A/N: Joe Dempsie has gotten me hooked on Tumblr and Twitter…go figure! I'm easily swayed and one look at all those pictures and gifs of him and I'm sucked right in. Plus, he's hilarious on Twitter, so why not! GRRM, you damn genius, you! Everything belongs to him…not to yours truly. I'm making zilch off of this story, but you people are smart and already knew that! Now that we've said goodbye to Weasel, on with more killing…I mean the story!
They had been walking for three days. Exhausted, hungry and tired, the trio finally fell to the ground where they stood. Arya did not move for what seemed like hours, too tired to think. Everything felt like one big nightmare. She lay on the grass, surrounded by the forest, and stared into the sky. It hung above her, grey and overcast. She realized it matched her mood perfectly.
When her stomach began to growl, she knew it was time to get up and go find food. She sat up slowly and tried to stand, but strong hands came down upon her shoulders. Arya stilled at once. She didn't have to look behind her to know it was Gendry. She had learned his touch so easily. He touched the back of her head and she bit her lip in pain. Her eyes began to water. As softly as he could, Gendry pushed her head forward.
"I'm fine," she said through clenched teeth.
"I want to see for myself," he answered, his voice low.
She allowed him to push her short hair back. He spoke no words, but she heard his sharp intake of breath.
"Will I live?" she asked, only half kidding.
"The cut isn't that deep. I'm more worried about the large bump."
She gently pulled her head out of his grip, looking back at him. Gendry looked as bad as she felt. His thick, black hair was sticking up on end. His shoulder, where Rothe had cut him, was healing, but it looked very painful. Black bags could be seen underneath his eyes from lack of sleep, and his guilt was the worst part of all. When Gendry did sleep, he mumbled Weasel's name, mumbled apologies too late to be spoken.
She turned around, staring out at Hot Pie. He was sitting alone, just staring into nothingness. He hadn't spoken many words since they had left Weasel's grave. Arya was starting to worry about him, but she didn't know how to talk to him about it. He was grieving worse than any of them.
"Is he okay?" she asked, her head pointing towards Hot Pie.
Gendry took a seat beside her, wrapping his arms around his knees. He stared at the boy for a few moments, as if trying to decide. "I don't know," he finally admitted.
"It is my fault, you know. It is all my fault," Arya whispered.
Gendry slowly turned to look at her. She turned and met his gaze, allowing him to see the emotions she could not allow herself to show. He reached over, lightly touching her cheek with his thumb.
"No, Ayra, it wasn't you fault," he said.
Arya smiled bitterly, angry tears filling her eyes. She blinked them away hurriedly, refusing to allow them to fall. Gendry's thumb continued to caress her cheek. "Yes it was," she whispered. "I should have cut his fucking hand off first, and then drove the sword through his throat."
With that, she pulled Gendry's hand from her cheek and stood to her feet. She walked through the thick woods, not knowing where she was headed. All she knew was that she needed to move, needed to silence the voices in her head that cried for blood. The anger was so that it drove her mad. Arya leaned against a large tree, her head resting on the rough bark. She slammed her eyes closed, the bloodlust sitting heavily on her shoulders. Her palm rose and slammed down against the tree. Over and over, she slammed her hand down in her angered rage.
When she finally dug underneath her emotions, she realized what her biggest issue was. The moment Rothe shot the crossbow she had thought that Gendry was as good as dead. The moment she realized he was unharmed, she had thanked the gods. She had rejoiced, so thankful that his life was spared. Even in the horrors of watching Weasel breathe her last breath, she had still felt such relief. What kind of person would feel that way as an innocent girl lay before her, dying?
Arya was grabbed by the shoulders and pulled into strong arms. Gendry surrounded her with his warmth, with his strength, and she clung to him. "I was thankful it was her, Gendry! I was so thankful it was her and not you!" Arya screamed in his chest.
His hold tightened on her. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt, screaming her horrible, inhuman thoughts in his chest. He never responded, never told her to be quiet. He allowed her to scream, until she had no more energy to scream. Still, Gendry never let her go.
