~*Arya Of Winterfell*~

After a dreamless night Arya woke early to hear voices in the castle yard. She yawned softly and rubbed the sleep from her eyes before crawling out of her warm comfy bed. She wrapped a thick grey blanket around her to keep warm as she walked over to her window to look out and see who it was. Her eyes widened seeing the yard white over with snow, the most she could remember seeing inside Winterfell. The voice she heard was the giant stablehand Hodor who looked as just excited as she was. "Hodor" she heard him say over and over as he lumbered around the yard chasing after Bran who had pelted him with a snowball. Arya's face lit up, she had to get down there or she'd miss out on all the fun!

She walked over to her bed and shrugged off the thick blanket before lifting off her nightgown and putting on some clean smallclothes. She then went to the old wooden chest at the foot of her bed and pulled out a green blue dress and shook it off before stepping into it and fastening it up. It was quite a thick dress and should help to keep her warm she hoped. Being quite skinny she was always the first to feel the cold.

Next, she pulled on some thick grey wool socks and some dark brown leather boots which went up to just below her knees before sitting at her silvered looking glass to give her tangled brown hair a quick brush. 'Not as pretty as Sansa but it will do' she thought to herself as she got to her feet. Finally she pulled on a thick fur cape, fastening it with a silver direwolf clasp and put on a thick hat before pulling on her gloves.

She left her bedchamber without making her bed as usual and left her sleeping gown on the floor where she had tossed it before making her way down the stone steps, past Sansa's room. 'Probably still making herself look like a princess' she thought as she continued down until she stepped out into the yard. The air was cold and crisp and her breath steamed from her mouth and her nostrils. 'Winter is coming' she thought to herself, the Stark words.

By now Hodor had retreated into the stables to tend to the horses but Bran had found a new sparring partner in Rickon. Arya giggled as she picked up some snow and shaped it into a snowball. They hadn't noticed her yet so she sneaked closer before taking aim and throwing, hitting Bran on the back of the head much to Rickon's delight. Two on one Bran never stood a chance. After taking a quick battering he soon yielded and they set about making a snow castle together.

When the snow castle was well under way Sansa appeared looking like a true Winterfell lady, unlike Arya who looked anything but with her wild hair and slightly grubby hands and face. 'She used to play with us and laugh and giggle, I wonder what happened to her?' Arya thought as the snowball hit her older sister on her right shoulder.

Sansa screamed and glared at Arya, who couldn't even remember making the snowball or throwing it. But, the fact that her brothers were still caught up in making their snow castle proved that she was the guilty one. "Father will hear of this you...you little wretch" her sister yelled red faced at her as she marched over to the great hall to break her fast.

Rickon was laughing, Bran too a little as he stood helping Rickon to his feet. "We should go and break our fast too" Bran said as they left their snow castle behind and he led them into the great hall to join the rest of the family.

Her father sat in the high lord's chair at the head of the table, her lady mother Catelyn sat on his left and her older brother Robb to his right. Catelyn gave Arya a look as if to tell her that she was in trouble and Sansa glared at her too, but Robb gave her a smile. Old Maester Luwin was seated too but he paid her no mind. Once seated Arya pulled her face and stuck her tongue out at Sansa, she knew that she was in trouble anyway so a little more wouldn't hurt.

"Arya you owe your sister an apology" Lord Eddard said in a firm voice as he looked at her.

"She owes me an apology too, she called me a little wretch." Arya complained.

Sansa looked on clearly feeling pleased with herself. This was more than Arya could stomach so she scooped up some porridge onto her spoon and flicked it at Sansa, splattering it over the front of her green dress, some even got in her hair and on her face.

"ARYA!" Sansa said in a raised voice, her mouth was wide open in shock, as was Rickon's except he was laughing. She heard Bran snickering too, even Robb was smiling though he had the grace to try and hide it. Her mother however looked none too pleased.

Eddard had seen enough and rose "To your chamber Arya, you're to stay there for the rest of the day." He said in a firmer tone than before.

"But...but..." She tried protesting.

"Now Arya..." Eddard said in an even firmer tone, raising his eyebrows slightly. She knew it was no use.

