Arya Stark's Story

Dae stood looking out of the window, dressed in a purple gown that felt too tight, watching the snow fall. This wasn't her snow. Her snow was taken from her. He didn't leave her, like some would like to believe, nor did she do anything to hurt him. She would never. She would die before she let that happen but of course they would think that. They'd been only married for a forenight.

She closed her eyes, her heart trying not to break.

"You're Grace." called one of Jon's Kingguard. "Yes."
"You've a raven....from Meereen." He said and she nodded. "Is it about Jon?" She asked and his hesitation spoke volumes. "I'll read it later." She said, tiredly. "Yes, You're Grace." He said and she could hear his footsteps leading away.

"Please, find him." She begged and he stopped. "He is alive, I know it, I can feel it." She said, brushing her tears with a crooked finger.

"We will find him, You're Grace, We will." He told her and she nodded. She watched the snow fall some more. Recalling the happiest day of her life.

Her handmaids brushed her hair, over and over and she swore her scalp was going to tear off. They weren't sure what to do with hair like hers, she was from the east, born in the sun, her skin was warm and her hair was thick, soft, but thick. Trying to get it into Northern braid was not n easy feat. " You're Grace, are we hurting you?" asked a sweet woman they called Old Nan. "No, Ma'am, you're not....not really." She said with a smile and a wince. She was happy, despite the pain in her scalp. When they were finished with her, she looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look Northern, though she wore a while fur shaw and a dress that circled her feet, made of thick fabric, she didn't look Eastern either, though her hair was still dark as was her skin. She was painted, only slightly, her hair brushed and combed so tight that it reached down her back, and spilled down her back. They tied a loose braid, as was her family's' tradition. A married woman wore her hair tied, and for added touch, they added small northern flowers.

"You look lovely my Dae flower." She turned to see her father, in the wheeled chair Jon had commissioned for him. She smiled at him. "Thank you, Papa, I am so nervous, I don't know why."

"It is a huge step you are taking, I was the same way with your mother,." He told her before a round of coughing over took him. She started for him but he stopped her with a hand. He was on his last leg, they both knew it. When on proposed she wanted the wedding to happen quickly so that her father could it. "No no, don't you dare, not today, this is your day, my sweet girl, don't you worry about me."

"That's like asking me not to breath." She said, realizing Jon had said those words to her once.

"Well..." Her father said. "Let's go, before you faint." He said and she chuckled and with a help of a kingsguard, they wheeled her father out and she walked beside him. Her heart racing so fast she was surprised she wasn't running, though once look at Jon, and she wanted to.

"Say it again and I dare you!"

Arya shouted in fury. The men all laughed at the little girl with the tiny clenched fists screaming at them as they jested about how their new gypsy queen had killed the king.

"The fuck are you girl, anyway? You one of the gypsys friends?"

One of the men said, he stunk of sweat and ale. The other three all laughed harder, this time with more malice as they stepped closer. Arya was alone, she'd been walking near the barracks after climbing the exterior wall of the Grey Keep when she'd over heard the men talking. They obviously didn't know who she was, she wasn't surpised. Everyone expected Arya Stark to dress like a lady, act like a lady, smell like a lady yet she was wearing a dress mostly covered in mud from her escapades around the castle and her hair and face were a mess. She no doubt looked like any other street urchin but at the moment all Arya wanted was to make these idiots shut their mouths.

"Actually I am and you all are fucking cowards! You wouldn't talk so tough in front of Dae, she's the queen now. And when Jon comes bac-"

"King ain't coming back you little bitch, that whore gypsy saw to that. And if you think we're scared of that cunt-"

"Only cunt I see here is you."



His voice struck fear in the depths of their hearts, the growling savagery of a man who cared little for the lives of others. They called him The Hound or Dog, his name was Sandor Clegane. He was a massive man, brother of The Mountain Ser Gregor Clegane and was one of the finest killers in The North as well as Arya's sworn shield. The Hound towered over all three men, looming over them like some dark giant ready to tear them limb from limb.

"M-meanin no offense Hound, we's jus-"

"You were just calling Arya Stark a little bitch, and the queen a whore... and a cunt... I say you lot are the only cunts here... now what are you going to do about it... cunt."

Sandor growled, almost daring them to speak up. Their eyes went wide with terror, first at the concept of The Hound tearing into them then at the realization of what they'd been saying about the king to the kings sister.

