I have no idea how I'm getting out so many chapters so quickly…Uni is hectic. Don't forget to review! Also I want to thank you for the positive feedback! I never thought it would get even a little attention.
Arya was happy for the first time since she left the North. Every day on the road she would wallow in self-pity and hatred. Hatred of the South and the heat and hatred toward Robert Baratheon for requesting her father bloody visit. But…now, thinking about her day she could honestly say she was happy. Happier than she thought she could be. All because of Gendry Baratheon, with his pretty face and dashing blue eyes that poured into her so deeply she thought she would drown. Marrying was always something she knew she would have to do. She was highborn and highborn girls get married. She just never thought it would be to the Crown Prince of Westeros, she always thought she'd end up with some old, fat lord who would reluctantly marry her for heirs. Never in her life had she thought she was pretty enough for the prince, for anyone really.
Laying down on her bed she sighed deeply, she wanted nothing more than to nap but she had to attend supper with the royal family. She liked the royal family, she just didn't like the King. Her blood boiled when she remembered he had first refused to let her and Gendry marry. It boiled her blood because she was going to do what she wanted in the end and no one would stop her. Not even the blasted King. She didn't want Gendry to know how angry she was so she held it in and it seemed to fuel itself even further in the deepest depths of her stomach. She never thought with her head, being irrational and rash was a curse for her. Always acting on impulse was something she couldn't help, she hoped Gendry would understand that. By the gods she hoped he understood. She certainly didn't love Gendry, he was more like her friend at the moment but she knew that friends don't kiss each other without the chance of love blossoming. And she didn't mind one bit. If she were back in Winterfell she probably would have hurled herself from the highest tower or let Shaggydog do a number on her. Thinking of Shaggydog felt like a stab to her heart. She missed her brothers more than anything, Robb and his comforting smile, Bran with his wise words, Rickon and his wild ways and of course, her favourite, Jon. She missed him the most, he was sent to the wall before their departure and she had cried herself to sleep the night he left. Jon would be able to help her, Jon would make sure Robert never laid eyes on her again. Gendry and Jon would get along she was sure of it. She hoped they could meet each other one day. One day. A knock at her door stirred her from her thoughts and she got up quickly, opening the door. Sansa stood in front of her door with a small smile. Arya smiled and let her sister in. Sansa was pale, almost sickly pale. Arya furrowed her brows together. Deeply confused.
"Sansa, what's wrong with you?" She asked, Sansa paced around the room. She would go to speak then would stop again only to duplicate the action again. Arya sighed frustrated and dragged her sister to sit on the edge of her bed.
"Sansa. What is wrong?" Arya pressed, Sansa sighed and fiddled with her fingers.
"I just spoke with King Robert" she blurted out, Arya stilled her heart sped up in her chest and her throat became dry.
"What did he want?" Arya croaked out, Sansa sighed and fidgeted with the skirts of her dress.
"He asked me how I felt about you and Gendry's betrothal. He also asked where you were, he wanted to speak with you. I tried to stall him, Arya, I did but he's determined to find you and talk to you…alone" Sansa said, her face was etched with worry and Arya rubbed Sansa's back in comfort.
"Oh, Sansa. It's fine, I'll stay away from him, I promise. I will stay in here until dinner and if that stupid King so desperately wanted to talk to me he could find me himself, gods why is he so disgusting?" She exclaimed bouncing off the bed in a swift motion. She was angry, she was upset and she was disgusted, King Robert had absolutely no reason to speak with her. It would be fine in the presence of her father, Gendry or even queen Cersei, but she knew he wanted to talk with her alone.
"I'm sorry you have to go through this, Arya." Sansa muttered, defeated.
"You didn't make him become a disgusting pig, did you? No, I love you, Sans. You have helped me so much, I don't know how I can ever thank you" Arya laughed, Sansa smiled.
"You don't have to thank me, I'm your big sister, it's my job" Sansa said with a playful roll of her blue eyes. Arya smiled and looked to the floor. Could she really stay away from the King? What if he ordered her to speak to him? Gods, a million thoughts ran about her mind and not one of them were pleasant.
"Arya" Sansa whispered, she looked up to her sister. A worried smiled on her face.
"You don't have to suffer alone, you can tell me what you're thinking" Sansa said, her eyes held concern and Arya was itching to cuddle up to her, like they used to in Winterfell.
"I know, Sans. I'm just worried, what if his little obsession with me never dies out?" Arya asked, Sansa sighed and patted the place on the bed next to her. Arya slowly made her way toward the bed and sat down.
"Dear sister, you are not Lyanna. You may look like her, but you are not her. Robert will realise that when the time comes and then he'll definitely turn his attentions elsewhere" Sansa assured, Arya sighed and nodded, Sansa grabbed her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. Arya accepted the hug and slumped against her sister. For a moment she imaged Jon giving her the hug and she felt a little better.
"I hope he does, I'm sick of hiding and being with someone all the time. And it's only been a day" Arya muttered into Sansa's shoulder. Sansa sighed and pulled back.
"It's better safe than sorry, Arya" She said in a serious tone. Arya understood. Who knew what Robert would do when he got a hold of her in private. She involuntarily shivered.
After a time Sansa had left to ready for the feast herself. Arya had decided to wear a tunic and breeches to dinner. She made sure to strap a small dagger to her thigh in case anything was to happen. The tunic was a beautiful shade of violet and it hugged her figure in a way a dress should. The tunic was longer than usual and it had slits up the side, it was a gift from Robb's wife, Jeyne for her last name day. Her breeches were form fitting as well, they were a dark brown and they matched her boots which had reached to her knee caps. She had left her hair loose and flowing around her shoulder, it was the easiest option.
