Disclaimer: I don't own any of this. You know the drill…..blah, blah, blah.

Chapter 21 Gendry

Gendry II

"Bleh." He heard in his sleep again and again. It was the same dream he had all the time about days gone past when he and Arya were on the Kingsroad with James and Sansa. The dream always began the same, it was the night that Amory Loch attacked their party along the Kingsroad. Gendry remembers defending the other men with Arya, while Sansa was being protected by James. He remembers Arya killing many men, as Gendry was wearing his Bulls head helm running around and doing the same.

The dream rocked a sensation through his body, as he remembered connecting his small hammer into a Lannister man's skull. The blood, the smoke, the screams all permeated through the air as if he was actually re-living the moment. He remembered seeing Lommy on the floor with the spear through his leg, and Hot Pie running after him and Arya. The crying girl on the floor that Arya had to drag through the dirt, as they made their way back to a screaming Sansa and fighting James. The man was protecting his younger sister as a wolf would protect her pups, he remembered seeing that weird foreign man with the red and white hair with him, and that is when he remembers James screaming and turning his head to face, Arya.

She stood there with Needle in had, blood staining its blade, and the soot on her face from the smoke. The dirt was clumped into her short hair, and more blood stained her riding tunic. Gendry stared at her through his bulls head helm, and tried to speak to her but the words wouldn't form in his mouth. Arya, just stood there staring at him.

"Bleh," was all she said.

"What?" Gendry heard himself ask. Finally the words formed, and then he heard Sansa scream her brothers name.

"James!"

Gendry still faced, Arya.

"Bleh," she repeated.

"Arya, why are you?"

"Bleh."

Suddenly everything turned black, as he began to awake from his dream. The sounds of birds chirping began to resonate through the air, the crisp air from the Blackwater stung his skin, but the sound of Arya saying, "bleh," still rang in his ears. His eyes slowly began to open, as he found himself staring at the ceiling. The room was dimly lit from the sun being dimmed from the drapes that covered the door to their balcony. Gendry took a hand and rubbed the sleep out of them, as he sat up in his bed.

"BLEH!" he heard again.

This time his eyes focused on the image of his wife in a robe, heaving into her chamber pot. Her brown hair was slumped down her back, and she was trying to keep it away from her face as she vomited. Gendry drew back the covers and put his smallclothes on, as he walked over to her side and held her hair.

"Is everything alright, Arya?" He asked.

She looked up at him with a blank stare, and resumed to vomiting. They both knelt there without exchanging words, as they waited for the sickness to pass.

"Was it something you ate?"

Arya sat up from the chamber pot and wiped her mouth, as Gendry handed her a cloth he found on the floor. She was wrapped in her robe, and just sat there on the floor.

She stared at him through tangled hair. "No, stupid. I think I'm pregnant."

Gendry's eyes grew wide as he stared at her, smiles creeping on both of their faces.

"Are you sure?"

She scoffed. "I think I'd be able to tell when I'm pregnant. I have been through it twice before."

Gendry laughed, as he braced her shoulders and shook her. "This is wonderful news!"

He took her in for a quick embrace and let her go, as he ran over and found a pair of breeches to throw on. Gendry watched Arya climb from the floor and go comb her hair, as she did every morning.

"Why are you in such a rush to dress?" She asked, the comb going through her tangled hair.

Gendry threw on a tunic. "James and Jon will be here any moment, so we can go and practice with the swords."

Arya rolled her eyes through the mirror. "Oh, I can't wait to hear about the new bruises today."

"Why must you be so chiding?"

Arya shrugged. "I'm not sure. Why must you be so stupid?"

Gendry sighed, sometimes Arya was too much to handle. "You know that it was a good idea by Jon to recommend for us to start training again. Gods it had been years since I picked up my hammer again."

"Oh, here we go again about the hammer."

"It has saved your life more than once if I recall."

Arya turned to face him. "And Needle saved your life if I recall. I could probably beat all of you at swords."

Gendry laughed. "That I would like to see! A pregnant woman playing at swords."

Arya scoffed. "I could beat any of you idiots!"

Gendry laughed even harder, although she had changed much since that little girl on the Kingsroad, sometimes she'd revert back to that some girl who wished she had been born a man. He laughed some more as he sat down on the bed, and tied up his boots.

"I could!" Arya yelled. "You can ask James and Jon I was good with a sword as a child."

"And I believe you, considering I have seen it at first hand," Gendry assured. "I still think I'd be a funny sight to see you fighting your brothers with wooden swords."

