Sins of Remembrance Chapter four: Roar of the Dawn
AN: this chapter nearly drove me insane; I had to re edit and almost completely rebuild it six times. Pray for me.
Quick FYI: I'm introducing two small retcons. Arya is now 15 and Gendry is now 16. I realised having a 17 year old. While I still do not plan to have them do anything until they are both 16, I now realise that having a 13/14 and 17 year old having the hots for each other and even fanaticising about each other. Was Beyond creepy. Why I didn't think of this at the outset of this fan fiction, I have no idea but I will be going back to the older chapters to fix their ages. So you can expect those in the New Year if you care to re read them.
2ed retcon, not really a ret con per say more just cleaning house as it where. Im going to fix the time line of events. As I've come to believe I've being too inconsistent with how time flows in this fan fiction. Not that it's much better in the show as before season seven it was vague at best but once they got to putting time stamps and time limitations on certain things like the iron back going to Cersei and then Jamie and his army travelling to high garden, tacking it and coming back all within two weeks is insane. Innless everyone became the flash or quicksliver.
So this will be my time line of events from season one going forth starting with king Roberts arrival at winter fell.
A week spent at Winter Fell, than Minimum three more on the road before cross roads inn and Nymeria's attack of shit face magee. Than another two weeks to get to kings landing. Meaning a trip to and from Winter feel to king landing is one mouth and one maybe weeks on the kings road. It likely takes longer off road.
Anywhere up from seven to eight mouths spent at kings handing. Considering that Danny was not only able to get married and become Pregnant but carry the child to the point where it could be safely removed from her when she miscarriages. This happens near the end of the session. (note that i don't have the best knowable of babys but the Witch held the child so, 7 to 8 mouths seems reasonable)
Ned likely gets betrayed by little maybe a little before then or during that time. Id guess he spent two weeks in the cells as he was still alive when robb gets the message. And Ned is unlikely to brake in anything less than two weeks. Which means ayra was on the streets for about the same time give or take.
And now we come to the only part anyone will car about three weeks on the road for Arya and Gendry.
I don't own Game of thrones, or a song of ice and fire. I own nothing save my own delusions.
ROAR OF THE DAWN
Those that had though, choice or circumstance made up the troop of would be Night watch recruits did their best to huddle into the large windmill they had stumbled upon. Even as they were haunted by the strange cries of some nocturnal beast or bird haunted a band of warily travellers that was suddenly and without warring silenced.
Small pitiful fires had being lit within the weathered structure to offer some form of relief and warmth as none among them had escaped being soaked through to the bone by the perverse day's unwelcome rain storm. Little if any thought was given to the wispy pillars of smoke that wafted and rose from the building door and few windows. The tired troop had give more thought to their, own comfit than any other concern. To this end they searched high and low for the means to bring forth more means of creature comfits and this dictation had being rewarded.
A few among their number had managed to find sting, rope and hooks either among the cargo carried with in the caravans and wagons that were meant to supply them in their trek through the lands of men to what was meant to be their final destination. The Wall which guarded those same realms from the horrors of the true North, form the lands of always winter. Or were boons from the windmill itself, which as chance would have it still had some supples that the wet, tired and hungry men found themselves extremely grateful for.
A few dozen jars of pickled and preserved fruits and vegetables along with some more sheets and other odds and ends where found in a small storage basement. The food at the very least had being shared out more or lease equally so nearly everyone had something to eat that wasn't soggy bread or dry cheese. However the other items had being horded by those that could keep a hold of them, as if they were just as precious as gold.
Which in this insurance they nearly were as those with rope, string and sheet in hand had set out to use what they had gathered as make shift clothes lines or put them to other uses. Some among their number had even being daring enough to hang their soaking cloths over the small fires they had managed to set, to not only dry themselves and their belongings but provide some merger warmth though these where few and far between. Most had to make do with either fire or makeshift cloths line but not both.
Before the hour was out the inside of the windmill was a chaotic labyrinth of make shift cloths lines and small gatherings of men huddling close to each other. Protecting the little they had form the roving gazes and wants of those that desired want they had. Animosity and envy rose like the smoke of the small puttering fires that belong to each group and the air became thick with hostility. Murmured plans that were whispered between comrades drifted in the Smokey air becoming indistinct from their sources.
If it was not for their, own exhaustion and distrust in their fellows there would have being no doubt that the little cohesion and common interest these wayward souls had forged in the time they had none each other would have shattered like glass. All it would take would be one insult, glare or accusation went too far and the fighting would start.
However as hours passed and the night dragged on, the watchful gazes and murmured conspires wavered, faulted and then died.
At least for tonight there would be no fights but still the slurries would not be forgotten, that dangerous mix of envy and ego would continue to boil just under the surface waiting.
XXX
Gendry felt the collective mood of his fellow night watch recruits flare and ebb as the night dragged on. While to mood had eased he could not dispel the growing unease that seemed to fall about him like a heavy shroud. Something his small group of friends had picked up on, despite his attempts to reassure them, that the gathering of runaways, orphans and the unwanted was not a wild fire waiting to happen.
In any other circumstance he may have considered the discovery of the Wind mill and the small hamlet to have seen a gods send. Now however he reconsidered that in reality it had only added kindling to the growing hostilities. As before on the road the different groups hadn't being cramped together, nor had they being able to stew in the resentments and snide comments made by their fellows. Those at least would normally have never reached their ears but know crammed in as they were, insult, jab and insinuation fed upon each other.
'At least nothing is likely to happen tonight' Gendry tried to reassure himself that everyone was too cold, wet and tired to start a fight that would sorely shatter the bond of their unlikely brotherhood but who knew what the dawn would bring. He shook his head and concentrated on the small blessings they, managed to acquire rather than the curses.
A decently long rope first among them Hot pie, Lommy and himself followed the example set by the older men had hung over their small fire and the cloths they were willing to shed were pegged so they may dry faster.