"We-"

The Hounds balled up mailed fist silenced him as he hit the ground from the brutal back hand. The man spit up teeth in a bloody pool in the dirt.

"What was that you were saying?... cunt."

Arya hated Sandor when she first met him. He was crude, brutish and a miserable shit but there were times, times like this she did rather enjoy his company.

"I-"

The man stammered out before getting kicked in the gut so hard Arya though The Hound broke a rib as his friends all stood on and watched in horror, too afraid to intervene.

"Sorry, didn't catch that. Try speaking into my good ear... cunt."

Sandor said cruelly as he stood over the man who groaned in pain. Arya stepped froward and The Hound stepped back.

"You're lucky I don't let The Hound kill you all right now. Take your stupid friend and get out of here, now."

They scrambled to collect their friend and vanish as quickly as possible.

"I didn't need your help."

Arya said as she folded her arms over her small chest while the massive Hound stood behind.

"I know wolf girl, but dogs enjoy chasing rats."

Arya chuckled and headed back to the keep with Sandor in tow. He didn't leave her side till she reached her brothers room where Dae was no doubt still holed up in. She told Sandor to wait in the hall before she went inside.

"Dae?..."

Dae moved from the window, and slowly looked around her chambers. It was hers and Jon's. They shared it only of few weeks. She woke up with him beside her, or with a sweet morning kiss to her forehead and went to bed wrapped in his arms, curled up into his chest. She could still hear the sound of the clapping as they walked into the throne room, man and wife, his hand in his.
She was smiling, her father behind her, wheeled in by the kingsguard. She didn't think she could stop smiling. Jon's cloak draped over her shoulders in a symbol of a protection and she knelled down, for a crown to be place atop her head.

She smiled but not for the crown as some were lead to believe, but for the fact that Jon, placed it on her head. That she was truly his and would be for all time. She went down a gypsy and rose a Queen. They sang songs of it the entire night. New songs of the Gyspy Queen but she couldn't hear it. She didn't see it. All she saw was Jon, and that's all she wanted to see.

"Dae?" A small voice broke her from her thoughts and she looked to the door and opened it quickly.

"Arya." She breathed, thanked Sandor when she saw him. This couldn't be easy for her. She lost her entire family, Jon was all she had left. She needed Arya to know that Dae was her family now too.

"Come." She said, urging the girl inside.

"How are you?" She asked, taking a seat on the bench in front of her and Jon's bed. "You know can talk to me, right?" She asked her after she answered. "This is hard for me, but I can't imagine it is any easier for you. I know that they are saying horrible things about me now. They blame me, and while you know I wouldn't do anything to hurt him, and you, I don't blame them either, it is all so sudden, so inexplicable." She said and shook her head. "What I'm trying to say, sweet girl, is that...I am here for you. For whatever you need, I am here." She told her, taking her hands in to hers.

Arya allowed Dae to take her by the hands and lead her to the bench. Dae was so scared, she could tell. Older people, especially her family always tried so hard to pretend around her. Pretend they were happy when they were sad, brave when they were afraid, confident when they knew nothing. Dae was no different, she was worried about Jon, it was tearing her up and even Arya had to admit, she hadn't been this nervous since the war but that was different. The war was chaos and screaming and fire, this was quiet and waiting and in a way was so much worse. They didn't know what happened to Jon or where he was, at least before they knew who their enemies were.

"How are you?"

Dae asked politely. Dae was polite, she was always polite and kind. Jeor Mormont, Jon's Lord Commander of The Kingsguard had said once she had a gentle heart. Arya thought that sounded right. She liked Dae almost instantly, she reminded her of Sansa though less judgmental.

"I'm fine."

"You know can talk to me, right?"

Dae asked her after she answered. Arya only stared at her curiously, as if they weren'lt talking right now.

"This is hard for me, but I can't imagine it is any easier for you. I know that they are saying horrible things about me now. They blame me, and while you know I wouldn't do anything to hurt him, and you, I don't blame them either, it is all so sudden, so inexplicable."

She said and shook her head.

"What I'm trying to say, sweet girl, is that...I am here for you. For whatever you need, I am here."

