Chapter 6
Catelyn POV
I entered Ned's solar as usual to give him the usual reports on the up keep of the castle.
"Hello," Ned said, as he lifted his eyes up from a letter he was reading.
"Is it anything important?" I questioned him.
"The Wildlings are starting to increase rapidly beyond the Wall. They are attacking nearby villages. The Wall is most likely next," Ned replied with a solemn look on his face.
"What are you going to do about it?" I asked again.
"With this number, they could easily come south of the Wall. I don't know the details yet. Benjen is coming to Winterfell so that we can discuss this," Eddard said while gazing out of the window. I noticed the strain in his voice.
Arya POV
While I am putting on my riding clothes to go with Jon, I wonder if Winterfell is still the way it was before I left; if the trees still glisten in the moonlight. If the wolves still howl.
It is time that I head down.
When I reached the stables, I saw Jon walking towards me. I noticed the sword on his hip. That is the one thing that Jon would never part with. Ever since he got his first sword when he was seven, he loves having a sword by his side.
"So are you ready to go?" I questioned him.
"Soon. I have heard word that Benjen is arriving soon," Jon said while staring ahead, like Uncle Benjen would just magically appear.
"Oh." I looked at him, amused. "It seems that I am not the only one who likes to daydream."
"Sorry, what did you say?" Jon blinked and looked at me, surprised. I laughed at his response, and he smiled back.
In the distance, my eyes fell on a man with shaggy brown hair and black clothing arriving on horseback.
"Look Jon he is here already!" I exclaimed and pointed over towards where Uncle Benjen was.
"Come on Arya, let's go!" Jon said and we both walked over to him. Jon has always been fond of him since he was a child.
"Uncle Benjen what brings you here?" I questioned him curiously.
"Little wolf, I have important things to discuss with your father," Benjen replied and smiled warmly. He got off his horse and started walking towards the castle.
"Is there trouble at the Wall?" Jon questioned him.
"I am sorry but I can't answer you now, Jon. I don't have time and I must speak with your uncle Eddard immediately," Benjen replied swiftly and headed towards my father's solar.
"Since when did you become so interested in the Wall?" I questioned Jon.
"These past few years, I have realized that fighting to save our people is always worth the risk, and definitely worth being interested in," Jon retorted.
"Oh, so now Jon wants to be a hero. Helping our family to win wars isn't enough anymore."
Noticing my expression Jon said,
"They're nothing but thoughts really, Arya. It doesn't mean anything."
"Thoughts can turn into actions sooner than we realize."
Eddard POV
Benjen entered my solar and sat down slowly.
"What is troubling you brother? Have you got the raven?" He questioned me.
I nodded. "How bad is the situation at the Wall?" I feared the answer was not something I'd like.
"The Wildling army is getting bigger by the day. Our rangers report that it is nearing 100,000," Benjen responded with a grave expression.
"Well, I could send some of my men with you soon, brother. I just need some time to get an army ready," I replied.
"Brother, please make haste."
"In four months, I should have an army ready to help you."
I need this time so that I can gather all of my lords together to create some sort of plan, but even with four months may not be enough.
"I must be on my way back," Benjen said while walking towards the door.
"Come with me to the Great Hall then. It's a long way back. Won't you like to meet everyone?" I asked and Benjen nodded. We walked out to have some supper before Benjen heads out again.
With this war ahead, I might have to bring some of my plans forward in three months. Arya will be fifteen soon. With the war looming ahead, this wedding can't wait any longer.
I don't own any of the content of this story it belongs to the ASOIAF series. I hope that you liked this chapter the plot is moving forward with the war ahead anything could happen. I would like to thank my new beta clove25 for helping me with my story.