Northern Conqueror

Chapter 55: Taking A Kingdom

Chapter 55: Taking A Kingdom

Stood in the Great Hall, Harrold Hardyng looked over the few Vale knights before making his way toward Petyr who stared at the Iron Throne.

"My lord," he said firmly. "You truly believe it best we wait?"

"You saw the man," Petyr said nodding toward the throne. "We'd do little against the Golden Company, his Ironborn and his undead guard. It's better for us wait, gather our strength and take the throne when his gilded knights flee back to Essos and the Ironborn return to their reaping and raping." Turning to Harrold he wore a slick smile. "And when we do who better to sit atop it then a true knight of the Vale sat beside a girl destined to be queen."

Harrold's gaze shifted toward the throne and the reluctance left his face, replaced by an arched brow and slight smile. "Better than dead man for sure."

"Better than most men," Petyr corrected. "But smart men wait for their chance to strike."

The door at the side of the hall opened and a maid came to a stop seeing the knights turn to her, their hands moving to their swords. She nearly dropped the tray of glasses she held as she yelped and froze on the spot.

"Fear not men," Harrold called out with a laugh, his eyes flickering at the sight of the slender maid. "Come, dear lady."

"P-Pardon, my lords," she said bowing to each man she passed on her way to Harrold. "I was told to bring your water while you guarded the throne."

Harrold flashed her a smile as she came to a stop. "Thank you, sweet girl."

The maid offered a sheepish smile, diverting her eyes as he took a cup and she quickly poured him water from the pitcher. When the other knights took their own drinks to help combat the heat of their armor, she poured the last of the water into the glass and offered it to Littlefinger.

"Thank you," he said with a nod.

The maid looked to him with a smile, tilting her head. "This is where your ladder breaks."

Littlefinger's eyes widened. "What-"

He choked on the catspaw dagger thrust into the right side of his neck before the tray even hit the ground. The moment it did, the pitcher clattering was followed by the door bursting open and the yell of a dozen men rushing into the room along with the freed queens.

Harrold drew his sword, gasping as he watched the maid pull her face off to reveal another as Arya Stark smirked at Littlefinger. "Winter comes with fire and blood," she said before ripping the dagger from his neck, letting it spray across Harrold.

Wincing and reaching up to wipe the blood from his face, Harrold turned just as a sword cut through his neck, leaving him gasping while another cut through his jerkin. Falling to his knees, clutching his gaping neck, Littlefinger looked up as Sansa Stark and Daenerys Targaryen came to stand on either side of Arya.

"No one would ever want or love a pathetic nobody like you," Sansa said meeting his tearful gaze. "No one will remember you, no one will know you ever existed."

"P-Please," he begged until Sansa slashed upward, cutting across his chest and knocking him back, leaving him laying in the spot where he'd held a dagger to their father's throat while they rushed off to help break the impending siege.

*~*~*

The King's Gate opened and gilded riders passed through, coming to a stop as Jon dismounted. Entering the range of archers on the wall, Jon unsheathed Nighttaker and started his approach while the others kept in line.