Thanks for all the comments guys.. I replied to every single one and had a good time interacting too. It would be more great if you could log in as a user as I really don't know if someone is replying or repeating with guest as user name. I have a new chapter for you.. Please go ahead and enjoy.. Don't forget to communicate.. It is a fun ride to write when you guys like it.
*Winter-fell's Stark Sisters are likable in their own ways, right?
Exactly! They all have different skills and talent. And unpopular opinion, I like Sansa. In my story, I want to bring out her nature more brushed up. Hope you like it.
*Getting enough of this story's tough, right?
I am glad you like it... :) Please read the new one and say me if you liked it.
*Hopefully, Shadow the dire-wolf will survive longer as well.
Fingers crossed..
*(To Aranna and Sansa Stark): You're hot.
I know.. They are amazing duo..
*Just because Aranna's easily interested in neither boys nor men (princes, lords or neither) doesn't make her a misandrist, does it?
No.. I am sorry my expression of words was less impressive. She actually likes valiant knights and has hopes, dreams to marry them. Like Ser Arthur Dayne, the greatest swordsman. Even she doesn't flinch when Robb mentions about Ser Barristan. As she knew Sansa liked the Prince more, she convinced Sansa she never liked younger boys. (As she was actually older to the Prince. She didn't really see a connection of admiration even before she met Joffrey). For the Lords part, she didn't find the passion, as it mostly revolved around a political prospective, to strengthen the allies. But, she is not a misandrist. Perhaps, I didn't convey it properly. I wanted to add her teen crush in the story, but that would make it more lengthy, maybe I ll add it later in the future POVs to clear the confusion.
* (To Sansa Stark while congratulating her): Good luck trying to achieve your classic fairytale, high fantasy goal.
I wish her the same.. But we all know how it ends.. :(
*Hopefully, Aranna Stark will survive longer as well as long as she makes smarter/wiser decisions/choices.
Hehe.. I am not going to say it.. But you know, at the end of the day, she is a STARK. :):)
*Hopefully, Aranna Stark will survive longer as well as long as she makes smarter/wiser decisions/choices.
Hehe.. I am not going to say it.. But you know, at the end of the day, she is a STARK. :):)
*Sorry, but do you wish Aranna Stark was another canon character?
Not in the books. Books have panned out brilliantly, so far.. I like the show too, but I would be happy if they had her. Now, she is mine and will be used only in my story.
*Thank you for this chapter!
A new chapter.. Please read ahead and enjoy.. Don't forget to input your voice.. It really drives me to write cautiously and carefully.
*but she deserves to remain single, doesn't she?
No.. I would do no such thing. She is just an young girl. I hope she finds someone.
*Unlike her little/younger sisters, Sansa and Arya, poor Aranna kinda struggles them both which makes her different from Sansa and Arya, but I captured her nature which is something you're right about. Aranna's in neither Sansa's nor Arya's shadows, is she?
Exactly.. I like your referance of using Shadow.. She is neither of her sisters' Shadows. The pun is good considering she has her own Shadow (her direwolf) :):)
*But it was not all of it. She had wildness and darkness to be ruthless which was never seen by anyone, including Catelyn, especially Sansa and even Arya.
Yep.. It is hard for them to notice with her perfect facade. They had to be close like Robb, her twin to see through her. Aranna kinda of believes herself very different from rest of her pack.
*both, but it's better to let Aranna keep the Southern courtly manners and the Northern wilderness, isn't it?
I will consider it.. as the story goes. She is the first daughter of Warden of the North, so she would have Septa to teach the courtly manners. The point is she finds it very hard, unlike Sansa who is a natural at it.
*Sansa likes the Southern courtly manner showing version/side of Aranna, whereas, Arya likes the Northern wilderness showing version/side of Aranna.
Yep...
*Aranna Stark's more mature than Sansa, right?
Definitely.. But she can understand Sansa's naiveness and sees the beauty in it and appreciates her talent.
*Sorry, but I'm so excited about the next future chapter.
