A/N: If you follow me on tumblr you will have seen I've been trying to deal with some personal stuff. Because of that I had more trouble getting this done but I got there in the end. I'm hoping to have less dramas with the next one but we will see.
I know this does not deal with everything from the last couple of chapters. I'm trying to incorporate so many characters that it just isn't possible to do it all in a single chapter (plus some stuff will be better from different POVs). Feel free to remind me if I have forgotten characters but know that some stuff will be covered in the next Sansa POV

Chapter 93: Arya | Jaime

Arya closed the door softly and paused, resting her hands against the wood. She did not even get a moment before footsteps approached.

"Forgive me your grace," Robett Glover said hesitantly. "May I ask if it is her?"

Arya nodded. "My lady sister is not to be treated as a prisoner. I asked that Ser Jaime be held here but I did not wish Sansa to be confined."

Lord Robett sounded taken aback. "Of course your grace."

She heard his footsteps retreat and knew he intended to report to the men. Arya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She imagined all kinds of things before seeing her sister. Her mind conjured up plans of what she might say or do when they met but none of it felt right when they came face to face, not when Sansa stood before her and looked at her the way she did.

Sansa has changed.

Even in roughspun her sister was beautiful, even more beautiful than Arya remembered. She looks so unhappy. Sansa's eyes were sad but Arya felt it to be more than that. She might be angry with me over being trapped here and she does not think I should be queen. Arya inspected her hands as she turned away from the door, remembering the way Sansa looked at them.

I am still nothing like a lady.

Sansa did not want to tell Arya her secrets. Arya did not blame her. She has heard things of me. It hurt even though she did not feel surprised. It is what I expected. She closed her eyes again for a moment, recalling her training and schooled her face as she made her way down the stairs.

Sansa will be happier after I send Cara to her.

She met Ned Dayne before she reached the bottom of the stairs. Her men reported his presence when she arrived but Arya felt she would have known him anyway even with him being a man grown now.

"I must thank you for protecting my sister my lord."

Ned flushed. "I do not require thanks my l-your grace. I only did what I felt to be right."

"Don't be stupid," Arya retorted. "If not for the Brotherhood she would have been a captive of the Vale clansmen."

Ned looked wary. "Mayhaps. Is it true that the Hound rides with your men?"

Arya resisted the urge to frown. Sandor Clegane continued to ride with them and Arya wanted to send him away. She associated him with bad memories and the longer he lingered the more she became suspicious of his motives. He is too interested in Sansa. Every time she spoke with him she meant to tell him to go but then she remembered the attack from Gregor and she did not do it.

"He says he isn't their Hound anymore. He did not do those things in the Riverlands."

Ned looked rather incredulous. "Forgive me your grace but I do not think it wise to trust him."

Arya suppressed another retort. I am not stupid. She studied Ned for a moment and suddenly remembered what he told her years earlier. He and Jon are milk brothers. She felt frustrated she forgot to tell Jon but supposed she might tell him soon enough. Ned was not her blood or from the North but he had honour. She knew it from what the men told her even if she had not seen it by speaking with him.

"I do not wish for him to be alone in my sister's presence my lord. You have been acting as one of her shields. The Northmen will keep watch but you are her friend. May I ask you to stay close?"

Ned paused and he looked conflicted. "I am needed at the inn."

"I left men at the inn," Arya assured him. "I chose carefully."

Ned nodded. "I hope to speak with Thoros but I will do as you request."

It came as a relief. Arya did not feel surprised that Ned wished to speak with the red priest. He will gain little from it. Thoros spent every spare moment gazing into his flames with a troubled expression but he spoke little of what he saw. When Arya prompted him he gave the same answer.

"I cannot make sense of it your grace. I see dragons and fire, figures with blue eyes and falling ice. The visions are more frequent as we travel North but I do not know what it means."

Arya did not press him any further. If I keep asking I will make him get it wrong like Melisandre. It worried her because of Aegon's dreams, the things the Night's Watch man told her and the messages from Bran. She had used the raven in their travels and when she did she saw things which frightened her and all she could do was repeat her early lesson over and over.

Fear cuts deeper than swords.

She left Ned and continued down the stairs. She found many of her men gathered and waiting. Some were grumbling loud enough that Arya might have heard them even if she did not have stronger senses from her training. The Greatjon bellowed to her.

"What do you intend to do with the Kingslayer, your grace?"

