AN: So I published this today because I already had it written, I just had to revise it.
I own nothing, GRRM does.
James held Arya close as the crows circled over head. Her eyes gradually opened as she looked up at James, speechless. The crowd began to cheer and clap as James turned around to find the Hound lifting up Ned's head. A pool of blood formed at the base of the dais, a lifeless body laying next to it. Now he had to get Arya out of here, it was the least he could do. There was no way he could get to Sansa, he had to make his move; he had to take her to Yoren and move north. James cupped Arya's face as she just gave him a blank empty stare,
"Arya!" he yelled as she gradually began to open her eyes, "Arya! I've got to get you out of here, we've go to make for the Mud Gate. And you will be quiet!"
Arya blankly stared off as James pulled her up into his arms, holding her, and pushing through the now distracted crowd. James looked back to the dais and saw two Kingsguard dragging away Ned's body, and suddenly Sansa fainted. Cersei and the rest of the small council stood valiantly, as if they had performed some great deed. James locked eyes with Cersei for half a second as she started to give him a weird look, he turned away. James led Arya down this dark alley to the side of the Sept; he set her down by the steps and pushed her against the wall. He knelt down and took out his dagger,
"Keep your mouth shut, Arry." James said holding the dagger,
"It's me Arya! James! Don't call me that!"
"You're not a very smart, are you Arry!" James said holding the dagger to her hair, "Do you want to live Arya? Do you want to get out of King's Landing, than keep your mouth shut and let me do this."
James took handfuls of hair and began cutting away in silence; the strands fell to the floor one by one. Arya was whimpering and flinching each time he cut, and she was crying.
"Where are we going?" Arya asked,
"Were meeting Yoren at the Mud Gate, he is a man of the Watch and I know him. We're going North with him."
"What about Sansa?"
James paused from cutting and looked down at the floor, thinking. He resumed to cut her hair, "There is nothing I can do for Sansa. We have to make North and in due time, we have to get out of the city."
He finished cutting her hair as he felt a couple of tears run down his face; James tried to be strong, strong for Arya but he had just seen his father beheaded like some common criminal. It brought thought's to Will, that ranger Ned had beheaded on that cold Northern day just outside of Winterfell. Than thought's of Ned in those shackles came to mind, and it was right there that James realized it wasn't Brandon he should strive to be like but his father, Ned. James wiped away the tears quick as he grabbed Arya by the arm, leading her down the alleyway. Arya looked very much like a boy with her riding clothes and now shorter hair. They made their way to the Mud Gate, going through back alleys; trying to avoid Lannister men and Gold Cloaks alike. James figured nobody would bother a boy and a sellsword, he began to tell her the plan.
"Brandon Snow?" Arya asked walking side by side with James down the alley, one hand on Needle,
"Yes, a bastard sellsword of the North, hence the clothing," The brown boiled leather and chain mail had begun to turn black, it made James look like the sworn brother he was.
"Who came up with that?"
"Robb and Maester Luwin, even Theon helped."
"I miss them,"
"I know,"
"So what's the plan, again?" asked Arya, looking down at the ground,
"You are to pose as an orphan boy named, Arry. Nobody will give a shit about some orphan and they won't ask questions. Knowing Yoren this lot are probably scum: rapers, thieves, murderers, and all the usual. Talk to them as if nothing is wrong, use foul language if you have to, but don't be foolish. When you have to take a piss, do it alone. These boys won't be good company, I'll try to stay close to you and keep an eye, but I can't be constantly around you when we talk it must be in private, understood?"
Arya nodded, "Don't trust anyone except me and Yoren. He is a good man, honorable, and loyal to the Watch and House Stark, certainly more loyal than me. These men will take you back to the Queen quick as spit, if they found out who you or I were, others would do the same but only they'd….they'd,"
The words trapped in James throat, "Only they'd rape me first?"
James nodded and kept walking, "Will you tell them who you are?"