Arya got to her feet and marched toward the door of the great hall. "I hate her!" She yelled as a parting shot before leaving. She didn't really hate her, she had just got so frustrated with her sister.

They used to get along when they were younger but now they were almost complete opposites. They used to play together, even shared a bed chamber together when they were younger but that seemed like a long time ago now.

Hodor noticed her emerge from the great hall and said "Hodor?" to her, but she pretended not to hear him and made her way across the snow covered yard, past the snow castle and back up the stone steps to her bedchamber. She threw her cape on the floor and removed her hat, gloves and leather boots before lying face down on her bed crying.

Arya slowly opened her eyes to feel her cheek being licked. It felt warm and rough against her soft skin. "Nymeria...you came for me." She said softly as she reached up weakly and stroked her direwolf's soggy grey fur. Her hand was red and felt sticky from the blood, her stomach still burned fiercely. She noticed that the sky was getting darker and a few grey clouds were gathering overhead. 'Rain' she thought to herself before she slowly blacked out again.

'Stupid Sansa I hate her' she thought to herself which made her cry even more. She wanted to get along with her sister just as well as she did with her brothers, but Sansa made it so hard sometimes. Maybe it was her own fault as well sometimes...just sometimes.

After a few moments of despairing she remembered that she was a wolf and wolves don't cry so she sat up and wiped her eyes. She looked around and decided that she should probably tidy her chamber, that would help to pass the time and it was going to be a long boring day confined to her chambers.

She picked up her nightgown and folded it neatly before placing in her bed and pulling the blankets and furs so that it looked neat. She then picked up her cape and hung it on the wall before sitting on the edge of her bed looking for something else to do.

By now the light was coming in brighter through her window so she made shadow pictures with her hands on the opposite wall. "I remember making shadow pictures when I was your age." Her father said as he walked in, giving her a little smile before sitting on the bed next to her. "Arya what has gotten into you today? Why did you throw snow at your sister, you know she doesn't like it?" He asked her as he placed his hand on the small of her back before pulling her into a hug.

She smiled up at him feeling a little ashamed. "I don't know why? It just happened...I couldn't help it." She tried to explain.

Her father thought for a moment. "And what about the porridge? Sansa claims her dress is ruined."

Arya felt her anger building up again at the mention of Sansa, knowing that she was probably exaggerating to get her in more trouble. "She called me a little wretch she deserved it."

Lord Eddard chuckled slightly. "That may well be, but you're a young lady of Winterfell and ladies do not throw snowballs and porridge." He smiled at her. "Tomorrow you will apologise to your sister and that will be the end of it."

Arya looked up at him and gave her father a faint smile, she knew it was no use trying to argue with him. "Yes father, I'll apolgize."

Eddard kissed her on the forehead and stood before leaving her alone in her bedchamber to continue making shadow pictures on the wall.

After a while she grew bored and lay on her bed looking up at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity when she heard footsteps coming up the stone steps. Her door opened and in walked Jon Snow back from his early morning ride with Theon Greyjoy. "Seems I missed all the fun little sister." He chuckled as he sat on the edge of her bed.

Arya sat up sitting cross legged. "I threw snow at Sansa and she called me a little wretch so I threw porridge at her as well...I ruined her dress I think?" She shrugged knowing that Sansa had probably exaggerated to get her in even more trouble.

Jon mussed her hair and handed her a square wooden plate of fruit. "Here, I don't want you starving. You're skinny enough as it is."

She smiled brightly at him as she accepted the smuggled food. "Thanks Jon you're the best!"

He smiled back, stood and left before he was discovered, closing the heavy wooden door behind him.

The rain woke her as it started to fall more heavily, it felt refreshing on her grubby face. It was dark now and cold and she shivered as she struggled to keep warm. At least Nymeria hadn't left her, for which she was thankful. "You'll keep me safe until I get my strength back won't you girl." She whispered softly to her loyal direwolf.

