99 Land of Rivers

Galloping through the gates of Riverrun, a rider quickly dismounted from his horse and rushed through the muddy grounds. It wasn't raining, but it had been, the ground slick with mud that squelched underfoot.

Yet none paid the actions of this young man any heed, all too busy with their own tasks. He rushed in through the doors and straight into the keep. Up the staircase and made a beeline towards the Great Hall. The guards standing watch outside noticed his approach, moving to intercept in case of him being a threat.

"I bring news on Arya Stark!" There was a widening of the eyes from the guards, both looking towards one another before they scrambled into action. Both pulled the doors open and allowed the young man to burst into the Great Hall where a few of the lords of the Riverlands had gathered. At the head of the table, sat the leading figures of the new Stark rule, Eddard Stark, the Quiet Wolf and the father of Robb Stark, the Wolf King. To his right, sat Willas Tyrell, one of the main advisors and overseers of the kingdom as Robb fought the war. To his left sat Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns and to her left was the Queen Margaery Tyrell.

The latter three with the help of Edmure Tully had been hard at work, ensuring that the realms under Robb Starks rule could still function in times of war. The drain upon their money, food and other resources was by no means small. However, the Tyrells still worked to ensure that when the war came to an end, the impact of it would not be severe.

Oftentimes, what killed a kingdom wasn't war, but the peace that followed. During the period of war, men would be off fighting, provided food and given money for their troubles. Their families on the other hand would feel the brunt of the war, the women and the children left behind. It was only when the men returned, no longer provided food from the army rations and forced to live off the land much like their wives and children did they too feel the effects of war.

That was when mass dissension was felt which if not quelled and appeased, could lead to rebellions. It would not do to have invested so much into Robb Stark so that he could become King only to have him be overthrown within a matter of months.

But each of them turned from where they had been engaged in conversation. Willas had already given Eddard the necessary information to inform him of all the world they had been doing. It wasn't a huge amount considering the lack of resources at their disposal, but every little would help. Now with Olenna, the three were thinking upon the next steps to make, as a Northern lord Eddard had experience in working with limited resources to maximise returns.

His expertise were different to theirs and so he would be of great help in the coming months.

Margaery on the other hand was talking with Sansa, the latter placing one hand upon the very pregnant belly and feeling the baby inside kick.

However, all turned upon seeing the doors open, witnessing the young man burst into the Great Hall and come to a stop before them, bowing deeply before them. "I bring news on Arya Stark." Eddard quickly leaned forwards, Sansa gasping in shock. "She has not been found yet, however we followed the trail of horse hoofs they were heading south towards Acorn Hall. About a days march, we found a campfire, a small one."

"She's still out there?" Eddard questioned, the young man bowing his head deeper in apology.

"Then why are you here?! Find her!" Sansa exclaimed angrily.

"Riders are still searching, m'lord." The young man replied. "Lord Blackwood has already sent word to the commander of the party to meet him at Darry. He is working under orders from King Robb."

That brought a pause, all saying nothing momentarily. "You were part of the original party searching Lord Baelish, is that correct?" Willas asked, the young man nodding his head. "Then that means something else is happening. Lord Blackwood knows why we asked for a search party, the only reason he would abandon it was if Robb desperately needed troops to be moved elsewhere."

Eddard knew all that, but the frustration he felt, the anger that his daughter was still out there was palpable. Arya had always been headstrong and difficult to control, much like his sister, Lyanna in that fashion. When he had arrived at Riverrun, greeted only by Sansa he had first been a little concerned but imagined that it was no cause for concern.

It was when he looked to the Tyrells and his son's wife, the looks upon their face told him something was wrong. That was when he learned of Arya having disappeared, the biggest fear being that she had been kidnapped. But then he learned of what they had discovered, food being taken from the kitchens, daggers and a suit of chainmail from the armoury as well as a horse from the stables.

Arya hadn't been kidnapped, she had run away to be with him and Robb, no doubt to fight.

As relieved as he felt to know that she was not kidnapped, the worry and concern still persisted. A world ravaged by war was no place for a young girl, let alone one as important as Arya. But she was young and naive, unable to see the consequences of her actions and that's what scared Ned more than anything.

"Has there been any news from Lord Blackwood or Robb?" Ned turned to Willas who shook his head.

"Nothing."

"They intend to keep it secret." Olenna summarised. "The fewer people that know, the less chance there is of his plans being let slip." Not all that impressive, even a fool could realise that, but it was certainly not what she would expect from a Stark.

Willas nodded his head. "Robb has raised concerns about the loyalties of some of his lords, especially those that were previously Targaryen loyalists. He still doesn't trust them."

"Smart. I don't either." Olenna murmured quietly, looking around at the few of the lords and castellans gathered within the Great Hall. She didn't have control over the Riverlands and its spread of information like she did in the Reach. Knowing everything about the lords was something she liked, a comfort and her own suit of armour. Yet in the Riverlands, she didn't have that control just yet and it put her at a disadvantage.

She didn't like being at a disadvantage.

"I want more riders dispatched from Riverrun personally. I want them to head for Acorn Hall. I also want a raven sent to Lord Randyll, inform him that Arya has run away from Riverrun and to be on the lookout for a young girl." Eddard ordered firmly, both Willas and Olenna sparing a glance.

Revealing Arya's disappearance to Lord Blackwood was one thing. The man was very loyal to Robb Stark for his actions in the war against the Lannisters.

However, Lord Randyll was another thing entirely. He was a stern man who respected strength, it was why he had followed the Tyrells for so long despite the actions of her son. Randyll respected the strength of Olenna Tyrell. He also respected the strength and skill of Robb Stark, but if he learned of Arya's disappearance right under their noses, who knows what impact that could have?

"Of course, we will dispatch riders immediately," Willas replied, rising to his feet. "I'll also write a letter, informing Randyll Tarly."