[Chapter Size: 3200 Words.]

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Third Person POV

Winterfell, 298 AC.

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“Then, Benjen will be leaving Artica soon…” Ned commented as the mood had improved between uncle and nephew.

“Yes… I will be sending him along with the other members of the Night’s Watch as I had negotiated with the Lord Commander.” Jon said as Ned slowly nodded.

“Can I fight with you?” Ned suddenly asked, and Jon looked at him a bit surprised.

“You can’t be serious.” He said.

“Arya and you keep saying you’ll be fighting for the future of humanity… so I believe we should do our part…” He admitted.

Ned Stark didn’t want to see his daughter and nephew fighting in a war against the army of the dead; it seemed unfair while he should be dealing with the problems, not them.

“You have your responsibilities on this side of the Wall, uncle… This war is ours and we must face them, if we can’t stop them, I doubt any other force can. We have more than 100 thousand soldiers to fight for Artica.” Jon explained.

“100 thousand?” Ned couldn’t help but look astonished; with that number, they were an unbeatable army, considering the greatest ruined force of Artica was the 45 recorded by rumors when Jon invaded the Dothraki desert.

“We have joined with an even larger group in recent days… and we’ll use them to finally start the war. Besides, I doubt it would be safe to go to Artica once any northern force is raised.” Jon said.

“I see… so they are coming…” He commented, despite never having seen a dead man, he clearly believed Jon and Arya’s words.

“Besides, the South is doing everything to cause friction between us. They didn’t let you buy our food sold in Braavos, which would’ve been much cheaper than bringing it from the Riverlands and Reach, but with the court surely hating me, the pressure those two kingdoms must be putting…” Jon said with a serious tone.

“Especially now, with a faceless assassin trying to kill Robb, obviously trying to link the assassin to me, since that would be the most obvious thing to do. And as you can see, I may not want to see Robb, but I also have no intention of hurting him.” Jon said.

“We will find out who did this, and we will put that person on trial.” Ned said seriously.

Jon nodded, although he thought that was a bit naive of him. After all, whoever did this must have prepared well not to leave any trace linking them to the act—though Jon already had an idea of the group of people responsible, and he could simply hunt all three of them down. That alone was a problem, faceless assassin or not.

But his uncle was different… he wouldn’t act like Jon, who would see a threat and, if it was harmful and nothing stood in his way, would eliminate it when his kingdom and the people he cared about were put at even greater risk—especially people trying to turn others against him.

He might not deal with them now with a war coming from the North, but when it ended, he certainly would act—whether his uncle approved or not.

Either way, Jon looked back at his uncle.

“Either way, I can see you’ve changed quite a bit… Arya is really affecting this family.” He said in the end, even though he had already said that.

“As you said before, we even brought down the sept, the North mostly follows the old gods, and we Starks owe our devotion to them.” He said, looking at the heart tree as Jon nodded.

“Yes… that’s good, uncle.” He said, starting to look as if there was nothing left for him there.

“Do you want to come in… you know, see your other cousins… They still think they’re your brothers.” Ned said.

“I would certainly like to see Bran and even little Rickon, but I can’t say the same about the others.” Jon said, while Ned seemed to frown, though at the same time not blaming Jon for how he felt at that moment.

“Jon, they may have said terrible things… But they’re growing up.” He said, clearly not wanting this rift between them to continue and wanting Jon to see that Robb was changing, even if he couldn’t say much about Sansa.

“I don’t hate them, uncle. But with the way things are now, this is not the time. My mind is on the North… When all this is over, my eyes will turn to the South again, and we’ll see how to resolve our differences. Besides, there are many things I want to demand—after all, I’m also a Targaryen.” Jon said, and Ned could feel the dangerous tone in his voice when he said the name of his father’s family.

“Jon… are you seeking a war against the crown?” He asked, clearly conflicted.

“The war between us started many years ago, we’re just in a cold period now while we’re clearly enemies—it’s no wonder we’re taking actions against each other.” He said with a serious tone.

“I understand…” Ned said, well aware of the consequences of war.

“The North will have to choose a side…” Jon said.

“…” Ned didn’t answer that, appearing deep in thought.

“And do you intend to use your dragon against the kingdoms? I mean, your various dragons?” Ned couldn’t help but feel worried about the possibility of Westeros’ skies being filled with dozens of dragons—having had a Dance of Dragons and with Aegon the Conqueror having taken the Seven Kingdoms with just three dragons.

“I don’t know yet… maybe I won’t need to.” Jon said. “Either way, another reason for not seeing your children is exactly the possibility that I could travel thousands of kilometers and suddenly appear in Winterfell—this would certainly raise questions and wouldn’t be good for your family, sheltering an enemy of the Seven Kingdoms. You understand, right?” Jon said.

Ned nodded, knowing his thoughts weren’t focused on such consequences while he simply wanted to see his whole family well—but Jon was right, and his presence shouldn’t be shared beyond the conversation they were having there.

Jon looked behind Ned at that moment.

“Are you going to stay there spying the whole time?” Jon asked as Arya came out of a hidden spot, with Ned also turning to look back.

