Game of Thrones: Crossroads

Chapter 21 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks.
Marina Ka-Fai: Yeah, he certainly seems that way, but remember how he was acting, he has an ulterior motive for his actions; don't take him at face value.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)

Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 21

Gendry sighed as he lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. In retrospect, his room was the worst place for him to be right now, it made him think even more of Arya. In fact, he couldn't stop thinking about her; especially now.

'These feelings I have…I never thought.' He let his thoughts trail off as he pondered his feelings for Arya; despite her almost total reticence towards their actions.

For her it was simply just sex, and she never once told him anything about her change, or why she stayed with Sansa's friends. Yet he found that he cared deeply for her, he was certain that he even loved her. But it didn't change anything, leaving him more frustrated than before.

He groaned and turned onto his side. 'Dammit Arya, why, why won't you tell me anything.'

He sat up and looked over at the window; he was starting to lose hope. But he couldn't give up, not now; he owed it to everyone to work out what was going on with Arya and even save her from the Populars, and herself. Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Yeah?"

"Gendry, can I come in?" It was Mya.

He agreed and she stepped in; he noted she wasn't alone; Edric was with her, both looking at him strangely.

He felt rather self-conscious as he noted his sibling's expressions; he braced himself for the inevitable.

Sure enough, Mya then asked. "Gendry, are you okay; you've been shut up in your room all day."

Edric nodded. "Yeah, you've been pretty quiet, is it because of Arya?"

Gendry shook his head and sighed.

"I'm fine really, I was just; some things have happened and I was kinda…lost in thought. I'm okay now, I promise."

They both observed him; it was clear they were sceptical and were about to ask him something else; but before they could there was the sound of the doorbell. Mya immediately tensed while Edric smiled widely and left the room quickly. Gendry stood up and Mya sighed.

"Dad's here again; let's go get this over with." She remarked dully.

Gendry scowled; he'd almost forgotten about dad's visit. Honestly he was getting tired of these visits, he wished they never happened. Always dad acted like he had never done anything wrong, as if the divorce was their mother's fault. Always he tried to turn the children against Alyssa; making it seem like she was trying to stop him from seeing them. He never seemed to remember all the shitty things he did to them, how poorly he treated them due to his drinking problem and other issues.

Gendry shook his head sadly. 'But of course, Edric was too young to know…Dad doesn't really give a shit about us; Mya and I know it well; but Edric doesn't, which is why he's excited about this. I'd hate to be there when, if he ever found out just how bad dad is.'

With a heavy sigh he joined Mya as they headed downstairs.

Gendry sat in the living room with Mya and Edric; dad was sitting on the opposite couch, smiling and telling yet another story of his college days and hunting trips. Edric sat smiling, hanging on to every word. Gendry and Mya remained silent, pretending they couldn't hear, they had heard the stories before, everyone and always noticed certain embellishments that dad used to make himself look better. Thankfully the TV was on and Gendry focused his attention on that while Mya spoke to their mother. However Robert seemed to notice their lack of attention.

"Hey; I'm talking to you guys, you aren't listening." He remarked.

"I'm listening dad." Edric replied immediately; still smiling.

Gendry fought back a growl and Mya, seeing Gendry's temper flaring, intervened before he said anything he might regret later.

"Sorry dad, it's just…Gendry and I have heard that story a million times before."

Robert calmed down and sighed. "Hmmm, yeah; well, how about we go out for ice cream or something."

Alyssa glared at that; knowing it was yet another of Robert's ploys to try and turn the children against her.

Yet before she could talk Gendry shook his head. "I'm not feeling too good; I think I'll go lie down."

Mya nodded and then added. "I already promised Lyle I'd go see him."

"You can always reschedule surely." Robert replied, with barely veiled distaste, unlike Alyssa he clearly disapproved of Mya's fiancée. "It's not every day I'm here."

Gendry scowled. 'Yeah, like you really give a crap.'

Mya shook her head. "Afraid not, sorry; good seeing you again."

She stood up, kissed her mother and left. In the end Edric and Robert left while Gendry headed upstairs; once again, another awful visit.

Over in Winterfell Arya checked her phone again. She knew she was taking a great risk here; but then, so was the person she was meeting. They were both part of the Popular crowd, yet they both had the same goal, they both knew the truth. Yet Arya never thought she would ever find herself working with her. Just then she heard footsteps and turned quickly. It was indeed her unexpected ally.

"Jeyne."

Jeyne Poole looked around warily as she stopped next to Arya in one of Winterfell's back alleys; it had been Jeyne who had first approached Arya regarding their shared concerns for Sansa.

"I came as quick as I could, please tell me you've made some progress?" She said desperately.

Arya shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid not, I've tried, but every time I think I'm getting somewhere, Sansa retreats in on herself."

Jeyne groaned. "There has to be more we can do."

"We're doing all we can; but unless we can convince Sansa that everything will be alright when she tells the truth, then there's nothing more we can do." Arya explained sadly. "It's not right but, we can't just leave her to suffer like this, I know Shireen and the others would help her."

Jeyne nodded.

"Yeah, I; I wish I could directly help your friends Arya." She remarked.

"I don't even know if they are my friends anymore." She said sadly before adding. "If anything comes up I'll let you know, but until then."

Jeyne nodded. "I know; we never had this talk."

With that Jeyne slipped away; Arya looked around carefully before sneaking back home. She prayed that Sansa would be able to find the strength she needed to save herself from those sick assholes she called friends. Until then, and even afterwards, Arya swore she would be there for her sister.

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