Arya had for obvious reasons not fallowed the leads of her friends and instead had slipped away from the gathering with the excuse of having to make her water. Whether or not this was the truth or his friend had killed two birds with one stone. Gendry could not say, as when the young Stark girl had returned about an hour passed when she said she would.
The reason why she did not return as promptly as she said she would, was clear for all to see when she made her entrance. She had five fish speared on her sword, Needle. Four of which she gave away to some of the other groups which promised to return her generosity or simply thanked her as she made her way to their small group, the last she kept for their group.
Despite his normally cautious attitude when it came to Arya's flaunting, Gendry found himself grateful for this second boon.
Though he was not alone in that as Hot Pie had being quite ecstatic about the prospect of fresh food, especially meat. However being the glutton that Hot Pie was, the plump boy had asked Arry, why he had given so much of his own hard won bounty away.
Arry's answerer was direct and to the point as he explained that not only would the four groups he had given fish over to, would now be far less hostile to one another which would decrease the fracturing of the caravan of night watch recruits as a whole. Which was needless to say another boon and Gendry found himself, agreeing with Arry's reasoning even if he offered a word or two of caution. Hot Pie grumbled a half hearted agreement as he set about the task of preparing the fish along with their small ration of preserved fruits and vegetables.
XXX
With their meal of a few preserved fruits and fish finished, a little too quickly for anyone to be truly full.
Arya especially still felt quite hungry had gotten even though she had gotten the lion's share of the meal. She conceded this was likely due the fact that she had having missed her morning meal. She offered to go out again in order to try and find her group something else to eat though she found her conviction in the prospect somewhat lacking. It was unlikely she could find anything thing as good as the fish, if she went out for a seconded time and even if she tried her luck with fishing again she doubted she would get anything bigger than a minnow as no doubt she would have spooked all the larger older fish that made their homes in the small river that ran through the hamlet.
Having picked up on her own reluctance, without missing a beat Gendry reinforced the idea that any feather effort on her part to find more food would likely be a wasted effort something both Hot Pie and Lommy agreed with after a fashion. Arya felt a small slight smile fill her face at the bull headed blacksmiths attempers at persuading the other two members of their small group. Something she pocked Gendry about much to her own amusement as he blustered.
Hot Pie had to roll his eyes as Arry and Gendry began to tease each other for what was probably the fourth time today. He finished licking his fingers clean before releasing a long suffering sigh. He cleared his throat dawning the bickering pair's attention towards him. "Arry, Gendry could you two please give it a rest? You've be at each other's throats all day" he told them his normally placid tone hitched in aggravation "and beside's I'm full" Hot Pie lied he was always hungry, it was part of the reason he had being kicked onto the streets. "What about you Lommy?" Hot Pie asked nudging his far thinner friend in the ribs, "Are you sick of these two?" Lommy every the follower nodded into agreement.
"Sorry you two" Gendry addressed his plump and thin friend's. "I know Arry and I can get a little intense"
Despite herself Arya felt a blush colour her cheeks and looked away shyly. "I suppose we can ease off for the rest of the night" she added a little put out by being called out on her and Gendry's conversations.
"Well that's good enough, I guess" Hot Pie agreed his normal claim natural reasserting itself "But since you two are probably going to stay up a little longer could you keep an eye on mine and Lommy's clothes." He asked indicating his baggy woollen over shirt, apron, shoes and Lommy's tan jerkin and shoes that dangled from their acquired rope.
"Sure thing" Gendry agreed as he spared the clothes a glance.
With their friend's reissuance, Hot Pie and Lommy soon fell asleep leaving Gendry and Arya among the few that where awake in the entire Windmill.
XXX
Arya couldn't stop a small playful smirk pulled at the corners of her lips as she spent the next half hour watching Gendry go from keeping an watchful eye on the clothes he and his friends had hung over the fire. To his attention wondering as he yawned and began to nod off while he sat in a rather unconfutable position, his right leg stretched out towards their merger fire, the left bent upright. His head resting in the palm of his right hand as the elbow of his right arm dug into his hip.
She watched as his right elbow slipped off his hip couseing him to snap awake with an almost comical expression of bewilderment on his face. Unbidden a playful, giggle escaped her. "Sorry about that" Arya said somewhat apologetically though she was unable to keep the amusement form her voice which had become soft and wispy as she lay sprawled out. Her head resting in her hands as her shoeless feet rested above her ass, her shoes being the one article of clothing she had hung from above her group's fire. A look of pure amusement had replaced her normally stoic expression.
"I bet you are" Gendry grumbled quietly as he yawned.
Arya shook her head, as another small giggle escaped from her eroding her Northern composer. She couldn't help but be amused at Gendry's reaction as she hadn't met anyone as moody as Gendry since Jon had left for the wall. She titled her head as she thought of her brother and couldn't help but feel a stab of bitterness in her heart. While the two of them had always gotten on far better than any of their other siblings his constant brooding even got on her nevus on occasion and in the months before King Robert's arrival and Jon's decision to go off and join the Watch. He and become even more withdrawn and moody so much so that it had often felt like she had to walk on egg shells around him. However with Gendry it was different.
She wasn't sure how or why but he was, Gendry had the nearly the stern moody outlook on the world that Jon did. However where Jon never relented in being miserable, Gendry did relent. When she would make a comment that would have made Jon sulk or mope, Gendry would smile and return her jabs with casual ease. He was brighter and more outgoing quick to laugh and quicker still to give as good as he got. Sure he had his moods, she supposed that was just the default with the men in her life but where Jon and even her father and brothers would dwell and become sour Gendry never did. He reminded her of Kind Robert in that way as quick to anger but quicker to forgive.
Unbidden her heart started flatter as her gaze wondered down from his board handsome face, deep stormy blue eyes and coal back hair all impressive features in their own right. Too linger on his impressive pecks and abbs she could easily see though his still damp under shirt. She chewed her lip as her gaze reluctantly travelled down to his navel and belly button which where naked to the air due to the fact that his under shirt had ridden up. 'What in seven hells, is wrong with me?' she asked herself silently as she tried to hid the reddish hue that had coloured her face. "You know if you go to sleep like that" She sputtered "You'll be stiffer than a plank when dawn comes." Arya's started softly a hint of affection in her voice as she watched Gendry awkwardly stretch.