She told her, taking her hands in to hers. Arya wanted to make a joke, say something clever, she was always saying clever things. She hadn'lt expected the response she gave. Instead she lurched forward and wrapped her arms around Dae and hugged her tight. She wouldn't cry though. Little ladies cried and she was a wolf. She wasn't really sure why she hugged Dae. Maybe it was that she felt Dae needed it, or maybe Arya needed it. Or perhaps it was something else she couldn't quite explain. Arya pulled away after a moment and rubbed her nose with her sleeve with a subtle sniffle.

"My father used to tell me when I was sad, he'd say Arya, you're a Stark and Starks are of the Winter. I never really knew what that meant but it always made me feel better when he'd ask me to say our words, Winter is Coming. You're a Stark now too Dae, they're your words now, so you remember them. Wolves have to stick together, especially in the winter."

Arya paused, her voice softening somewhat as she allowed her mind to drift to her brother.

"I know Jon is gone for now, but he'll be back, he always comes back. Till then its you and me, we're a family, a wolf pack."

Dae hugged Arya back as she slammed into her chest. Dae kissed the top of her head, trying to fight her tears. She didn't know how much she needed it just then nor how good it felt.

"My father used to tell me when I was sad, he'd say Arya, you're a Stark and Starks are of the Winter. I never really knew what that meant but it always made me feel better when he'd ask me to say our words, Winter is Coming. You're a Stark now too Dae, they're your words now, so you remember them. Wolves have to stick together, especially in the winter."
Arya said and Dae looked at her. She was Stark now and those were her words now, and she was a wolf now. Dae looked on Arya with admiration in her eyes. If this little girl, could shoulder those, she would be damned if she wouldn't.

"I know Jon is gone for now, but he'll be back, he always comes back. Till then its you and me, we're a family, a wolf pack." She said and Dae smiled for the first time since Jon's disappearance. It was small but genuine.

"You and Me." She repeated, hugging her sister to her chest. "You know, I always wanted a little sister. I never expect her to be smarter then me." She said, tapping Arya's nose with a light finger. She realized now, that in her grief, she hadn't really been out of the room much and that wasn't fair to Arya.

"How about you and I do something? What would you like to do?" SHe asked and no sooner did she, was there a knock at the door.

"Enter."

It was another of the kingsguard, the one that had been looking after her father.

Dae closed her eyes, she could see it on his face. "You're Grace...."

Dae turned her head. "He went in peace....yes?"

"In his sleep." said the guard. Dae nodded. "I'm sorry, You're Grace." he said and left her alone with Arya. "Wolves in Winter." was all she could bring herself to say.

"Sorry Dae."

Was all Arya could think to say. It wasn't fair, none of it. Why was it that all the good people suffered? The cruel seem to last for ages but the good, they died or were taken away or something just as bad. Dae was a good person, she was kind to her and loving, like a sister should be. Yet she lost Jon and her father within weeks of eachother. Arya reflected back to her own losses and the cruelty of the gods. She lost her father who was a good man, and her mother. She lost Robb and Sansa and Clara who was the sweetest person Arya had ever known. All because someone cruel took them away, it wasn't fair and the gods were fair, none of them. Arya stood next to Dae, not sure what to do.

"I liked your father... He told funny jokes, most he said never to repeat cause they'd get me in trouble."

She added with a sad chuckle before running her sleeve over her eyes. She still wasn't crying, she was a wolf and wolves didn't cry. Dae's father was, like Dae herself, from far away. A place whose name was still difficult for Arya to pronoune. She said once it was far to the east, in the eastern continent of Essos and it was always hot there. Arya couldn't imagine some of the things she told her like the sprawling bazzars where they sold multicolored birds and spiced meats on a stick or how traders like to tell stories of dragons and the gone but not forgotten Targaryens who rode them into battle. It seemed like a childs story if Dae had not actually been from that place.

Dae was so saddened by the loss of her father and Arya was never good with her words like Sansa had been. She was about to leave and give Dae some time alone when she noticed a rolled up scroll on the table near the door. She paused looking at it and the wax seal. She knew almost every Northern House sigil and many of the ones outside of The north. Meister Luwin said it was her duty as a princess to learn the important families that goverened the world. This one was a mystery to her. The seal was red wax and on it was stamped a dragon with three heads. She'd never seen a sigil like it. Sticking out from beneath the wax was a tiny strip of parchment marking the location from which the letter came.

"Meereen..."

