~:A Storm Is Coming:~
For the next six days the Stark sisters were inseperable, often staying up late into the night to talk and catch up on lost time and share memories, both happy and sad. Memories of Robb and Jon and Bran and little Rickon. Memories of their constant fights and driving their mother and father mad.
Arya told Sansa her story and then Sansa told Arya her own while they braided each others hair, ate lemoncakes together, walked the halls of the Gates of the Moon together, and even fell asleep in the same bed together after staying awake to talk into the small hours of the morning. It was just like they used to do when they were very small and shared a bedchamber back in Winterfell before they fell out, before all the arguments and fighting.
Both of the Stark sisters had it tough since leaving Winterfell as little girls. They were both so young and naive and full of hope. Sansa hoped to marry her prince and become queen some day and Arya was to learn the ways of the southron court and improve her needlework, though she was more interested in adventuring and exploring and learning to use a very different type of Needle than Septa Mordane was teaching.
Arya and Sansa were both there when their lord father was executed. Sansa had been tormented by Joffrey and Arya had seen things that would haunt her for the rest of her days and had left nothing but a hole where her heart used to be. But that hole had gone now that she was back with her sister. They had both survived and were now together again at last. They were a pack again at last!
Arya felt happy to see Sansa smile when she told her sister that their younger brothers Bran and Rickon were alive, Jon too. "He's the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch now." Arya said feeling proud of Jon. Arya had always been closer to Jon than Sansa had, but Sansa seemed genuinely pleased to hear that Jon was alive and well.
Arya then told Sansa the truth of Jon's parents, though Sansa found it hard to believe at first. "But why would father have lied?" She asked.
"Father did it to protect Jon. If King Robert knew the truth about him he would have killed him." Arya tried to explain, defending her father's decision. She still missed him.
One afternoon, as they were admiring the view of the snow covered mountains Arya commented on how beautiful Sansa was and how she looked so like their lady mother. They shared the same red hair and the same eyes and cheekbones. Arya even imagined it must have been what her lady mother looked like when she was younger.
And Sansa, in return said how pretty Arya had become and that she no longer looked liked a horseface. This of course earned her a playful punch on the arm. Horseface was the name that Sansa and some of the other girls used to call Arya back in Winterfell, Sansa especially when she was angry at Arya. And Sansa was always angry at Arya! They couldn't help but giggle.
Sansa had kept the direwolf needlework that Arya had made for her before leaving the Eyrie many moons ago. "I kept it with me always." She told Arya with a pretty smile one evening. Back then Arya was pretending to be Jayne Snow as part of her training to become a faceless lady, but she didn't have to pretend anymore. This time they could be sisters again, real sisters.
Arya and Sansa both found It strange how they were getting along so well, but strange in a good way. They used to fight and argue over the smallest of things back in Winterfell much to their parents dismay and their brothers amusement. Back in King's Landing their father had even once joked to Septa Mordane that war was easier than daughters and maybe he had a point. But now they were closer than ever. Now they both understood what it meant to be sisters, what it meant to be a pack again.
It was true that they had always been so different, only a fool would deny it. But, they hadn't always hated each other and had occasionally got along. Arya liked to remember these times more than the times they had fought. One night the girls stayed up and talked about some of the more fun times they had back in Winterfell.
First they talked about Old Nan and the tales she used to tell them. Tales of grumpkins and snarks, dragons and knights. Back then Arya was young and believed that some of them were actually true, though now she knew the truth. That they were just tales, though a small part of her wished there was an inkling of truth in them.
Then they talked about Septa Mordane and her needlework lessons which Arya had always hated and found so boring, where Sansa had found them so enjoyable. They couldn't help but giggle when Sansa reminded Arya of when Septa Mordane had scolded Arya for her crooked stitches, saying that Arya had the hands of a smith. Arya could still see the stoney look on her old Septa's face and the look of resignation in her mother's.
