Hello! Thank you all for the follows and favs. Also thank you so much Crazy With Happiness for your reviews. Since I can't reply to you via PM I have to do it here. I was so glad, you liked my story so far. I hope you'll like this one as well.
There were times when Gendry cursed and regretted his decision to accept the title of a lord. He hated the noble life with all its curtsies and hypocrisies. Although admittedly there were a lot of benefits to the life of a lord, there were also enough of obligations. One of these obligations was that he was ought to marry a lady eventually. Gendry would have nothing of it since he was not willing to marry anyone yet. Besides he was still nourishing the hope to meet Arya again someday.
On that day Queen Daenerys had reminded him again how important a marriage would be in order to strengthen his claim to Storm's End. Gendry however had not payed her reprimands any mind. After all neither her, nor Aegon or Jon had married either. Since Daenerys was barren, Aegon or Jon had to marry to produce an heir for the Iron Throne. But like Gendry, both men were not eager to marry, despite the queen's demands.
Gendry had come to King's Landing to attend the small council of which he had become a member once after he was made Lord of Storm's End.
After the war had ended and Daenerys became queen to the Seven Kingdoms, she had formed a new small council consisting of the persons she trusted the most. Although she had been advised to fill the positions with seven different members after the Andal traditions and the Faith of the Seven, Daenerys had assigned the parts according to her own wishes. "It is me, Jon, Aegon, Varys, Tyrion, Gendry and Samwell. We are seven. It will be enough," she had said and the council had been formed.
Tyrion Lannister had been her advisor and hand for the past three years, he was also the master of coin. The eunuch Varys once again filled the position of the master of whisperers. The grand Maester was Samwell Tarly, who Jon had brought with him from the wall.
Gendry acted as master of law and also as master of ships, as his uncles once had. Gendry had no idea of either matters and often asked himself why Daenerys had given these positions to him.
Even so, he tried to further his knowledge as far as he could.
Ser Davos Seaworth, who was castellan of Storm's End during Gendry's absence, possessed great knowledge of ships and naval operations and was able to teach him on the subjects. It was also Ser Davos, together with Gendry's cousin Lady Shireen Baratheon of Dragonstone, who had taught him to read and to govern the stormlands.
Gendy cherished them both a lot and he was grateful to have them to his support.
Thus Gendry spent his time alternately at the Red Keep or at Storm's End. Gendry loved Storm's End but did not mind the time in King's Landing either. He enjoyed Jon's company and when he found time to spare he visited his old master Tobho Mott, who would teach him to work Valyrian Steel. In spite of everything Gendry had kept his passion for blacksmithing.
Gendry stifled a yawn as Tyrion was rambling on something about debts and loans and the Iron Bank of Braavos. As much as he tried to focus, the council always got tiresome at some point.
"Is there anything else?", Daenerys asked as they had finally ended their routine discussion of finances and political matters.
"As a matter of fact there is, your Grace," Varys told her. "Words from the Twins arrived today. Lord Walder Frey has been found dead in his bed. Slain in his sleep."
Gendry saw Daenery's eyes filling with rage instantly. "What?", she spat out. "The knights of the Hollow Hill have been warned to cease their lynchings. I want them all brought here and punished for defying my commands. I won't let this monster Lady Stoneheart threaten the peace in Westeros any longer." Daenerys rose and leant towards Gendry, her palms flat on the table. "Lord Gendry, you will tell us where the Hollow Hill is. And that's an order."
Gendry swallowed, intimidated by the authority in the queen's voice. Although he despised Lady Stoneheart and the Brotherhood's actions, he was reluctant to betray the men he once had called brothers.
"Y-Your Grace...", he stammered.
"Your Grace," Varys interrupted him. "There is reason to doubt this was the Brotherhood's doing."
The queen raised an eyebrow and impatiently drummed her fingers on the table. She hated when someone was playing games with her. "Whose work was it then, Lord Varys?"
Gendry noticed Varys shooting a glance at Jon before he spoke again. "Lord Frey's wife swears she saw a woman in her bedchambers before she passed out. There are also several reports of a wolf pack sighted in the Riverlands. A wolf as big as a horse leading them and a girl riding said wolf."
Gendry gasped and looked to Jon who was obviously having the same thought as him.
Daenerys fell back into her chair. "Jon?"
Jon's face grew pale. "I know nothing of it, your Grace. But yes, Arya had set her direwolf Nymeria free at the Trident when she travelled to King's Landing with her Lord father and King Robert. That was seven years ago."
"Do you believe the girl is Arya?", Daenerys asked.
