A/N: Okay, finally got the next chapter uploaded (I have been having a few technical issues - mainly my laptop has been having a bitch fit all day.)
Thanks for all my reviews, you guys are great :) and congrats to calisi87 who found the hidden lyric in last chapter. The lyric was: 'cut me down, but it's you who has further to fall.' From the song Titaniumby David Guetta ft Sia.This chapter has a Lady Antebellum lyric hidden in there.
Hope you enjoy :) - quick note, this chapter overlaps with the last, time wise.
xBx
Chapter 7: Gendry
It had only taken Gendry and Harwin a little over a week to reach Stoney Sept, as they travelled hard; many a night they took it in turns to sleep in their saddles, while the other led, and only stopped to rest the horses, when they could no longer keep going. Lady Stoneheart had been settled at the Sept for many months by the time Gendry got there, with a number of men equally settled. Thoros and his men had arrived a week before, but there were many men still to return.
As soon as they arrived at Stoney Sept, boys came to take their horses to the stable and Tansy emerged from the Peach with a smile and warm welcome like she always did.
"My, haven't you grown since last you came by," She said appreciatively toward Gendry, slapping his cheek with affection, "My girls'll be happy to see you, and make no mistake." She grinned.
Gendry mumbled something incoherent, not in the mood for such pleasantries: he was tired, cold and hungry, and the only thing running through his mind at that moment was a memory of the first time he had visited Stoney Sept, when he had argued with Arya after calling her his sister – he still didn't fully understand why they had lost their temper at each other, but the memory still hurt nonetheless.
"We'll be wanting a room, and a tub." Harwin said, "But first we need to find Lady Stoneheart." He told her, causing Tansy's smile to falter.
"As you will; she's across the way. Keeps to herself most of the time, though her men are always to-ing and fro-ing." Tansy shrugged, "Tom's inside, shall I send him along after you?"
Harwin thought for a moment and then nodded, "Aye, he should be part of this." He decided before turning away, Gendry close at his heel. They walked to the small manse that Lady Stoneheart had taken up residence in.
Gendry had remained silent through the entire meeting: Harwin had told Lady Stoneheart all that he had told Gendry; it transpired that Lem, Anguy and Tom had all heard similar rumours, and had reported back a few weeks ago. As Harwin had anticipated, Lady Stoneheart had not been too pleased that Gendry had been given precedence over her, but Gendry couldn't care less. His priority had always been finding what had happened to Arya; Lady Stoneheart's had been revenge.
The rest of the brotherhood had been summoned back to the Sept, and they were only waiting on Ned Dayne and his men to return, before they were intending to send out a number of men in different directions to hunt down the Ghost of Lyanna Stark. Gendry held back the disgruntled noise he wanted to make, but he was sure his scowl was clearly visible on his face: to this day he disliked the Lord of Starfall, he was arrogant and pompous, and nowhere nears as good a fighter as he boasted. Simply the mention of his name was enough to stir the bile in Gendry's stomach. But Ned dayne was a Lord and Gendry was just a bastard - there was nothing he could do.
After the plans were outlined - mostly by Thoros, as Lady Stoneheart could barely speak - Gendry was finally brought directly into the conversation.
Lady Stoneheart looked directly at Gendry with cold eyes, and an expression that bordered on contempt, "Swords." She rasped out, "Armour."
Gendry nodded once, understanding perfectly, "With everyone gathering you need them equipped. You want me to mend armour, make swords." He said, and Lady Stoneheart nodded.
"Show me to the forge and I'll make a start." Gendry said, moving to the door not asking permision to leave, and Harwin followed him to show him the way.
The pair walked in silence, Gendry too wound up to speak: for the first time since losing Arya's trail at Saltpans, there was a real hope of finding her again, and there were too many emotions struggling within him to know what he was truly feeling – hitting steel would be a perfect distraction in that moment. The forge was cold and dark when they entered, and clearly had not been used for some time.
"I'm going to need a hand to get this place up and running," Gendry said, tossing his pack into a corner, "Send a lad out here, will you?" He asked Harwin, who just nodded.
"You don't want to eat first?" Harwin asked, but Gendry just shook his head, and moved to start lighting a fire. A half hour later, a young lad meekly entered the forge carrying a tray of food and ale.
"Harwin told me to come to you." He said simply.
Gendry nodded, "You ever been in a forge?" he asked quickly and the boy shook his head. "Want to learn to work one?" He asked, and the boy's eyes widened as he nodded.
"Alright, first things first: get that fire burning hotter than the seven hells." He told him, before pouring himself a mug of ale.
