ARYA POV:
Winterfell:
'Please...leave her with her traditions and paranoia's, I'll be half away around the world when we'll hear someone pushed her into her precious moon door'
'Arya!'- Sansa half scolded - half giggled as her little sister mocked their Aunt's critiques towards her.
'I'll bet her own son will do the trick, I'll be damned if my son turns out like that, all sickly and spoiled. I'll throw him in the woods first to see if he's a wolf like his father'- Asha replied well into her cups in yet another family dinner.
'Here - here!'- Benjen Stark toasted as he sat with them on their table. 'Your Aunt only want's what is best for you Arya'-
'Of course because Harrold Hardyng is just what I need in my life' The young falcon was the newest suitor thrown at Arya, this time championed by her Aunt Lisa. The poor boy had hardly set foot in Winterfell when Nymeria's growl alone made him turn back to the Vale.
'And what about Edwyn Frey?'- He asked.
'Ugh, slimy and frightening just like his father'- Sansa winced.
'Tommen Lannister?'-
'So you want her to marry a toddler is that it?'- Replied Asha.
'And Loras Tyrell?'-
'A sword swallower through and through' they all laughed toasting yet again.
'Come Wife and dance with your young wolf'- Rob came barging with an ever cheerful Theon.
'As will you Sansa, this time I promise I'll behave'- He said, doing exactly the opposite and they all went to the dance floor leaving Arya alone with her Uncle Benjen.
'Will you at least dance with the Karstark boy? He's been looking at you the whole evening'-
'Let him look since I have no desire to dance this evening'
'Will there ever be anyone worthy of your attentions Niece?'-
'Of course there is; Jon! Other than him I don't think such man has been born!' She said defiantly.
'One of these days Arya, someone will catch your eye and then you'll have to watch your tongue.'- Benjen said as Jon appeared as always to dance with her...
"I may have to watch my tongue dear Uncle..." Arya whispered remembering Benjen's words.
She'd been up for a while, she intended to open her windows to let the wind in since her room was far too warm but she found out quickly that she wasn't in her room and that the warmth she felt definitely didn't come from a fireplace. She woke up in the middle of the Godswood with none other than Prince Gendry himself wrapped around her body like a vine, his chest acting like a furnace warming her all over. After kissing to what felt forever they must have fallen asleep right on the spot and it wasn't exactly uncomfortable, Arya slept quite nice actually. She tried to stand up but every time she moved he would grumble a protest and hold her closer so as she took the opportunity to look at his dashing features she also took her time to think what had happened yesterday between them.
Her father was right, the Prince wanted to marry her, he said so himself but after being realistic and admitting that they didn't know anything about the other they decided on an easy courtship. It's not like Arya was going to run away or scare him off, she was just as interested as him. It was the first time that she had felt attracted to someone and she was curious about the whole thing. I like someone, I like a boy. I like the Prince...Wait till Sansa hears about this! She giggled making Gendry move to his back dragging her with him so she was on top of him. Did her weight even bother him? He was a big one Gendry Baratheon; strong arms and legs, big hands and big feet, broad back and imposing height. With the little freedom Gendry's grip gave her she touched his face with her hand, he seemed peaceful in his sleep. 'Please Arya, please give me that chance. I promise you that I will honor whatever you decide in the end, I give you my word just don't give up on us yet'... those where his passionate words from yesterday. - Us - is a strong little word, there wasn't an us between them but there definitely could be or else she wouldn't be on top of him right this second. He had a sweet spirit Prince Gendry, Arya was no doubt the practical of the two so they agreed to take their time to get to know each other and as she promised her father and Rob she wasn't going to hold back. He had been scared once he saw her twist that mans neck, he had been horrified when he saw her change her face into the Blind Girl but he didn't go away. Either he was stubborn like he claimed to be or he was really stupid but in the end he wanted her. You had to applaud his willfulness, other than Ramsay no man had dared to challenge her, those who weren't scared were appalled with her unladylike behavior so it was going to be interesting what not Gendry but the entire royal family thought about the newest prospect for Queen.
"Your stare is drilling through my brain"-
"Who says it's my stare and not my superior mental powers messing with your head?"
"Because if you where in my head you would be blushing or kicking the shit out of me... trust me!"- Gendry chuckled opening his eyes. He had woken up but like Arya made no move to get up from their comfortable spot under the heart tree.
"Good morning my L... Arya!"- He quipped grinning at her.
"Good morning Gendry"
"So, tell me. What do we have first on our schedule for today?"-
"First of all you let me go!"