“I came to see what was going on, you’ve been talking for so long…” Arya said as she approached them, standing beside Jon, grabbing his arm and laughing like a happy girl.

“I’ve decided… I’m going to Artica right now.” She said.

“That’s good… we’re about to close the trade—otherwise you’ll have to leave your Unsullied men behind and I’ll have to take you by dragon.” Jon said.

“Don’t worry about that, we’ll be going soon, just send the ships to White Harbor and we’ll depart. I won’t go with you because I still want to say goodbye to my family properly.” Arya said, and Jon nodded, while Ned remained silent.

“Wise. It will take a few weeks.” Jon said and turned back to his uncle.

“Send them after three weeks… that’s enough time to finish everything I need to do here in Winterfell.” She said, and Jon nodded.

“Either way, it’s time for me to go… I can’t stay here long, I only came to stop the faceless assassin, but that’s already been dealt with.” Jon said.

“Jon… are you planning to do something about this?” Arya asked, sensing that tone in Jon’s voice.

“Yes… not just against the one who hired them, but also the order itself. I will visit them in Braavos with an army as soon as I have the chance.” Jon replied with a serious tone.

“You’re planning to attack Braavos?” Ned was quite worried about that.

“This will be my response, Uncle. And I have the right to do it—but not now.” Jon said.

“Now I must go.” Before the conversation could continue, Jon began to say his goodbyes while Arya hugged him tightly, and Jon went over to his uncle, hugging him as well.

“I hope to see you soon… Maybe it’ll take a year or two, but we’ll be reunited again.” Jon said.

“Yes… I hope we have a much better conversation, without talking about problems…” Ned said.

“I might even invite you to Artica if you wish. I’m sure there’ll be no more problems there, and any conversation will be far from that.” Jon said and began to walk, disappearing into the trees as the two watched him curiously.

They didn’t know how Jon had entered there, especially with the walls around the godswood, but he vanished from sight at the same moment his presence disappeared, leaving only the two of them standing there watching.

“I guess he’s gone. Either way, I’ll see him in Artica.” Arya commented to no one in particular.

Ned just sighed. “Anyway, let’s get out of here while the men clean this place. We’ll also have a long talk in my solar again.” He said with a serious tone, while Arya simply nodded, knowing her father was serious about everything he had just heard.

They stepped outside as Arya quietly explained the summary to her royal guards—that Jon had left—without letting anyone else hear, while Lord Stark kept that secret.

Arya then headed toward Ned’s solar, while he wore a very serious look toward his daughter.

“You know I’m sending you to a war I can’t even imagine how terrifying it might be, with the dead trying to kill you…” He said, as Arya nodded and he continued.

“I hope I won’t regret this, because if something happens to you, can you imagine how much I’ll suffer, knowing my daughter was killed fighting a war she could’ve left to Jon?” He still spoke in the same tone.

“I’m strong, I proved that fighting a faceless assassin.” Arya replied.

“You don’t have to be. You could marry practically any lord you like in the Seven Kingdoms and live very well.” Ned tried to convince his daughter.

She might have been the one with the least time spent with him of all his children, since she had been in Artica for most of her life, but certainly this last year had moved Ned deeply, making her his favorite despite loving all his children. Arya was a true Stark, and he couldn’t be prouder.

But seeing his daughter leaving once more, after finding her again and getting used to her presence, would be very painful—to see her go again to a war against dark creatures.

“I will fight, Father! I don’t care about the Seven Kingdoms and I don’t want to live here. I’ve already told you I’m from Artica and I plan to stay there—I’ve told you that. Understand, Father, that I’ve traveled all over the known and even unknown world and I don’t know any place other than Artica I can truly call home.”

She seemed offended by his words, raising her voice as her father treated her like a fragile thing—though deep down she knew he had a point.

“Besides, the man I love is in Artica, and I will fight by his side, because if he dies, I will gladly die with him.” She said in the heat of the moment, as her eyes widened, realizing what she had just let slip.

Even Ned’s eyes opened wide as his face went pale.

“Arya… no…” he murmured, already imagining who Arya was referring to.

“Forget what I said.” She murmured, deeply ashamed.

“By the gods, Arya… I could have expected anything by now, but this… you and Jon…” He seemed a bit pained by the idea.

“No! Jon and I never had anything…” She explained immediately. “I’m still fifteen… father…” She said, even though her age was already considered fit for marriage and children in Westeros.

“…” Ned looked at her for several moments, hoping she wasn’t lying.

“Are you just going to keep staring at me now?” She murmured, while he sighed.

“You will go to Artica in three weeks?” He asked.

“Yes…” She said, unable to meet Ned’s eyes.

“Alright… you can go… I’ll need to clear my head about this, and we’ll have another conversation later.” He commented.

“I’m going to Artica, father, I’ve been saying that since I set foot in Winterfell, and I intend to fight in the war.” Arya said.

“…” Ned didn’t answer, still feeling that Arya should be in the South where it was safe, though he knew he couldn’t control that choice.

“Father…” Arya said before leaving, as she stood up and looked one last time at Lord Stark, who was looking right back at her.

