Chapter 8: Fate of Direwolves

Roland

It was confusion in the campgrounds. Roland had left to join his father's hunting party. When the hunting party returned they found Joffrey with a wounded arm and Arya and her direwolf missing.

Nobody seemed to know what had happened, but Joffrey was prattling on about 'his' version of the events. He claimed that Arya and Mycah beat him with clubs and Arya set her pet on him. Cersei, of course, was fawning all over him, much to the annoyance of Roland. 'Mother will defend Joffrey no matter what he does,' he thought bitterly

Roland rolled his eyes as Joffrey told his story. Roland didn't need to be clever to know that his brother was lying through his teeth. 'Gods' he thought, 'if you are going to lie at least have the decency of being good at it.'

He knew Arya had a rebellious personality, she was impulsive, adventurous, and strong willed. But he also knew that she wasn't stupid or foolish enough to attack Joffrey without a just cause. As for his injury, Roland felt that he most likely deserved it. While Cersei considered Nymeria to be a savage beast, Roland knew better than to think so.

Already tired of listening to Joffrey fill his ears with lies, Roland left to try and look for Arya or her friend. He was very interested in hearing her version of events. Despite his mother's protests, he had no intention of staying in the keep doing nothing. As Roland trudged through the forest torch in hand. He noticed other torches nearby also looking for Arya. Shadow was a few feet ahead sniffing around. Roland was grateful for Shadow, he figured that having Shadow by his side increased his odds of finding the girl.

Suddenly, Shadow stopped and looked up catching Roland's attention. "What is it boy?" He asked, kneeling down and petting Shadow's head. Shadow lowered his head and stealthily crept forward. Roland knew what that meant. His dog had caught the scent.

So a quietly and discreetly as possible, Roland followed Shadow. He didn't want to attract the attention of any Lannister men that happen to be nearby. He knew that in the hands of his mother's men Arya was sure to be seriously injured.

After following Shadow for a while he finally stopped at a large bush. Roland approached cautiously and very carefully pulled back a few branches. "Arya?" Roland called out "It's Roland."

The girl's head popped out and she stepped out of the bush hugging him tightly.

"Are you alright?" He asked gently.

Arya nodded her head, "yes," she replied quietly.

Roland took her hand "Come on, let's head back to camp."

As the headed back, Roland asked her what had happened. Ayra's story was very different from Joffrey's. Roland knew what she was telling him was the truth. She didn't falter once and even looked him in the eye as she spoke. Not only that but due to past experiences with Joffrey, Roland knew that Arya'a version of events sounded exactly like the brother he grew up with.

Finally, they reached the campsite. By that time, Roland was covered in dirt and his boot was caked in mud. Arya was similarly dirty. They entered the camp as discreetly as possible. His intention was to send her to Lord Eddard before his mother can confront them. Roland entered Lord Eddard's tent and returned Arya to her father. Lord Stark pulled his daughter into a tight hug.

"Thank you my prince," he sighed gratefully. "You have my utmost gratitude for this."

"I'm just glad I found her before mother did," Roland replied. "What will you do now?"

"We'll get her cleaned up then face your father and mother," Lord Eddard replied.

Roland nodded, "As you wish, I will return to Darry's keep and talk with father about the situation."

Lord Eddard returned a nod. "Very well, thank you again for finding Arya."

When Roland returned to the keep, the first thing he did was get cleaned up and change. Mother gave him a scolding about what he did. She said that a prince shouldn't wallow in the dirt like a peasant farmer.

"Why must you insist on doing things like this Roland?" Cersei asked.

Roland told her calmly, "because it's the right thing to do mother."

After getting into more presentable clothes, Roland went to the dining hall to have dinner with the king. His little expedition into thw woods had left him famished and he immediately began eating quickly. As the two ate alone at the dinner table, Robert studied his son with the most serious expression that Roland had seen in years.

"Roland," he said finally after a long moment. "I want you to be completely honest with me. Do you believe what Joffrey has told us?"