"Ok, what's the second thing on our schedule for today?"- He chuckled as Arya tried to wiggle out of his arms immediately feeling that he was absolutely awake.
"Getting to know each other doesn't not mean sleeping around you know!"
"Too late my Lady for I am afraid that was exactly what we did last night... Auch!"- Gendry groaned as Arya punched him right in his morning uplifting spirit.
"Smartmouth"
"That's rich coming from someone who quite liked my mouth yesterday"-
"Is this your everyday persona; an ass? Because I don't need to look into the future to know that this courtship won't last a month" Arya said finally standing up and turning her face away from Gendry so he couldn't see the blush covering her face.
"Hey..."- He said reaching out for her hand with his best pout looking devastatingly adorable. "I'm sorry, Joffrey often says my good mood comes off as me being a absolute jerk so let me start again: Good Morning Arya"- He said kissing her hand and gazing at her eyes.
"Good morning Gendry" She replied with a smile on her face while they remained silent staring at each other. Arya standing on her tiptoes so she could push his hair out of his eyes as Gendry scooted down touching his forehead with hers.
"So... last night" Arya asked tentatively just to confirm they where on the same page.
"Yup, it was real. My cousin marrying your brother to a not so wildling attack, you changing your face to the last kiss you granted me. All very much real"-
"And today?..."
"Today we start a new day with the promise of getting to know each other better"-
"Good! I though that perhaps we should..."
"BUT not before my good morning kiss"- Prince Gendry rushed out effectively cutting Arya's words and taking her breath away. You had to hand it to him; Gendry Baratheon may be a little ruff on the edges when it came to ruling but on kissing he was the authority. With her full permission Gendry spent the night away kissing Arya. He never went further than gentle kisses on her lips and soft touches to her arms and face but he still kissed her with the same want and need as the first time. That itself was a big problem since they agreed to get to know each other, at first Gendry was the one that wanted to rush things but after such exquisite kisses Arya wasn't seeing a crown on her head as such a bad idea as long as Gendry could remain kissing her. Momentary happiness; Arya though as she remember a complex drug called 'The endless wish'. People from the free cities would often indulge in the hallucinogen that made you dream about everything you wanted, the problem was that the more you drank it and the more you dreamed your brain because foggy and often ended in dementia. A very big price for a dream... This time as Gendry did indeed push the kiss further along as he dragged her down to the snow with him; Arya could not help but compare Gendry's kisses to the sweet elixir.
She liked Gendry, yes. Could she learn to love him? It was a fair possibility as she felt Gendry moving to kiss her jaw. Did she want to be Queen? ABSOLUTELY NOT! That was everything Arya had absolutely despised and rejected all of her life and he may have said it as a joke but Arya would never let Gendry renounce his claim to the throne. It would not only bring shame on House Baratheon but also on House Stark as another She-Wolf would affect the outcome of Westeros yet again.
"Gendry?..." Her voice sounded breathy as Gendry had moved on to her neck.
"Uhm?'- He mumbled not taking his lips off of her.
"I think we have done more than our fair share of getting to know each other physically for the last two days" As Gendry froze Arya couldn't help but laugh thinking about how Syrio would have smacked her head with the pummel of his sword if he would have heard her. He could sniff a lie withing miles.
"Oh... I'm sorry, I got carried away again. Please forgive me..." - Gendry was excusing himself frantically as he stoop up with his face red. Oh I wanted to keep going as much as you my sweet Prince...
"It's ok but we have to go back to the castle. Nobody finds it odd not to see me in the morning but you will certainly be missed" She said as they started to walk back to the castle. Gendry struggle not to hold her hand and he would sneak a peek to her face like a smitten little boy every now and then.
"So this is how I die..."-
"You what? Whatever made you say that?"
"Your lips are positively swollen, not that I regret it. I will die a happy man"- Gendry smiled touching her lips with his fingers. TheY where near the castle doors as both of them didn't want to leave their little bubble just yet. Their agreed courtship was going to be everything but easy when it came to other peoples hears.
"Then we will both meet the end of my father's sword for he knows I wouldn't just let anybody kiss me" Arya smiled surprised how easily she would turn in such a flirt with Gendry.
"There is no need to give us northerners more fame as barbarians. We have perfectly built cells next to the crypts. You can have your ever after there"- They both jumped away from each other as they were about to kiss again.
"Bran! Hasn't mother told you it's rude to spy?" Arya tried to mask everything under her big sister facade but it was a lost cause.
"No, she told you that! I am the one who can't help but to see things"- Bran said as he stood casually at the castle doors.