They giggled at chasing Hodor around the yard and pinching lemoncakes from the kitchens when the servants weren't looking. They stayed up so late that they saw the sun rising over the mountains above them. It was such a beautiful sight that Arya didn't mind feeling tired for the whole of the next day, even though she had stayed in bed until well after lunch time. Septa Mordane and her mother would not have approved of that either!
As acting Lady of the Vale Sansa had called in the banners. Ravens had been sent weeks before Arya's arrival and the lords of the Vale had now finally gathered at the Gates of the Moon. Most were from minor houses, but all were there to swear their allegiance to Sansa after Robin Arryn's death two weeks past. Sansa was to be officially named as Lady Protector of the Vale, though the crown would not recognise her as Warden of the East as Lord Robin had been.
Lord Robin had been sick for some time and had never truly recovered from the journey down from the Eyrie. His sickness was well known throughout the Vale as he had always been a weak, sickly boy. In the end all Maester Coleman could do was ease his passing with milk of the poppy.
Once the lords had gathered in the Great Hall Sansa was officially sworn in as Lady Protector of the Vale and the lords each pledged their allegiance. Sansa now ruled the Vale by right, though the Arryn sigil still hung from the stone walls, soon to be replaced with Stark banners, a grey direwolf over a white background.
Arya found the cermony long and boring as it lasted for several hours and only stayed to show support for her sister, even though she would have rather been training with Syrio or playing with Nymeria in the snow. Each lord came and bent the knee as Sansa accepted their words before the lord moved away and the next lord did the same. If Sansa was as bored as Arya was she hid it well, smiling and nodding and being gracious like the highborn lady she had been raised to be.
As High Steward of the Vale and Keeper of the Gates of the Moon, Lord Nestor Royce was the last of the lords to swear his allegiance and bring the ceremony to a close, much to Arya's relief. Standing still in one spot for so long was making her feet hurt, not that she complained.
After the ceremony was finally over and the lords were seated again Sansa called on Arya and asked her to speak of the war ahead. To tell them what she knew.
Arya stood by her sister as spoke of the White Walkers and the war to come. She told the gathered lords of Daenerys Targaryen and the plan to take back the Riverlands and the North. "The Seven Kingdom's must be united if we are to survive." She told them. "Make no mistake, the Long Night is coming, the White Walkers have returned." She them paused for a moment. "Winter is coming and the dead come with it!"
The news was greeted with a few moments of silence before the lords started talking amongst themselves. The lords and knights of the Vale had stayed out of the War of the Five Kings, Arya only hoped that they would not stay out of this one by burying their heads in the snow. She must make them listen, she must make them act or they were all doomed.
"And how are we supposed to help?" One of the lords shouted above the noise. He was a tall man with wavey brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard. Arya didn't recognise the sigil on his jerkin so figured he was perhaps a lord or knight from a minor house.
"Why should we risk our lives? We are safe here high in the mountains." Shouted another. A shorter, stockier man with flame red hair. Arya did not recognise his sigil either. She really wished she had paid more attention to Maester Luwin back in Winterfell.
Sansa stood to try and signal for calm and the noise soon died down. "My sister and I were raised in the north. We grew up with stories and tales of the White Walkers and the Long Night. The Wall will not stop them. The Night's Watch cannot stop them, their numbers are too few. The Mountains may slow them down and our walls may hold them for a time, but they will not stop until we are all dead." Sansa paused as she looked over to Arya who gave her an encouraging smile. "We MUST act before it is too late."
The Great Hall filled with talking and shouting as the discussion continued long into the night before Arya was finally allowed to explain some of the plan which had been given to her by Mathis back in the House of Black and White. Arya told them that the Knights of the Vale should march on The Twins. But they would not attack or try to take it, merely be a distraction. There would be no danger as the Frey's would never willingly fight a batlle they didn't need too.