"You make a compelling argument" Gendry agreed with a tired nod as he struggled to get up.
With far greater easy Arya pushed herself off the dirty floor, a teasing smirk pulling at her pail lips "Oh using big words now are we?" Arya told him with a small but genuine chuckle.
'Show off' Gendry thought to himself as he watched Arya get up and stench with all the ease of a lazy house cat. His eyes were instantly drawn to the two round mounds of flesh that where her breasts as they were pulled slightly upward by her stretching. The bind she wore under her undershirt having loosened though her activities. Not for the first time today, Gendry felt his bastard's blood rush down his manhood. He shifted his gaze toward the fire and tried to clear his mind, though he found he could help but look at her though the corner of his eye. "You're very rude, has anyone ever told you that?" He grumped as he gathered up his few belongings and tried to stand.
"It's being mentioned once or twice" Arya admitted as she tried to restrain herself from being amused by Gendry's attempts to stand only for his legs to give way under him, making him fall on his ass.
"Not a word Arry...Not a god's dammed word!" Gendry muttered.
"I'm not saying anything" she told him as she tried to cover up a giggle that slipped past her tightly pressed lips. Though Gendry must have caught it as his expression soured and met her gaze with his own, which was every bit as fierce as the name sake of the helm he carried. She slowly walked over and helped him regain some dignity 'Though that might a futile task' she thought bemused unaware of that her face had had become flushed as he reached out his hand and clasped her offered one and began to lift himself off the ground.
"I would ask why you even tried to stand up when?" Arya inquired as she helped gather up a few of his merger belongings, not that there were many. An old hanky he used to clean his bull helm, a few cobber coins and a brush. She made a mental note to ask if she could use it later. While she may not have being as fussy about her looks as Sansa or their mother would have liked but she was getting really tired her hair getting all knotted up or constantly finding twigs and other natural debris getting tangled with in her dark locks. Last but not least his bull helm, its slivery surface covered by the outlines of dried rain droplets. "When all you had to do was lay down near the fire, we do have ourselves a nice spot" she told him indicated the area she and the others of their small band had managed to clam for themselves.
A section of curved wall, a window two meters above where they had laid there clam which not only let in fresh air but also allowed the wispy white smoke from not only their fire but the others, escape into the night.
His hackles rose in Irritation at the amusement Arya found in his embarrassment "You make a valid point mi lady" Gendry agreed, keeping a scowl from his face. When she didn't immediately respond to his gab, he noticed two things. The first she was biting her lip as she likely thought of some clever comeback if the concentration on her face was anything to go by meaning her addition was elsewhere. Second she still holding onto his hand despite the fact he was now standing without her assailant. Eager to get one over her an idea birthed in his mind and before he could fully think it though he found himself acting on it. He quickly put his free right hand on the small of her back and mimicking one of the moves she had used on him this morning by the side of the river, he snuck his left foot behind her feet. "So why don't we both lie down, right now!" he exampled as he then leaned his full weight on her, pushing her into a back word's stumble
"What!" Arya squawked as she felt herself fall back words but thanks to Gendry's hand on the small of her back it wasn't a completely uncontrolled fall and she came to rest rather peacefully on the ground.
Not for the first time today Gendry found himself kneeling just above Arya. This time however one hand rested on the ground beside her head the other trapped beneath her body. Not for the first time today he straddled his five and ten year old friend. However this time she wasn't trying to prove her straight to him, this time she was wriggling and trashing trying to gain an upper hand in an unnecessary fight. She was just staring up at him, something deep and primal soldered with in her steel grey eyes as her chest heaved up and down in quick secession, her bind having nearly completely unravelled, he could clearly see the outline of her breasts though her still damp clothes. Though now they where unrestrained he got the impression that they were about half the size of a large apple.
Arya felt her breath catch as his sent filled her nostrils'. He smelled distinctly of smoke and saw dust she thought absently, her mind dizzy as blood rushed though her body, her heart beat so fast she thought it might explode. Her breath quickened to meet the demands of her body, she took in more and more of Gendry's sent. Her skin went from a pink flush to crimson. Something burned within her, every cell, every mussel, every organ emanated heat a heat she felt pull within her women hood. The aches and cramps she had felt though out the day where replaced by this new heat...'no, not a heat' she though a need, a need, a need for...for
"Arry"
Gendry's voice seemed like it came from far away as it fought though the haze of her thoughts. She gazed up at him, could see the straight in his mussels though his damp under shirt. She could feel his warmth and the tremble in his mussels as his hand moved slightly under her. They stayed like that for what seemed a long time, neither one willing to give ground but both waiting to explore. Desire that had being building between them for days, possibly weeks burnt hot in their veins.
'What was I thinking, I should have never done that' he chided himself but his better self was losing ground to the part of him that wanted more from Arya. "Arry...I need..." he coughed "I need my hand back..." Gendry trailed of as he swallowed compulsively, unable to trust his own will to move his trapped limb as he could just about feel the swell of her arse.
She didn't budge for a long while, her mind awash with a thousand dizzying thoughts as Gendry hovered just above her. She saw that his eyes had almost become pure black as his irises expanded, his lips trembled. Slowly she pushed herself up at the waste. "You can have your hand back now" Arya said her voice unintentionally husky.
"Right..." Gendry murmured as he swore he sent a mental command to his to let go of her waste as she hovered just off the ground, her face barley a finger lengths away from his. While his hand and for arm seem to gained a will of their own as instead of simply letting go, his way ward limb pulled her closer. So close infect that he felt her breath rush against his face making his stubble prickle.
"Ok...you can let go...any...any time now" Arya informed him, her voice dangerously brittle. Her lips parting as if they were expecting something the rest of her was only dimly aware off.
Gendry closed his eyes shut as he focused his entire will on gaining control of his right arm back. Which he finally managed as his hand let go of the small of her back, despite the mental assault his bastard blood lobbed at him. However moving his hand from her back to the ground brought forth an unseen consequence as his head leaned down.
