He knocked lightly on the door before he entered. Inside he found Robert and Varys, along with Jamie and Cersei Lannister and an assortment of military commanders. They were obviously in the middle of a heated conversation. "I could come back," he proposed, secretly hoping Robert would send him away.

"Get in here," his King beckoned. "We were just discussing what to do about your wayward daughter."

Ned tensed at once. "This is about Sansa?"

"Not her, the wedding planning is going fine," he said looking to his wife for confirmation. "We're talking about the other one."

He moved deeper into the room. "Arya," he said when it was clear his friend didn't remember his child's name.

"Yes, her."

With a wave of his hand he urged Ned closer and then stopped talking, looking to Varys to continue. "Word has arrived from Astapor that your daughter has boarded a ship and is returning."

"That's great," Ned said before he could realize his audience.

"Don't be so sure," the King Slayer said, trying to start an argument.

Looking at the severe faces around him, he stopped on Robert's. "I told you I sent Robb to find Arya and see if the rumors were true."

"I'd say he found her," Cersei remarked snidely.

Annoyed by their cryptic comments, he cut right to heart of it. "What's happened?"

"My friends in Astapor say…"

Varys was cut off by Robert, who slammed his fist down on the table. "They say your son is returning with not only his sister, but a Dothraki horde."

Under other circumstances he might have thought it was a joke. "The Dothraki can't sail."

"Apparently they learned." His hand came down on the table for a second time. "Damn it Ned, this wasn't what we discussed. I said I'd be willing to forgive your daughter her past, if she apologized and agreed to stay in the North. I did not agree to allow her to bring a boatload of savages with her."

"It's actually many, many boats your Grace," Varys informed him.

"That's even better," Jamie said with a laugh.

Robert was furious and turned his rage on his wife's brother. "Don't be so sure. If they attack us, you'll be the one leading the army."

His laughter died early, his smile gone. Cersei reached out and put a hand over her husband's. "Darling, don't you think it would be better to have Jamie…"

She didn't get to finish before Robert interrupted. He didn't even spare her a glance. "You need to fix this," he said to his Hand.

Ned had no idea how he was supposed to do that, but he agreed anyway. "Your Grace, with your permission I'd like to return to Winterfell."

"Have you heard nothing I said?" the King roared.

He did his best to ignore the outburst. When it was over he tried to justify his request quickly. "I have no idea why Arya would be bringing Dothraki with her, but whatever the reason I'm certain her first stop will be Winterfell. If Robb found her then she knows Catelyn is there, along with Robb's family, Bran and Rickon. I'll ride North at once and be there when they arrive."

No one spoke for a few long minutes while Robert deliberated. "Go," he said waving a hand out in front of Ned dismissively. "Go but you make sure those horse-loving beasts get back in their boats and return to where they came from."

As he was leaving, Ned heard Robert's words to the male Lannister. "I want you to prepare the army. Double the pay for new conscripts and make sure the smiths are working day and night so we have weapons and armor to support them. If these savages want a fight, we'll be ready."

R-C

Robb was waiting when the door opened and Daenerys exited. "Is my sister in there?"

"She is."

"Is she dressed?" he inquired.

"Excuse me?"

He pulled on his bottom lip with his teeth. "Last time I walked in unannounced, she was getting ready for a bath. Not a situation I'd like to repeat."

Daenerys chuckled at his horrified expression. "She's dressed, go on in." She pushed the door open and allowed him to go first, then followed. She'd planned to search for breakfast but it could wait. The way Robb couldn't hold her eye for more than a second made her uneasy about what he might have to say. Arya was in the process of taming her long hair. "Is there anyone on this boat who hasn't seen you naked?"

She thought for a moment about the answer, stopping her work. "Uh, Ser Jorah, I think." With the words out, her hands got back to their task. After she laid one band of hair across another she stopped again. "Actually wait, he saw me from the back once."

Robb and Daenerys both shook their heads. "You were never as shy as Sansa, but you weren't running around Winterfell naked either," Robb remembered.

"Seven Hells no," she said, laughing so hard she had to stop braiding again. "It's much too cold there to do anything naked."

