Game of Thrones: Misjudging the Wolves

Chapter 1 of a new Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 1

The chilly air of their surroundings bothered the young man as he rode on horseback alongside his father.

"How do they stand it?" He muttered to himself.

Turning in his saddle the father queried. "Orys?"

The young man, Orys Frey, shook his head. "The cold, father, how do the Northerners stand it..."

His father, one of many within House Frey to bear the name Walder Frey after the House's Lord, the elderly Lord Walder Frey, as a means to try and please him.

"It's something you get used to, especially living in the North for all their lies." Walder replied calmly.

Orys grunted but shrugged. "Remind me again why we're here?"

Walder smiled calmly and explained patiently. "We're here to visit the Starks of Winterfell, liege Lords of the North and as we all know, the oldest and one of the most powerful families in the land. We are here to try and discuss a possible alliance with them."

"A marriage alliance of course...now I see why you decided to bring me along; father." Orys replied, his eyes glinting.

Walder shook his head. "Now Orys, you need to be careful. We are in the North now, things are different here than they are at home."

Orys grumbled, rolling his eyes. "So many people say father, but I have my doubts about that...why should they be any different, I mean, honestly."

Walder sighed, but said nothing more.

They continued onwards, riding for Winterfell; Walder making sure to warn Orys to mind his manners and show the proper respect. At that moment however they were distracted, for they heard the sound of hooves, that did not come from their own horses. Pulling his horse up, Orys looked around wildly.

"What is, someone is coming...you don't think..." He burst out.

Walder shook his head, also pulling up his horse. "Calm down, Orys. We are in the North, the Starks and their people take their security seriously and protect their lands. It is extremely unlikely to be a threat."

Orys did not relax however; he still believed they were about to be attacked; the Northerners did live close to the Wall, close to the Wildlings and it surely wasn't unknown for some to slip by into the North, looking to attack any travellers. But then the source of those hooves soon made itself known, a small party of around twenty people were riding out from the nearby woods, one carried a banner upon which displayed the sigil of House Stark, the white Direwolf on a grey field.

"There, see, a Stark hunting party." His father remarked calmly. "Must be on their way back to Winterfell."

Orys nodded slowly. "Should we join them?"

Walder shook his head. "No, let them pass and we'll continue at our own pace. At least one member of the family is with them and we want to give them time to be ready for us when we arrive."

So they waited as the hunting party continued to ride.

As they drew closer it was clear they had been successful too. Orys noted two of those riding amongst the hunters in particular, they rode at the front, both clad in similar clothing, simple breeches and tunics, as well as cloaks fastened with Direwolf clasps.

One of them was tall and muscular, with shaggy black hair and blue eyes, his lack of pale skin suggested the North wasn't his birth place. The second figure had grey eyes, tied back brown hair, somewhat short and skinny with pale skin marking them as a true Northerner from what Orys had heard.

'Are they both Starks, how strange, I didn't...wait, Gods?' He thought; eyes widening as he realized the horrific truth.

For indeed, now that they had passed and he saw the brown haired one from behind, the way their hair was tied back, that style. There was no doubt.

'A woman, but, that's...' He thought; shocked as they finally passed out of earshot. "Father, that's..."

Walder turned to him. "Yes, Orys?"

"The one with brown hair, that was a woman." He burst out.

Walder smiled and nodded. "Ah, yes...That must have been Arya Stark."

"Arya Stark?"

"Yes, the youngest daughter of the late Lord Eddard Stark and his wife Catelyn Stark." He explained. "She's a bit of a wild one, eschewing sewing and such, preferring swordplay and archery."

"That, that's..." Orys spluttered.

But Walder wasn't done.

Shaking his head he continued.

"Yes, then there's the fact she's married to Ser Gendry Waters of all people." He remarked. "Well, Ser Gendry Stark now, that must have been the man with her."

The name caught Orys' attention. "A bastard!?"

Walder shrugged. "Yes, well, he's a knight so, it matters little."

"It matters a great deal, he has no right being anywhere near a noblewoman, even one that can't act properly." Orys snapped. "I cannot believe this, I heard the Northerners were different, but I didn't think they'd be so...incapable of taming one girl."

Walder narrowed his eyes. "That right there, Orys, that stops. You cannot say that in front of the Starks, understand."

"But father..."

"Enough. I will not have you ruin this alliance with such views. We are in their home, we will respect their rules and wishes, that is all." Walder snarled.

With that they rode on, Orys grumbling under her breath, still outraged at what he had seen.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.