He managed catch himself just in time to prevent his lips pressing against Arya's, though there couldn't be more than a few centimetres between them. His eyes shot open as he felt the light pressure of her steamy breath send shivers up down his spine and made goose bumps rise from every inch of his being. He expected her to slap him; hells he expected her to stab him. 'I wouldn't blame her.' Gendry thought as he scrambled away as quickly as he could, falling back on his rear as he did so. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry Arry...I didn't..."
Arya hushed his babbling by pressing her for and middle finger to his lips. "It's ok Gendry" She told him her voice hushed "It was another accident, like this morning by the river, right?" She asked pulling her fingers away.
Gendry nodded vigorously "Yes...Yes...an accident"
A wry smile played across her lips, as the expression of shock and horror that filled Gendry's face. For a moment was as red as sin and looked like he have being caught deflowering her and he expected that her brothers to at that very moment come ridding into the windmill with soul goal of hanging him for nearly kissing her, was priceless. All her troubles seemed far away as she pressed her hands against her mouth to stop a laughing fit she felt bubble up from deep within her.
"It isn't that funny?" Gendry stated grumpily as he put distance between himself and the high born girl. This was exactly what he wanted to avoid at the river, for his bastard blood to take away common his sense. He knew know that he couldn't completely trust himself around her any more, his desires, ones he could never act on where getting the better of him. Putting him into situations where he could get closer and closer to her. What was worse, at least form the point of view of his, own well being. Arya had not outright rejected his 'accidental' advancers, quite the opposite. 'It's like she wants the same thing I want.' He shook his head banishing the thought to the deepest darkest parts of his mind, it wasn't the first and wouldn't be the last of its ilk.
"It kind of was" Arya muttered as she proceeded to lie down "although maybe we should try and avoid more... accidents" she told Gendry half heartily as her body still buzzed with renewed energy that had yet to be spent. 'Not that, more wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.'
He ran an hand though his thick coal black hair "That...might be a good idea" Gendry agreed before he placed his bull helmet to his left near where Lommy was sleeping so he wouldn't accidently roll onto it in his sleep. He then proceeded to lie down himself. "All we have to do is avoid them, until we reach Winter Fell. That can't be too hard" he said with a slight chuckle.
"If we ever get there" Arya stated softly as she let out a frustrated breath. "I swear it didn't take this long. When my father, sister and I first came down with the king"
Gendry felt a pit open up with in him at that Arya's casual mention of the life she once lead and the life she would return to. While he would spend the rest of his days, freezing his arse off, never knowing the simple joys of a women's touch or children's laughter. More than a little resentment prickled up his spine at the unfairness of it. Not that he blamed Arya for his decisions or the life he would lead or the one she would lead, neither of them had much choice. 'Which one of us has it worse?' he wondered 'the bastard no one wanted and now is hunted like a dog? Or the high born girl, who has already lost her father and her sister, is the prisoner of a mad twit that dragged the seven kingdoms into war.' He felt anger prickle up his spine 'Not to mention, she's going to given away to some snot nosed lord ling like a breeding cow as soon as she's of age. Can I really blame her for seeming to enjoy our little accidents? When she's going to be forced into a loveless marriage' He allowed the thoughts to linger as he recalled every time Arya had let ship her fears and annoyances at the fait that awaited her. "Maybe I should have taken your fathers offer..." He mentioned offhandedly. The bitterness he felt that a lord form another land seemed to have more consideration for him than the very king that ruled over the Seven kingdoms.
XXXX
'Offer' the word lingered in the silence between them for a long time; it was as if the world had taken away from under her. Like she had be standing on a plant above a great abyss and the plank had just despaired and now she was fallen. "Offer?" Arya asked her voice deadly quite "What offer? What do you mean...what did my father say to you"
Gendry sat up and blinked unsure what seemed to have upset Arya so suddenly, 'me and my big mouth' he thought his mouth turned down wards in a frown. "You already know what your father said...I told you didn't I...?" he asked perplexed.
Arya bolted upright and looked Gendry straight in the eye, her gaze unflinching and as sharp as daggers. "You told me, that he came to see you. That he wasn't the first that Lord Arryn also came to see you and he died not long after. Same as my father, he came to see you and then not long after. King Robert dead, my father is accused of treason when he loved the king like a brother. He spends the last two weeks in the dungeon and I spend that same time on the streets. Then he's dragged before everyone and says his, a traitor and Joffrey has the right and true king"
"Well Joffrey may be a shit, but he is the kind" Gendry mumbled aware of how sore the subject of all this kings and lords stuff was with Arya. "Isn't he?" He asked "I mean he's the first true born male to Robert"
"I suppose..." Arya scratched her head. "But my father would have never dishonour himself for no reason...he would never betray his friend and besides its not like that little golden haired shit deserves to be king"
"You father may have loved king Robert like a brother but that did mean he deserved the throne and everyone knows want a cunt the mad king was... I doubt half the men whom have sat on the iron thrown deserve too" Gendry said his voice bitter.
Arya nodded having read some of the exploits of the kings off old. At least when it came to their stratagems and the battles they fought. Even though she preferred reading, as Robb would put it 'the exciting bits' of history. She had skimmed through enough of the kings of olds policies and over all rule to know very few could have being considered good kings. "You're not wrong" Arya agreed quietly.
"You have said that a few times to me today...maybe your finally realising that I'm not as dumb as you think" He told her smugly, her response was a typical roll of her steal grey eyes "As for your father he was nice enough to me... even if he little distracted when he first saw me..."
She cocked her head "There's more to you meeting with my father than you've said isn't there?" Arya asked though her question came off more of as accusation.
"Maybe" Gendry admitted his tone growing defensive "What does it matter?" He asked his own eyes narrowing.
"It matters because like it or not Gendry, your apart of all this" She told him her voice firm but with an element of understanding just below the surface of her words. "Please Gendry...tell me everything you can recall, even if it's odd or out of place" Arya pleaded.
Closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose he let out a long breath. "I don't see how this matters" Gendry murmured as he gently massaged his bleary eyes though his eye lids with thumb and for finger of his right hand. "Can't we just drop it till morning?"
Arya reached forward and clasped his right hand with hers "Please Gendry"
He couldn't ignore the pleading look in her Steal grey eyes, her trembling lib. "Fine...Fine...let me just think" Gendry said with a roll of his eyes. "But I can't really recall much of what lord Arryn asked me, that was more than a year ago" Gendry explained "But I do remember both he and your father seemed a little..."
"A little what?" Arya prodded.
He shrugged "I don't know...they seemed like they were familiar with me...or at least I was to them. Like they seen someone they hadn't for years" Gendry told her as he drew up as many recollections of his meeting with the high lords as he could. "You already know that they asked about me mum"
She nodded "You said that she looked like the queen..." Arya trailed off as she cursed herself for the slip of title in addressing her. "Cersei" she corrected her voice dripping with cold resentment if not outright anger. "You said that your mum had golden hair right?"
"Yes...she had golden hair just like the...errh... Cersei..." Gendry explained at length, it was difficult to tell who Arya hated more the little brat king or his bitch of a mother. Never the less he made a mental note to try using their given names like Arya did, rather than their titles. "Looked simpler too her... I think"
"You think?" Arya queried her attention grabbed by his offhand remark.
He started off into the middle distance, shame filling his face. "Some times...I find it difficult to remember what my mum looked like. When I picture her in my mind...she's blurry...like I'm looking though a heat haze" Gendry admitted, a few tears rolling down his face as he closed eyes. "I was only young maybe... six or seven when she passed...and when she passed her friends...they other women who worked with her..." Gendry stopped to collect himself as felt a feather light touch on his check. His eyes shot open and he saw Arya using and old rag to wipe the tears away which he didn't resist. "They tried to help, kept me feed and under a roof longer than they should have..."
"But they had their own families' right?" Arya asked her voice soft and full of understanding.
A slight grimace pulled at his lip. "Yes...they did" He said grimly. "But you wanted to know what your fathers offer was and not my whole life story, right?" Gendry asked as he put a little distance between them. It wasn't as if he was ungrateful for her kindness nor, that he didn't relish her closeness. He just couldn't trust himself to not try and push things to far or dare to hope that her touch would, linger a little longer, nor could he risk losing control and try kissing her for real. Which practically every cell of his body was screaming at him to do, partly just to know what it was like to kiss a women before he spent the rest of his life without touching one, partly because he wanted to end this conversation anywhere he could and even Arya couldn't wave something like that away and partly because he wanted to.
She reached out a hand and rested it on his shoulder, trying to comfit her friend. "I could listen to both" Arya stated in jest though judging by Gendry's pouting lips and caressed brow her jest had fallen on deaf ears.
He snorted "Not tonight you can't" Gendry told her his voice firm as he shoved his desires to the deepest parts of his being but he knew they would resurface before he knew it "We have to get to sleep at some point milady"
Arya groaned at his weak attempt to rile her up. "Your right, go on" she said pinching her brow as she felt the length of the day starting to get to her. 'I should have more energy than this! I did have a nap during mid day.' She thought thankful at the very least the cramps and stinging that accompanied her first mood blood had failed into dull achs.
"It's good that you can admit that on occasion" Gendry said with a snicker.
"Well you better savour it, they are so rare" Arya told him her tone equal parts amused and aggravated.
Gendry put up his hands in mock surrender "That's true enough" He admitted with a slight if weak chuckle. "Well i better get on with it if i want any sleep" he chuckled again before taking in a breath, steadying himself "It wasn't anything major. Your father just told me and my old master Tobho Mott. That if I ever wanted to turn my mind towards something other than black smithing or if I ever needed aid, send me to him." He explained at length as he felt the last of his energy drain out of him and he proceeded to lie down. "Even know he had just complemented my skill with the hammer and anvil"
'That's all? Father asked about Gendry about his mum, saw his work and offered him a place working for us' she pondered. "Maybe he thought you could do more?" Arya suggested as she too lay down and closed her eyes as she racked her brain for some insight.
"Like what?" Gendry mumbled as he took a sip of water from his water skin. As he squirted a small stream of water in his mouth, he felt weight of the remaining water in the small tan sack. He made a mental note that he would have to try and refill it soon. 'Maybe I should set up a water pot to boil before I go to sleep.' He shook his head, sleep was more important at the moment and it was likely one of the other groups had went, though the trouble of boiling and siphoning up some water. It was a good policy not to drink from ground water. Even a river could make people sick if something had being living in or near it. "I know I'm big, but I'm not much of a fighter... don't tell Lommy and Hot Pie that" He joked.
A weak snicker escaped from her at his half hearted plea "Oh yes because Hot Pie and Lommy are black hearten criminals" Arya grinned as she looked over to where the two boys slept. Hot Pie was sleeping on his overstuffed stomach, his ass in the air while he sucked on his thumb. Lommy was slightly more composed in sleep than his friend. Though the thin boy mumbled nonsensically under his breath and twitched like a discounted insect leg.
"Yes" Gendry agreed "Just the worst of the worst" He breathed out a long breath to prevent a heartily chuckle from escaping.
"Indeed" Arya quipped as she felt the silence of night beckoning to her to sleep. "Gendry?"
"What is it now Arry? We really need to go to sleep" Gendry grumbled her, his patience running thin.
"It's just..." She blew out a hesitant breath. "I think you should come with me to Winter Fell" Arya suggested.
"I already am Arry" He told her, his tone a little sharper than it had any right to be but exhaustion and the need for sleep was getting to him. "Then I'll be going with Yoren and the rest to the wall"
She shook her head "That isn't what I meant" Arya explained pushing past the knot that suddenly formed in her stomach that at the idea she may never see Gendry again. An emotion somewhere between despair and longing pooled within the deepest parts of her bowls. "I meant you should come with me to Winter Fell...and stay"
"What?" Gendry more stated then asked "Why?"
