All belongs to Martin. I own nothing...
Thanks for all the reviews. I thought the last chapter was a little flat, so I hope this makes up for it.
Arya did not leave her chambers for the rest of the day. She refused dinner and roared at anyone who tried to enter her room. Every now and then her anger would release a wave of tears, which she quickly screamed at to go away. She felt stupid for believing a man. For thinking a man could love someone like her. For allowing herself to think that she could live the life she wanted. The men assumed Gendry had told her of the Kings deal and were angry, but he had assured them that he did not. When they asked what he had done to cause such a reaction in Arya, he looked Lem square in the eyes and told him it was none of his business. The men did not ask him again. Gendry spent the rest of the day and evening in the forge trying to release his frustration with a hammer and anvil. He hated that Arry thought him a craven. He would do anything to be with her and she believed that he was more worried about others opinions.
Gendry was about to go back to the castle to sleep when he seen Arya walk through the grounds. She picked up a stick along the way. She was walking fast and Gendry could tell that she was still furious. 'She is going to find a tree to beat, pretending it is me I'd wager', he thought. He did not know whether to follow her and try to talk to her. He could not stand it if she called him a craven again. 'I would do anything for her, damn the consequences'. That was it for him. In that moment he decided to do something which would probably result in his death. He walked after Arya, catching up to her when she was about to enter an area with a few trees, just in front of the castle walls. She heard him behind her, turned and swung her stick, catching his arm. The sting was horrible and lingered long after the stick left his skin. Blood began to pour from the wound.
'Seven Hells Arry... that hurt'.
'Good. Why are sneaking up on me you stupid craven'.
'I want to tell you the truth... please, calm down and listen to me. I do not want anyone to see us talking'.
Arya was taken aback. 'Okay' she said, caution radiated from her.
'Come in here to the wall so we won't be seen.' She followed him. 'Hells my arm hurts'.
'Is that what you wanted to tell me?' she sighed.
'No... Just don't go wild on me okay... you're not going to like it.'
Arya was getting nervous now. Gendry seemed serious. He looked worried.
'I love you... I want to be with you', he said. Arya turned to walk away.
'No wait', he grabbed her arm. 'Listen please... last night the Brotherhood told me that your brother Robb had to make a deal with Lord Frey to cross the Trident at the Twins'.
'So, that is normal, isn't it?'
'Yes, but... as well as guaranteeing his hand to one of Freys daughters', Gendry looked to the ground. He truly did not want to tell her. 'He promised you to one of Freys son's'.
Tears welled in Arya eyes. 'It cannot be true. Robb would never do that', she thought. She stood like this for a full minute, without moving, her jaw dropped.
'Say something my wolf... I am so sorry to tell you'.
'I will never do it... they cannot make me marry... no I'll not... never, do you hear'.
'Shhh... Arry, I am no craven. What if we ran?'
Arya looked into his sharp blue eyes. She could never love someone as much as she loved Gendry in this moment. He was going to risk everything for her. To give her life she always wanted. 'They will kill you if we are caught... you understand that. If Robb traded me, he will not listen to my pleas for you. He is not the brother I remember', she added weakly.
'I understand, but I cannot see you married to some old man, Arry. Living in those Towers. Let them do what they will to me. A short time with you is better than no time at all. I would gladly die to see that contract broken. The Frey's won't want you if they think you're dishonoured by a Bastard smithy... not that I will dis... That's not my plan or anything...' he was fumbling again.
Arya jumped over and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. 'No one will ever want to marry me if they think that... it's perfect', she gleamed. Arya bought her hands down to Gendry's chest and pushed him back against the wall. He looked at her, both of their eyes were black with hunger. He pressed his lips to hers. Soon they were kissing as passionately as they were in the forge. Gendry's hand slid down her back and found the end of her tunic. While his hands were exploring her, one moved up slightly inside her clothes and found the skin of the small of her back. She was so soft and smooth. Gendry wanted to reach higher. Arya was pulling at his shirt, moaning into each kiss. Gendry let his mouth trace along her jaw. He gently nipped her earlobe with his teeth and slid his hand up her naked back. Arya gasped loudly and Gendry reacted to noise quickly. He swung her around and pushed her to the wall a little harder than he anticipated. She did not seem to notice. He continued to nip and suck up and down her neck while his hands explored her back and the delicates curves developing at her hips. Gendry had decided then that this was his favourite part of Arya body. Arya's head jerked up and her breath stopped and started in loud moans. Her back was arched, allowing Gendry to grind himself into her. After several intoxicating minutes, one of his hands came to her front and cupped her breast. Arya's body tensed and Gendry lowered his hand and stepped back.