When she had finally calmed down, releasing the demons that were eating away at her, she looked up at him. Her face was red, her eyes swollen, and he reached down and took her face in his hands. As gently as he could, he began to kiss away her tears. His lips touched her eyelids, taking her pain from her and in to himself. As softly, as if he were afraid to break her, he kissed every inch of her face. Arya clung to him, allowing him to comfort her in this way. Surprisingly, she felt herself relaxing and letting the anger go.
When he reached her lips, she devoured him. The gentleness was gone, the awkwardness and being unsure melted away. She needed him, needed him as close to her as she could get. She needed to feel something other than the rage, something only Gendry had ever been able to give her. He tamed the rage and anger within her. Gendry responded, pushing her up against the tree. The rough bark pressed into her back, but it could not penetrate pass the feeling of Gendry's mouth upon hers. His tongue touched her lips, begging for entry. When she opened her mouth wider, she felt his tongue gently touch her own. He did not force his tongue any further than her own, being content to just taste her. Arya had never experienced anything like it before.
Suddenly, his face shot away from her, turning to the side. He looked as though he were concentrating on something, and when she began asking him what was wrong, his finger shot up to her lips to silence her.
"Do you hear that?" he whispered.
Arya stared at him, straining her ears to hear what it was he was hearing. At first, she heard nothing, but several seconds later, she began to hear the sound of horses. He turned his wide-eyes towards her, and without a word they began running back towards Hot Pie. The closer they got to where they had left the boy, the louder the noise became. Several different scenarios ran through Arya's mind, but none of them were good. By the time they came back to where they had made their camp, Arya realized they were in deep trouble.
A group of men, all on horseback, circled around Hot Pie. There were at least ten men, if not more. Their swords were drawn on the boy as he turned to look at each man. The encircled him in a cold, steel circle. His face showed his fear, his body shaking.
"Seven Hells," Gendry whispered underneath his breath.
It was too late for them to crawl back into the thick woods. As soon as they stepped forward towards their friend, the men turned straight to them. On instinct, Gendry stepped in front of Arya. She leaned to the side, looking past him. One of the men on horseback was trotting towards them, his sword pointed in their direction.
"You two, over here…now!" he commanded.
Gendry looked around desperately for a way of escape, but there was none to be found. Arya thought if they made a run for it they could lose them deep inside the forest, but that would leave Hot Pie to his fate. She just couldn't do it. She felt she owed Weasel for her horrible thoughts, and what better way to honor the girl's memory but to protect the one she loved most of all.
Arya stepped out from behind the protective shield of Gendry. She grabbed his hand, squeezing softly. He looked at her, his face showing his helplessness. "You and me," she whispered. Gendry closed his eyes, breathing deeply. She could tell that he understood there was no way out but to walk forward.
"You and me," he responded back.
More than likely, this would be it for them. They would come to the end of their lives on a small road heading towards Riverrun. These men looked as if they were out for blood. Arya prayed her death would come swiftly upon her. She prayed she would be first, for she did not think she had the strength to watch Gendry and Hot Pie die. That would be a fate worse than death.
Together, hand in hand, they walked towards Hot Pie. He looked both relieved and scared. As soon as they entered the circle of horseback men, they were surrounded. Four of the men climbed from their horses and walked towards them. The trio took a step back on instinct, but their way was blocked. What waited behind them was the sharp end of blades. Both Gendry and Hot Pie were pulled away from Arya. Gendry fought them for a moment, but as soon as the blade touched his neck, he stilled. They were forced to their knees. Their hands were bound behind them as a sword's blade was held at their neck. Arya stood by herself, watching the men close in.
"Though I have not put anything past Tywin Lannister, I still find it very odd that he sends children out to do his bidding."
Arya turned her face to the right, watching as someone came into view. The man atop a black horse looked both beautiful and hideous. He had the look of youth, but his face held the look of death. Scars, too numerous to count, shown for all to see. His skin was pale white, as pale as she had ever seen anyone. He looked both alive and dead all at the same time. She wanted to look away from him, desperate to look away from his eyes, but her fascination had taken over. Who is this man, she thought in awe.