"No," James said, "Only you and Yoren will know who I'am, so try to continue calling me Brandon Snow. Emphasis the fact that I'm baseborn,"
"Like Jon," she said with a sigh, James could tell she missed Jon most of all, "Yes, just like Jon,"
They passed under a clearing and James heard the cawing of seagulls and the smell of the Bay. Smallfolk were out by the water cleaning clothing and bathing. Than he saw Yoren on the back of a wagon, calling out that he was recruiting for the Night's Watch, but nobody paid him any mind. Behind him James noticed three boys standing next to a donkey. One was a short blonde boy who looked dirty, his arms were mottled green up to his elbows. Another was some plump-boy who had straw colored hair, and the third was a tall lad who was strong; it was Gendry, the bastard of Robert Baratheon. James told Arya to go over there and wait, while he talked to Yoren. He approached the Recruiter while he was yelling out,
"I'm here to recruit for the Night's Watch!" he yelled, "All men are welcome!"
James peered up to him from the ground, Yoren still reeked of rot. Yoren looked down upon him, "Want to join, sellsword? We could use the likes of you up at the Wall. If not than piss off!"
James kept silent as Yoren resumed shouting out, "Yoren," James said under his breath, "Yoren, it's me James."
Yoren looked down upon him and studied him for a good while, "James?" he said jumping off the wagon,
"Is that you, boy?"
"Yes," James said hushing him, "I thought you were dead or had gone missing, the whole capital couldn't stop talking about the Kingslayer attacking your father in the streets. Shit, you look like some common sellsword." he than went silent, "I'm sorry about your father, he was…he was a good man."
"Thank you, he was." James said looking down at the ground, trying to regain his composure, "But I must have words."
"What is it, James?" Yoren asked, bending closer,
"Call me Brandon, Brandon Snow."
"Brandon Snow? Why would I call you that? That's a bastard name,"
"Because I don't want any of these lads knowing who I'am, or who she is," James said nudging his head over to Arya, who was now standing with Gendry.
Yoren looked back at her and than turned back to James, "Is that Ary-"
"-Yes, that's her…I mean him,"
"Him?"
"Yes, I cut her hair and gave her a new identity. She is a orphan boy named, Arry."
"That's smart, lad. So what's this plan of yours?"
James stroked his new beard, it had given him an itch. "We're going North with you. I haven't thought much beyond that. All I ask is that you watch over her when I'm not around. I can't be seen talking to her unless it's in private."
"Aye, ok. That I can do. Call Arry over, I'd at least like to met him,"
James nodded and looked over to Arya, "Hey you, Arry!" he yelled as she looked over to him with wide eyes, "Yes you, orphan boy. Get over here, we don't have all day!"
Arya ran over and stood next to them; eyeing Yoren, "What is it Ja…I mean Brandon,"
"No need for that right now, I've told Yoren everything. I'd like for you to meet him."
"Ahh, yes I see it now. I remember you from when I told Lord Stark about the Imp. James here told me everything and I consent, however that sword of yours-"
"-It's name is Needle,"
"-Aye, Needle alright. I don't want you sticking anybody with that, and if you don't you can keep it."
Arya smiled when James noticed Gendry was looking at them, he lowered his eyes when James met his gaze and he could tell the boy knew who he was. He seemed like a good enough lad, and James decided to let him in on the secret; perhaps he could help and protect Arya. It's what Ned would've done.
"Who is that boy over there?" James asked,
"Why that's Gendry. He was some blacksmith's apprentice who decided to take the black, seems like a good lad."
"He is James. He saved me from those boys over there!" Arya said pointing to the blonde boy and the fat kid,
"Aye, call him over. I've met him before, I shall have words. Arya you go back and wait with the donkeys."
Arya nodded and darted off towards them, as Yoren turned and yelled, "Gendry! Get over here!"
Gendry ran over and stuck his hands in his pockets, humbly. "Yes?"
"This sellsword here would like to have some words,"
Gendry looked up at James and stared at him, "Do you remember me, boy?"
Gendry nodded, "Yes, you're Lord Stark's son. You came to visit me with him. However you look different."
"Aye, another story for another day. I'd like to talk to you in private,"
He scurried closer as James spoke in a whisper, "I need a favor. You seem like a good lad and I feel I can trust you,"
"Anything, my lord." Gendry said when James shook his head, "Don't call me that, I'm no Lord. In fact from now on call me Brandon, Brandon Snow."
"Yes, sure uhh...Brandon. What is this favor you ask?"
