[Chapter Size: 3800 Words.]

  ---------------------------------------

  Third Person POV

  North, 297 AC.

  ---------------------------------------

  The situation in Winterfell seemed a bit hecti ret days. Lord Stark had received a direct letter from White Harbor with the following words:

  "I am in the North again. I am ing to Winterfell in the few days.Signed, Arya."

  Ned was surprised by the letter from his daughter, almost uo believe it after so many months sihe sighting of a small group of Arctic ships returning north, without further news of the fleet in the south.

  Though he was happy to receive her, knowing his daughter was finally here, another letter soon arrived providing more details from the Lord of White Harbor. It informed him that his daughter had stayed at House Manderly for a day and was apanied by Unsullied, something the Lord of Winterfell did not know what to make of. After all, svery was forbidden ieros. Even with Lord Wyman Manderly asserting that the men were free and served Arya of their own will, the idea still seemed plicated. However, he decided to leave this matter to address personally. First, he had to have his daughter bae.

  Setting that aside, Ned decided to inform his family during dihat night. Everyone seemed stunned by the hat Arya was finally returning. Sighs of relief echoed among the siblings upon hearing that Arya was ing home at st.

  Catelyn seemed happy, breaking into a smile that had not been seen for a long time. "Our daughter is finally ing back," she said with emotion.

  Ned was also eager to see Arya again after more than seven years. However, he regretted that Jon would not be with her. Their st versation, almost two years ago, had not ended well, and he wao make amends. He hoped for that opportunity someday.

  In the following days, he decided he would not wait for Arya to e to Winterfell. He decided to go meet her instead. Ned p her back with his own escort after finding her halfway.

  Leaving his sor at that moment, he stepped out the door to find the captain of his guard waiting for him. "Is everything ready, Jory?" he asked.

  "Yes, my lord. Everything is prepared for your departure," the guard replied with a nod.

  "Good. Let's move forward then," Ned ordered.

  Upon reag the castle entrance, in front of the courtyard where his family was already waiting, Bran quickly excimed upon seeing him, "Father, I go too?"

  Ned shook his head at his son, denying the request. "No, Bran. You'll stay this time. But I promise you e with us ime," he said.

  Bran sighed, visibly disappointed. "Yes, Father..." he murmured, resigned.

  Ned looked at Catelyn, who gazed at him hopefully. "Bring our daughter back," she said, seeming afraid Arya might flee again.

  "I will," he replied firmly. Despite the challenges between them i years, they both agreed that Arya being in Winterfell was something worth fighting fether.

  Sansa stood nearby but said nothing, apanied by her usual friends. However, she didn't seem displeased with the idea of Arya returning to Winterfell.

  Leaving his family behind, Ned walked to where the horses were ready. In the courtyard, a group of fifty men was gathered, prepared to meet Arya halfway. Robb stood nearby, adjusting his saddle, ready to use this opportunity to apany his father and the guards, along with Theon.

  Ned mounted his horse, turoward the entrance of Winterfell, and looked at his men. "Let's go!" he ordered before urging his horse into a gallop. The group departed, leaving Winterfell behind as they headed south.

  At the same time, Arya's group was also traveling north, a jourhat would take several days, given the 500 or 600 kilometers separating them. Arya was aced to wearing her Eldeal armor, with Dark Sister resting on her back, mounted on Nymeria, who also wore armor like Jon's direwolf. Four other direwolves roamed the area, brought from the ship as well, since Arya had her warg e with all of them.

  Wendel was always with his men, the girl with various thoughts. Yet what always struck them was notig that Arya was alrepared for a fight, no matter if they were in the middle of the North, her family's nds.

  But he didn't know that since Vontis, Arya had been much more cautious about everything. No matter where she went, she had her animals patrol and keep watch to ensure no attack could e her way.

  Meanwhile, the Unsullied marched right behind her, also maintaining a rhythm of readiness for any attack as Arya had instructed.

  "You seem thoughtful..." her royal guard's voice was heard again beside her.

  "You keep asking that question?" Arya asked calmly, looking at the sery ahead as they tiheir marorthward.

  "He expects our prio keep chatting away... but you are far quieter than you used to be," the royal guard said, gng at the girl.

