Arya
Things had been bad since Sansa had wormed her way into letting mother out of her rooms. She then managed to get Bran to send her to court at mother's push and I knew father was going to be even more upset than he was before. Then after that mother took over on all the running of the hold again and changed all the plans that I had made saying it was not my place to be doing this and there was no way that Robb was leaving the family wing nor Jon joining it. She also had said that the heirs were not going to be here long as that was too many and not the way things were done anymore. She even locked away my sword and daggers, only allowing my bow practice after my classes with Septa Mordane which she set in on now, forcing me to stay the whole time. They were even more strict and more chastised about who I am as a person and how unlikely it would be that I would find a good match at how unruly I am. I hated every minute of it because a Lady can do other things besides look pretty and pop out children. She even threatened to have my wrist broken so that I could not hold a sword again if she saw me with one as a real lady was not to act as such. She didn't care that father had been the one to make the request. She wouldn't listen when I tried to tell her about my aunt Lyanna who was one of the best horse riders in the North, with her bow and even good with a sword.
This was why I was sneaking out to the gods woods a place mother never came accept when father was home, and she needed to deliver him a message on something or another. I had found a smaller much younger heart tree back into the wood a distance from the larger one that was sheltered better, and I sat facing away from the castle and into a small gap in the wood. It was almost like a tiny cave into the tree and something I think of for the Children of the forest to have lived in, in the time of heroes. Closing my eyes, I did something I would never allow another to see and that was to cry and be weak. I would never let another break me but that did not mean that at 11 years old the pain of my mother treating me like she does was not painful and frustrating. I would never be Sansa or like my Lady Mother.
"It will be alright child; I will fix everything soon." A voice said that had her head popping up quickly and in wonder as it sounded much like her father but also not.
"Hello, did you speak to me?" I asked knowing I sound stupid but, in a way, not as so many things were happening that made me wonder.
"No dear, I spoke to you?" The voice said and I flipped around and pulled my dagger that I had hidden on me because I was worried mother would take it away as well.
"How, what can you possibly do?" Arya asked and the creature smiled because the child didn't ask what she was or who she was, just how she could help.
"My name is Bryona; I am to restore the connection to all the other trees and help your forests prosper and grow. Your father recently sent us south of the wall and with it a letter to hand deliver to you and your Commander at arms. If you can be so kind as to take me to him, I will then get to why I am here." The person who I assumed was a female said and I smiled at her. This was like our stories.
"Is it true you have magic and can see the whole world from animals' eyes?" Arya asked as she hid her dagger again and took the letter for her.
"No, we are not wargs unlike what your family lines have been in ages passed. We do have magics, but they are more in nature and through the woods than anything else." Bryona said back and I nodded that made sense.
"So, you will make your home here now? Can we be friends and you teach me to Warg. I thought your kind was all dead thousands of years ago, where have you been. How did you meet my father?" I asked because I had so many questions.
"Yes, I have been granted permission by your lord father and others of my kind to come south of the wall where we were living in a small group there for generations. We are not many and not as powerful as once was. I met him after coming south with our leader Bellisama. She is with your father now trying to restore the wall and its magic so we can communicate past it once the war really starts. There was an attack and your father, and the free people, fought but he is fine rest easy. I would like to be your friend many do not offer their hand in friendship so easily child. Just keep in mine that not all are the types to value that gift as much as I will." She said and I smiled back. I had few friends anyways and those I did mother had forbidden me from playing with because they were not of the proper class according to her. I didn't care who they were, they were my friends.
"I know my sisters' friends are always mean to me even when I try and be nice to them, Jennye sister is my age and they wont let her play with me because her sister says I act to much like a boy and not proper enough." I say as we make it to the Castle and I can tell she is leery as eyes are following her as we walk into the yard where I knew my fathers cousin would be training the recruits that were coming in since father said that they could sign on for a certain amount of years and not for life so that later on they had the chance to have families of their own and help build the North like it has not been for thousands of years.
She talked with my father's master at arms and then with a wave to me left through the side gate he had walked her to. I was so curious about what was going on and what was in the letter. I finally pulled mine out to read, making sure I was in Jon's old room that Mother would never look for me in. Sometimes it was so easy to out smart her because I knew she would not let herself go here as she was reminded of the stain on our family. His room had become a haven for me since father left.
