A Portentous Reunion?
Note: Greeting, fellow fan fiction readers – Just like thousands (millions?) of Gendrya shippers, I was excited and encouraged by the reunion scene of GoT Season 8 Episode 1. Arya was actually flirting with Gendry! Although I have two Gendrya fan fics screaming for my attention, my imagination has been demanding that I write my own treatment of what I hope will be the outcome of that hopeful meeting. I don't know what HBO has in store of us, but this is what I'd like to see.
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"You don't know any other rich girls."
This statement was delivered with a sweet little smile, and then the wolf girl quickly turned and abruptly left the noisy, dimly lit forge. But as he stared at her rapidly retreating form, Arya suddenly twirled around to face him again and directed a sly smirk in his direction, turned again and she was gone.
Gendry's face flushed with emotion, his heart beat faster, and he realized with a shock, The connection is still there!
The Hound had moved aside and there she was, watching Clegane leave, now calmly standing in front of him, the girl who was always on his mind, even after all these years of separation. Gendry was not surprised by her attire; she no longer attempted to masquerade as a squire. However her leathers were distinctly feminine and she had two blades shoved into her belt – her precious sword Needle and a wicked-looking curved dagger. Arya's expression was detached and guarded, the face of a tested warrior, giving away nothing.
She had been dark and impassive when she first spoke to him, requesting that he fashion a weapon for her, but her solemn face broke into a warm and radiant smile when he softly replied, "As you wish, milady," meant to recall all that they had shared so long ago. Her gaze had even dropped shyly at his words, which further endeared her to him.
Years ago, when Gendry saw her in that ridiculous dress at Acorn Hall, he may have laughed, but he knew then that she was the only woman for him. Arya was still a skinny child then, but he was confident that the brave and wily she-wolf would become a strong and self-sufficient young woman, if she survived the horrors she was forced to face. He had long mourned her loss and now Arya suddenly reappeared in his life. Gendry's hands began to sweat as he considered what that fact might imply.
He had said, "As you wish, milady," and to him the meaning was clear; it was a confession of love and he had no idea how the unemotional soldier who had first confronted him would take the declaration.
Gendry was confident that she did harbor feelings for him. Under the Hollow Hill, when Gendry had informed the girl that he intended to be knighted by Lord Beric and remain with the Brother's Without Banners, she had pleaded with him to stay by her side, finally giving up all her pride to beg with a pitiful and vulnerable countenance, "I could be your family."
Instead of acknowledging that they belonged together, he had refused her request, indicating that there could be nothing between them due to the difference in their stations. Upon reflection, that response was as foolish as his first remark to her now, "You look...good." Mayhaps he truly was a stupid bull!
But that was not all. Soon after their argument in the cave, Lord Beric 'sold' him to Lady Melisandre and Arya was obviously distraught as Gendry was bound in chains and tied to a cart. Boldly confronting the Red Woman, who towered over her smaller form, she had said, "You are going to hurt him," her voice filled with concern and anger. He was convinced that she still cared for him even after all those years apart. Gendry made the decision to plainly express his feelings at the first opportunity.
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Meanwhile, Arya was assessing her feelings. Meeting Gendry again had awakened long-buried sentiments of affection. She didn't quite understand or enjoy the turmoil in her mind, but she determined that after years of living with a hole in her heart, these new emotions thrilled her and she wanted to see Gendry again. The next morning, Arya went back to the forge. He welcomed her with a smile and flashing bright blue eyes, and she almost blushed, feeling her belly flip-flop in response.
The young smith demonstrated his progress with the construction of her weapon and then with a little hesitation, Gendry moved closer and stared into the stormy grey eyes he had always admired. Taking a deep breath, he boldly cupped her cheek with his large calloused hand, but she did not back away; instead she watched him curiously. Gendry nervously announced, "If we survive the coming war, I am going to ask your brother for permission to court you. Does this meet with your approval, milady?"
She was quiet for a moment, but then Arya smirked, "Ha! I would love to see the shock on his face when you do that!" The wolf girl paused for a moment and then continued in a more serious tone, "Gendry, I have been thinking too, and although I have never wanted or planned to wed anyone, I find that I am most pleased to see you again and wonder what it would be like to share our fortunes again as we did back then."
