The camp was settled near the banks of a shallow river. The smell of woodsmoke and roasting meat filled the air but Link could not relax. He watched Arya slip away toward the woods with Mycah the butcher's son. They were heading toward the water to practice with their wooden sticks.
Link did not follow them immediately. Instead he waited by the edge of the royal tents. He saw Joffrey and Sansa walking together. Joffrey looked smug while Sansa looked at him with adoring eyes. They were heading in the same direction as Arya.
[Status: Alert]
[Crisis Event Imminent: Conflict at the Trident]
Link began to move. He kept to the tall grass and the shadows of the trees while staying parallel to the royal couple. He could hear Joffrey's voice. The Prince was bragging about his sword Lion's Tooth while Sansa giggled at his every word.
They reached the clearing by the river. Arya and Mycah were there. The sound of their wooden sticks clacking together echoed off the water.
"Pick it up Arya" Mycah laughed while dodging a swing. "You are getting slow."
Joffrey stepped into the clearing and his face twisted into a sneer. "What have we here? A peasant boy hitting a highborn lady?"
Sansa gasped and pulled at Joffrey's arm. "They are only playing Joffrey. It is just a game."
Joffrey ignored her. He drew his steel sword. The blade caught the orange light of the setting sun. "I think I should teach this butcher boy a lesson. Pick up your stick boy. Defend yourself."
Mycah went pale and dropped his wooden stick. "Please My Lord. We were only playing."
Joffrey stepped forward and touched the point of his steel blade to Mycah's cheek. A thin line of blood appeared. Arya let out a cry of rage and swung her wooden stick at Joffrey's head.
This was the moment. In the original timeline Arya would hit Joffrey and then Nymeria would bite his arm.
Load
Link reset the world to three minutes prior.
He was back near the tents. This time he did not wait. He stepped directly into the path of Joffrey and Sansa before they could reach the clearing.
"My Prince" Link said while bowing low. "Lord Stark is looking for the Lady Sansa. He wishes for her to return to the carriage before dark."
Joffrey looked at Link with pure annoyance. "The King's son goes where he pleases guard. Move aside."
"Of course My Prince" Link said while remaining in his way. "But the woods are not safe at this hour. My Lord Stark was very firm."
Sansa looked confused. "Father did not say anything to me Link."
"He told me just a moment ago My Lady" Link lied smoothly. "He seemed quite concerned."
Joffrey stepped closer to Link and his hand went to his sword hilt. "You are the one who saved bran. The one who thinks he is a hero. Do you want to find out what happens to guards who give orders to a Prince?"
Link kept his face neutral. "I give no orders. I only relay the wishes of the Hand of the King."
Joffrey let out a huff of disgust. "Fine. Take her back. I have better things to do than listen to a grey dog bark."
Joffrey turned and walked back toward the King's tent. Sansa looked disappointed but she followed Link back toward the Stark camp.
Link felt a surge of relief. He had prevented the meeting. Mycah was safe. The wolves were safe.
But as he walked Sansa back he felt a cold chill. He looked toward the river. He saw a shadow moving in the trees. It was the Hound. Sandor Clegane had been watching the whole time.
The Hound stepped out from behind a tree and stared at Link. His burned face was twisted into a grimace.
"You think you are clever" the Hound rasped. "You think you can stop the world from turning just by standing in the way."
"I do what I can" Link replied.
"The Prince does not like being told no" the Hound warned. "He will find another way to bleed someone tonight. And next time I might not let you stand in the middle."
Link watched the Hound walk away. He had won this loop but he knew the tension was only growing. Joffrey was like a spoiled child with a torch and the caravan was a pile of dry hay.
.….
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction.
I wanted to let you know that I'll be releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
15 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
30 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!