"My little wolf,
I have received word of what has been going on there in Winterfell and I promise things will change and go back to what I have ordered was going to be. You continue practicing with your sword and keep learning how to manage the hold as a northern lady would. I should have left you in charge when I left instead of Bran or Sansa. Sansa has allot to learn still, I am just not ready to put her burden on her nor Bran his. From this point on I will try and stop being so old thinking as that a daughter can not rule. It should go on birth order and most of all skills, nothing more, but also, I must do what is best for all and I believe that it is you, my little wolf.
You will have to step up Arya and rule the castle, oversea the lord and lady's role and do more than what should be expected from one so young. When they push you, you must push back harder and take control. Do the right thing even if unpopular. Rest assured Robb, Jon, and I are well. We will have to put on hold the heirs coming as there is war coming and they will be needed here at the wall or at their holds gathering troops and ensuring things are taken care of.
Listen close to Maester Luwin and Commander of Arms Earlstark. You will need them if we are to be ready for this war to come. The others have returned. Study the books hard and take care of the hold and the north. I hate to do this this way, but I have no idea when I will return, and you must remember so that you can lead. Seek out the child of the forest and drink the tea I have sent with her then touch the heart tree. There are things you must know about and while I wanted to protect you as I am Sansa and Bran, Jon is right though, you must know, and it must be done now. I will deal with Bran and Sansa when I return and do not share what you learn with them. They are not ready yet for that knowledge. I do not say it enough, but I love you Arya and am so very proud of you for who you now are and who you have become. I have all the faith in you to do what is needed and to know what is needed done. Just know that those on your list are slowly being taken care of already so NO leaving Winterfell, we need you there."
She read the words three times and parts still confused her but what stood out the most was he said he was proud of her and had faith in her.
Pocketing the letter carefully so that she could keep it always, she made her way to her father's solar and seen that Commander of Arms Earlstark was there with four guards and had been seemingly waiting for her. "Lady of Winterfell," he said, and she could see the mirth in his eyes as he knew like everyone else in the hold that she would hate the title, but because of her father's words it made her proud of the title because he had faith in her.
"What did my father say to you?" I asked, wondering what directions he was given.
"I am to help you take control of the castle and run it as a war is starting and you are the one to hold this Castle and the North. So how are you going to do this?" Torrenh Earlstark asked me, and I knew this was a test to see if I would have what it would take to take control of the North.
"Escort my Lady mother back to her rooms and lock her back in. Merwin, take my brother to his rooms and I will go and talk to him once I get time. My father told me to go to the heart tree and see the child of the forest, so that is my priority then we will meet back here, and I will see what my mother has been up to." I say and at their nods we entered the solar.
"Mother, you are to go with these guards back to your rooms where you will reside doing as father said. Studying the northern ways and seeking penance for whatever it was you did and for once again disobeying your lord husband." I said cringing at those words no matter how true and throughly promising to never be controlled by a husband as I entered knowing a fight was coming.
"How dare you, you may go." She directed the guards who held firm and ready to act on my command. "Arya you are to go to your room at once. Who do you think you are talking to me that way. I am your mother." Catalyn stark said.
"As the Lord of Winterfell and the Crowns Paramount in the North I, Eddard Stark, gives the lords and ladies duties and the full running of the castle, town, and the North to my daughter Arya Stark as my heir. The only one to be in charge in the absence of myself and her older brothers Robb and Jon Stark. Her council should include but not be limited to the following: Arch Maester Luwin, Commander in Arms in the North Torrenh Earlstark, Master of Arms Rodrick Cassell, and the Castellan Vaynon Poole. Signed Eddard Stark" Earlstark read out loud so there was no discussion in the matter.
"That is who I think I am mother." I replied to her sarcastically and I knew it was childish, but she had hurt me so many times that I was starting to not care if I was disrespectful. "You are to follow what I say, or they will make you." I said and watched her try to think of something to say but knowing she did not have anything that would change that she was being once again relieved of her duties. I did feel bad for Bran who was looking at me wide eyed and to be fighting tears.
"It is not your fault Bran; you are too young, and you let mother manipulate you because you do not know better yet. I will make sure father knows that." I tell my baby brother who while is only two years younger than me was still very shy and quiet who wanted to please everyone. "Go rest and we will talk after sup tonight." I told him and he nodded going off I assumed to his room.
"I will be back as soon as I can. Gather the books and the others to meet me back here. I have much to do and learn if we are going to be ready for war." I told them and then went back out to the heart tree in search of my new friend to see what it is I am supposed to learn.
"Hello? Bryona? My father said to find you." I said walking around the heart tree where I had first met her.