Gendry finished lacing his last boot, and went over to the mirror to shake out his long hair. By now, Arya was choosing a plain dress to wear today and she never liked to be extravagant like Sansa. Gendry smirked at the thought of how her and Jon had been so unreserved since Arianne's arrest. Both of them not caring who could be watching. And why shouldn't they? Gendry thought, All of the court must know about those two by now. By this point none of the Starks really cared about their relationship, it disgusted none of them any longer. I'd rather have those two be happy then to have lost my head to the Dornish.

Nobody in the small council knew what the Martells answer would be to Arianne's arrest. Most knew that her younger brother Trystane was leading the army that was coming to King's Landing, but now they didn't know what he'd do. It was just a matter of time before the news reached Sunspear, and most were apprehensive about their reply. Tyrion, felt that this would lead the Martell army to go over to Aegon, but James assured him that wouldn't happen. Jon, felt that the Dornish might even be so heated as to lay siege to the capital itself, but James reassured that wouldn't happen either.

The knock came on the door, as Gendry headed over to open it. Standing there was James, Jon, and Sansa as he could tell they had just awoken. Both the men were standing there in just tunics and breeches, while Sansa was in a dress of crimson. Gendry said hello to them, as Arya bid Sansa to come inside. He hoped she told her the news of the pregnancy, as Gendry would tell the men later. From there he knew the women would possibly gossip, and then wake the kids up. Gendry had wondered where Dany was because she usually awoke with them, but James told him that she hardly got any sleep last night.

Gendry's arm ached as if it was on fire, as he reeled back from Jon's attack. Both men were squaring each other in the practice yard behind the Red Keep, as they were practicing. The sweat trickled down Gendry's face, as his fingers clutched his war hammer, and having the morning sun beating down upon you didn't help either. Jon was on the opposite side of him as both men were in a stand off; Jon had his practice sword in hand and was reeling around, Gendry. James was watching from the sideline with his sword in hand, as he was spitting up blood and taking swigs from a jug of water. Gendry, had given him a hard counter that connected with his mouth, and the man had stumbled back. He was now back on the sidelines, licking his wounds. Fighting in the morning cleared Gendry's mind, and prepared him for the day. Each day was new and he didn't know what it would bring. He did not care for drink too much, as he used to, or whores as his father was prone to but fighting was his vice. Fighting were his whores.

Jon lunged forward with his attack from the right, which Gendry quickly dodged by swiftly moving to his left swinging his hammer to connect with Jon's back. Jon winced in pain and arched his back, as he moved forward. Gendry laughed because he was better then both of them, and they often dropped their guard at times before each attack making it easy to counter. Angry, Jon rushed forward again and slashed at Gendry, who was caught off guard and took a slap to his chest. He gave a yell and stumbled back a bit, a chuckle leaving his lips at the audacity of Jon's attack. Both men stared at each other without saying so much as a word, panting. Jon was bent over and had both hands on his knees as he panted, and James was still on the side pouring water over his face. A cut was visible on the top part of his lip, and blood stains were still under his nose; his black hair drenched from the sweat. The king was a good fighter being that he was First Ranger of the Night's Watch, but he had grown rusty over the years of not keeping up his training. Slowly but surely it was coming back to him, as it was with Jon.

"How goes things with Sansa?" Gendry asked.

Both men decided to take a break for now, and were enjoying some water with the wounded King. Gendry placed his hammer against a rack of swords, as he sat down in-between Jon and James.

"They go well," He answered. "She already has talks about her and I having an actual marriage. You know the romantic that she is."

"Will the High Septon annul your marriage to Arianne?"

He shrugged. "I sure do hope so. God's know I want that to happen."

Gendry laughed and slammed a hand on his thigh. "I can't wait to see the day, my friend."

"I can't wait until you have to tell my lady mother," Gendry heard James say.

Jon let out a small chuckle that sounded like a sigh. "That is something I am not looking forward to, James."

"As you shouldn't. My mother is a tough woman."

"You think I don't know that?"

"You do. Which is why it'll be all the more interesting to see."

Jon turned back to him. "You have a cut forming on your upper lip. Do you want another?"

James laughed. "Remember who taught you how to fight?"

"Ser Rodrik."

"Aye, and who else?"

Jon remained silent.

"Thought so," James replied. "Now get back to fighting, Gendry, while I tend to this fucking wound. Can't wait to see Dany's reaction to this. I fear that Gendry over here will be dead by the end of this morning."

