So few people that care for or about kids in this story. Ever notice that?

The King's Road and Orryn's Rage

"OW!" Arya called out, her body bruised and worn and being irritated with every step of her horse. "I never expected to hurt so much from a mere spar."

Orryn chuckled at her, a warm sound she enjoyed. "Fighting always hurts. Even if you hit someone, your risk breaking your bones, bruising your knuckles and more. It is irritating and what you must endure if you are to fight."

She huffed. " That... that's annoying."

"You'll get used to it, by you must always be careful and considerate while you fight or even just train."

She nodded. "I guess I will remember that." Arya turned fully to her betrothed. "Thank you, for helping me."

His smile filled her with joy, not in the weird way Joffrey did for Sansa, but one born out of appreciation for his genuine respect of her.

He laughed. "Anytime."

::

The procession of people away from Winterfell eventually stopped to take a much needed break, staying at an Inn. Orryn walked aimlessly around the area, looking at the lovely local scenery. He sat by the river, drawing in coal some fish that caught his eyes when he heard something that filled him with dread.

It was Sansa's voice, filled with dread. "Arya!" Without hesitation he bolted toward the voice, where heard Joffrey's dark tone.

"Filthy little bitch!"

"No, no! Stop it, stop it both of you! You're spoiling it, you're spoiling EVEYTHING!"

He jumped over the river, just in time to see Joffrey knock Arya over, a sword in his hand. "I'll GUT you, you little cunt!"

Nymeria was there, suddenly darting out and pouncing on Joffrey and biting into his wrists. Orryn was there, kicking his cousin's face hard enough to split his lip, the wolf leaped off, giving Orryn warm eyes and a soft whimper.

Ignoring it, he lifted Joffrey by his front with one hand while the other tore the sword from him, bringing his idiot cousin close. "We are going to talk to the King, if I hear a single lie out of your bloody mouth, not even the Hound will stop my ripping your head off." He growled at Sansa. " Your father will hear how you did little to protect your kin." He turned to Arya, his eyes softening at her fear. "Are you alright?"

"I am now."

"Good... " Grabbing his idiot cousin by his hair, he tore away. "Come with me, now." His lesson on noble practices forgotten, all he saw was justice and the need for it. Soon they were back in camp, where people stared in terror as Joffrey screamed obscenities with each step.

The king, oddly not drunk, looked on in confusion but oddly not anger when they found him. He was sitting with Lord Eddard, whose face turned dark at the sight of his crying eldest daughter and terrified Arya. "What happened?" Eddard said.

Tossing Joffrey forward, Orryn's voice hit a pitch that seemed as cold as Winter. "King Robert, your son was attacking my betrothed, nearly killing her with a blade, his blade. As is my duty, I protected my soon to be wife, as did Nymeria. She protected Arya valiantly. I beseech that you do something about his vile behavior, I will not tolerate any abuses toward those I protect. Ours is the Fury, that is our house words, well I have found my fury."

Arya clung to him suddenly, shivering into his side. She spoke to her father. "It's true, he attacked my friend Mycah, we were looking for Rhaegar's Rubies. Joffrey came and attacked us, cruel and bitter and Sansa just watched."

"""

The Queen, who was nearby the table where her idiot husband drank himself into a stupor, saw her son's bloody face and almost screamed in utter fury, but one look at the rage in Orryn's eyes and froze. She had heard what he said, and wanted to rebel, to have him torn apart. However, she knew he was not lying, she felt it in her bones. Nor could she deny the kindness toward her and her children... it was something that Cersei craved, to be treated as a person, an equal, a path always denied to her.

She took several calming breathes, then turned to Joffrey. Before Robert could act, she spoke. " Why... Jof... Joffrey, did you do this?"

He looked at her, horrified, as if he could not comprehend her words. "No, I would never, they're liars! The girl and the bastard attacked me, as did the wolf. Ask Sansa." His smirk, not at all subtle to anyone with a brain. She knew he was lying, it was so obvious.

Orryn's rage built, and she could feel it, a thunderous force she almost tasted. 'An enemy to be admired, he will be more dangerous than those living Baratheons,... even Stannis.'

Robert scowled. "Sansa, girl, speak, what happened?"

The girl, mousy and weak, would have, should have been silaent, but it was clear that even she was able to sense Orryn's fury. Though he did not look at the girl, Sansa turned to him for the tinniest moment and flinched at his horribly dark eyes, eyes that reminded Cersei of Robert at his worst. Of Stannis always.

"I..." She turned to her Father, meekly. "I... I cannot... it all happened so fast."

"He said, she said..." Robert growled. "Orryn, I do not know you, not well enough to know your character but one thing I know is you care for children, for those you protect. I have seen as much with my younger children... Ned, would Arya lie?"

Ned shook his head. "No, she would not. Not about this."

"Very well... I... I will side with Orryn and Arya, just this once. Orryn, be very careful in how you defend your lady... I cannot fault you for it, not with how I tried to save Lyanna." His tone was pained and even though Cersei loathed Lyanna, she could not fault him just this once. "Joffrey, your bloody face will be your punishment, go wash yourself up. If I ever hear of you attacking someone so pointlessly again, I will punish you myself."

Joffrey recoiled, but nodded, she however saw a dark spark in his eyes, and knew someone would die for this.

Orryn nodded. "That is the best I can ask for, ... Thank you..." he turned to Arya. "We will be sticking rather close together, I will not have anything else like this happen."

Arya buried into him, her words conveying so much gratitude that even Cersei felt pained. "Thank you."

She craved to be held as tightly, as lovingly as Orryn did Arya. "Always."

"What about the wolves?" Joffrey barked. "The one attacked me, tore into arm!"

This time, Orryn calmly turned, stopping Arya's panicked words with a hand. "Lord Stark... if my cousin is so apt to harm living beings, it might be wise to escort the wolves to Winterfell. For their protection. I cannot trust Joffrey to not get the Hound to attack the wolves. Or another soul desperate for coin."

Ned nodded. "Very well, I will... send them away."

Robert sighed. "That would be best, they are beasts, not pets... they would not do well in the capital anyway."

And like that, bad blood broke out forever between Orryn and Joffrey, Cersei knew that by the time it was settled, only one would survive... She prayed it to be her son, but she had a feeling it would not be.

""

Orryn thought himself victorious, having gotten one over his idiot cousin...

At least until he saw the Hound carrying the innocent body of a child... Mycah, the boy playing with Arya...

And just like that, any love he had for Joffrey, or could have had, evaporated. As did his trust in the King's justice and frankly all the sycophants that cared only for themselves.

Moving past, he shoved the Hound aside. "This boy will be buried as his family dictates. I do not care if Joffrey ordered otherwise." Lifting the boy up, gently, he carried him away, to the Inn. The wailing of the boy's parents would haunt him for years to come... he could offer them little, but he did comfort them...

And vowed to avenge that little boy, a boy whom never had a chance...

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.