Walder Frey was everything Joanna imagined him to be. Old, surly and by worst a pessimist by heart. After all the rants shes heard of Roberts drunken nights at their dinner table she always remembered what he had to say of house Frey. As hard as it was to admit in his own way Robert wasnt that terrible of a king.

He tried his best but as the years went on the regressed seeking the solution to his problems out of a glass of wine, but he tried to be an honourable king. Hed always complain about how difficult it was to control the men of the North and now Joanna understood why: because now she had to practically beg the old turd into allowing them to cross the bridge.

Hesitantly Joanna took a piece of bread a servant girl had offered them and held it in her hand. She was in too much of a predicament to just eat any food handed to her. A woman in war with a babe on the way, eating off a strangers plate. Her intuition just screamed no to her. My honoured guests, be welcome within my walls and at my table. I extend to you my hospitality and protection in the light of the Seven. Walder Frey greeted the King in the North and his banner men and women.

"We thank you for your hospitality, my lord." Robb replied "I have come to make my apologies, my lord. To beg for your forgiveness. "

Joanna and Shae could see in his eyes that he was not impressed by the young king at all.

"Don't beg my forgiveness, your grave." He answered dryly It wasnt me you spurned, it was my girls.

Joanna turned her head to see the isle of young girls look back at her. She felt complete discomfort in facing what should have been Robbs wife. Though she did notice that they weren't staring at her with annoyance as Walders sons but rather embarrassment of their father.

"This is Arwyn, my daughter. My daughter Derwa, my daughter Walda, my eldest granddaughters Gina and Neila." He started listing them as each respectfully bowed to them. "Serra and Sarra, my granddaughters, twins. You could have had either. Could have had both for all I care." He spoke much to Joannas irritation caring no ill will to disrespect them. "My granddaughter Marianne. My granddaughter Frey. My granddaughter..."He paused as he embarrassingly enough couldn't remember her name

"W-w- Wertha? Waldra? Wadlina?"

Joanna and Catelyn glanced to each other both realising that this was Walder Frey at his best of manners.

"I'm Merry." She spoke back

"Fine." He rolled his eyes as he turned to the next "Here's my youngest Shirei, though she hasn't bled yet. Clearly you don't have the patience for all that." From the corner of her eye she could see Robbs face hardened as he referred to the young girl who was no older than Arya herself. She noticed how he shifted closer to his youngest sister who stood in between him and his mother.

Robb turned his head to the young girls as he spoke "My ladies, all men should keep their word, kings most of all. I pledged to marry one of you and I broke that vow. The fault is not with you. Any man would be lucky to have any of you. I did what I did not to slight you, but because I loved another." Joanna avoided eye contact with the young girls hoping that they wouldn't look at her with distain. "I know these words cannot set the right the wrong I have done to you and your house. I beg your forgiveness and pledge to do all I can to make amends so the Freys of the Crossing and the Starks of Winterfell may once again be friends."

Walder looked to the young pair in amusement as his focus shifted to the woman next to him. "Very good." He sat forward as he pointed to Joanna "Now, there she is, isnt she girls. The reason none of you could be Lady of Winterfell." He spoke with venom as Shae nudged Joanna to look up. She could how he was practically underdressing her with his eyes. A blessing and a curse to be a woman in war.

"Tell me boy, if you're the Young Wolf, what does that make her?" Joanna held her chin high as she and Robb stepped forward

"She's the Valiant Lion." Shae answered with pride as their men agreed. The Freys seemed amused by Shaes bold statement but Joanna was more than used to it.

"Lion you say? Don't you mean Lioness, woman." Walder Frey emphasised to Shae and Isabella who stood by Joanna. He was taunting them but Shae refused to play into his game and Joanna nodded to Shae as she answered herself

"No, she doesnt mean Lioness as in woman. I might be a woman Lord Frey but I have just as much heart as a king. Together Robb and I made it possible for the North to march South- so if one of our trusted generals and our soldiers call me the Lion I shall wear the title like a badge of honour." She answered. Walder Frey was struck with confidence as he looked her up and down

"Come closer, let me have a look at you."