For the next week Gendry remained in the forge, day and night, only leaving to visit the Godswood he found his first day there; there was a room above with a bed and blankets where he slept. The boy Harwin had sent him that first night was named Brett, and turned out to be a hard worker and a quick learner. Harwin dropped in from time to time, to keep Gendry up to date with the arrivals, usually staying only five minutes.
Seven nights after their arrival, Harwin was leaning in the doorway watching Gendry work with a thoughtful look. Eventually he spoke,
"Brett," He called, "Run to the Peach and grab something to drink." He said, tossing the boy a coin, which he deftly caught, before leaving the two men alone. Gendry put down his tools and turned to give Harwin his full attention.
"Ned got back this morning." Harwin said, "Which means we're setting out tomorrow."
"Who's going where?" Gendry asked.
"I will be following the Blackwater on its south side, to where it crosses the Goldroad, and continuing south. Thoros will be going east, keeping south of the Godseye, and north of the Blackwater, heading toward the Kingsroad." Harwin explained, "And Ned will be going South, and South East, taking a more direct route over the Reach down towards Oldtown." Gendry nodded, and Harwin continued.
"Now you have to decide, what you're are going to do: Are you going to come with one of us, and if so who? Or are you going to wait here?" Harwin asked.
"I can't just sit back-" Gendry began, running his hand through his hair, "She's been gone for so long now, I gotta get back to her somehow." He said, and he hated how desperate he sounded.
Harwin nodded, and then spoke carefully, "Bear in mind, that whoever finds her will bring her directly back here: If you go with Thoros, and it is I who find her, I will be back at the Sept before you know we've found her. Although," Harwin admitted, "Thoros will likely see it in his flames. Alternatively, if you come with me and it is Ned that finds her, she'll be here long before we get wind of it."
Gendry thought hard, a pained expression on his face, "Whoever finds her, will bring her straight back here." He repeated. And Harwin nodded.
"And if you want to see her before Lady Stoneheart does, your best bet would be to stay right here. Plus you have a lot of weapons to mend and make." Harwin pointed out.
"Is the Brotherhood planning on joining with her, to take the North?" Gendry asked, "If the rumours are true." He added, not wanting to get ahead of himself.
Harwin shrugged, and shook his head, "I don't know what Lady Stoneheart's intentions are, but the Brotherhood have to fight for something. Why not the North? And I'd much rather lay my sword at the feet of a Lady Stark, rather than a Lady Stoneheart." He added.
Gendry nodded again, "I'll stay," he said warily: as much as it pained him to stay behind while others searched, Harwin made a good point – the last thing he wanted was Arya turning up at Stoney Sept when he was somewhere on the other side of the Reach.
Harwin nodded at his decision and turned to leave, but Gendry called him back when he reached the door.
"Harwin!" Gendry said, aware of the desperation seeping into his voice, "Find her," He practically begged. Harwin simply nodded, and left.
That had been a full moon's turn ago, and by now Gendry's short temper was wearing unbearably thin, but thankfully he had plenty of work to distract him: When the brotherhood returned to the Sept, they brought with them plate, mail and weapons taken from the number of Lannisters that had fallen, as well as taking the same from their own fallen comrades. A lot of the skirmishes had been rather violent, which meant there was plenty of armour to mend, and plenty of swords to re-work. Gendry spent his days in the forge, only leaving it to grab something to eat and drink at the Peach and to pray in the Godswood that was just outside the town walls.
Three search parties had been sent out to look for Lyanna's ghost, and the remaining men of the Brotherhood were remaining at Stoney Sept, leaving for a few days at a time to deliver justice throughout the Riverlands and bring back as many fresh supplies as they could. As such, the town was crowded, with nearly all the buildings once again occupied and a steadily growing camp building up outside the main gates to the town, so that now the gates remained open at all times, with two men standing guard night and day.
After weeks of hearing nothing, they were given a reprieve two days ago when a rider from Thoros' party had returned with news that was both good and yet frustrating. According to the man, they had met with a group travelling north to the Wall: Three men of the Night's Watch, taking up new recruits. After questioning the brothers they had found the information they had been looking for: Lyanna's ghost was no ghost, but the last Stark, Lady Arya, who had returned to Westeros and was moving North to take back her home. According to the men in black, they had left her at Storms End, but she was planning to set forth only days after them. Thoros was remaining where he was: if she was following the same route, she should pass by him in a matter of days, his messenger said.