"Well I asure you Bran that nothing happened between your sister and I last night. I would never dishonor her."- Gendry said standing again closer to Arya with conviction.
"There is a whole room full of royals waiting for you two. It doesn't matter what you did when you come back covered in blood from what I can only image is from Arya's clothes as you both spent the night outside the castle"- Arya was surprised with Bran's subtle undertone of warning in his voice. It was faint but it was still there. Of all the brothers Bran was always the one who listened, never going on on a jealous brother hunting spree. Gendry on the other hand was completely oblivious to the siblings silent conversation as he squared his shoulders and took Arya's hand.
"Well my word and your sister will have to suffice then!"- He said defiantly as he dragged her into the castle with purpose. And so it (us) begins; Arya though.
'If there was a time to not be brazen and rush into things that would be right know Arya' She turned around to see Bran walking behind them but never opening his mouth. She looked ahead as she began communicating with Bran trough their bond.
'Did you see something?' She asked quickly in return as Gendry walked to the main hall. Even if they were talking out loud Gendry could not hear them. The castle was filled with shouts from the King, the Kingslayer, Rob and her father Eddard.
'I always see things, you know that better than anyone but they change. He is an important man Arya, everything you do or say to Gendry will change everything. Again, this is not the time to act reckless'- Bran warned as Gendry interrupted them.
"You and I, nothing changes from what was said last night under the Heart Tree, understood?! No matter what is said inside there it will be you and me. I gave you my word."- Gendry said with authority holding her face in his hands, his blue eyes with a steel gaze filled with intent.
"You and I... I promised as well" They entered the great hall as all eyes fell upon them. Bran on the other hand stood rotted to the spot with his eyes white as snow far, far away...
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ROBERT POV:
Winterfell:
"GO! Bring them to me!"
"My daughter isn't some peasant you can summon whenever you please"-
"Let him! And let the Kingslayer be the one who goes after Arya. He'll be on his ass on the floor in five seconds"-
"You talk too much little Lord, remember how I got that name; I know how to fight important men, not children"-
"No; you know how to stab someone in the back but you are in the North now Lannister, the cold winds will drown your roars and no one will miss you once I kill you"-
I am a cursed man, I am a foolish man! Robert thought. Completely convinced for the first time in 25 years that his love for Lyanna Stark was wrong, an obsession that drove him mad and blinded him to all things good. He started a war once for a Stark girl and it seemed the apple didn't fall far off the tree as he saw how two of the Kingsguard where waiting for Jaime's signal to launch after Eddard and Rob Stark who where rabid with rage like those hell-hounds of theirs. Both Cersei and Catelyn stood behind their respective husbands.
"Your son is the one that has gone missing with my daughter, if anyone should be calling their guards it should be me!"- Eddard seethed. Robert was intimidated but he could never show it. Eddard's rage reminded him far too well of the last time they parted ways.
"Are you playing with me Ned? What in the worlds have you been up to here all these years? I come back to join our houses and finally find peace between us and I come across with sorcery?!"
"It is not sorcery your Grace, my children have been blessed with the Old ways of the First Men. They cannot and will not shy away from what they are"- Catelyn's voice gave them all a much needed stir as they all held back but Robert was resilient.
"I'm sorry Cat but what I saw last night was unnatural and Jaime says that the girl came back drenched in blood? She's a wildling that one. A menace not only to the crown but to my son"
"This seems like quite the gathering for a breakfast"-
"Gendry!"- Cersei shouted with relief as their son strode into the room hand in hand with Arya Stark. Both still wearing the same clothes as last night, her's stained in blood and his as well, hair a mess and Robert being a connoisseur of rendezvous with girls back in the day knew how Arya had gotten her lips so swollen.
"What have you done?"- Ned's voice came out so much like a wolf's snarl that the direwolves started to howl.
"Nothing father, please. Trust me"- The little thing walked over immediately soothing Ned as a siren would trick her prey. Had Lyanna tricked him as well? No, she had a mischief in her nature but Lyanna didn't have these powers the Stark children seemed to have or... what if? What if she did have these powers and that was why Rhaegar took her, to harvest them for himself? The lines where getting blurry, the past with the future.
"Your daughter is right my Lord. I would never do anything to disgrace Arya for I hold her to the utmost regard and intend very much to court her"-
"You will do no such thing?" Robert said to his son.
"You told me to chose a bride and I have!"-
"Well pick another!"
"I'll make my own decision as to whom I get to spend the rest of my life with!"- Gendry was shouting right back at him. If there was anything worse than Robert's temper it was Gendry's temper. Never seen but when it did make an appearance... the Kingsguard where now focused on the Crown Prince.
