Arya II.
Not much excitement has occurred in Riverrun. After all, she was strictly prohibited from leaving the castle to many times, she had been threatened by her mother that she would be locked in her room and not partake in the upcoming tourney with the rest of the family. Arya hated it but begrudgingly obliged. Now, here she was, wandering the halls with exceptional boredom and hunger for adventure. If only Jon or Bran were here to keep her company, Sansa and Robb were too 'domesticated' for her liking, they lacked the spirit of revelry that her other brothers provided. It was wrong to view them as such, but it was the had always been fonder of Jon, after all. Even if he was a bastard, he treated her as an equal. As for Bran, she just loves to coerce him into many of her playful shenanigans.
Reaching the end of the long hallway, she entered the dining hall where she just so happened to spot her older brother and sister in the company of a few servants. "Arya? How nice of you to join us." Sansa's smugness was easily detectable.
Arya rolled her eyes as she approached, "Oh shut it."
"Rude." Robb grinned at the petty exchange between the two sisters.
Arya was already accustomed to the three of them hardly interacted much, but she wasn't simply going to ignore them and walk away, well, perhaps to Sansa, but that's for a different time and place.
Arya listened to her older brother explain the situation regarding the tourney. The constant raids by bandits had left them no choice but to acquire the services of the sellswords they had met weeks Tully was a proud house that looked upon their knights with honor and respect, but they lacked what these men possessed and that was apparently new form of weaponry that was able to claim multiple lives in a single strike. If the rumors were to be believed.
These men were also more adjusted to confrontations against these types. They were clearly seasoned fighters with many tricks and tactics that were unconventional for a regular and found them fascinating. She hoped to see them soon again. The one she spoke to appeared a decent man in her eyes. Perhaps next time, she could ask for a Seven know just how intrigued she was about breaking out of tradition and becoming the greatest female warrior in all of Westeros.
"I don't like this, Robb. These men could so easily go back on their word and either turn their weapons on us or abandon us, leaving the entire tourney vulnerable when they are to be needed the most." Sansa said.
"They don't seem the type." Arya remarked, recalling her interactions with the blond man from the group.
"Regardless of our sentiments, a contract has been made with them, and thus far, they have honored it. The other day, two of them came by to survey the land and plan out the security for the King's tourney." Robb stated.
King Robert Baratheon's latest tourney had the talk around the riverlands for the past month. She hoped that Jon would be in attendance, but if her mother was here, then that possibility wasn't meant to be, unfortunately. She still did not understand why there was so much scrutiny towards him. Yes, she understood the concept of a bastard and, overall, why nobody had any respect for them, but Jon was her brother, and she loved him no matter what. If only other members of the family would fully accept him as she and her father have. That's most likely one of the main reasons why she was so rebellious at times, constantly fighting against tradition. If tradition wouldn't allow Jon the happiness he rightfully deserves, then damn it all.
There was not much she could actually do about interest remained on these strange to learn more about them had increased as the days went by, as did the reports she would eavesdrop on regarding their fighting prowess. She just had to see them again, and hopefully, this time, she could get to witness them use those unique weapons of theirs in person.
Soon after their talk, Robb departed, leaving the two sisters with an antagonistic relationship alone in the dining hall. Arya was also ready to depart, but Sansa chose to stick by her side for the entirety of the walk. She spoke about her gleeful excitement for the tourney and off all the handsome knights she would have the opportunity to make acquaintances with, Arya desperately tried not to gag in return.
"I do hope Prince Joffrey takes notice of me. To be married to a prince is every girl's dream." Sansa dreamily imagined the interaction between her and the Crown Prince.
"You can keep that nightmare to yourself." Arya responded.
The Stark sisters reached the garden where their mother was in attendance with the servants. Sansa courtly greeted Lady Stark, Arya was far more nonchalant in her approach, "Hello there, mother." Sansa spoke.
Arya had never been fond of formalities, so her greeting was casual, far too casual, "What's been happening, mother?" Catelyn Stark narrowed her eyes at the youngest Stark girl but said nothing in return.
"Girls, have you two been focusing on your tasks as requested?" Arya knew that her mother was directly speaking to her.
"Yes, mother." both sisters replied.
Arya hated her noble duties. They were demeaning, sexist, and just not her style at all. She was an adventurer, a wanderer, and pursuer of freedom. Absolutely not some weak-willed fair maiden shackled by thousands of years of forced tradition. She was going to break free, by the Old Gods, she will even climb over the Wall and become a wildling if the opportunity ever arises in order to escape this grim fate that awaits her.
But the possibility of fleeing did not sit that well with her much. She loved her family and wished not to abandon them for selfish reasons. Arya wondered if she could continue to serve House Stark and maintain her independence. Many times, she has wondered how Lyanna Stark managed to be such a captivating figure in the eyes of the nobility. Her father and others alike have spoken about just how much her late aunt's spirit was infused within her.