"A girl, who wishes to look like a boy…how convenient," he breathed.
She stole a hurried glance at Gendry, seeing his eyes popping out of his head. When was the last time she had had a haircut? Not since Yoren. Her hair had grown, almost touching her shoulders. How could she have forgotten to keep her hair short? Deny it, Gendry's eyes were screaming at her.
The man circled her, looking up and down every inch of her. She remained as still as stone, staring at Gendry. The thought of this man touching her sent her stomach into a frenzy.
"Your name, child?" the man asked softly.
"Weasel," she responded instantly.
The man came back around and sat before her, chuckling softly. "I want to know your real name, Weasel. Also, I want to know what task Tywin Lannister has sent you and your companions on. Think carefully about how you answer, for it will be your friends' fates that suffer for your lies."
"What?" she asked in confusion. Why would this man believe they were doing anything for Lannister? "We are not doing his bidding, milord, I assure you," Arya said, anger in her voice.
The man studied her for a moment, his dead eyes staring in to her. She felt her skin crawl, so she looked away. "You can't even look me in the eyes with your lies, child," he said softly.
"It is no lie, milord."
"I am no lord…not anymore," he said bitterly
He turned his horse around, riding in between Gendry and Hot Pie. He watched them for a moment before nodding at his men. Arya watched in horror as they were bent forward, their necks exposed.
"What are you doing!" she screamed at him.
"We are giving them a fair trial, child. You have the responsibility of speaking on their behalf, and if I am satisfied with your answers, which as of right now I am not, I will allow them to live. So, I will ask you again. What is your mission for Lannister?"
"Nothing, I swear it!" she said desperately.
"You have obviously come from Harrenhall. Is that cursed place not in the hands of Lannister?"
Arya nodded her head, feeling dread sweep through her. There were no other settlements or village from here to Harrenhall. There was no way to deny where they had been. This man would see right through it no matter what lie she thought up.
"We are the law in these parts, child, and we stand against anything the Lannisters are for! I will see all of them dead for what they have done. In the name of the true king, King Robert, the first of his name, and the man who was the king's hand, they will all perish."
Arya felt as if he had slapped her across the face. The air was forced from her body in small puffs. The man who was the king's hand, she thought.
"Eddard Stark," Arya said, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.
"Do not say his name! Traitors are never to speak of him. He was an honorable man, nothing like the filth you serve! Now, again, I will ask what your purpose in our area is! Are you here to pillage and steal from the townsfolk? Know this much that will never happen! We have taken an oath to protect the people who would come to harm at the hands of the man you serve!"
"I. Do. Not. Serve. Tywin. Lannister," Arya ground out.
The man sighed deeply, staring at her. "I do not like to execute children, but I cannot allow you to bring danger to my people. Kill the two boys. We will keep the girl, possibly for ransom."
"No!" Arya yelled, walking towards the man. As soon as she moved, four of his men surrounded her, their blades pointing at her. She stilled at once, looking from Gendry to Hot Pie in fear. They lowered the boys' heads, the steel blade resting softly on the exposed flesh. "You cannot do this! On behalf of the men you say you hold loyalty to, you cannot do this!"
"And what do you know of loyalty, child?"
"I know that loyalty gets you killed, sir. I watched honor and loyalty murder my father and if you kill my friends, loyalty would have murdered them as well. You want my name?" she growled.
The man inclined his head, his face looking amused. The men holding the blades against Gendry and Hot Pie waited for their cue from the man, but Arya knew she had his attention. Her next move was one that was either really stupid or something that would save them all. She had no other choice. With careful, slow steps, she began to walk towards the man. When she came to the blade's barrier, she looked the men straight in the eye and moved their blades aside. They complied, allowing her to pass.
"My name is Arya, of house Stark. In the name of my father, Eddard Stark the hand of the king, I beg you to spare me and my friends' lives. For the respect you hold for my father, let us pass."
For a split second, she saw surprise in the man's eyes, but it did not last. He stared at her for several minutes without responding. Arya met his stare with one of her own, begging the man to believe her.