"You will do what is best for the realm and that... that..."
"Chose very carefully your next words father"- Gendry grabbed the arm that Robert was pointing Arya with incredible strength to the point of pain. It is too late, he has fallen the same way I did; Robert thought. Old and fat he may be but he was still Robert Baratheon; King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm and his father. Robert pushed Gendry back with force that caught him out of guard making him stumble back to the floor.
"STOP THIS, STOP THIS AT ONCE!"- Cersei shouted as she went to help Gendry stand up but wad held back by her brother.
"This needs to be done and it needs to be said Cersei. The girl is not fit for a Queen"- Jaime said.
"Then get out. You came for Shireen's wedding. It is done, take your southern court back we it belongs and leave us alone. You aren't one of us, you never were!"- Ned said standing tall. His cold words making Robert flinch.
"Ned, you must understand my position I..."
"Your position has just insulted my sister Lady Arya of house Stark, calling her a witch, a wildling and unfit for royalty. You have exactly fifteen minutes to leave the castle before my men take action"- Rob claimed as Ned's silence in support of his son wiped away every little word and scarce but monumental inch they took in their friendship these passed few days.
It was a staring contest between them, everyone with their hands on the pommel of their sword. You could hear the clanks of armor running towards them as one of the wolves was scratching the door to get in. The moment was interrupted by giggles. Small giggles and then a roaring laugh as Gendry and Arya started to laugh as if they were alone in the room. Gendry was still on the floor while Arya was crouched next to him whispering and agreeing on something, no one missing the way Gendry tenderly stroked Arya's face before he stood up with their hands entwined.
"Call off the men father, there is no need"- Arya said as if nothing had happened.
"I gave an order child and it will be acted upon!" This time the staring contest was between him and Lyanna's doppelganger. Her gaze melted his soul down with the same grey eyes that haunted his dreams. 'Lyanna was wild but there is discipline to Arya's wildness, try to take her away and have no doubt that she will be the one who raises her sword first' where Ned's words the night he first saw her and he could see it clearly now. Lyanna was wild but a child at heart who never got the chance to explore the world. Arya on the other hand seemed to have seen too much of the world and seemed shrewd, meticulous and knowing. If she wanted Gendry she would have him... if she wanted the crown all she had to do was to keep holding his hand. It was a game in the end for the Throne, his son was part of it; an important pawn that if you saw the board was in the grasp of the Starks; one of the oldest and respected families of Westeros, wardens of the North that alone was the size of all Westeros and with the help of the Greyjoys, now owners of one of the most vast and strong armies the world had ever seen.
Arya just smiled at him, a devilish grin Lyanna often bestowed upon him every time she got away with something. He was pissed off.
"Father please call your men off as well. We need to talk things in private"- Gendry said in a soft tone. That was interesting! Normally this would be the time Gendry started shouting and throwing everything in site but he was cool and calm like whatever he talked and laughed about with Arya eased his mind. Catelyn chose to speak up again.
"Let's give the King and Queen some privacy with their son Eddard. Rob?"- She said ushering them to the door, both reluctant.
"You too Uncle Jaime!"- Gendry said not looking away from Arya.
"What? I'm not leaving this room so you can charm your mother and make her convince Robert otherwise. If you want to fuck her; fuck her and be done with it. There are more suitable prospects in Kings Landing after you take her out of your system"-
"Talk to my betrothed like that again and I will forget that you are my Uncle do you hear me?"- Gendry turned around with venom in his voice. Nothing was going like it had to. Jaime out of duty might have held back with the Starks but he wouldn't say no to a brawl with his nephew. Jaime had always shown what you would call 'tough love' on Gendry, he wanted him to be the best king there ever was. He smirked and joked around with Joffrey but do not be fooled; Gendry was Jaime's favorite and he would not hold back if he didn't think Arya was good for his nephew.
"I told you not to think with your cock and that is exactly what you do! Have you learned nothing from your father boy?!"- Gendry felt slapped, so did Robert. Gendry out of shame since he always despised how Robert sometimes would lose his grasp on reality and hold back to Lyanna's ghost often neglecting his mother while Robert felt the shame of doing exactly that to his wife.
"He has! That's what he is trying to do doing the right thing, not jumping to conclusions and talking things through!"- Arya said tugging Gendry back.
"You! I knew you were trouble the moment you walked in, you always are; Stark She - Wolves. You have no business with the crown. We should have never set foot here"- Jaime said as Arya rolled her eyes at him ignoring him all together.