"You see that boy over there, the one with the sword?" James said pointing over to Arya who was standing against the donkeys kicking the dirt,
"Yes, what of him?"
"Keep an eye on him, ok?" James said as Gendry looked at him with an eyebrow raised, "Why?"
"Because, I know him and I'd be grateful if you did. Can you do that?"
Gendry nodded and walked off back to Arya. James sighed and dipped his hands in his pockets. Shuffling his hands around, he felt the roughness of paper,
"Shall we get going, Brandon?" Yoren said when James didn't respond, "Brandon?"
James turned around and took out the map, he was staring at it with intent. Finally Varys's words dawned on him. Because if it's to late for your father, it might not be too late for your sisters. Think about them, my Lord.
"Brandon?" Yoren asked stepping closer, "Shall we get going?"
James turned around to face him, his hand clutching the map. "No, I'll be right back."
Yoren gave him a look, "Where could you possibly have to go? We must leave now!"
"It won't take long, just please watch over Arry and wait."
Yoren sighed in frustration, his mouth twitched, "Alright, this better be quick."
"Oh, it will be."
"BRANDON!" James heard Arya yell from behind, she was running towards him, "Where are you going?"
James turned around to meet her, "To get Sansa,"
-x-
James ran through the back alleys of King's Landing from hence he came with Arry. He had been constantly dodging people as he read the map as he ran. He spotted that in Eel Alley, behind some brothel, a tunnel led directly to the Tower of the Hand; which entered the solar. It was there that he hoped Sansa would be, grieving. James had decided to roll the dice and there would many things that could go wrong. For starters, Sansa could not even be there and if she was; there would be guards. Secondly if he were to fail in her extraction, James could be killed and it would lead to Sansa being killed. He could be captured…Enough. He told himself as he was walking through the tunnel. It was a narrow squeeze and the only thing that offered any light was a torch he carried. James constantly eyed the map as he made his way through, and finally he arrived at the tunnel ending, it led to inside a room in the solar. It was James's old room and that's when he realized how Varys had managed to slip in that night. As he crept out from under the tunnel he stood up, wiping off the soot that had stained his clothing. The door was left open a jared as he heard voices talking. James peered through the door and saw two Lannister men-at-arms there both carrying a large chest. It was Sansa's clothing chest.
"This fucking thing weigh's a ton!" the first man yelled, struggling to lift it up with two hands, "What does the Stark girl have in here, gold?"
"Quit your bitching!" barked the second man, "The Queen say's we are to take this to the tower room in Maegor's Holdfast. Rumors are the wolf girl hasn't left the room since this morning, her cries can be heard throughout the tower."
"Don't blame her. I'd cry my bloody fucking eyes out if I saw mi' father beheaded in front of my mi' eyes." said the first man, they were moving slowly towards the door,
"Didn't know my father." the second man said, he was short, "Mi mum was a whore and I didn't know her neither."
The men continued to walk like turtles as James looked to the map. He noticed the nearest tunnel that led directly to Sansa's room in Maegor's Holdfast that connected to the Tower was in the Small Hall. That mean's he'd have to leave the room and expose himself, he might have to kill these two men. The thought of killing made him sick; he hadn't killed a man since the fighting in the street and the concept irked him. James stuffed the map in his pocket and hesitantly put a hand on his sword. Sweat began to trickle down his forehead as images of Jaime's smiling face appeared before him, his arm began to throb in pain. For Sansa, he thought to himself, For Father.
James drew his sword and burst through the door, sword in hand.
"What the-" the first soldier yelled as he dropped the chest. James swung his sword and slit the man's throat open. He fell to his knees and grabbed for his throat; gurgling on his own blood. The second man didn't even bother to draw his sword as he tackled James to the ground. The sword flung out of his hands as the men wrestled on the ground, soon the man was on top of him, hands on his throat. James felt the life fleeing him as the man applied more pressure, his teeth were grimacing and he looked like some sort of wolf baring his teeth. James was reaching around for something, anything as the man kept choking him. Soon he began to grow weak when his hands found his dagger. James unsheathed it and with all his strength stabbed the man in the arm. The Lannister soldier fell of him, screaming, clutching his arm. James sprang on top of him and began stabbing him in the chest repeatedly. The blood was flying everywhere and splashing him in the face as the man was throwing his hands in the air, pleading. Finally the man's arms became limp and fell to his side: he was dead. James got off him, panting heavily; the man's blood had gotten all over his clothing.