Everyone agreed that the Frey's would never ride out to face the Knights of the Vale in the field as they were some of the most formidable in the Seven Kingdoms and would easily crush the Freys in open combat. The Frey's would stay safely hidden behind their walls and call for reinforcements from Riverrun where Walder Frey now ruled as lord as a reward from the Lannister's for his role in the betrayal at the Red Wedding.
"But what of the Lannister's?" Was one concern that was voiced. "What if they send men?"
"Why attack the Frey's?" Was another.
"Lady Cersei has her hands full dealing with the Faith Militant in King's Landing. She will not forget her penetance easily." Lord Royce replied. "We have nothing to fear from the Lannister's
Arya had no idea what Lord Royce was talking about, she had never heard of the Faith Militant or any penetance, but she knew that it could only be a good thing if Cersei's mind and focus were in King's Landing. "Cersei will not send Lannister men to aid the Frey's. By now she must know that Daenerys Targaryen is building a fleet of ships and plans to sail to Westeros." Arya replied confidently. "She will keep her men where they are to defend King's Landing and the king."
The Great Hall fell silent at the mention of Daenerys Targaryen, everyone looked over to Arya waiting to hear more, she only hoped they would hear her out for the sake of everyone's lives.
Arya went on to explain how she had met with Daenerys and seen her three dragons and army of Unsullied with her own eyes. "If we are to stand any chance against the White Walkers the Seven Kingdoms must be united behind one banner. We must stand by Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons."
Lord Royce called for silence as everyone started discussing the situation between themselves again. "SILENCE." He shouted in a loud booming voice, banging his large fist several times on the wooden table before nodding at Arya so that she could continue. "Why should Knight's of the Vale attack the Frey's? What would that achieve?" He asked her calmly, trying to encourage her and give her a little confidence.
"On the morrow, if the weather is fair I will ride to join up with the Brotherhood Without Banners. They have grown into a small army under the Blackfish, Bryndon Tully. Once the Frey soldier reinforcements have left Riverrun for The Twins we will take back Riverrun, capturing Walder Frey and freeing Edmure Tully who is currently being held as hostage in the dungeons." Arya replied before glancing over at Sansa who smiled back reassuringly at her. "The Knights of the Vale can either kill the Frey reinforements or simply retreat to Riverrun where we will negotiate an exchange of prisoners. The Great Jon, Jon Umber in exchange for Lord Walder."
"Can you really take Riverrun with such a small force?" Shouted the stocky, flame haired lord.
"Why should we care about Jon Umber?" Asked another. "Why should we risk our men for him?"
"This is madness."
"Suicide."
The Great hall erupted into talking and shouting over the top as the various lords and knights argued amongst themselves again, much to Arya's disappointment.
Arya waited for the noise to die down before continuing. "Walder Frey will not risk losing The Twins. He will send as many men as he can to reinforce it, leaving only a small force with him at Riverrun. He thinks he is safe behind his walls and with winter here he doesn't expect an attack. And the Blackfish will know Riverrun better than any man alive." There was much more to the plan, but for now Arya figured this was enough to focus on. "With the Great Jon free I can unite the northern houses and take back Winterfell for my brother Rickon who is currently sheltering with the Umber's. With the combined armies of the north, the Riverlands and the Vale we can then attack the Twins from both the north and the south."
Arya knew that it was a lot to ask and a lot to take in, but they must start to unite the Seven Kingdoms. They must be united for the war to come or it would be a war they will all lose. If the Seven Kingdoms were not united when the White Walkers marched they would all die.
The discussion lasted long into the night before it was finally agreed upon. Some of the lords and knights were eager to take on the Frey's in the name of justice for their new Lady, others were not so eager, but they all agreed that it must be done. They would march to The Twins under the Stark banner with Lord Nestor Royce at it's head.
It would take some time for the Knights of the Vale to prepare for the march to The Twins and as the weather was bad the following day Arya decided to stay one more day with her sister before setting off for the Riverlands. This time she would travel alone on Nymeria's back to get there as fast as possible, but that meant leaving Ser Jorah and Syrio behind at the gates of the Moon.