  "..."

  Wendel, standing a bit farther away, watched their iion with curiosity but said nothing.

  "..."

  Arya simply smiled. She was stantly refleg on her life and how she would reuh her family, growing slightly nervous as they drew closer with each passing day.

  What had she experienced over these years? She had learo embroider in a way that would humble Septa and Sansa, gained profound knowledge of the mind that could perhaps turn Luwin into her pupil, developed a sharp intellect capable of outmatg her parents ie, and traio fight like a true warrior, capable of besting any sword in Winterfell.

  Thanks to Jon's potions, she was already as strong and fast as an adult man. Though unsure if she could defeat her father, she was fident she could overe Rodrik, Winterfell's master-at-arms.

  She was no lohe little girl who had fled Winterfell and nearly died in a storm while chasing after Jon. She had goo Artica, where she learhings she had never imagined—knowledge only a maester might access, or the freedom to wield a on like a noble's son would. She had even excelled at things she ohought were beyond her, like dang, etiquette, poetry, and singing—skills the septa used to praise Sansa for, while Arya had been the bck sheep, mocked as horse-faced by others in the past.

  She had to take pride in what she had bee. She was an excellent rider, even if she now rode a fierce wolf instead of a horse. She had learo and, iate, and read people's iions. Beyond that, she had bee a powerful warg and gained experiences few in the world could cim.

  She had visited nearly every er of the known world, ridden horses, wolves, bears, panthers, and even dragons. She had fought giants—in the occasional training sessions anized by her brother—White Walkers, and samurai in Yi-Ti. She had left behind a siderable trail of the dead since she began fighting in Vontis, where she had taken her first life. She doubted anyone her age had ended as many lives as she had.

  She had left Wendel Manderly deeply astonished when she mentioned all the pces she had visited: Dorhe Reach, the Citadel, Lannisport, Braavos, Pentos, Myr, Tyrosh, Vontis, the Sver Cities of Meereen, Yunkai, and Astapor, the secluded Yi-Ti, the fiery Valyria, the freezing nds beyond the Wall, and the magical city of Artica. There were few pces left where she had not set foot.

  She also spoke five nguages fluently. Arya felt prepared for the world, thanks to Jon's teags. She could survive in any enviro, defend herself, and was nearly unshakable. She now had her own soldiers, whom she had freed and who had pledged their loyalty without her asking. They were now her men, and she ahem.

  Her brother had said she should remain in the North for at least a year. Despite missing her parents, Arya didn't want to stay there. Westeros seemed colorless pared to Artica, where people didn't judge, weren't deceitful, and didn't let greed trol their decisions.

  In Artica, there were always the cheerful dwarves, pyful adventures in the wolf forests and fields, horseback rides, flying on alongside Jon through the city, pyful moments with Wind, feasts at any time, and battles in the coliseum. That was her freedom, her true home, where she felt she belonged.

  Everything seemed ordinary on their journey until Arya's eyes turned white. She was a very powerful warg, capable of trolling a dozen animals, many of them direwolves, though she cked Jon's ability to see through his animals without losing awareness of his inal body.

  As her eyes returo normal, she narrowed them, turning back toward her royal guards and Grey Worm, who noticed her ge. One of her animals had called her, and she had seen through its eyes.

  "I found a bandit camp nearby. It's close to Winterfell. We 't leave them while we're passing through here," Arya informed them. The guards exged gnces before nodding at her—after all, Arya had the authority to and them.

  "What did you say, Lady Arya?" Wendel approached, worried upon hearing Ned's daughter speak.

  "I'm saying there are bandits hiding in the nearby forest. I saw them spying on us as we passed, and one of my wolves tracked them to their hideout. There are at least 30 men. They've likely been ambushing trade wagons along the King's Road in my father's nds... so it's better if we aow," Arya said in a tone of authority.

  "But Lady Arya... shouldn't we leave this to your father? We're close to Winterfell now," Wendel murmured, advice.

  "We 't miss the ce to catch them, Lord Manderly. Besides, there are 30 bandits. Have you noticed how many men we have at our disposal?" She raised an eyebrow, challenging him, leaving Wendel unsure how to respond.

  Regardless, Arya turned back to her men.

