iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 612 The Lady of Winterfell 2
[Belated blessings TT, I wish you all a happy Dragon Boat Festival and Children's Day]

As Lady Catelyn finished her words, the study suddenly fell silent, with only the occasional crisp sound of sparks coming from the fireplace.

Once upon a time, the eldest daughter of Lord Stark only cared about how to dress beautifully and the love story between the princess and the knight.

But since returning from King's Landing, Maester Luwin could clearly feel that the girl had grown up and begun to mature, and was more focused on learning and fulfilling her duties and obligations as a member of the Stark family.

Maester Luwin subconsciously wanted to speak for Sansa, but when he caught a glimpse of the gentle look from Lady Catelyn, he moved his lips and chose to close his mouth.

After a pause, Sansa's low voice rang out: "I'm sorry, Lady of Winterfell."

After apologizing first, she slowly explained the reason: "We are short of manpower to train new recruits. Two hundred more were sent here this morning, so I arranged for the guards to assist the instructors."

After listening to her daughter's explanation, Lady Catelyn's expression remained serious, her skirt sweeping across the Myr carpet: "Sansa, tell me, how did Robert die?"

Sansa's jewel-like eyes met her mother's. "Yes... the boar hurt him badly. He was drunk."

Lady Catelyn's full breasts rose and fell, she suppressed the sadness in her heart and continued to ask: "Where is Robb? How did he die?"

Hearing this, Sansa's eyes instantly misted over: "Yes... yes... the daughter of the Frey family killed... killed my brother... she drugged him..."

The candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of mother and daughter together. She gently stroked the top of her eldest daughter's head.

Every time she thought of her eldest son, Lady Catelyn's eyes would get hot: "Sansa, my daughter, I think this is enough to show that it is a very dangerous move to move the guards away from you."

"I'm sorry, Mom. You and Dad told me about this. It's my fault."

Lady Catelyn wiped Sansa's eyes with her thumb and said, "I understand you. This is your home after all. I just hope that these things will become your habits as soon as possible."

Lady Catelyn kissed the top of her daughter's head, and then her tone changed to be relaxed: "I must remind you that Arya Stark took advantage of the opportunity of no guards and secretly heard the king's words from your mouth..."

.........

stable.

"Girl, Syrio is just a dance teacher."

Looking at Arya Stark jumping onto the horse, Syrio Forel leaned against the mottled wooden door, gently kicking away the apple core that had rolled beside his feet with his black soft leather boots.

"But you said..."

Arya rubbed the horse's mane to soothe it, and continued, "...horsemanship is also one of the lessons I need to improve my water dancer."

"Yes, I did say that."

Syrio spread his hands with a helpless look on his face, "But I never taught you to ride a horse without permission, and for a long journey at that, stubborn girl."

"Humph, I'm not running away, I'm going to meet my good friend!"

Arya grimaced. "You are my follower."

"What an honor."

Syrio nodded gracefully. He shrugged. "I will be expelled from the Lady of Winterfell for being angry at my daughter for leaving without my permission, you naughty girl."

"I'll tell the Lady of Winterfell. She won't blame you, Syrio. I promise." Seeing that Syrio was still standing there motionless, Arya began to get anxious. She pulled the reins angrily, and the horse under her snorted.

At this time, the girl's calm voice came from the other side: "At least you should get the permission of the Lady of Winterfell, Miss Stark."

The visitor is Robert's illegitimate daughter from the Vale, Mia Stone (Chapter 258). She came to Arya and Syrio, leading a sturdy black warhorse.

Seeing her, Arya's eyes lit up and she shouted excitedly, "Sister Mia!"

Mia glanced at Syrio and said, "Miss, it's very dangerous outside. There is a war in the North."

"There is no war in the south."

Arya stiffened her neck and refuted Mia's advice. After a pause, she suddenly said nervously, "Sister, you won't complain, will you?"

Then, she rolled her eyes and said, "Shall we go to greet the king together?" To greet Green I...

Looking at Arya's expectant face, Mia sighed inwardly. Her biological father had been declared a usurper, and she was the descendant of a traitor. Was this any different from voluntarily seeking death?

Mia naturally knew that Arya had no ill intentions, the little wolf girl was just worried about being "betrayed".

"I cannot leave Winterfell. This is Lord Ned's order."

Mia handed the reins to Syrio, then looked up at the gray sky and said, "In an hour at most, I will report your case to Lady Catelyn."

Hearing this, Arya paused and grinned at her: "Thank you, Mia, you are my best sister!"

Then, she urged anxiously: "Syrio, hurry up, let's go!"

With that, she spurred her horse hard, the mud kicked up by the horse's hooves splashed on the wooden fence, and she and her horse rushed out of the stable.

.........

knock knock knock.

About an hour later, Mia Stone knocked on the study door.

Hearing the response, she straightened her clothes a little, took a deep breath, and then pushed the door open.

"Mia, what's wrong?"

There were a few new fine lines at the corners of Lady Catelyn's eyes - these were the marks left on her face after she received the letter from Duke Ned some time ago.

Mia lowered her clear blue eyes, bowed her head, and said, "Lady Arya left the castle with Syrio. She asked me to tell you that she will go to greet His Majesty the King on behalf of Winterfell."

Lady Catelyn felt angry when she heard this. She suppressed her anger and asked, "When did Arya leave?"

Mia lowered her head even lower: "Sorry, the lady has been gone... for a while."

Sansa asked coldly, "What is a period of time, Mia Stone, please answer me?"

Mia's eyes caught sight of the dark green velvet skirt. She paused and murmured, "An hour."

Sansa withdrew her gaze from Mia and said to Catelyn, "Mom, if we send someone right away, we should be able to bring Arya back in time."

Lady Catelyn nodded slightly and said, "Mia, get up. It's not your fault. Even Ned and I can't do anything about Arya."

"Mom, if she had been earlier..."

Lady Catelyn raised her hand to stop Sansa's complaints, and walked over to personally help Mya, who was still kneeling there.

She stroked Mia's short black hair slowly and sighed, "If Mia betrays Arya, your sister might just leave without saying goodbye..."

Sansa felt that both her father and mother were too indulgent towards Arya. She said angrily, "You can lock her up and send someone to watch her day and night."

"How long can we keep her? Besides, your sister isn't a prisoner, she's a Stark."

Lady Caitlin patted Mia's arm and said, "You must be hungry. Go to the cafeteria and have something to eat. There are your favorite pork pies and mushroom cream soup."

After Mya left, Lady Catelyn stared at Sansa, who was still angry, and suddenly said, "The cold wind is blowing, and winter is coming."

Sansa was slightly stunned. She moved her lips and continued, "A lone wolf dies, a pack wolves survive."

Her hands folded in front of her belly moved uneasily, and she whispered, "I shouldn't have thought of imprisoning my sister. Mom, I'm sorry."

"Sansa, you've grown up, and Arya will grow up too."

Sansa sniffed and asked with concern, "What about Arya? She only brought Syrio with her. This is too dangerous. There are people out there who don't have enough to eat."

"Don't worry, I will make arrangements."

(End of this chapter)