It is a great crime to lie to a king - Eddard III

"It is a great crime to lie to a king"

The events that occur in this chapter are important for the analysis of the next chapter.

Arya is found by Eddard's men, but the Lannister men at the gate inform the Queen. She's brought directly before King Robert to talk about what occurred between her and Joffrey.

The royal party is held up in Castle Darry, which is an important point for the next Bran chapter. Castle Darry is "a modest holdfast a half day's ride south of the Trident." It's lord, Ser Raymun Darry, fought for Rhaegar, so there is considerable tension with the Lannisters, Starks, and Darry men all crammed into the small castle. 

Ned enters the audience chamber, asks what's going on, and studies the faces of the men present. He notices that both Jaime and Sandor are missing, leading searches north of the Trident.

There is some bickering, then Robert says to Arya, "Now, child, you will tell me what happened. Tell it all, and tell it true. It is a great crime to lie to a king."

Arya gives her account of the events that brought her there. She tells them truthfully. Joffrey goes after her and gives a completely different account of what happened.

Ned knew Arya was truthful because he was told by Sansa. "Ned had heard her version of the story the night Arya had vanished. He knew the truth."

When Sansa is brought forth to testify, she suddenly has no memory of the events. This is the moment that I began to hate Sansa, but I suppose I understand it. She's infatuated with this Prince who just gave an opposing account of what happened between him and her sister. She tried to remain neutral as she glanced between the two of them. 

Feigning ignorance was a lie though, and it is a great crime to lie to a king. Cersei wants Arya's direwolf punished, but the wolf is not present. Cersie mentions that there is a wolf present though, Sansa's Lady. 

Sansa pleads for her wolf. "All Ned could do was take her in his arms and hold her while she wept."

Ned asks Robert to be the one to swing the sword. Robert leaves without saying anything. Cersei asks for Ilyn Payne. Ned says that he will do it himself. When asked why by Cersei, Ned says, "She is of the north. She deserves better than a butcher." I can't help but think that Ned is also thinking about Arya practicing stick-fighting with a butcher's boy. He doesn't yet know about Needle, but perhaps he is already considering her wild ways. 

No sooner after the deed is done Ned gives a command to have the wolf's bones buried at Winterfell and the Hound returns with Mycah dead on his shoulder.