He nodded absentmindedly. "It's possible."
Tyrion let out an amused chuckle. "The warrior queen Nymeria come to life again."
Daenerys threw back her head and sighed. "I will have men sent out to arrest her. She must be sentenced for this action. I can't let someone running around killing lords."
"No!", Gendry objected. The protest escaped his mouth before he had been able to think it over.
"What?", Daenerys hissed through gritted teeth.
"Daenerys," Jon started. "Please, don't do this."
"I am the queen of the Seven Kingdoms. My duty lies in maintainig the peace in this realm. Such is yours, Jon," she snarled at him. "She killed a lord in his sleep. Despicable as that man was, I shall not allow such methods as I rule. I will have her punished, be it your kin or not."
Gendry slammed his fist on the table. "You will not," he yelled at her. "You will not harm her, Queen Daenerys, or gods help me, I don't know what I'll be capable of doing then."
Gendry knew he was acting foolish. The queen would have his head for his outburst, but his wrath and his fear of losing Arya entirely was making him reckless.
Daenerys glared at him. "You dare to oppose me, Lord Gendry?"
"It is no surprise seeing as he's the Usurper's son," Aegon said disdainfully. The prince never missed a chance to show his disrespect for Gendry.
"Gendry, hold your tongue," Jon barked at him. He turned to Daenerys, ire flickering in his dark grey eyes. "Arya is my sister. If not by blood, then by bond. Arya lost her brother and her mother because of Walder Frey. She has been alone for years and she must be full of hate and vengeance. You of all people should understand her the best, Daenerys." Daenerys bit the inside of her cheek. "If my word as a prince matters something, than I too beseech you not to harm her. Let me and Gendry go look for this girl. Ghost will be able to track Nymeria down."
Aegon huffed and shook his head. Daenerys took a strand of her hair and curled it around her finger. After a few moments she nodded. "You will bring her to court and I promise I will not harm her, if it is Arya. But I need to stop her before she kills someone else. However, Jon, I can't risk you facing a pack of wolves. You will stay at court, but if Gendry wants to go, so be it."
Gendry felt amused at the fact, that apparently having him exposed to a wolf pack was of little importance. Nevertheless he was determined to go. The chance of this girl being Arya spured him to leave for the Riverlands at this very instant.
"I'll do it. Your Grace, I regret what I said earlier. Please forgive me," Gendry said sheepishly. Now that he had sobered up, he felt ashamed.
"What are the words of your house? 'Ours is the Fury'", Daenerys grinned."I trust you and I am aware that you hold Lady Arya dear. Don't let it happen again though, Lord Gendry. Next time I will not be as gracious."
"Thank you, your Grace."
"You have to leave for the Riverlands soon. I don't want another murder to happen. You may take men with you."
Gendry shook his head no. "I will go alone." He thought it was not a good idea to confront Arya with an army of men. If he was to gather her trust, then he had to do it alone.
"You will need to take Ghost with you," Jon advised him. Gendry agreed with the man. Although he was not familiar with the direwolf, he would serve him as protection and as Jon had explained, he would be able to trace his sister Nymeria.
"Alright," Daenerys said clapping her hands together. "That would be all for today."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Gendry was on his way to his chamber inside the Maidenvault, where he was staying during his visits at King's Landing, to prepare for his leave, when he caught sight of Lady Sansa.
After Jon had come to court, Sansa had left the Vale to join him there. She had been living in King's Landing since then. Sansa had once told Gendry that ironically King's Landing had become the place where she felt secure the most.
When Sansa spotted Gendry her face lit up and she came towards him. "Is it true?", Sansa asked him silently.
Gendry shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, my Lady. How do you know?"
"Tyrion told me," she said smilingly.
Gendry laughed. It did not take him entirely by surprise that Varys must have told Tyrion before the council meeting. The two men had formed some kind of bond during the war of the five kings. Sansa also had a close relationship to Tyrion, although their marriage had been annulled years ago. After her return to the Red Keep Tyrion had become one of her most trusted friends.
"I will leave for the Riverlands as quickly as possible. I am to bring that girl with me. I do hope it is her, but we cannot know for sure."
Sansa nodded. "Care to walk with me, Lord Gendry?", she asked as she offered him her arm. He linked his arm with hers and they headed for the gardens.
"Pray, tell me, Lord Gendry, what feelings do you harbour for my sister? Do you love her?", Sansa asked softly.
Gendry's cheeks flushed. He was not expecting such a forthright question. "I don't know," he muttered. "Arya is important to me. We went through a lot together."
