Chapter V: The Revelation

The air was filled with the smell of roasted meat. Earlier that day, she had caught six plump rabbits, driving her knives right through their hearts. The men were astonished, but she had just shrugged. Because of Beric, she didn't break her fast at the inn, and her stomach was growling impatiently.

As her teeth sunk into the flesh, she remembered the dream she had the night before. The taste of blood, metallic and sticky on her tongue. She stopped for a split second wondering if her hunts made her feel hungrier, then starting eating again. The dream had left her flustered. It felt as if she was in truth standing in front of her prey, baring her teeth, then howling into the soundless night as she sunk her fangs into the deer's neck and ripped it open, almost like she had been howling herself lying on the bed at the inn.

"I'll take the first watch," she volunteered, after the place was cleared and the night chill started creeping in.

"I'll give you company," Gendry offered.

Arya narrowed her eyes. Everyone must be asleep for her to be able to escape. She shook her head at him.

"I can manage it myself, Gendry," she said, resisting the urge to call him a stupid bull. Perhaps it was too early for that.

"I'm staying up, M'lady. Whether you like it or not," he replied stubbornly.

Arya rolled her eyes.

"Gendry, I told you I can-"

"No, I'm staying," he interrupted her.

She opened her mouth again but Beric's voice stopped her.

"Both of you can stay awake if you want to. But let us sleep at least," he said, tiredly. Arya clenched her jaw, angry at the idiot who was now smirking at her.

"Stupid bull," she muttered under her breath.

"What did you call me, M'lady?" He asked sarcastically, looking too amused by her irritation. Arya clenched her fists and slumped down under a tree, leaning her head back and closing her eyes, trying to make out how to make the idiot sleep or at least doze for a while so that she could slip by without him noticing.

She heard a weight drop beside her.

"Why are you so angry at everything?" He asked.

She turned her eyes to him, her lips pursed. He was looking at her curiously, faces inches away from hers and their shoulders were touching each other's. He had a stubble now, peppered all over his jaw. He looked so much older, and so not like the boy she had known.

Do I look that different now too?

"I just want you to let me take the first watch. Alone."

"Why? What's wrong with me accompanying you?"

Arya bit her lip and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Because I need to leave," she said. "And I want no one to know about it."

Gendry's eyes widened and he took hold of her hand.

"You are leaving?" He asked, gripping her arm tightly.

Arya raised her brows at his hand and he pulled it away. His eyes softened.

"You just came back," he whispered.

Arya sighed and closed her eyes again.

"I cannot stay, I need to go back home. My family needs me, and I know Beric would never let me go alone. He doesn't know I am more than capab-"

Her back arched as her lungs took in air sharply. Her vision was blurring and she heard Gendry's voice but it was so vague as if he was standing miles away from her. She saw snow and a big weirwood tree, it's branches thicker and longer than the tree in the Godswood.

Sister. Arya, listen to me.

Bran, she wanted to shout, but she could only see and hear and do nothing else.

You have to find her. She is waiting. I'll show you the way. Find her.

Arya's vision returned, a surge of energy running through her. She gulped and frantically looked around herself. Gendry was kneeling in front of her, his hands holding her own as he was looking worriedly at her.

"What happened?" She asked, finding her voice with great difficulty.

"Your eyes," Gendry said in a hushed breath. "Your eyes turned white."

You have to find her.

Find her.

"I need to find her," she whispered.

"Who?" He asked, puzzled.

Arya stood up and Gendry followed. She looked him in the eye and shook her head.

"I have to go," she said. Bran was alive, her brother, and he was talking to her minutes ago. The voice from the Weirwood tree was his. She had to do what he asked. Perhaps it will lead her to Bran.

"No, you're not."

"Gendry, please, I have to!" She said impatiently.

"If you're going to Winterfell, let me come with you," he offered.

"There was one time I wanted you to go with me. You refused. This time, I don't want you to, so don't."

He cursed.

"I am sorry for that. I truly am. Let me make up to you, please."

"No." She held up her hand. "Do you have a cloak?"

Gendry kept his eyes fixed at her. Arya grew impatient and asked him again, this time more roughly.

"I do," he said. "It's in my tent."

She nodded and went towards his tent. Her own belongings were nothing but a pouch of silver and her Needle. She went inside the tent, and beside his bed, among the clothes strewn about haphazardly, she found the cloak. It was so large it would flow about her feet, but all she wanted was to protect herself from the cold and nothing else. She swung it over her arm and walked back to Gendry again. He stood still in his place. She didn't want to hurt him, but he should know that she wasn't a little lost girl anymore. She had done and had to do things he could never fathom. After being alone for so long, she was used to making decisions herself and doing what she wanted to. It was her, not him, not anyone else.

"Can I take a horse?" She asked him, but he was refusing to meet her eyes.

"Of course, Your Highness."

Arya hit him sharply on the arm and when he didn't respond, she rested her hand on his cheek.

"Please understand, Gendry. I have to go."

He forced a smile.

"I understand."

"Tell Beric and the others I punched you and knocked you out cold and escaped, okay?"

Gendry chuckled.

"You cannot do that, Arry."

Arya felt a little relieved. She saddled her horse quickly and wrapped the cloak around herself. After throwing him a brief smile, she mounted it.

"Please don't hate me," she said, glancing back.

"I could never hate you," he said back, smiling his stupid Gendry smile. It made her smile as well.

"I will see you again, I promise," she told him, and kicked her horse as she rode into the night.

Find her. Find her.