Game of Thrones: Not So Different – Arya

Chapter 6 of my Game of Thrones collaboration with Marina, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 6

Cat wasn't sure what to think, but her heart raced and she found it hard to breath when she saw the formal looking envelope in the mail. She picked it up, her hands trembling as she saw the address of the Institute on it. Slowly she made her way back inside and through to the kitchen where Ned was.

"Ned, it...it's um..." She said shakily.

He looked up, concerned and then she was able to show him the envelope, his expression tightened and there was a lengthy pause. Cat knew they were both thinking the same thing, wondering what the letter said, but too afraid to look. Their concerns for Arya simply grew and now were almost unbearable.

Finally, as if broken from a trance, Ned reached out and gently took the letter from her, opening it carefully, Cat waited in an agony of suspense, letting out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding as Ned read the letter. When he looked up at her, his expression was hard to read.

But when he spoke he sounded relieved. "It's...they're still worried about Arya, some things are still a bit too...raw for her. But, she's made progress."

"That's...that's wonderful?" Cat gasped, amazed and hopeful.

It was then they heard footsteps approaching and both managed to smile; turning, ready, as the rest of the family entered the kitchen.

Seeing their parents the remaining members of the family shared a look before Robb spoke up.

"Mum, dad...what's going on?"

Cat turned and answered. "We just received a letter from the Institute about Arya."

There were gasps, Sansa bit her lip, fearful. "Is, is she…?"

"She still has a way to go, but...she's improving." Ned revealed. "They, they feel she's recovered enough, that we can go visit her, today even."

More gasps, Bran and Rickon both grinned, relief flooded them all.

"We should go, definitely." Cat said at once. "She...After everything that happened, how we...she needs to know, how sorry we are, she needs to know the truth."

The others agreed and then Sansa spoke up. "We should call Gendry and let him know. He found her, he has the right to, to be there."

"You're right, I'll do that right now." Ned replied.

So, he stood and headed over to the phone, meanwhile, the others all prepared themselves, all of them hopeful, finally, after so long, they'd get a chance to see Arya again and could hopefully repair the breech that had grown between them.

Ned waited until Gendry answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Gendry." He said quickly.

"Mr. Stark?"

"Yes, I...I wanted to let you know, we received a letter from the institute." He explained. "Arya's recovered well enough to receive visitors. We're going to see and felt you should come to, you..."

Gendry gasped and replied quickly. "I...of course, I'll be right there, I'll see you there."

Ned and Gendry both hung up then and Ned went to join his family, it was time for them to see Arya again and finally, hopefully, resolve things at last.

Arriving at the institute Catelyn couldn't help but note how normal it looked; just like any other building.

'Considering the disgusting way some...idiots still treat people with mental health issues and such...this is a good thing.' She reflected.

They exited the car and soon joined the others, seeing Gendry's truck arrive they waited. As soon as he got out, Gendry practically rushed over to them.

"I got here as fast as I could, I..." He began.

Sansa spoke up. "It's alright, we just arrived ourselves. Alright, well..."

There was another moment of awkwardness and Cat understood why. Arya could receive visitors, but there was so many of them, and things were still not completely better after all. Some things still raw as Ned had put it.

Catelyn fretted about that. 'It could be hard, for...for Sansa especially. After all that happened before, how would Arya react to seeing her?'

At that moment she was distracted, as was Ned, when they saw two people they felt were familiar approaching the building too. While the others talked carefully amongst themselves, Cat and Ned detached themselves from the group and made their way over to the couple, who they now saw for certain were familiar.

Yet also surprising, for they did not expect to see them here. It was Kevan and Dorna Lannister.

Approaching the two, it suddenly became clear that they were as surprised as Ned and Cat to see them.

Choosing her words carefully, Cat spoke. "I didn't know you were visiting someone here."

Dorna nodded and replied. "I could say the same."

Her tone made it clear she was trying to joke, likely trying to dispel any tension. There had been bad blood between the Starks and Lannisters for a long time after all. But that was the furthest thing from Ned's mind at this present moment in time.

"We...our daughter, Arya, is here." He explained, his worries showing in his voice.

The two of them nodded and it was clear, there would be no disputes here, no issues, they were just two groups of parents, looking to visit someone who needed to be interred, someone dear to them.

Cat's voice shook as she felt the words come out. "She...She tried to take her own life."

She didn't know why she said it, but she felt the need to head off any explanation.

Dorna's eyes widened in horror. "By the Seven! Is she okay?"

"Her best friend Gendry saved her." Ned explained. "She's been resting since that day."

There was an awkward silence after that; clearly all struggling with their emotions.

Finally Kevan broke the silence.

"We're truly sorry for Arya." He declared. "We hope she'll return home soon."

It was obvious to them both that he meant it. They thanked him and then, admittedly curious, Cat asked.

"Who are you visiting?"

"Our son, Lancel. He had a nervous and mental breakdown." Kevan told them softly.

"Poor Lancel." Cat gasped, shocked that the young man had suffered like that. "We hope he'll recover soon. Seeing your child suffering and being unable to help...Is a horrible feeling."

It had to be, especially since Cat and Ned both knew they had done worse, they knew they had directly contributed to Arya's suffering. Nevertheless, they both smiled gently as Dorna thanked them and then went their separate ways.

While Kevan and Dorna both headed straight for the doors to the Institute, Ned and Cat turned back to their children, still waiting along with Jon and Gendry. They had to decided something first before they went in themselves. But they knew now, they were here, this was it.

Arya was waiting for them.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.