"I think you are in love with the idea of her. I do believe you treasure her much, but I think you are merely holding on to an embellished memory of her," Sansa explained.
Gendry reflected upon Sansa's statement before he continued. "I love Arya as a brother would do. I feel she's the only family I ever had. We were both children back then. We only thought of surviving. However, I never forgave myself for letting her go. Losing her hurt me a lot. And I swore to myself that I would find and return her. I just wish for her to be back and safe, is all."
Sansa gave him a warm smile that made Gendry smile back at her instantly. Sansa truly was a beautiful woman. She was flawless with her long, full auburn hair, her bright blue eyes, her high cheekbones and the long narrow nose that gave her a look of elegance. She always dressed herself in lovely gowns of silk, that accentuated her slim but feminine body. It was hardly surprising that so many lords were courting her, albeit she refused each and everyone. Even so, Gendry had never felt anything else besides sympathy towards the woman.
"You are a good man, Gendry Baratheon. I hope my sister will be able to see this as well," Sansa raised on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I am confident you will find her, my Lord. I shall go to pray for your safe return."
With that said, she turned around and left.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Gendry's ride to the Riverlands had been uneventful. Jon's direwolf Ghost was a surprisingly pleasant companion. Although at first Gendry had been cautious of the direwolf he soon came to realize that Ghost was a calm and good-natured animal. During the day Gendry would ride his horse with Ghost never far away, while during the night Ghost would go hunting.
Jon had given Ghost to understand that he was to travel with Gendry to find Nymeria through some ability Gendry did not really apprehend. Jon had once tried to explain to Gendry the concept of a skinchanger, or warg as Jon had called it, but it had left Gendry all the more confused. Jon had told him that Ghost had some kind of connection to Nymeria that would grow stronger the closer they got to the wolve's sister. Gendry had called into question why they could not sense Arya if the wolves and Jon were all somehow connected to each other. Jon had not been able to provide Gendry with an answer though and thus only the hope remained that this wolf girl was in fact Arya.
As Gendry was passing Harrenhal he began to feel uneasy. He associated too many awful memories with this place and it resulted in him having nightmares.
In the night he was there again. Back at the place full of torture and horror. He dreamt of The Mountain's men raping the women, he saw them being killed. He felt the agony and the hunger again. Then he saw Arya in his dream. She was the little girl of ten again, with short-cropped hair and a dirty face. Some men took her away from him. He was protesting but his shouts were futile. The men were tearing off her clothes and Arya was screaming and fighting them off. They broke her limbs and drew their daggers. At that Gendry woke up in panic. Panting he realized it had only been a dream. He ran his hands over his face and sighed. The dream of Arya upsetted him and he knew that sleep would not return this night. He waited for Ghost to come back and they continued.
The farther north they went the more frantic Ghost became and Gendry knew that they were near.
At dawn Ghost changed his direction westwards and they soon entered a forest. Ghost whined and Gendry kicked his heels into the horse's side. He had to gallop to keep pace with the white direwolf who was dashing through the woods. Eventually Gendry's mount gave in and he had to slow down losing sight of Ghost.
"Ghost," Gendry shouted into the trees. He heard the wolf respond with a yelp from the distance. "Seven hells," he muttered under his breath and urged his horse to move on.
When Gendry reached a clearing he spotted Ghost romping about with another wolf of his size. It had dark grey fur and was yelping and whining the way Ghost did. Gendry realized this must have been Nymeria.
Relieved he descended from his horse and leaned against a tree to catch a breath and watch the two direwolves' reunion.
There was no one besides Nymeria. No other wolves nor a girl. Gendry wondered where this wolf girl could be when he saw the direwolves stop and stare at him. Suddenly he noticed movements above him but before he could turn his head to look up, something was falling down on him and the next moment he was lying on his back with a woman on top of him and a dagger pressed to his throat.
The woman only stared at him, holding the dagger firmly in her left hand. Dark brown strands of hair were hanging down from her face, stroking his. She had long, sharp features and full, crimson lips. But it were her eyes that captured him. Steely grey eyes like the storm. Eyes he would recognize among thousands. Arya.
He did not know how long he was lying there in a bed of leaves and soil. None of them raised their voice to speak. They merely stared at each other in silence, the only movements the heaving of their chests and the blinking of their eyes, while the blade remained at his throat. He did not feel fear or resentment. He only felt delight and joy to look at her enchanting face. He did not care if he would die at this very moment, killed by her hand. He had been able to see her face again and nothing in the world mattered anymore.