"And who is the one with the wound?" Jon jested.

Gendry laughed as James grew stern, his stoic Northern pride obviously beaten. Jon stood up from the bench and grabbed his practice sword, as Gendry went over and picked up his hammer. His stomach was growling in hunger and he wanted to do nothing but go to James' solar and eat. The thought of breaking his fast made him want to defeat Jon all the sooner, and filled him with the second wind he needed. Jon, tossed the sword from hand to hand as he waited for Gendry. The man stood in the middle of the practice yard, and faced Jon as the man lunged at him. He tried to cut down at the side, but Gendry blocked the blow with his hammer and moved right. Jon countered and moved with him, as he took a swing and connected with Gendry's forearm. Wincing in the sudden dull pain that shot through his arm, Gendry stumbled back a bit but re-gained his footing. Rushing forward at Jon he put all his force through a swing that connected with his sword, Jon gave him a punch in the stomach and Gendry fell back.

"Finish it already!" James yelled, "I'd like to go break my fast."

Gendry snickered and rushed forward like the Bull he was, and gave a startled Jon a blow under his chin with the staff of his hammer. The Hand of the King stumbled back and fell on his back, as Gendry lightly placed the tip of his hammer on the top of his face.

"Dead." He said with a smirk.

Jon gave him a hardened look and swiped the hammer from his face, as Gendry extended a hand out to help him up. Jon sighed and reluctantly took it, getting up to his feet and wiping the dust off his breeches. James laughed and walked over to them, taking the sword out of Jon's hand and placing it on the rack. Gendry laughed right along with him, and placed his hammer with the rest of the weapons.

Both men walked from the courtyard, and began to walk to the solar. Each day began like this, and the rush he felt from besting these two men could only be achieved through a few mediums in his life. This was really the only time through out the day that the three of these men could just be themselves, not having to succumb to the preserved nature they were used to. It were times like these that Gendry yearned for, besides being with Arya or spending time with his two children. Growing up he did not have many friends in his life, and had always wanted some. He figured that these two men were the closest things he had to brothers, and he told them mostly everything.

"I have good news," Gendry said as they walked down the hall where the solar was located. He figured it was now that he should tell them.

"Well tell us," Jon urged.

Gendry laughed. "Arya is expecting."

Gendry felt a smack against his back, and the sound of laughter of both men. "Congratulations you mad fuck!" James yelled.

Jon shook his hand. "I am happy for you, Gendry."

"Thank you," he replied.

"How far along is she?" Jon asked.

Gendry shrugged. "Probably two months, I'm not sure. I found her heaving into her chamber pot this morning, and that is when she told me."

"Well, I'm glad for you."

Gendry nodded again, he appreciated the good words. The smell of the food permeated through the air, as the men reached the solar drenched in their sweat. Nobody bothered to change before the small council meeting, as they did not have the time to do so.

"Are you interested in children, Jon?" Gendry asked.

He had figured that Sansa would be the type of woman to want to be a mother more than anything in this world. Gendry, had seen the way she acted like a second mother to James' son, Ned. The boy had grown attached to her since her arrival, as did Jon by the looks of it.

He nodded. "I believe that Sansa would want children."

"You're believing correctly," James replied.

"What about you, James?" Gendry asked. "You and Daenerys ever want more children?"

James nodded. "Of course I do, but Daenerys insists on waiting a while longer before…"

Gendry laughed as they finally arrived at the solar. On the other side they could hear the talking of woman, and the sarcasm of Tyrion Lannister. Gendry enjoyed the Imp more than probably anyone else on the small council, who found his wit to be a bit much. Each day, Tyrion broke his fast with them because he appreciated their company. Jon opened the door for them, as all the men stepped through the door bathed in their sweat. Morning glory, Gendry called it. All the men were greeted with smiles, as they took their seats by their women. Gendry sat next to Arya who was in a dark green dress, and James sat next to his wife who was in a light blue dress with her hair in two braids. Sansa was next to Jon who was next to Tyrion, who was at the head of the table by James.

"Did you hear the news?" Sansa asked. The giddiness in the woman's voice gave away the fact that Arya had already told them.

"That Arya is with child?" Jon asked.

Sansa pouted. "Jon, must you always do that?"

"What? Was that not the news you were going to tell?"

Sansa stared down at him with narrow eyes, and returned to her meal as Jon laughed. "I'm sorry."

She smiled at him. "Yes. That was the news I was going to tell, I'm quite excited by it."