Arya winced in pain as she mustered what little strength she had and rolled onto her side to face Nymeria. Her stomach felt as if it was on fire, it hurt so much. Using the last of her strength she climbed up onto her direwolf's back, gripping at her soggy grey fur. Not having the strength to sit, she lay on Nymeria's back and wrapped her weak arms around her lower neck. "You know the way Nymeria." She whispered to her loyal direwolf as Nymeria stood and started to walk. Arya looked over to where Jaime Lannister lay and slowly blacked out again as Nymeria carried her off into the shelter of the trees.

Arya looked over the fruit for a few minutes before deciding on a red apple and bit into it. Some of the juice flowed down her chin and dripped onto her dress but she didn't care. She was quite hungry though she hadn't realised it until just now and quickly finished her apple.

Through her window she heard the familiar ring of steel clashing. She placed the wooden plate down on her desk and sat on an old oak stool by her window and looked down at the yard to see Robb and Jon had started training together, as they had been on most days lately. She also spotted Theon Greyjoy loosing arrows at a straw mannequin, but she had never much cared for him so went back to watching Robb and Jon. Little Rickon and Bran were happy finishing off the snow castle which now boasted over twenty towers. She wished that she was down there with them.

Winterfell was slowly stirring and the yard became busier as the morning went by. Maester Luwin came and went twice. Once carrying what looked like raven messages for her father and a second time with a large thick book that was almost half the size he was. Arya thought he'd never make it without slipping until Hodor gave him an arm and carried the book for him.

Next she spotted Sansa walking with Septa Mordane to the far tower for their needlework lessons. 'At least I don't have to do that today' She thought. She hated needlework lessons so much that even being confined to her chambers was better than that. Later Ser Rodrick was drilling his guards, bellowing at one guard who had overslept, turning bright red in the process so his white whiskers stood out even more than usual, she had to giggle.

Watching the activity below kept her entertained for a while, but boredom soon set in again so she lay on her bed trying to think of what she was going to say as an apology to Sansa on the morrow. 'I'm sorry for throwing porridge at you and for ruining your stupid dress' Was the first one that came to mind but that would never do. 'I'm sorry for throwing snow and porridge at you, I'm a terrible sister' Came next. Maybe she would leave the part about being a terrible sister out though? 'Yes, that will do' She thought, so she settled on that.

"She's still alive." Arya heard a familiar voice say as she suddenly snapped out of her dream.

"She looks in a bad way, we have to hurry." Another voice added moments later.

Arya wearily opened her eyes to see Anguy and an unfamiliar face walking alongside her as she lay on Nymeria's back. At least she thought it was him, it was hard to focus and she felt so weak. She was cold and wet too which didn't help, but Nymeria felt warm and dry underneath her and the swaying movement as she walked felt comforting somehow. She blacked out once more.

Afternoon came and went and Arya played little games to try and keep the boredom at bay. She picked at the fruit Jon had brought her until the wooden plate was empty apart from the apple core which had turned brown.

She could hear footsteps walking up the stone steps and in walked Robb, he gave her a little smile. She loved Robb and smiled back. "Father says you can come to evening tea if you promise to behave."

Arya quickly pulled on her boots and walked over to him, smiling up at him. "I'll behave, I promise."

They made their way down down the steps and across the yard, the snow had mostly melted away or had been trodden down. The snow castle was more a snow heap and only a few towers remained.

"Is mother still angry with me?" She asked as they approached the great hall. She knew her father had forgiven her, even found it slightly amusing, but her mother had just given her a stern look and not come to see her in her chamber.

Robb glanced down at her as he pushed open the heavy wooden door. "If you behave everything will be fine little sister." He winked at her and led her over to the table.

Her father was seated in the high lord's chair at the head of the table, her mother to his left and Robb went to sit at his right as usual. Bran and Rickon smiled at her but Sansa and Septa Mordane were deep in conversation. Maester Luwin looked to be falling asleep, he gave her a quick look and a little nod so she smiled back.

'Maybe I'll apologise to her now and then it's done with!' She thought as she slowly walked over to where her sister was seated. She coughed a little to get Sansa's attention. "I'm...I'm sorry that I threw snow and porridge at you and ruined your dress." She smiled even though she didn't really want to, but it was all she could do from running away back to her bedchamber. Like a true lady Sansa smiled and graciously accepted her apology.

