Game of Thrones: Not So Different – Arya

Chapter 9 of my Game of Thrones collaboration, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 9

Looking out the window of her room, Arya couldn't deny she was beginning to feel at peace. For so long she had felt such a terrible mixture and maelstrom of emotions that it became too much to bear. Even afterwards, at the beginning of her time here; her emotions had been in a terrible, overwhelming state. But now she felt calmer, more in control; what surprised her most was that it had been her talks with Lancel Lannister of all people that had caused her recovery to truly start.

'Life truly works in mysterious ways.' She reflected with a wry grin.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She turned, bracing herself. Her parents had visited her at least twice more since the first time. Each time, things got better and she felt more and more at ease. While she hadn't met them face to face yet. She was ready for when her siblings came; even Sansa.

'Especially Sansa.' She reminded herself.

Sure enough, when the door opened; it was indeed her siblings who entered.

"Arya..." That was all Robb got out before he hurried forward to embrace her.

Arya returned the embrace, smiling, savouring the warmth. "Hey Robb."

No further words were needed she felt, and it seemed Robb felt it too. The breach that had opened between her and her older brother was mended already.

Turning to the others she saw Bran and Rickon grinning, their delight in seeing her obvious.

"Hey you guys." She said softly. "C'mere."

She embraced them both, the two laughing and returning the hug. She had to admit, out of all her siblings, it was Bran and Rickon whom she had felt the least angry towards. Back when she felt everyone was against her, that her parents hated her, Bran and Rickon hadn't sided with them in her mind, but they didn't do anything to help her either.

'But I was wrong, so very wrong...' She recalled.

"It's good to see you doing so much better Arya." Bran remarked.

Rickon nodded. "Yeah; we...we all miss you."

Arya smiled, stepping back. "I miss you guys too..."

She turned to Sansa, who had been standing closest to the door, apprehensive. But that tension left her when Arya's smile didn't falter.

"Sansa, I um..."

Almost at once Sansa threw herself at Arya, hugging her tightly, nearly lifting her off the ground.

"Oh Arya, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have, I never..." She choked out.

Arya grimaced at this and spoke. "I...it's cool Sansa, really, I...um, can't breathe."

Realizing Sansa quickly put Arya down, letting her go.

"I just..."

Arya sighed. "Sansa, didn't mum and dad tell you?"

Sansa nodded. "They did, but, it needed to be done face to face."

Arya could understand Sansa's views that way and she quietly agreed.

Soon they were all seated, Arya sat on the edge of her bed while her siblings found chairs and sat next to her.

"So, what's been going on you guys, anything I should know?"

It was Robb who spoke first, grinning. "Well, I'm engaged now."

Arya grinned at that. "Ah, cool, congrats."

They continued to talk together, passing time sharing stories, helping Arya catch up on what she had been missing on the outside. It was strange, but in a good way, Arya felt, to sit here with her siblings, talking, despite everything that had happened to her. Bran explained to them that Jon had dropped them off and was looking for somewhere to park. Sure enough at that moment Jon entered too and Arya couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

"This is, great, you guys." She said eventually. "I'm glad you all came, we...we all needed this, I think."

They all heartily agreed and it was then Sansa took the conversation in an interesting direction.

"I...I heard from mum and dad that...Lancel Lannister is here too, is that right?" She asked.

If Sansa's question caught the others off guard, Arya's reaction did more so. She actually looked pensive about it.

"Yeah, he is...Had a pretty bad case of depression and it culminated in a nervous breakdown." She remarked. "We...we talk, now and again."

The fact Arya was admitting this surprised them all over again. As she passed the room, Arya's nurse was pleased to note how her patient seemed so much better lately. Seeing her with her family certainly made it even more apparent. She knew she'd have to talk to the doctor in charge, but she felt that maybe, just maybe, her patient was ready for going home.

A few days later, Arya was smiling; she was still monitored over the cameras, but more out of regulation than anything else. Any thoughts of suicide were gone and she was actually considered recovered. There was talks of her going home soon; still under care true, but going home. The thought of being under care irked her somewhat, but she understood the reasons for it and so, didn't argue. It was then there was another knock at her door, surprising her. Her surprise grew, as did her joy, when the door opened and Gendry stepped in.

"Gendry, hey." She greeted, grinning widely.

He too smiled. "Hey Arry, it's good to see you. I'm...I'm sorry I haven't been here as often as I'd have liked."

She shook her head. "It's cool, you're here now."

He nodded, coming to sit by her bed. "So, how are you?"

"Pretty good, I'll be...I'll be getting out of here in a few days." She admitted.

Gendry grinned at that, yet Arya could see something about his expression; something which confused her.

"Gendry, what is it, you look…?" She began, finding herself strangely hesitant.

"I don't know if this is the right time Arry." He admitted.

Arya shook her head. "I wanna hear it."

Gendry sighed, he couldn't refuse her.

So, after a pause, he began to explain.

"Alright then." He replied. "I...Arya, for a while now. I...I want you to know, our friendship has been amazing and it's one of the things I value most."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, Arya...That for a while now, the past year at least...I've been, feeling, more than friendship towards you. I...I..."

He bit his lip, Arya's eyes had gone wide, he didn't even need to explain any further, she knew exactly what he meant.

"Gendry, that's..." She whispered.

She almost couldn't believe what she was hearing; the part that struck her most of all was, she had no idea how to reply in kind.

But Gendry smiled. "You don't have to answer, or tell me...take your time. I just, well, I felt you had the right to know."

"And I did ask." She replied softly.

Still, when Gendry smiled at her now; she couldn't help the feeling of warmth that spread through her. She smiled again; she was certain now, she felt ready to go home.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.