"I think you should stay...in Winter Fell" She repeated "As for the Why of it." Arya paused momentary to take a ship of her own water skin "You'll be safe there, from the men who are hunting you...and my brother and the keep are always need good smiths so you wouldn't have to fight anyone if you didn't want to" Arya told him earnestly insistence.
His frown deepened at Arya's sudden insistence, 'She's only know me for what three, four weeks? And she's willing to vouch for me to her brother.' He thought troubled by the concept of meeting another high lord. "I hope this isn't about what happened before' He recalled the two times he had pinned her today and both his accidental group of one of her breasts and the near kiss. He shook his head dismissing the possibility that Arya would allow that kind of thing to influence her judgment.
With effort he tried to clear his head of the image's that he had unwisely brought back into his mind's eye, image's that sparked fresh desire with in his loins. "I'll be safe on the wall too and the night's watch also needs smiths" Gendry counted, not that he didn't find her offer appealing. "And besides I already made a vow to serve the nights watch, if I just stay at winter fell. Yoren will chop off my head for leaving"
"You might not be as safe at the wall as you may think, whom ever is after you could promise to set a bother of the black free from his oath in exchange for killing you. Their already willing to reward one of this lot" She waved her hand to indicate the sleeping forms of the rest of the caravan. "Basically the same thing, it was luck that no one turned you in when the white cloaks came looking for you" Arya told him firmly.
"You make a good point" He admitted "After all besides being talked to by two former hands of the king. I'm no body. Why would they be hunting me?" Gendry pondered his voice grim "But what is going to stop them from doing something slimier at Winter Fell. You can't think everyone in your Families hold fast wouldn't do something for some coins or favour of Kinds landing's, city guard"
"Maybe not" Arya admitted though the thought that anyone in winter fell could be disloyal sent an unexpected chill through her "But I could protect you"
Gendry snorted despite himself, earning him a swift if somewhat week kick to the leg "Sorry" He apologised half heartily. "Though having a little lady protect me is an appealing thought" Gendry said earnestly as he imagined her in armour and leather, her sword drawn as they fought of some white cloak assassins.
"Shut up" Arya spat as she kicked his leg again "I'm not that little and I'm not a lady"
"You kind are both of those things" Gendry snicked as he easily blocked another kick Arya sent his way.
Realising any more assaults would be pointless she rolled back to onto her spine and brought both of her hands to her face as she let out a long aggravated grown "Argg your imposable" Arya told him frustration filling her face. "And what was that thing you said about making a vow to Yoren"
"Hu? Oh that" Gendry mumbled sleepily as he recalled his aside before their conversation had run off the road like a spooked horse. "Yoren said that anyone whom joins the watch and then tries to get out of their duty, is the worst kind of traitor and that their life was for fit"
A smirk pulled at one corner of her mouth as Gendry's explanation. "Well that is true" Arya confirmed at length "But here is the thing, you're haven't taken the black yet have you?"
"Yes I have" Gendry corrected, puzzlement filling his face "Haven't I?"
She shook her head "You can't take the black till, you're at the wall" Arya told him firmly "It's some ancient law or something" she explained with a yawn. "So while Yoren wouldn't be happy if you left before then, you're free to do what you want and go where you want till you take the black"
"But..Yoren...he's protected me and you" Gendry stated "Wouldn't it be wrong to repay that by not fallowing this path to its end?" he asked.
Arya surged "Whether or not it's right or wrong is up to you Gendry" she told him as she rolled over onto her stomach and laid her head on her arms which she used as a make shift pillow. "And what you do, is up to you...I just know...I would like you to stay with me at Winter Fell"
Gendry looked over to his friend, taken in ever part of her from. Her long legs stretched out straight behind her, going from narrow and slim near the her feet and thickening as they reached her arse, which rose like a small hill from the landscape of her body.
After a long moment of staring at her arse, Gendry tore his gaze away from her rear and continued studying her form. He could just make out her the contours of her shoulder blades and the outline of the mussels on her back. Finally his gaze settled on her dark hair, the colour of turned earth, which had regrowth to cover the nape of her neck. He shallowed and turned his gaze away from her resting from and towards the fire, which have become little more than a few flickering licks of wispy flame and glowing ambers. He leaned over and tested the clothing that hung from the line above the cooling ash and ambers.
They had dried nicely and would likely be fully dry by the brake of dawn, which couldn't be more than a few hours away. Satisfied with the state of the clothing Gendry let out a breath having broken the spell Arya's resting form and his own bastard blood had cast and lay down. "I'll think about it" He muttered as he closed his eyes and almost immediately fell asleep. As darkness closed in around him he was unsure if Arya had heard him though just before sleep completely overcame him, he was sure he had heard her mutter that dame list off hers.
XXXX (VVV)
She turned and rolled as thin pin picks of pail light forced their way through her closed eye lids and banished the last of her dreams. While she couldn't recall her dreams exact content, more a vag sense of emotions and a sense she had being running, stalking and hunting. For some reason she couldn't quite recall she was sure she had being doing all that while also being a wolf. 'Weird' Arya thought as conciseness dragged her from the land of dreams. With agonising slowness she tested her sour limbs and let out a low soft moan as she felt the familiar burn of fatigue within her. "I must remember what Syrio said about stretching before going to rest" she mumbled as she thought fondly of her flamboyant teacher.
Her pleasant thoughts evaporated like single water droplet falling onto burning coals as she recalled the ill fate that had befallen her teacher and as water turned to steam, so too did her fondness turned into a bitter frown. Unable to return to sleep now, that she had being roused and feeling a presser on her bladder that indicated that she would soon have to make her water. Arya slowly sat upright and stretched her arms above her head. She winced as she felt her bind pull tighter with the movement making it difficult to breath. "Dame Thing is more trouble than it's worth" She muttered under a pained breath as she looked around to see if anyone else was awake.
