DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 1 - GAME OF THRONES

Robb V

Robb was worn out from the relentless travel, yearned for the familiar comforts of Winterfell and Queenscrown. His family's absence weighed heavily on him, each mile travelled a reminder of the home he missed. The prospect of sinking into his old bed and indulging in a week of uninterrupted sleep seemed like a distant luxury.

Yet, as fate would have it, respite was elusive. He would only have two days in Winterfell before he hit the road again, bound for Queenscrown, where duty demanded his attention. Robb needed to convey the lords decision to Jon and Sansa in person as the nuances could not be discussed via raven. The stakes were too high for what they had planned.

Arya had accompanied him on the latter stages of his arduous journey. Robb sensed her discontent in Queenscrown without Jon's company. She couldn't get away from the place fast enough. However, they had met him on his return to Winterfell, therefore she was never able to visit any of the houses, although Robb suspected her reasoning was more of a ruse.

Despite the camaraderie the sisters now shared, he knew Arya still found herself at odds with Sansa. Though their bond had deepened since their arrival from the future, the clash of their personalities lingered, forcing a muted truce between them.

Surprisingly, Arya had grown astute in matters of politics. Her unconventional approach to dissenters involved a not-so-subtle offer: compliance or the threat of elimination. Initially dismissing it as jest, Robb couldn't forget Sansa's account of Arya's dealings with the Freys. Arya Stark had evolved into a force to be reckoned with, a stark departure from the girl he once knew.

Upon their arrival at Winterfell, Robb found his mother, Catelyn, in a predictable place—entangled in the affairs of the household. Her prolonged absence from Bran and Rickon had been noted, as well as her unwarranted meddling in Jon and Sansa's marriage, much to Sansa's chagrin.

In the courtyard, it was Catelyn who stood waiting. Her arms opened wide, tears welled in her eyes. "Robb, Arya." She called out, drawing them into a motherly embrace that only she could provide. "Maester Luwin, tell Ned the children are home."

"Yes, my lady," Maester Luwin acknowledged with a smile at Robb. Turning his attention to Arya, he addressed her with formal courtesy. "My lord," he nodded, then directed his gaze to Arya, "my lady." With a respectful bow, he retreated, sensing Arya's disapproval at being labelled a lady, a title that never quite fit her rebellious spirit.

As they walked towards their father's solar, Catelyn inquired about the meetings, concern in her gaze. "How did the meetings go, Robb?" she asked.

"As well as one would hope," Robb replied cautiously, avoiding delving into the intricacies until he could confer with his father, Jon, and Sansa. "The lords say they are amenable, especially with the promise of safeguarding their lands and the added incentive of tax relief. It allows them to bolster their defences if need be. And if Jon's plan unfolds successfully, it stands to benefit not just the northern lords but the Night's Watch as well."

Catelyn's scepticism lingered. "You place a lot of faith in your cousin." She remarked.

"As long as Jon can secure Mance's cooperation and involve Tormund in building up the Gift, it should succeed. I trust Tormund." Arya asserted with confidence. "He's a unique character, Robb. Funny yet fierce, and he spins some incredibly tall tales. There's one about him nursing from a giant's teat until he was ten..."

"Arya!" Catelyn said sharply.

"I'm merely recounting what I heard." Arya protested, holding her hands up and feigning innocence.

"Giants? That's a bit too fantastical for me. Sounds like one of Old Nan's tales." Robb laughed, playfully tousling Arya's hair, a gesture reminiscent of Jon's interactions with her.