'I'm sorry', he panted.
'No... It's just, we can't... it's too much for tonight Gendry'.
'God's Arry, no, I do not want you to think... I got carried away. I am sorry.' He looked at the ground and started to shake his head. 'Please don't think I meant...' But Arya cut him off.
'I don't... but even this is new to me. I need time to get used to feeling like this about anything, besides swordplay of course' Gendry smiled at her had wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead.
'Have you done this before... did you ever lay with a woman?' Arya blurted out.
'I kissed some women in King's Landing and came close once to... you know, but, no I haven't lay with anyone', he whispered. Arya could feel his skin burning up.
'Why not? All the girls at the Inns seem to want to lay with you, like that idiot Bella...'
Gendry laughed. 'You really didn't like her did you my wolf'.
'She was an idiot', Arya declared.
'I like it when your jealous', he sniggered.
Arya pushed him back and punched him in the arm. 'I'm not jealous of 'Big Teats Bella', okay?'
Gendrys head fell back and let out a loud laugh. 'Of course not, you sound like you're talking about your best friend.' He was still laughing when Arya noticed the blood on his arm. She lifted his sleeve and examined the wound. A wave of shame washed over her.
'God's I'm sorry Gendry... I didn't mean...'
'Yes you did', he interrupted. ' I would have done the same if I were you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth from the start. I didn't really know how to say it.'
'It fine, I know you were trying to protect me. I still can't believe Robb would do that, and then he runs out on his own promise, leaving me to make the alliance solid again. Well, he can go to the seven hells... I'm no pawn.'
Gendry looked at his love. So small and delicate looking when she was all washed and groomed, but so powerful and capable underneath. He would love spending the rest of his life, however short, with his fierce wolf.
They broke their fast with the others the next morning. Arya thanked Lady Smallwood for her hospitality. She wasn't so bad really, even if she did make her ware dresses. They had agreed to keep pretending that they were fighting. Arya would ignore Gendry completely and say little to the Brotherhood. When it was Gendrys turn to keep watch that night, he and Arya would make their escape. It was not ideal, but they only had three nights before reaching the Twins, so they had to move fast. They decided that they would head north to the wall. If Robb's men got too close, Jon might shelter them. He would never trade Arya, she trusted him. Things were going according to plan. The men were convinced that Arya was furious with Gendry. She refused to be anywhere near him and on the one occasion he tried to talk to her, she turned, punched him in the stomach and walked away. When Gendry was sure everyone was asleep, he got up and tipped Arya shoulder. As she was rising they heard a loud howling. Wolves. The noise woke Harwin.
'What's going on?', he asked, half asleep.
'Just some wolves in the distance, it's nout', Gendry whispered. He and Arya looked to each other. She lay back down and Gendry moved away from her.
'Ahh... I need a piss now', Harwin complained. He got up and walked to the side of the camp to relieve himself. After him, Tom woke. There was no other chance for escape that night. They would have to pray for better luck tomorrow.
They played the same game on the second day travelling. They were about to stop and make camp after a particularly long day, when they heard a horse coming very fast towards them. They all looked to each other anxiously. When the horse was close, they could see that it was ridden by man who was slumped over. The horse jolted to a stop and the man fell. Lem and Harwin went to him first. They rolled him onto his back. The man let out a low moan. It was easy to see he was in pain. One of his arms appeared to be broken, he had a deep gash on his head and his tunic was soaked in blood.
'Who are ya? What happened to ya, boy?' Lem asked.
'Chyle... Twins...' he grunted.
'Your name is Chyle and you were attacked at the Twins?' Harwin asked.