Brett had proved a useful assistant in the past weeks, learning quickly and sorting through the mountain of steel, separating the good from the bad, and melting down what couldn't be mended. The more time Brett spent at the forge, the more comfortable he became, and the less intimidated he was of Gendry. Unfortunately this made him more talkative and some days Gendry was asked a barrage of questions about anything and everything, from the simple and mundane to the downright personal. He also happened to be good at keeping the place in order – something Gendry had never been particularly careful about.
"Are you ever going to fully unpack your things?" Brett asked, as he lifted Gendry's half emptied pack from a corner.
Gendry shrugged, "If I need something that's in there, I'll get it." He said simply.
"What's even in here?" Bret asked peering in, "Just looks like a load of rags." He commented pulling it out. Gendry ignored him, and continued to work on the sword he had been making from some of the melted down scraps of steel.
"Ow! Seven hells!" Brett cursed, dropping the rags he had been untangling. Gendry looked up at the commotion.
"What are you doing?" Gendry asked with a frown. Brett ignored the question, and moved to the rags, shaking them free and unearthing a bronze circlet with steel blade tips adorning over half the circumference; the centre blade was the biggest, with the blades on either side becoming marginally smaller, until they disappeared into the bronze.
"What is it?" Brett asked with a frown of his own and picking up the circlet gingerly.
"What does it look like?" Gendry snapped, "Put it back."
"It looks like a crown." Brett said, examining the find closely, "When did you smith for a King?" he asked.
"Does that look like it was made for the head of a King?" Gendry asked, setting down his tools and walking over to roughly take the crown from Brett's hands.
"No," Brett admitted, "Looks too feminine for a King. It's beautiful work though." He said, as Gendry bundled it back into a rag and shoved it back into his pack.
"Who did you make it for?" Brett pressed.
Gendry let out a frustrated sigh, "I made it as a peace offering to a girl I once angered." He said, thinking back to the last weeks he had spent with Arya. "She was a princess, by rights, though she didn't much act like one. Now, mind your own business and get back to work." He said, not wanting to delve further into the memories.
Brett, unfortunately, was not one to let the subject drop, regardless of Gendry's command. "It's not very fancy, for a princess – wouldn't she have preferred something more…bright and girly?" he asked. "In gold maybe?"
Gendry actually snorted, "She wasn't your average princess." He said with a small smile, "She was small, but dangerous: like the crown – it looks small and delicate, but it's made of good steel and strong bronze and it's wicked sharp. You have a sword of steel and a sword of gold," he said to Brett, "Which one is the best?"
"The gold will look good and fancy, but steel is stronger. Wins every time." Brett said, as if the question had been stupid.
"Exactly." Was all that Gendry said, before going back to work. Brett was silent for a while and Gendry thought that was the end of it.
"This princess," Brett said slowly after nearly half an hour of silent work. Gendry closed his eyes and let out a slow breath at Brett continued, "Is she the one who everyone has gone looking for? The one who was with the brotherhood years ago? Arya Stark, the Northern Princess?"
"What's it to you?" Gendry snapped, not looking up, so he missed the shrug Brett gave.
"Just wondered what she's like is all." Brett mumbled.
Gendry thought for a moment, "Steel." He said, "She's like good steel: strong and sharp and hard. She doesn't break easy." He said, thinking back to everything she had endured since they had both left King's Landing. They worked in silence for the rest of the afternoon, and when the sun began to set Gendry sent Brett off to eat, telling him would follow when he had finished working on the sword.
He was still hammering away when the distant sounds of commotion filtered through the doorway; he listened carefully to the sounds of hoof beats and dogs barking, but no horn was blown: in all likelihood it was just another band of men returning from a trip into the Riverlands. The first time Gendry had heard a similar commotion his heart-rate accelerated, his palms became sweaty and his stomach was a twisted knot of nerves, thinking that someone had returned with Arya in tow. But after four weeks of disappointed hopes, he didn't dare to bother to become excited at the noise, so he went back to pounding the steel, putting it in and out of the furnace when needed. He had been working harder than usual this afternoon, after the re-discovery of the small crown, in an attempt to ignore the memories pushing at the forefront of his mind, and as a result his tunic was sticking to his sweat covered body and his hair was sticking to his foreheard.
He put down his hammer and swept his arm across his forehead to wipe away the moisture that had built there, before plunging the finished sword into a bucket of water by his side with a satisfying hiss. When the blade had cooled he pulled it out and began to swing it, testing its feel and balance.
"You're still not standing sideface." A female voice said from behind, sounding slightly exasperated.
Gendry whirled around in shock to face the intruder that had nearly scared the life right out of him, managing to kick over the bucket in the process and splashing freezing water over his feet. He wasn't sure what had shocked him more: that someone had so effectually snuck up on him, or the phrase they had used. Only one person had ever told him to stand 'sideface' while wielding a sword. To present a smaller target the memory stirred in him.
