Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, and the man who had been offered to be Hand of the King was mulling over the recent events. The loss of Jon Arryn was still keenly felt. His grief warred with the anger he felt toward the Lannisters. Lysa had risked much to send the correspondence and he had no idea how he would go about uncovering proof of their treachery.
Roberts actions since being reunited troubled him. He could tell his children were disappointed that the stories he had shared of the 'Demon of the Trident' were incongruent with how the King looked now. Robert's children were a mixed bag. Sansa was enchanted with the tall prince but the boy was openly disdainful of Winterfell and that sort of arrogance was unhealthy. Robert wanted the two betrothed and he knew Sansa longed for it. Ned however had not missed the disdainful sneer the prince had made upon seeing the castle before his face was masked again.
The King's only daughter was all poise and grace. Save for her blue eyes she was a miniature Cersei. Her dress clearly designed by the same seamstress. Ned had been surprised to learn she was Arya's age given her diminutive height. Robb had said she seemed knowledgeable beyond her years and he felt slow witted in her presence. Tommen was a sweet child but hesitant and not as boisterous as Bran. It was important that their children would get along and so he had arranged with Robert to have Robb and Bran practice with Joffrey and Tommen in the yard while the Myrcella joined Sansa and Arya's lessons with Septa Mordane.
He looked over at his wife who was sewing some last-minute gifts for her daughters before they travelled south. Catelyn had not been happy that he would be taking Bran south while she remained behind and she had busied herself with tasks to avoid thinking of it. A hasty knock on the door and Jory Cassel and two guards were admitted with a red eyed Arya. Her face was tear streaked and her modest dress dirtied.
"My Lord, there's been an incident."
Cat rushed past him, "Arya are you all right, what happened?"
"Please don't let them hurt her, please mother, please." Arya begged.
As his wife tried to soothe their daughter, he turned to the guards for explanation.
Jory motioned for the guardsman to speak. "We heard shouts from the room where Lady Arya had Nymeria leashed. When we got there, we saw your daughter's wolf trying to attack the Princess Myrcella."
Ned's face paled. "Is she injured?"
"I don't think so my Lord, her dress was torn, she seemed more worried about her clothing."
His jaw clenched. "You should have made sure; this is the King's daughter!"
The guard looked down, chastened. "I'm sorry my Lord."
"Gather the direwolves and make sure they are confined in kennels and away from the royal party." He ordered.
His daughter again begged that no harm come to Nymeria.
He knelt next to his daughter who was still being comforted by Catelyn. "What happened?"
Arya looked down. "I… I ran from Septa Mordane's lesson. Myrcella must have followed, I had already untied Nymeria." Arya paused uncertainly. "She… she was mad at me for leaving the lesson and was yelling and maybe it looked like… like she was going to hit me. She wasn't I know that but Nymeria was just trying to protect me."
Ned heard the lie.
"Arya. This is important. You must tell me the truth, what happened."
His daughter shuddered. "Please father, please don't hurt her, I'll train her, I'll train her to never do this again, please."
"Arya." His voice was firm.
"S-she didn't yell at me. I, just got startled. I didn't know she had followed me. Nymeria then went after her. She was trying to keep me safe, please father."
"Was Myrcella hurt, was she bitten?"
"I don't know, she sounded like she was fine but her dress is ruined."
Catelyn looked at him and hugged Arya tightly. "Ned, you need to see the King at once. The Queen is prideful and petty, she will use this to discredit the family. Seven help us if Myrcella is hurt."
The Lord of Winterfell nodded in agreement.
"Arya, you know our house words. Winter is Coming, what we need to do now is apologize to Myrcella and the King. They are our guests under this roof and we have failed in our obligation. Wash your face quickly and come with me." He could see the question on her lips. "As far as Nymeria is concerned, we will see, much may depend on you respectfully atoning and if the Princess is injured. Now go."
***
Ser Boros Blount guarded the entry to set of rooms that held the royal family. "My daughter and I need to see the King Ser."
"I will see if he is up Lord Stark, the King sleeps late after feasting and drinking."
