2016 July Collection

Request - Arya Stark "Coming Home"

"We're almost there." You squeezed Arya's hand and vaguely in the distance you could recognize the shadows of the castle of Winterfell.

"I know." Arya started to walk a little faster and you wanted to tell her that she had to slow down, that you couldn't keep up with her. She was so enthusiast and almost happy though that you didn't dare to speak the words.

"I'm sure they'll be proud of you." You were out of breath, but you kept on talking while your forced your feet to keep on moving. You had never walked through the snow before and it was a lot harder than you had imagined it to be.

Arya however didn't seem to have any trouble with it. After all, she was a Stark, a child of the north. And on top of that she was hardened by the life she had been forced to led after her father's beheading.

"You've stayed alive, despite the odds. You've killed the Frays, despite the odds and you're coming home, despite the odds." You kept on talking, but Arya barely heard what you were saying.

Her eyes were focussed on the castle that was coming closer and closer.

When you had left the north the banner of the Boltons had been waving on top of it, but now you were coming back you could already see the dire wolf where it belonged.

Eventually the two of you stood still in front of the gate. "Are you ready?", you asked, while you turned your head to the once so little girl next to you.

"Of course I am!", she answered. "This is the easiest thing I've done in years." She placed her knuckles on the wood and started knocking. "Jon? Sansa?" She raised her voice and the names echoed all around you. "It's me! I'm back!" She placed the full palm of her hand on the door now and eventually it opened.

"Arya?" Sansa ran down the stairs and she hurried towards her little sister. Her dress was clearly not made to walk this fast, but she didn't allow it to stop her from wrapping her arms around her little sister. "You're alive!" She tightened her grip and a smile spread across her face. "We thought you were dead. We thought we would never see you again." Sansa kept on holding her sister and you saw how Jon watched the two of them from a small distance.

"Jon?" Arya looked up and followed your glance. "I've heard you've become a hero!" She freed herself from her sister's embrace and made her way towards her brother as fast as he could.

"I see you're still carrying needle with you." Jon lifted his little sister up and twirled her around. "And I think you must be a hero too." He put her down again and he raised his eyebrows.

"I killed the Frays on my way here." Arya straightened her back and she shrugged her shoulders. "All of them." She lifted her chin a little and Jon placed the palms of his hands on her cheeks.

"What would you think about telling us everything while having dinner?" Jon cocked his head and then he turned his face back to you. "You're invited too, of course." He nodded. "Thank you for helping Arya to return home safely."