Today Anguy rode ahead of the main group, with John and one other man. They were being very cautious in these woods and fields, especially the closer they came to the Twins. Gold Cloaks were known to be in this area and they were taking no chances. If they got their hands on one, Thoros would be very pleased. But if they were ambushed, it would be on Anguy's head. Mid afternoon, Arya recognized Anguy's shout. The men that were riding in front of her, drew their swords and nudged their horses faster. Moments later Lord Dondarrion, Thoros, Gendry and Arya could hear swords clashing and then sudden silence. Another few minutes and the men came riding back with their prize.
"Look who we found sneaking about," Anguy announced.
Arya who was peaking around Gendry's back saw one of the men she hated. "The Hound," she whispered and hid her face in Gendry's back.
There sitting astride his horse, hands bound in front of him, was Sandor Clegane.
"I present to you Lord Dondarrion, the personal body guard of Joffrey Baratheon the King on the Iron Throne."
Arya heard the words and wondered if Anguy had intentionally said 'on', as an extra insult. As his way of saying Joffrey didn't deserve the title.
Thoros laughed, "some body guard he is. Were's the boy Hound?"
"I don't work for the King anymore."
"You still have to answer for your other crimes, which I am sure are many having been in service so long with the Lannisters."
"Who gives you the right to judge me? You are just a bunch of outlaw misfits yourselves."
"I am Beric Dondarrion, Lord of Blackhaven and head of House Dondarrion. I am leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners."
Gendry positioned his horse, with the other men, so that they formed a big circle around Lord Dondarrion. Thoros helped The Hound down off his horse, cut the ropes on his hands and gave him his sword. Lord Dondarrion would fight him, death being the final judgement. Right there in the forest clearing, they fought. While the swords clashed, Arya continued to keep her face hidden. She didn't want the Brotherhood to find out who she really was. Sure they knew her first name and that she was a girl. But no one except Gendry, knew that her father had been Ned Stark. The horses moved back and whinnied nervously, when Lord Dondarrion's sword burst into flame, thanks to the magic of the priest Thoros. Sandor jumped back in fear, since fire was what had disfigured him as a child. As they fought, Arya peaked from behind Gendry, caught up in the action.
When it looked like Lord Dondarrion would win she screamed. "Kill him!"
But suddenly Sandor's sword broke Beric's sword and bit into the Lord's shoulder. Beric's arm was practically decapitated and blood squirted out, as the artery was severed. Thoros jumped to Beric's side, chanting. To Gendry, Arya and Sandor's surprise, the man who was a moment ago dead, rotated his arm and was alive.
"Thanks be to the Lord of Light, but today Sandor Clegane has been found not guilty."
Forgetting to hide herself, Arya jumped off the horse and ran into the circle. "He is so guilty! He killed my friend Mycah. Do you remember that, cutting him down with your sword… he was an unarmed boy!" She screamed with hatred dripping from every word.
"I was doing what King Joffery ordered me to do. Now stand aside Stark bitch!" Sandor pushed her out of his way.
Gendry got off his horse and ran to stop Arya. She lunged after Sandor, using a dagger from the man standing beside her. "I'll KILL you!" She screamed.
But it was Gendry who tackled her to the ground, she wrestled him, but he was heavier and stronger. "No Arya," was all he said.
She stopped struggling and was crying in frustration. "I hate you Gendry! I hate you so much…. I'll kill you Hound, I'll send you to HELL!"
Anguy was happy with her declaration to Gendry. He came over and helped them up. Anguy blocked Arya's way, while Gendry kept a hold on her.
Lord Dondarrion said, "he'll go to hell soon enough, but not by your hand or mine. The Lord of Light has passed his judgement."
Sandor laughed, "when I get to hell, I'll say hello to your father Ned Stark." His taunting made Arya's face go white.
Gendry punched Sandor in the face, completely surprising the man and everyone else. "Don't say her or the Stark name, unless you want me to shut you up for good."