Here you go... Say me how it is.. :)
FAREWELL
ARANNA
Her chest heaved for the shortness of breath, as she took two steps at a time to climb the longest stairs of Winterfell. She reached the top of the burned watch tower and gasped to take all the air around. Her gray knee length dress fluttered for the sudden gust of wind from the tower window. She came there everyday since Bran's fall, which happened a fortnight before. It was her last day in Winterfell and she wanted to be in that tower more than any other place. Her hand trailed over the rails of the window and admired the beauty of the castle. It was the biggest watch tower in the whole Winterfell and standing atop, it gave a view of the whole castle. Is this why Bran came here?
Men and guards were moving the wagons and mounts, to get ready for the journey South near the castle gates, the heart tree in the Godswood shed some leaves for mild wind, Hodor was picking heavy logs of woods to the kitchen. Every thing was clear from the tower, except how Bran fell down. He had the strongest foothold and he had climbed over a thousand times. Her finger moved to her torso, to touch the metal vial when she thought about Bran, who lost his leg and became crippled for life. He was sweet as summer who had dreams of becoming a knight. Now, everything was taken away from her little brother.
For the first whole week, she sat by Bran every single day and fed him honey water to keep him alive in his long sleep. Mother wept for days but Ara's tears dried eventually, as she knew Bran would wake up. Father agreed to go ahead with the travel as planned because there was nothing they could do to help Bran. It was quite a draught that tore through her face, making her whole body shiver even underneath her black wolf pelted cloak, which made her come out of the old memories. She saw Winterfell one last time and held every thing in her heart as she closed her eyes to save that memory.
She climbed down faster and ran towards Bran's chamber. She went near her brother who looked weak and frail within just a fortnight. She touched those fragile fingers and kissed his forehead to say him farewell. She looked back at her grieving mother sitting in a chair, nearby Bran's bed. Bran was mother's fovourite as she was father's favourite and Mother was distraught and lost. She moved to her side and touched her shoulder from behind. Mother bought her cold fingers to clench Ara's knuckles and took it to her lips to place a tender dry kiss.
Out of nowhere, tears rolled down Ara's cheeks and she hugged mother from behind, as she wrapped her arms around Mother's shoulder. Ara placed head on those shoulder. The tear drops dripped on mother's other hand that was placed gingerly on the lap. She wanted to be with Mother and Bran. It hurt so much to leave them then. Mother was the strongest person she had ever known and to see her broken, stinged her heart.
"Come here..", Mother called and Ara moved to sit on the bed next to Bran and opposite to Mother. There was no sweet smile left in Mother's face or no warmth in her voice. It was dry and full of pain. "Ara.. You did everything you could, for Bran..", Mother convinced.
She didn't do anything for Bran and there was nothing to be done either. "I did nothing, Mother..", she sobbed saying it.
"You did, child.. Now, I want you to be strong as a Tully.. You have always taken care of your little brothers and sisters. Without you, your sisters will create havoc to your father. You go take care of them..", Mother said touching her face.
Ara didn't really believe she was a good caretaker as Mother was. She became silent and mother spoke politely, "Your father looks strong from outside. But he needs you there, Ara.. He will suffer without you.."
She believed in that, at least. Father would be miserable without her. She nodded her head and kissed her mother's cheek to leave to the door. "Robb and Rickon needs you too mother.."
"Bran needs me more..", Mother said clutching to Bran's hand.
She came down to the porch of the Great Keep and spoke with Rickon for sometime. He didn't understand or accept anything that she spoke. Instead he cried aloud and all Ara could do was hug him tight. It took two men to take Rickon away from her who clutched her legs and screamed from his throat.
She looked down to see Robb commanding the house hold. He had grown so much in a fort night. He looked up at her and gave a smile to walk towards the stairs. She was never the girl that mother thought her to be. It was Robb who understood so much better about her. She had fought with him half her life, just like Arya fought with Sansa. Ara was even more worse than Arya, only Robb had never complained to Mother as Sansa did.
"Is it a good bye now..?", Robb asked with a wide grin.
Her heart beat very fast in panic knowing she would be leaving Robb. Her twin, her accomplice in all the petty crimes, her over protective imbecile of a brother. Words failed her but her eyes looked deep at his blue orbs. His face went pale feeling the ache through Ara's eyes and he turned his head to the side in attempt to hide away his agony.
