Chapter 14: Wait For Me
King's Landing
Sansa hadn't always been fond of her sister. She remembered a time when they used to argue all the time, always used to scream at each other over petty things. Arya had been hard and loud mouthed as long as she could remember, and being a soft-spoken girl as she was, Sansa had been repulsed by her little sister's actions most of the time during their childhood.
But as time passed, the sisters grew closer. As Sansa grew, she regretted all the times they had fought over almost nothing at all. She had called Arya 'Horseface' when they were younger. Many girls and Sansa herself would have cried at such nicknames, but Arya never did. She did find her a few times running to Robb after someone would call her that, but other than that Arya had never shown any kind of weakness. Thay was one thing that Sansa admired about her sister now. She knew how to hide what she was feeling and how to act just the of that.
When Robb left to squire for Doran Martell was the time the sisters finally sought each other's company. Robb was always Arya's favourite brother and she missed him terribly. Sansa was too proud to confess out loud that she wanted to spend time with Arya, so when the younger girl made an effort, it was all it took for her to loosen up. Before they knew, they had become as close as sisters could be. There were petty fights and quarrels still, but they always managed to reconcile.
"You must not think you're alone. I am very sure we will become as close as sisters in no time," Margaery said, and took her hand, bringing her out of her thoughts. Sansa smiled genuinely at her friend.
"Of course. You are very kind." She didn't know what Aegon and the others were about. Margaery seemed like a nice girl, and she was beautiful and graceful. She was a bit too clever but Sansa did not think she had in her to be evil.
"When I was younger my grandmother used to tell me that perhaps one day I shall become Queen of Westeros by marrying Prince Jon. But I am glad if it's not me, it's you."
"You would have made a good Queen, I think, Lady Margaery," Sansa said. She couldn't think of any other words to reply to that. Was she implying she couldn't because of her?
"Oh, shush! I know you shall be a better Queen than I." She leaned in close to Sansa with a sweet smile gracing her lips. "And the Prince has his eyes set on you. I think he is very much in love with you."
Sansa blushed and lowered her eyes, trying her best to hide her laugh. If I could only tell you which Prince!
"Tell me, is your sister betrothed to anyone, Lady Sansa?" Margaery suddenly asked.
Sansa blinked in surprise. "Arya?"
"Yes, Lady Arya."
"No, she is not," Sansa replied. "Why do you ask?"
"I was merely-"
She stopped and looked up.
"Prince Jon," she greeted as he walked up to them. Sansa nodded at his direction, and he replied with a smile.
"Lady Margaery. Sansa." He bowed formally to Margaery and turned to Sansa. "Might we have a word?"
Sansa stood up and smiled at Margaery. "You must excuse us."
"Of course. We were simply speaking of betrothals, Prince Jon. I asked Lady Sansa if Lady Arya were betrothed to anyone. You must not think me sneaky, My Lady, I was merely asking because I have an unmarried brother myself, so..." She winked.
"I don't think Arya has any plans of marrying yet, My Lady," Sansa replied, stealing a glance at Jon. "If you'll excuse us, Lady Margaery."
"Of course, of course. Lovers talk. I must not interrupt." She kissed Sansa on the cheek and bowed, leaving them.
"Thank you for not losing your calm," Sansa told him as soon as Margaery was out of sight.
Jon shrugged. "What could I have gained?"
"She is thinking of Arya like a sister would," Sansa said.
Jon looked at her and shook his head. "Can we not talk about Margaery and Loras Tyrell?"
"There you go. Now I hear the jealousy."
Jon smiled warmly at her and took a seat. He handed Sansa a letter.
"I was just passing by when I saw the guard who brought this. It is from Winterfell," he said, pointing to the seal.
Sansa opened it hurriedly.
My dear Sansa,
How are you? You must pardon me for not writing for so long. I have been busy and so has your Father.
How is Arya? I haven't written to her as well. I have news for you, sweetlings. Robb and Arianne Martell of Dorne have been betrothed. Robb wanted to tell you himself but I think it might be a while before he comes back home. Arya would be angry with him, I'm sure, for not hearing it from him, but she must understand. Your brother is in love, Sansa. I have no doubt this union will be a joyous one.
I hope you are happy. Your Father worries about you both, but I know you will be alright. Arya seems to like King's Landing too, much to my surprise. She hasn't wrote in a long time asking to come back here.
I hope you are getting along with Prince Jon. I wish I was there to offer you motherly advice, but alas, I cannot leave Winterfell.
Your Father sends his love. He is in good health and so am I. Tell Arya to stay out of trouble, will you? I miss you both dearly.
Cat
Sansa stood up in astonishment as soon as she finished reading the letter.
"My brother is betrothed to Arianne Martell," she said. But that was not what was bothering her.
Jon congratulated her heartily.
"Aegon speaks highly of Arianne," he said. "I am very happy for your brother."
Sansa nodded absentmindedly, then bowed to him clumsily.