Arya read out loud, the foreign name feeling strange on her tongue. She picked up the parchement wondering if this was from Dae's family. Dae was from Essos and though the letter didn't say it was from Naarth perhaps it was from a family member in a nearby city. She read during her studies that The Free Cities as they're called are all relatively nearby, it wasn't hard to believe that possibly Dae had a sibling or maybe an uncle or aunt inquiring after her or her father.

"Dae? Where's Meereen? Is it near where you grew up?"

She asked turning to her new sister in law and showing her the rolled up scroll.

"Sorry Dae." Arya said, and Dae nodded, unable to do or say much else.
Her father was gone, her mother, and unborn brother or sister and her husband was missing. She was told once, that she would never be happy. She thought the curse was broken but no. It wasn't. It was waiting for the moment, when would crush her the most.

"I liked your father... He told funny jokes, most he said never to repeat cause they'd get me in trouble." Arya said and she looked at the girl, trying so hard to be strong, knowing how weak Dae was at the moment. This was crushing her.

Arya got up, clearly out of her element and Dae was fine with that, she didn't want her to see her like this, she already did but it didn't have to last. Dae was about to try to decide what to do next, her father was gone now, and she needed to burn him. She wasn't sure if she wanted the whole kingdom to be there. They didn't trust her at all anyway, with Jon's disappearance.

"Meereen..."
Dae turned to see Arya standing outside the door, with a parchment in her hand. Dae took a breath.

"Dae? Where's Meereen? Is it near where you grew up?"

"Yes, my love, not far." She said, and took the parchment from the girl. Dae recognized the sigil. Targaryen.

She'd heard that there was a king there now, having freed the slaves in Slaver's Bay, liberating Yunkai, Meereen and Astapor.

What could he possibly know of her?

She cracked the seal and read the words.

She has a friend in Meereen. Why? Perhaps he could help with the search?

Dae, stood with newfound purpose. "Come Arya, we have help, we're going to find your brother." She said. "Grab some parachment." She said, pointing to the cabin nearest the window as she moved to the desk.

She took a seat and grabbed a pen and inkwell. Arya came over with the paper and she began to scrawl on the sheet.

The North thanks you for your concern, and could use your assistance.
We know not what has happened, and we worry greatly,
If you have any information at all of what possibly has happened to the King, please, let us know and whatever you need from us, you shall have it in return.

-Dae Missan Stark, Wife of Jon Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King of the North.

She read it over and took a deep breath. She would not call herself Queen, not without her King.

"Take this" She said, rolling up the parchment and heating the wax to seal it. She pressed the Wolf Sigil on to the hot wax and blew it cool. She then handed it to Arya. She figured it would help Arya feel like she was doing something important. "Take this to the messenger, have them send their fastest raven." She told the girl. "Alright, go." She said, sending her off with a kiss to the forehead.

Jon is alive....She could feel it.

Arya was running as fast as her little legs would carry her. She clucthed Dae's letter in her hand as she sprinted through the halls of Winterfell. She'd burst fourth from Jon's room, leaving Sandor in her dust. He barreled after her, not knowing where she was going only that he needed to stay with her as was his duty. He was no where near as fast as the fleet footed daughter of Eddard Stark but he kept pace as best he could, charging behind her as he rattled in his armor with each thunderous step. She lost him on the stairwell to the rookery and did not hear him again until she was alread leaving the room.

"Seven hells girl!"

Sandor huffed, trying to catch his breath after bounding up the last few steps. Arya was smiling, her breathes coming significantly easier than The Hounds were but then again she wasn't even a quarter his size.

"The fuck you have me chasing you through the whole damned keep for?"

He asked as he took a moment to put his hands on his knees, hunched over sucking wind.

"Sorry Sandor but I had to send a letter right away, Dae gave it to me. It's going to Meereen."

Sandor arched an eyebrow as he stood up, his hands on his hips, still struggling to breath normally. He wiped some sweat from his brow.

"Meereen?... Who's in Meereen?"

Arya could only smile, a broad giddy smile.

"A dragon."