"Come, I am ready for you. Drink and touch the tree. Remember who you were and all that you need to be again." She says and I trust her and drink the nasty tasting tea down only because I trusted my father. While sitting back against the tree where I could touch the roots. I felt my body start to feel weird like there were spiders all over me and my vision was growing narrow to the point that all I seen was white before closing my eyes.
Closing my eyes, I saw my life as I grew up, saw us find our wolves and how close to Jon I was. How much Sansa and I fought, and I rebelled against all that mother wanted. Watched us go south and father be murdered, the trip across the sea and learning at the house of black and white, coming home and working my way through my list as I stayed a head of the assassins sent to kill me. No one left the house of black and white alive. Finding my way back home and my siblings. Sansa had changed so much and was a colder version of herself; Stronger but so angry and cold. I knew she would never find happiness again nor let love in as she had been hurt so deeply and now understood why father wanted to protect her from all the pain she must have gone through. I only got glimpses of her life before we united but it added more names to my list.
I watched more clips as Bran becomes a shell of himself and eventually leaves us for beyond the wall coming back to rule in place of Jon, but never being totally good again nor Bran. It was like it was his body but not him anymore. There was something other about him that worried me, and I again understood father did not want to give him his memories and to keep him our Bran.
I watched the Night King murder and turn all those we loved and me try and end his life. To outsmart him not knowing there was another older and stronger one who was just waiting to finish us off by letting us think we had won. We should have known when the night continued, and the sun didn't return right away. My last memory was of him squeezing the life out of me slowly as I fought at first to end him then changing quickly to escape. It was as my life ended that I woke back in the Heart Tree with a gasp and clawing at the throat still to free me from his icy grip. Once I called down and let the knowledge of that life sink in, I cried for my siblings being lost and for my father who died trying to do the right things in his noble way. But he trusted me and was alive now, was fighting already to stop the Night King and needed to know my memories so he knew there was one so old that predated even the known worlds and his icy tiger queen. I could see why he would need me here taking care of everything. But that did not change the fact that I wanted to be by his side and fighting once again.
Taking it all in and then standing up and wiping my face off of the last weakness I could show, I turned and marched back to the castle and the solar that would now be mine.
"Let's get ready for a very long cold winter with the dead marching south. The Night King and his others have returned and with it a war like none we have seen in 8 thousand years. I need to meet with the blacksmiths on weapons. Commander Earlstark, I need you to get our army ready and you will have to let me know what they need. Master Cassell you were instructed to have seen all of the defense's with Commander Earlstark, where are we with that and what needs to be done." I asked and it felt weird being in my tiny body again and being seen as just a child.
"Most are not close to being ready for a siege little lone a long cold winter, add the two in and all will fall quickly. They need more men, higher walls, some repaired, better stores, and supplies to do it all with. Their small folk will all starve and be over ran because none has taken them into consideration in the event of a siege or long winter." Jory Cassell said with a frown.
"What of Winter Town and Winterfell, are we just as bad?" I asked looking at the map that they had spread out on what will now be a war table. It was a long table that was just as wide that all of us could sit or stand around and see the whole of the map that was of the seven kingdoms and what had been put together of the far north beyond the wall that I doubted was accurate or complete. It had all be done while I was gone.
"Not as bad and on the right track, your father started repairs and storage before he left, and we continued with his plans quietly. Wintertown are building their own stocks up, but should they need to retreat here we are looking for ways to accommodate all and still be able to function." He expounded.
"Continue that and make sure that we have the room even if we must double up families in each quarter and make sure the tunnels are opened up as well and prepared to use if needed. I am not even sure what is all down there or how many usable areas there is but get that information to me so we can plan. People will need to retreat from the north closest to the wall down. We must hold out as long as we can protecting as many as we can. We will need evacuation routes as well for those we can get south to the river lands if we are full and if they can move. We will also need to look at ways to bypass Walder Frey until he can be dealt with. We need all ideas covered. Including watching for those who would take advantage of a war distracting and taking the soldiers and men away from here. We must be ready for anything." I say having pointed to some areas on the map.
"Maester Luwin, what state is our hold right now, what about financial aspects? What can we do to make more food and extend the growing season more than we do?" I asked, wondering what had been happening and how we would have enough if darkness set in, and the sun was hidden.
"Your father left orders to get more glass houses built and fields cleared. Sadly, we have issues in the east with crop failure that we will have to address. Your father also just bought the castles and towers along with the new gift and gift which set back our funds drastically but opened new farmlands and areas for resources. He has also ordered that we triple our requests south for grains, fruits, and fish. Even sending requests for trade as far south as Dorne and the free cities. We should start getting those supplies in within the next month." I nodded, taking notes on what he said and then thinking through what else we needed.
