Game of Thrones: Not So Different – Arya
Chapter 11 of my collaboration story, enjoy.
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Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 11
Arya bit her lip as she stood at the door, looking around at her bedroom. It still felt weird; being back here.
'As much as I wanted to come home, now I am home it feels...' She reflected. 'In there it was all, rules and regulations, but at least I knew what was going on...out here just feels, confusing again.'
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, she needed to remember exactly why she'd ended up in the institute in the first place. She couldn't overthink things or she'd end up pushing herself back into her own despair.
Sitting down on her bed, gently running her hand along it, she smiled. 'I'm home, that's what matters, I'm home...and I'm free.'
She knew she wasn't alone now and had all the help she could want, her family supported her, Gendry supported her. She could face her problems, instead of running from them as she had been beforehand.
She paused, suddenly feeling awkward. 'Gendry...What he told me; he, he actually...has feelings for me?'
She had to admit, that was the last thing she ever expected. Yet, trying to think about it just made her feel confused.
'I don't know, I don't know how I feel...he said he didn't mind waiting until I did know but, still...Even after all this time, I can't give him an answer.' She thought to herself.
She had no idea where to even begin when it came to searching her feelings.
She was still musing on the matter, confused, when there was a knock at her door.
"Y-yeah?" She called out, startled.
"Arya...it's me."
She smiled. "Oh, hey, come in mum."
The door opened and Catelyn entered; she looked tense, and yet, there was something in her eyes, something approaching gratitude, when she looked at Arya.
"How are you?" Catelyn asked as she moved to sit on the bed too.
"I'm, okay." Arya replied. "It's still kinda awkward, trying to used to it all again, being out here."
Catelyn nodded. "I...oh Arya..."
She immediately hugged her youngest daughter and Arya, simply reacting, returned the hug. It was in that moment that Arya came to realize how much she had missed her mother. Not just while she was in the institute, but even before that, during those 'dark times'.
The feeling of being protected, of such unconditional love; offered her great comfort.
'I feel...It's strange to think that, even after all this time...something as simple as this; can feel so...amazing.' She noted to herself.
Indeed she felt a whole lot better as her mother comforted her.
"Arya, I am so sorry that things ended up...the way they did. I wish I could've done something." Catelyn was saying. "I keep thinking, I should've acted differently, done something different...I mean, I didn't even try and..."
"Mum please; don't...I wasn't exactly looking for help then either. I would've just hurt you, said something I'd regret and...Gods knows what else." Arya replied.
The two of them sat in silence for a while after that.
Finally, Catelyn sighed.
"Arya, I...I've been thinking, about what was happening back then." She suddenly said.
Arya tensed. "Mum, I..."
But Cat's words surprised. "I think, it was intentional; someone was trying to drive us apart, drive a wedge between us..."
"That's...Gods; I was going to say crazy but, now thinking of it..." Arya couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Gods if that's true…?"
Cat glared. "If it's true, whoever is responsible, can face criminal charges, trust me...I'll make sure they do."
Arya nodded grimly, a little surprised but glad at her mother's reaction.
"You still seem troubled, is there something else on your mind?" Cat then asked, remembering Arya's expression when she entered and seeing the look on her face now.
There was a brief pause and then Arya sighed.
"I don't know mum, I just...Gendry told me something, before I left the institute." She paused and then; taking a quick breath, continued. "He told me he; has feelings for me, I...I don't know how I feel but he's content to wait. But now I'm...just confused; how do I even, work out something like that."
Catelyn's eyes widened. "Oh I...I wasn't expecting that...Arya, I wish I could answer you, but there is no easy answer for something like that."
Arya just nodded. "I kinda guessed; it's alright. Thanks."
Standing up Cat smiled. "Dinner will be ready soon, I'll call you then."
Arya smiled too as her mother left. She was still confused about Gendry, but she felt happier than ever.
After all, she was finally home.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.