"As am I," Dany added.

"As are we all," James corrected.

Daenerys smiled at him and looked at his face, but she her eyes grew wide at the cut above his lip. "James!" she yelled, "How did you come by that cut?"

James scoffed, as he motioned to Gendry.

"Gendry!" Daenerys admonished. "Why must you always hit so hard?"

Gendry laughed. "James was asking for it!"

"You shouldn't hit so hard!" She urged again.

"Daenerys it is nothing but a scratch. Don't be so hard on poor, Gendry." James said.

Gendry felt a touch on his shoulder. "Good job." Arya whispered into his ear.

"I heard that!" James replied.

Arya smiled at him. "I think it is an improvement."

"Quiet, Lumpyhead!"

"Oh shut up, Brandon!"

James narrowed his eyes at him, and continued eating his meal.

Gendry turned to her and smiled, as he continued eating his meal like a ravenous dog. Today couldn't get any better. Everyone was at the table and getting along, Tyrion was talking with Jon and Sansa. While James and Dany were exchanging stories about times past. James at first was telling stories about his early years on the Wall, as Daenerys was talking about the Dothraki, a subject that Gendry was always fascinated about. His fascination with them were more inclined to their prowess in combat more than anything else. Daenerys told stories about how whole cities would offer tributes then fighting a Khalasar, and how Dothraki boys learned to shoot on horseback at four years old. She described Vaes Dothrak and the Womb of the World: a large lake that lies near Vaes Dothrak.

"And the Dothraki believed that the first man emerged from its depth, riding on a back of a horse, over a thousand years ago."

"And do you believe that?" Sansa asked.

Daenerys scoffed. "Of course not, but it is an interesting story. I mean, they also said that the lake had no bottom, but I felt mud in between my toes."

Gendry laughed. "How could they believe it had no bottom?"

"Must have been one deep lake," Tyrion jested.

Everyone laughed as they continued to talk and eat. It seemed they hadn't had moments like these in awhile, and it warmed Gendry's heart to see everyone act like the family they should have been.

"We need to talk," James announced out loud.

Gendry sighed, because he knew James always said this before they would talk about realm business. Sometimes it was the last thing he wanted to talk about during his breakfast, but at times it couldn't be helped.

"About what?" Arya asked.

"The Martells," He reluctantly answered.

Everyone sighed and scoffed at once, as he waived his hands in front of them in a plea to have them listen.

"We need to speak about it before the small council meeting. We have to figure out what their course of action will be."

"They can rot for all I care," Arya spat. "Arianne and her snakes can stay in those dungeons until the next Long Night for all I care."

"Arya, that is not what I am talking about. We need to figure out why they would seek to betray us in the manner they did."

Tyrion cleared his throat, "I for one have been trying to figure this out for quite awhile, and it is down to two choices: either they did this for Aegon, and have been in league with him this whole time, or it was for themselves."

"Themselves?" Sansa asked. "Why would it be for themselves?"

"Think about it," Tyrion began. "The Dornish have us here, by ourselves. They know we don't have the arms to push them back, and that Aegon wouldn't be able to retaliate in time if they did. By killing us at Jon's wedding their would be nobody left to stop them in taking the Throne. Arianne could easily have her brother bring an army into the city in time before Aegon would come down upon them."

"And if it was for Aegon?" Daenerys asked.

Tyrion threw up his hands in contempt. "All the even more disgusting. The Dornish would have been playing us for fools the whole time, and are even more treacherous. My money is on themselves."

"Arianne said herself that she said yes to Jon because she found out that Margaery was already promised to Aegon," Arya reminded them.

"I know, Arianne," Jon said out-loud. "Even though she tried to 'betray' us at our own wedding, I feel that this just isn't like her. I can't see her doing this."

"What are you getting at Jon?" Daenerys asked.

"That she has a gentle heart, Dany. Above all things she is a good person; I just can't see her doing this. It isn't like her."

"Are you suggesting that someone put her up to this?" Tyrion said.

"That is exactly what I am saying, Tyrion," Jon replied, eyeing everyone in the room. "Whether it be the Sand Snakes, Trystane, Aegon, or whoever else. Someone put her up to this."

"And I am determined to find out how," James finished, "after the small council meeting. I'm going to visit her afterwards."

"And I am coming with you," Tyrion said.

James nodded.

"Me too," Gendry blurted.

He was interested in the Dornish reasonings since the night that he witnessed the Gold Cloaks bury their spears into their fucking backs. The Great Hall was incased in blood after that incident, it would stain their reign for awhile.