"I want the kitchens to start rationing our stores as if we were already in siege. No lavish meals, feasts, nor special meals until further notice. I want all abled body boys and girls from Winter Town and the surrounding area to not only start training to fight but to start working to help clear land and plant crops. We have a very short amount of time to prepare." I tell the elderly man who nodded making his own notes and I knew he would get the word out. Most if not all children were already helping out their families but many in the towns and villages did not work the lands around them and we would need them as well to have enough put away.
"Send ravens out to Lords Yronwood, Gardener, Greyiron, Wyk, Harlaw, and Orkmont to request iron. We will need lots, but we cannot seem to get it from just one place as it will make the south and the crown worry we are rebelling. Do so quietly and offer them a trade deal for at least one year supply up front and then for two years after. Then send out to Dragonstone to Lord Stannis Baratheon and Lord Umber to send as much obsidian as possible. Also send off to the Asshai and Skagos for obsidian blades and arrow heads and send it straight to father. As many as they will send as it will save us some time on making them here. Lastly start looking into where we used to get obsidian from and put feelers out about the same. We will need as much if not more than the Iron." I told him and all he did was raise an eye brow at my knowledge that I did not have even two hours ago but did not say anything just nodded and left to do as I wanted done.
"What else needs to be handled?" I asked as I made notes of the orders I had given and looking over the notes that I was handed by Maester Luwin.
"Robb sent word he needs supplies, tools, materials, but he will also need people like cooks, smith, armor, and so on. Each part of the wall has been bought and needs manned to run and hold the war north of the wall. That takes many things that I am not even sure your brother has thought of. I have made a list and started on the supplies. It's been two weeks already and your mother kept putting it off refusing to accept that there was any problems there." Luwin said and I sighed because that could mean life and death for those fighting and she would rather try and marry Sansa off to be future queen than worry about real world issues.
"I want to see that list and start gathering the hold and those in wintertown we need to make an announcement and ask for volunteers to go with the supplies. How many do we need to supply for? Do I need to send ravens to the other holds explaining what is needed exactly?" I inquired.
"It could not hurt if only heirs or Ladies are in charge at the moment and may not know what is needed. Guidance from the Liege lord is always welcomed in many cases. It will help at least get the wall what it needs. As for the amount of what is needed Robb said we have three castles to man and repair that means three of everything on that list and three time the supplies which is going to really deplete what we have here in reserves and so we need to quickly restock also." Luwin said.
"How bad will that put us behind having enough if the wall does not hold?" I asked the Commander of our armies in the North.
"I won't lie it will put us very far behind and make it even harder to prepare but the wall has to be the priority first and then the holds. You might have to make it mandatory in the letters out to the holds as some will not put it as such." He explained and I nodded.
"Draft a letter explaining all this and making it known what priority is and what is needed, and I will sign it. My father trust you to lead me in the right direction and so I will let you do that." I said and stood over looking at the map and at the different marks of the towers and castles and who was going where and what was happening. I would have to rely on ravens to keep it updated but the war is not my focus the North and its people not fighting is and so is Winterfell.
"Call the meeting and then I need time to look over the books and write the needed letters. Let me know when everyone is gathered. Send Mikken up to me along with Gendry. Thank you all for having faith in me and my father. I will do my best and will listen to your advice the best I can. I am young, a girl, and not been trained in everything so I will need you if we are to hold the north. Keep eyes on the south as well I would not put it past them, or the Iron born to take advantage of our soldiers at the wall fighting to do something stupid. Let's make plans just in case covering that as well. We must not let anyone or thing gain ground in the North." I explained and they all patted me on the shoulder to do as I bid. It was not even ten minutes later I heard the bells ringing alerting Wintertown and the hold to come into the castle grounds for an announcement or for protection.
"My lady you requested to see us?" Mikken asked and I gritted my teeth. I was no lady but at the moment I could not be seen as less.
"War has started in the north past the wall but not a war where our weapons will win. The others have returned and only Obsidian and Valyrian steel can kill them. I have ordered as much steel and obsidian as I can get us and it will be up to you and the Prince here to figure out how to make it into weapons that can be used against them. We will need arrows, knives, daggers, and so on with the Obsidian but we have need of mixing the two into a sword that can do the job and not break. Father explained that their weapons freeze and break ours in one hit leaving our people dying. You tell me what we need I will make sure you have it. I am asking for smiths to go to the wall to start on the repairs and armor for our people but you two are to stay here until we figure out how to make the swords we need. Mikken what do you need so that you can focus on our armies and not other tasks?" I asked wondering how I can help them achieve what we were barely figuring out before we died in the last life.