She felt the eyes on her and knew what they wanted. All of them remained loyal to the Starks. Not all of them wished to obey her without question. The work she put into earning their respect and being able to command them took a dent when she had some of them put in chains. She saw the hardness in some of them, the unhappiness still lingering.

This will not help them to love me.

"I will question him."

They were in high spirits upon arriving at Moat Cailin and being so close to the North and home now and Arya credited that as the reason they did not take it as badly as she might have expected. A few spat at her announcement and she heard curses. The Greatjon bellowed at them and they fell silent.

"I know he is not to be trusted," she told them. "I have not forgotten who he is."

Arya also had not forgotten her father's teaching. She moved past them, intent on speaking with Cara until she felt Nymeria approach. The men made way for the direwolf. Nymeria's limping had lessened more and her leg was no longer confined. Arya hoped it might heal soon to what it was before.

"With me," she told Nymeria.

The direwolf did shadow her though Arya did not know whether it was because of the command. We have a bond beyond words. The direwolf was deadly, just like Arya only Arya hid it better. Nymeria was the part of her that did not show restraint. The direwolf did not have to hold her tongue or pretend.

She does not wait to hear last words though either.

Arya dwelled on it a little as she walked quickly around the ruins of Moat Cailin to locate Cara in the Gatehouse Tower. Nymeria killed without asking questions and there was a time for that. Arya knew she must take more care with the wolf. She found Cara arranging baggage in the room Arya was to stay in. Arya hurried to help her despite her protests. When they were done she placed her hand hesitantly on the older woman's arm.

"My lady sister is here."

Cara did not even let her finish. She gave Arya a shy smile, asked questions and quickly moved around the room gathering items. She picked up two gowns and Arya thought about leaving until she saw Cara pick up a third. Arya darted forward and took it, flushing at Cara's startled expression.

"Not that one."

She looked down at the soft blue fabric feeling stupid. Cara did not question her. She simply continued gathering the other items and glancing at Arya curiously. Arya tucked the gown away wishing she did not care. It is not that I want to wear it. She just did not think she could bear her sister wearing it, not with the memory of Aegon smiling softly at her wearing it.

"Do you wish for anything else before I go to her your grace?"

Arya returned her attention to Cara and shook her head.

"I must speak with Ser Jaime. It will not wait."

Cara did not appear to know what to say to that so Arya let her be. She made her way from the Gatehouse Tower to the Drunkard's Tower. On her way she heard the men gathered and speaking of the prisoners. Sansa's name was mixed in with the whispers, hushed talk of her sympathising with them. There were mentions of the dwarf. Arya soon learned what they spoke of first hand when she reached the door to the room in which the clansmen dwelled.

The guards took one look at Nymeria by Arya's side and grinned as they opened the door. Those within wore a mix of sullen, angry and resigned expressions. Some smiled when they saw her and one even asked to speak to Sansa. The smiles faded when they saw the direwolf.

"I must know why you came here," she told them. "I need to know what you intended and what you hoped to gain from it."

They spoke over one another. Arya had practice in picking out voices in a crowd. She let them argue and determined the story quickly. Multiple of them mentioned gold and the term "halfman's wife" and "Jaime son of Tywin" featured prominently. Nymeria snarled when Arya had learned enough and they fell silent.

"You declared war on the Vale."

Anger erupted and Arya heard her men behind her. She gave them a command to stay back. The clansmen were unarmed and Arya thought it highly unlikely they were going to try to harm her with the wolf by her side and her men keeping watch.

"I am not in danger."

The clansmen spoke of those in the Vale persecuting them. They spoke of the first men and the invaders and of not being bound by the rules which treated people differently. Arya did not know what to think. My father might have known what to do. Arya knew the land belonged to the Vale lords.

"What does Ser Jaime have to do with this," she asked.

They looked as though they might not tell her before one, an apparent leader spoke up.

"Jaime son of Tywin promised gold when halfman's wife was safe."

Arya knew they told the truth. They were killers but they asked after Sansa with hope as though they expected Sansa might free them. Arya dismissed their questions, wanting time to decide what to do with them. She knew her men might want them dead or used as hostages in the conflict in the Vale.

I must speak with Jaime Lannister.

She found him in a room near the top of the tower. It appeared to be in the worst repair of any in Moat Cailin. His guards admitted her only reluctantly and she soon found out why. Jaime Lannister was shackled to the wall by one arm. His legs were chained together too. When he raised his head to look at her his face appeared swollen and bruised. He smiled at her and one of his front teeth was clearly broken.

"Lady Stark I presume. You have your father's look. That is unfortunate for you."

