Chapter 5: Sparring Brothers

Arya

Arya seethed in frustration as she tried to focus on her needlework. As usual, it was a complete mess, crooked, and all over the place. Septa Mordane often said that she had the hands of a blacksmith.

Princess Myrcella was also with them and was seated next to Arya. This made the tension worse. The last thing Arya wanted to do was get humiliated in front of the Baratheon royal.

Arya looked over to where her sister, Sansa was sitting and looked at her work. 'Perfect, as always' Arya thought. The girl in question was sitting next to Beth Cassel and Jeyne Poole. All three girls were chattering like a flock of birds.

"I think the crown prince likes you", Jeyne whispered. Sansa blushed at that remark.

"He's so tall and handsome" sighed Beth with a dreamy look on her face.

"Yes he is", Sansa agreed. She turned to Arya, "what do you think of the Prince Joffrey Arya?"

Arya snorted, "I prefer his brother Roland. He much better company and is kinder I think. Joffrey seems like a twit."

"Arya!" exclaimed Sansa shocked, "Joffrey is the crown prince. You shouldn't insult him in front of his sister."

"No it's fine really", Myrcella suddenly spoke up. Both Stark girls looked at the princess in shock. "Ayra's right" Myrcella continued "Joffrey is an arrogant prick to say the least."

"But Myrcella he's your brother," Sansa protested

Myrcella scoffed, "tell that to Joffrey, he has never given any form of affection to me, Tommen or Roland."

"See," said Arya, "even the princess agrees with me."

"Roland is pretty cute," Jeyne admitted sharing the same expression as Beth.

Before Sansa could respond, Septa Mordane had come over to their area. After complimenting Sansa and Myrcella's work, she turned to inspect Arya's needlework and tsked.

"Arya, Ayra, Ayra this will not do at all." The septa shook her head and handed it back.

Arya scoffed, she finally had enough. She chucked her work over her shoulder, stood up and walked away.

"Young lady, just where do you think you're going?" The Septa demanded.

Arya turned and said, " I'm going to go shoe a horse." She smiled at the shocked looks she got from the Septa and Sansa. With that Arya politely bowed to Myrcella, then turned and stalked off, ignoring the Septa's protests.

In truth she was going to the bridge that linked the Armory and the Great Keep. Her brothers would be sparing with the princes today and she wanted to watch. The bridge gave an excellent view of the courtyard.

By the time she got there she found Robb sparing with Joffrey. It became clear that the crown prince didn't know how to wield a sword to save his life. Robb landed blow after blow while Joffrey made wild swings at the air. Only a couple of time did Joffrey land a hit but it was merely a glancing blow. Soon Joffrey tired and forfeited the match.

After that it was Roland's turn to fight Robb. Arya had already taken a liking to Joffrey's younger brother. As tall and handsome as his older brother, but far more mature. The one thing that drew her to him was his appearance. Like her, Roland didn't share the appearance of his siblings, all of whom took after their mother. Roland got his looks from his father, King Robert. She had heard from the knights that Roland looked exactly like Robert did before he married Cersei. This is what made Arya relate to him.

Unlike Joffrey, Roland was clearly well trained with a sword. He blocked and countered Robb's blows. He was also surprisingly agile and swift, shifting between holding his sword one to two-handed without missing a step. The two exchanged one hit after another until finally Roland struck Robb's sword hand with a quick jab. The blade stung Robb's wrist and his sword fell from his hand. Roland was declared the winner.

Just then Arya sensed someone come up behind her. She turned thinking it may have been mother, but was surprised to see that it was her sister instead.

"What are you doing here," Arya asked

"Septa Mordane ended our lessons shortly after you left, so I came to see my prince spar." She answered.

"Well your a little late," Arya answered, "Joffrey sparred Robb a little while ago".

"How did he do" Sansa asked.

"Poorly, Robb beat him easy, I've seen better swordplay from Rickon."

"That can't be, he's the crown prince he couldn't have been that bad". Sansa said shocked at what she heard.

"Believe it, sister, Joffrey is not as gallant as he claimed to be."

The sisters turned to see the rest of the matches. Ser Rodrick, who had been observing the matches turned to address Joffrey.

"Prince Joffrey, would you care for another round?"

The crown prince sneered and said, "This is a game for children ser, I am a prince, and I've grown tired of swatting at Starks with play swords."

Robb chuckled, "if I recall correctly you failed to swat me at all."

Roland chuckled at that and Joffrey glared at him.

"What do you suggest then Prince Joffrey," the Master at Arms asked.

"I want live steel," he replied.

Ser Roderick shook his head, "out of the question, live steel is too dangerous."

Joffrey scoffed at that, "Why should I even bother, you northerners seem to only want to play with toy swords anyway." This caused the Lannister guards watching to break into laughter.

Arya glared at Joffrey, "that insolent pup ought to be slapped for that," she said. Behind her Sansa looked at her prince in shock, 'how can a royal be so disrespectful to my brother' she wondered.

It was at this moment that Roland chose to speak, "Joffrey, we are only guests here, as a prince you ought to remember your courtesies to our hosts. If Ser Rodrick doesn't want us to use live steel then so be it." Roland looked at his brother up and down noting the bruises that were slowly appearing. "In any case it is clear that swordplay isn't for you, maybe you should take up needlework. I'm sure Myrcella would be more than happy to teach you."

The Starks roared with laughter, The Lannister guards were silent as they glared at Roland. Joffrey was now seething in anger. His fists were clenched and it looked like he was going to jump his brother, instead he turned and stalked off indoors.

Arya smiled, Roland had acted like an older brother at that point, chastising, then putting Joffrey in his place.

Roland then turned to Jon, "would you like a match Jon," he asked.

Jon looked around in surprise, and Ser Rodrick spoke up. "Jon cannot enter, it wouldn't be proper for a bastard to damage a Prince. Besides why would you spar with Jon?"

Roland smiled "Robb told me Jon is a good swordsman I want to test that judgement. His status as a bastard should not make any difference. Honestly I see no harm in it."

Ser Rodrick was shocked at this as was Arya and Sansa. Roland a prince, treated Jon like an equal. Jon was no bastard in Roland's eyes

"You would be bruised by a bastard," Ser Rodrick asked.

"I would be bruised by a worthy opponent, and there is no shame in that," Roland replied.

"Very well", Ser Rodrick conceded.

Both boys took their positions, Ser Rodrick gave the signal and the duel began. The match between Roland and Jon lasted longer than the other matches combined. Arya and Sansa watched as a they unleashed a flurry of steal on each other. Jon truly was better with a blade than Robb. Jon was quicker, but Roland was stronger. Neither opponent gave any sign of tiring. Despite just having fought Robb, Roland seemed as fresh as ever. Both opponents landed blow after blow and blocked just as many. Jon landed twice as many blows as Roland, but Roland's blows looked like they hurt more. After a while, Jon and Roland began to tire, their moves became slower and slower. Calling on a last bit of energy, Roland found an opening and tackled Jon to the ground. Jon laid there too exhausted to get up. Roland stepped forward and offered his hand. Jon took it gratefully.

"Well fought Jon" said Roland clapping his back. Jon smiled despite his weariness. "Let me know if you want a rematch," he added.

"You can count on it," said Jon.

As he returned to his side Robb, Bran and even Theon clapped him on the back in congratulations. "You were incredible," Robb remarked. "Indeed," added Theon.

On the bridge, Arya and Sansa smiled, grateful for how it turned out. As Arya turned to leave, she noticed Sansa looking at Roland with a gleam of admiration in her eyes.