Robb watched as she stepped forward not paying attention to the laughter and whistling of Walder Freys sons. She carried herself with grace and power not wavering to step closer to where he was. In the middle of the hall she stood and stared the old man in the face

"Love. Thats what the Starks of Winterfell call it, eh?" He chuckled like a young boy ,"Very honourable! I call it a pretty face." He scanned her body but Joanna refused to cross her arms in hopes of hiding what she was. She knew to him she was nothing but a piece of meat but she would not him succeed in belittling her integrity. ,"Prettier than this lot, thats for sure. You see this boys- this is fine Lannister genes." He remarked to his family

Internally Joanna was screaming at the name of Lannister. Ever since Stannis declared that Roberts heirs were in fact Jaimes, every man tried to undermine her by reminding her who and what her father and his family was. "Just like your mother in her prime you have her beauty." He coaxed in front of the Stark bannermen he looked to Robb impressively ,"Oh, you try to hide her under that dress. If you wanted to hide her, you shouldn't have brought her here in the first place." He smirked as he could see Robbs anger and impatience brewing further more.

"I highly respect you King in the North. When I was in your age, I'd have broken fifty oaths to get into the princess without a second thought. I can always see whats going on beneath a dress." Robb stepped forward but Catelyn reacted quick enough to clutched his wrist and pull him back," Been at this a long time. I bet when she takes off that dress everything stays right where it is. Doesn't drop an inch."

Joanna rolled her eyes as he spoke over her. She refused to let a man like him make her feel like a filthy whore.

"Well, if not my daughters are able to marry you at least one of my sons will be able to marry the little one hiding behind you, eh boy?" He redirected his attention to Arya who looked back to him in confusion.

Joanna and Robb looked to each other as they both cursed under their breaths. The agreement they made without Arya. Catelyn looked between her son and daughter as she shook her head not allowing them to retaliate Walder Frey. Isabella looked to Shae with as much confusion and anger as Arya carried. Even he could see they were growing tired of his tactics as he tiredly rolled his eyes

"Well, I've had enough room in the hall for you lot. Well set up tents outside with food and ale for the rest of your men. Let's get ready. The wine will flow red and the music will play loud and well put this mess behind us."

No one could say that Aryas temper tantrum wasn't justified. After everything she'd been through an engagement to a man she'd never agreed was the last thing she wanted. She refused to be Sansa who was signed away to man without her consent. When they were along Arya yelled and screamed to Catelyn and her brother

"How could you?! After everything Sansa has been through you go ahead and do the same mistake again!" She yelled as she threw a wine against a post. Robb wanted to approach her but every time they tried Arya would grab the nearest object and chuck it close enough to their heads.

"Arya, you have to understand at the time I had no choice. The arrangements I made with him was the only solution to get you and Sansa." Catelyn spoke calmly in contrast to the young girls anger.

"And what good did that do you? Sansa is still south getting tortured by Cersei and Joffrey on a daily basis! Since I've been here none of you have made any progress in getting her back. What's the point of me marrying one of his sons if Sansa is still hostage! What even is the point of this war anymore?!" Arya screamed

"To avenge father!" Robb exclaimed

Arya stayed quiet as the two siblings stared back to one another. Catelyn being the calmest of them had to be their mediator. "Arya, everything we did and plan to do wont just be to get back your sister. We're doing this in the name of your father. I won't lose more of my children. I don't know how but you won't marry a Frey. I promise you that." Catelyn spoke but she could see in her daughters eyes that she didnt believe them.

Arya turned her back as she spoke two words only

"Leave. Now."

"Arya, let's talk about this please-" Robb asked her but his body jolted him and Catelyn out of the way as she threw a shield at them. Respectfully they exited her tent as they saw Joanna waiting outside of the tent. Robb shook his head as he approached his wife, taking a deep breath in as he took her hand in hold.