Gendry slowly raised his hand and placed his palm on her cheek. She flinched slightly at his touch but did not move. Tenderly he stroked the skin with his thumb. "Arya," he whispered.
Arya got up and sheathed her blade. Gendry felt strangely disappointed when her weight was lifted from him. He got up as well and shook off the dirt from his clothes.
"Arya... Do you remember me?", he asked hoarsely.
Arya huffed at him. "I know who you are, traitor. You must be so proud of yourself. First knighted and now a lord," she turned her back on him and walked towards Ghost to bury her hand in his white furs. "I remember a smith never wanting to leave Harrenhal and now look at you. A perfumed lord. You disgust me."
Gendry frowned. Her words hurt and angered him. "I am a traitor? Wasn't it you who left me?", he yelled. Nymeria was growling at him but he ignored it. "Wasn't it you who disappeared for five years? Five years of longing to see you again. Five years of hoping you were alive. Five years of blaming myself for letting you go. I fought for you, Arya. I fought for this goddamned land. And yes, I am a bloody lord now. It's not like I ever wanted to be. But don't you dare call me a traitor."
"What do you want here, Gendry?", she snapped at him. "Or should I rather say, my Lord."
There was despise in her voice as she uttered the last words. Gendry flared his nostrils and was on the verge of screaming at her again. Instead he made an effort to calm himself down and be patient with her demeanour. After all he had to reason with her instead of arguing.
"I've come to take you with me to King's Landing."
"Like hell I'll go there."
"Arya, think about it. There's Jon and Sansa. They miss you, too," he missed her. But he refrained from voicing his thought.
"Even more traitors," she replied but he felt her voice becoming less disdainful.
"Jon found out he is a Targaryen when we were at the wall. He lives at court now, although he misses the North," Gendry thought talking to Arya about her remaining family might be a way to convince her. "Sansa has also seen many things in this war. Thankfully it did not break her. They never gave up on you. They always believed you would return one day. Don't you want to see them again?"
Arya bit her lip. "Are they well?", she asked ruefully. Gendry nodded smilingly. "How did you know I was here?"
"Well, word gets around, my Lady. People saw a maiden riding a giant beast." Arya chuckled. "Also Lady Frey saw a woman standing in her chambers just before her spouse was killed."
Arya's expression darkened. "Gods be damned," she cursed.
"So it was you?"
"What's it to you?", Arya snarled at him. "Did you come to seize me? Well, you can piss off or I'll have Nymeria rip you to pieces."
"I'll do no such thing, my Lady. I've only come to take you with me. You need to trust me. Or at least trust Jon."
Gendry saw Arya considering and it raised his hopes. The direwolves behind her had calmed down again and were lying on the ground next to each other, their heads on their paws.
"I cannot come with you, Gendry," she said, her voice sounding remorseful. Gendry felt a pang in his chest.
"Why is that?"
Arya raised her face confidently. "I still have to accomplish something. I need to reclaim Winterfell."
"And you will," Gendry replied. Arya's declaration did not take him by surprise. He knew Arya belonged to the North and yearned for her home, the same way as Jon and Sansa did. Winterfell was a matter the small council often had discussed. The Boltons were strangers in the seat that had belonged to the Starks for centuries. Daenerys too had come to understand it. They had made plans to recapture Winterfell, but there was no one to hold the castle. Sansa had stated she did not feel able to rule the North alone. But Arya would. Arya had no fear. Together with Sansa they would be able to hold Winterfell. He would lose her again but it mattered not. She was well and she would be happy. "But not alone. The queen and Jon will help you. I will help you. Together we will conquer Winterfell and it will become the seat of the Starks again. This I swear to you, Arya Stark."
Arya's face lit up. She looked to Nymeria. "What do you think Nymeria? Do you think we should go visit Jon and Sansa?" Nymeria barked and Arya laughed. "Alright," she sighed and nodded to Gendry. "Then let's leave for that awful place."
Overjoyed by her agreement to leave with him he stepped up to Arya and pulled her into an embrace. It startled Arya and he could feel her body tense, but after a few moments had passed she gingerly placed the palm of her hands on his back.
"Thank you," he whispered, inhaling her scent.
Only then Gendry realized how her body had changed over the years. He felt the swell of her breasts on his chest and his arms were touching the curve of her hips. Arya was no more the skinny, dishevelled little girl. She was a woman grown.
At once Gendry felt embarrassed and let her go. He felt his face and ears turning red and he saw the confusion on Arya's face.
"I'm sorry, my Lady," he mumbled.
Arya hit him hard on his arm. "Stop calling me that, you stupid. If you want me to come with you, you have to call me by my name."