Arya did not respond to the remark and chose not to correct him on her title. She kept her face still and hid her anger inside. Ser Jaime moved awkwardly but seemed to care little whether he insulted her or not.

"It seems you lack your sisters' courtesies amongst other things." He rattled the chains. "This is poor thanks for me retrieving her from Littlefinger's care my lady."

"I owe you no thanks," Arya said flatly. He had lied and schemed and even now she saw he wished to anger her. The Lannisters were the reason Littlefinger managed to take Sansa. She cocked her head and studied Jaime. He did not fear her. She took a few steps forward and crouched before him. Ser Jaime merely smiled again. If anything he looked curious.

"Why exactly are you here? Are you missing the prince? I'm not sure I'm interested but I'll substitute if truly necessary."

Arya might have hid her anger from Ser Jaime but Nymeria felt it. The direwolf leapt forward, snarling and Arya saw the first fear on Jaime's face. He scrambled flat against the wall.

"Careful now," she warned him as she reached out to calm the wolf. "If you say anything too stupid I cannot promise I will stop her next time."

Jaime laughed but he could not hide the fear. His eyes did not leave the direwolf. Arya watched him, thinking about whether to tell him Aegon was king now. She decided against it, not wanting to admit that Cersei had escaped.

"You killed Jory," she told him. "Brienne said you have changed."

He glanced at her, a glint of amusement in his green eyes.

"Brienne believes what she wants to believe. Whoever Jory is I do not believe I mourn his death. If you are going to kill me you should bloody well just do it."

Nymeria snarled again and Arya felt the anger coming from the wolf. It is her anger or mine? Arya suspected the latter and she stood to draw the sword. She saw Jaime's eyes widen and knew he recognised it.

"If you are not sorry I see no reason to let you live. My men want you dead and I think I agree with them."

She stepped forward to make an end of it before the raven screamed and flew between them.

Jaime

Jaime prepared himself to die. He had always hoped his end might at least be with a sword in hand but it appeared those hopes were dashed. He did not know where the raven came from or why it stopped the girl. If it were Jaime he would have just cut through the damn bird. Instead she began to speak to it.

"Tree," it shrieked. "Tree."

Arya Stark let the bird land on her arm. It shrieked again. She looked at it with that same off putting expressionless face before turning her attention back to him. "Do not think this means you are spared. It only means that my gods wish to speak with you." An odd smile flitted over her face.

Jaime tried to think past the throbbing in his head. His tooth pained him more than he wished to admit. The monstrous direwolf still eyed him as though it did not care for whatever sorcery its mistress wished to call down upon him and Jaime wondered whether he might be better off provoking it then and there. It is not like Robb Stark's wolf. He supposed that if the creature had not been killed it might have grown to be the same but it still seemed rather less savage than the she-wolf. Robb might have used his wolf to intimidate but that paled in comparison with the monster growling before him now, slaver running from its jaws and menace in its eyes. He glanced at Arya again, seeing her being rather attentive to the raven and tried to understand.

"Why?" he asked.

Arya made an odd sight with the bird on her arm and the wolf by her side. She sheathed the sword and flicked her braid over her shoulder and her smile showed him the source of all the rumours. There was something about her, even if she did not quite have her sister's beauty.

"I will do almost anything for my brother," she informed him.

Jaime did not understand the relevance but he recalled the words he used himself. "The things we do for love," he said.

Arya looked at him and Jaime had the uncomfortable feeling she saw into him.

"Your sister is going to die," she said calmly. Her tone seemed cold and her eyes were like grey flint.

"We are all going to die" he replied, trying to sound as though he did not care.

Arya smiled at that, a wolfish smile which showed her teeth.

"Valar Morghulis."

He thought he had heard the phrase before but could not recall what it meant. Tyrion would know he thought to himself before remembering what his brother had done. The young woman called to the wolf and it gave him one more seemingly reproachful look before following her.

"You must be confident in your command," he called after her. "They lost faith in your brother and they will not like this."

She turned back to face him and when the raven screamed it almost seemed Jaime had angered it. The bird flew from Arya's arm crying "murder."

"I do not care if you did try to fulfil the vow," she told him. "My mother is dead and you have no right to speak of Robb. Nothing you have done will save Cersei. I will not grant you mercy for your crimes."

Jaime remembered the Lady Catelyn as she was the last time he saw her.

"I know better than to ask for mercy from somebody who could kill their own mother, even with her being as she was."

Something flickered over Arya's face, something resembling pain and Jaime felt a moment of shame. It still did not push her far enough.