She saw a few other the older boys had also started to wake up and where already set to tasks as they came to and went. Some dossed, a few of the still flicking fires, others collecting pots and pans or collecting the ropes and clothing from where they hung. Unconsciously she checked her own cloths and felt they were still a little damp though they were mostly dry now and would continue to dry throughout the day if it didn't rain again. She careful walked around the still sleeping forms of her friends, not the easiest task and peered out the window that sat above their little alcove.
The sky was a brilliant canvas of dark blues that was gradually getting brighter as fiery yellow and orange pushed up from the edge of the world as the sun slowly rose form its own bed, seemingly as reluctant about this task as she had being. She could just about make out the shapes of faint wispy clouds that stretched accuse the dawn sky, like the out reaching fingers of some mythic giant were descending to grasp the world.
A faint fluttering sound drew her addition away from the beautiful sky and towards the line of trees that stood just beyond the other rim of the abandoned hamlet. A half a dozen birds flew up from the edge of the tree line. They squawked and called to each other as they fluttered upwards. 'Probably spooked by some predator' Arya thought as she turned away from the window, dismissing the odd sense of unease that prickled up her spine.
'I'm just being silly' she told herself as she leaned down to gently tap Hot Pie on the shoulder rosing him.
"I'm up, I'm up" Hot pie grumbled as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Couldn't you have given me a few more minutes Arry?" the large boy asked as he let out a belch and starched himself unaware or uncaring of the disgust that filled Arry's face.
"Charming" Arya murmured under her breath as she waved away his breath. She may have prided herself on having a stronger construction than Sansa but she could not stop the revolution that turned her stomach at Hot Pie and some of the other men's utter lack self control when it came to their bodily functions. "I could have" She confirmed "But then you would have to wait for Yoren to wake you up and would you prefer that?"
"No" Hot pie agreed as he shuddered at the thought. "Anyway why did you wake me before Gendry?"
Arya sighed "look Gendry and I stayed later than we should have last night talking and I wait him to have a few more minutes of sleep" She told her portly friend. "And I was hoping for a favour"
"Why am I not surprised you two stayed up all night talking to each other, rather that sleeping like you were supposed to" Hot Pie exclaimed. "And you call me and idiot..." he trailed off as he took a slip from his water skin. "So let me guess you want me to pack up our stuff while letting Gendry get a little more sleep?" he asked his eye brow quirked upward.
"Could you?" Arya asked a hint of a plea in her voice as she made her eyes as big as possible while asking, her mouth forming a hint of a pout. She hated having to use Sansa's traits when asking for favours and the alike to get her way but dame her to the seven hells but she'd have to admit they were effective.
"Sure I guess I can do that" Hot Pie agreed with a sigh "But what do I get out of it?"
She leaned back on her hunches before standing back up to her full height, "Next time we set camp and I get a chance to hunt, you'll get double the portion of whatever I bring back" Arya offered.
"And what if you don't bring back anything?" Hot Pie asked as he thought about the possibilities of what Arry may be able to catch. He was quite good at catching animals.
"Then you can half my ration, that fair?" Arya said as she started to leave.
"I suppose" Hot pie said as he picked at his exposed belly button. "Where are you going any way?" He asked but the northern boy never responded as he weaved to and foe though the groups of still sleeping and awake night watch brothers. He caught one final glimpse of his bossy friend as he slipped out the main entrance to the windmill. He couldn't place it but there was something really strange about Arry, something about how he moved and how he was so slim despite nearly being Gendry's age, expect for his arse which was quite round but didn't seem to be flabby at all. 'Not that I looks at Arry's ass at all' he told himself as he started to gather up the pots and pans they had used last night.
XXXX
Arya let out a sigh of relief as she wormed her way pass half a dozen comers and goes. The fresh morning air was intoxicating compared to the stagnant, Smokey air inside the windmill.
"Arry you lazy sod come over here" Yoren beckoned from across the steam of man coming and going.
"If it's not one thing it's another" she said letting out an exasperated breath as really started to feel her bladder's weight urge her for realise. 'If there is one thing I don't like about being a girl, besides the moon blood it's that apparently my bladder is the size of a tomato.' She thought bemused. "All right you old goat I'll be there in a moment I just got to make my water" Arya yellowed at him as crudely as she possibly could. A few of the men that had busied themselves with repacking the wagons and caravans snicked at her remark. 'What in all the gods' names is so funny about that, I swear if I never understand men it will be too soon'
"Fine, but don't go too far and expect a kick up your backside when you're done boy" Yoren bellowed like an ox in heat. "You think that's funny you worthless shits?" he addressed a group of boys ageing from ten to fourteen that had stoped shoeing up some supply crates on one of the wagons to snick and Lough. "You'll be lucky I don't do the same to lot of you if you don't harry up with those crates. We have a long way to go and I an't getting any younger..."
Yoren's bellows and threats became distant and indistinct as soon as she speeded outside the crumbling outer wall of the hamlet and into the thick woods just beyond. The trees where thick and old, their bark was wreathed and chipped in places, wet moss and quivering ferns glossy that hung from these natural faults where wet with morning dew. She saw a thick strange looking a spider crawl out of a wet cocoon to start spinning a web between its nest and bare twig that grew from a nearby tree likely older than the seven kingdoms if the amount of fungus and creeper vines that clung to its battered and rotting trunk was anything to go by. Even though the tree was in its last years, it was still home to a small family of birds that regarded her from the safety of a hollow with small beady red eyes. A line of large black pants with dark organ stripes running the length of their body marched single file up into the canopy. Hundreds of the insects carried eggs or larvae of yet unborn siblings while even larger solider ants stood sentinel guarding the long line, their massive jaws opened and primed read to snap at to any being foolish enough to try and probe the column.
Arya turned form the tree and pushed herself though the thick under grow, dew droplets fell like tears from the lives of tree claiming ferns and creeper vines as she passed by. Here and there small creatures fled from her presence like she was every bit the wolf that was her family's emblem. The deeper she went into the wood the darker it got, the braches that made up the canopy twisting together chocking of the little light offered by the raseing sun. The ground was still soft and wet from the previous day's rain, a carpet of twigs and slowly decomposing leaves glistened with most dew. Here and there in the shadow of larger trees or growing up from the thick carpet of natural debris fungus and mushrooms pocked their heads out from the leaf litter or clung to rotting logs. The air was close and thick with the scent of decay, moist earth, rotting plants and just a hint of animal stink.