Eddard frowned; it was already well past mid-morning. "It is important Ser, wake him up if you have to."
The Kingsguard considered for a moment and then nodded. Arya fidgeted uncomfortably next to him. After several minutes Ser Blount let them in and a haggard looking Robert in a hastily donned robe was trying to wipe the sleep from his eyes in one hand while nursing a wine cup in the other.
"Seven Hells Ned, what has you looking so concerned."
"Your Grace, is your daughter well?"
"Myrcella?" He squinted. "As far as I know. Boros, where is she?"
"In her rooms, she said she had dirtied her clothes and needed to put one fresh ones."
Eddard bowed his head. "I am relived to hear she is well. Unfortunately, I have proven to be a poor host. While under the protection of this house she suffered an attack by my daughter's wolf. I am here to apologize for the negligent care and for my daughter to personally apologize to the Princess."
The King looked a bit more awake now. "Go fetch my daughter." He looked at Ned seriously, "Wolves aren't dogs, this could have been far worse if they were full grown."
Ned kept a firm grip on Arya's shoulder when she moved to speak. The Kingsguard returned with Myrcella who looked uninjured. Her blue eyes widened slightly and darted to Arya and then back to him.
"Lord Stark." She then glanced at Arya. "Are you all, right? I hope I was not rude in departing so quickly. Mother always taught me to always look my best in public and when I tripped and scuffed my dress in the fall I wanted to change as swiftly as possible."
Eddard could see his daughter was at a loss for words.
"Princess, it was my understanding that the wolf attacked you." Ned spoke.
"Oh that? It is just a pup; its bark is far worse than any bite it could do." Her eyes grew wide and looked toward Arya. "Oh, you feel responsible for my fall? Please don't be silly. Yes, little Nymeria did startle me when she growled but it was my own clumsiness that led to my dress being dirtied. Really tis no one's fault but my own."
Robert laughed. "You Starks are too honorable for your own good. My daughter may be a runt but she's a Baratheon and a little tumble is of no concern."
Eddard wanted to thank the Princess for her kindness, even as a chill went down his spine. Arya had confessed what happened and his own guards had seen a ripped dress and a snarling wolf. It was disconcerting that a girl of 11 could lie so easily and perfectly that none could tell the difference. Had he not known the truth he would have believed it completely. The South was a nest of adders where lies could be sold as truths with none the wiser. Children taught deception as they took their mother's milk, it sickened him.
"In either case my daughter has a responsibility to not let her pet harm," he paused and looked at Myrcella, "or startle our guests. Arya what do you have to say?"
"I am very sorry and I will make sure this never happens again, on my honor as a Stark."
Myrcella smiled and moved forward and took Arya's hands with her own. "I accept your apology in the spirit it was intended even if I think it unnecessary." She looked up at Ned. "All of this started due to Arya struggling a bit learning how to make neat stiches during our lesson with your kind Septa. I have a little trick I wanted to show Arya, may I impose a bit on her time and go over it with her now?"
Eddard assented and watched as Myrcella led Arya back into the hall and toward the sewing room where they had taken their lessons.
Robert shook his head. "Bah Ned, you probably scared your daughter half to death with this. It's not easy for a girl her age to be marched to see the King to formally apologize. Was disturbing my rest with all this truly necessary?"
He wasn't sure what to say. It was very much necessary for the apology but gainsaying what Myrcella had just spoken would not do anyone any good. Honor made him clarify, at least in part, what had happened.
"You've raised a courageous and kind young lady, Robert. It was more than just a growl that caused her to stumble. My guardsman and Arya have said as much. Yet, if she is unharmed and holds no ill will toward Arya for the mishap, I will put it aside."
Robert looked embarrassed when Eddard had complimented his rearing of Myrcella. He took a long drink from his cup of Arbor wine. "Since you're here now you'll have to join me for a drink."
"Yes, your Grace." Ned didn't argue. Robert always tried to encourage him to drink. They had gotten off lightly thanks to Myrcella's words, and a glass of wine in relief would not be out of order.