Chapter 16: Asha

Everybody was gathered in the great hall of Winterfell when the horn blew. There was a buzz of voices. The girl who claimed to be Arya Stark had arrived.

Asha heard that she had brought fifty men with her. When the girl entered the hall, she walked in front. She had a dozen men (or rather, eleven men and a rather large woman) following close behind while the rest waited outside, an assortment of knights and sellswords. Her bearing was proud but her face expressionless. She was not what Asha expected. She was dressed in boiled leather with a shirt of ringmail over it. A dagger hung at her hip. As she strode through the hall Asha heard gasps. A number of men at the benches murmured "Lyanna". She stopped in front of the dais.

One of the Queen's men stepped forward. "You stand before His Grace Stannis Baratheon, First of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms".

The girl did not take the knee. Interesting, Asha thought. She has balls.

"I am Arya Stark, the true Lady of Winterfell"

Asha was riveted. The girl's face was a mask of no emotion. Stannis furrowed his brow.

"You will want food and refreshment for yourself and your men" he said, obviously choosing to ignore the slight.

"No my Lord I do not" the girl said, her chin raised in defiance

A hush fell in the hall.

"Your Grace" Stannis said with narrowed eyes.

"My Lord" the girl said stubbornly.

"I am King" Stannis said, his voice choked with anger.

"I think not"

The Queen's men began to murmur. One knight stepped forward. "His Grace is Azor Ahai reborn, you will show respect".

The girl laughed. "You are not Azor Ahai" she said scornfully.

"There is a prophecy-"

The girl tilted her head and curled her lip. "I know it. When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone. I do not see your dragons, my Lord".

Asha couldn't contain herself, she laughed as did a number of the men with the girl and a fair few of the Northerners. I like this girl.

"His Grace holds the sword of heroes, Lightbringer" another Queen's man announced.

The girl bit her lip. "May I see it?"

The sword was duly produced. Asha had seen this show before. If the girl was impressed she did not show it. In fact, she was rather dismissive. "A glamour, a good one but that is all. It means nothing".

Stannis ground his teeth. "You are insolent. Can you prove you are who you say you are?"

"Just so. You will see"

Stannis looked down on her, his blue eyes blazing. "I told the Lord Commander I would find his sister a suitable match. If you are her you will be able to reclaim-"

"I do not need a match" the girl retorted. "Winterfell is already mine. You are not the King and you are most certainly not Azor Ahai. The prince who was promised is Targaryen. You are not Targaryen"

The Queens men began to grumble and Stannis' patience had clearly worn thin.

"Enough! Escort the lady to her chambers"

The Queen's men stepped forward. Asha saw the girl's protectors put their hands on the hilt of their swords. They hesitated before drawing, the girl did not. In a sudden movement, Asha saw a flash of steel. The girl held a blade to the man closest to her. "You will not touch me".

Asha was on the edge of her seat. She couldn't help but laugh again.

Stannis was not amused. He ground his teeth. "You presume to shed blood in the hall? You are a guest-"

Asha's laughter stopped abruptly. Stannis had blundered. Asha knew it instantly. Everybody else knew it too. Stannis only saw a girl in front of him. He had forgotten where he was. The Northmen began to rise.

Asha looked at the girl. The mask was gone and in its place was cold fury. "I am a Stark! Winterfell is my home". A wolf started howling. The girl removed her blade and the man she had threatened was wise enough to retreat. The girl took a step towards Stannis. "My father said there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. You are no Stark".

Stannis was grinding his jaw. His eyes were angry. "You are a woman. You cannot rule here".

"You do not tell me what I can and cannot do. My father was Lord of Winterfell. I am of his blood. You are the guest here, not me".

Asha felt a chill go down her spine. She refused the food, guest right does not apply. Stannis still didn't seem to see his danger. This girl was not to be trifled with.

Asha looked around the hall. The Northerners were ready to draw swords. They may have marched with Stannis to Winterfell but they were his allies no longer. She could see their eyes trained on the girl, their precious Ned Stark's child. Whatever proof she had of her identity, it clearly wasn't needed. This was no imposter.

Arya turned to the blue haired young man who had been glued to her side and said something in a different tongue. He nodded and walked to the door of the great hall. When he opened it, a monstrous beast ran in. It ran through the hall, stopping between the girl and Stannis with fangs bared.

"Hells" said Mors Umber "It's a direwolf"

Asha could see the fear radiating through Stannis' men.

"Why is it snarling like that?" a voice called out. Asha didn't see who it was.

One of the Lady Arya's companions, a big man piped up. "The wolf likes the girl she does. She don't take kindly to folks threatening her".

"I am a wolf" Arya said in a soft voice which seemed to Asha to be more sinister than when she had raised her voice. "The direwolf is more than my family's sigil. The North has sworn fealty to Winterfell for thousands of years. It is the rightful seat of House Stark and no other. Am I to understand that this has changed?"

She turned to face the various lords gathered in the hall and repeated in a louder voice. "Has your allegiance changed?"

Asha watched as the Northmen shouted a resounding "No". She saw Stannis watching powerless as one by one the Northern lords stepped toward the girl Arya Stark and pledged her their swords and their service. When they were done they all rose together and their cries mingled with the howling of the wolves.

"Winterfell!"