Game of Thrones - One Shots

Arya Stark - A Protector

/// Season 7 spoilers ///

"Come on! Just one spark! That's all I need! One spa-" As you were starting to get annoyed at the two stones in your hands, a tiny flame appeared in between the sticks of wood that you had collected and rassembled to make a bonefire. You blew on it to make the fire spread so that your meat could cook; not that you had not eaten some raw animals in the past. After months spent in the wild, hiding from any kind of royal guards that met your path, you had been used to sleeping on grass next to numerous insects, sharing your fire's warmth with different creatures and your blood with mosquitoes. Luckily you were getting closer to the castle of the house you wanted to pledge your life to; House Stark.

The wind softly moved the trees' remaining leaves, some fell to the floor, burying themselves in the snow. The Starks are right; Winter is, indeed, coming. The rhythmic sound of the crackling flames was interrupted by the one of snow being crushed by someone's feet. You turned around just in time to see a dark haired girl with light eyes which you couldn't define the colour of as all that surrounded you was darkness. Although she looked really young, something in the way she glared at you told you that she had lived through a lot, just like you. She was holding a long pointy sword, her hand slightly trembling -from the cold or maybe because she noticed the blade you kept with you at your belt, who knows?

"Hey," you greeted politely with a smile, "you want to share my fire, please do." You motionned for her to come forwards which she did but still stayed a couple meters away as if she was examinating you, "Don't worry, as long as you are no royal guard, you will have no problem with me!" you laughed, turning your back to her, checking on the rabbit you had put over the fire a couple minutes ago; it was finally cooked. You took it out of the fire's warmth's reach and ripped a piece of meat for yourself. While you were doing so, the young lady moved in front of you, on the other side of the fire. "Want some?" you asked, gesturing to the dead rabbit in your hands; she nodded, so you handed her your meal. "Where are you heading?" you inquired after she took a large bite of the roasted meat.

"Winterfell, you?" She asked back, her mouth full. Not considering the fact that something was obstructing her speaking, she had a really nice voice; with a hint of mischief.

"Same as you... What are you going to do there?" It's not everyday that you meet someone that has the same destination as you and struggles to get there as much as you do, or if not as much, she struggled at least a consequent amount. But now that war had been declared, the closest castle you would find would probably be your home until your death...

"Go back to my family." At least she still had one... Now that you felt as if some conversation was going on, you asked for her name and gave yours.

"(Y/N)? That's a pretty name. Mine's Arya."

"Arya? So, that would make you Arya Stark? The Arya Stark of Winterfell?" You slapped yourself mentally for not recongnising the Lady in front of you; but she did change since she was last seen in King's Landing, the same day you left...

"That's me!" She giggled, handing you the rabbit which you gratefully took and sank your teeth into. Memories started to flow back as you chewed the meat; you remembered what an old man had told you after you had helped him giving hay to his horses, he had said that the only Starks that were alive was the eldest daughter, Sansa, and the bastard, Jon. You were more than happy that he was wrong, that there was another Stark alive but, did she?

"Hum, tell me," You started after swallowing your food, "do you know about..." you trailed off searching for the right word, "what happened, to your family." You finished, daring to look at her in the eyes. She leaned back a little and took a deep breath.

"Well, my father was executed in King's Landing, my oldest brother, Robb and my mother were murdered at the Red Wedding, I've heard that both Bran and Rickon had been killed too..." She sighed deeply, "Jon and Sansa are the only Stark alive in Winterfell." She got some berries out of her pocket and started eating some, "Everyone that has or will hurt my family will pay for it..." Her tone became menacing and the reflection of the fire in her eyes was the perfect replica of the burning passion she held in her heart.

"I bet they will... " You said to yourself more than the young lady. You didn't know if every Stark was as fiercy and determined as she was but you knew you had finally found someone that was like you.

"As far as I know," she started, looking up at the night sky, gazing at the stars absentmindedly, "we still are a couple of days away from Winterfell, of course it would have been quicker if my horse hadn't ran away" her eyes landed upon your intrigated ones, "anyways, I wouldn't mind having someone to talk to and hunt with during that time." You almost chocked on your food and grinned so much your cheeks hurt from stretching, you nodded frantically.

"It will be my pleasure, Lady Stark." You answered, slightly bowing. With a Stark at your side, you might actually live longer than you had expected.

"Great!" She smiled and added: "Better rest now, we will have lots of things to discuss about tomorrow, for example, don't call me milady, I hate that..." She trailed off, her face contorted with disgust which made you giggle, "and a lot of walking to do! Sleep well!" She had lied down, facing the fire, and in a monotone voice said your name.

"Yes?" You questionned hesitantly. It had not sounded as if she was calling you, she had said it the way we tell ourselves 'It's snowing' when snowflakes come resting on top of our head; dull, but with a hint of thankfulness.

"I just say the names of the people I need to repay for their kindness towards me before I got to bed, otherwise I cannot sleep." You looked at her peaceful face for a moment, waiting for her to say another name but she had already fallen asleep. You lied down, thinking that you were not going to be alone in life anymore. You had someone to share your story with, someone to be nice to, someone to care about... Someone to protect.