Gendry cursed as he looked down, kicking the bucket out of his way, "Who in seven hells are you, and what are you doing sneaking up on me!" He yelled, before looking up. He hadn't recognised the voice that had spoke; while clearly Westerosi, it had a colour of an accent. When he finally saw the person standing just inside the doorway he didn't know what to do, or what to say, and he was even having trouble knowing what to feel.
Standing before him was a young woman in men's breeches and tunic that had been obviously adjusted to fit her form, and while Gendry couldn't help but notice how breathtakingly beautiful she was, it was not that which held his gaze. Her hair was longer than it had been – she had obviously let it grow – and hung in a loose braid over her shoulder, and it was just the colour he remembered. But her eyes gave him pause: they were the perfect colour, the perfect shape, but the fire had gone out and was replaced by a blankness so cold it almost made him shiver. He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there, quite probably looking stupid – if only she would call him out on it; he needed to be sure it was really her, if it wasn't it just might kill him.
She swallowed and gave a small, almost sad, smile, though her eyes remained emotionless. "You don't know who I am." She said simply, and Gendry wished he could know what she was thinking.
"Is it really you, milady?" Gendry asked, barely above a whisper, and his heart skipped a beat when she visibly scowled. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear the answer: if it wasn't her, he didn't know what he would do. But he couldn't let himself believe it was really she, not until she confirmed it.
"Don't call me milady." She snapped,
"It's really you?" Gendry said, still not daring to believe it, "Arya, you're really here?" The last part came out sounding like a plea, he realised he must have sounded quite pathetic, but in that moment he really didn't care.
"Of course I'm really here," she frowned, "I wouldn't be talking to you if I wasn't. Stupid." She added on the end quietly. There it was: that tone, that word. She was there, she was real.
Gendry let out a nervous laugh of relief, and without thinking he dropped the blade on the ground and took two long strides over to where she stood. Not caring about the consequences and not thinking about how she would react, he pulled her into a fierce hug, wrapping his arms around her tightly and breathing in her scent.
"My prayers were answered, after all." He mumbled into her hair, as the scent of snow, mixed with the smells of the forest and wolf enveloped his senses. Arya was stiff for a moment, but finally he heard, and felt, her take in a deep breath, before she slowly circled her arms around his back. He held her a moment longer, before stepping back to look at her again, and only then did he notice the blood matted in her hair, and bruising on her temple.
"What happened?" He asked with a frown, and was surprised when Arya smiled – though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes, it seemed no emotion was ever displayed in them anymore.
"We ran into some Lannisters on our way here. And they ran into our swords." She shrugged, "we lost a couple of men, but they lost of all of theirs."
"Where have you been?" Gendry asked her then, and the smile left her face.
"Nowhere." She said, becoming impassive once more.
"That's it?" Gendry asked after a seconds pause, looking incredulous, "That's all I get? I followed you to Saltpans, I know you took a ship, why won't you tell me where you went?" He demanded, his voice starting to rise and shake.
Arya swallowed, "You followed me?" She asked, "Why? Harwin said he'd followed, but I assumed…" she trailed off.
"Of course I followed you!" Gendry spoke over the end of her dwindling sentence, "Harwin, Thoros and I, as soon as you were taken, we set out at first light, and followed you and the Hound. Why wouldn't I follow you?" he asked.
This was not how he had wanted their reunion to go – true, he hadn't given much thought as to what he would say when he met her again: he wanted to apologise for making her mad, he wanted to apologise for letting her go, but he certainly didn't want to argue.
"You left me." Arya said simply, still not betraying any emotion, which frustrated Gendry. Or rather scared him: what had happened to her in the past four years that had caused her to become so cold?
"You joined the Brotherhood, so you wouldn't have to put up with me anymore: you were going to take me to Riverrun and then leave and never look back." She continued.
"That's what you thought?" Gendry asked, even more regretful of his rash decision than he had been at the time it was made. "Seven hells, no wonder you were angry with me." He said, running his hands through his hair in frustration: never in a million years did he think she would have thought that. She was the first true friend he had ever had. No, she was the only true friend he had ever had, he thought she knew that; leaving her had been the last thing on his mind.
Gendry shook his head, "That wasn't my intention." He said.
"Then why did you join them?" Arya snapped, betraying a hint of annoyance, and Gendry was glad to finally hear some of her old self coming through.
Gendry ran his hands through his hair once more, but before he could begin to explain himself, they were interrupted as someone cleared their throat. Gendry and Arya turned to look at the doorway in which Harwin was stood.