"As m'lady commands."
Arya furrowed her brows and looked at him indignantly. Then she threw her head back and laughed out loud. It was the loveliest sound Gendry had ever heard. It filled him with mirth and he grinned stupidly.
"You're still the same bull-headed idiot."
"And you're still the same wayward lady trying to be a wolf."
"I am no lady," Arya scowled at him before she hopped on Nymeria.
Gendry was astonished to look at it. "You're actually riding her?"
Arya grinned at him. "What did you say? I was trying to be a wolf?"
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
They had been riding for the entire day, mostly in silence. Gendry wanted to ask her thousands of questions but Arya had not been very talkative. He sensed Arya was still wary of him.
At nightfall they decided to make camp. The direwolves had left, probably to hunt.
Since Gendry had not slept well the night before, he felt exhausted. He remembered his dream. The way Arya had been tortured in his imagination. But she was there and she was well. She was there with him.
"I went to the Hollow Hill," Arya said as she was lighting a fire.
Gendry froze. She must have met Lady Stoneheart then. "Haven't seen them in years, wonder how they're doing."
Arya shrugged. "They're a bunch of fools murdering under the command of a supposed to be dead woman."
"So you saw her?" Arya nodded. "Queen Daenerys had ordered them to stop the killings. I don't think they're doing it anymore, for the queen would have them arrested. Anyways, I'm sorry, Arya."
"It's not your fault. It's Beric's."
"Lord Beric never wanted this. He traded his life because he thought he would give life to Lady Catelyn Stark again. He did not know of the atrocities she would order. She did it out of vengeance. For her children."
Arya snorted. "For her children, you say? She didn't even recognize me. Even that tavern girl Jeyne knew who I am."
"You went to Jeyne's?", Gendry asked in surprise, excitement in his voice. "How is she and Willow? The orphans?"
Arya perked up her eyebrows. "Yes, I saw Jeyne. They're doing good I believe. Why? D'you want to visit her?"
Gendry was irritated by the tone of her voice. She sounded vexed. "Maybe I'll do so," he replied. "But another time."
"Whatever, I'll go to sleep now. Good night."
She lay down on the other side of the fire and tuck herself up in heavy furs. Gendry followed suit.
"Good night, m'lady."
Arya huffed but did not bother to comment.
The night was cold and Gendry was shivering beneath his furs. After all it was winter in Westeros. Although he was thankful for the fire, it was not enough to warm him up. He remembered the nights when he would sleep next to Arya. When they were warming each other. Gendry wondered if she did remember as well.
He tried to imagine how it would feel to lie next to her again. To hold her body in his arms. Back then they had been children, but now they had changed. As Gendry felt a rush of heat flooding down to his groin, he shook his head as if he could get rid of the vision and silently scolded himself for his thoughts.
He heard Arya mumbling something. "Dunsen, Ser Meryn, Ser Ilyn, Cersei, Ramsay Bolton. Valar morghulis."
"Are you still reciting your prayer?", he asked but she did not respond. After a while he continued. "I don't know about Dunsen, but Ser Meryn and Ser Ilyn are dead. Killed when Daenerys and Aegon took King's Landing. So is the Mountain by the way. Cersei might be alive at Casterly Rock, but Tyrion says she is to be pitied. She's lost her beauty and her power. Her daughter lives in Dorne, her son is married to a woman she despises, her beloved brother has forgotten about her long since. As for Bolton, we'll take care about him soon enough."
"Cersei doesn't deserve my pity," she spat out. "She's one of the reasons my father is dead. And Lady."
Gendry sighed. "I should resent her, too. Remember the gold cloaks? They looked for me because she wanted me dead. But I'm alive and well, while she's alone and mournful. It's not all about vengeance, Arya."
"No. You're wrong. Everything is about vengeance," she growled with embitterment.
He shook his head but did not continue the dispute.
"Dunsen, Cersei, Ramsay Bolton. Valar morghulis," he heard her saying after a while.
Arya's thirst for revenge troubled him. He would have to think of something eventually. But for the time being he delighted in the feeling of having her back. After all this time she was by his side again. His hope had not been futile for Arya Stark had finally returned.
- I've read some complaints of people hating on the fact that Gendry gets Storm's End in some fanfiction. One of the reasons is Shireen. I actually don't think it's so odd for Gendry to get that place. And somebody has to hold Dragonstone. Hm, in the end, this is only fanfiction!
- many characters are alive in my story of which I don't think will actually survive in the original series. But whatever. :D
( btw my story is a total single party lol. nobody is married which is quite unlikely..)