  "I want 100 men prepared. That will be enough to ehe forest," she instructed with a serious tone.

  Grey Worm nodded auro his troops.

  "Attention!" he excimed, as the troops began to halt. He selected 100 men, who stepped out of formation and positiohemselves beside the group, awaiting Arya's orders.

  Lord Manderly could only wat silence, unsure what to say, as Ned's daughter moved toward the group with her men, issuing ands that the adult royal guards from Artica obeyed without hesitation.

  "Lady Arya, you 't possibly be thinking of entering the forest with your men?" he asked, fearing the idea of a 14 or 15-year-old girl leading an assault on a bandit camp.

  "I am well-guarded by my men, Lord Manderly. You wait here; we'll hahis aurn shortly," Arya said, brushing off his s.

  She simply proceeded toward the forest, her men following on foot, as the terrain was too difficult for mouravel. Her direwolves followed closely behind.

  "So that's what you saw—a rge group on the main road…" one of the scouts ented as his meurned from surveying the area.

  "Yes... they carried Manderly banners, but also another unfamiliar ohat we don't reize," he expihe Arti banner might have been known in port cities, but within the northern nds, the Artiame was all most people could identify, carried through stories over the years.

  But the scout hadn't finished. He tinued, "There are also many men among them—a strange force, with men whose skin is darker than anyone's in the North. They must be from Essos…" he reported, noting the unusual ethnicity for the region, suggesting visitors from the neighb ti.

  "There's also a giant wolf ridden by a girl…" another scout added.

  "A giant wolf? What nonsense is this now?" the leader of the bandits scoffed, finding his men's words absurd.

  "It's true!" the first man insisted. "It was wearing armor!" he excimed.

  "Get out of my sight. I don't want to hear this kind of nonsehe leader growled, unwilling to eain such absurdities. "We won't attack this group, then. After all, we're only 30 men. Post others to watch the main road—without the ridiculous tales—a's wait for a more suitable target. Our tact wants some women, so we'll stay here for a few more days before attag a vilge," he said finally. Despite the North's reputation for security, banditry was a on practice across all of Westeros' kingdoms.

  The bandits remained in their small camp, unaware that a wolf, ued by any of their sentries, was now cirg their camp through the forest. Meanwhile, Arya's group was closing in.

  Wendel Manderly decided to follow Arya into the forest with a few men, trying to catch up with her. As they ventured deeper into the woods, the sounds of battle reached their ears, prompting them to hurry.

  When Wendel arrived at the se, he saw Arya Stark had not been lying. An intetle was underway betweewo groups at first gnce. But as he moved closer, it looked more like a one-sided massacre. The Unsullied were advang effortlessly, killing the bandits in the camp without mercy or fear. They moved as an unstoppable force, making Wendel uand why the Unsullied were so renowned, even ieros.

  What was equally terrifying, however, were the giant wolves that had disembarked from the Arti ship to follow Arya north. As the ship departed the harbor, these wolves had begun tearing through the bandits. Even as the men begged for their lives, they were mercilessly mutited.

  Arya was in the middle of the fray, standing over at least three bodies. Her armor was stained with blood as she approached one of her royal guards, who had captured the bandit leader.

  "My lord..." one of the guards murmured, but Manderly raised his hand to silence him. There was nothio discuss. He could only watch as Ned's daughter resolved the situation.

  "There are women imprisoned, Princess Arya," Grey Worm reported after searg the camp.

  "Release them. We'll take them with us. Also, gather all dots and evidence from these bandits. Burn the bodies. I want 50 soldiers to remaio guard the site; my men and my father must i it," Arya ordered as everyone began to obey her ands.

  After a while, Arya returo the road with a fetured bandits who had survived the fight, now bound for trial. She left 30 men behind, ensuring one spoke the on Too unicate with the Stark men who would e to ihe evidence.

  Wendel said nothing, keeping a cautious gaze fixed on the girl. She had killed three people in the fight—something hard to recile. Hearing of her feats was ohing; witnessing them was another. She had truly taken lives, fighting adult men head-on at her age.

  Returning to the main group, they tinued down the principal road toward the heart of the North.

  A day ter, after setting camp for the night, with the Artis attending to Arya's every need, she saw through an owl she had brought with her that her father's group roag. A small smile crossed her face.

