. The official story is that I am here to deal with your brother if he decides to attack the Westerlands." Atticus says.
"But what will you do if Robb does march into the Westerlands?" Arya asks. Atticus sighs before he speaks.
"If my bannermen ask for help, they will receive it." He answers.
"We understand, these are your people." Jon says, and Arya nods.
"Thank you,oh and Arya, my grandfather wants to talk take you on a tour of Lannisport." Atticus says, standing up. Arya looks stunned for a second, but then nods.
"I suppose I should get ready then." Arya says. Jon and Atticus nod, and then exit the room, leaving Arya alone to decided which dress is most comfortable.
AN- Another chapter done! Sorry for the long wait, but like I said earlier, testing season is here. To make up for that I made this one extra long for you guys. Remember to R&R so I can get some feedback like on what you think about the Robert Baratheon pulling a Littlefinger thing). Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!