After talking with Lord Royce, Ser Jorah had agreed to ride to The Twins with the Knights of the Vale to assist them should there be a battle. "It's been too long since I swung a sword in anger." He told Arya with a smile as he did a few practice swings, focusing on the mission ahead. He may have been old but it was clear to Arya that he was still a capable warrior.
Arya wished him luck before walking over to talk with her friend and mentor Syrio Forel.
Syrio told her that he too would ride with the Knights of the Vale and Ser Jorah to The Twins, though Arya had asked him to stay by Sansa's side. "The First Sword to the Sealord of Braavos does not fear battle, girl." He said to her with a grin. "Do not worry, we will meet again."
"A girl will not worry." She replied with a smile, though inside she couldn't help but worry a little. "Take care." She continued, smiling up at him.
The following morning Arya said her farewells to her sister. Both of them fighting back the tears and hugging each other. Arya set off as soon as the sun had risen and the first light had shone across the Vale far below to make the most of the short daylight.
Nymeria ran quickly with Arya on her back, bounding almost effortlessly through the thick blanket of snow. So much fresh snow had fallen over night, but it didn't seem to bother Nymeria as they made their way down the mountain. Progress was far quicker than when they had walked up with Ser Jorah and Syrio a few days past.
Thankfully Arya only had to spend one night in a long abandoned marble mine where she burned some broken barrels and snuggled up to Nymeria to keep warm. The mine had mostly collapsed but there was enough room for her and Nymeria to sleep next to each other and served to keep away the wind and snow which had picked up that afternoon. Arya really appreciated the warmth from her loyal direwolf who had stayed by her side that night instead of going off hunting like she usually did and snuggled close to her.
By noon the next day Arya had reached the base of the mountains, the Gates of the Moon and the Eyrie were far behind them. The land had levelled out and the snow had thinned making progress easier. It was strange but Arya found that she was missing her sister already. Back at Winterfell she would have gladly gone days without seeing her. How times had changed.
As Arya reached the Riverlands she saw that only a thin blanket of snow covered everything compared to high up in the mountains where the snow was thicker and deeper, up to thirty feet or more in places. And although it was cold it wasn't as bitter as before in the Vale and the wind was much weaker for which she was thankful. Pine trees had been replaced by oak and elm and birch and ash, each had shed it's leaves for the winter many moons ago.
There was little sign of anyone travelling, only various animal prints and droppings were to be found in the snow. Wolves, hares and stags were amongst the prints in the snow, but no horses or man. Even so Arya wanted to be cautious and decided to change her face to her new one as she couldn't risk being Jayne Snow.
Arya closed her eyes and pictured her new face, the face of Catelyn Rivers. After a moment Arya slowly pulled her left hand down over her face. Her hair stayed long and brown, but her face thinned and her eyes were now dark brown instead of grey.
Arya also didn't want to risk being seen with Nymeria, so she climbed off her back and let her run free to hunt and feed.
Extra Content - Cersei
"Your Grace, I have word from Meereen." Qyburn began.
After taking a sip from her wine, a fine Dornish Red, she placed her silver goblet down to look over at Qyburn. Ser Robert Strong stood silently behind her, towering over everybody in the Small Council Chambers.
Cersei was sat at the head of the table as she represented her beloved son King Tommen, with her uncle and Hand of the King, Kevan Lannister sat to her right. Qybern the Master of Whispers, sat to her left.
"Daenerys Targaryen now has a fleet of more than fifty ships. Her dragons have grown." He continued, concern written across his aged face.
Lately Cersei had grown to rely on Qyburn, unlike the former Master of Whisperers and traitor Lord Varys. "And yet she does not sale?" She replied unconcerned. If Daenerys sailed Cersei intended to burn her fleet with wildfire, just as they had done with Stannis Baratheon's fleet years before in Blackwater Bay.