"Arya Stark is being held in King's Landing," said the man.
"I escaped a few hours after my father was killed. I traveled with a group of men heading towards the wall. Yoren was supposed to deliver me to Winterfell, but he was killed not long after we left. My companions and I are the only ones left."
On purpose, she omitted the three men she had saved from the fire, Jaqen H'ghar, Rorgue and Biter.
"You are quite cunning, child. I will give you that," the man smiled.
"I'm not lying! I swear it on my father's name!" Arya huffed.
"I've heard enough. Kill the two boys, so they will not go back and tell Lannister what they have seen. As for the girl, she will come with me. I frown upon killing women, no matter if they are traitors or not."
Arya was taken by the arms, being held down while she fought against her captives. The swords above Gendry and Hot Pie began to rise in the air, ready to strike them down. The man turned his back and started to walk away.
"This is not a fair trial!" she yelled.
"And there will be no fair trial when liars are the ones speaking," he called over his shoulder.
"You do this, and I swear with all that is in within me, I will destroy you and your men any way I can! Winter is coming, and I will see to it that it takes you first! Slow and painfully, you will fall to your knees and beg for death in the end!" Arya screamed.
The man immediately stopped, his hand shooting in the air. The swords that were meant for Gendry and Hot Pie froze in the air above their necks. The men watched their leader closely. He turned his dead eyes towards her, his smile growing. Arya stood her ground as the man slowly got down from his horse and walked towards her. He nodded his head to the two men holding her, and they released her at once.
"Spoken like a true Stark," the man said softly. "You have your father's face now that my eyes are opened to it."
Arya let out a long breath, her heart hammering in her chest. Gendry and Hot Pie were released. They walked back towards Arya, standing on either side of her, watching the man with the dead eyes. He looked between them, his smile never falling.
"My heart is heavy with the loss of Lord Stark, milady. Allow me to give my respects on behalf of me and my men," he said, bowing his head.
"Thank you," Arya said, unsure of what was happening.
Only seconds ago, Gendry and Hot Pie were about to be beheaded. Now, all around her, the men began to bow their heads in respect to her father. Gendry reached down and took her hand in his. She could feel his palm sweating, shaking.
"Forgive me of my hasty assumptions of you and your companions. We have learned the hard way not to trust a soul, not even the younglings. Our job is to protect the river folk, milady. We do not take that lightly," he said softly.
Gendry chuckled beside her, and all eyes turned to him. "She hates to be called 'milady'."
Arya rolled her eyes. Leave it to Gendry to kid after almost losing his head.
"I see," the man responded. "Perhaps you would prefer Princess Arya. After all, your brother is now king of the North."
She felt Gendry grow rigid beside her. She had forgotten that she had not told him what she had heard in Tywin's chambers about Rob. But, why would he have that kind of reaction? Rob was just…Rob.
"Arya is fine, please," she said, cringing.
"Very well, Arya. May I have the names of your companions as well?" he asked.
For a moment, none of them responded. Finally, Arya nodded her head for them to tell the man their name. What harm could come of it? They already knew who she was.
"I'm Hot Pie," Hot Pie said.
"Gendry," Gendry responded bluntly.
"Well then, Arya," he said, stressing the name, "Gendry and Hot Pie, please allow us to open up our homes for you as our guests. We will dine together. You will have food in your belly and shelter above your head. When you are ready to continue your travel, we will see to it that you are taken to wherever you wish to go safely."
Arya looked from Gendry to Hot Pie, both of them looking uncertain. Though they were starving and cold, they had no idea who these men were. "Parden me, sir, but how can we accept when we do not know to whom we are accepting from?"
The man turned to his men, nodding to each of them before turning back around to Arya. "Forgive my rudeness, mi-Arya."
"We are brothers here, holy brothers, sworn to the realm, to our god, and to each other," one of the men shouted.
"The knights of the hollow hill," yelled another man.
"My name is Lord Beric Dondarrion," the man said. "And we are known as the Brotherhood without Banners."
Damn you Brotherhood without Banners…Damn you! Haha, next chapter out shortly! Get those reviews coming…I need them!