Arya took her seat between Bran and Jon feeling better now that the apology was out of the way. Eddard and Catelyn smiled at her and Robb gave her a little nod as if to approve. And then they started to eat.

Arya eagerly ate, she had only had fruit to eat all day and would have had nothing at all if Jon hadn't sneaked that up to her. The stew was delicious and she dipped lots of bread in to fill her up. She washed it down with some water, wiping her mouth on the back of her sleeve, much to Sansa's disgust, who wiped her own mouth with clean cloth like a real lady should.

Eddard rose from his chair and signalled for quiet and Arya looked at him knowing that he had something to say. He always did this when he had something important to say.

"I have some news for you all. The king rides north to Winterfell."

"Will he bring the queen?" Rickon asked.

"Will he bring Prince Joffrey?" Sansa added.

Eddard signalled for quiet.

"Will he bring the imp?" Arya asked. She really wanted to see the imp!

Her mother Catelyn rolled her eyes and smiled. Eddard continued "The king travels north with a full host, he will arrive in three weeks. Winterfell must be ready, WE must be ready. I expect everyone of you to do your duty." Eddard sat and finished off his wine before giving everyone their leave.

Arya stood and went to make her way back to her chamber when Septa Mordane spoke. "Arya Underfoot, on the morrow we start lessons to teach you some curtesy for the king, do not be late!"

Arya nodded at her but couldn't hide her frown, her brothers laughed. Septa Mordane was always up at first light and her lessons always started shortly after, so Arya decided to go to bed early that night so she wouldn't be late. She'd been in enough trouble lately and felt surprisingly tired. Being confined to her chambers was more tiring that she thought possible.

Once she was back in her bedchamber she closed the heavy wooden door and changed into her nightgown and slid under her blankets and furs. The pale moonlight shone through her window waking her so she got up and closed the wooden shutters before getting back into bed. She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes. Before long she had fallen asleep again.

Arya slowly opened her eyes and could feel the warmth of a fire against her face, but it was nothing compared to the burning in her stomach. And so many faces looking down at her, familiar but so strange at the same time.

"It's too late, she's beyond my help." She could hear one voice say.

"Is there nothing that you can do?" Said another.

"I'm sorry, all I can do now ease her passing." Said the first voice again.

"No, there is a way." The pale hooded face said in a cracked voice as it leaned down and kissed her forehead. Arya slowly blacked out as the last of her strength left her broken body.

Arya slept soundly through the night and woke as the bright sunlight crept through the cracks in the wooden shutter that blocked her window. 'Seven hells I'm late!' She thought as she sat upright, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. How she overslept she could not say, but it meant that she would be in more trouble that was for certain. She considered feigning sickness for a brief moment but knew that maester Luwin would see right through her act and so she decided against it.

She stretched her slender arms out to the side and got out of bed before slipping on a simple blue dress and giving her tangled hair a quick brush. She quickly made her way down the stone steps to the yard where Jon Snow was practicing his sword arm against a straw mannequin when he spotted her.

"You're late little sister, Septa Mordane will have your hide for this." He laughed a little before smiling at her. Arya pulled a face at him and hurried on her way to more laughter from her bastard half-brother. She made her way to where Septa Mordane was holding her class going past a room where maester Luwin was teaching Bran and Rickon and a few other boys the history of the Starks of Winterfell. Arya wished she could have joined them instead. The door to her class was left slightly ajar so she pushed it open and crept in, Sansa was demonstrating a curtsy to the other girls and Septa Mordane walked over to meet her after spotting her.

"Arya child you are late." She looked sternly at her before smiling. Despite finding her lessons boring Arya quite liked Septa Mordane. "Your sister is demonstrating how a lady curtsies." Septa Mordane said as she led Arya to the front of the class, Sansa took her seat and watched on.

"Arya will show her curtsey and then we shall practice together, we must be ready for when the king arrives." She stepped back and gave Arya a little nod.

Arya calmed herself and showed the class a clumsy looking curtsy which made one of the girls snicker. Arya blushed a little and Sansa glared at the snickering girl before giving Arya a little smile as if to say it was ok. Arya smiled back gratefully at her big sister while Septa Mordane walked over and patted her shoulder.

"Oh Arya someday you'll get it I'm sure."