Daenerys moved closer. Taking a seat on the bed she knocked Arya's hands away and picked up where she left off. Arya let her. "I sincerely hope that isn't true."

She turned her head to look at her lover, forcing Daenerys to halt her efforts temporarily. Their lips met and it wasn't until Robb coughed, choking on his own tongue that they remembered he was there. "I…I didn't think… I heard you two weren't really together."

"What?!" Arya erupted.

"Who told you that?" Daenerys asked in a more suitable volume.

His blush looked almost permanent. "Jorah."

Arya rolled her eyes. "Of course he did."

"We've been together for months now."

"Oh, uh, congratulations," he stammered. "I didn't know…"

"Thank you," Daenerys said kindly.

"Perhaps you should tell Jorah."

"He knows," Daenerys said simply. "Or at the very least he suspects and is willfully ignoring the signs."

"Why would he tell me it wasn't real?"

"Wishful thinking," Arya answered quickly.

Again, Daenerys stopped braiding, this time to slap Arya in the arm. "Be nice. He's our friend."

"He's your friend," she amended. "I tolerate him for your sake and he barely acknowledges me."

Daenerys leaned over Arya's shoulder and stole a quick kiss. "You say the sweetest things."

She scoffed and leaned back into Daenerys. "You know me, I'm all hearts, flowers and ballads of love."

They enjoyed their little back and forth before Daenerys looked at their guest. "Did you just come by for a visit Lord Stark or was there something you needed?"

If it were possible, Robb looked more uncomfortable than he had with their last topic of conversation. "Actually, I came to speak to you both about something important."

The light mood in the room evaporated. Arya sat up straight and moved out of Daenerys's reach. "What is it?"

"I was hoping you'd see reason," Robb began, "I think I understand you fairly well. I knew the girl you were and I've learned about the woman you've become. I know you're smart and you don't want unnecessary harm to come to your people, so listen to me. Going to war with the Seven Kingdoms is madness. Even with your army of Dothraki you couldn't win. Every House in the Realm would oppose you."

"We've discussed this," Arya spat, as she began pacing around the room.

He looked to Daenerys and offered a slight smile. "I understand why you're doing this, I do but who benefits if you get yourself killed? It's not worth it."

Arya lashed out and took hold of Robb's throat. "Are you fucking kidding me? Not worth it? Would you feel the same way if it was Talisa he tried to kill? If Robert killed the man who saved your life and then tried to kill your wife, would you truly feel the same way?"

"Arya let him go!"

She did, and he coughed as he reached up and massaged his windpipe. "You're right, if it were just one man, I'd kill him. I'd kill a dozen men, but Robert is a King. I wouldn't kill a King. I'd be smart enough not to try."

"Really? I'm a King," she challenged, "I'm the King of this khalasar. So, by your logic if I gutted your son and cut your wife's throat, you'd do nothing?"

"Arya," Daenerys hissed, trying to reign her back in.

"Fine," Robb said as he threw up his hands in defeat. "You have every reason to want Robert dead. You happy? I agree with you, but that doesn't change a damn thing. You still can't win."

"I don't need to win," she informed him. "I just need to make sure he dies first."

Daenerys gasped. She bounced up to feet and marched straight to the spot where Arya was pacing. "Take that back. I'm not travelling thousands of miles to watch you die. If that's where this ends then we might as well turn back right now."

"What about your family? Are you prepared to kill us to get to Robert, because that's what will happen? His spies will tell him you arrived and it won't be long before he sends ravens to Winterfell and commands me to march South."

"I'll deal with that when it happens," Arya said flatly.

With a sigh Robb tried again. "If I could get King Robert to agree Daenerys would never be harmed again, would you let this go?"

"No!" Arya refused.

"Yes!" Daenerys countered at the same time.

Turning his back on Arya completely Robb looked to Daenerys to be the voice of reason. "Please, try and talk to her."

"Don't Daenerys. You knew why we were coming when you got on the boat," Arya reminded her as the door closed behind Robb.

"I didn't come to stand by and watch you die. That wasn't part of the deal."

"I don't plan to die," she said before she pulled Daenerys into a hug. "I'm not going to leave you without a fight."

"You better not. I'll chain myself to you if that's the only way to make you behave," she threatened, speaking into Arya's chest.