"I take it she is angry?" Joanna mused as she could hear Aryas screams muffled into a pillow. Robb looked to her not amused or in the slightest entertained by her.

"I wonder what gave it away. The pieces of glass that nearly struck my face or the screams of my sister." Robb grumbled.

"Let me talk to her. I think I can help her calm down." Robb and Catelyn looked hesitant as they were both fully aware that Aryas rage was not one to be tampered with. She didn't shield it away from anyone or anything. "Please, I understand. Even though I love you, when I heard Robert had me married off I threw every drop of wine out of the Red Keep and Joffrey and I nearly set fire to his chambers. If there's anyone that could hopefully give Arya some insight, it would probably be me."

She entered the tent to see Arya swinging her Needle cutting through the bedding. The glasses and maps decorating the floor. The chairs upside down. Arya turned around to look back to her in a raging fit "Don't! You knew! This whole time you knew and no one cared to tell me." She scolded Joanna

"Yes, I did and I won't deny that. But if were going to talk I need you to at least put down your sword." Arya rolled her eyes as she continued to swing needle practising her swordsmanship. Joanna stepped closer as she gently grabbed hold of the young girls forearm. Im not leaving until we talk Arya.

Arya lowered her arm as she turned to face Joanna whose large winter cloak covered her stomach. With sweat dripping from her forehead she closed her eyes and took a deep breath in and out. "Fine. You want to talk, then talk. I'll still be mad at you all." she huffed

"And I understand that. Come and sit with me." Joanna led them to the table as she picked up the chairs as she sat across from Arya

"I know you must have a lot of questions about why your mother did what she did and I'll spare you Robbs speeches of family honour because I know that's the last thing youd want to hear but trust me when I tell you that the anger your feeling now will pass with time." Arya scoffed at Joannas statement

"Easy for you to say. You got to marry the man of your dreams."

"Yes, but that doesnt mean I was happy with the decision that was made for me. You think I was jumping through ringers with the news that Id be separated from my family and sent North to a boy I'd never even met. No, I was enraged. Much like how you found out, my parents didn't tell me. I had to hear it from my Septa who was speaking to a servant." Joanna remembered the day she received the news that her name would soon be Stark. It sparked a rage in her she never was allowed to express.

"Really? What- did you confront them about it?" Arya questioned keeping her guard up. Joanna nodded her head

"Not only did I confront them but I also destroyed my bed chambers because of it. I have this nasty habit of punching objects when I get mad so imagine being Robert and finding a princesss fist covered in blood as she damaged the walls. I screamed and retaliated with the foulest of words."

"But you seem so happy with Robb now..." the young girl added

"I am. I didn't expect to fall in love him but I did but to this day I hate how it wasnt my choice to choose a husband. I resented your father and mine from taking my freedom away. I carried so much hate in me. I couldn't be mad at Robb but rather the idea that two people had no free will because as Robert stated it was my duty as the princes to follow in my kings commands."

"So what- I'm just supposed to go through with the agreement and hope for the best. Joanna, I can't and I won't. I don't to become what is left of Sansa. I'm no lady." Arya confessed to her as she sat back into the chair slouching.

"I know you wont marry the Frey boy and I don't expect you to follow in my footsteps. I just want you to know that – that it wasnt done out of free whim. You have to know that when your mother received the letter from Kings Landing that you were held as captives while your father was condemned for being a traitor it made your mother blind with rage. She'd do anything for all of you."

"I know!" Arya argued back before calming herself "I know." Joanna could tell that it would ponder on her mind for a while but looking at Arya and her spitfire personality she knew that she was nowhere near ready for marriage, no less into a family that saw women as nothing but objects too sleep with.

