(The Pied Piper AU. Arya Stark. Mentions of violence, angst, semi-kidnapping?? The original English version of the story is traced back to Richard Verstegan, but it has been adapted by many other authors, like The Brothers Grimm.)

Arya sat across from the village elder and his council. Breathing deeply, she crossed her legs and pretended to examine her nails as her gloves balanced on her lap. She was, for lack of a better word, bored. She'd been summoned to this little village and instead of getting right to the point, the council was skirting around the issue.

"Are you going to get to the point any time soon? There were a dozen other villages I passed on the way here that I'm certain would have problems that I can handle for them," Arya stated. She'd had enough of the small talk. The elder cleared his throat and nodded.

"Very well. We have a problem. Bandits come into our village every week. They steal whatever they can. Food, livestock, gold, jewelry. Anything even remotely of value. Our village is not the poorest in the kingdom, but we cannot continue accepting these loses. And those rats will probably come again tonight." Arya fought down a smile. Bandits she could handle. Bandits were fun.

"I can guarantee you that you will no longer have to suffer these bandits. After tonight, they will never come again." The council looked relieved, making Arya smirk as she continued, "For the price of 300 silver pieces, as agreed in our letters." A soft unanimous sound of disapproval echoed through the room. Clearly the elder hadn't informed his council of everything. Arya uncrossed her legs and sat forward a bit.

"This is no small task and it is dangerous. I will do what you ask, but I will be paid what I am owed. No matter what. But, as a show of good faith, I will rid you of your bandits first. I expect my payment tomorrow morning. 300 silver pieces." Arya stood, slipped her gloves back on, and left the room to find a place at the inn until nightfall. Did she feel bad? A little. But a girl's gotta eat and Arya traveled everywhere doing this sort of thing. Money didn't last long.

It didn't take long after nightfall for the sound of screams to reach Arya's ears. Grinning to herself, Arya grabbed up her weapons that included a long, thin blade (she'd named it Needle) gifted to her by her cousin and an ornate dagger that was a gift from her sister. She ran outside and was nearly run over by one of the villagers. She ushered them inside then came face-to-face with the expected group of bandits.

The first part was easy. Arya never had any problem getting men to underestimate her. She was a small young woman and didn't look like she'd be able to take on one grown man, let alone the six of them. She could, and did, easily get them to follow her outside the village to a nearby forest where a deep, thick swamp was. The next part was a little more difficult, but that was the part Arya loved best. Ridding the world of scum that took advantage of those weaker than them.

By the time the sun peaked over the horizon again, Arya was making her way back to the village. Her muscles ached and she was splattered with blood, but the job was done. No more bandits. When she reached the village, Arya made the decision to return to the inn and clean herself up and get some sleep before demanding her payment from the council.

Arya woke a couple of hours later and went to the council chambers. The members of the council all wore an expression of fear mixed with stubbornness. Arya didn't even bother sitting in the chair they had provided for her. Instead, she stood, hands clasped behind her back. "My payment?" The elder cleared his throat.

"You must understand...when we promised you that money, we didn't know what else to do. We had to stop the bandits. The bandits are gone and you can move on to a village that will be willing to pay you your hefty fee. We cannot and will not."

A dark cloud came over Arya's face. "Is that right?" The elder met her gaze and nodded, though she could still see the fear in his eyes. Arya's hand went into her pouch. The council instantly stiffened until Arya pulled out a small flute of sorts. It didn't look like much, but it seemed to give off an aura of pure evil. Arya sighed heavily.

"I hate doing this, but you've left me no choice. I told you that I would be paid what I am owed. Since you have you refused, you will still pay. Only you will not pay with money. No, you will pay with your village's children. Until I am paid what I am owed, I will return every year and take more children of the village with me. You will never know where they go or if they are even alive." Without another word, Arya left, the flute gripped in her fist.

Once outside, Arya put the flute to her lips and began playing a gentle tune. At first, people looked at her like she was mad. The council had followed her out and nearly began laughing at her. But then, as if under a magic spell, all the children came wandering away from their homes and parents. They crowded around the young woman before, much to the parents' dismay, the children followed Arya out of the village and into the nearby forest, never to be seen again.

The elder and the council didn't believe Arya's threat was genuine. They were certain that she would return the children by nightfall that evening. She didn't. Still, the village held up hope that the children would be returned. Year after year passed and they waited. Eventually, the villagers began to lose hope and pressured the council to pay the young woman. The council never listened.

Arya was never paid and, true to her word, every year, more children went missing. Year after year after year after year. The council died off. New council members were appointed from outside the village. They never paid Arya either. The same cycle continued on for nearly 20 years until one year, no children when missing.

Many people said Arya had disappeared. Some said shefinally gave up. More people thought she'd died. No one knew what happened toher and no one asked. Her story became a legend. Then only a story. A fairytalethe villagers told their children to get them to behave. Yet there are stillsome that believe the Bandit-Banishing Piper is still around and is simplybiding her time.