"I wish to answer the letter now. I must ask for your leave," Sansa said.
Jon nodded and she hurried away. As soon as she reached her room, she asked the maid for the writing material. Sansa sat down heavily on the chair, her brain working too hard.
He is in good health and so am I. Tell Arya to stay out of trouble.
Why hasn't her mother mentioned Arya's departure? She wrote as if she didn't know about it at all. Sansa checked the date again, but it was evident it was written after Arya left for Winterfell. A sudden fear clenched her heart.
Sansa wrote as quick as she could to her Father, almost scribbling the letters. Did it mean her parents hadn't called Arya to Winterfell? Then why did Arya leave? Who wrote the letter? There were too many questions but there was one that was repeating in her head over and over again, and the one that made her knees weak.
Is Arya safe?
Aegon opened his door on the third knock. She could tell he was busy with something but Sansa was too agitated to wait. Aegon pulled her inside his room and locked the door behind her.
"What is it?" He asked.
Suddenly, Sansa unable to hide it anymore, choked on her words.
"I don't think Arya's safe, Aegon." She showed him the letter which was now crumbled because of her tight grip. "It's from Mother. Read it."
Aegon looked at her with narrowed eyes then turned them on the paper. He frowned in confusion. It looked like he was going over it quite a few times.
"I do not see wha- Oh!" He turned to her with surprise evident on his face. "Your Mother doesn't know she left?"
Sansa shook her head. "I do not think so." She gave him another letter. "Let the fastest raven carry this to Winterfell. Father will tell us if he wrote that letter or not."
Aegon nodded and left the room. Sansa felt the tears hit her eyes as soon as he did. She had no idea as to what was happening. Did Arya lie about the letter just to get out of King's Landing? But why would she? She would've told someone, at least Jon.
A few minutes passed before Aegon entered the room, his face as pale as his hair.
"You must not tell Jon," he said seriously.
"But-"
"He will panic, Sansa," he interrupted her. "I hope this isn't as serious as we think, and only a mere mistake. Maybe Lady Stark didn't know that Lord Stark wrote the letter. There are many explanations." He sighed. "She'll be fine."
"Do you think someone is planning to hurt her?" Sansa asked, shivering at her own words.
Aegon kept silent. Sansa stepped closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. What can anyone hope to gain by hurting her? Aegon's silence was scaring her more, but perhaps the silence was the only answer he had.
"We should tell Jon. Please, Aegon, he'll help."
"Sansa, no!" He shouted, then lowered it. "Let's just wait for your Father's answer."
Sansa nodded her head hesitatingly. Jon deserved to know. He was so eager to hear news of Arya. Sansa tried hard to shake away the impending feeling of guilt in her heart. She looked up at Aegon. His face was still and his jaw clenched. She guessed he was thinking too hard, but perhaps he was angry as well. She would listen to him this time. Her mind was too weary to make decisions on its own, and Aegon being with her was a relief.
Storm's End
"Cloth, girl! Quick!"
The girl hurried to the bedside. The Lady was panting harshly now, her breathing coming in short gasps. He usual skinny face looked white, as if all the blood had been sucked out it. She gave another shrill cry that made the girl curl her lip like she herself was hurting. She had seen too many labours in her sixteen years, and what she'd seen so far of this one left little doubt in her mind that the mother would not survive long, even if the child did. It looked like the one reason her soul was still inside her body was so that she could give birth.
It was two hours later that her speculation was proved. The Lady breathed her last, her limbs shaking and words barely coming out of her mouth. Lady Selyse held her child for the first and last time in her arms, and closed her eyes.
The child was a little thing, pink and plump. The girl leaned in to look at her properly but the midwife shooed her away immediately.
"Well, if you're not a kitchen maid and don't know how to clean, I don't think you're needed here now, lass! Go, now!"
She nodded and hurried away. She went to the kitchen and cleaned the blood, but realizing the stench was too strong, decided to go out in the open air to get the horrible and unpleasant smell off her body. A commotion brought her attention to the gates. She halted in her tracks to look.
It was the bastard and his men. No one was to call him that, but most of the castle referred to him as that despite their Lord's orders. A bastard would be always be a bastard, whether he's a beggar's or a King's.
The men were yelling loudly by the time they were inside the gates and started unmounting their horses. She was just hiding behind a pillar to keep herself from being seen when something caught her eye. The black haired bastard opened the carriage and tried to pull someone out. The person kicked and pushed, and the bastard growled and hoisted her up on his shoulder.
It was a girl, no older than herself, the woman noted. Her hair was unkempt, probably from struggling and her wrists were bound. Her clothes were covered with blood and there was a cut on her shoulder that was unmistakably made by a sword.
She can't be a whore. The men would've had their way with her and threw her somewhere. There was no sign of wound on her body but the cut, and the dress she was wearing was intact, and it looked like it wasn't made of cheap material. They probably haven't raped her yet. But who was she?
