no home sweet no sweet home

[persequor]

[ At Alexstrasza's tree ]

[ She finally stopped inside the woods. Sagging against a tree, she grabs her side. Her breaths come in shallow gasps. She inhales through her nose, exhales through her mouth. Calm as still water. I must be still water. This time, her dancing lessons don't help.

For once, Arya is completely alone. Nymeria some days left early in the morning to hunt and wouldn't return until evening. Arya did not worry, but she misses her companion keenly now. The girl and wolf are the same; their pack is all gone.

When she opens her eyes, she blinks. The vegetation ahead is verdant, moreso than the one where she is. Look with your eyes, she hears her dancing master say. Looking with her eyes, she spots a tree. An oak. An old, old oak, peaceful and warm. She doesn't think there are any weirwoods here. But this oak has the feel of a weirwood. Of Winterfell's heart tree.

Is the tree still there? Did they cut it down and burn it? Is it broken and dead too?

She sits in front of the tree like she used to in front of the heart tree. They would go together to say their prayers to the old gods. She remembers one night they spent in vigil outside. Rickon was not yet born and Bran was still a baby. Arya had said she could stay awake all night, but she fell asleep against Jon Snow. Only their father had stayed awake until morning. He had woken them all up, her and Robb and Jon, even Sansa had stayed outside, to see the sunlight wash over the red leaves. The tree had seemed on fire, but it wasn't scary. It was beautiful.

When she tries to pray this time, the journal trapped against her chest pokes her. Arya tugs it out and drops it beside her. The cover falls open. Her prayer is quiet and one she has been whispering to herself every night before sleeping. Today, it has a new name. ]

Joffrey. Queen Cersei. Ser Ilyn. Ser Meryn. The Hound. Theon Greyjoy.

Comments

[persequor]

[ Fiercely: ] I'll kill them if they do. Every one of them.

[songsandstories]

They would only come back here, Arya.

[persequor]

I'll do it again and I'll keep doing it.

[songsandstories]

They'll take you away.

[persequor]

Let them try.

[songsandstories]

I would not risk you again. Not when it is simply better to avoid. [Keep her head down. That's how she's survived.]

[persequor]

I am not going to avoid! [ She's on her feet immediately to glare down at Sansa. ] I'm not going to hide and hope they leave quickly! I'm a Stark of Winterfell! I'm a wolf! Wolves don't run and hide!

[songsandstories]

It doesn't matter any more. Not with the Lannisters in power. All we have is what we have here, and we've already seen Jon and Robb leave. I won't lose you again, Arya. I will not.

[persequor]

They won't be in power long. Daenerys will take it from them.

[songsandstories]

Does she yet have ships? Her dragons are still small. It may be years.

[persequor]

[ Seven hells, Sansa, this is no time for common sense. ]

She'll do it.

[songsandstories]

And I may be another dead Stark while I wait. I can't expect someone else to save me.

[persequor]

Then stop hiding and do something!

[ Grabbing her new bow, she stalks off. ]

[songsandstories]

[She follows after. She hadn't meant to give you the bow, Arya. It was to cheer you up now.]

Do what? With the North divided and those once loyal to our house dead? With the Lannisters still waging war and winter having finally come? What would you suppose I do? I barely got out of King's Landing with my head.

[persequor]

I don't know! But we can't hide forever!

[songsandstories]

I wasn't saying I would. Petyr thinks he can et the North back for me. He knows people, Arya. He can keep me safe until I have the means to do it.

[persequor]

[ Surprise alone leeches the fight out of her. Surprise and a little confusion. ]

Winterfell would pass to your husband, not you. You would have to wed. …You cannot wed Littlefinger.

[songsandstories]

I am not going to wed Petyr. He is helping me, Arya.

[persequor]

He is weird. [ She exhales the rest of her fight away. ] ...As long as he is helping [ she won't rip him a new one if he shows up. At least not physically. ]

[songsandstories]

He is. [Helping to confuse her further.]