Hi! Thank you for reaching this far in the story. Usual disclaimer, I do not own the characters (except for the one I've made up) or the realm of Game of Thrones. I hope this chapter isn't too boring. So, enjoy!

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Gendry found himself on a larger ship than his rowboat. Everard was right, he had no other men. It was just him and Everard on this large ship that must have held 5 times more people once before.

I wonder what happened to them, he thought. But as he recalled the darkness in Everard's eyes when he recalled his previous men, he dared not ask out loud.

It wasn't his first time to be on a ship, but it was his first time to be on one without feeling like a prisoner. He took his time to explore around, from bow to stern. He looked out to the grey-green water of the sea, appreciating it now more than ever. He watched as the ship moved forward leaving white bubbly tides in its midst. He noticed there were no cabins in this ship like the one he'd been on before. I guess it's not meant for far travels.

After he walked around the ship two times, he decided to look for Everard and see if there's anything he could help with. He found him squatting at the portside of the ship. He seemed to be inspecting a giant net with immense concentration.

"..Everard?.." he called hesitantly. No reply. He seemed busy inspecting the net.

"Everard?" he asked now louder, finally he looked up.

"Sorry boy – I'mean Gendry – was just checking the net. When we get further enough from the shore we'll throw it into the sea and haul it back in." He explained, while gesturing what needed to be done at the same time.

"How far away are we heading?"

"A bit more further out," he said looking back to see how far the shore was.

A silence followed as Gendry stared out to see the receding image of Duskendale.

"Sit down here boy, why don't you help me look for tears in the net?"

Gendry sat down obligingly and started examining the large net in his hands. In the silence and serene feeling of the gentle rocking of the ship, he felt at ease. He still wondered if somehow he'd been found out, if this was another trap. He just kept on receiving blessings in the form of people taking him in. He was thankful for the warm meal he had, surely he was, but he learned that some things were too good to be true. Then his memory gravitated back to the conversation he overheard at the inn. A shiver spread through his spine as he pushed the memory to the back of his head. Before his thoughts could lead him further into the topic of the Starks, a voice thankfully interrupted his train of thoughts,

"So where you from boy?"

"Flea Bottom." Gendry replied immediately before he could think of a lie.

"Flea Bottom? King's Landing.. so whatcha doing all the way here in Duskendale?"

This time Gendry had to think before he spoke. I can't really say that I'm running away from a red priestess who wants my blood, he thought. The best lies are based on the truth.

"Was headed North to join the Night's Watch," he finally settled with. It was the original plan after all.

Everard gave a hearty laugh at his reply to Gendry's bewilderment.

"You heading North? Through here? The forest north of Duskendale is swarming with bandits and thieves, and worse. You're alone and unarmed," he said while looking at Gendry, "You won't make it boy. Nothing good lies in the North." Gendry swore that the last sentence was uttered with a hint of solemness.

Silence once again followed and they both continued their work. Until it was Gendry this time who broke the silence.

"Never got to thank you for the meal earlier.. Thank you." He said

He saw Everard look at him and smile before he said, "Fair work for fair wages. You'll help me till the day comes when you decide on where you're heading. North or South."

Everard stood up, taking a quick look to check for the shore and a quick look ahead.

"We're here boy. Reckon that the meal strengthened you up a bit. You'll find an anchor with a rope tied around it at the stern," he said gesturing to the rear of the boat, "throw it down to anchor the ship, then come back here to help me."

Gendry gave a nod of understanding before rushing to the stern. He held the anchor with both his hands which protested at the effort. He forgot about his unhealed blisters until this moment, but paid no mind. With great effort, he flung the anchor down below watching it sink to the bottom of the sea, and feeling the slight tug of the ship as it reached the bottom. He rushed back to the portside and found Everard untangling the net, now it seemed to be laid out in a sheet.

"Grab the other end of the net, boy," Everard instructed him. Gendry did as he said.

"When I say so, we throw it over the edge? Got it? Good," he said barely looking up at Gendry when he spoke.