"I want to join you," said Arya.

"I'm going too!" Dany yelled.

"No," James firmly replied.

"Excuse me?" Dany said, her voice firm as she crossed her arms.

He sighed. "We need to get information out of her, Dany. You and Arya are as likely to claw her eyes out as to giving her a hug. We're only there for information and nothing more. Please don't do anything."

"We should be able to go too!" Arya yelled.

"James is right," Gendry said. "Your presence there would do more harm than good. If the three of us are to get information we need her to be at ease. You know that I am right."

Both the woman pouted but Gendry could tell that they saw the reasoning behind it. Arianne, could certainly hold her own but Daenerys, and Arya were too hot-blooded to be trusted to keep calm. It was best if they stayed.

"So are we at an understanding?" said James.

Both the women nodded.

"Good."

"What about you, Jon?" Tyrion asked. "You want to join us on this Dornish adventure?"

Jon shook his head, and clutched Sansa's hand. "I fear that would also do more harm than good. Arianne would probably try and kill me if I showed up. I think it is best if you three just go, and go alone. She'll be more comfortable around you three."

Everyone nodded and continued to eat their meals, as the afternoon sun was coming up. The small council meeting went smooth at first, everyone was ready to finally figure out the realms problems. Varys, had different rconflicting reports of seeing Aegon in Highgarden walking around with his betrothed in the gardens, and other ones of seeing him in the Vale. Gendry didn't know, and nobody exactly knew. Varys reported also that a fleet of ships had been seen making a trip past Sunspear, but they flew no standard. Tyrion, figured it was merchants or pirates making their way to trade with the Dornish, but nobody knew for sure. The fleet was spread, but the scouts could get an exact number.

Then he informed them that an army of Dornish troops had left Sunspear with Trystane Martell leading the host. Reports of their size differed from twelve-thousand to eighteen-thousand, and most were worried they would march on King's Landing. James, assured them that with his cousins and sister hostage, Trystane, wouldn't dare march on the capital. It would be too risky for him to take the chance. Sam was of the impression that they were in league with Aegon, but nobody knew for certain. Even if he was in league with the man, it was impossible for anybody to prove it so. All James could do was threaten the man to not march his men on the capital, or he may never see his cousins or Arianne again. Gendry, didn't know if the time came that James would come through with his threat because he couldn't see him being heartless in that fashion. He just hoped that it didn't come to that. Sam sent an envoy to the Dornish to relay James' message about not attacking the city. He figured a green boy like Trystane would honor it.

"What is stopping the man from just marching on the city?" Arya asked.

"The fact that we have his family in custody!" Tyrion replied. "Trystane wouldn't dare risk his cousins and sister. All of Dorne would rise against him if he did that."

"We don't know that for sure, Tyrion. He is just a boy! He could risk anything at anytime."

"That is a risk we are just going to have to take, Arya." Said Jon.

"Look," James began, "Trystane would not dare put his family in danger, alright. If he is in league with Aegon there is nothing we can do about it, and in no way can we prove it. I'm thinking he is just angry and is just puffing out his chest. Nothing more."

Everyone nodded in agreement, as he adjourned the council from then. Gendry sighed in relief and got out of his chair, his muscles were still sore from this morning. These small council meetings drained him more than anything else, and when they were over he prayed to whatever God was listening for thanks. Now we have to go see the Dornish woman, he thought as he bid Arya goodbye. She walked out with the queen and Sansa, who took Arianne's "place" on the council, and went their separate ways with Jon. James, Tyrion, and Gendry stayed behind in the small council drinking wine before going. A couple of Kingsguard stayed with them.

"I don't drink that often," said James, "but this is a special occasion."

He took a long swig of wine, and set the cup down before filling it up again.

"We are simply preparing for a meeting with the Dornish woman. Surely your wife will understand." Tyrion jested.

James laughed and raised his cup to him, as he downed it in one final gulp.

"Are we ready?" Gendry asked.

The two men nodded, as all three of them got up from their seats at the same time. James, had Arianne and the Sand Snakes separated in the dungeons, all of them staying on the second level as befitting the women of their class. The dungeon of the Red Keep has four levels. On the upper level are cells with high narrow windows where common criminals are confined together. The second level has smaller, personal cells without windows for highborn captives. Torches in the halls casting light through the bars. The third level cells, the "black cells", are smaller still, and have doors of wood so that no light enters them. These are reserved for the most vile and dangerous prisoners. The lowest level is used for torture. It is supposedly safer to go through the fourth level of the dungeons in darkness, because there are things one would not wish to see.

