How Arya once fell in love with the coal boy and how he saved her from being murdered
It was a cool windy wintermorning. Arya woke up and realized she had overslept. Not really troubled by that she stood up from her covers and stretched. She was still only wearing her nightgown and her little feet were bare and a bit cool. So she sat down again and massaged them with her hands. Then she suddenly realized with horror that she was not alone. A little startled she looked at the coalboy changing the coal in her oven. „Who are you? Why did you not knock?", she asked suspicious. For a moment she thought he was some kind of assassin! Then she dismissed the silly thought. „Excuse me milady, I thought you were already in the hall.", the little coalboy around her age said. He was a bit of a pitiful sight, covered from head to toe black in coal residue and wearing very simple brown clothing. Arya decided she did not like him. „Thats no excuse! Out with you!", she shouted angrily. The coal boy gave her a weird look and did not immediately obey. That provoced the girl further and Arya pushed him out. To be fair she usually treated the servants better, almost as some kind of friends, and she could sometimes play in the kitchen, but today she was grumpy. Maybe a bad dream? She couldnt remember cleary.
Arya felt proud of herself for asserting herself and quickly got dressed. She then met Ned in the hall. He had just finished a big breakfast. „Oh, Arya, so there you are.", he said relaxed, smiling at his child. Arya briefly hugged him and sat down. That was no problem since it had been long since her last spanking. Overall she did not get spanked much, but when she was it hurt. They chatted a little and Arya had warm whitebread with honey and butter and goat milk. Also some eggs and sausages. She quickly was full. By now she had long forgotten about that stupid coalboy.
Next Arya crossed the yard for she had another embroidery lesson with Sansa and the other girls she did NOT look forward to. Sadly her parents forced her to, thinking it was still expected of her to learn this. Arya sighted, she hated it. Well...at least she would see Sansa and maybe could talk to her. Her sister had NOT forgiven her yet for that prank she had pulled last week, and they hardly spoke. The girl did not believe what was happening next. A lean figure in a cloak appeared, grabbed her roughly from behind and held a knife to her throat. It was a nights watch deserter called Randy who was looking for a hostage. He had earlier been identified by the stable master, who at also worked at castle black ages ago. Arya let out a muffled cry. But there was little she could do. She might have been a tough kid, but the lean figure was suprsingly strong with his narrow but muscular arms.
She bit the deserter into the hand, drawing blood. „Hey...you little brat! If I had the time Id lay you over my knee! Seven hells!", the desrter cursed over his bloody hand. Arya still had the coppery taste of his blood in her mouth. It was the taste of a small victory...Arya almost had time to slip away. Then there was the coal boy again. Arya had not expected meeting him so fast once more. He stared at the deserter for a moment, and then knew what to do. With the goal in the bag he had to carry he started to throw at Randy. This bought them valuable time, until some guards could come. The deserter ended with a well earned arrow in his back.
Arya was coping suprisingly well with the dramatic situation. She spat out the blood and looked at the coalboy with entirely new eyes. Were she had almost hated him earlier she now saw him as her hero and her little heart started beating. Without his help she might as well have had her throat cut, because the guards might not have prioritezed saving her, if they were stupid. And they usually were in Aryas book.
„What is your name?", Arya asked in awe. „Ned...", the boy said and met Aryas gaze. „Thats the same name as my father!", Arya said, smiling now. She was fast developing romantic feelings for the poor boy. „Yes I know of course.", the boy said. Arya shook her head in disbelief. „If you want you can join the other common kids who play with me.", Arya offered. Among them was of course fat old Mycah the butchers boy, who Arya liked very much and considered one of her best friends. „Sorry but I have no time. I have to work for my family.", said the coal boy distantly. Arya was a little hurt by that. „Alright but lets remain friends.", she said. „Alright.", said the coalboy and smiled for the first time.
THE END