Arya kissed the top of her head, letting her lips linger. "I can imagine worse situations."

Daenerys's laughter shook them both. "Stop being charming," she demanded. "I'm still mad at you."

With a gentle touch, she guided Daenerys back. Taking advantage of the space, she quickly lowered her mouth to Daenerys's. After the kiss ended Arya nudged her backward again and again until they reached the bed. "My apologies Khaleesi. Let me make it up to you."

R-C

They stood there together, side by side. Daenerys was clutching her hand tightly as the lazy water lapped at their ankles. They were on Westerosi soil. All around them ships were being unloaded, gear was being moved and people were beginning to head North. Robb and his men were in the lead, a concession offered by his sister to remove some of the tension.

She bent down and ran her hand through the sand. She picked some up and then let it drop between her open fingers. "I never thought I'd be back here," she whispered.

"Welcome home Arya," Daenerys responded warmly.

"This isn't my home," she countered, her voice hardening as she brushed the last of the sand away. "Not anymore." With a call to a nearby Dothraki Arya ordered their horses be brought to them. "We should head out, it's a long ride to Winterfell."

R-C

Ned Stark breathed easier when he was back in the North. This was where he should be. This was his home. He was a Northman and that would never change, no matter how many years he spent handling Robert's affairs.

For days, he'd been riding as hard and as fast as he could. He needed to get to Winterfell and prepare. If Robert's spies were right and Arya was bringing a horde to Westeros he needed to be ready. What was Robb thinking? His instructions said to find Arya and return her to Winterfell, they said nothing of bringing an army of savages with him. He and his heir would be having a discussion on the matter as soon as they were reunited.

He also thought of Jon on the Wall. He hadn't heard from him in quite some time, his last few letters having gone unanswered. He considered going to see him before he returned to King's Landing. He couldn't do it now of course, not with Arya and her horde marching, but maybe he could find the time after all this had been dealt with.

As he came over the last hill and saw Winterfell in the distance he urged his horse to speed up. It was so close he could taste it. It had been far too long.

A ripple moved through the guards as they noticed and then whispered about his arrival. He stopped a man at random. "Where is Lady Stark?" Ned followed the pointing finger and entered his home.

She rushed down the stairs to greet him. "Ned, by the Gods, I didn't know you were coming." She threw herself into his arms and they shared a long, slow kiss. When they separated he noted her smile was gone, the happiness replaced by concern and barely disguised fear. "What's wrong? Is it Robb?"

He put his hands on Catelyn's shoulders. "Robb is fine," he assured her. "He found Arya and they are coming home."

"He found her!? Praise the Gods. Is she alright? When will they arrive? I need to prepare things for them…"

She was already flitting around the room in an attempt to get things ready. He made his way to her in two large strides. "I don't know how she is? I haven't heard from Robb yet."

Catelyn stopped cleaning and turned to face her husband. "How can that be? How do you know they're coming home, if you haven't spoken to Robb?"

He sighed. "Robert's scouts reported that Arya and Robb are on their way," he explained cautiously. "We need to prepare. According to the scrolls they're also bringing the Dothraki horde that Arya's been leading."

"It's true then, she's with the Dothraki?"

"It seems so," he admitted. "I'm told she's leading them."

"How is that even possible?" Catelyn wanted to know.

"I have no idea. No one does."

"What do you know about the Dothraki?"

"Same as everyone I suppose." He considered lying to his wife to try and spare her, but he knew it wouldn't work. Not only was she too smart to simply take him at his word, Arya would be joining them soon. Catelyn was going to get an up-close view of the Dothraki, so there was little point in lying now. "The Dothraki hate outsiders. They are wild savages who live on horseback. They roam Essos, killing, stealing and taking slaves."

"How did Arya get involved with them!?"

"I don't know," he said again. "I sent ravens all over Essos looking for information about Arya, but no one had any. I guess now I know why. She wasn't in a city, she wasn't struggling to survive alone, she'd joined the Dothraki."

"What are you going to do?" Catelyn wondered, her worry clear, in her voice and on her face.

He pulled his wife in for a hug. He held her tightly as he answered. "I'll put the Dothraki back in their ships and send them where they belong."