  Once again, Wendel was astonished as Arya ordered everyoo halt near a higher hill. She instructed the Unsullied to take the lead and prepare for battle. They quickly assumed her orders, marg into position and f four square formations of 150 men each, standing in front of the rest of the group.

  "What are you doing, Lady Arya? Are we utack or something?" Wendel asked, visibly ed as he watched the men prepare for battle, seemingly brag for something to e over the hill along the road.

  "Not necessarily, Lord Manderly. I'm just going to greet the people who've e to receive us," Arya replied with a cheerful smile, as if it were all a grand game to her.

  At that moment, the eark group asded the hill in search of Arya. But even with the Stark banners flying among the group, the sight of 600 Unsullied armed with spears and shields, seemingly awaiting them, left them utterly stunned.

  The men came to an abrupt halt, their faces frozen in surprise, while Lord Stark looked on, his eyes wider than they had ever been.

  "What is this? Stop, everyone!" Lord Stark shouted to his men, his voice cautious as he gazed at the formation ahead. There was no sign of Arya in the front lines; she was still behind, with Wendel watg anxiously. He could only observe as Arya began walking forward with a smile, weaving her way between the ranks of Unsullied.

  "[Umbagon iā skoros perzys!]" she excimed in bastard Valyrian, ensuring her men could uand her. Her feminine voice rang out across the 600 soldiers with more effort than Jon might have needed, but Arya remained firm, delivering her ands with crity. Uhing her sword, she poi toward the Stark group.

  As soon as she issued her orders, the Unsullied immediately assumed battle positions. Each soldier raised their shield and pced their spear at its edge, ready to attack.

  Eveark horses appeared unnerved by the dispy. ried to speak. "Arya!" he called out, his voice desperate as he reized the femio could not see her.

  Arya ignored her father, still smiling as she tinued. "[Vezof mantagon!!]" she anded once more. The Unsullied began advang in perfeison, their ons still raised.

  "Lord Stark!" Stark soldiers cried out in panic at the advang force, while the Unsullied steadily marched toward them.

  "..." Lord Stark appeared lost, unsure if his daughter was truly anding an attack against them. He couldn't uand what she was saying to the Unsullied.

  To his relief, Arya seemed to end her game, raising her voice more. "[Kesan!]" she ordered in bastard Valyrian, and the Unsullied halted their advance.

  "[Umbagon iā ēza perzys!!]" she added. Instantly, all the men lifted their spears and lowered their shields, standing at ease as they awaited further instrus.

  The Stark men exged bewildered looks before hearing the same authoritative voice again—but this time in the on Tongue.

  "I am Arya Stark, daughter of Eddard Stark, Lord of the North and these nds. I demand you identify yourselves and e no closer, or my men will attack!" Her voice echoed, far louder than Lord Stark could have imagined ing from his once-quiet daughter.

  "[Umbagon iā bēvilza!]" Arya anded, pointing her sword forward. Her 600 soldiers advanced aep, shouting a war cry as Nymeria began growlih Arya, standing among the Unsullied.

  Eddard, visibly shaken, watched his men falter in fear. Taking a step forward, he shouted louder than his lungs would usually allow. "ARYA, IT'S ME, YOUR FATHER!" His desperate plea carried across the field.

  Arya smiled at the sound of her father's voice, realizing she might have taken the joke a bit too far.

  "[Umbagon iā skoros! Geltī iotāeks iā nyke!]" she called out once more in bastard Valyrian. The Unsullied not only returo their inal sta also parted to create a pathway for Arya. She rode Nymeria forward through the formation until she emerged in front of the Stark group, maintaining a faint, reserved smile.

  "Father?" she called out, feigning surprise.

  Eddard and his men stared, unsure if their eyes were deceiving them. Arya sheathed her sword a down from Nymeria. Eddard snapped out of his stuate, dismounted his horse, and moved toward his daughter.

  "Arya..." he murmured, approag her cautiously, his eyes darting briefly to Nymeria. The massive wolf stepped back at Arya's gesture, allowing her a clear path to her father as he closed the distance.

  Without hesitation, he reached for her, ing her in a tight embrace. Arya, after seven long years, embraced him back.