"Okay, NOW. THROW." he said. Gendry saw the net drift off into the sea, slowly going deeper until it blended into grey-green.

"What do we do now?" he asked Everard, unsure of what usually happens.

"Wait a moment, then we'll haul it back up and see if we get anything," Everard explained to him. Before Gendry could think of something else to say, Everard finally said, "Okay, let's haul her up."

They both grabbed the rope that was attached to the net and hauled up the net. It was much easier throwing it off the boat, he noted. Finally, he saw the net's edge grace the side of the boat. They kept on pulling, then finally it was there. The net was full of fish and crabs, thrashing for their lives fighting to get back to the sea that kept them alive.

"Come on boy, help me. The fish go into that large blue bucket over there, the crabs go in the red."

Gendry kneeled by the net and tried to grab the fish, but found it was a bit hard. He used both his hands to grasp unto the squirming fish as he threw them into the bucket. Slowly, he got used to their slippery feel. As he reached out to grab a crab, the crab retaliated threatening to cut his fingers off. He was surprised at its rigor.

"Gotta grab them from out of eyesight boy. Can't get them head on. See their eyes? They're just like us, if you threaten them head on no good will come to ya. Here, watch," Everard said as he showed Gendry how it's done. He placed his hand behind and out of sight of the crab as he placed a finger each under it's legs, then he held it and put it into the bucket. "See? Now go on, try it out."

Gendry noted where the eyes of another crab was facing and did as Everard did. Though a bit more hesitant, but finally, he got it and put it in the bucket. He smiled at his small achievement. Everard interrupted his prideful moment, "Good. Go on boy, don't stop now. We still gotta do this a few more times."

Finally, all they caught were now found in buckets. They straightened out the net again then threw it over the boat, and then repeated this process again.

"How many times do you throw the net down?" Gendyr asked.

"Usually, by the fourth time there aren't many left anymore."

"That's a lot of fish," Gendry said, amazed by the effort it took. It's the third time for the net to be thrown overboard, and Gendry already realized how important eating that meal was. It's more exhausting than I thought it would be, he thought.

They then pulled the net back onboard the ship. He noticed that there were fewer fish and crabs now, compared to the first. It took them less time to place them into their respective buckets.

They cast the net again for the fourth time. As they waited a bit before pulling it back unto the ship, Gendry saw Everard inspecting the buckets.

"What's the matter?" Gendry asked.

"Nothing much. It's just fewer than before.." he trailed off in thought for awhile then asked Gendry, "You ever use a spear before?"

"No, never."

"Well, now you'll learn. It's the only way to catch bigger fish. After this batch, we'll head a bit further out where the waters aren't as deep. We'll catch some more before the tides come in."

They then hauled the net back up, there were barely any fish now.

"Reel the anchor up, boy. Let's go."

Gendry rushed to the stern and reeled the anchor up. It took a lot more effort than the net, but eventually he reeled it back up freeing the ship.

He saw Everard adjust the sails, then he felt the ship start moving.

He checked for the position of the sun, it was still fairly high up. It's probably mid-afternoon, he thought.

They only sailed a few meters away until Gendry was told to let down the anchor.

"Come on, let's climb down now, boy."

Gendry stared down into the sea, he couldn't tell how deep it was. He hesitated. "I can't swim," he admitted, too afraid to look Everard in the eyes as he said it.

There was a brief silence until Everard climbed down first into the water. "You don't need to swim, it's not deep," he said reassuringly. "Pass me 2 of those spears by your side first, then climb down."

Gendry took hold of the two spears and threw them down gently to him. Then he did as he was told and climbed down into the sea. The water reached a bit above his waist. Everard then handed him the other spear he had.

"We'll walk a bit further down, where the water is lower. Nothing ta worry about." He said as he took the lead and Gendry followed.

"Around here is good enough," he finally said.

"Okay boy, just stand still. Don't move or make too much noise. The water's clear you can see anything in the waters. Don't bother with the small ones, aim for the big fish."

