Game of Thrones: Not So Different – Arya

Chapter 19 of my Game of Thrones collaboration with Marina Ka-Fai, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 19

Seated on the bench outside the courthouse, waiting anxiously for things to begin, Arya found it difficult to breathe. She tried to stay focused, to figure out some way to stay calm, despite the knowledge that, in just a few moments, she'd be facing the man who ruined her family, who nearly led her to suicide. She looked down at her scarred wrists and bit her lip. Gendry gently put his hand on her shoulder.

"I...what if I..."

He shook his head. "No Arya, don't, don't do this to yourself. You can do this, I know you can."

She bit her lip, looking around. She wasn't the only one in a state, the others were there too, she was relieved to see that those that had suffered with her were getting their day to make their voices heard, their chance at justice. Sansa sat with their parents on either side, doing their best to reassure her. Robb, Jon, Bran and Rickon also stood nearby, looking lost, anxious, wanting to help but unsure how. They all looked pale, worried, but determined.

"You can do this, we can all do this." Gendry said.

She was amazed that Gendry, despite his own worries, was able to reassure her like this, amazed and overjoyed.

But that joy was cut short when the doors opened, it was time to go, she looked over at the others, they all smiled at her, she did the same, but their smiles were shaky, they were nervous and with good cause. Still, along with Gendry she headed for the courtroom where Peytr's trial was to be held, it was time for her to see justice done for what had happened to her, to them all. Meanwhile, as they also headed into the courtroom, the rest of the family all prepared themselves for the upcoming danger.

'I...I have to face this, they're holding the trial for what he has done to to everyone he has hurt.' Sansa told herself. 'I just, I hope I can do it.'

Cat, seeing her daughter's turmoil, squeezed her hand reassuringly. Smiling to her mother, she nodded. The others didn't say much, but they all focused, ready, prepared for what was to come. It was time to see that man pay for his actions, to let him see that, while he had hurt all of them, he hadn't broken them. That would be their true justice.

Facing Peytr Baelish was the hardest thing Arya had to do. So much so the trial passed by faster than she could process, or at least, that's what it felt like. Telling a bunch of random people of her misery was reliving her nightmares all over again.

Gendry had been near her all the time, his fingers hugging hers, she could feel his strength and his love flowing under her skin with this mere touch. Once on the stand, to give her testimony, it was his eyes on her gave her the courage she needed. Not even that beast's stare could make her silent. She'd tell everything.

She even shocked the entire court when she admitted the full extent of the misery he had caused, she held out her arms, letting her scars be seen, in front of the whole court. Arya knew she could stutter, she could be embarrassed, she was the victim, not him. It was just one event she had to go through until she could bury this part of her.

Gendry would help shovelling, she knew. With his love, the stain would wash away and she'd live, happy. That would be her best revenge: standing tall, mended, happy, proud. Peytr Baelish would never win.

Sansa gave her testimony too, about how she had been taken in; tricked by Baelish and how it had affected everyone in her family, the things it had caused. Any attempts to attack the credibility of those testifying against Peytr failed, much to Arya's relief.

'Especially when that's their only weapon.' She noted. 'He has no witnesses, so much evidence against him...evidence he thought was buried.'

Thankfully nobody had said anything, even in whisper, when she had got off the stand, her scars now seen by everyone. The defence had tried to attack her using that; but she refused to back down. Her strength had surprised even her in that regard. Before Arya knew it however, it was time, the jury had left and were coming back.

She tensed, the back of her mind adding to her fears as she worried what would happen if it wasn't enough, if he actually did get off. Gendry squeezed her hand reassuringly and she felt herself relax slightly. When the trial finally ended and the jury came back with their sentence she waited, rigid, but then it passed.

The sentence he was given had the sweetest taste in her mouth. Thirty years, with no chance for parole, he'd be an old man when he got out and Arya, Arya could go on with her life, no longer living in fear of him.

Exiting the courthouse, stepping into the bright sunshine, Gendry at her side, her family all around her, Arya smiled, the nightmare was over. It seemed that now, the only thing left for them to do, was look towards the future, now with joy and hope instead of fear.

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