Game of Thrones: Hearts in the Forest

Chapter 13 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 13

Arya smiled as she and Gendry walked through the gates of Winterfell. She could hear the voices of the guards whispering; as well as those nearby. It sounded vaguely as if they recognized her, she certainly hoped so, it would make this a lot easier. She could sense Gendry fidgeting; he was clearly ill-at-ease. No wonder she noted as those whispering were also looking at him strangely. She reached and took his hand, squeezing it reassuringly. She turned her head and smiled at him; he returned the smile and nodded; looking calmer. It was then she heard it.

"Arya!"

She turned, and was nearly knocked off her feet, as a familiar auburn haired young woman, threw herself at her and embraced her.

Arya felt tears stinging her eyes as she returned the embrace. "Sansa…I…I can't believe it."

She stepped back as her older sister smiled at her, her eyes brimming with tears. "Neither can I…Oh, I missed you."

Arya smiled softly.

"Me too." She admitted.

Before she could say anything else; she was nearly knocked off her feet again. This time the one embracing her was a young auburn haired boy.

Arya laughed. "I'm back; Rickon."

She couldn't believe it; she was back home, she was reunited with her family. Finally, she was safe.

It was then she heard footsteps approaching. This time she was prepared; she turned and smiled wider, this time the tears fell. Her brother Robb, her parents and even her brother Bran, being carried by Robb, were all approaching.

"Mother, father." She said, her voice came out as a whisper.

Emotions were clearly running high as they all embraced her, the tears wouldn't stop.

"Oh Arya; I'm so glad to see you again." Ned said warmly. "We were so afraid what might have happened to you."

Catelyn was still holding Arya as she spoke. "My sweet girl; thank the Gods you're safe."

"I am mother; it…Gods, I don't even know where to begin explaining things."

However it was then she got her answer when Sansa turned and spotted Gendry. He was standing watching the heartfelt reunion with a smile on his face.

"Who is this?" She asked, drawing everybody's attention towards Gendry.

Arya stepped back from her mother and stepped up next to Gendry.

"This is Gendry." She introduced him; then explaining. "It's thanks to him that I'm here; he brought me back…Without him, I wouldn't have made it this far."

The others all shared a glance. Catelyn in particular had noticed the warmth in Arya's voice when she spoke about this boy, when she said his name. She also saw the way Arya looked at him.

'Can it really be; could she truly…?' She wondered before then suggesting. "This looks to be a long story, let's go to Great Hall and sit down and talk. I'll send for food too, the two of you must be starving."

They agreed; even though they had eaten some of their remaining supplies; it had been so long since they had a real meal.

They entered the great hall and, while eating, Arya and Gendry told her family about everything that had happened. They explained about Arya's time on the streets of King's Landing, of Gendry's efforts to help her. Of the hunt for Robert's bastards and their escape from the capital. They continued their story, explaining their travels in the wilds; they spoke of the bandits and their attacks, of Gendry's blood poisoning and how he was finally healed. They tactfully missed out the details of them sleeping together; but did not deny their feelings for each other.

"Arya?" Cat gasped.

Arya tensed; she had expected this. "Mother, I know what you're going to say. I know Gendry is a bastard, but it's true…I love him and…"

Catelyn shook her head. "That's not what I was going to say Arya; I merely wish to know, are the two of you certain, serious?"

"Yes, we are." Arya replied.

Gendry nodded. "I would gladly do anything for Arya, I care for her that much."

Ned smiled. "We cannot thank you enough Gendry, for bringing our daughter back to us."

"I didn't do anything special, M'lord." Gendry said quickly. "I was just…helping out a friend…a friend I grew to love."

"You are too modest." Catelyn replied. The rest of the family nodded in agreement.

Gendry and Arya shared a surprised look at the reactions of Arya's family.

"Wait, you truly don't have a problem with us." Arya asked.

Catelyn smiled and then explained. "We don't…sadly, there are others who might…But we'll find a way to deal with them, I promise."

Arya smiled at that relieved.

It was late at night by the time they finished. Arya headed to her old chambers, desperate to sleep in her old bed again. The others began to retire for the night. Ned however asked Gendry to remain behind to talk to him.

"M'lord?"

Ned pondered for a moment and then explained. "I know we arranged for you to meet with and work with Mikken. But I feel you deserve more, you have reunited my family and brought Arya back to us, we feared her lost forever."

Gendry shook his head. "I require no reward M'lord."

"Think on it Gendry, I do have a possible reward for you…one that might in fact make things easier for you and Arya." Ned told him. "Just…take your time, okay."

Gendry nodded; surprised and finally he was escorted to the chambers he would be staying in. Ned meanwhile headed to his solar; as he expected Cat was waiting for him. She looked worried.

"Cat…" He began.

Cat shook her head. "What can we do Ned, I'm so happy Arya's back. But her relationship with this boy, Gendry. They…They're happy, they deserve each other; but we're the only ones who would see that. Anyone else would only see his status and would view our choice as poor. How can we help them?"

Ned smiled. "I wouldn't worry Cat; his status is actually higher than you think. Higher than he thinks; he is no normal bastard."

"What do you mean?" She asked, before suddenly her eyes widened. "He's not…"

Ned nodded. "He is one of Robert's sons."

Cat sighed. "But being a royal bastard; he's still a bastard in the eyes of so many. It's not like a lesser noble and one from a great house."

"Not like Bran and Meera you mean?"

Catelyn sighed, smiling at that; but Ned put her fears to rest; they would find a way. Reassured they headed for bed, ready to face another day.

A week later; Arya smiled as she exited the castle. She had settled back into life back home. She could still scarcely believe she was actually home. Her thoughts drifted to Gendry; she was immensely relieved that her family seemed to be on their side. The only issue they seemed to have was, until circumstances could be changed for them, they keep their relationship a secret. It turned out their biggest supporter in that regard was, surprisingly, Sansa. Whenever Arya sought a chance to slip away to spend time with Gendry, Sansa would ensure she would be able to do so. Apart from their secret meetings, Arya and Gendry had been settling into their lives in Winterfell. Much to her surprise she found that even Jeyne Poole and Septa Mordane had been happy to see her back. They had even seen Gendry, but, like just about everyone else, they believed the two were just friends. She let out a slow, careful breath before heading over to the forge. She spotted Gendry who caught her eye and nodded. She stepped inside; waiting for him to finish working; once he was done he turned.

"Glad you could make it." He said.

She smiled. "Of course…Gendry, is everything okay, you've been looking troubled these past few days."

Gendry sighed; thinking, wondering how to explain it.

"I don't understand, the way your family treats me." He said finally. "You're a noblewoman, I'm a commoner and bastard; I shouldn't be allowed to be near you, let alone love you. But…"

Arya bit her lip; she guessed something like this was bothering him, now she had confirmation.

She sighed and then, after some thought, began to talk.

"Gendry…Do you know the words of my House?" She asked.

He looked at her, confused. "Yes, Winter is Coming, why?"

"When Winter comes; status does not matter. We stick together; we're all a family. Status does not matter here." She explained. "We can be happy here, so let's be happy, safe, far away from the war…We've seen enough of it."

Wha she said was true; but she couldn't help but note that things were different. It seemed that the many things that used to get her in trouble, sword fighting and such, were more accepted now. She guessed that, in her absence, perhaps there had been some change of heart, some revelation that changed their minds on her behaviour. All the same, it pointed to things becoming better for her; she wanted that for Gendry too.

She smirked. "Besides, didn't my father offer you a way to make it your status doesn't matter?"

He laughed and nodded. "You're right; well; I guess you're right."

Smiling they looked around and then, pulling each other close, kissed.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.