Chapter 16

Three days had gone by since Arya had returned with Nymeria, three days since she had threatened him with her blade pointed at his heart. Gendry kept hearing her words over and over in his head. "You are weak and if you ever come near me again, I will kill you. You were all I had, I cared for you in more ways than one and that is how you repay me for it? I hope she drains your blood for a sacrifice." Since that night Gendry had been forced to stay either in his tent or to help with repairing weapons. He chose to repair weapons most days just to keep his mind busy. He couldn`t get that night out of his head. When he thought of Melisandre or anything that had taken place that night it made him sick to his stomach. It was also a good distraction from Arya. He hadn`t tried to get close to her since that night but he made sure that he always knew where she was, what she was doing but he never approached her. He knew she would be furious if she found out that he was keeping tabs on her, but he didn`t trust these men and he had good reason not to. He had heard some of the soldiers talking about how they would fuck her if they got the chance. It took everything in his power not to swing his hammer and crush in the one of the men`s skull when he told the men he was going to get her drunk that night and see how far she would let him go. Gendry knew that wouldn`t happen but it didn't stop him from wanting to kill the man for saying it.

It was mid-day but the air was like ice, Gendry say in the make shift forge sharpening the swords he had finished repairing. His back was to the door but he sensed someone behind him. Placing the sword on the ground he turned to see Melisandre standing there in silence her hands clasped in front of her. His body went numb and his blood froze. She gave him a vicious grin before speaking.

"The King wishes to see you."

Gendry simply nodded and walked out the door without so much as a glance in Melisandre`s direction. That seemed to amuse her, as she fell in step beside him.

"You do not need to feel ashamed of what happened that night, it happened for a reason. Now it is no longer necessary but if you would like we can always try again."

Gendry didn`t know what she meant by it wasn`t necessary now but he spoke as plainly and as sternly as he could when addressing the other matter.

"I don`t know what you did to me that night but I would have never done those things if it weren`t for your witchcraft. I may not be a brilliant man but I know better than to lust after a woman like you."

She looked ahead without emotion on her face and spoke plainly, "Yes, why lust after a woman like me when you can chase after a wolf girl who would rather rip your heart out than love you."

Melisandre was silent after that, and he didn`t know how to respond. He knew it wasn`t true but there was something in his gut telling him maybe she was right. They walked in silence until they reached their destination. Gendry was lead inside and stood before Stannis while Melisandre took her place beside him.

Stannis stood and made his way to a table with a pitcher of wine on it, he poured himself a glass in silence then turned on Gendry.

"It is finally time for you to fulfill your purpose boy. It is my destiny and right to be the one true king, but it seems there are others that wish to challenge that right." Gendry watched Stannis as he made his way back to the chair, he noticed that Davos was standing behind him looking more than a little uncomfortable. "You are indeed the bastard son of my brother Robert there is no denying that. I need your blood to ensure that I sit on the Iron Throne. I need the blood of a Baratheon man to give to the Lord of Light so that I may win this war and claim what is mine."

Gendry felt his stomach flip. He was suddenly overcome with Arya`s courage because before he could stop them words just came pouring out of his mouth.

"Did she tell you that?" He nodded toward Melisandre who looked amused. "Is that the reason I was molested the other night? For my Baratheon blood!" He was shaking all over his fists clenched tightly. "Well drain your own damn blood because you won`t have mine." He stood his ground as Stannis made his way across the tent to stand only inches away from him.

"Don`t be stupid boy, you don`t get a choice in the matter."

Gendry opened his mouth to speak but his words were caught in his throat when Melisandre put her hands on either side of his head. He couldn`t move or breath. She was going to kill him he knew it. His legs collapsed beneath him his mind went to Arya as the world around him faded. He was never going to see her again tears stung his eyes at the thought of their last conversation. What were they going to do with her once he was gone, and then everything went dark.

Gendry woke in a dimly lit room, no, no it wasn`t a room he quickly realized that it was a cell. He could hear the sound of rats scurrying across the floor and smell the stale rotting hay in the corner. Gendry tried to lift himself from the floor but his arms collapsed under him and he hit the floor. A torch flickered on the wall outside his cell giving him just enough light to see his close surroundings.

"Be still boy, they took a lot of your blood." Davos was sitting on the other side of the cell door. The sound of his voice had made Gendry jump up in surprise, which he quickly regretted as he fell back to the floor feeling incredibly light headed and weak.

"Here." Davos slid some bread and water between the bars of the cell. Gendry grasped the water and gulped it down as fast as he could.

"What happened?" He asked his voice still hoarse.

Davos pressed his forehead to the bars and sighed looking at the floor.

"You were leeched, they took so much blood I thought they might kill you but Stannis kept you alive so that they could try again if it didn`t work."

Gendry shook his head. "I don`t know that I have enough blood in me for them to do it again." He popped the bread into his mouth but unfortunately it did nothing for his hunger. "What if it did work? Will they let me go?" He said his mouth still full.

"Boy you are competition for the throne whether you like it or not. There is no way that Stannis will let you live."

"Ya I figured as much. Closing hi eyes he leaned against the wall and put his face in his hands. "Why are you here? Why are you being so kind to me?" Gendry had been wondering that since the night that Davos had shown him to Arya`s tent.

A small smile spread across Davos`s face. "Because I am also just a poor boy from Flea Bottom, and you remind of my son."

"Is your son here with you?" Gendry asked lifting his face and sliding over closer to the bars.

"My son is dead." Many years ago I am afraid. I am also here however because I can`t sit by and allow that woman to continue to poison Lord Stannis`s mind and do these things. It was her, as I am sure you guessed that convinced Stannis they needed your blood for her god. I am here to get you out of here. As soon as you have your strength back."

Gendry shakily got to his feet. "My strength is just fine get me out of here."

Davos looked around before standing. "Give me an hour and I will be back for you." Gendry nodded and watched him walk away.

"Wait!" Davos stopped, turning on his heel to look at Gendry with an questioning look. "I need you to make sure that Arya gets out of here safely and that she is taken care of. If that means that my life be put in danger or yours so be it. Just please, please keep her safe. She can`t go with me, she won`t be safe as long as she is with me."

With a nod Davos simply turned and left Gendry alone with his thoughts. His thoughts of dying, of escaping of never seeing Arya again. The girl that had become everything to him, he was never going to see her again…