When the guard had told her supper had started she took a deep breath and walked out of her room towards the dining hall. With a deep breath she pushed open the door and walked in, everyone was there and she felt heat rise up her neck when she saw the way Gendry was staring at her. Robert was staring at her much in the same way, except it made her skin crawl. Her mother and father were smiling and Sansa looked radiant. Arya had guessed it was because of the imminent arrival of the heir to Highgarden. She took her seat next to Gendry and he smiled at her with something akin to awe in his bright blue eyes. She blushed furiously when he told her she looked beautiful and kissed her hand.
She ate her dinner with small talk with the queen and Gendry. She was surprised the King had not tried to speak with her. Suddenly she felt Gendry's warm hand on her knee and she looked at him surprised. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. Her breathing quickened and she felt nervous.
"You really do look beautiful, Arya. Absolutely ravishing" he whispered, his voice was hoarse and full of emotion. She smirked and gestured to herself.
"I'm starting to wonder if you prefer my breeches over my dress, my prince" she said in a low voice. Gendry chuckled and it rumbled through her body.
"Oh…definitely the breeches" he whispered, blowing hot air onto her neck when he spoke. She knew she was positively red and she tried to make herself look calm. She was anything but that. Gendry did things to her body she wasn't even aware of. She never even thought about boys before meeting him. It seemed Gendry Baratheon was able to bring out sides of herself she didn't even know. She knew her father was eyeing them suspiciously. Arya cleared her throat and let herself join in on her mother and Sansa's conversation. The conversation was about the Martell and Tyrell host camping just outside of the city, making their way to the castle in the early morning. Sansa could barely contain her excitement and she felt elated for her sister. Gendry's hand was still on her knee and she felt him rub it, she looked to him and saw him staring at his father, at the head of the table. The king was deep in his cups and Arya swallowed loudly.
"Are you alright?" She asked, he looked back to her and nodded with a small smile.
"He just…he hasn't drunk like this in a while." He said, his jaw was clenching and the grip in her knee became harder, almost painful. He suddenly realised his grip was tight and he quickly pulled his hand away. She snatched it back and held it in hers tightly. She gave him a comforting smile and his eyes smiled for him.
"I'm sure he's just stressed, with the arrival of my father and wanting his stay to be pleasant" she ground out, she didn't want to give Robert any praise but she really could not think of any other reason as to why he would be depressingly downing his flagons of wine. Gendry nodded in appreciation of her words, she knew he didn't believe her. She wasn't sure she believed herself.
Arya and Gendry seemed to be talking all night, she still had not let go of his hand and she felt her stomach flutter every time he rubbed her hand with his thumb. She saw Cersei and her mother give them wry smiles, Renly Baratheon had not missed his opportunity to wink at both her and his nephew. Joffrey made quiet jokes with the couple and she found herself both annoyed and amused by the second prince's words. Gendry looked at her with such admiration it almost took her breath away. He refused to speak to anyone else but her and he listened to her stories about her brothers and their Direwolves. He laughed with her and his eyes held the same mirth they always did when he spoke to her. Everyone was departing for their beds and Gendry and Arya had decided to head there themselves. Before exiting Gendry kissed the back of her hand and knuckles with hot, sweet kissed.
"I hope to spend some time with you tomorrow, Milady" He smirked, she scoffed and rolled her grey eyes.
"Do not call me milady" she seethed, he chuckled and bowed in appreciation.
"as milady commands" he said, she rolled her eyes and they both walked their separate ways towards their chambers. She probably should have known something was amiss when no one had joined her to escort her back to her room. The castle was quiet and she shuddered.
She heard someone hiccup in the shadows in front of her. She stilled and reached for the dagger.
"Who's there?!" Arya said firmly, her blood turned cold when the figure laughed and stepped out of the shadows. Robert Baratheon smiled at her and her body felt rigid.
"It's just me, lady Arya. I hope I didn't frighten you" he said, she noticed he still had a flagon of wine in his hand and she gulped loudly. His eyes, so much like Gendry's, yet so different, roamed her body hungrily.
"Of course not, your grace. I'll be going now" she said hastily, she tried to walk past him quickly and she felt his large hand grab hold of her arm. She turned and tried to push him away from her but he was too strong. Fear settled in her stomach and she stared up at him wide eyed.
"Do you really want to marry my son?" he asked, his voice was hoarse from the wine and she tried pulling away from him. He only pulled her tighter. His breathing was heavy, his eyes were studying her intently.
"Yes" she said, her anger was flaring and she really didn't want to strike a king. Suddenly she was moving and then her back was pinned against a cold wall and her breath caught in her throat. She began to fear for herself and tried pushing him away. He had her pinned to the wall by his hips. She wanted to scream and thrash, but the king could do what he wanted, what guard would stop him?
"Why? He's my son, he will end up just like me. A drunk and a man who wants another woman who does not want him" his face was so close to hers she could smell the wine. Suddenly his hands were on her hips and his face was buried in her neck, she gasped and punched at his chest in fury. The king chuckled and his beard rubbed against her bare skin and she wanted to vomit on him.
"Gendry is nothing like you! I am not Lyanna! Let go of me!" She said in a venomous hiss. And just like that he let her go, his face looked confused, like he didn't know what he had just done. Without another word she turned and ran toward her chambers, she tried not to cry. She had succeeded so far and her heart was racing too loudly for her own liking. She pushed the door to her chamber open and then slammed it shut. Pacing around her room she tried to regulate her breathing so that she could sleep. Never in all of her life had she ever been more afraid for herself, she was sure if she had not done anything he would have tried to take her maidenhead. Choking on her own gasp at the thought she lied back on her bed and tried to get the feeling on his disgusting hands feeling her up out of her mind. Wishing Jon were with her she fell into a fitful sleep.
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