With that Arya jumped off her horse and ran to him. 'What happened at the Twins?'
Frey's men attacked'.
'Attacked who? Who do you fight for?' Arya was shouting now.
'Stark... King... Frey killed them all...' he sputters and blood spit from his mouth with every word.
Arya felt her body tense. Panic was setting in. 'The king and his mother, what of them? Where are they?
'Dead... Frey trapped... took his head and his wolf. Sewed his wolfs head to his body and his head to the wolf...' the man's eyes widened and he reached out to grab Arya as he said the words, like he was begging her to take the memory from him.
All eyes were on Arya now. Gendry came up behind her and grabbed her shoulders, 'you don't need...', he began to say.
'I'll hear it!' Arya screamed. 'What of his mother?'
'Throat slit... thrown into the Trident'. With every word he spoke more blood spit from his mouth.
'Are you sure... did you see it?' Harwin asked.
'Some... they killed everyone... I heard them bragging... they thought I was dead'.
Arya slowly rose to her feet and brushed away Gendry's arms. She walked through a few trees until she was partly covered from the Brotherhoods view. She was in shock. She repeated the man's words over and over. They did not make sense to her. Then the words became more clear. 'Sewed his head... mother thrown into the Trident'. Suddenly her stomach gave way and Arya threw up the contents of her stomach. She collapsed onto her hand and knees and purged again. Gendry and Tom were watching her. When Gendry started to walk towards her, Tom placed a hand on his shoulder and said, 'Leave her a while, boy.' Gendry listened.
When she returned, Chyle was dead. Gendry looked at her with more pity in his eyes than even Harwin had when she told him of what she had seen in Harrenhall and the actions of The Mountain and his men. The others could not seem to look at her for very long. After she had emptied her stomach on the ground, she had purged bile for some twenty minutes. All that was left in Arya now was emptiness. Her father first. Bran, Rickon and Winterfell next. And now Robb and her mother. All were gone.
'What are you going to do with me now?' she asked them on her return. 'The only way to get money for me is to sell me to the bitch Queen... Jon will have nothing at the Wall.'
Arya attitude chilled Gendry to the bone. She was cold, matter of fact. The little emotion she did normally show seemed to have evaporated.
'We would not sell you to the Queen, little wolf', Tom said.
'You should go back and stay with Lady Smallwood. She would take you. You will be safe there, no one knows who you are.' Harwin said.
'If you mean to get no ransom for me I'd sooner go on my own way.' Her expression was blank. She was completely detached.
'Where are you thinking of going?' Lem asked, even though he knew the answer.
'I'm going to find my mother and brother at the Twins', she replied flatly.
'There gone Arry', Gendry whispered.
'Then I will kill Lord Frey and his entire inbred family', she spat. Anger was starting to rise in her throat and penetrate her cool, detached persona. 'What in seven hells did they think I was going to do there!' she thought.
'You're not going near the Twins, girl... your going back to Acorn Hall', Lem said.
'You can't force me. If you're not going to sell me to the Queen then I'm worthless. Let me go', she said flatly.
'Arry, you can't kill them all...' Gendry began, until Arya silenced him with a look.
'I can and I will'.
'I'm sorry girl but I'll not let you get yourself killed. Tom give me that blanket.'
With that Harwin grabbed Arya around the waist. She fought but she could not break free from his grasp.
'What are you doing... let me go!', she yelled.
The men wrapped her in the blanket and tied it. There was no way she could possibly free herself and run.
'Ahh... is there really a need for that?' Gendry had tried to protest.
'You really trust her to not try and run? Want her to get killed, boy?'
Gendry had yielded. He knew she would run the first chance she got. He lay down next to her and tried to talk, but she just starred ahead and did not engage him. She felt betrayed. He was taking their side. She had not recited her list of people she wanted killed in a few weeks. Gendry's arms around her at night had healed her bad dreams and gave her something else to focus on besides vengeance. That night she started again and added the Frey's to her list. She did not have names of the men who had actually killed her mother and brother, but she would find out. For now she contented herself by the thought of killing every Frey she would ever meet.