A/N: Hey guys, here is another Gendry/Arya fanfic that I'm starting. Hope you like it. It's going to take place mainly at Winterfell. Basically it's going to be a completely different storyline but with some references to characters and where they are etc. For example Ned Stark is not dead but Arya was still taken from Kingslanding and taken to Harrenhal. After Jaqen H'ghar helped them escape, Arya returned to Winterfell. She is unaware of what has happened to Hotpie and Gendry and that Gendry is Robert Baratheon's bastard. Arya, in this story, is about 16. Sorry if this bit doesn't make sense, I hope it does in the story. If I get anything wrong, please let me know and as always, review and follow! X
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Arya dreamt of Harrenhal. The victims screams reverberated in her ears, ceaseless and painful. She tossed and turned under her furs, little moans escaped her as she continued to dream. Disturbing thoughts filled her head, memories of times long past. Suddenly she woke with a jolt, screaming loudly enough to bring the roof down. Arya blinked wildly and gazed around her. She placed a cold hand on her head to find it clammy and slightly sweaty. Her breath came back to her gradually, and slowly returned to its normal pace.
Rickon, Arya's youngest brother, burst through her oak door. "What's the matter?" He asked eagerly. He was still young, but taller than her. "Nothing, I just had a bad dream." She replied. He left her alone to change from her nightclothes, into something more 'ladylike' which to Arya was a tunic, breeches, boots and of course: Needle, her sword. After she was dressed, she braided her hair down her back in a long plait, her hair was still growing from where Yoren had cut it half a year ago. With a confident gait, Arya wandered down to the main hall where her family were breaking their fast. As she walked in, her father gave her a warm smile. Her mother, however, shook her head at Arya's attire, as she always did.
Arya seated herself next to Bran. "Morning, brother." She said happily. Bran didn't reply. She punched in the arm and said "I'm talking to you!" He looked at her and mumbled a morning, but that was it. He was probably upset that he wasn't allowed to ride yesterday, they couldn't spare the men to keep an eye on him. His brothers had been busy and Arya, well she was practicing her Braavosi water dance. Nobody would dare to try and stop her doing that. Arya had never let Bran's legs get in the way of how she saw him. He was still her brother, and deserved to be treated the same.
Arya watched as her father stood up from his table, most of the people inside had finished breaking their fast and exited the hall to get on with the work outside. He came over to her and motioned for her to follow him. She cautiously got up, no doubt she'd done something that her mother didn't approve of. "Morning Arya, I need to speak with you, somewhere private." He said calmly. His voice brooked no argument.
"What have I done this time?" She asked. He walked infront of her and headed to the godswood. When he was by the heartree, he stopped. Her father turned to face her. "Arya, we have an important visitor arriving. I want you to treat them with the utmost respect, is that understood? I know what you're like with this fri...person. Most of all, I want you to look after them." She frowned at him but nodded.
"Who is this guest and why are you telling me? It's not like I'd slaughter them or anything, well...if it was Joffrey then-" Ned cut her off.
"It's not Joffrey, I can't tell you anymore and if I could then I would. Just promise me you won't say anything to your siblings about their arrival." Ned looked into Arya's eyes with a look of seriousness on his face. She may not know who this person is, but she would not go against her father or her word.
The morning after Arya's talk with her father, a guard cried out from the gate. The visitor had arrived on horseback. Arya was filled with anticipation as guards led the hooded figure into the courtyard. She saw her father wander over to the horse. Hushed whispers were passed between her father and the visitor. Quickly dismounting, the figure followed her father over to her and led them both into the hall. Arya threw suspicious glances towards the hooded figure. She was determined to at least get a glance of what they looked like, but all she could see was black. Her father told the guards that guarded the doors to make sure nobody entered the hall without his permission. Her father looked at Arya with an almost sympathetic look on his face. Almost. "Arya Stark, meet the heir to the
Iron Throne." The figure removed their hood and a mane of thick black hair replaced it. Arya gasped loudly "Gendry..."