Gendry grinned widely with happiness and impulsively bent down to chastely kiss her lips. The bold she-wolf forcefully tried to deepen the kiss but the lad backed off, protesting, "Arya, that would not be proper!"
Smirking again, Arya teased, "Ah, and for a moment I thought you were getting some courage! I suppose that you will not even try to bed me now!" All Gendry could do was blush at her words, but he was most delighted with her reaction to his proposal.
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Arya was lost in thought up on the battlements as Sansa approached and observing her distraction, asked, "What is on your mind, sweet sister? I confess that I have never seen you in so peaceful a mood."
The younger Stark decided to answer her honestly, curious as to her older sister's reaction. "I kissed a boy who is in love with me," she ventured.
Sansa stared in shock as Arya went on to state that the boy was Gendry, the soldier and smith who had accompanied Jon into Winterfell. "We were friends long ago, escaping the wrath of the Lannisters together and helping each other to survive. Meeting him again made me realize how much I enjoy his company, and you would probably say that my unexpected feelings are the same as love."
"Arya, that is wonderful!" Sansa gushed, relieved to find something to be happy about.
"But Gendry worries about people objecting to us being together due to the difference of our stations," Arya added.
Sansa looked thoughtful for a moment and began to ponder out loud, "Jon has told me about this Gendry, and I know that he was knighted by Lord Beric Dondarrion. A knight is not the same as a lord, but there should no objection to you consorting with a Ser Gendry."
"He may not want to be a lord anyway, but he professes that he wants me."
Sansa nodded, "Well, that is the important thing anyway. Let us be honest, dear sister, the Night King may destroy all our hopes and dreams, so why not plan for something good? After all your troubles, you certainly deserve some happiness." Now she smiled, "I will talk to Jon. He will need to accept that you are not a babe anymore."
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That afternoon Arya returned to the forge. When Gendry stilled his hammer and cast an inquisitive expression in her direction, she said, "I have decided that I do want you as a part of my life, and if you spoke to Jon about courting me, I would demand his approval."
Gendry's smile became impossibly wide and his eyes sparkled. The young smith dropped his tools and seized Arya by the waist, initiating a deep tongue kiss, to which she immediately responded enthusiastically.
At that moment, Sandor Clegane entered the forge. Now that he possessed his own dependable weapon, the Hound wanted to make sure that the blacksmiths were still working hard to produce more swords. He wanted to survive the coming battle and hated that his life might depend on the soldiers around him, so he needed them all to be well-armed.
Sandor was startled to see Arya and Gendry embracing intimately, the girl pressing her breasts as close to the lad's chest as possible. The she-wolf was grasping the close-cropped hair on his shorn head with one hand, the other clutching his back, while desperately trying to swallow his tongue. Gendry was holding Arya's back tightly with one arm and the other was lower, close to her waist, and his fingers were twitching as though he would like to settle his hand on her arse but lacked the nerve.
Sandor chuckled, Well, it seems that the wolf girl is not as cold a bitch as I thought! The bastard smith is in for it now! I cannot wait to embarrass her in front of the little bird and her uptight brother! That will be hilarious! Lord Snow will be angry and the little bird will press me for details. Mayhaps I will mention it at dinner tonight. Grinning with anticipation at his intended jape, the Hound left the forge.
Arya and Gendry eventually broke their kiss, panting heavily, their eyes shining with pleasure. Gendry repeated the obvious, "So you will welcome my attention, milady?"
"Aye, with one condition," she replied with a smirk.
"One condition?" he sounded worried.
"You must let your hair grow out again. I cannot believe that no one has told you how awful your haircut looks, you stupid bull, and I need something to hold onto when I kiss you!"
Gendry bowed his head, "As my lady commands."
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Note:
I seem to gravitate towards fluff. If you are of the same mind, I suggest you read "His M'lady" by 13letters on AO3. That story also concerns Winterfell after the war and has a long slow burn, gets very romantic and eventually very hot.
And I must plug my favorite Gendrya treatment, written by my mentor and muse, lady3jane. "The Reluctant Bride" is an epic adventure, with humor and romance, and of course, great sex.