“You know… me and Jon… would it be wrong?” She asked while her father seemed to hesitate to answer.

“Do you truly love him?” He asked.

“I do.” She replied. Since they left Valyria on their journey… there had been something Arya had struggled to process in her heart. When Wind had said those innocent and impactful words, she started to wonder if she really felt something for Jon. When she no longer had eyes for anyone else, when no one impressed her more than he did—and they weren’t truly siblings in the end.

But still, she had tortured herself with thoughts like those for nearly three years.

She kept being uninterested in anyone who looked her way, no matter how strong, rich, or gallant they tried to be. She always compared every man to Jon and immediately lost interest, seeing nothing in them.

She often thought it was wrong, but it was still there.

“Does he love you?” Ned asked again.

“I… I don’t know… I mean, maybe he just sees me as a sister… but we’re not that.” She said, seeing her father raise an eyebrow—his daughter, for the first time, seemed uncertain about something since returning to Winterfell a year ago.

“I won’t say it’s something I would approve of—my memories of you two are of children who saw each other as inseparable siblings… but you’re right, you are cousins… It wouldn’t be a scandal if it were revealed Jon is your cousin instead of my son.” He said as Arya nodded, lost in her own thoughts.

She took a few more steps to leave, but paused once again and turned back to her father.

“Jon said he’ll deal with the South in the future… You know your friend on the throne won’t stand a chance, right?” Arya said.

“Yes… I know that. But the war will bring so much death…” He replied with sorrow.

“Still, Jon is heir to the Iron Throne. He should claim it too, but he doesn’t because he has to deal with Artica and its enemies. I still wonder if that will change once the threat from the North is destroyed… Tywin’s plan failed miserably thanks to the queen, who did what she did with her daughter—but Jon would never have married her anyway, even with the proposal.” Arya said.

After all, there had been a scandal moons ago in King’s Landing. Not that Jon ever truly cared about Myrcella—he knew their plans well and never paid them any mind.

“I can imagine…” was all Ned said, with a serious look.

Arya then left and let Ned stay there with his own thoughts.

She stepped out into the courtyard and made her way outside, where she found Bran, asking if they could go train. He asked why the guards hadn’t allowed anyone into the godswood while she and their father were there. She explained that she had been praying.

Soon the rumors began spreading from Winterfell—that a faceless assassin had been stopped by Arya, and the target had been the Stark heir. The tale quickly left the North and reached the South, shocking everyone who heard it.

They scoffed at the rumor that Arya Stark, a young girl of fifteen namedays with a beauty sung of in ballads since she returned to the North over a year ago, could have defeated a faceless man in battle. It was something no one believed.

Even ballads were composed about it, though some disliked them, finding them absurd.

And the rumor that Robb Stark had been the assassin’s target certainly shocked everyone. People began to ask who would send a faceless assassin—knowing how costly they were.

And then, the eyes turned back to the North beyond the Wall, wondering if it was Jon of Artica acting in vengeance. After all, with all the gold he was rumored to possess, hiring a faceless assassin would seem easy.

“He tried to kill my son!!” a woman screamed at the top of her lungs in Riverrun.

“Calm yourself, Cat,” the older man said.

“Calm myself?! Calm myself! My son was nearly murdered by that monster!” Catelyn began shouting with all her strength, venom in her voice, meaning to say what was obvious to her—that Jon had tried to kill Robb through an assassin.

“But no one was harmed, with the assassin dead. Still, I don’t believe it was your youngest daughter who did that—what is Lord Stark thinking, spreading rumors like this?” Hoster said from behind his desk.

“That doesn’t sound like Jon of Artica’s way. He enters with an army and wages war across the world when he wants someone dead…” the Blackfish said, standing near the window of the solar.

“You say that because you don’t know him! He wants to kill Robb and take what’s his!” she said with a hysterical tone, and both men exchanged glances. “Besides, he has no right to use another surname—he’s a Snow!” she finished.

The room fell silent. Cat had been very difficult to deal with since everything happened a year ago, filled with bitterness and resentment. She barely attended any noble gatherings in the Riverlands, as she felt ashamed—and was even mocked behind her back.

“It’s decided. I will go to Winterfell!” she then broke the silence with those words.

“Wait… you can’t be serious…” Hoster said, looking at his daughter as if she had lost her mind.

“My son was just nearly killed by an assassin. Besides, the king’s retinue is crossing the other side of the Riverlands—we can reach them and follow them to Winterfell!” she decided, and there was nothing her father could say to change her mind.

Meanwhile, in the skies of the North, a raven flew onward, carrying a letter sealed with the royal crest, heading for Winterfell at that very moment.

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Author here… I was going to remove Arya from the king’s visit to Winterfell, but I think I’ll keep her around for at least another week—since it could stir up quite a bit of chaos in the castle.

————-Nexts Chapters —————-

Chapter 275 – The Beginning of the Game of Thrones

Chapter 280 – The Winterfell Banquet 01.

Chapter 290 – Eragon vs Cannibal 01.

Capítulo 299 – A conversation with Lord Stark about Westeros.

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