If Lyanna could balance both lives, that of a noble woman and a fearless adventure, then perhaps there was hope for her too.
"Is that them down there?" Sansa pointed towards the workers camp across the river. Both Stark Girls had climbed up to the walls of Riverrrun to view the lands.
"I'dunno. Maybe." Arya leaned forward to get a better look. "Yes, I recognize one of them. The old man must be part of their group as well."
They saw the two sellswords that had offered their services to House Tully in exchange for a 'fresh start' as Arya had heard their leader phrase it to her grandfather. Looking on, they made out the figure of their brother Robb approaching the two men on horseback. The captain of the guard was with him, and all four appeared to be talking business, business regarding the security of the tourney Arya imagined.
"As long as they are not permitted inside these walls, there is no fear for us to have." Sansa said.
"Oh yeah? What about when you have to go down there for the tourney? Are you gonna hide behind Father the whole time?" Arya mocked her.
"You are so naïve. Sellswords are loyal to one thing, and that is themselves. I'm sure grandfather has made plans in case these men decide to turn against us." Sansa replied.
"If it helps you sleep at night." Arya walked away, leaving Sansa alone.
XxXxX
As the sun began to set, she spent the rest of this day in utter boredom. Having finished up her lessons at last, Arya chose to hang around the barracks and watch the men train. The clanking and swinging of swords greatly captivated her mind. she would have participated, but unlike in The North, the southern folk were much more sexist and the overall deep-rooted prunes towards ancient traditions.
Arya was glad to be a believer of the Old Gods of the Forest, much more versatile and accepting towards her personal goals unlike the much more restricted and regulated Faith of the Seven that demanded absolute control over one's freedom. The more she thought it over, the more Arya was satisfied to have been born a Northern, but also feeling unfortunate to be stuck down here in these southern lands of the Seven Kingdoms. Hopefully, the King's Tourney would come already so that she may be able to return back home where she rightfully belonged.
"It's getting late, Arya. Mother will be upset to k ow you're not in your room." Robb had managed to sneak up besides her as she daydreamed.
"Sansa is annoying." Arya grumbled but then allowed a smirk to spread, "Also she tends to snore a lot." Robb choked out a suppressed laugh as Arya let out a hearty one of her own. Both siblings allowed themselves this act of immaturity in a life of maturity and responsibilities.
"L-lets not mention this...to anyone and her, definitely not Sansa." Robb chuckled.
"Her future husband will be greeted by a slumbering beast on their first night together." Arya added, unable to contain a much heavier laugh that was soon followed by Robb's uncontrollable laughter.
A some of the household servants and others took notice of the Stark kids' rather loud laughter yet kept to themselves, it may seem improper for nobility to behave as such but who were they so lowly born to reprimand them after all? Robb managed to recover first and grabbed his sister by the hand, guiding them out of the public view. Surely enough by tomorrow morning, their mother would scold them for behaving as children in the presence of the servants and other subjects.
"That's enough foolery for today. Best be going now, Arya." Robb composed himself, returns to his regal demeanor, but with a glint of amusement hidden in his eyes.
"Before I go, can I ask something?" Arya said.
"Anything." Robb said back.
"What did you learn about these sellswords out there. I've heard such grand tales from the local merchants that come to trade to Riverrun. Such a small group, but with unknown and strange weapons that are able to wipe out many men with a single blow. Is it all true?" Arya asked, her curiosity expressed.
Robb pondered his question before answering back, "I haven't personally witnessed their weapons being used, but they surely are strange indeed. Craftsmanship of both wood and iron, they vary in sizes but according to the elder man that I spoke to today, they all have the same function as a crossbow, but far more deadlier apparently. I too have heard of these tales the Riverlands, how they slayed many Freys at the Twins and the extermination of a large bandit camp by only four of them. Those two are factual, but anything else is on a need to know basis, grandfather has assigned men to spy on their encampment at the Old Stones. If they betray our trust they will be brought to justice, but I do wonder how many of our own may perish against them."
"I know Mother will absolutely deny it, but is it possible that you could take me along to see them up closer next time?" Eagerness took over as Arya asked again,
"Sorry little sister, but this is one adventure I cannot take you along with. Bandits have been far too active and I will not risk your safety." Arya pouted, even if she knew his response it was still a bummer to have it confirmed.
Robb patted her on the head and walked away. Arya walked back to her own room, that young mind of hers already work with a scheme that will grant her close proximity to the group. It may wait a while, but the Tourney was her best shot.
So sorry for the radio silence. Short chapter, but you all deserve something. I'll try to not go AWOL again, at least for this long.
