[A/N]: Thanks again to all the lovely people who have taken the time to leave a review. They always make writing the story a pleasure and help keep up the motivation levels.

Chapter 26

Arya

It was the first day of the trial against the Lannisters and there were reporters stationed all around the Stark estate. Even Gendry's apartment complex had been surrounded by the news hungry reporters who shoved microphones in their faces and asked them the same stupid questions over and over again. They were being hounded non-stop and in the weeks prior to the trial, Arya found herself practically living with Gendry in her family home. It had been awkward at first, her mother certainly didn't approve, but her father put an end to that argument in a hurry. There were bigger things at stake than what people thought appropriate or not appropriate for a young high born girl. "Hey, you ok?" Gendry asked breaking her out of her daydream.

"As good as I can be," she replied softly. The truth was she wasn't sure how she was feeling. There was some relief, that finally all of this could be put behind them, but there was also fear. Fear that she would say the wrong thing when questioned in court and fear that the Lannisters would all walk free. She looked up to see Gendry's striking blue eyes watching her with concern. "I'm fine Gen, really." She tried to sound as reassuring as possible but her voice faltered and she could tell her overly protective boyfriend wasn't fooled.

"Arya you don't ha-" she kissed him hard before he could finish his sentence. She didn't want him trying to talk her out of testifying. When their lips finally parted he rested his forehead against hers, while gently rubbing circles in the palm of her hand. "You can't just keep interrupting me with your kisses," he teased.

"Are you sure about that?" she asked raising her eyebrow.

"I'm serious Ar, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. We have enough evidence to put them away without your testimony."

She only smiled and cupped his face in her hands. "I'm fine Gendry, really. I want to do this." She moved one of her hands to brush away a wayward piece of hair that fell across one of his eyes. "I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little scared, but if Sansa can do it then I sure as hell can," she joked. "I mean I can't let her have all the glory."

He only laughed along with her. "You are crazy, you know that?"

"Some call it crazy but I like to think of it as being out of the box. Plus you wouldn't love me if I wasn't would you?"

"Who says I love you for your personality? I'm only with you for your hot body and the amazing sex," he said playfully.

This resulted in Arya rolling her eyes at him. "Well that's good then, because I'm only with you for your hot body and the amazing sex too. We all know you lack in the personality department," she retorted. He just shook his head in defeat, not bothering to continue their little game. "We should get ready," she sighed. "Varys wants to talk to me before I testify."

As expected getting into the courtroom had been somewhat of a mission. She had felt claustrophobic as she was flanked by her fathers' security as they made their way through the sea of media people. Flashes from the cameras left her feeling dazed and relief washed over her when she finally made it into the safety of the courthouse. As quickly as she entered, she was ushered into a room where Varys was patiently waiting for her. "Ah miss Stark, it is always a pleasure to see you. You look as lovely as always," he welcomed. "Please come sit," he gestured towards the leather chair that was facing his desk.

"It's nice to see you too Mr…err Varys." For some strange reason, he didn't have a surname. It was just Varys. She sat in the chair stiffly, sitting one hand on top of the other as she crossed her legs. He was a strange man and always gave her a knowing look like he knew something she didn't. He was nice enough though and didn't treat her like she was a child like most people would.

"How are you feeling my dear?" he asked.

"To be perfectly honest, I'm shitting my pants slightly," she tried to joke.

Varys giggled at her statement and nodded in understanding. "Yes, most people do when faced with the Lannisters and a courtroom filled with people." He walked over to a side table and poured clear liquid into two glasses. Bringing them back he handed one to Arya and proceeded to take a sip out of the other. "I'd offer you alcohol but seeing as your underage and we are in the courthouse, I didn't think it would be wise so I hope water will suffice."

"Water is fine thanks," she took a sip to be polite and placed the drink back on the desk before her. "So do you have any last minute advice on how I should approach this?"

"Just tell the truth my dear and all will be fine. The Lannisters are a powerful family but there are still many who don't hold any love for them. They have wronged many people in the past and although some may pretend they have forgotten they never truly forget."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh nothing for you to worry about miss Stark. Just me rambling on. I have a tendency to do that."

"Could you just call me Arya please. Miss Stark makes me sound like an old woman."

"Of course my dear. Now onto why we are here. You should know that the Lannister defence attorney, Mr Baelish is a tricky one. He is very good at twisting the words of others and holds no love for your family, especially your father."

"My father? Why?"