They stood still, and Gendry saw a big fish swim past to the side of Everard. Then in one fluid movement, he saw Everard bring down the spear, catching the fish at its tip. He noticed now the bag slung across his shoulder, where he now placed the fish he caught.

Gendry watched the waters again, waiting for a big fish to pass by. He saw one pass to his left, he followed it with his eyes and gripped the spear in his hand. He struck the spear down, and missed. He saw the fish he set his eyes on swim away.

"Ha," he heard Everard release a bit of a laugh at his effort. "You're strong boy, but not quick at all. Try to strike faster," he said as he spotted another fish and caught it. Gendry lost count now of how many fish Everard had caught by now. He felt frustrated now and humiliated.

He tried again, and failed.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Gendry could feel his embarrasment growing with each try. He tried again, and missed yet again.

"It's about time we headed back," Everard said. "Come on, you'll have more days to try again. Don't worry," he said consolingly.

Gendry followed Everard back to the boat, eyeing the bag across his shoulder bulging at the seams from the weight of the fish that he had caught. Gendry gripped the spear tighter in his hand. Next time, he thought to himself.

They climbed onto the ship now, and he saw the fish being poured from the bag into the bucket. "Get the anchor up and let's head back."

Gendry reeled the anchor up with much effort. Finally, they set sail back to the port of Duskendale. He could feel the tiredness set in and started thinking. It must have been harder for him before, fishing out here alone, he thought with immense appreciation for the man that took him in.

He saw the sun setting as they approached the port, its rays shining down on the town before him. It's no King's Landing, but it is beautiful, he thought.

As their ship was close enough to the port, he heard Everard say "Let the anchor down." He did as he was told to.

"Come on, let's get some money for these," Everard said as he handed Gendry a bucket.

They departed the ship and head into town, where he watched as Everard went to each inn and pub showing to the owner's the day's catch. He started at the inn where they met, the largest one in town, and let them have the first buy. Each time the buckets got lighter while Everard's pockets grew heavier with payment. Finally, as the hint of stars began to shine, they reached the last place in town. Their catch of the day was bought at last, leaving only a few fish behind in the bucket.

"That's all boy. Let's go home, aye?" Everard said cheerily to Gendry as he led him through the cobbled streets to a quaint hut past the main town square. He stepped inside and saw a small fireplace with a small table in front of it. There were three chairs he noted, but as far as he could tell, no one else was home.

Everard slunk down in a chair, letting the tiredness he felt show. "Put some logs and start the fire, boy." Gendry did as he was told. He saw Everard place the bucket by the kitchen and chopped the fish up into pieces placing it in a pot.

He watched him cook and found the bowls on the kitchen counter. He grabbed two and placed them on the table. Finally, the food was done, and Gendry suddenly felt his hunger overcome him.

"You gonna pray boy?" he heard Everard ask.

Gendry didn't know the prayer of the Seven, he wasn't accustomed to praying. "Don't know the words. Not sure I believe in the gods all that much," he replied honestly.

He feared his honesty would make him angry, but it didn't. Everard looked at him, then to the empty chair beside Gendry, and said "Me neither."

He then took the large pot in his hands and poured the fish soup in, and Gendry followed suit. The soup was almost as good as the hot crab soup he had at the inn. They devoured their food in silence. When the pot and bowls were empty, Gendry took them to the sink to clean.

"There's an empty room their to your right, nothing fancy. I'll put some clothes on your bed for you to wear." Everard said.

"This place is fancy enough for me," he said, "Thank you."

"It's nothing boy. Get some rest, I'll need your strength in the morrow." Everard said as he walked away to what was probably his quarters.

When Gendry finished with the bowls, he headed to the quarters that would be his. He stepped in, and saw a small bed, like the one he slept on before in King's Landing and saw the clothes on top of his bed.

He picked up the clothes and saw it fit him perfectly. He lay down on the bed, welcoming sleep after the long day he's had. Before Gendry could even think about how long he'd stay here in Duskendale, or how he'd get back to King's landing, there was only one thought in his head before he drifted off to sleep.

I need to get stronger.