Ever curious, the girl sneaked behind the men until they were in the hall. She hid herself in the shadows, careful to keep still. Lord Robert waved everyone out of the hall, and only he and the bastard remained with a few guards. Stannis was perhaps beside his dead wife and newborn child.
The girl felt frightened thinking what could happen if she was caught, but she had done this many times. The most they could do was kill her or rape her; the latter had been done so many times to her that she wouldn't mind the former. She tried not to breathe loudly and focused on the men. The girl was put down not roughly on the floor, and held so that she could stand up.
The girl glared at the Lord. There was venomous rage in her eyes.
"I'm sorry for the rough treatment, My Lady," Robert said.
"She has been quite resisting," the bastard said. He leaned down and untied the cloth around her mouth. The girl pulled her mouth up and spat in his face.
"Cunt!" She shouted.
The bastard growled at the girl and his hands fisted in his sides. Robert threw him an angry look and he lowered his eyes.
"No one will hurt you, Lady Arya," he said. "I am Robert Baratheon."
The girl stared at Robert with steely grey eyes then suddenly grinned.
"They are going to cut you piece by piece," she spat. "If I don't beat them to it."
There was something in her eyes that promised she would not hesitate to do it even for one second if she had the chance.
The Lord laughed loudly. "Your Father? Or your precious Prince?"
"Why am I here?" She asked, and this time there was a hint of fear in her voice, although it could barely be heard.
"You're here," Robert leaned in close to her and rubbed her cheek with his hand. The girl pulled her face away from his touch harshly, throwing him a warning look. "To ensure that your father Ned Stark is kept in check."
"You're filthy! The King will kill you! He should have killed you that day at the Trident when you begged for his mercy!"
Robert clenched his teeth in anger. "Take her to her chambers and loosen her binds. Let her sleep hungry tonight for insulting her future King."
The girl laughed again, her voice echoing the otherwise silent hall. "Jon is the future King. Jon Targaryen. Not you. You are a fool, Robert Baratheon. Nothing else," she said.
"Take her away!" He glared and knocked his fist loudly on the table, which only seemed to please the girl.
The bastard dragged her away, his face a mask. It was hard to tell if he was angry or frightened.
She is a Lady. A Stark. A hostage.
She waited a few minutes before the hall was filled with people again, then slipped past the crowd. Lord Stannis and some men passed her and she bowed. One of the men winked at her, but she paid no heed.
King's Landing
Jon tried his best to keep still, but his chest was heaving with fury. Aegon put a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off angrily. He stood up and clutched his brother's collar roughly, his eyes black like coal under the dim light of the candles.
"How dare you keep this from me?"
Aegon stayed calm and pushed his brother back by the shoulders.
"We weren't sure."
"Gods, if anything happens to her," he murmured, then turned to Aegon again. "I could have saved her if I had known earlier."
"I don't think it would have been of use. They had probably reached Storm's End by the time we learned of it."
"Aegon." Jon sounded defeated, his voice strained and it conveyed how much in pain he was. "If they hurt her, if they touch her-"
"They won't," Aegon replied, pacing away from his brother. "Robert knows better than to hurt her. They only want to keep Lord Stark away from the war."
"I will bring her back," Jon vowed. "We will march to Storm's End and bring her back."
"No, Jon. This is war, we cannot-"
"Do you not care about what happens to her?" He asked his brother incredulously.
"Do not doubt of my affection for Arya. I would give myself up in exchange for her. But we do anything foolish, they can and will hurt her. We cannot risk that."
"Where is Father?" Jon asked. "Is he not thinking of a solution?"
"He's waiting for Lord Stark. Until he arrives, I'm afraid we're in the dark. We only know half of what Robert Baratheon wants."
Jon propped down on the chair. "She will fight, Aegon. I know it. I don't know if it will be for the best or for the worst."
"She's Arya. Of course she'll fight," Aegon agreed.
"I want her safe. I would give anything, anything to bring her back." Jon clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. "There will be war even if Father doesn't want it. Robert Baratheon will regret the day he thought of taking Arya. If he lays a finger on her..."
"He won't," Aegon said again.
Jon wanted to believe him more than anything, but his head ached from all the thoughts of what could happen to Arya in that place, among those people. Will they lock her up? Will they chain her, or bind her? Jon could hear the clattering of his own teeth and feel his limbs shaking. He cursed all of the things that kept him from riding to Storm's End right now and bring Arya back home. Back to him.
He had never felt as helpless as he did now, and neither had he felt such regret at being a Prince. All the things that bound him to his place, he would throw them all away just to have her in his arms.
He would give up anything.
A/N: A lot to take? I wanted to drop another bombshell at the end of this chapter but well, I'll do it in next chapter. ;)
Thanks for reading and don't forget to review.
Music:
Light A Fire (Rachel Taylor)
Between (Courrier)
Compass (Zella Day)