  "My little girl... seven years, seven years without seeing you grow up..." he said, his voice filled with emotion. Arya couldn't hold back her tears, which began streaming down her face; she missed him deeply as well. After all, he was still her father, despite everything.

  "By the gods, Arya! How you've grown so mud bee so beautiful!" Eddard stepped back from the embrace, toug Arya's face as he took in the ges in her after so many years away from home. It was a sho how she had grown into a beautiful woman, reminding him of his te sister Lyanna—but Arya was even more striking than Lyanna had been.

  "It's been a long time, Father..." Arya tried to brush off the seality, though she relished the touch of her father hugging her once more. They both ighe 600 Unsullied standing silently nearby, awaiting Arya's orders.

  "Robb! It's true! By the gods, she's even more beautiful than Sansa now!" A voice broke in from behind Eddard. Arya saw Theon approag alongside Robb, his face showing shock. She igheon and turo her brother instead.

  "Arya?" Robb said, his voice almost a whisper as he stepped closer. Arya looked at him, noting how he had grown and developed more mature features.

  "Robb," she replied, smiling at her brother. Despite the unresolved feelings she harbored toward him, she decided to set them aside for now. She accepted his approach after seven long years, and Robb embraced her warmly.

  "Arya, look at you! All of Westeros will be fighting over who gets to marry you!" Robb said with a smile, holdiightly. "Arya, what is that sword with the dragon hilt?" he asked, pointing to the on on her back.

  "This... is the Dark Sister. Jon passed it on to me," Arya said with pride.

  "It's certainly a beautiful sword," Ned said as he stood up. There was much to discuss, and the mention of Jon's name wasn't warmly received by Robb, who pressed his lips together at Arya's words. "Let's save this for when we're back at Winterfell. Your mother, sister, and brothers are eagerly awaiting your return," Ned said, to which Arya nodded. She then turned back toward her wolf.

  "Nymeria! With me!" Arya anded, and the direwolf approached, croug down. Arya climbed onto Nymeria's back, while her father and brother couldn't hide their amazement. The sight of a giant wolf being ridden by a Stark brought back memories of Jon's st visit to Winterfell.

  Arya returo her soldiers and shouted a and in Valyriaroops responded in unison and began marg, while Lord Wendel Manderly moved through the Unsullied with his men and the Arti soldiers to join Arya. The Unsullied would march at the rear of the group.

  A small owl nded on Arya's shoulder at that moment, and she smiled brightly. "Now, let's head to Winterfell!" Arya decred as the group resumed their march.

  ◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

  ?? Ra here: ??

  I deeply appreciate your support sihe beginning of this exg journey!

  I hope each chapter has provided incredible moments. If you like my work and would like to support the tinuation of this fanfic, sider being a patron with pns starting at 2!. As a token of gratitude, I offer access to more than 210 extra chapters with 7 active fanfics at the same time, along with other exclusive bes on my profile, such as images and signifit decisions for the stories.

  Even if you are not a patron, I am making chapters avaible a few hours earlier here, so bee a free member oform!

  ?? RaLeague | Patreon??

  Visit our Patreon for more: https:///RaLeague

  Extra tent Already Avaible:

  ????? One Piece - I Am a Different Luffy!: 30 extra chapters!

  ?? Danmachi - Infinite Mana System!: 30 extra chapters!

  ?? Game of Throhe Legend of Jon Arctic!: 30 extra chapters!

  ?? Naruto - Minato Namikaze SI!: 30 extra chapters!

  ??? The Witcher - As Uchiha Madara! 30 extra chapters!

  ? Harry Potter - Shadow Monarch! 30 extra chapters!

  ?? Game of Thrones: DragonBorn! 30 extra chapters!

  Except for One Piece with daily chapters and DragonBorn once a week, all fanfics are updated 3 times a week, there's just a pause in updating in the week, only to create drafts for the week's chapters.

  In addition to the extra chapters, daily chapters are posted and 25 chapters per week!

  Your support is very important and makes all the differen keeping these stories alive.

  Thank you very much for being part of this journey! I hope you tio enjoy the story and that it brings even more joy to your life!

  Visit our Patreon for more!!

  ◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