The Mad Queen's Reign

7-Family Tensions

Rayna wandered through the camp, enjoying the crisp morning air and the sound of birds chirping in the nearby trees. Her mind was lost in thought, replaying the events of the previous day. Suddenly, she heard her father's voice, urgent and worried.

"Rayna, where's Arya?" Eddard Stark asked, rushing towards her.

Rayna's thoughts snapped back to the present. "I don't know, Father. I haven't seen her since last night."

Eddard's expression turned grave. "Joffrey and Sansa have returned. Joffrey's injured, and he's claiming that Arya and a boy, along with her direwolf, attacked him."

Rayna's heart began to race as she processed this information. She knew that Joffrey was not a reliable source, and Arya would never attack without reason. But she also knew that the consequences of Joffrey's accusations could be severe.

"Father, I don't think—" Rayna started, but Eddard cut her off.

"I need to find Arya, Rayna. Now. Before things get out of hand." His eyes scanned the surrounding area, his face set in a determined expression.

Rayna hurried towards Sansa's tent, her heart pounding in her chest. She pushed aside the flap and entered, finding Sansa sitting on her bed, looking pale and worried.

"Sansa, do you know where Arya is?" Rayna asked, her voice low and urgent.

Sansa's eyes flicked up to meet Rayna's, and she hesitated before speaking. "I...I don't know, Rayna. I was unconscious the whole time. I didn't see anything."

Rayna's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that Sansa was hiding something. "Sansa, please tell me the truth. Father is looking for her, and Joffrey is accusing her of attacking him."

Sansa's eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head. "I'm telling the truth, Rayna. I didn't see anything. I was knocked out, and when I woke up, Joffrey was hurt, and Arya was gone."

Rayna's grip on the tent flap tightened, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. She knew that Sansa was scared, but she also knew that her sister wouldn't lie to her unless she was terrified.

"Sansa, please," Rayna urged. "Tell me the truth. I'll protect you. I promise. Just tell me where Arya is."

Sansa's eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head. "I can't, Rayna. I can't risk it. Joffrey will think I'm a traitor too..."

Rayna's expression softened, seeing the conflict in her sister's eyes. She realized that Sansa was trapped in a web of fear and love, and it would take more than just promises to set her free.

Rayna rushed through the castle halls, her heart pounding as she saw the guards dragging Arya away.

 She trailed the guards to the throne room, where Cersei's cold voice echoed. "...and then Arya and her friend Mycah attacked Joffrey without provocation," Cersei declared, her voice dripping with deceit and malice.

Arya struggled against the guards, her face flushed with anger and frustration. "That's not true! Joffrey attacked us first, and Nymeria defended me!".
Joffrey, standing beside his mother with a bandaged arm, stepped forward, his face twisted in a sneer. "Lies! She set her beast on me for no reason. I did nothing to provoke them!"
Rayna pushed her way through the crowd, her eyes locking onto King Robert's. "Your Grace, please listen! Arya is just a little girl. She would never attack Joffrey on purpose. She's innocent, I swear it!".
Joffrey snorted. "Innocent? She's a savage, just like her direwolf! She deserves to be punished!".
Arya's face reddened with anger. "You're a liar, Joffrey! You started it, and now you're trying to get me in trouble!"The tension in the room was palpable when the heavy wooden doors burst open. Ned Stark strode in, his face a mask of stern concern. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his eyes sweeping over the scene before him. "Why wasn't Arya brought to me first?"King Robert, slouched on his throne, looked weary. "Ned, my old friend, I'm sorry, but your daughter attacked my boy."Arya, defiant and fierce, glared at King Robert. "Joffrey is lying, Your Grace! He attacked us, and Nymeria defended me!"Joffrey interrupted, his voice whiny. "Father, make her stop lying! She's just trying to get attention!"Robet's eyes narrowed at Joffrey. "Enough, Joffrey. Sansa you were there too.Tell us what really happened."Arya turned to her sister, "Sansa, tell the truth! You saw what happened. Joffrey was the one who started it!"Sansa, tears brimming in her eyes, shook her head. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Arya. Your Grace,I was unconscious, I swear."Arya's face fell, hurt and disappointment washing over her. The betrayal cut deep, but she stood her ground.King Robert, weary of the conflict, declared, "I will discipline my son, and you discipline your daughter. That's the end of it."