"What about Arya?"

"Robert has offered to pardon Arya, if I agree to keep her in the North, under Robb's rule and away from King's Landing," he recited before he stepped back. "Where is Bran and Ser Rodrick? We need to prepare the garrison in case Arya's friends are less than friendly."

R-C

"I could have been in King's Landing in days," she complained as she rode next to her brother. "I could have gone there and ended this."

Robb addressed her as if she were a scared animal, one he was afraid might bolt in the opposite direction at the slightest provocation. "Come to Winterfell. Once you kill Robert, or try to kill him, you'll need to leave quickly. There won't be time to visit. Meet my child, meet my wife, see Bran, Rickon, and our mother. Then you can decide if you really want to go ahead with this."

"You think I'll change my mind?" she gathered. "I won't. Robert Baratheon is going to die."

"And then what? Assuming you could get to him, and you could defeat his guards and then kill him, what then?" Robb quizzed.

She shrugged calmly. "Then I'll go find Joffrey's room."

"Listen to yourself. Sansa loves him. Are you really going to kill the man your sister intends to marry? For all I know they could have been wed already."

Her voice was as cold as the air. "If she loves him, she's a fool."

"Don't you care about her at all? This is her family now too."

"Sansa will be a widow before I return across the sea, I swear it." With that said, she turned her horse and rode to find Daenerys. As she passed several of the Dothraki complained about the increasing chill. Arya instructed them to put on another layer of clothing. They weren't made for this. Still, she was confident they'd survive. Just like those who got seasick on the voyage, she knew some would struggle with the cold, but she expected they'd persevere.

"I'm a little nervous," Daenerys confessed as their horses walked beside one another.

"Nervous about what?" she asked, raising a dark eyebrow.

"I'm going to meet your family," she said in a rush. "Your mother, and your brothers and your nephew and Robb's wife. Oh, and probably your father too eventually. My father killed his brother and father. I doubt he's going to like me." She spoke so quickly that Arya had to work to understand it all. "They're going to hate me, if they don't kill me on sight."

"I'd never let that happen," she promised, "and I don't care what any of them think."

"Of course, you do," Daenerys tested. "They're your family."

"You're my family. I may have been born here," she said taking a look around, "but I haven't belonged here since before I was forced on that boat. I know who I am Daenerys and I know where I want to be and it isn't in Winterfell."

"I'd let you go, you know. If you wanted to. I'd let you stay…"

Arya brought her horse to a stop and reached out to grip Daenerys's arm. Everybody behind them was forced to stop and wait. Turning her head, she looked straight into Daenerys's violet eyes. "As soon as the King and his men are dead, we are getting in our ships and returning to our home." She started the khalasar moving again. "Winterfell is just over the next hill. You should be able to see it after that."

She should have expected it, but she didn't. When they came over the last hill and Winterfell was in view for the first time in years, Arya was hit with a rush of memories. So many of the pivotal moments of her childhood happened here. Between her and her former home sat her father and the entire Winterfell garrison. She didn't need to see the archers on the wall to know they were there, armed and ready.

As she got closer she noticed Bran on horseback, watching her. She approached them slowly, but called for the Dothraki to halt. With one last look at Daenerys, Arya moved her horse forward, going out to meet her father.

She was by herself for almost the entire trip, until Robb and his men came to join her. "Take it easy on him," he said. "He's been worried sick about you."

When she stood opposite her father she was struck by how old he looked. The wrinkles on his face were deeper, the color in his hair had mostly shifted and he looked more than a little tired. Bran on the other hand looked young and strong, despite his injury. He'd undoubtedly grown up, but still kept a youthful appearance. Like their father, he wore castle-forged armor. Where Ned was armed with his famous sword, Bran had a bow and quiver strapped to his back. When she stopped, Robb kept going, his men with him. Together they crossed sides and joined the Starks. It left Arya entirely alone.

"What are you doing Arya?" Ned asked. He addressed Robb when he came to a stop at his side. "What were you thinking bringing them here?"

"It's the only way she'd come," Robb insisted in justification.