"I thought you will be happy... seeing me gone..", she tried japing but even that gave them both more distress. He turned back with his brows narrowed and shook his head.
"Don't.. Don't make this any more hard, Ara.. You know I will be miserable..", he said with a breaking voice.
She didn't doubt a little on it. Both of them would be miserable. She managed to give a smile and japed again, "Of course you should be.. What is the point of us being the twins then..?". He grinned widely.
"No one believed we are twins.. And I am glad you don't look like me.. Gods.. I really can't see a woman look like me..", he grunted. She beat his arms and laughed imagining him as a girl.
"You are pathetic, brother.."
"I am..", he ended and looked at her eyes. "We may not look alike. But I know you better than anyone. Seven Hells.. No one knows your madness.. and your anger.." He sighed and placed his hands on her shoulder, "I won't be there with you, Ara.. To protect you or to save you from any mess.. Promise me you won't be reckless there.. And you should take care of Father and the girls.."
She never hid her true nature from Robb. She didn't have to hide as he would never judge or scold. Now, that one last person who knew her also won't be there with her. She simply nodded her head and looked down at her feet.
"Let the others take you.. You are not going to change. I hope you-", he said but tears fell from her eyes and she hugged him tight.
He stopped speaking and embraced her back. She cried on his shoulder with sobs and she couldn't stand there anymore. She pulled back to walk away fasr from there. She didn't want to hear anymore of good bye from anyone there. And she didn't believe she could ever part from Robb normally. She ran towards the Godswood and kneeled down to pray for Bran while tears washed her cheeks. She didn't know how much time it was, but she sat there till her heart paced better. She opened her eyes hearing the sound of snow crunch under the boots.
"Do you hear that sound..?".
She got up on her feet hearing uncle Benjen's voice. She turned back gloomily and listened to the air howling sound, made from the heart tree's red leaves.
"Winds of the heart tree.. It means the old Gods are hearing to your prayers..", uncle said as he reached near her.
"They better do.. Or I will kill the Gods too..", she said in desperation and anger.
He gave a small smile to her. "Have I ever said how much you resemble your aunt Lyanna?", uncle asked curiously and she bent her head down supressing her rage. "You resemble more when you are angry.. She had the same fierceness as you.."
Ara looked at her uncle who looked more troubled than happy to relate her with aunt. Probably because of the nature how her aunt died; raped and killed by the dragon Prince. Uncle took her hand and opened her palm to place a golden feather. It was no gold but it shone like one.
"Golden owl's..", she exclaimed in surprise. It was the rarest bird in the North of the Wall and no one had ever captured it. The wildlings considered the golden feather the owl shed, to be very lucky. She pulled the silver chain out from her neck where her metal vial was kept and placed the feather around.
"Thank you..", she barely whispered with a beam of smile. Her eyes wandered to the blinding flash of the sword hilt that uncle had sheathed safely around his belt.
He observed her eyes and unsheathed the sword. The hilt was made of icy blue crystals that gleamed for the sun beams but the sword was long, and the blade was dark as night. It had a transparent glow along the edges to prove that it was no ordinary sword. It was beautiful than father's long sword Ice. Ice looked nothing before this sword. This sword looked majestic.
"What is this uncle?", she asked in ashtonishment as she never witnessed such a sharp edge.
Uncle laughed looking at her parted lips and wondering eyes. "I am not sure.. But it looks beautiful.. Isn't it..?
"I found it in my last ranging at the Fist of the First men. It was wrapped neatly in a black cloak of a Brother. I thought it to be one of the Brother's sword and took it back to the Wall. But no one claimed it.."
She came near to see it closer and her hands urged to touch the blade. "It is steel but it doesn't look like one..", she said.
"Aye.. But the edge is too sharp than a Valyrian blade. The sword itself gives strength to the arms when you wield... Maddening strength..", he responded and took few steps back to swing the sword along his arms.
His hand moved fast and rapid. Very fast.. and very precise. Ara could have sworn she was just dreaming. She never saw any one swing at that speed and force. Not even Jaime, whom she thought to be the best swordsman. She smiled in happiness and he offered the sword to her. She held the sword hilt and felt a chillness pass through her hand.
