A/N Hey everyone! Overwhelmed that this has gotten so much attention; thank you all for reading/following/favouriting and thanks for all the encouragement in the reviews! Made me feel all warm and tingly. I've had a hectic week and you guys definitely kept me motivated to get this next chapter up asap. Sorry it still took so long _
"Arya," was all Gendry offered by way of a verbal greeting. Arya offered nothing.
Gendry smiled softly, briefly, at Arya before moving on to greet others in the courtyard. Arya stood frozen in place. She had needed to look up to look into his face, but not nearly as much as she had used to; she'd grown substantially since last they met. But his face… he'd aged, certainly, but it was still the very same one which her subconscious pulled into her dreams night after night. He was still the same man she'd prayed for along with her family every night for over a decade.
Her eyes followed him as he continued his greetings, but she was torn from her reverie when a tall figure stepped in front of her.
"Lady Stark," was the curt greeting.
"Brienne!" Arya's face cracked into a wide, unstoppable grin as she took in the woman before her. "How are you? How is Jaime?"
Although his various misdeeds had not been forgotten, Ser Jaime had long since been forgiven for them. During the Battle of King's Landing he had chosen his side, and chosen well; he'd stood against his family, with the exception of Lord Tyrion who stood with him, and sworn his allegiance to Gendry, Robb and Daenerys. Many believed it to simply be a ploy to save his life, however Brienne and now the Starks knew the truth: it was an attempt to repent for his many sins, something he would never stop doing for the rest of his life. A Lannister always pays his debts, after all.
He had since proven himself repeatedly to be loyal and useful and, some two years ago now, he had convinced Lady Brienne of Tarth (with the help of a Sapphire ring, of course) to join his hand in marriage.
Brienne smiled back briefly at Arya's warm welcome. "I am well. We are both well. Jaime would have accompanied me here but he has recently taken up a post at a newly established school. He is teaching history and politics." Pride was evident in her voice as she spoke.
"Oh, was that the new one on the west side of King's Landing?"
"That is correct. Lord Tyrion is already planning the next one, however His Highness insisted on his presence during this visit." She nodded towards where Lord Tyrion and Shae, his wife, and now a Lady, were deep in conversation with Lady Sansa and her husband. "Much like Jaime, he takes his duties seriously and has not taken a break in over a decade. It will be good for him." Brienne allowed herself another small smile.
The schools had been her brother-in-law's brainchild and his own wife was proud of him for it also. It had taken him a few years to find the funding in the budget – the city itself had needed to be rebuilt almost from the ground up, after all – but it was something he believed in. Being Master of Coin didn't hurt either. Lord Tyrion had put forward the proposal that education would lead to a significantly more productive population and in turn would raise everybody's quality of life. So far his theory had been correct. Many adults had learnt new skills or trades and all children were taught to read and write along with many other practical skills from a young age. King's Landing and indeed all seven kingdoms were thriving.
Arya was on the verge of inquiring if Lady Brienne had time to assist in the building of the schools around her duties as head of the Kingsguard when Robb's voice rang out across the courtyard.
"My guests, my friends, my brothers," he began.
"And sisters," both Arya and Sansa simultaneously corrected him, sharing a mischievous grin between them.
"And sisters," Robb amended good-naturedly. "The King and his companions will be weary from their travels. Let them be shown to their chambers. We shall reconvene at sundown for the feast!" There were cheers from the crowd as the people dispersed and both Royal parties retreated inside.
And the feeling I forget
I'm in love now
Arya sighed as she finished dressing for the feast. Tonight she wore a simple charcoal coloured dress along with her fur cloak. Of course, Winterfell was not stuck in its eternal Winter any longer; it was early Autumn and warm outside at that, but the cloak was a comfort of home that Arya enjoyed.
Her dress had none of the fancy embroidery and layered skirts her sister was so fond of; she still hated dressing up, just as she had as a child. At least now she was able to choose her own clothing. Practicality was what she always went for these days, and the knives on her thigh and in her shoe were well hidden by the floor length skirt of her gown.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Lady Stark attempted a smile. Unfortunately, it more resembled a grimace and she sighed once more. After putting a simple clip in her hair she turned her back on her reflection and exited the room.
She was halfway down the hallway when another door opened, slightly behind her.
"Arya?" A voice enquired and she turned, already having identified its owner.
"Your Highness," Arya spoke to Gendry for the first time since his arrival, inclining her head.
"That's 'Gendry' to you, M'lady," he retorted, unable to hide a small grin. It made his face look less weathered and weary; for a second he looked young and boyish, just as he did in Arya's memory. Her chest tightened and a feeling came over her then. It was one she could not place and could not remember having felt before, yet knew instinctively that she had. She took a deep breath and shook it off.
"Gendry," she amended curtly, "where is your guard? Lady Brienne?"
"At the end of the hallway," he indicated briefly, "and Lady Brienne requested permission to visit your Mother's grave." Arya blinked but gave no other indication that she was affected by the mention of her Mother. She was a master at keeping her face straight.
Before the silence became awkward, Gendry spoke once more. "I was just on my way to the feast. Would you accompany me?" He closed the door behind him fully and held out his arm.
With no polite way to decline, Arya held back yet another sigh and took it. She could already feel that it was going to be a long night and it would take the majority of her self-control to get through it.
Hope you liked it! Let me know what you think?
This kind of in-between chapter was a bit tough to get out, but I have the next few chapters all planned so, work permitting, they shouldn't take as long!
There was no new episode this week? What's going on? :(