When her father's judgemental eyes landed on her again she cocked her head to the side and showed him a smirk. "He's telling the truth. I wasn't going to come without them." She looked past Ned to the soldiers. "Take your men back inside. We mean you no harm. The Dothraki will remain outside the walls. You can close the gate, if you want. Winterfell is safe. We only came for a visit."

"You're giving orders now?" he challenged. "I will not allow a Dothraki horde to camp outside my home and terrorize my people."

Arya rolled her eyes. "You're just like him," she said, referring to Robb. "You don't listen. I just said we mean you no harm. We didn't come to scare your people or pillage your lands."

"Then why did you come?"

"Because he wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Why bring the savages?" Ned asked, looking behind her.

"Careful," she warned.

His eyes narrowed, wrinkling around the edges. "What did you just say to me?"

Where that tone had once inspired fear in her, and often brought shame for her misdeeds and shortcomings, now she felt no reaction at all. "I'm the head of an army of one hundred thousand 'savage' warriors. They haven't had a fight in weeks. Offend them and you might not like the outcome."

Arya watched the slight change in her father upon hearing the size of her khalasar. She noticed the way Ned looked first to Bran, then to Robb. It also didn't escape her that Robb was subtly nodding, confirming what she'd said. Her father was clearly unhappy. "Come inside, but they stay out."

"I'll join you soon," she said as she turned her horse, "and I'll be bringing some friends."

R-C

On their way toward the gate, Daenerys tried again to back out. "Are you certain you want us with you? Wouldn't you rather visit with your family in private?"

"I'm not leaving you two," she declared, looking at Daenerys on her right and Missandei on her left. "Either we all go in, or none of us do."

Daenerys groaned. "You're so stubborn!"

"You wouldn't change me," Arya retorted.

"You're lucky," Daenerys said as she looked at her lover with a smile.

Nearby Missandei chuckled. "You lived here?" she asked Arya. When the Khal nodded Missandei visibly shivered, wrapping the fur she was wearing even tighter to her body. "How did you keep from freezing?"

"Just remember to wiggle your toes," Arya only half joked. "Don't want them falling off before we get back to the boats."

Both Arya and Daenerys enjoyed the horrified look on Missandei's face. "M…my toes?" she verified, her teeth chattering.

Arya leaned over as if she intended to whisper to Daenerys, but she was intentionally loud enough for the advisor to overhear. "Do you think I should tell her today is actually rather warm by Northern standards?"

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. "No," she finally said, playing along. "We should definitely keep that a secret."

"I hate you both," she responded without any harshness in her voice. Daenerys made up for their teasing by taking off her glove and putting her hand on Missandei's arm. She tucked her fingers under the edge of her sleeve. Missandei moaned in response. "Oh yesss!" she muttered as she laid a hand over Daenerys's holding it to her skin. "Your blood is so warm." With a dreamy expression Missandei looked to Arya. "You're so lucky, getting to sleep next to her tonight. At least you won't freeze before morning."

Arya chuckled and fought the blush she felt starting. "You'll get no argument from me. I am very lucky," she agreed.

When they reached the gate, Arya dismounted first and the others followed. Armed men were blocking the route. "Lord Stark waits for you inside," one announced. He took the reigns of all three horses, while another soldier stepped forward.

"Please remove your weapons."

Arya glared at him for a long moment before she put herself between the man and her friends. "Fuck you. I'm not giving you my blade."

"Arya," Daenerys reprimanded.

She ignored her Khaleesi and kept her focus on the guard. "I wasn't asking," he said snidely.

He took half a step in her direction before she replied. "You're welcome to try and take it, but you'll likely lose a hand."

"I was told to remove all of your weapons. Please don't make this difficult. Lord and Lady Stark are both waiting."

She tried to walk around him, but he remained in the way. "I'm afraid you can't go further until you've been relieved of your weapons."

"Arya, just give him your arakh," Daenerys tried.

"No."

Sensing she was more amenable the guard turned his attention to Daenerys. "M'lady, if you'd please allow me to search you for weapons."

"Don't do it," Arya growled.

"What's the delay!" Ned yelled from the balcony overlooking the courtyard.

"Apologies Lord Stark, but they won't allow me to check them for weapons," the guard explained.