Roland lifted his head and looked his father dead in the eye. Blue eyes met dark blue eyes, as Roland looked his father dead in the eye. He had been expecting this question since he got back. Roland already had every intention on sharing his opinion. Despite the probable grief he would receive from his mother and elder brother.

Roland shook his head "No." His voice was calm and devoid of any emotion.

Robert Baratheon sighed and nodded. It was as if he was expecting such an answer. Roland realized that Father didn't believe Joffrey either. "I don't like this one bit. But what am I to do. Even if Joffrey is lying, it will make little difference to your mother. She will defend Joffrey's story to the bitter end. And I don't look forward to getting into an eternal argument over this." Robert then looked at Roland. "Ned's elder daughter, Sansa refuses to speak about the incident. Since she witnessed the incident I'm positive that she can shed some light on what truly occured."

"Her silence is to be expected father," Roland replied grimly. "If she defends Joffrey it will severely damage her relationship with her sister for years to come. If she defends Arya, she will ignite the wrath of not only the crown prince but the queen as well."

Robert nodded in agreement. "All I want from her is the truth." After thinking for a moment, he spoke up again. "Would you mind having a talk with her, alone? She may feel more comfortable revealing the truth to you with no one else in the room to stress her."

Roland shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He had never been alone with Sansa Stark before. Nor has he actually had a conversion with her. But he supposed that there's a first time for everything. But Roland had hoped for more favorable circumstances Roland didn't know if Sansa would speak to him about the incident. But he knew that it wouldn't hurt to try.

Once he finished his meal, Roland left for Sansa's tent. When he got there, he found Sansa sitting on her bed caressing Lady's fur. Her face looked rather downcast since the day's events had taken it's toll on him.

"Lady Sansa?"

Sansa turned her head, and upon noticing Roland, she leaped to her feet and curtsied. "Prince Roland, what brings you here?"

"My lord father wants to know, what happened at the river."

Upon hearing this Sansa sat back down and looked away. Roland grabbed a chair and took a seat in front of her. He placed his hand on her cheek encouraging her to look at him. "Sansa, you don't have to worry about speaking ill of my brother. My father won't be angry at you, all he wants is the truth."

Sansa shook her head frantically. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I-I c-can't tell, Joffrey will...,your mother will...

Roland stopped her before she could continue. "Shh it's alright, listen you don't have to be afraid of my mother and brother. I won't pressure you into doing this if you don't want to."

Sansa sighed and seemed to calm down some. "No" she said after a moment, "I'll tell you what happened." Roland drew closer "Alright, take your time and tell me everything." After taking a few long breaths, Sansa was ready to tell her side of the story.

Sansa's tale was exactly like Arya's. This was no surprise to Roland, he felt proud that Sansa had manage to gather the courage to tell him, what she wouldn't tell anyone else. Despite this Roland knew that telling him was easy. The true challenge would be telling the same tale in the audience of Queen Cersei and Prince Joffrey. All he could hope was that her courage did not faulter when the time came.

Finally the time came for Arya to face the royal family. Before entering the hall Roland knelt down to Arya level and said. "Now listen, no matter what happens, whatever you do. Remain calm and do not lose your temper. It will only give something for my mother to use against you."

Arya nodded indicating that she understood. Roland took his place beside the king's right side, Joffrey and Cersei to his left. Arya stepped forward and bowed politely.

King Robert knelt forward and said as gently as possible. "Now Arya, I want you to tell me your version of what happened at the river. Tell it all and tell it true."

Arya repeated the same story she told Roland. All through the tale, she kept a straight face an remained in eye contact of the king. When she finished Robert was studying her intently. She turned towards Roland, who gave her a nod of approval.

"That's not what happened," Joffrey shrieked "I told you what happened-"

"Yes I believe we all heard 'your' version of events enough times." Robert interrupted, it was clear that he was already annoyed by his sons whining.

Uncle Renly was laughing after hearing Arya's tale and spoke to her. "Would you mind terribly repeating the part where Joffrey got disarmed by a girl half his size?"