It was like he was here again, she could almost feel him. His strong arms holding her up, the smell of his black leather jerkin or how his hair would get in her face when she hugged him. She always thought of Jon when she looked at Long Claw. His Valyrian steel sword with the white wolf pommel. The blade had deep ripples running through it, Meister Luwin once told her that was due to the dragon fire used in it's creation. Jon always carried it, it was like a part of him. He'd used the blade during the war, he'd defended Winterfell with it and mounted her rescue from Harrenhall with it, he'd taken Mance Rayder head with it. Yet now he didn't have it, he was out there somewhere without his sword. He could probably find another one, swords were common, but Valyrian steel was not.

She sniffed and rubbed her nose with her sleeve when she heard the door open behind her.

"I'm fine Sandor, I don't need..."



The great white direwolf with the blood red eyes, Jon's dire wolf. Ghost was his best friend, with him since he was a boy, just like Nymeria was for Arya. He protected him, bled for him, killed for him, loved him. Ever since Jon vanished Ghost had grown more distant and enigmatic than usual. He'd head off into the wolfs wood and no one would see him for days. He rarely came back to Winterfell, never in the castle walls. When someone did spot him it would generally be little more than a rumor, a momentary glimpse of white fur in the trees.

"Ghost?..."

Arya said, her voice shaky. The massive direwolf stepped forward and sniffed her face before looking up at the sword on the pedestal. He stared at it for several long moments before he nudged Arya with his nose and allowed her to touch his fur.

"You miss him too don't you?"

She asked as she hugged him. Ghost made no sound, only rubbed his large head into her chest spurring her hands to keep moving over his white coat.

"I miss him so much... it hurts..."

A tear fell and touched Ghosts white coat, Arya took a shuddering breath as she looked into those ruby eyes of Jon's closest companion.

"I hear you howling... at night.... It's like you're crying.... like me."

Arya threw her face into his large furry neck and sobbed. She held the large white dire wolf close, as he layed his head down over her shoulder protectively both of them missing their brother.

"Someone tried to kill me." Dae said, her voice loud, echoing in the room. It caused Ghost's ears to perk up. "Where it not for Ghost, I would have a knife in my back." She said, trying to let fury take over the fear.

There were four men seated at the small council table. All men Jon trusted and trusted Jon. Maester Luwin watched her with sadness in his eyes. He knew how much she missed Jon, and was probably the only one would didn't entertain the thought of her having something to do with his disappearance. Joer Mormont, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and a trusted friend of Jon's looked on with a frown, she could see the gears turning in his head. Edmure Tully Jon's uncle on his mother's side, who looked skeptical, he was one of the people that question their marriage in the first place, and Byrnden Tully, Jon's Mother's Uncle, who they all affectionately called Uncle Blackfish, looked at Edmure curiously.

"Well?" Dae asked the group, their silence making her uncomfortable. "Lord Tully?" She asked looking at Edmure. "What you think I had something to do with this?"

"I don't." Dae said, and looked at Blackfish. "but I only speak for myself." She said and he looked over at his uncle. "You were against their union from the start, Edmure, Don't deny it now."

"Yes, but that has nothing to do with the attempt made on her life?" Edmure shot back, and Dae sighed, tossing a dismissive hand.

"Maester Luwin, Lord Commander, Do either of you have any idea who that man was."

Maester Luwin took a breath. " He was...Northern...." He said, hesitantly. " I figured as much." Dae said, taking a seat finally, Ghost resting his massive chin on her lap, while she stroked his fur.

"With all due respect your grace, we shouldn't be too surprised, The people...they--"the Lord Commander began but Dae shook her head, cutting him off. "I know, I know what it seems, and I know what it looks like, Like I had something to do with his disappearance, I am neither deaf, nor dumb, Lord Commander. I know they blame me, and I should expect more attempts to be made on my life." She said.

"I'll add more men to your security...."

"No, I need all the men looking for Jon, beside, I wouldn't be able to trust them, No offensive to you, Lord Commander" She said, and the Lord Commander sighed, but nodded. It was then she looked down at the letter in front of her.

"I have received word from the King in Meereen."

"Rhaegar Taragaryn?" Edmure asked.

"Yes, he has offered me his support, and so far has heard no word regarding Jon's disappearance." She said, picking up the parchment and peeling the wax "This is his latest message, I thought it best to read it with all of you present." She said and they were all ears.