"Princess Arya," Harwin said, "Lady Stoneheart is ready to see you." Gendry heard the tension in Harwin's voice, and he thought he saw Arya tense ever so slightly as she nodded, before looking back at Gendry.
"My armour got badly dented," she said after a moment, the small hint of emotion that had been there a moment ago now gone completely. "If I bring it here can you fix it?" she asked.
Gendry nodded, "Of course." He said.
"Thank you." She said, before turning to follow Harwin.
"Wait!" Gendry called her back, suddenly remembering Lady Stoneheart's former self. He reached out to grab Arya's hand, stopping her from continuing and turned her to face him again, "There's something you need to know. Lady Stoneheart, she's… I mean…" Gendry struggled to find the words, trying to ignore the feel of Harwin's gaze burning into him.
"I know who she is." Arya said, once again betraying no emotion, "Harwin told me everything." And with that, she disappeared, leaving Gendry standing there, wondering if that had really happened.
She had been there, really there, right in front of him; he had held her, and felt that she was real. Yet she was not the girl he remembered, the girl he dreamed of many nights, but a woman grown. She was more beautiful than he could have imagined, and yet there were still remnants of the old Arya there, she still liked to dress like a man, she carried steel on her hip, and she apparently still liked to fight. It gave him hope: if there was still some vestiges of the old Arya there, then there had to be more hidden deep inside. Maybe in time she would open up, the coldness behind her eyes might melt, surely something would re-awaken that fire in her?
He was too full of conflicting emotions to fully settle back to work again: he was relieved that she had finally returned, but he was scared that he would wake up tomorrow and find her gone again; he was happy that she had come to find him, yet sad that she seemed so distant towards him.
He wasn't left long to his thoughts as Harwin returned mere moments after taking Arya to Lady Stoneheart.
"So." Harwin said as he entered. "She found you then."
Gendry nodded, and then looked at Harwin, "I'm glad you were the one to find her." He said, before frowning, "She said you ran into some Lannisters?" He asked.
Harwin nodded, "Yes. Biggest band yet: we were lucky they came across us afterwe had joined with Arya's force. The wolves were certainly a help, as well. We think the Lannisters have got wind somehow of a possible attack. It's likely the group we came up against were trying to make their way east, to King's Landing. It's our job to stop them, according to Arya. Princess Arya." Harwin corrected himself before frowning, "Lady Stark?" He questioned, and then shook his head, "I don't really know what her title is, don't even think she really knows right now."
"We swear our swords to her now?" Gendry clarified, "Are the Brotherhood about to finally take some banners?" He asked quietly – what they were talking of was almost treasonous: despite the family connection, they were still discussing overthrowing Lady Stoneheart's command for someone elses.
Harwin took a deep breath, "The brotherhood has been divided over Lady Stoneheart's rule. Half have followed her without question, the other half have looked to me. And you." He added quietly.
Gendry frowned, "I still don't understand why people seem to look to me as their leader." He grumbled, "I've only been here a month."
"It's your look." Harwin said carefully, and Gendry felt he was weighing every word, "It's a look that inspires loyalty."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Gendry snapped.
Harwin shook his head, "That doesn't matter right now. What matters, is that whatever we do, the Brotherhood will follow. Arya has grown up in more ways than I could have thought: she's not blinded when it comes to the real world like many of her age. I've seen her fight, I've heard her talk with her men and I've heard what transpired at Storms End – how she brokered an alliance with the Dragon Prince. There are worse men out there to follow. Arya Stark is a force to be reckoned with." He finished, and Gendry snorted.
"Harwin; that I have known for a long time." Gendry said. "Don't ask," He added with a shake of his head, seeing Harwin's frown, and thinking of the extreme lengths she would go to, to in order to get what she wanted.
Harwin left, not long after, to find refreshment and a bath. Gendry tidied away his tools, left the fire blazing, and walked outside. The town square was filled with many people he didn't recognise – do doubt Arya's men – and the Peach seemed noisier than ever, as he made his way to the back end of town. Pushing through a small gate in the wall, he made his way into the Godswood to revel in peace and quiet, to try to get a handle on his emotions and to thank the Old Gods – the only Gods who had ever listened.
A/N: So, there it was, that reunion you were all so eager for. I realise it was possibly a little anti-climatic, but I couldn't give up all the juicy stuff in one go now, could I :P
Next chapter is Arya, we get to see her take on their first meeting, and of course, their second meeting. And Arya's introduction to Lady Stoneheart. It might be a little longer for an update - I need to post a chapter on my other fic I'm working on.
Thanks again for reading :)
xBx