"That was mercy," she said in a tight voice.

She paused a moment looking at him and he was uncomfortably reminded of Ned Stark and his bloody honour. The girl brought to mind all those broken vows and his intentions to regain his own honour.

"I am sorry my lady. That was uncharitable."

His apology appeared to have no impact on her. She merely looked at him for another moment.

"Words are wind."

This time she did leave him to wonder what on earth had happened to the wild child Cersei sent him after on the Trident.

Arya

She did not know what Bran wanted with Jaime but he was so insistent she could not refuse him. Her men did not agree with the decision, she knew that before she informed them. They only agreed to it because she told them she wanted him questioned before the heart tree.

They once used to sacrifice people before the trees.

Her stomach rumbled when she finished speaking with them and she realised how long it had been since she ate. Men were gathered with their rations in the drafty hall. Arya joined them. The outlaws were amongst the Northmen and they quickly sought her out, professing their relief at her safety.

"The crown becomes you your grace," Anguy offered with a bow.

He looked so comical Arya gave him a smile. Her smile faded when she heard the murmurings and turned to see Sansa entering the hall. Her sister held her head high and smiled and spoke to the men as she passed them. The outlaws greeted her warmly and Arya saw her sister already wore one of the gowns Arya sent her. Arya expected her sister still remained a little taller and Arya was still skinny.

Cara helped her adjust it.

Sansa drew alongside her and stopped. Cara walked beside her with her eyes lowered, looking cowed. She darted forward and took a seat with Arya at the slightest gesture. Sansa remained still and Arya realised she was looking at Nymeria. The direwolf lingered in the hall, not seeming in a hurry to return to the other wolves following them North. She did not move far from Arya's side.

A frown flickered briefly across Sansa's face and Arya remembered Lady. The anger rose in her when she thought of the lies and the things Sansa said afterwards. Nymeria whined and when Arya glanced at the direwolf she saw her looking at Sansa the same way she looked to Arya for acknowledgement.

Nymeria knows she is part of the pack.

The retort Arya had been going to make died on her lips when she remembered what her father said. I must blame Cersei and Joffrey and Sandor. When she looked back at Sansa her sister just looked sad. Arya tried to think of what she might say, something to defend herself from the accusation she felt must still be held against her over the incident but Sansa had turned her attention away from the wolf and wore a stiff smile instead.

"Thankyou for the gowns Arya."

Arya paused for the briefest moment still wrestling with memories. She made herself push them aside. There will be another time to speak of it. She looked at Sansa who wore the soft grey woollen gown far better than she ever did and chose to answer with simple truth. "I was not wearing them." She gestured to the seat beside her and Sansa took it. Ned Dayne sat beside her and gave them an odd look. Arya tried to think of what to say. "The clansmen asked after you."

Sansa smiled again and Arya wondered what her sister thought now. The old Sansa would never have spoken to anybody who appeared so savage, no matter what they were underneath. Her smile disappeared to be replaced by what almost looked like guilt.

"They are fond of Tyrion."

The Whoresbane brought the food to them and Arya saw him spit at the reference to a Lannister.

"I hope the King takes his head off your grace. Then Lady Sansa might be free."

Arya saw the expression cross Sansa's face and blurted without thinking.

"You do not want him dead?"

Whoresbane cursed and Sansa flushed a deep red. Ned scowled behind her. Arya heard murmurs of disapproval. Some blamed it on Sansa being a tender hearted woman but others suggested corruption. Arya resisted her own urge to scowl and recalled memories of Sansa with Joffrey and Cersei.

"I do not wish to be married to him," Sansa said hurriedly. "If he must die then so be it." A dark expression clouded her face. "I would rather it be Cersei's head."

Arya could see the truth of it. She does not wish Tyrion dead. She remembered the rumours of the two of them poisoning Joffrey together.

"What did they do to you?"

Sansa pursed her lips and reached for her knife. "I do not wish to speak of it," she said softly. "I just want to go home, to Winterfell." She dug the dagger into her meat as though attacking somebody.

"You will," Arya said quietly. "We leave in two days."

Her sister focused on her food but Arya heard her whisper words under her breath. "I will be stronger within Winterfell."

She let her sister think so but Arya suspected differently. There will be no true peace for us. She had not forgotten Jon. Sansa might be found now but the pack was not united yet.

He needs me whether he asks for me or not.

A/N 2: Next chapter returns West with a Barristan Selmy POV. For those wondering, chapter 95 will be set at the Wall and catch up with the goings on there.