Her mind went blank and empty for a moment. She felt tremendous strength pass through her arms. She almost forgot the presence of any one or anything around, but that black sword. She moved back and twirled it along her hand very fast. She swung it along her sides and rotated all around her body fast and faster. Her whole body felt the energy and power pass through her arms. Sooner the black blade and her body became one. She didn't remember the time that passed by but her body moved along with the sword. It was for the sound of her uncle that she stopped swinging and looked at him.
She was very happy after so many days, forgetting every single worry that itched her heart.
"How did you do that?", uncle asked in amazement.
She shook her head and words didn't slip out in excitement. She relaxed and walked towards him to offer the sword back. "I dont know, uncle.. But this sword is very special.. And it must have belonged to someone special too."
He didn't take the sword but nodded his head. "It must have.. But you weild it far better than me. I tend to think the sword has chosen you.. You can keep it.."
She grinned ear to ear and jumped to hug him tight. He laughed heavily and she looked back at that majestic black sword. "It has very sharp edge.. I don't want you to get cut..", he warned as he removed the sword sheath from his belt.
She sheathed it back and nodded in happiness as this was her first real steel blade. "Thank you.. so much..", she ended gasping the air around.
They both spoke about the sword and walked to the stables. She climbed on Thunder while Shadow padded along. Sooner father and the other brothers of the Night's Watch joined them.
"Forgot to say goodbye to your brother..?", Jon asked riding next to her.
"I am not forgetting.. I am avoiding..", she expressed her anguish in parting away from everyone.
He patted on her shoulder and gave a smile. "Don't worry.. We will meet sooner.. I will come to King's Landing or Storm's End for your wedding..", Jon teased. Father merely mentioned Renly's name and both the brothers had been ragging her since then.
"Or I will come to Castle Black for your wedding with the Ice Queen..", she mocked back and they both laughed.
When the roads came to an end they both looked at each other and no words were required to express their sufferings. They nodded their head and went apart in different directions.
JAIME
Jaime felt boredom creep into his head, as he rode in the red stallion. Without Tyrion, there were no worthy companions to speak with either. He turned back to see Cersei come very far in the wheel house. The wretched wheel house was slowing the journey and all he wanted was to be with the woman he loved, yet he rode with Robert everyday guarding him.
He turned to the far side and saw Aranna Stark ride in her black destrier looking over the roads that had flowers blooming. This girl was the only interesting topic lately, for everyone in the party, especially for Robert, he could say.
She was the only woman to ride a horse in the party, along with her father. Intentionally or not, Robert made sure Ned Stark travelled with him in the journey. And the King found some way to speak with Ara. Jaime didn't know what Robert found in this girl to spend time with her saying some of his war tales. Cersei was the woman any man would want to leave the Kingdom to be with. Even, he himself left the Rocks to be with Cersei, not this girl. She was just a wild Northern flower, while Cersei was a sunset.
He didn't forget to notice how the girl struggled to be with Robert or to speak with him. She did not respond enthusiastically but her replies were not polite either. He doubted Ned Stark noticed any of this.
Sometimes, he observed Ara taking her little sister, in her horse and they spoke with all smiles and giggles. That small girl would present Ara, some beautiful flowers and they both would adorn it in their hair. It was the King who would take notice of it and comment saying it looked very beautiful on her. A King's remarks must make any girl blush but Ara always gave a cold curt nod, of the Starks. She was a Stark to the bones with no much display of sweet words.
He wondered how she would survive in King's Landing, especially survive Cersei. Cersei had already become restless of the girl. Jaime's eyes wandered to the dagger that she had worn in her boots. It was the one she used, to kill the scorpion that day. Tyrion informed Jaime about the nature of that scorpion. She saved him once. He didn't require anyone's saving but she did it nevertheless. It was her dagger that plunged into the tree. He pushed his calves next to her horse and rode along.
ARANNA
She turned to her side and saw Jaime ride along with her.
"Lovely dagger! It must serve as a great weapon in combat. Has it seen any blood?..", he asked in mockery and she looked at him with wide gray eyes.
"It has, Ser..", she replied sharply unable to bear his arrogance.