Queen Stark, I'm glad to hear from you. I understand your concerns regarding the disappearance of your husband. My Master of Whisperers boasts the largest web of spies in the world, I will put them all to use to track down Jon Stark. You have my word. In the interim I must warn you, I have heard tell of armies marshalling to move against The North. Many nations sense weakness there without a King on the Throne of Winterfell. Arm yourself my friend, there are too few good and honorable regents in the world and I believe you and yours to be among that valiant minority. I will send a raven the moment I hear news of your husband. Should you require more of me, know that The Dragon stands ready to defend The Wolf.

-Rhaegar Targaryen, First of his name, Rightful King of Valyria. Father of Dragons.

Dae took a breath. There was an army heading this way, for the North, and she knew nothing of this, while he knew and he was leagues away.

"I'll have my men readied, Your grace."

"Does anyone else find it odd that Rhaegar Targaryen from Meereen has taken such interest in the Queen?" Edmure asked and Blackfish threw an elbow in his shoulder. "Quiet boy, You have the Eyre and it's men, Your Grace." Blackfish said and Dae nodded. "Thank you, all of you...but he is right, I find it odd myself, he has taken such interest in Northern Affairs, but as of right now, He is an ally, that's more then we had before, and he seems to be one of the few people in the world, that believe my innocence" She said, looking pointedly as Edmure. "I want my husband found, that is paramount, Lord Commander, In the event that anything should happen to me, make sure you get Arya to the Eyre." She said and Even Edmure looked at her with regretful eyes. "We will find him, Your Grace, and we will--"

"I don't need false hope, Lord Commander, what I need is your word, Promise me you will get Arya to the Erye, she'll be safer then then anywhere else." She said and took a breath, trying to decide what to do next.
"As you wish, Your Grace."

Arya was alone, save for Nymeria who was sound asleep at her feet. Arya had slipped into Dae and Jon's room after the small council meeting. Dae was off doing whatever it was queens were supposed to do and in her absence, Arya took control of the bed. She'd rediscovered the letter from Meereen, her intrigue about the Dragon King had been pawing at her all day. She never did get to read Dae's letter or hear it's contents. As soon as the small council meeting had concluded Arya had snuck into the chambers where the meeting had been held, pocketed the letter and snuck back out again. Now she had time and peace to read by candle light. She propped her head up on a feather pillow before unfurling the parchment.

Queen Stark,...

That alone seemed strange to Arya. She knew Dae was queen now, as Jon was King but in her mind she still had trouble picturing anyone but her mother and father as King and Queen of The North. She chased away the thought and continued reading.

...I'm glad to hear from you. I understand your concerns regarding the disappearance of your husband. My Master of Whisperers boasts the largest web of spies in the world, I will put them all to use to track down Jon Stark. You have my word....

Arya smiled broadly at the words on the page. This Dragon King seemed bold and brave, the kind of hero king who would not rest until her brother was returned to her. She could not help but to wonder what he looked like. Nymeria moved at the foot of the bed, rolling over to find a more comfortable position to sleep in. Arya took the moment to refocus on the task at hand as her eyes went back to the letter.

In the interim I must warn you, I have heard tell of armies marshaling to move against The North. Many nations sense weakness there without a King on the Throne of Winterfell. Arm yourself my friend, there are too few good and honorable regents in the world and I believe you and yours to be among that valiant minority.

Arya took a deep breath. She had lived through the last war and it was horrible. So much death and pain, she'd lost near her entire family. If it wasn't for Jon she would have surely died as well. She feared what would happen if war came to Winterfell again.

I will send a raven the moment I hear news of your husband. Should you require more of me, know that The Dragon stands ready to defend The Wolf.

-Rhaegar Targaryen, First of his name, Rightful King of Valyria. Father of Dragons.

The Dragon stands ready to defend The Wolf. The worlds of the Dragon King rung in her minds, they gave her strength and made her smile. The Dragon stands ready to defend The Wolf. Last time the wolves were alone and caught unawares, not this time. This time, if war was to come they would be ready. Winter was coming and in the winter no one stood a chance against wolves in The North, especially not if they had the help of a powerful dragon. Arya laid her head back and let her mind wander, showing her visions of dragons soaring on the clouds breath flame.

Arya could hear each gulp as it went down The Hounds gullet, he drank like a beast but at this point she was used to it, he'd been around her long enough. The two of them were seated at a table in Winterfells great hall breaking their lunch on mutton, potatoes, brown bread and ale. Ale for The Hound at least, he wouldn't permit her ale because Jon wouldn't have permitted her ale. She had milk instead. She tore off a piece of bread and as she munched away her mind drifted back to Dae, as it so often had the last few days.