"You see quiet a long time ago Baelish was rather good friends with your mother. Those friendly feelings however developed into something more after time and to cut a long story short he asked your mother for her hand in marriage. That you can imagine didn't work out for the best in his case considering your mother was already engaged to your father. She turned him down naturally and he had done what most men do when they are upset and turned to drinking to dull down the pain. That of course led to him challenging your father in a fight and in turn led to Peter in hospital. I don't think he has ever truly forgiven your father for that and is using this case as a way to get his revenge."

Arya just sat their shocked. "How do you know all this?" This man who had only just come into their lives seemed to know a great deal about her family and their history. How did he know about this when she didn't?

"It's my job to know Arya. I have my little birds whispering into my ear telling me all I need to know. I just think it's important you know that this man will do all he can to make it sound like you're lying. He will do his best to get under your skin and provoke you into lashing out. You need to remain calm and whatever you do don't lose your temper. I hear you have a reputation for doing so and if I know that you can count on him knowing that as well."

She nodded in acceptance. She knew her temper could get the better of her more often than not and would have to keep that in check if they had any hope of getting through this trial. "I can do that," she said looking directly into his beady eyes.

"I know you can my dear. Now come, we should start making our way into the courtroom."

She could feel everyone's eyes on her when she was called up to the witness stand. She glanced over to see Gendry smiling at her reassuringly. The sound of her heart beating rapidly in her chest rung out through her ears and she could feel her palms start to sweat as the nerves started to take over. Varys had spoken first and his line of questioning had helped calm her. He spoke softly to her and had a look of genuine concern when she re-told the events that led to Joffrey's capture. But it was Baelish she was worried about. He stood before her with his thumb and forefinger stroking his chin in contemplation. He was a skinny man and she could only imagine that as a boy he would have been much smaller. No wonder why mother said no. "Thank you Miss Stark on your recollection of events, however I feel as if you've missed one rather large piece of information out," he began. She wasn't sure where he was headed with this so just looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to finish what he was saying. "It seems as if you've managed to leave out the fact that both you and your sister would meet in secret to hash out this master plan of yours."

He smiled at her now. A fake smile that didn't offer any sort of comfort that a smile should. "Sorry but I don't have any idea what you're talking about," she returned.

"Oh but you do Miss Stark. You see my client here," he pointed to Joffrey. "Noticed that his fiancé. The woman he pledged to spend the rest of his life with through good times and bad, was not acting like her usual self. Due to his concern for his wife to be, he had one of his trusted men keep an eye on her and that's when he discovered the truth. That's when he discovered that you and your sister were planning this extravagant mess." He turned to face the jury. "My client is the victim here. Just a man who happened to trust too easily and fall into the trap set by these young, beautiful women," he waved a hand in her direction.

She couldn't believe how absurd it all sounded and couldn't help but laugh aloud. "Is something funny to you Miss Stark?" the skinny man in front of her asked. He was obviously annoyed that she had interrupted his speech.

"Well yes, your whole defence is laughable," she replied nonchalantly. She heard gasps of shock ring out in the room at her bold statement. "I mean, you're standing there actually expecting people to believe that my sister and I managed to one, setup the high tech rooms in Joffrey's torture house, two find the hair clippings of 100 or so missing girls and three have my sister beaten to a pulp. I like to think of myself as a fairly capable person, but even that's beyond my capability. Especially considering I've only been in Kings Landing for a month." She couldn't help herself and looked over to Varys to see if he was disappointed in her. He only had an amused look on his face and so did the rest of her family. Baelish however looked ropeable. His once pale complexion was now an angry red.

"Your Honour, I request that the witnesses' testimony be inadmissible as this is all hearsay," he demanded.

The judge nodded and looked over to the jury. "You will disregard Miss Stark's testimony." She tried not to look annoyed but it was difficult when she could see all the Lannisters and their scumbag of a lawyer smirking at her. "You are free to leave now Miss Stark." She got up and made her way out of the room, too angry to look at anyone as she pushed through the doors. She found herself sitting back where she had met Varys earlier, frustrated at herself for not keeping her smart arse comment to herself.

"You did well Miss Stark," she heard someone say from behind her. She turned to see a small, blonde haired man standing at the entrance.

"Who are you?" she asked rather briskly.

"Oh I'm sorry, how rude of me. I'm Tyrion Lannister or the Imp as some people like to call me."

She looked at him stunned as he waddled in and took a seat next to her. "Don't worry I'm not here to hurt you, not that I could mind you. Being vertically challenged means that I'm more brain than brawn, not that I'm complaining."

"Why are you here?" She was eyeing him suspiciously. From what she had heard of Tyrion, he had been disowned by his family. None of them had heard from him in years and her dad said that he was the only decent one out of the lot.