James stood there staring at the man as he looked like a dead animal, butchered. It bothered him, the way he died, men shouldn't be butchered like animals. He sheathed his dagger and sword. James ran over to Sansa's chest and flipped it open, frantically throwing clothes as he found her riding clothes. He snatched them and noticed a pitcher of water on the table as he grabbed it and poured it on his face. The blood stained water trickled down his clothing, forming a pool of it on the table. Suddenly he heard a high-pitched scream as some servant women was standing at the doorway to the solar. James ran over to the door and pushed her out of the way, she fell to the ground. He ran towards the small hall as he heard the women call out to some guards. James never looked back as he heard the scurrying of feet behind him, the yells.
"Find him!" one man yelled as James continued to run, "I want this man alive!"
James was running down the same narrow hall where Cersei came to him to invite him for dinner as he found the doors to the small hall. He leaped inside and rolled on the floor, he began to crawl to the side as he hoped the guards would just run by. He noticed they were Lannister soldiers as three of them ran by, one stood around and peered his head in; looking around.
"Come on, he went this way!" a second man said, pulling the first away from the door.
The sound of their footsteps became distant as James pulled out the map. The secret entrance was the small door in the corner that nobody had come to notice. He made his way down the tunnel but this time in darkness; he was hoping he was going the right way. The air was thick and dirty. James thought if the Targayren's had ever used these tunnels. Did Maegor the Cruel walk these steps? Did the Mad King? Suddenly the tunnel came to an abrupt end, as the entrance seemed blocked. It was dark but he heard whimpering. He knew it was Sansa, he heard that whimper a thousand times. James began to knudge the item with his elbow hard, but to no avail. The thing was to sturdy. He backed up, crouching, and ran forward again. This time it moved a little bit, he repeated again and again until finally it had moved enough that he fell through the opening. He was on the ground scrambling when he felt a sharp pain on his back. James looked up and saw Sansa standing over him with a pot in hand, slamming him repeatedly. James threw up his hands, and begged her to stop.
"Who are you?" she yelled raining down blows, "Who are you? Get out of here!"
This time James got a good look at her. Her hair was tangled and a mess, she was wearing the same dress she had at the execution. Her eyes were swollen and her nose red. Mucus streamed down from her nose. This time she kicked him in the stomach hard and he retched over on the ground in pain.
"Sansa, it's me!" he yelled at her, but it was met with another kick. This time it knocked the wind out of him, "It's me…" James said gasping for air, "It's me….James,"
Sansa had her pot held over her shoulder about to land another blow when it stopped, she studied him like some sort of animal. "James?"
"Yes, it's me James!" he yelled getting up, he dusted the soot off him again and placed a hand on his stomach. "I'm here to get you out, let's go!"
James walked closer to her but she retracted from him, "You aren't James!" she yelled swinging the pot but James caught her arm,
"Your favorite thing in the world is Lemon Cakes," he said as her eyes grew wide, "You have a best friend named Jeyne Poole,"
Sansa began to lower the pot, it hit the floor. "We have a bastard brother named, Jon Snow. Our father was Eddard Stark who always ended his lectures with Winter is Coming, and our mother is Catelyn Tully."
"When I was fourteen Me, Robb, and Jon put a dead rabbit in your bed and-"
"-And you could hear my screams in the crypts," Sansa finished as she began to cry, she fell over on his chest. She began to deliver tiny blows to his arms and shoulders in frustration as she cried. James let the moment linger awhile,
"James, it really is you. But you look so different?"
"I know, but really Sansa, we must go. I can't let you stay here in their hands,"
Sansa whimpered and wipped her nose with her sleeve, "Go where?"
"Go North, with Yoren."
"Who's Yore-"
"-I'll explain later. I have Arya and-"
"-You have Arya?" Sansa said, perplexed,
"Yes, I have Arya. Quick Sansa, put on your riding clothes and let's go. Time is short,"
"But I don't have my riding clothes, there in my old room in the Tower of the Hand," Sansa said, when James took them out of and threw them at her, she noticed the blood stains on them.
