Game of Thrones: Shot Through the Heart
Chapter 3 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
Reviews
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, glad you liked that part :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed, especially Jojen and the tree climbing part.
Bois Yeltsin; Thanks.
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 3
Bran smiled to himself as he once again entered the archery club. He spotted Meera who smiled at him and began to walk over.
"Hey Bran." She greeted him, cheerful as usual.
He replied, equally cheerful. "Hi Meera, what's up?"
She smiled as Bran got himself ready and then explained.
"I was watching the way you were training these past few days." She paused then added. "You're pretty good but there are some ways in which you can improve. If you like I could help you out."
Bran smiled at that. "I'd appreciate that, thanks."
He tried to ignore the strange, warm feeling in his stomach when he heard Meera had been watching him.
'Even though it was to check out my training; she was watching me, looking at me, I…' He suddenly caught his thoughts and shook his head. 'What am I thinking, what is wrong with me, focus Bran.'
Composing himself he picked up his bow and quiver and went to join Meera. Meera smiled as Bran approached, then suddenly found her thoughts going, unbidden, to her brother's words that day.
"Friends huh; you sure that's all, there isn't any…"
She bit her lip. 'I told Jojen he was being ridiculous; but maybe…Every time I look at Bran I feel, strange. I've also seen Bran looking at me and I feel…I don't know.'
She cleared her thoughts quickly however as Bran walked up next to her.
Bran stepped up to the firing point, looking out at the targets.
"Okay, ready to start?" He asked.
She nodded. "Yes of course; well, take aim."
He drew and arrow and notched it in the bow. He picked his target and took aim as she said.
"Change the width of your feet slightly; they're too far apart."
He did so and, glancing out the corner of his eye, noted her continued gaze. He tried to ignore the strange tingling sensation he felt, instead, trying to focus on her next instruction.
She nodded slowly. "Now, relax your bow arm a little."
He did so and when she nodded and smiled; he fired at the target. The arrow struck the target; dead centre.
Bran smiled widely as Meera laughed. "Better, much better, right?"
He nodded; hearing the murmurs from the rest of the class, all of them grinning.
"Thanks." He told her, truly grateful for her help.
They continued to practice, with Meera's guidance, Bran found himself vastly improving.
"You're getting quite good." She told him.
He smirked. "Thanks to you, maybe I'll even be better than you one day."
She laughed at that, playfully shoving his shoulder. "In your dreams silly."
Bran laughed too; trying to ignore the warm tingling that emanated from his shoulder where she had touched him.
'What is wrong with me; I keep acting like this?' He wondered quietly. 'I mean it's not as if I…or do I? No, that's silly, she's my friend and Jojen's sister.'
Despite telling himself this, the thoughts were still there, lingering in the back of his mind.
The rest of the lesson passed normally; Bran managing to focus again. Afterwards, once everything was packed away; he left, heading for home. As he was walking however, a car pulled up beside him. He turned as the window was lowered and saw it was Meera driving.
"Hey Bran; want a ride home?" She asked; giving him that same smile again.
Bran smiled back and nodded. "Are you sure it's okay, I mean, Winterfell's the complete opposite direction from Greywater Watch?"
Meera nodded back and replied. "Of course it's okay, I don't mind, get in."
So Bran got in the car and Meera drove off. He thought of the usually long walk to the bus stop, then the long wait for the bus that would take him to Winterfell. He turned to Meera.
"Thanks for this; you saved me a lot of trouble." He told her honestly.
She nodded; keeping her eyes on the road. "No worries; always glad to help out a friend."
Bran pondered her words and noted something he had learned lately about her. "You help out a lot of people I've noticed. What if there's someone who constantly requires your help? Doesn't that get frustrating?"
Meera shook her head and replied, smiling.
"Some people will always need help, that doesn't mean they're not worth helping."
"Interesting philosophy." Bran noted.
The rest of the ride was passed in companionable silence and when they reached Winterfell Bran thanked her again and got out the car. He watched her as she drove away and then; smiling to himself, entered the house.
The following day, at the archery club again; Bran approached Meera shortly after they started practicing.
"Meera; I was wondering, there's something I wanted to ask you." He told her.
She turned to him curious; he had been thinking about this all last night. He thought it a good idea and hoped she'd agree.
He cleared his throat and then asked. "I was thinking, about our archery, what would you say to a little friendly competition between us? Might help us improve and inspire us to do so."
Meera pondered Bran's words before smiling widely. "That's a great idea; okay then. Let's begin, shall we?"
Bran nodded, his enthusiasm climbing. They prepared themselves and began their little competition. The others in the club had noted this and a few of them smirked; some whispered together. It was clear to all of them, yet surprisingly not to the two themselves, that there was more than friendship between Bran and Meera. This little competition seemed to add to that. While the days passed and the competition continued; their skills improved; they also appeared to be closer and it was clear that, despite their obliviousness, they subconsciously were acknowledging their feelings. However it would take more than this to finally push them into fully realizing and accepting their feelings.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.