Game of Thrones: Fading Scars

Chapter 1 of a new Game of Thrones story, a modern AU, hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.


Chapter 1

It was relatively quiet in the diner, despite it being lunch time. But that suited the seventeen year old brown haired, grey eyed girl perfectly. The girl's name was Arya Stark, the youngest daughter and third child of Eddard Stark, Governor of the North, and his wife Catelyn Stark. She wasn't alone in the diner either; with her was a man of twenty-two with shaggy thick black hair and blue eyes.

He was noticeably tall and muscular, in great contrast to Arya, who was no more than five foot one and skinny. The man's name was Gendry Waters, he was Arya's boyfriend. That was something that came as quite a surprise to many, as Arya's parents were part of high society, Gendry was from the opposite end, living in the deprived, crime ridden Flea Bottom slums of King's Landing, Westeros' capital city.

Yet truthfully, neither of them cared about each other's status; in fact, they loved each other simply for who they were and never judged. Which was more than could be said for the people her parents originally tried to set her up with, they expected her to be more like her older sister, feminine and gentle. But that wasn't Arya; she was just the opposite, brash, impulsive, with a short fuse. Before it was considered an outdated term, she would have been classed a tomboy. It was those very things, the things that scared away or irritated the other boys; that attracted Gendry to her.

She smiled as she thought of that; what she wouldn't give for one of the other government big shots that her father worked with to see her now. The look on their face would be priceless. Here she was, daughter of a well-liked and well-known politician, yet she was clad in torn jeans, a plain grey tank-top and black combat boots. Certainly not designer brands like Sansa favoured.

Gendry was clad in similar jeans, with a black T-shirt, although he wore plain white sneakers instead of boots. He was smiling at her and she returned it, having just finished eating she reached across and took his hand. Being the way she was, Arya wasn't one for open displays of affection, but she made exceptions on occasion. Gendry nodded gently and Arya, using her other hand to brush some hair behind her ear gently squeezed his hand.

Another thing that differed between Arya and her sister was their hair, and not just the colour. Sansa always wore her hair long, occasionally tying it back, or braiding it, Arya insisted on having her hair short, level with her chin. They sat in silence for a while, until finally Arya broke the silence.

"It's hard to believe it's been two years huh?" She remarked; that was when they had started dating.

Gendry nodded. "I know, so much has changed since then…I'm glad your family accepts us now."

Arya bit her lip. "Yeah, tell me about it; all that time wasted, because they couldn't accept things…they kept on trying to fight us, there were so many arguments."

"True, but now things are better, right?" Gendry replied.

Arya nodded; he was right, things were indeed better.

Arya observed Gendry, chewing on her lip as she noticed he seemed perturbed by something.

"What's on your mind?" She asked. "Don't say nothing, I can tell something is bothering you."

Gendry sighed and shook his head. "You know me too well Arry. It's just…I'll be going to the Baratheon's for dinner tonight…"

Arya nodded; she could see how that could cause problems. While Gendry and his mother lived in Flea Bottom, they were still far from destitute. Gendry's father did what he could to provide for them, his father being none other than Westeros' President, Robert Baratheon.

Arya knew right away what the issue was. "You're worried about going, knowing that Cersei will be there?"

Gendry nodded; Cersei was Robert's wife. "I just; I hate the thought of offending her, but I can't think how to decline, especially on such short notice."

Arya nodded, understanding his dilemma. "You'd…met Cersei before right?"

"Yeah, she…came to the garage once, to get her car fixed." He replied awkwardly. "She kinda realized who I was, and I realized who she was…almost at once."

Arya winced. "How did it go?"

Gendry shook his head. "I felt bad for her, sorry…I did the job and, only charged half-price, my way of trying to make it up to her I guess."

"She's a smart woman, she may not like what you represent, but what you did, I'm sure that'll make her appreciate you as a person. It'll be fine Gendry, I promise."

Gendry smiled and thanked her and together they paid for their meal and left the diner.

Arya smiled to herself as she headed up the steps to her house. She opened the door and headed inside.

"Arya."

She turned from closing the door and smiled when she saw her mother, forty-two year old Catelyn Stark was standing there. Despite her aid, Catelyn's auburn hair had no hint of grey; her blue eyes were warm as they observed her younger daughter. Arya was the only child of Eddard and Catelyn Stark to inherit her father's hair and eye colour, the rest all inherited their mother's.

"Where did you get to Arya, you never left a note, never told us?" Catelyn asked; she sounded concerned.

Arya smiled. "I was just out to lunch with Gendry, mum."
Catelyn nodded; while there were no further arguments or complaints, she still had a few doubts regarding Gendry. But she could not deny, she was happy with him. As Arya headed upstairs Catelyn considered the changes.

'Arya is so much better now, more behaved, so different from how she was in the past.' She thought to herself. 'Gods, I was so…worried when I heard that time, that time she was arrested for vandalism, but that all seems to be in the past now.'

With a happy sigh, Catelyn returned to the kitchen. Arya headed upstairs; still smiling as she recalled her lunch with Gendry and hoped he would be alright tonight at the Baratheon house.


End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.