She could hear her father's disapproval even over the distance. "Arya, give him your weapons."

"No!" she said, even more emphatically than before. She took several steps toward the building so it would be easier to speak him. "I agreed to leave the army outside the walls. They'll stay there but I need to be able to protect my friends."

Ned scoffed openly, not even trying to hide it. "Your friends are safe here, you needn't worry."

"All the same, I'll keep my blades."

"One," Ned bargained, "and your friends leave theirs with the guard."

She looked to Daenerys and Missandei for confirmation and both women nodded their approval. "Fine." With a wave of her hand she called the other women to her. Huddled together she whispered, "Stay close to me."

To avoid any searches, Arya took the various weapons from her companions, and presented them to the guards. She also left her favorite two knives behind. If she was only allowed one weapon, it was going to be the most-deadly.

As she suspected the guard looked disappointed that he wouldn't get a chance to search them. She rolled her eyes and herded Missandei and Daenerys toward the entrance. Her father had gone back inside and now Arya was preparing herself for what waited there.

In an unexpected gesture Daenerys gripped her hand, interlocking their fingers. "You can do this," she said confidently. "I'll be right there with you the whole time." After a moment, she seemed to realize something and dropped the hand she was holding as if it burned her. She stepped sideways to put room between them. "Unless you don't want me to be. I can be wherever you…"

Arya didn't know much, but she knew where she wanted Daenerys to be. She wasn't the least bit concerned about her parents finding out about their relationship. They would learn of it eventually, so why not now? It was the Dothraki way, letting life happen and taking things as they came. This was no different. Bending down and leaning over she pecked a kiss onto Daenerys's lips. Last, she reached for and took her hand, winding their fingers together again. "I want you right here."

The door swung open and they all heard Catelyn Stark's firm voice. "I've waited long enough!" She rushed out the door and down the steps, stopping in front of Arya. "Oh, look at my little girl." Her hand slid down Arya's cheek, stroking the skin gently. "You grew up."

She released Daenerys's hand after a quick squeeze and Arya wrapped her arms around her mother. "I missed you too." It was true, she really had missed her family, even if she rarely let herself admit it. "Come inside, you must see Rickon, and little Robb."

As she peeled off the outer layers she was wearing, to dry them over a fire, Arya noticed Missandei smiling. "Warm?" she asked as she held her bare hands just inches above the licking flames.

"Finally."

She walked into the hall with a friend on each side. The whole family was waiting. Robb was standing next to his wife, and she had a small child in her arms. Rickon was beside Bran who was sitting in an odd-looking chair. Her mother and father were side by side, watching her with curious eyes. One by one she looked at her family and smiled. As she did, she told the others who was who. When she finished introducing her father, she looked to her left. "These are my friends. This is Missandei, an advisor to our people, and this is the Khaleesi of our khalasar, Daenerys Targaryen."

Her father erupted at the mention of her name. Like her he wore a blade. He took the first long step to reach them and Arya immediately placed herself in his path. "How dare you!" he shouted. "Bringing a Targaryen into my house. Did you forget what her family did to your ancestors?"

Arya refused to back down. She wasn't going to tolerate Daenerys being disrespected. "I didn't forget anything, but I don't hold Daenerys responsible for her father's actions." Ned took another step and she did her best to subtly nudge Daenerys back. For her part, the Dragon was holding the back of her shirt, trying to keep her from acting. It wasn't going to work. "When I was starving and near death it wasn't you who found me, fed me and cared for me was it? When I was nearly raped it wasn't you who taught me to defend myself."

Catelyn rushed to Arya and hugged her, just as she'd done outside. "Oh, my girl. What happened to you?"

"A lot."

"I could just wait in the camp with the others," Daenerys offered. "I meant no disrespect Lord Stark, I only came because Arya asked me to."

That was wholly unacceptable. Before her father could agree she answered for him. "No! I told you, you go, I go." Her mother gasped at the steel in her words.

"Arya it's okay."

The next voice surprised them all. "I think you should let her stay," Robb said.

In an attempt to diffuse the situation Catelyn hurried to change the subject. "I can have someone show you to your rooms."

"No need," Arya decided. "I remember the way."