"We will need two for everyday things needed and same for the wall and then at least four more here to start making the equipment that we will need. How many do you need on the wall?" He asked.
"Eight for now but as the war really comes, we will need more. Write who you need to and bring me the letter to sign to get the help you need. We must get ready, and we cannot have too much of any one thing." I spoke.
"Prince Baratheon, I know you are one of the best for your age. I would like you to have reign to work with me on these designs and ideas I have. That way we do not take up Makken time but still are helping to figure out what needs to be done." I explained.
"Just Gentry please, I am no Prince, Mi Lady" he said, and I smiled but nodded.
"I am no Lady either, just Arya please. Look this over and if you have questions, please ask me. Supplies should start coming in soon I am hoping. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go talk to the hold and small people." I said walking out with them both and having a guard follow behind me.
Standing in my father's place looking down at the residence of Wintertown and of Winterfell and worried I would let them all down and the sense of awareness of what I had to protect. "I have something to read and then something to inform you of." I say and then read the letter my father had sent to Commander Earlstark. "My father and brothers are in the North at the wall where war has broken out. It is not a war with the free folk but with the Others and their army of the dead. It is very important that we start preparing double time for a long very cold winter and possible siege if the wall falls. We need each of you to do your part in storing resources and getting shelters ready to house those who will flee south. I am working on making sure if the Wall falls each and every one of you will have a safe place here in Winterfell. This means that all extra stores also need to be stored in the keep and each family or person will have a spot reserved for that. As things get moving, I will give out more information and we will adjust as well. Now I need volunteers to go to the wall to fill needed services like cooks, maids, armors, builders, and stablemen. We also need blacksmiths here in Winterfell and at the wall, even if you're just basic skill level if you can help, please do. IF the wall falls or we can not hold it we will all face an army of the dead and the Others who are creatures we have not seen in 8 thousand years. Get with Castellan Poole, Commander Earlstark, Or Master Makken and they will get you the information and the stuff you need for the wall. I do not need to tell you that for the foreseeable future we will be tighten up on our own stores because all extra stored is being sent to the wall for troops.
Last thing and I know this flys in the face of all practices. However, I want everyone from child old enough to hold a bow or sword to all ladies, women, men, down to the whores in the brothel to learn how to shoot bows or swing a sword. That will be getting set up soon because we will be on our own to protect Wintertown and Winterfell and maybe the North should someone decide to invade while our men are away frighting or if the wall falls. This is not the time to shy away and hide behind men to protect our families." I said and knew I had just thrown the rule book out and ruffled feathers, but this had to be done. Twice my home was invaded, and our people killed or turned into hostages that were tortured at the hands of madmen. My own brothers thought dead because of lack of fighters here in the hold. Never again if I could help it.
"Your father had a long talk with me before he left and told me some things, am I to assume you have either spoken with you father or that you also have memories that were not yours yesterday?" Lewin asked and I started at anyone knowing but it makes since
"Aye, I do and I am confused about that but sure of my direction. I will never let our people become hostages again and my home burned from the Ironborn or the Boltons." I replied turning to look at the older man and watching him nod but pale also.
"I made a history of the things your father saw and had written down in his hand before hiding the book away. I think it maybe prudent that you do the same about your memories so that we do not miss a sign of them happening or miss an issue that might arise." He said and I nodded.
"Come let's do that and then I need to see about the books and talk with Bran. He is to not climb again no matter if I must lock him in unless supervised. Rickon needs to be brought into the solar also and attention given to him. Mother neglects him badly." I say as we walked towards the nursey where I had been hiding out with Rickon and when he saw me, he gave me a big slobbery smile and raised his hands to be picked up.
"I will have him till morning, go take a break and then enjoy your evening. Just leave what he needs and then a wet nurse for my chambers so that he can stay in there." I told his nurse maid and she nodded and gathered his toys and blankets before following us to the solar and setting him up and then taking her leave as he sat in my lap. He was a happy little one just soaking up the love. It wouldn't last long, he hated being alone but held for long, he loves to explore and move around. I had missed that in the pervious timeline too caught up with rebelling against mother and being a lady.
Slowly I went through my pervious life and while I didn't want to say everything, I knew I needed to so that I would not forget or miss out on things and besides I trusted the Maester to keep this between us. After he left I had him send Bran to me so that we could talk, and I could make sure he was okay. By bedtime Rickon and I slept soundly curled up together and with his wet nurse in the side room listening for him.