Although the Sand Snakes were just bastards, James, felt that they deserved their own chambers and shouldn't stay in the upper level with the common criminals. Gendry, felt that all but Arianne deserved to stay in the upper levels, figuring that they'd still kill them quick as shit if given the chance. The Sand Snakes, including Arianne to some extent, were hot-blooded and somewhat treacherous. All of them being the product of the Red Viper of Dorne. Gendry, heard stories of Oberyn Martell from not only his own daughters, but Tyrion too. The man died championing the Imps cause against his own family.

They walked the corridors that lead to the entrance to the dungeons, as James stood in front of them talking to the goaler who was leading them there. Two Kingsguard were behind them following their every move.

"How are they being treated?" James asked the goaler.

He was a stout man who was shaped like the keg, and had a square jaw with black stubble covering his face. He had a beak of a nose and short brown hair.

"As befitting high-born ladies," the goaler replied. "They're being fed three times a day, aloud to use the privy with an escort, and are cleaned as well."

"Have the handmaidens stayed silent like I asked?"

The man nodded. "None have spoken to them, Your Grace. Arianne has tried to break some of them, but they've kept to being silent."

"What does she ask them?"

The goaler grunted before speaking, "She mostly asks about how the realm is doing, and whether her brother was coming to free her. Sometimes, maybe twice or a few times, she asks about how the Hand of the King is doing. Unlucky fellow."

James gave a slight chuckle. "I wouldn't call him so unlucky. How about her cousins?"

"Most of the Sand Snakes call out during the night," he replied. "Those Dornish bitches get on my nerves. It takes the threat of a day without water or food to keep them shut."

"They are their father's daughters, I suppose."

The man grunted, as he opened the door that lead to a winding staircase. Gendry looked up at the staircase, and noticed that they were dimly lit. You needed a torch to properly navigate upwards or else you'd be likely to fall and break your neck. The goaler took a torch from off the wall, and lead them up the winding stairs.

"I'll be dead by the end of this," Gendry heard Tyrion mutter.

"Do these lead to the upper levels?" Gendry asked the goaler.

The man looked over his shoulder at him, as he held the torch up higher. "Yes they do. There are other ways to access them, but those are best kept secret."

"Oh I know about the Red Keep's secrets." Tyrion replied.

Gendry had no idea what he was talking about, but he figured it stemmed from his past experiences in King's Landing. The floor was dirty and musty with cobwebs, as they moved closer and closer to the top. Tyrion, was beginning to struggle with each step and looked like he was on the verge of passing out. The clanking of the Kingsguard armor was driving Gendry mad, and he couldn't be able to stand it anymore. Clank, clank, clank, he kept hearing in his head. Finally, the goaler reached the second level of the dungeons and opened the door, as sunlight hit Gendry in the face.

The goaler placed the torch in a nearby wall bracket, and walked them down the hall to Arianne's cell. The hallway had a stone wall on one side, and wooden doors that lead inside each individual cell on the other. A few men-at-arms stood guard outside the doors, as they stood at command for the King. The private chambers on the second level were kept for highborn captives, but provided no comfort in that they were windowless. Each room had to be kept dimly lit only by burning candles. It was oddly quiet besides the sounds that came from the outside, and the sometimes occasional laugh that would come from a guard.

"This is her room," the goaler said, as he took a large set of keys from his pocket. Some of them were large, some small, some rusty, and some tall. He found a small key on his chain, and stuck it into the lock as Gendry heard the mechanism open.

"Good luck," the goaler said.

"Thank you," James replied, handing the man a couple of Stags.

"Pleasure doing with business with his Grace," the man replied. Smiling at the silver coins in his hand.

"Wait out here," James told the two Kingsguard member's.

James stepped into the room first, as Tyrion and Gendry followed behind him. The room smelled of scented candles, and the air was thick as Gendry studied the room. It was a small room with stone walls on each side, the room was dimly lit only by dozens of candles that hung up on the walls. No windows were in the room. A chamber pot sat in the middle of the room, as did a small desk with a chair and a tiny mirror on it. On the desk was another large candle that was practically burnt down to the core, and a horsehair brush next to it. An empty flagon of water with a cup, and trays of eaten food were collected in on a table next to the bed.