"Tell you what, I'll tell Robb that youre feeling sick and you won't be attending the wedding. I'll even have Bayla and Greywind stay with you for the night and tomorrow morning I will make arrangements with the Freys to end your engagement." Arya was shocked by Joannas suggestion. She knew Catelyn wouldnt agree to it but at the moment she felt like Joanna was the only one she could, if not trust then at least listen to.

"Why are you doing this for us?"

"Us?"

"Sansa told me that you made sure that Isabella take care of us. Why do you care so much for us?" Arya wondered as she realised Joannas offer came from pure sincerity

"Because I care you both. I'm not there to protect Marcylla and Tommen from these shit traditions but I can try and protect you from marrying an awful man. I intend on you and your sister having a long and happy life with freedom of will not controlled by some drunken man. "

Catelyn and Robb were everything but displeased that Arya was not attending the wedding luckily enough Joanna was able to convince to give her privacy and time to process everything that has happened. She stated that Walder Frey wouldn't even notice that she was missing from the wedding. Hesitantly the stubborn Starks left Arya at bay with Isabella with her.

Bayla had received Walder Freys instructions that the Greywind be locked away inside a cage but she was sly enough to get the direwolf out when everyone was at the attendance of the wedding. Luckily for her it was dark out and with his dark coat of fur it was easy to move him within the shadows and sneak him inside with the young Stark girl. Arya sat in front of Bayla as the woman took hold of a dagger as she held Arya hair back. Arya nodded her head once as she felt her long braided hair be cut short again. The trims of hair descending to the ground as she stood up to look back to Isabella.

Bayla had grown to be a form of a guardian angel. She knew that the Freys would never allow Joanna to break yet another marriage arrangement after they lost the opportunity to marry themselves into the Starks. Baylas numbers in trusted spies in the North was dwindling by the weeks but she had one person she could still rely on: Varys.

Varys had informed her that The Hound was travelling north to escape Joffreys men who wanted to murder him for his crimes against the Kingsguard and abandoning them before the Battle at Blackwater Bay. Isabella had kept her eye on Sandor Clegane for a while and although the Hound was as dangerous as he was untrustworthy there was one thing that not even he himself could refuse: gold.

Bayla stepped away as Arya shook her head feeling the release of her outgrown hair as felt like she was no longer Arya Stark but rather reverting back to Arry.

A nameless boy with no name, no titles but most importantly no husband.

"How do I look?" she brushed the hair off her shoulder as Bayla approached her with a small leather bag. Opening it she saw some food tucked away as she took out a smaller pouch. Opening it to pieces of silver and gold in.

"Like a boy, which is exactly what you wanted." Desperately Arya came to her begging her to help her escape the wedding arrangements that were made for her. She had sent a raven to Sandor promising him to help Arya hide away until the war was over. For weeks she waited on a reply until he finally agreed when she kept to her word that his payment would be included.

"How do I know I can trust him?" Arya asked as she slung the bag around her shoulder petting Greywind behind the ears.

"You can't trust Sandor but you can trust me. I made a promise to your father that I'd keep you two safe and I intend to keep that promise. There's enough money for Sandor to last you two for months and should you ever feel unsafe you leave and go to wherever your safe, but not Winterfell."

"What? Why?" Arya immediately asked

"Arya, things are changing. My spies are dwindling north so you and Sandor go as far away from here as you can." Isabella took hold of Aryas hand as the approached the window overlooking the Twins. Over a hill they could make out the Hounds cloaked body but face scarred from the burn wounds.

"He's already outside. When everyones come back from your uncles wedding, you'll leave and make sure you wont be seen. Sandor will be waiting for you to leave."

Arya looked carefully between the shadows as she saw the man on the horse. Removing his hood he signalled them by flying a raven flying past their window. He was really waiting for her, which meant she had a chance of escaping. Nervously she looked to the woman that had become her sister as she wrapped her arms around her waits. Bayla took in their embrace hoping this wouldnt be the last she sees of the girl.

"Thank you." She choked on her sadness at the thought of leaving but thankful enough that she had Baela who carried her best interest at heart.

"You're welcome Arry."