Chapter 22

Dealing with the prisoners gave Arya a distraction. It also eased some of the tension in Winterfell. The men were becoming restless. Work on the repairs was not enough to keep them occupied and not nearly enough to prevent them questioning her ability to rule. A taste of vengeance was what everybody needed. It had also shown them she was not as weak as many of them thought.

She alternated between doubting herself and telling herself I can do this. She didn't want to be Lady of Winterfell but she did need to be. She needed Winterfell to be secure, she wanted there to be no doubt it was the seat of House Stark and that House Stark was strong before Rickon arrived. She wasn't going to sit idle and wait while others tried to grab power.

When she entered the great hall now she could see that opinions were split. There were those whose loyalty had become firm. They sought her out and the way they spoke to her seemed no different to what she remembered when her father used to speak with his bannermen. They did not try to shield her. They told her truths and advised her on the day to day running of the castle, their provisions and their hope and plans for the future of the war.

There were, however, as many more who still doubted her ability. They wanted a Lord of Winterfell. They wanted a man to rule. I am as strong as any of them and I will prove it she thought to herself.

They did not give her long. The subject of marriage was raised far quicker than she would have liked (but far later than many others would have preferred, going by the whispers she had overheard). One of the Ryswells raised it first.

"If you marry, my Lady, it will only strengthen your claim. Heirs will make Winterfell more secure".

Arya bristled inwardly, making an effort not to show it. I am not a bloody broodmare.

"I will not marry" she said calmly.

She heard the mutterings in the hall. Even her supporters weren't happy.

"I want to avenge my family" she explained, trying to sound patient. "I will not marry until I have had my vengeance".

If she thought that was going to settle the matter and give her time, she was wrong. She heard the protests increase. She distinctly heard more than one mention of the last Stark. She sighed. Keeping Rickon secret wasn't helping.

"They tried over and over to make me a match in Storm's End and I refused" she said, unable to keep irritation from her voice. "I feel no different now".

That made things worse. The muttering gave way to shouts. She heard mention of Aegon's name and she flushed.

"Do not blame him" she said sharply. "It was his Hand who suggested the matches. The reason I am not married is because Aegon Targaryen said I must agree and I would not".

"This is different" one of the knights protested. "If you marry a Northerner..."

Arya stood. Nymeria loped to her side, growling as she sensed Arya's frustration and the hall fell silent. The direwolf tended to have that effect and Arya used it when she could.

"I will make an agreement then" she said slowly. "Whoever can beat me in combat will win my hand".

The hall erupted in laughter. The only person whose smile Arya did enjoy was Brienne's. Arya had formed the idea from the Lady of Tarth. Brienne had confided to Arya that she had used a similar tactic.

There was an immediate line up of contenders. Arya collected her sword from Duck and moved out into the training yard. She saw concern on a lot of faces and her first opponent, a knight (to the displeasure of the higher born lords who saw him as no fit match for Lady of Winterfell) was quick to point out that he didn't want to harm his betrothed. She heard Duck snort and shot him a genuine smile.

"I wouldn't worry about that" she said sweetly.

When she was done she saw astonishment on the faces in the crowd. By the time she had defeated four hopefuls she had supporters in the crowd cheering her on. When she reached half a dozen the number of contenders began to dwindle. The next one tried to cheat and was rewarded with Nymeria almost taking his hand off by the wrist to make him drop the dagger he had grabbed when disarmed. A halt was called to proceedings.

"You would have given your brother a decent fight" Mors Umber called out cheerfully.

Arya frowned. She would have beaten Robb, she was sure of that but the thought made her sad. Lord Manderly was eyeing her in his shrewd way.

"Where did the Lady Stark learn to fight?"

She raised her chin defiantly. "I have spent the last five years learning to survive. My father organised a Braavosi instructor for me in King's Landing. When I fled, I spent time at Harrenhal with Roose Bolton" she smiled grimly. "His Lordship did not recognise me. He made me his cupbearer and I helped with his leechings"

She heard a number of the men laugh but she ignored them. It was not something she remembered with amusement.

"When I escaped there I was taken by outlaws. After that I was taken by the Hound-".

There was a collective gasp and shouting. She heard some horrified talk of what the Hound would have done to her and was quick to interject.

"He did not touch me" she said firmly, more to defend herself than out of any regard for the Hound. She scowled, remembering. "He wanted to ransom me but he did teach me some things. He was the one who took me to the Twins. After he got injured I escaped across the Narrow Sea. I survived and it made me stronger".

She fixed her gaze on them. "I did not come back here to marry and have children. I came back because Winterfell needs a Stark".

From that day on, sparring in the yard with the men became a part of her routine. She had not known how they would take it, knowing that she could fight but it had worked in her favour. Some still frowned but more looked on her almost proudly.

As the days passed and changed into weeks, people came and went from Winterfell. Provisions were brought in and parts of the castle began to look less broken. The talks of marriage did not stop but they had lessened. She smiled when she was creeping around, quiet as a shadow and overheard an exchange.

"Our little liege lady is most fiercesome"

"She needs to be"

"Her father would have been proud"

She didn't get a chance to dwell on it. The horn blew. She knew who it was well before the lookout announced anything. Nymeria had run out to greet them and Arya saw through her eyes. She could scarcely breathe as she strode out to welcome them. Rickon had arrived.

Arya did not know what to expect. What she saw made her freeze.

He was not alone but she had seen that. What she had not expected was the reaction from those already in Winterfell. His company was not well received. The men from the hall had drawn swords.

AN: I must apologise for being so cruel as to end it on a cliffhanger, especially as you won't find out what happens with Rickon for a few days :-)

Tomorrow I expect to post the Jon chapter, the following day should be the Sansa chapter unless I am super naughty and keep neglecting my thesis to work on this instead