Against the wall in a corner of the room was a small cot, where Gendry saw a figure laying on top of it, asleep. It was, Arianne. Gendry could tell that she was wearing nothing, but nightclothes and a shift over it. All three men stood in front of the bed, as they watched her stir in her sleep, awaking. She finally awoke and sat up, as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, her black hair was messy and tangled. It reminded Gendry of Arya when she awoke. It took her no time in recognizing them.

"Your Grace?" She asked, sitting up in the bed and staring at the three men.

James grunted and walked around the room illuminating the burnt out candles. Gendry noticed the light begin to permeate through the room, as the king ordered more candles brought in, and two more chairs as he pulled the one from her desk and set it in front of her, taking a seat. Gendry and Tyrion waited for the chairs to be brought, as Arianne began the conversation.

"Can I at least have some water before we start? Even wine maybe?"

James nodded, and called over a Kingsguard as he whispered into the mans ear. The man nodded and walked out of the room, as the men waited there in silence. Finally, another guard came in with two chairs as they set them down for Gendry and Tyrion. Both men sat down in their chairs, and waited for the drinks before they began to talk. The awkward- anxious tension was so thick in the air that it made Gendry begin to feel uncomfortable. He studied his hands to pass the time, pretending to clean his nails while waiting for the guard to return.

Finally, the man returned with a flagon of water or wine, and sat it down on the desk next to them. He then set down three cups on the table next to the bed, as James ordered the empty flagon and trays taken away. In silence, the king poured three cups of water, Gendry could now tell, and handed them out.

Arianne smiled at them and hastily brought the cup to her lips, Gendry could tell she was displeased, "Water! I thought we were having some wine, not this shit."

James was not moved by her words, and his face hardened by them. Tyrion was not amused as well.

Arianne scoffed. "Ever playing your parts…"

"Why?" was all James said. "Why, Arianne?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you seek to betray us. We took you under our roof, shared our food with you, and this is how you repay it? Seeking to stab us in the backs, as my brother was at the Twins!"

James yelled the last part, as Gendry noticed the Dornish woman cringe.

"We aren't leaving today without a reason, my lady," Tyrion said. "You might as well just tell us."

She smiled, swirling her cup. "Not without some wine…"

"We aren't playing that game," said James.

"I'm not saying anything then," she insisted.

Gendry stared at her, he never really talked to Arianne while she was still Jon's betrothed, but he felt bad for her somehow.

"Just tell us, Arianne." Gendry said.

She looked at him, "And why should I? It is you three who should be hoping that all of Dorne doesn't come down upon the capital."

Tyrion began to laugh, "You truly think your brother would come down on the capital, Lady Martell? I think not."

"He wouldn't risk doing so," James cut in. "You have lost, Arianne. You have no other way out. So I want you tell me why."

She stared at him even harder, "No."

"Just tell us!" Tyrion yelled.

"Why should I?"

Gendry looked at her again. "Are you going to sit there, look me in the eye, and tell me that you were going to murder me, my wife, my family, and my children? That you were going to murder James, Dany, and his children? That you were going to murder your husbands family and hold him hostage. Murder, Tyrion, as well. Are you, Arianne?"

"You have a gentle heart," James cut in, "I could not believe you capable of such cruelty."

"You aren't what you're pretending to be," Gendry said.

Arianne stared at the three of them with a blank-hard stare, as Gendry could tell she was beginning to break down. Finally she caved in and began to cry into the palm of her hand, as the three men bent their heads down and listened to her wailing. Her tears flowed like a river, and would not cease. Gendry kept his gaze down to his lap.

"Do you know what it is like to be in your thirties and not married? To watch as every suitor you have slip through your fingers. Do you?"

James looked up at her; Gendry saw his face soften. He feels bad for her.

"I can't say I have," James replied.

"Look at all of you!" She yelled, "Two of you have pretty wives. Seven hells you're married to what most people consider the most beautiful woman in the world!" She paused, looking at Gendry, "And it is not like Arya is hard to look at!"

"What about me?" Tyrion jested, as she continued to sob.

Gendry punched him in the arm, as he winced.

"I'm thirty and three, James, and I'm not yet wed. A woman grown and I am not wed at all! Not even once!" She continued to sob. "And what is worse is that every single one of my potential husbands have always slipped through. Do you want to know?"

Nobody answered.

She sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you. Viserys Targaryen was crowned with molten gold; Edmure Tully was offered my hand, but my lord father thought against it; Arys Oakheart, the valiant knight he was, was slaughtered by my father's men as I tried to whisk away Myrcella Lannister from Dorne."

