Dark Sister

-Harrenhal-

-Harrenhal-

299 AC
Harrenhal

Valyria had once again ridden next to Lord Tywin as they marched to Harrenhal. When they arrived the grounds reeked of death. Valyria followed as Tywin rode in through the courtyard and to the pens. Though she dismounted before him, walking the rest of the way. "What's this?" Lord Tywin spoke as he surveyed the prisoners. "We weren't expecting you till tomorrow Lord Tywin." Gregor Clegane greeted.

Valyria glared at him. "Evidently not," Valyria growled out. "Why are these prisoners not in their cells?" Lord Tywin continued. "The cells are overflowing, my lord." The Mountain said without a care in the world. "This lot won't be here long. Don't need no permanent place. After we interrogate them, we usually just-." One of the soldiers spoke gesturing to a head-mounted on a spike.

"Are we so well manned that we can afford to discard, able young bodies and skilled laborers?" Lord Tywin spoke staring at the soldier. Valyria glanced at the pen, all of the prisoners were kneeling. Except one.

He was standing by a post. Valyria looked at them and they stared back, they're grey eyes seemed familiar to her. But she couldn't place who they belonged- . . . Arya. Valyria's eyes widened at the realization. Arya's eyes widened too knowing that she'd been spotted. Lord Tywin walked over to a boy who was strapped to a wooden beam. "You, do you have a trait?" The Lord asked. "Smith milord." The boy replied.

Valyria turned to look at him, he had black hair and blue eyes. She was again reminded of someone but she couldn't place it. "What are you looking at, kneel boy." The soldier spoke behind her. "Kneel or I'll carve your lungs out, boy." Valyria turned to see Arya frozen to the spot.

"You'll do no such thing, this oneʻs a girl. You idiot." Valyria glared as she spoke "dressed as a boy. Smart more than I can say for you." "Get these prisoners to work." Lord Tywin interjected. "Bring the girl, Lord Tywin needs a cupbearer," Valyria spoke again, glancing at Arya one more time before she left.

The first days at Harrenhal were spent waiting for the other Lords to arrive. Once they had, the War councils started. "The Starks have overextended their lines. Now that summers over they'll have a hard time keeping their men and horses fed." One lord spoke.

"The Starks understand winter better than we ever will. The cold won't beat them." Tywin stated. "Our spies report growing discontent among the northern lords. They want to return home and gather the harvest, before the crops turn." Another Lord said. "And I'm sure if those same spies snuck into our own encampments, they'd report growing discontent amongst the southern lords," Valyria stated matter of factly.

"She's right, this is war, no one's content." Tywin silenced them. "We've underestimated the Stark boy for too long. He has a good mind for warfare, his men worship him. And as long as he keeps winning battles, they'll keep believing he is King in the North. You've been waiting for him to fail, he is not going to fail. Not without our help. . . So how do we stop him?" Tywin looked around the table at each person sitting there.

"We've worked through the night, my lord. Perhaps we'd profit from some sleep." One of the lords stated. Valyria rolled her eyes. "Yes, I think you would, Reginald. And because you're my cousin, I might even let you wake from that sleep. . . Go I'm sure your wife must miss you." Tywin glared with such ferocity it made Valyria shudder.

"My wife's In Lannisport." Lord Reginald said. "Well, then you better start riding. Go before I change my mind and send her your head." The Lord stood up. "If your name wasn't Lannister, you'd be scrubbing pots in the cooks' tent. Go!" Tywin roared and with that, the lord rushed out of the room.

Arya approached with a flagon of wine, as she was about to pour Lord Tywin stopped her. "Not wine, water. We'll be here for some time." The lords all grumbled at these words. "Girl, come here. Where are you from?" Tywin asked.

Valyria looked up at Arya who stared back unsure. "Maidenpool, my lord." "And who are the lords of Maidenpool? Remind me." "House Mooton, my lord." "And what is their sigil?" Arya froze. 'Shit' Valyria thought. "A red salmon. I think a Maidenpool girl would remember that." Tywin stated and Arya looked at her feet. "You're a northerner aren't you?" He asked. She nodded.

"Good. And one more time, where are you from?" The lord stated more than asked. "Barrowton, my lord. House Dustin, two crossed long axes, beneath a black crown." Arya said smoothly. Lord Tywin nodded. "And what do they say of Robb Stark in the North?"

"They call him the Young Wolf." "And?" "They say he rides into battle on the back of a giant direwolf. They say he can turn into a wolf himself when he wants. They say he can't be killed." Arya said with a hint of a smile at the end. "And do you believe them?" Lord Tywin spoke. "No, my lord. Anyone can be killed." She stated, knowing all too well that truth. She stared at Lord Tywin "Fetch that water." He said before she left.

They stayed in the meeting until dusk before finally stopping for the night. The next morning Arya barged into Valyria's room. Causing the Targaryen to look back from where she stood by the window. "Why haven't you told Lord Tywin who I am?" Arya asked.

"Because I don't want to and I'm not going to." She said nonchalantly. "Why are you helping me?" The Stark girl looked confused when she spoke. "Because I want to. Now run along." Valyria stated ushering Arya out of the room.