He gave a smirk and tilted his head. "Oh.. I am sorry.. I know it saw some blood.. Blood of scorpions, spiders and snakes.. what not..?"
She was flustered by his answer and her gray eyes darkened in anger for how he was insulting her. "I remember it saving your life, once.."
He scowled and shook his head in denial. He made a mocking laugh expressing if she really believed that. Her head was burning with anger of seeing his cockiness. He smirked and rode infront with an amusement in troubling her mind.
But after a while, his questions troubled her more. He didn't say anything wrong. The only blood, her dagger saw was of scorpions and snakes. Sometimes, when father took them for hunt, she had used bow and arrow or the hunting dagger on animals, never on human. And all these days, she never thought bad about it, until Jaime mocked her. She was infuriated by Jaime's impudence.
The ride was very slow since the day they started the journey because of the big wheelhouse which screeched and rolled slowly to come through the roads. Sansa and Arya rode in another wheelhouse with Septa. But Arya would not stay inside the wheelhouse. She would go play with a friend of hers among the smallfolks or ride with Ara.
Ara was disturbed when Father called her and she pulled the reins of her horse to ride alongside Father. He offered her a pair of riding gloves.
"It is very cold, Ara.. You must not forget to wear the gloves.", he warned sweetly and she took those thick gloves to her fingers. "Where is your wolf?", he asked looking at her side.
"She had left for hunting in the morning." Her wolf started hunting unlike her sisters' wolves. Shadow would be missing for the whole day but she would join the column later and sleep at night beside her.
They both turned back hearing the crashing sound of the wheels break, from the Queen's wheelhouse. That monstrously heavy wheelhouse always halted the journey like this. That noon, Sansa, Arya and herself were invited to join the King, for lunch. A long dias was placed where Father sat along with the King. The Queen was also present with the Prince by her side. The boar that Robert had hunt, in the morning, was served along with wine, ale and many more relishes of the South.
"When can we leave..?", Arya asked aloud.
"As soon as, you finish your lunch..", Ara said with a smile and noticed Arya's bruised hand. "Are you practicing..?", Ara asked and her little sister gave a wide grin sweetly.
"Please don't say to father, sister.."
Ara chuckled at that, imagining her days sparring with Robb and Jon. "I won't.. But you must come to my camp at night.. I will apply salve to that bruise..". Arya nodded in excitement and they were disturbed by a serving maid, who offered a plate of honey dipped roasted hare.
The maid placed the plate gingerly before Ara and whispered slowly to her ears, "His Grace, wanted you to have it, milady.. It is specially prepared for you.."
Before Ara gathered herself to ask a question, the maid left from the place. She turned back to look at the King, who was still speaking with Father. She was taken aback by this meaningless silly gesture by the King. It was Arya who disturbed her by placing her fork to pierce into the hare flesh. Arya rolled her tongue along the lips and ate it gladly. "I like it.. It really is special, sister", Arya said and moved the plate to her side. Ara laughed at her little sister and had the rest of the lunch speaking about her training.
Once the lunch was over, the King spoke with Father aloud. The Queen was speaking with her brother, Ser Jaime. Sansa was with the Prince. There were Kingsguards, knights who surrounded them along with the King sharing japes and tales.
"Do you remember the time when we took Gulltown.. No.. You were not there. It was Jon who was there with me. I slayed Marq Grafton with a single blow to his chest with my war hammer..", the King said and laughed. "Seven hells.. Those were the times, when a man actually felt like a man, holding the war hammer in hand and swing against enemies.. Look at us, both, now.."
Father smiled and replied in calmness, "We both are not the same boys, we were.. Now we are married and old.."
"Nonsense.. I can show you what I have got, even now.. Come on.. Show me yours..", the King got up giving his ale horn to a squire who stood next to him. "Anyways.. The journey is slow and boring. Perhaps, we can try archery. Do you remember the time when Jon punished us, day and night, for missing the target?", the King asked and Father laughed remembering it.
Father looked so happy around the King, forgetting all the worries of the world. The King asked for men to arrange for a target board at a distance and they bought bow and arrows. The King walked towards the line and nocked the arrow to pull it along the bowarm. He released it, which hit the bull's eyes. The crowd cheered for him.