Arya forgave Gendry instantly and wished it had been her fist connecting with the big man's face.
"We'll take you to your family at Winterfell and your brothers can pay us as your escort. But first we hunt more Lannisters," Beric said with a finality that forbade anyone from arguing.
Sandor grunted as they bound him up again. "You'll find that they're all heading to the Twins for a special event. That Star…" he glanced at Gendry and rubbed his jaw before correcting himself, "...her family will be there too."
"Then to the Twins we will continue to go," Beric declared.
"Put a leash on your bitch," Sandor spat at Gendry and Anguy.
Both Gendry and Arya's hands clenched in fists. Anguy had to restrain them both. "Stop it you two or we'll tie you up just like he is."
"Let me go!" Arya demanded.
Gendry reeled in his anger, "I won't touch him as long as he shows some respect. Better yet, muzzle the Hound."
For now, Thoros agreed and Sandor was gagged. "We don't want him calling to the Gold Cloaks to rescue him, before we have some fun. Gendry is our armour all repaired and ready for battle?"
"Yes sir," Gendry replied.
"Good. Tomorrow we go hunting for Lannister loyalists. For now let's make camp, eat and drink well."
Arya and Gendry were sent to collect wood for the fire pit. Once alone she asked, "did it feel good to strike Sandor?"
"What do you think?"
"I wish you hadn't stopped me from sticking a blade in his heart," Arya said. But before he could explain, she added, "thank you for defending my family."
"He needed to show you proper respect," Gendry said.
She stopped walking and looked at him. "Was that the only reason you hit him?"
"What do you mean?"
Arya dropped her armload of wood and asked, "why do you care? You're not my father or brother or body guard." She boldly stepped closer and he too dropped his bundle of wood, unsure of her intentions. Standing on her tippy-toes, she pulled his face down to hers and kissed him. Her heart in her throat, she released him and searched his eyes for a response.
Gendry sighed and said, "you shouldn't have done that."
Embarrassed she sucked in her breath, realizing she made a mistake. He didn't like her. She whirled around to escape his presence, almost tripping over the scattered wood. But before she got out of his reach, he grabbed her arm and turned Arya back to face him.
"Arya," he said her name with emotion. Then Gendry kissed her on the mouth, lips gentle. She responded by opening her mouth. He let it go on for a few heart beats and then broke the moment. "I'm a nobody. I'm at least six years older than you. We can't do this."
She corrected him, "we can't do this right now." He had finally showed her that he felt the same way she did. Satisfied that he cared about her more than just as a friend, she could wait.
"You never do as you're told do you?" Gendry asked, once again picking up his sticks.
She shrugged, "sometimes."
They began to walk back to the others, but he couldn't help but add, "did you like my kiss better with me awake?"
Arya gasped. "You knew I did that? I thought you were asleep!…. Why didn't you say anything?" Her face got red.
He grinned, "I wasn't sure what to do about it, until just a few minutes ago."
That made her mad, sort of. She stomped off. He called after her. "That wasn't very lady like!"
Her answer was a well aimed stick thrown at his head. He barely ducked in time. His laughter followed her all the way back, but what he couldn't see was that she was smiling. His teasing, showed her that after everything that had happened, their friendship was still there too. Having the interest of two guys was a new thing for Arya. Having now kissed them both, with tongue, she found that Gendry was the better kisser. Unlike most girls, she didn't plan on playing games and making them compete for her attention. That is unless either of them got in her way again, when she went to kill Sandor Clegane.
Anguy noticed the change between Arya and Gendry, but he wasn't sure what it was. Maybe he'd use the rest of the cider to bring out the truth. He wanted Gendry gone, so that Arya would come to him for comfort and affection. The young blacksmith always thwarted his efforts to seduce the girl. There was only room for one of them in the Brotherhood, if Arya was around. Somehow he would get rid of Gendry, one way or another.