"Blackwater Bay is frozen and snow falls on King's Landing. Maybe the Targaryen girl hopes for a short winter?" Lord Mace Tyrell replied jokingly with a chuckle, making his chins wobble.
The cold glare that Cersei gave him could have burnt a hole right through him. The man may have been Master of Coin, but he was fool and she was in no mood for him or his stupid comments. Even his fat face annoyed her.
And then there was Grand Maester Pycelle. Cersei hated him even more. A wretched, incompetant and bumbling old fool who was only sat in the same chamber as her and breathing the same air as her because he was Grand Maester of the Citadel. If she had her way he would be thrown into the Black Cells. At least Tyrion had done that right when he was Hand of the King.
"When the attack comes it will come by land Your Grace. Daenerys Targaryen cannot sail into Blackwater Bay. And she won't attack by air with her dragons and risk killing thousands of innocents and burning King's Landing to the ground..." Qyburn continued before pausing for a moment.
Cersei knew that he had other news. News that would displease her. "And?"
"And...she has your brother Tyrion at her side."
Lord Tyrell and Grand Maester Pycelle glanced over to her nervously. They were both cowards, how she tolerated them she could not say.
The mere mention of that treacherous, murdering little imp was enough to make her blood boil. "OUT...All of you out!" She yelled as she stood, slamming her hands down hard onto the wooden table causing some of the wine to spill over from her goblet.
As they all stood to leave Cersei looked over to Qyburn. "Not you."
Qyburn turned and sat back down again and watched as Lord Tyrell and Grand Maester Pycelle left the small council chambers, closing the heavy wooden door behind them. Pycelle giving Qyburn a look of disapproval as he shuffled past, his chain rattling.
"I want him dead. I want you to hire the best assassin, and bring me that little shit's head." Cersei demanded. The vile little imp had killed her mother and her father. He was responsible for sending her only daughter, Murcella, away to Dorne and her murder by the Sandsnakes. He had to die for what he had done to her.
"Your Grace. The Faceless Men of Braavos are known to be the finest assassins in the world, though..." He paused again. He always paused when he about to tell her something that she wouldn't like.
"I don't care how much it costs." She replied angrily, glaring at him. "The Lannister's always pay their debts!"
"It's not gold, Your Grace. Nobody really knows how to contact them directly. I'll put out the word and then they should contact us. However, it may take some time."
After taking a large sip of her wine she nodded in agreement. "Just get it done." She replied sharply as she turned her back on him. "That is all for today." She continued, dismissing him.
Extra Content - Jaqen
"A man has returned." Jaqen said cooly as he stepped forward and approached Daenerys who was sat on her simple marble throne. Ser Barristan Selmy and Missandei stood either side of her watching on.
"Do you bring me news of Euron Greyjoy?" Daenerys asked him, trying not to look surprised by Jaqen's sudden reappearance. It had been many weeks since he had left to track down Euron Greyjoy and no word had been sent.
Jaqen's face was expressionless as he placed an eyepatch and a strange looking horn by her feet. The horn was blackened and looked ancient. "Euron Greyjoy has been given the gift and now rests with his drowned god. A man's task is complete." He replied in his usual calm tone, raising his eyebrows slightly.
Daenerys smiled at the sight of the eyepatch and ancient horn before glancing up to Ser Barristan Selmy and looking back down to where Jaqen stood. She then picked up the ancient horn to inspect it, wondering if it really could control dragons. "You have done me a great service. Name it, and if it's within my power I shall reward you."
Jaqen merely blinked. "A man needs no reward, but he must return to Braavos." He replied, bowing his head respectfully before turning to walk towards the door. He slowly pulled his hand down over his face as he walked before stopping and turning to look up at Daenerys with a face she did not know. "Until we meet again Your Grace." He said cooly before walking out into Meereen.