They spent the rest of the morning practicing how to curtsy and greet properly. Sansa teamed with Arya, although Arya was doing most of the practicing. The porridge incident long forgotten and they were 'real sisters' again she thought.

At midday Septa Mordane ended her class satisfied with everyone's progress, even Arya's. Just before she walked through the door Arya turned and did an almost perfect curtsy and giggled bringing a smile to Septa Mordane's face. "Off with you child, you did well today so I'll make no mention of your lateness to your mother."

Arya smiled happily at her before making her way to the yard to see Bran practicing with a bow. Robb, Theon and Jon were stood watching. Spotting her, Jon shouted over to her. "Have you come to show Bran how to shoot an arrow again little sister?"

Last time Bran was practicing with a bow, Arya had just finished her needlework lesson with Septa Mordane and embarrassed him by hitting the center of a target while Bran was firing over each time. He chased her off for her efforts as their father and mother watched on, Robb and Jon found it funny too. "Maybe I will?" She replied as she walked over and picked up a bow, grinning at Bran.

Jon mussed her hair and smiled at her and she smiled back. "Three arrows each, highest score wins. Five points for the red center, three for a yellow ring, one for the white...agreed?" Robb said as Theon marked a line for them to shoot from.

Arya and Bran nodded in agreement before Bran stepped up to take aim before aiming and hitting the red center, he smiled proudly. Arya felt happy for Bran he'd been practicing really hard with Theon and she could see how much it meant to him.

Arya stepped up and aimed, she hit the red center too. Sansa had come to watch alongside Robb and Jon as Bran stepped up for his second shot and this time he just missed the red center landing in the yellow ring.

Arya hit the red center again with her second arrow, Jon and Robb looked impressed, Sansa did too a little. Then Bran stepped up and took aim for his final shot and hit the red center, more to his relief than anything else.

Finally Arya stepped up and took aim but purposely aimed a little higher than her previous two arrows landing in the white zone, then pretended to be disappointed to have lost. Bran punched the air with delight but was gracious enough to congratulate her on her excellent shooting.

Sansa gave her a little hug. 'She knows' Arya thought as she returned the hug. She smiled at Robb as he gave her a smile and a nod. 'He knows too'. Sansa then went over to hug Bran to congratulate him as Jon came over and mussed her hair, winking at her. 'He knows as well.'

"Take it easy, you're going to be ok." She heard Anguy say to her as she slowly opened her eyes. She winced as she held her stomach and slowly sat up. The pain felt different though, this was hunger and not the burning pain that hurt so much.

"Look at me Arya, you're safe." He reassured her as she slowly started to focus and looked at him. "You're back at Hollow Hill with the brotherhood, thanks to that wolf of yours...and a little luck." He smiled at her and offered her a cup of water that he had poured from a flagon by her bed.

She smiled weakly and started to slowly sip the cool water as she thought about her dream. Or was it a memory? It all felt so real. She could feel the cool water trickle into her empty stomach, it felt so refreshing. She handed the cup back to him before lifting up her top a little to see a large deep scar and at least thirty crooked stitches across her slender stomach, just above her naval. 'Even my needlework is better than that' She thought to herself as she gently ran her fingertips across the rough stitches.

"That's an impressive looking scar you've got, especially for a highborn lady." Anguy chuckled slightly, teasing her, knowing that she hated to be called that. "At least you're still alive, that's the main thing my lady."

Arya pulled her top back down over her scarred, stitched up stomach and frowned. "Don't call me that!" She frowned a little more at him, he knew that she hated being called that.

Anguy simply smiled back at her. "Yes, you're definitely going to be alright." He winked at her and started laughing.

She smiled and laughed a little with him. She still had her quick temper so he must be right. "Where is my mother? I need to see her. I need to tell her what happened." She said as she slowly got to her feet. Her legs felt weak and a little shaky under her, but she didn't feel too bad considering.

Anguy stood next to her and put his arm around her slender waist as she put her arm around his waist for support. "I'll take you to Thoros, he'll tell you everything that you need to know." He said, trying not to look at her.

Arya knew that something was wrong, she could sense it. 'He's hiding something!'