AN: I wasn't happy with how short the last chapter was but I didn't want to just add padding. I have edited it and added a little when I realised I didn't fully deal with the issue of the sword. You may want to reread the first bit of chapter 14.

I hate that we don't know GRRM's plans for the Bolton vs. Stannis battle for Winterfell. I assume Stannis wins but I don't want to pre-empt what might happen in the books. I have tried to be careful so far, I don't want to diverge too much from the main plot of the books. I can't decide what the fate of Roose and Ramsey would have been. It may come to me but in the mean time I'm open to suggestions

Chapter 15

Arya kept remembering what Connington had said to Lemore. You might have a weakness for Starks... She tried to find Lemore after speaking with Connington but the woman was in hiding. Arya knew she could find her easily enough but it was clear she wasn't ready to talk yet so Arya decided to let it be for now. She soon had more pressing things to think about.

Haldon had received a raven from White Harbour. It was an invitation for Arya to meet with the Manderleys. Arya had already written a refusal to Littlefinger but the issue of what to do about the Northern replies had been unsettled. This changed things.

"It may be a trap" Haldon said.

"It might not be either" Arya replied. "The Manderleys have been sworn to the Starks for more than a thousand years. I was told the stories when I was a girl".

Connington looked thoughtful. "There needs to be some action otherwise the letter looks like an empty gesture. Words will not be enough to sway the North".

Arya gripped the table in front of her tightly. "I need to meet with them".

She was surprised with the speed with which Connington acted. A ship was made ready. It was heavily provisioned and Arya was going to be accompanied by her own contingent of men from among those in Aegon's army. They did not fly banners.

"If we fly the Stark banner you will be a target" Connington advised "and if you fly the Targaryen banner I can imagine the welcome may not be as warm as we might like".

Not for the first time Arya found herself respecting Connington. He knew what he was doing.

It was difficult getting Nymeria on board the ship. The direwolf was needed but she did not like leaving dry land. She whined when Arya tried to get her on board. She was forced to slip into Nymeria's skin to make it happen. Once the wolf was securely on the ship she began to howl. The crew were less than thrilled.

On her way to boarding the ship, Aegon had appeared by her side with Duck. He had dyed his hair blue. Arya wondered if Connington had told him of their conversation.

"You look ridiculous"

He grinned. "As long as I blend in with the other men I don't care".

"You shouldn't be coming" she warned.

"Yes I heard you the first hundred times" he said patiently, flashing another brilliant smile at her. "You're as bad as Lord Connington. Nobody will know".

Arya settled down in her cabin as the journey began. She was sharing with Brienne. The Lady of Tarth never strayed far now even though Arya had tried to tell her that she didn't require protection.

The journey was a long one and the winter storms made it treacherous. Arya was afraid more than once that the ship was going to break up and sink but they somehow survived. They were met with a welcoming party from the New Castle. It was not so much friendly as curious.

Arya let them escort her but she did insist on her own entourage. Brienne would not be parted from her and neither would Aegon. Duck would not be parted from Aegon so he came too. Along with them, Arya chose a dozen intimidating men, a mixture of knights and sellswords from those who had made the journey with her. Nymeria followed closely, much happier now that she was off the ship.

They were ushered into the castle and taken into the Merman's court. Lord Wyman was away, Arya was informed but Ser Wylis greeted her. Arya scanned the faces in the court. She could see all of them were viewing her with great interest but for Arya, no face held much of her interest save Wynafred Manderley. What she saw there made her hunger to get the girl on her own.

"Lady Arya" Ser Wylis began. "We are honoured by your visit. We had heard such ill tidings about you".

"Falsehoods" Arya said abruptly. "That was not me".

Eyes were trained on Nymeria who was standing back with Aegon and Arya called to her. "Nymeria, to me".

Nymeria immediately loped forward, stopping at her side.

"The direwolf" Ser Wylis said quietly, "Yes, there is no doubt".

Arya submitted to their pleasantries and ate with them in their hall. She noted that the Manderleys were rather fond of food. Ser Wylis partook a large serving of everything and Arya was reminded of what she had heard of Lord Wyman. The man was known for his size.

When they finished the food Arya was invited to leave her men to the company of the others in the hall. Wynafred Manderley wished her join her for tea. Arya left Nymeria behind, knowing she would provide protection should anybody threaten her company. Brienne wanted to come with Arya but Arya refused. She followed the Manderley girl through winding passages. When they stopped, Arya took the seat offered to her.

"Do you know where we are?" Wynafred asked.

Arya looked around. It was a chamber with solid stone walls. It looked to be a prison though Arya sensed she was not a captive. She shook her head.

"This is the Wolf's Den" the girl explained.

Arya began to get a sense of where this was heading.

"I enjoyed your letter very much" Wynafred said, a smile curving her lips. "Of course others were not so pleased. The Lannisters and Freys would have us keep you here".

Arya smirked. "I should like to see you try".

The girl didn't respond to that. "My father left to attend the marriage. We had to have the Bolton's see us as loyal while the Lannisters kept Wylis hostage and especially because the Boltons had you".

"They did not have me" Arya said in an annoyed voice.

"Yes" Wynafred replied "but we did not know that. Stannis has taken Winterfell. The Northerners are with him including my father".

Arya was surprised. "Stannis? You support Stannis?"

The girl's expression flickered and Arya knew she was onto something. "You don't support Stannis".

There was no response but Arya didn't need one. "You offer support to another. Is it the Lannisters? Aegon? Daenarys?" She frowned. "There isn't anybody else". She is hiding something. Arya thought for a minute. "The Manderleys are loyal to the Starks" she said slowly.

"We are" Wynafred said.

"I'm the only Stark left" Arya said confused. She gasped when she saw the girl's reaction.

"Sansa? You know where Sansa is?" she said eagerly. She thought back to the last time she had seen her sister. She had been so angry with Sansa but she was still her blood. She was still her sister. Arya could still hear her screams from that day at the Great Sept of Baelor.

Arya felt deflated when Wynafred responded "No".

"My brothers are dead" Arya was getting more confused. She breathed in sharply as the girl's face betrayed her secret. "Which one" she demanded .

Wynafred was beginning to look more and more frightened. "How did you- I can't... I'm not supposed to..."

Arya pressed on. "Robb is dead. Bran and Rickon are dead-" she stopped suddenly and grabbed the girl's arm. "You know something, tell me!"

"I can't" Wynafred said. "We have tried so hard to... My father". She broke as Arya's fingers dug into her arm and whispered "Rickon".

Arya was skeptical but she listened as the girl explained how her brother was not dead. She explained how he was being sought out and brought back. "He is our liege lord" Wynafred said defiantly.

Arya was stunned. I am not the lone wolf any more

"How did you know?" Wynafred asked. "How can you see? Where have you been all this time?"

Arya smiled. "Plotting my vengeance".

"What will you do now?" Wynafred asked in a worried voice. "Stannis has taken Winterfell as his seat. He won't give it up easily, he would use I for his own strength".

Arya lifted her chin determinedly. "We march for Winterfell"

AN 2: I wanted to have Arya go North and this is the beginning. I wasn't sure how it could plausibly happen. Moat Cailin is under Bolton control, the Freys have the crossing and the rivers are hard to pass. Arya might be a good but she is not invincible. Jaqen proven the faceless men could be captured way back in aCOK. She was always going to need help to go North. The idea for this chapter popped into my head so here we are.