She found being surrounded by the close press of unrestrained nature appalling. However just as she being to take in the natural wonder around her. She was reminded by the trappings of humanity as she tried to take in the smells around her, only for her bind to dig into the soft flesh of her chest and also the building pressure in her bladder. She took a moment to check around her to make sure she hadn't being fallowed. The only thing she could see besides the press of trees and plants were a pair of wild turkeys that where scratching at the leaf litter, she described with her passing, confirming that she hadn't being followed by any of the men of the caravan.
Arya gingerly removed her pants and under garments, she relived herself in a small natural hole provided by the tangled roots of another ancient tree. With her business done she checked and cleaned her women hood with a rag and the little water that remained within her water skin. She cringed slightly as cool water washed away the few reddish stains that remained. She found herself preying a silent thanks to the gods for providing yesterday's rain storm for at least keeping her relatively clean. 'And I got to think of a way to say thanks to Gendry for pushing me in the river.' Gendry quick actions had done the lion's share of the task.
She let out an animalistic grow as her sucked in a breath as she reclothed her lower half, her bind pinched her again, quickly taking off her well worn brown over shirt leaving her with only her woollen undershirt. She reached a hand under her shirt and went about the task of undoing her bind.
It took longer than she would have liked as she finally freed herself from the twisted not of cloth that served to keep her deluding breasts in check. She let out an audible gasp of relief as she took her first unrestricted breath in weeks. Relief and euphoria rushed through her only adding fuel to the fire in her loins a fire that now spread up to her breasts as the memory of Gendry's hand gently pressing down on her returned full force. She was sorely tempted to touch her newly free breasts but thought better of it. She realised she had being gone too long as it was as birds started to fill the morning air with song and the sun's rays where pocking through the thick canopy in places. Reluctantly she rid did her bind though in true it was far too small for her now and she realised she would have to get a new one soon but it was the best she had. Free as they were without the bind her breasts while not overly large were more than noticeable even when she put on her over shirt.
What made matters worse, was that she was so lean that she couldn't simply say they were body fat and there was nothing she could do with about her hips and arse. Especially as the combination of constant walking and low rations' she had to put up with meant that her body had nearly shed most if not all of her child hood fat. If she hazard a guess she'd bet that her body was likely nearly the equal of Sansa's in development before their father had taken prisoner if not even more so. The only real difference was their height and build and unlike her sister she could still somewhat hide her form. "I just hope Sansa hasn't bleed yet" Arya whispered as she slowly made her way through the thick undergrowth fallowing the subtle markers she had left to lead her back to the hamlet.
XXX
Arya stoped still as she heard the distinctive crash and twang of metal on as she came within a hundred yards of the edge of the forest. She heard screams of pain and the distant whoosh wack, noise of a cross bow firing. Her first insist was to run in the other duration, she knew the sound of fighting all too well, the memoirs of her brothers training and the screams of her house old guards and staff being slathered like pigs as all she could do was escape the red keep crashed together.
"No I ran once I won't again" She proclaimed grasping the hilt of Needle and pulling it the long blade from the make shit hilt if her belt.
"That's a good choice" A nasal voice said form behind her.
Arya pivoted on the spot cursing herself for not hearing someone approach her, her addition had being wholly on the sounds of battle coming from the Hamlet, not on the woods. "Means we won't have to waste time hunting you rebel scum down, now give over that little tooth pick of a sword and we won't beat you to bad" a tan man told her a snicker in his voice. He had a short sandy brown beard and short cropped hair, dull watery eyes and round face with thing pinched lips. He carried what looked to her to be a short sword of fairly low quality, as the blade shook stood about few centimetres above its hilt and shock like a blade of grass rather than a blade of steel.
Despite his bravado Arya could see the man was clearly shaking. Sweat ran across his features in small streams. That meant he was nevus. She looked past the man that addressed her two see there where two others, equally as nevus, one holding a short hunting bow which he fumbled with trying to ready the and arrow. The last member of the group was maybe Gendry's age if not younger. He had dark blonde hair and a cut lip and blacken eye and looked like he wanted to be anywhere than here as he shakily held a sharpened meter long pole of wood as a make shift spear.
Arya noticed that none of them wore anything even approaching armour, even their leader wore little more than padded cloth. Though as the son rose over the edge of the forests and banished the last of the gloom that surrounded them. The last detail she notice was that each man wore a single shoulder pad made out of leather, dried red and had a golden lion sewn onto it.
"Lannister's" Arya hissed under her breath.
"So what's the word?" the leader of the trio of men asked as it dawned on him that she was not quivering with fear at their presence. "Will you give up your blade?"
Arya starred into the, mans watery eyes. She tightened but revered her grip so that Needle blade was pointed away from him and back toward her. Taking this as a sign that she had given up the man approached reaching out his quivering hand to Needles hilt. He never knew what hit him as he let down his Guard.
She sprang forth like a coiled snake, the pommel of Needle hitting him in the gut forcing air out of his lungs in a gasp, keeping her momentum up she kneed him in his loins while bringing Needle up and slashing him across his face. A spray of scarlet filled the air as the man keeled over, his screams filling the forest. Grey eyes glinting she uttered two words as she ran full tilt toward the shaky man with the bow, while keeping herself as low to the ground as possible so to avoid him acquiring an bead on her, not there was much chance of that.
"NOT TODAY"
XXXX
Next chapter: Road to Harrenhal
Please review.
AN: i wanted a bigger and longer fight to end this chapter but this story as taken nearly a year to wright and its over eleven thousand words. When i didn't want it over eight thousand. I will put more fight into the next one. But ive being working on this none stop to get it out before the end of 2018 so i need a brake. Marry xmass all, Happy holidays.
Alaster needs a brake before he brakes