This caused Joffrey to grow very red in the face. Roland smiled enjoying his brother's embarrassment. Robert send his brother away. Renly left, laughing all the way.

Robert turned to Joffrey and once again asked him to tell his side of events. Once again, Joffrey repeated the same rehearsed lie as last time. Roland's fingers stroked Shadow's head to calm himself. But unlike Arya who made direct eye contact, Joffrey kept his eyes to the floor. Roland shook his head, a man who cannot look you in the eye is no man at all. When Joffrey finished his father sighed.

"What am I to do, she says one thing, he says another."

Finally Robert turned to Arya's elder sister, "Sansa, come forward." The girl approached timidly, Roland saw that her hands were shaking. "Now, you were there tell us what happened."

Sansa took a deep breath and it seemed like for a moment that she was about to tell what she had told Roland. Then her head turned her right and fear crept into her eyes. Roland turned towards his mother and brother and saw that they were glaring at her with dangerous eyes. The look Cersei gave Sansa was something Roland was more than familiar with. It was the same look she gave father after he struck Joffrey many years ago. Those emerald eyes now more resembled wildfyre. He looked back at Sansa and just judging by her eyes, he knew what little courage she manages to pluck up had faltered.

"I-I-I don't know," Sansa said in a trembling voice. "It- It all happened so fast."

Beside her Roland saw Arya clenching her fists. She look ready to strike her. But her eyes caught Roland who gave her a warning look and the slightest shake of his head. Arya understood this and brought her anger under control.

It was then did Cersei speak up once again. "I want to see her punished for maiming our son. Joffrey will bear these scars for the rest of his life."

Robert rolled his eyes and glared back at her. "Gods she's a child, what would you have me do, whip her through the street. Children fight it's over, leave it at that." He then turned to Lord Stark. "Ned see that my daughter is disciplined, I'll do the same with Joffrey." With that King Robert got up and was about to leave when Cersei spoke again.

"What about the wolf? The beast that savaged your son?"

Robert looked up to the heavens. "I forgot about the wolf," he groaned. Roland knew that his father had hoped to avoid doing anything about the wolf. But his mother was far too sharp for that.

It was then that Jory spoke up. "We looked everywhere and found no trace of Nymeria."

"No?" Robert questioned, he didn't look to unhappy about it. After a moment he shrugged "so be it."

"No matter," Joffrey smiled sadistically. "We have another wolf," he said triumphantly. Cersei also smiled knowing what Joffrey had in mind. "Have the beast killed," she commanded.

Roland felt his heart drop as he realized what his brother and mother was implicating. How could they be so cruel as to have an innocent die in place of a guilty. As he saw the triumphant look on his their faces, he felt something that he never felt for them until tonight, Fury.

Robert was still for a moment before he sighed and bowed his head in defeat, "As you will."

Eddard widened and began to protest. "Your grace please, you cannot allow this. For the love you bear me stop this."

Robert shook his head. "I'm sorry Ned, but Cersei will have it killed one way or another."

Soon, Sansa also realized what they were talking about. "He doesn't mean Lady does his?" She asked her father hoping it wasn't true. After seeing his eyes, she knew that he was. At this, Sansa turned towards the royal family her blue eyes swimming with tears. "No, please, not Lady. Lady didn't harm anyone she's a good wolf. Don't harm my Lady, I'll make sure she behaves, please.

"Lady wasn't there," Arya roared in fury. "Leave her out of it."

Roland could hold his tongue no longer. "Father," he called to him. Robert turned to look at his second son, who looked back with desperate eyes. Roland continued, "this is wrong, Lady is innocent. Please Father, this isn't justice."

His mother eyed him coolly. "do you care nothing for your brothers wounds?" She asked icily.

"That's not Lady's fault," Roland protested. "This is unnecessary cruelty."

Joffrey sneered, "it's just a wolf brother, get over it."

"That doesn't make it any less wrong." Roland snapped. He turned to his father in one last attempt to save Sansa's companion. "Father, please."

Robert couldn't meet his son in the eye. He looked downcast and defeated. Roland bowed his head, he knew he had lost.