Father went next to the line and released his arrow. The arrow hit the bull's eyes, right next to Robert's arrow. Both the arrows were close to each other, without any distance between them.
"We both are still in good shape then..", Robert laughed over it.
"We both are not enough for a competition. Let the others join too..", father asked and the King looked at the rest of the Kingsguard.
"Kingslayer! What are you waiting for? Come.. show us what you got.."
Jaime walked forward and said, "I am sorry, Your Grace.. I must admit long sword is my weapon, not archery.."
"Arghh.. Leave..", the King wavered his hand and he searched for others in the crowd. "Ara.. Do you want to try?"
She saw her father who called her by extending his hand towards her and she walked forward. She took the bow and nocked the arrow in it. She pulled the arrow along the bowarm and aimed for the bull's eye which already was occupied with both the arrows, resting next to each other. She released her arrow.
It plunged into the target board and moved both father's and the King's arrows aside, placing itself between the both. For the force her arrow landed, the other two arrows fell down into the mud. Some men around gave noises and cheers for that. Father came next and patted her back, with a smile. It was the King, who looked at her with focused eyes.
"You did very well, Lyanna..", the King said with his eyes trying to dig into her eyes. The whole crowd was silent hearing to the name he uttered and every single soul looked at her. The Queen walked away immediately swirling her dress in anger, followed by her handmaidens. The game was stopped as the King took heavier steps to leave from that place. She clutched to Father's hand, who was looking at Robert walking away. The crowd started dispersing and Father looked back at her with sadness.
"Robert.. He loved your aunt, very much.. And he is still in those memories..", Father convinced her.
"I know, Father..", she said and left from that place. Shadow joined from hunt and Ara rubbed the black fur to feel the warmth pass through her body in that cold wind. She hugged her direwolf tighter and took her for a walk, away from all the eyes. With Shadow next to her, not many bothered to look at Ara and she felt much safer with her direwolf. It was empty cold land that folded before her, and she stood there for a long time, enjoying the mere presence of the North. She walked back to move towards the column and saw Ser Jaime stand alone.
A sudden thrill raised to her head remembering what happened in the lunch. She walked towards him and he looked at her and Shadow with widened eyes. Shadow snarled at him and moved forward. Jaime glowered at Shadow and placed his hand to the sword hilt.
"Shadow..", she called and her wolf came back to her. "No need to fear, Ser.. She won't hurt you..", she said and walked near him.
"It better be.. Else, it has to face my sword..", Jaime responded with disdain.
She smirked at him and asked, "Funny thing.. A Kingsguard you are.. yet you only know to use a sword?.. What a pity.. to not even able to learn archery..!"
He narrowed his eyebrows processing the insult. She almost felt happy in giving him his own medicine. "Archery..? It is a coward's weapon, Lady Ara.. I don't like to fight at a distant. Give me a clean fight, face to face..", Jaime replied defiantly.
"I agree.. We all have our excuses when we lose..", she said with a twitch in her mouth. She tilted her head, "It will be much safer for you if you accompany your sister in that wheelhouse that is screeching and screaming everyday. We really want you to be safe, ser.."
She felt so much pleasure in seeing the anger that aroused around his eyes and while his face turned red. It was only for a few seconds. He chuckled immediately and shook his head. "Trust me.. I would if I could.", he smiled widely. "But you see, I have a duty as a Kingsguard. With new dangers surrounding the King, each passing day, the job gets more tougher."
She shrunk her forehead unable to understand what new dangers he was speaking about. He came closer and looked into her eyes very deeply. It gave a chill to her bones as he stared at her with his emerald green eyes that shone brightly. For the first time, she realized how handsome he looked. "It seems a sharp weapon is very close to our King.. always..", he paused and lowered his head. "If it was a steel, I would fight it easily, but it's a woman's eyes.. so sharp and gray.. Is there a way to protect a man from a woman's eyes?.."
Her lips parted hearing him and she blushed immediately when his words entered her heart. Jaime looked at her blushed cheeks and smiled charmingly. She bent her head down unable to meet up his gaze. He left from there and she cursed herself for blushing over and over, stupidly. She walked faster away from there, along with Shadow trying to forget everything.