"Why to help you of course." He looked at her like she should have known the answer already. "I know this may come as a shock to you Miss Stark-"

"Arya, please just call me Arya," she interrupted.

"Ok, Arya. As I was saying, it may come as a shock to you that not all families are as close and supportive as yours. You see since the day I was born the only true family I had was my brother Jamie. He was there when the bullies would hurl their insults at me and when my father would proclaim how he wished it was me who had died and not my dear mother. But he is not the man I used to know. His love for my sister has grown too strong and I fear I have truly lost him now." He looked genuinely sad as he thought of his brother and it tugged at something within her.

"I'm sorry," she offered not really knowing what she was supposed to do or say to this complete stranger.

"That's kind of you Arya, but it is I who should be sorry. I should have told the truth about my family earlier. If I had, perhaps none of this would have happened and some of those poor women Joffrey tortured would still be with their families today."

"You knew about what he did as well?"

"No I did not, but I always knew there was something wrong with him. That's always the risk when brothers and sisters fuck though isn't it?"

Arya almost choked on her own tongue at hearing that. "What did you say?" she sputtered.

"Pardon my language, my social circle has changed in the last ten or so years."

"But what did you mean about…about brothers and sisters…you know," she couldn't finish the rest of the sentence, the thought too disturbing.

"You're a smart girl Arya, you know exactly what I meant."

"You mean, your brother and sister...they…they…slept with each other!" she whispered.

"No slept depicts past tense sleep would be more accurate. My brother and sister sleep with each other is what I'm saying."

"That's fucked," she spat. "How…why…oh god I think I'm going to be sick."

"At least you haven't caught them in the act. That is much worse, trust me."

"So Jamie is Joffrey's father?"

"Yes, as well as Myrcella and Tommen. Though those two seemed to turn out quiet normal considering."

"And your father, does he know?"

"Not that I know of. If he did I'm sure Jamie and Cersei would be separated from each other. Can't have that kind of secret surfacing. It would send the entire Lannister empire crashing," he smirked.

"So is this how you're going to help? Because that has nothing to do with the case."

"Ah you are wrong there. This has everything to do with the case. I'm not going to lie to you Arya, I do have some ulterior motives for being here today. Not only do I want to watch my family all sent away in cuffs to some dark dingy cell to spend the rest of their days, but I want to take back what is rightfully mine. This wonderful case of yours as presented the perfect opportunity to do that."

"But how?"

"You leave that with me to discuss with Varys when he comes in. The less you know the better."

"You know Varys?" This was all just getting too weird for her.

"Of course I know Varys. He was the one who told me about the case and well I was the one who encouraged him to take it. Don't worry Arya, by the end of the day the rest of my family won't be a problem for you or anyone else ever again."

She was about to reply when she saw the doors swing open and Varys glide in with a sort of grace that seemed strange for a man of his size to have. "Tyrion, old friend it is good to see you." The two men shook hands and gave each other a quick embrace, before parting and sitting comfortably in their seats. "I see you have already acquainted yourself here with the lovely Arya Stark," he nodded in her direction.

"Yes, Arya and I have had a lovely chat. I was telling her how brilliantly she did against that rat Baelish."

"Yes she did very well. Did you see the shade of red his face turned at her response. I don't think I've ever seen anyone get under his skin like that in the courtroom. Apart from me of course," Varys giggled.

"You don't have to lie. I know I did terribly but it's nice of you to try. Anyways I should probably get going and leave you to it."

"It was lovely to meet you Arya Stark, I hope to see more of you during my stay here," Tyrion said to her.

"Likewise," she replied before getting up and leaving the room. She reached for her phone and saw that she had a few missed calls from Gendry. She dialled his number, desperately missing the sound of his voice.

"Hey beautiful, where are you?"

"I was just waiting to speak to Varys before I left. I'm out now, where are you?"

"We're all sitting in waiting room two for you."

"Ok, I'll be there in a minute." She hung up her phone and made her way to the meeting room they were in. It was a relief to see them all waiting for her, smiles etched on their faces. Gendry stood up immediately and wrapped his arms around her, planting kisses on her head.

"I'm so proud of you," he murmured into her hair. "You did amazing up there, you had absolutely no fear and you should have seen the look on that guys face when you shut him down like that."

"Thanks, but do you think we could just not talk about any of this for now?"

"Anything you want babe."

Apologies for any law buffs out there. I know absolutely nothing about the subject and a lot of what I've written is very general so don't hate me! As always reviews are always welcomed and appreciated so don't be shy.