She looked to James, who refused to meet her gaze. "And you took the black, James. My father told me that he almost had a match for me with the future Lord of Winterfell. I remember lighting a candle to the mother for thanks; than I got word from him that the possible betrothal was off. I remembered crying for a week. Man after man slipped through my fingers. So, when I finally got word from Jon about a betrothal between us, I was so happy. So happy. We in Dorne had heard about the lost son of Rhaegar, and I though it an honor that he would ask me. I lighted three candles to the mother in thanks."

She sighed. "And the Gods were not done with me yet, oh no they mocked me even further. I watched as Jon fell in love with me, only to have him turn around and fall in love with your sister. I watched as the man I love, the man I was to marry, the man who I shared a bed with…fall in love with another. That, was the worst of them all."

Arianne whimpered a few more times, before she stopped crying all together. Tyrion, took a cloth out of his pocket and handed it to her, as she blew her nose into it. She folded it up into tiny folds, and handed it back to him.

"I'm sorry, Arianne," James said, he placed a hand in hers and patted the top of it. "I'm sorry for what Jon did, but I can't control his heart."

She pulled back from his grip, "I don't want your pity, and I know you didn't come here for it. Why did I seek to betray you, you ask? Why?"

All three men nodded.

She took in a deep breath, "I never wanted this. I only wanted to come here and marry Jon. Tyene, Trystane, and some of my other cousins put me up to it. The plan was to take the throne form you."

"Are you in league with Aegon?" Tyrion firmly asked.

She shook her head. "No, we aren't. They hatched this plan since before we left, Sunspear. I did not wish for this, James, you must believe me."

"I don't know what to believe," he replied.

"What is to become of us?"

James sighed, as he bid the other men stand from their seats. "You are to stay here in these chambers. Part of me wants to believe you had no part in it, Arianne. I know you are a good person at heart, but I don't know what to believe. Look, I can maybe allow you to leave your chambers for at least an hour a day. Mayhaps, I can allow you to walk the gardens with some guards. I'll speak with Dany about it, and I'll decide."

"Thank you. And you must believe me when I say that I had no part in it."

He nodded and stood up and looked at Gendry, "Let's go."

Gendry stood from his seat, as did Tyrion and the three of them made for the door.

"Wait!" Arianne called out. "I have one last question."

They turned to her, "Yes?"

"How did you find out?"

James looked at her, "Varys, told us. As is his job to do so."

Arianne began to laugh.

"Is something funny, my lady?" Tyrion asked.

She gradually stopped laughing. "Don't you find it a bit funny that he happens to find out the night of the wedding, and not a week before?"

James looked at her in confusion, and gave glances to Gendry and Tyrion.

Arianne laughed some more. "Don't you see? Varys, has been the traitor this whole time. He is the one who released the dragons, and he is the one who tried to have you killed, James. Who do you think would do Aegon's bidding, besides the man who practically raised him. I noticed something when I sat on your small councils, and that one thing is that whenever someone was visited by a messenger, whether it be the servant girl who tried to have Rhaella killed or when Ser Jorah told you about who visited him with the proposition, one thing I noticed is that the description was always the same. A fat man who was dressed in a boiled leather and stubble. We all know that Varys is a master of whispers and disguise, being raised around actors. Varys, is the traitor, James. It has been him this whole time."

Gendry's eyes widened. Varys? The traitor? That is disturbing indeed.

"Then why would he stop you? Why not just let you take care of Aegon's problem for him?" Tyrion asked.

"Because," Arianne began, "we weren't going to take the Throne from Aegon! Trystane, never planned on giving it over to him."

All the men remained silent as the information sunk in.

"Thank you," James said.

Arianne smiled at them three, as James walked out the door with Gendry and Tyrion. All three of them stood in the hallway with the Kingsguard, as James shut the door behind them.

"It is just as I feared," Tyrion began. "Varys, ever playing the part as dutiful servant, only to stab you in the back when you aren't looking."

"We must not tell anyone of this," James said. "Let, Varys, continue to play his game and we will confront him when the time is right."

"I agree," Gendry replied.

If Varys was the traitor, and has been the whole time then this was worse then Gendry thought. Now, Aegon would be privy to their plans on the wildfire and defending the city. The only hope they had was not to let the eunuch leave the city, and tell Aegon of their plans. Unless, he hasn't done so already.

"We can not let him leave the city!" Tyrion insisted. "We must confront him."

"Yes," James said, "I believe it is time to pay a visit to our Master of Whispers."