"Do it yourself then," Ned called out. "At least show enough courage to do it by your own hand." But Robert didn't answer and stalked off but not before glaring at Cersei one last time. "Damn you Cersei," he whispered.

"Send for Ser Illyn," Cersei commanded.

"No," Ned Stark said defiantly. "I will do it."

"And why would you do such a thing Lord Stark," Cersei asked suspiciously.

Ned eyed the Queen, "Lady is of the north, she deserves better than your butcher."

Sansa crumpled to the floor wailing, but Roland came towards her and caught her before she hit the floor. She turned towards him and began sobbing on his shoulder. All Roland could think to do hold her. He cared little if his family was watching him.

After picking her up, Jory Cassel took Sansa and escorted her to her tent. Roland decided to accompany Lord Stark to the stables where Lady was being kept. As the two walked they noticed Sandor Clegane ride slowly past. On the back of his horse was a limp corpse. At first, Roland feared it was Nymeria. But Roland quickly recognized it as Arya's friend Mycah.

"The butcher's boy?" Ned asked angrily. "You rode him down?"

"He ran," the hound replied laughing. "But not very fast."

Seeing this made Roland angrier than he had been in his entire life. Joffrey likely sent the Hound after Mycah to silence him. That way there were no other witnesses to the incident. Roland's blood boiled and decided to make a resolution. One innocent has died tonight, there will not be a second. Lady will not die, not if he had anything to say about it. He would save Lady and he knew just how to do it.

As Roland rode alongside the rest of the hunting party, Shadow ventured off in another direction. Roland turned to follow they found the corpse of a dead fox. As they moved closer, Shadow began growling. Moments later, he heard a noise to his left. Suddenly a grey wolf dashed at Shadow baring its teeth. But before it could get him, Shadow leaped forward and buried his jaws in its torso. As the two canines circled each other, as Roland watched. Then the wolf leaped, at the last moment Shadow got under the wolf and caught its throat in his jaws. The wolf struggled frantically until Shadow bit down and the wolf struggled no more.

The wolf was the colour to pass for Lady. It was a little bigger but Roland doubted that his mother would know the difference.

As he entered the stables he saw Ned kneeling in front of Lady stroking her fur. "Sansa picked the perfect direwolf." Ned looked up and nodded. "Aye," he said "of the litter, Lady was the prettiest and the kindest."

"Then the name Lady suits her perfectly," Roland added. Then he knelt down and started stroking her fur too. In return Lady licked him on the cheek causing him to smile. Shadow came towards Lady and the two canines nuzzled for a bit. They stayed like that for a moment before Roland spoke up, "you don't have to go through with this."

Ned looked at him sadly, "I'm afraid I have to."

"No you don't. I have a way to spare Lady's life without drawing suspicion."

Ned cocked his head in wonder. "Why would you do this?"

"Someone has already died tonight. There doesn't need to be a second"

Ned's face turned serious, "Very well Roland I'm listening, what do you have in mind."

So Ned took the head off the dead wolf and passed it off as Lady. Lady was knocked out with a sleeping potion that Roland had in his person. Roland always had a tiny bottle of sleeping potion concealed in the hilt of his dagger. Often he would it to knock Joffrey out so he can have a peaceful day. Never did he ever dream of using it on an animal. Lady was taken back to Winterfell with utmost secrecy.

After the deed was done, Ned Stark and Roland Baratheon left for their respected quarters to finally get some sleep. "Thank you, Roland" Ned told the prince. He put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I don't know how I can ever repay you for everything you've done for my daughters.

Roland smiled and raised his hand. "No need to thank me, I'm just grateful that i manage to save a life today." Bowing, Roland headed towards the keep. But then said to himself. "If only I could of saved two."

Well there you go, I hope that it satisfied your needs. Just so you know the prevention of Lady's death was NOT an easy task. So if the way I saved her was not to your liking I completely understand. As for those who are wondering why I didn't have Sansa tell the truth to the king. Is because it would of been too easy and gone too smoothly. Sansa needed to know Joffrey for what he truly is.