"How did you get these? Why is there blood on them?"
"Don't ask, I'll explain later. Really Sansa we must be going."
Sansa nodded and began to undress. James turned around out of respect for her as he heard her scuffling. Finally she was done and began to pack her knapsack full of items, such as extra clothing.
"Drop those," James said, "Where we're going you won't need them. All you need is yourself."
Sansa dropped the knapsack and moved over to James. He examined her and realized the hair was going to be a problem, he unsheathed his dagger.
"What are you doing?" Sansa asked,
"I need to cut your hair, Sansa."
Sansa backed off and clutched her hair, there was nothing in the world she valued more than her precious auburn hair. "Why?"
James scoffed, "Sansa will you just listen to me!" he yelled, "Where we're going you don't want them knowing your a girl. I'll have to cut it, just a little." Sansa backed away, but seemed reluctant, "Look I'll cut it to your shoulders. It will grow back Sansa, this is just temporary."
Sansa's lip was quivering and she gave it a thought but finally relented, "Fine," she said, "But cut it to the shoulder and no more!"
James nodded and stepped forward. This was the second time today he had to cut a girl's hair, and he laughed inside. Sansa began to whimper as the hair began to fall to the floor. It had grown really long, down to hear lower back. Finally it was over when Sansa ran over to the mirror looking at herself, trying to clutch her non existent hair.
"I look horrible!" she yelled turning back to give James a scolding look, "I look like some…some boy!"
"Good," James said as suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Sansa scurried over to James as they stood there, frozen. The knock came again as they stayed silent.
"Open this door!" the voice yelled, as Sansa whimpered, "It's the Hound!" she yelled in a whisper. James ran over and wedged the door with a chair. And placed down the lock. The Hound must've heard as he yelled out orders to break down the door.
With nothing to lose James threw over the desk that covered the opening and it gave out a loud crash. The door began to budge as he knelt down into the opening, extending a hand to Sansa.
"Sansa, let's go!" he called out, when she seemed hesitant, James noticed the chair fell over that was wedging the door. "I'm not going in there!" she yelled at him,
James scoffed, "SANSA STARK!" he screamed trying to channel his mother, "You will take my hand and come with me!"
This time there was a huge bang on the door as the wood that held the lock began to splinter. Sansa turned around, startled and stared at James who gave her a nod, holding out his hand even further. Finally she grabbed his hand and bent down, crawling through the tunnel. James got out and stood up the desk and crept it towards the tunnel. The wood on the door was being held closed by a thread as he bent down and crept through the tunnel, pushing the desk over it to keep Varys secrets.
-x-
As they made their way through the tunnel they heard a large bang and the scuffling of feet. The Hound's orders being barked in muffled voices. James led Sansa through the tunnel and began to explain to her the plan. From Arry to Brandon Snow and about Gendry. He told her of their plan to move North.
"You will stay close to me the whole time," he said, "You are to womanly to pass as a boy, unlike Arya." James felt embarrassed, "So, we will be in the back of the column when we move. However, Arya will not be able to stay close to us and we can't talk to her unless in private. If you have to piss, do it in the woods, and say your highborn and I'm your sellsword, Brandon Snow. Hopefully this will all be over soon, and you need to think of a name."
"Can we go get Jeyne?" Sansa asked, as more time had passed. James had not given any thought to her best friend, but he hadn't heard a word about her since then. Her face appeared before him in the darkness. Her brown hair and brown eyes, the blush on her face whenever she'd talk to him. James than reached to his pockets to look for the map but realized he left it behind in Sansa's room. James came to realize that there was no hope for the Jeyne Poole, and she was lost,
"We can't, Sansa. I don't even know where she is,"
"Littlefinger has here!" Sansa yelled through the darkness, "He said he'd find a place for her,"
"I'm sorry Sansa." James said, "Jeyne is lost. There is nothing I can do for her."
"Your map! Use the map-"
"-I left it in your room, on accident. I'm sorry."