"You think she's alright?"

Arya mumbled behind a mouthful of food. The Hound just burped, ale dripping into his beard.

"Who?"

"Dae?"

"Aye, I imagine so. She don't go nowhere with your brothers wolf. You'd have to be a fucking idiot to try her now."

Arya nodded as she popped a bit of mutton in her mouth and chewed. Ghost had been, well as his namesake implied, a Ghost since Jon left. Then out of no where he appeared and saved Dae's life from an assassin, after that he rarely left her side. It made Arya feel good. Dae was protected and Ghost was a part of the family again.

"I told her you could have protected her, I knew you wouldn't mind."

Arya said casually before sipping some milk. Sandor merely grunted in his cup.

"If you think there's another Stark in the world who'd put up with my ugly face every day, you're drunk."



Arya chuckled. She didn't often admit it but she rather liked Sandor. He may have been gruff, foul mouthed and surly but she liked those qualities in him. He'd told her once, when he'd first been named her sworn shield by Jon. A dog will kill for you, die for you if he has to. But he'll never lie to you." The next few years had proven him right. He never coddled her, never treated her any different than he'd treat an adult and he never once lied to her. She got to her feet as did Sandor after downing the last of his cup.

"I want to check on Dae."

She said. The Hound nodded.

"After you, Wolf Girl."

She led the way, through the Grey Keep and up the stairs to the private quarters. No one stopped them, or even pestered them. She was the only living princess of House Stark and with the fearsome looking Hound at her back no one much lamented the idea of inconveniencing her. She reached Jons room quickly.

"You wait out here."

Sandor nodded and took up position by the door, looking grim and stoic. No one would bother her and Dae with her guard Dog protecting her. She walked inside, failing to knock. She found Dae hard at work at the desk. Working by candle light she was scribbling on a piece of parchment, only stopping to dip her quill in the ink well before continuing. She didn't even notice Arya walk in. Ghost did however. The massive white direwolf had been laying on the bed, Arya had thought him asleep but one step in the room and those blood red eyes were on her. He made no sound, nor did he move at all but she knew he was watching her. Arya decided to greet him first before Dae who was hard at work. After rubbing Ghost behind the ears she made her way over to Dae, working to crane her neck in hopes of seeing what she was writing.

"Who you writing to? Rhaegar Targaryen?"

Arya asked hopefully.

"Who you writing to? Rhaegar Targaryen?'
Dae jumped a little, her heart racing. "Gods, Arya..."She said a hand on her chest but smiled."You startled me..." She said, remembering how Jon mentioned that he used to call her Arya Underfoot for her fleet feet. Dae was glad for Arya, she'd been the only thing that was able to put a smile on her face since the moment she found Jon missing.

She shifted some, giving her space so she can read, trying not to think of that now, though it was never far from her mind.

She'd woken up, finding him not beside her in bed. She found it odd, but she got ready for the day, and shortly after she walked about the keep, expecting to find him in the throne room, or in a small council meeting. When she hadn't been able to find him there, she thought he'd was out hunting but Ghost was inside, and Longclaw was still hanging on the side of the bed. It was the fact that Longclaw wasn't with him did she realize something horrible had happened. He would never leave without it, It was the power of Longclaw that broke her curse, nearly relieving V'lane of his head, but instead Jon showed him mercy in exchange for permanent power in her legs. No, Jon would not leave without Longclaw, yet it was here and he was. She was in near panic, as she asked all the Kingsguard, servants, stewards, she even made her way to the Wall, and questioned the Night's Watch. All the same question.
"Where is he?"

"Yes, I am." She told her, blinking the thoughts away and the tears that came with it. "I just finished, Would you like to see?" She asked her and lifted the page for the girl to see. On the page, was written in delicate script.

King Targareyn,
The North thanks you for the warning, we are fortifying our Keep as I write this letter.
I must say, You're interest in the North, came as a surprised to me, but a warning to my small council. I am a new Queen, I know little of such matters, but I shutter to think ill of you, Your Grace.
So I have to ask, Why have you taken such interest in Northern affairs and how did you know of the invaders, to which none of my council had any knowledge of, when you are leagues away in Meereen?

-Dae Missan-Stark, Wife of King Jon Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King of the North