Game of Thrones: Tragedy and Reunions
Next chapter of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
Reviews
gugadg: Yes, I specify quite plainly in Catelyn's first chapter at least three times that he is alive.
Baccan: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, here's the next chapter.
magnus374: Yup; that's what I thought myself; glad you enjoyed it :)
HarryPotterLover1996: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yeah, I agree, they do.
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Arya
The night had been a restless one; they had both argued because Gendry insisted that he take the watch. She pointed out that he would need rest too, but he brushed it off, stating he was the only one who could. She had been enraged by that, true she couldn't see, but that didn't mean she couldn't hear. If anything her hearing was sharper now. However, despite their fears, the bandits did not seem to be pursuing them. They continued onwards; as they walked Arya lost herself in her thoughts.
'Those bandits, they had to be one of the dangers we were warned about.' She pondered. 'If that's true and what Jaqen said is right...There's two more ahead.'
Finally she sighed; seeing nothing but darkness only compounded her frustration and the slight gnawing feeling of fear in the back of her mind.
"Gendry?" She asked hesitantly; she wanted him to reassure her of something, but didn't want to seem scared; finally she made up her mind. "Are we still heading the right way...you do remember what I told you?"
She heard Gendry chuckle. "Yes, I remember, we're going the right way, don't worry about a thing m'lady."
Arya scowled but of course the bandages hid that. So she did the only thing she could do, especially with Gendry holding her elbow to keep her from stumbling or walking into a tree. She lashed out blindly and smacked his thigh.
"I told you not to call me that." She snarled.
Gendry merely laughed in response.
They finally stopped and Arya heard what sounded like water.
"A river, could the Trident." He stated.
Arya nodded. "If we've been going north, it's most likely. Do you see a way across?"
"Not here."
She sighed, that seemed to be her luck, she had finally reached the Trident but couldn't cross it. So close to finally reaching familiar surroundings and now stuck.
She shook her head, exasperated. "C'mon, let's keep looking, we'll find a way across, somewhere."
There was a short pause before Gendry agreed with her and they continued their search, now following the Trident, attempting to find a means to cross. However before they knew it night had fallen and they were still no closer to finding a way across. While annoyed at this Arya knew they had no choice and so agreed with Gendry that they should stop for the night. She wasn't sure how much time had passed but she must've drifted off to sleep. The next thing she knew Gendry was shaking her awake.
"Those bandits, they've come after us again." He warned.
Arya scrambled to try and get to her feet, without success. Gendry made a frustrated groan before simply lifting her up and carrying her, he took off running as they began their escape. She could hear the bandits yelling and knew they weren't far behind.
As they struggled onwards Arya felt a rare surge of panic. The bandits were drawing ever closer. Suddenly Gendry veered left and suddenly Arya could hear the splashing of water as Gendry began to cross the Trident. She was initially panicked but then realized that Gendry must've found a calmer part of the river to cross, for he was not swept away by the current. They reached the other side.
"Gendry, those…" She began but he cut across her.
"I know, they're still after us." He confirmed. "We have to…"
He stopped sharply as a new sound reached their ears. A loud howling that could only belong to wolves.
Arya groaned. "First bandits, now wolves."
"I thought you'd be happy about that." Gendry remarked. "Aren't you Stark's wolves?"
Arya shook her head. "This isn't the time for jokes."
Gendry sighed. "You're right, sorry."
Arya was about to reply when suddenly Gendry stumbled over a tree root and they both fell to the ground. Arya heard the bandits whoop in delight before suddenly yelling in terror. She heard the growls and suddenly Gendry was lying on top of her protectively. She could hear the growling, tearing, and cries and knew the wolves were ripping the bandits apart. Finally she managed to wriggle free. Gendry, despite his attempts to shield her, was actually crushing her under his body.
Once she was free she felt Gendry pull her behind her as he stood up, drawing his sword.
"The wolves have killed the bandits and…" He paused and then groaned. "Looks like they're going to come for us."
Arya also groaned. "What's going on exactly, how many are there?"
"Too many." Was the answer, "Looks like their being led by that one, larger than all the others, female, yellow eyes…"
Arya froze as she listened to Gendry's description, it was familiar. She knew right away just who that wolf was. Her heart leapt, she could get them out of danger, she was certain of it. She pushed past Gendry and called out, hoping she was facing the large wolf, or rather, the Direwolf.
"Nymeria!" She yelled out. "Nymeria, it's me."
Gendry gasped. "What are you doing?" He hissed but Arya ignored him, focusing on the Direwolf.
She reached up and, ignoring Gendry's protests, pulled the bandages away from her eyes. She knew Nymeria would respond more if she could see her properly. She noted that her vision had improved slightly more, but still not the full recovery she was hoped for. She stepped forwards; towards the dark shadow that she was now certain was Nymeria; her long lost Direwolf.
There was growling from the other wolves but a sharp snap from Nymeria silenced them. Gendry gave a sharp intake of breath and waited silently.
"Nymeria, don't you recognize me?" She asked. "It's me, Arya…I…I'm sorry I drove you away, but if you stayed you would've been killed."
Still silence followed; Arya grit her teeth and tried again.
"Please Nymeria, don't hurt us…I know you can hear me, I know you understand." She said, "Please, just let us go, I…I never wanted you to go away, but please, don't hurt us."
More silence followed until finally Nymeria howled. Arya tensed as the surrounding wolves answered with their own haunting cries. After several agonizingly long seconds passed, the dark shapes finally began to melt away. Nymeria, the biggest of the blurred shapes, stalked towards her.
"Arya?" Gendry called out in warning but she didn't flinch.
Nymeria stopped in front of Arya; the Direwolf had grown so that now she stood on level height with the girl. The wolf licked her face once before turning and bounding away. Arya sighed; she guessed Nymeria wouldn't return to her, but still it hurt, having it finally happen. She felt Gendry take her arm and fought to control herself. But she couldn't, a few tears welled up and she furiously brushed them away. Gendry caught her arms.
"Don't, that'll make your eyes worse." He told her, "We need to get another bandage on; then we can rest up."
She sighed and nodded in agreement. They worked in silence and finally her eyes were bandaged again; Arya prayed that next time they took them off, she would have fully recovered.
After a moment of silence, during which she tried to get comfortable enough to sleep on the rough ground, Gendry spoke.
"Was she one of the Direwolves you told me about?" He asked.
"Yes, she was." Arya replied, "Nymeria, she was mine…I…I drove her away to save her life, after she attacked Joffrey on the way to King's Landing."
She told Gendry the whole story about the incident, including the fate of Lady, Sansa's Direwolf. By the time she was done she was exhausted and felt inexplicably sad.
Gendry seemed to notice, and after a pause he then spoke up. "You cared about her a great deal…That's why it hurts, but you did the right thing…Maybe Nymeria knows that too."
Arya managed a smile. "Yes, I hope you are right."
With nothing more to say she let herself get comfortable again. It was only then she realized that the wolves had been the second danger Jaqen had warned of, there was still one more waiting for them.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.