AN: OK, I wasn't meant to be updating until the weekend but I've had insomnia so two chapters have happened earlier than planned. I expect they need some editing, I'm not sure the quality is same as other chapters (I am sleep deprived) but I'm hoping once they're posted the ideas will leave me be. I have extra work commitments the next two days so definitely no more updates before the weekend.

I believe the Manderleys turned on the Boltons and Freys at first chance. I have made an assumption (which may be wrong) that Wyman Manderley survived. I kind of like his character. I'll be a little sorry if I'm wrong and he's gone. I also think not everybody who was in Winterfell would be gone, Lady Dustin for example. GRRM wouldn't have done the foreshadowing with her only to kill her off.

Chapter 17

Arya made her way around the great hall shadowed closely by an overprotective Brienne, exchanging greetings with the Northern lords. She knew she had made Stannis wroth with her, she could almost feel him seething behind her where he still sat on the dais. He was not her biggest concern though. She had wounded him, she knew that but he did not intend her harm. The same could not be said of others.

They all said the right things. They professed their relief that the stories of her demise were unfounded, that she had not been subjected to the Bolton bastard. She in turn thanked them for coming to rescue her (even though she had not needed rescuing). Beneath all the pleasantries though she could see. There were some who could not be trusted. She had learned her lessons well, her eyes were open and she saw. She remembered Syrio's words, look with your eyes. Their words were pleasant but words were wind. Their faces told the truth.

She had warned Aegon, he was not to reveal himself. He needed to watch, he needed to listen. She wasn't sure he fully understood but he did as she asked. She sent him outside with Nymeria to tell the men to bring in the small part of the baggage train which had arrived with them then she kept him with her. White Harbour had sent wayns and carts laden with food however most had lagged behind. They had kept a fast pace which had resulted in the company being split. The rest would arrive later.

"There are wagons still coming" Arya announced. "White Harbour sends its regards". She nodded in the direction of Wyman Manderley who beamed. "My company did not manage to stay together in the snows but they are not long behind".

The men settled down in the hall to eat but Arya only had a quick bite. She had thought long and hard about what she was going to do on her way to Winterfell and she had a plan. She just hoped Stannis would see sense. She had not intended to make such a scene but when he questioned her right to Winterfell she had gotten angry. He should not have treated me like a stupid little girl. She wondered what her father would have thought then brushed the thought aside. Her father was dead.

While she was dwelling on it one of the Northmen came up to her.

"You were just in time girl" he said. "He was talking about burning the godswood".

She thought of the heart tree and how her father used to spend so much time there praying to the old gods and whatever doubts she had about her behaviour fled. Nonetheless, Stannis was now looking at her as though she was something he had scraped off the bottom of his boot. She was going to have to swallow her anger. She approached him.

"My lord" she said, trying to sound calm "I would like to have a word with you in private. I have something I need to tell you and something I need to show you".

"You are ungrateful" Stannis said abruptly.

"I am not" Arya said defensively. "You should not have tried to deny me Winterfell".

He glowered at her. Arya took a deep breath. Calm as still water.

"My Lord" she began again. "This is most important".

"Very well then" Stannis stood and his men moved to follow.

"Two shields only" Arya said quickly. "I will only bring two of my people, I ask that you do the same. Make sure they are trustworthy".

Arya put her warm coat on before stepping outside. Brienne and Aegon were with her and they followed her example. Arya was a little worried, Aegon was looking at Stannis as though he would dearly love to run him through with his sword. His brother killed Aegon's father. He wasn't stupid though (even though Arya liked telling him he was), he would have to know that if he tried it would be the end of him. If she could have, she would have kept them as far apart from each other as possible but for this, she needed both of them. Stannis' men hesitated at the door to the great hall but Stannis himself swiftly followed though his expression told her he was rather put out.

She did her best to hide her distress at the state of the castle. It had shocked her when she first saw it. She still grieved now for what the Bolton bastard had done to it but it was not the time to dwell on it. She moved quickly. She headed straight to the oldest part of the castle, near the shell that used to be First Keep. Brienne helped her pull the entrance open. When she rose, Stannis looked wary.

"If I wanted you harmed I would have done it already" Arya said impatiently. "These are the crypts where the Starks are buried".

Stannis gave her a look which suggested he would have been quite happy if she was buried down there with them. She chose to ignore it.

"What I need to show you is down there".

She sent Brienne in front with a lantern, then she prodded Aegon to go next and she followed. Stannis and his men came behind her with a second lantern and she made sure to mind their movements. Arya counted the steps as she went, treading lightly and warning the others to be careful. When they reached the level she told them to stop.

"It goes further down" Aegon said, puzzled.

"It does. The older Kings of the North are buried in lower levels. This is the level we want".

The light of the lantern made the shadows eerie but Arya was not afraid. She had been blind, darkness no longer bothered her.

The stone kings stared down at them from one side, the dead Lords of Winterfell on the other. Arya began to speak as she walked along, looking at the statues as she went.

"The Starks were Kings of Winter for thousands of years".

Aegon looked at her with confusion, Brienne was taking everything in and Stannis' men looked unsettled. Stannis himself was irritated.

"I know this"

Arya met his gaze "Then I'm hoping you will understand". She took a few more steps. "I don't know whether the prophecy is coming to pass but you are right, the time of dragons has come. Daenarys Targaryen is headed for Westeros. She has three".

One of Stannis' men squeaked. "Three?"

"Yes three" Arya said patiently. "They were brought forward from eggs of stone". She turned and gave Stannis a pointed look. "Is this making you think of something?"

Stannis did not answer but she could see him thinking. She walked a little further then stopped. "Can you pass me the lantern Brienne?"

Arya held the lantern over the statue and beckoned to them. "This is the tomb of Torrhen Stark".

"The King who Knelt" Stannis said

"Do you understand what it is I'm trying to tell you?" Arya said pointedly.

Stannis looked at the statue and nodded slowly. He began to look old.

"You have been misled" she said softly. "My father spoke of you. I do not think you are stupid". Though you have been acting like it. "You may stay as a guest in Winterfell if you choose. We share an enemy".

Stannis clenched his fist. "The Lannisters".

"Yes" Arya replied.

He eyed her unhappily "Very well then".

Arya did not know what to make of that. It was not really an answer. Stannis shook his head. "You are as bad as your bastard brother, perhaps even worse. He is not so reckless".

Arya felt something snap inside. "Don't speak to me of Jon. Jon is dead".

Stannis gave her an exasperated look. "No, he is not though they did try. It appears you Starks are hard to kill"

He spun on his heel to leave the crypts. Arya remained feeling stunned. Jon is alive. She felt a smile spread across her face.