Sansa grew quiet and said nothing for a long time. James felt that she was mad at him but there was nothing he could do. They moved through the tunnels and arrived at the Tower of the Hand,. Finally the Gods gave them a break as nobody was near the solar and they moved through the second tunnel. This time they had a torch as they moved through. The whole time Sansa would complain about the dirt, the heat, her hair. It was never ending and James found himself growing frustrated.
"Enough!" he barked at her, as she shut up, "I'm sorry, Sansa. I didn't mean to yell, it's just all that's happened-"
"-I know," she said holding the torch, "Anyway, I've thought about a name."
"What is it?" James said,
Sansa let out a giggle and looked back to him, her hair had grown dark from the soot, "Sandor, I thought of Sandor."
James couldn't help but laugh, "You picked Sandor? You know that's the Hounds name-"
"-I know," she said, "But it's the only one that came to mind that was close to my name,"
Finally they got out of the final and tunnel and made through the back alleys that James used to get there. They moved quietly as he noticed the more Gold Cloaks had been patrolling the streets. Cersei must've gotten word by now…he thought as finally they arrived at the Mud Gate. Yoren was standing there on the wagon again, calling out for recruits. Arya was sitting in the back of the wagon with him as Gendry stood next to her. Arya looked up at them and jumped off the wagon, but James shot her a look. Sansa stood behind James, her hair was short just above the shoulder, dark from grease and soot. Her riding clothes were dirty too and perhaps it could work in their favor. When they got to the wagon she walked over to Arya, taking a seat next to her. Yoren jumped off the wagon his eye's wide,
"You kidnapped your sister!" he whispered under his breath, "You aren't to get involved, boy. This will bring unwanted attention to our party!"
"I know," James said, "But I couldn't leave my own flesh and blood to be a hostage."
Yoren backed off him and realized a huge sigh, his face twisted in anger under his beard, "Very well, then. You will look after her Star…I mean Snow!" he said pointing a finger at him, "If she get's raped it's not on me. You got it! This is a fucking mistake."
"She will ride the donkey and stay at the back of the column with me. I will keep watch on her day and night and she won't leave my sight. I told her to be highborn and treat me like I'm her sellsword. And his name is Sandor," James said as Yoren began to smile, "Aye, maybe we should call her the Hound."
James tugged at a smile but couldn't bring himself to complete it as Yoren stood back on the wagon,
"ALRIGHT YOU SHIT'S!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, "WE'RE MOVING NORTH!"
The boys began to scurry as Yoren took his place on the wagon and kicked the horse forward. Sansa, Arya, and Gendry ran over to them as James held a donkey waiting for Yoren to get a head start. James noticed the cage with three men inside, he knew that cage was reserved for murderers and rapists. He warned them to stay away from it as he told Arya and Gendry to move forward. Sansa got up on the donkey as James walked with her, behind the column. They began to move north.
-x-
AN: So yes, this completes the first part of the series. Like I've said the first part covers the events of A Game of Thrones, the second A Clash of Kings, the third A Storm of Swords and beyond. I hope you guy's enjoyed that twist in the end. So the second part will consist of their story through ACOK and the war torn Riverlands. I'm here to say that I'm going to be taking a break from this story, and have decided to start writing a new one. This doesn't mean I'm never going back to it, I'am. However, I'm going to write a story that still has James as a character but instead it's going to be about what happens to him after the supposed ASOIAF saga is over. The premise and plot has been bothering me for weeks and I just want to write it. I will try to not spoil anything for anyone in this story concerning the Black Wolf. James will be a central character but it will also focus on the Seven Kingdoms as a whole, instead of James being the center of the universe. I will probably publish the first chapter within a few days. I won't do the epilogue story until is complete, because right now I don't even know how it will end, if it has one. I will write that story until I get bored and begin the second part of Black Wolf.
Also my writing style is about to change from here on out. Instead of every single chapter being from James POV, I will begin incorporating other character's POV's as well. This goes for the epilogue story as well that I mentioned above. So each chapter will be listed as "James I or Sansa II" each individual chapter could hold POV's from more than one character and in that case I will label it as "Tyrion II/ Jon," depending on the number of character's.
So I will publish an entirely new story for the second series, called The Black Wolf, pt. II. I'll begin writing it fairly soon.
So I'd like to thank anyone who reviewed and read. It means a lot
