DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 1 - GAME OF THRONES

Arya VIII

Two moons had passed since her return to Winterfell, Arya readied herself to journey back to Queenscrown. Sansa's letter had finally arrived, a courteous welcome for Ser Barristan into their fold, expressing anticipation for Jon's gratitude toward his service.

Time had also heralded the return of her mother, Lady Stark, whose feelings towards the marriage between Jon and Sansa, had apparently deteriorated during her stay at Queenscrown. Therefore, Sansa had sent her back to Winterfell, although Arya suspected her mother would go straight back to Queenscrown as soon as she heard of Jon's return.

Arya's journey had been put on hold for the timebeing. She had intended to join Robb on his Lord's Progress, howevershe was to escort Ser Barristan to Queenscrown, or at least most ofthe way there, before changing course and meeting up with Robb atClan Wull. Theon would meet her on the kings Road, as he wascurrently in Queenscrown, and escort Arya to meet with Robb, whileSer Barristan continued to Queenscrown.

For the first time in her life, Arya was standing still at the crossroads of her desires. Winterfell's embrace calling her back with an irresistible pull. Home, where her heart felt anchored, where Nymeria padded silently by her side. The living breathed around her—those she cherished were present, Gendry carving his place among them. Yet an urge to roam free still etched into the fragment of her very being. However, a new thread had woven itself into her life, the mystic threads of wolf dreams entangled themselves into her nightly slumber.

In the dark hours, Arya slipped into another skin, the fur of Nymeria embracing her senses. The wolfswood unfolded before her, a realm of moonlit shadows and primal instincts. Her legs moved effortlessly, chasing prey through the wild, and when her quarry succumbed, the metallic tang of blood lingered on her palate. She'd awaken with a phantom taste, hunger clinging to her waking moments.

At first, these nocturnal escapades seemed mere figments of slumber. Then the revelation struck—she dwelled within Nymeria's consciousness, a silent witness to the world through wolfish eyes. Longing for the wisdom of the Three-Eyed Raven, Arya found herself tethered to Bran, the echoes of his presence her only solace.

As curiosity whispered in her mind, she pondered a cosmic connection. Was she the sole voyager in this ethereal dance, or did Bran traverse the dreamscape with Summer?

The upcoming spar with Ser Barristan amidst the godswood's ancient sentinels loomed, yet this morning held a different purpose for Arya. She sought Bran.

In the shadow of the heart tree, Arya discovered Bran perched on a stump, an aura of despondency enveloping him like a cloak. "Bran?" she called, her voice cutting through the quiet. "Caught climbing again?"

Bran's gaze lifted to meet Arya's. "No climbing this time," he replied, a whisper of melancholy colouring his words. "I don't want you and Ser Barristan to go to Queenscrown."

Arya, the instructor of water dancing, and Ser Barristan, a contributor to Bran's swordsmanship under the watchful eyes of Ser Rodrick, had forged an unconventional alliance. Arya settled beside Bran, the uneven ground beneath them, a canvas for his absent-minded etchings with a stick.

"I ain't keen on heading back, not truly," Arya admitted, her words carrying the weight of sincerity. Yet, nestled beneath that truth was another, one she harboured silently—Gendry. Daily visits to his forge had become her routine, a clandestine classroom where combat lessons mingled with stolen glances.

"Why leave, then?" Bran questioned, innocence painted across his gaze.

"I'm Sansa's handmaiden now. My place is by her side," Arya replied, the taste of the words bitter on her tongue. She felt a pang, akin to echoing Sansa's politeness. "But first I must assist with Robb's Lord's Progress. I must see the north and learn, for one day I may have to assist with matters of the north. But I will return with Robb before my journey back to Queenscrown."