"Honestly you southerners are far too dramatic for my liking. I am going to talk to my parents and I suspect; the rest of my brothers"- She said to Gendry as if the others didn't exist in the room.
"Good. I will call on you as soon as I am finished here"- Gendry said in a loving tone.
"Oh for fuck sake"- Jaime muttered.
"It's ok, take your time"- She took off after Gendry placed a kiss on her hand. Finally leaving them alone.
"Now listen to me boy and listen carefully"
"Father I..."-
"DO NOT INTERRUPT ME ANYMORE GENDRY! I am your father and your king and you will show me respect!" Robert said with authority shutting his son up also glaring at his wife. Stopping the expected protest from her every time he spoke harshly at her precious bull.
"Now listen to me boy. I was the one that wanted to come here, I was the one that wanted an alliance with House Stark, I will and am admitting to my faults but that is about the extension of it all. This ends today, you've only met the girl for scarce days so you will forget her immediately. She is dangerous, has no respect for authority and has no manners. Coming here has made me realize that in fact our hold on the crown is fragile"
"Your hold, you've made it fragile..."- Gendry's tempter was rising again but it was Robert. He was outmatched.
"RESPECT AND SILENCE BOY!"- He glared at Gendry as Cersei put a hand on his shoulder.
"Mother you can't possibly be..."-
"Listen to your father Gendry"- Cersei said giving Robert relief to see that she didn't agree with the Stark Girl. At least to the extent to let him voice his concerns.
"As I was saying; It is a double edged sword. If the match where to be made it will give us the assurance that the North will be under Baratheon rein again if not? What is really holding them from mutiny? They can outmatch us easily"
"Not with the other realms by our side. We can stand our ground"- Jaime said always eager for a battle.
"But can you? Unite the rest of the realms?"- Gendry asked. What does he know? Has that Stark Girl started to whisper in his head?
"Forgive me father..."- He said shaking his head. "The topic is Arya and I assure you that she is not this monster you are painting her has"-
"My love I do not want to be as drastic as your father but killing grown men? What kind of girl is she?"- Cersei said as every concerned mother would.
"She defended her home just like any of us would do if the Keep where in danger"-
"And the wolves? What do you know about that?" That part he wanted to know more than anything. Gendry seemed reluctant but spoke anyway.
"They are wargs, all of them; the Stark Siblings. A secret to the south but well known by the northerners. They control their wolves and other animals to some extent. They don't misuse their abilities and can use it as an asset. The wolves where around the perimeter when the men attacked the castle. It is frightful at first, I am the first to admit it but it is in their blood. They can't help it as much as the fury that runs in our veins father. The seed is strong you told me once, does that not apply to every family and their legacy?"- Gendry asked but was interrupted by Jaime.
"Does he have it? The Targaryen boy; is he a warg as well?"- Gendry said nothing but Cersei's raised eyebrow was enough for Robert. He knows...
"Gendry?" He prodded on.
"You speak of war and that is exactly what you will get if you go after him father"-
"Gendry?"
"The people love him father..."-
"I am not repeating myself Gendry. Is the Targaryen a warg as well?"
"Yes..."
This was even worse than he thought. Robert needed to get out of here immediately but with caution. Whatever happens he must secure the north.
"You will end this thing with the Stark girl. We are leaving as soon as I fix some unfinished business"
"I will certainly not!"- Gendry yelled standing up making the floor crumble.
"You will do as I say!"
"You are a hypocrite father! Years and years talking about the ache of the heart, how it nearly destroyed your life and now you are willing to do the same to me?"-
"You barely know the girl!"
"You barely knew Lyanna and it's well known that she turned you down at least once before she was abducted. At least Arya agreed to a courtship!"- Gendry yelled back but was silenced by his father's fist. The first time Robert had truck one of his children and he drew blood from his mouth. Jaime froze and Cersei was horrified, Gendry on the other hand never took his eyes off of him. His tempter a rage hidden behind a cool facade as he spoke.
"You had your chance and lost it because unlike you I will have my wolf. You wanted a Queen and I gave you a Goddess. Chose something other than that and you will lose a son!"- Gendry spat blood from his mouth as he looked defiantly at his father for one more second before storming out. Jaime at his heels leaving him alone with his wife. It was minutes before he spoke.
"Do you want our marriage for our son?" Cersei remained silent. Looking at the blood splatter from Gendry's broken mouth.
"I have tried Cersei, everyday I have tried to be a better man for you. She will break him just like Lya broke me, she already has! When has our son acted out like that?"
"When have you ever hit him?"-
"He is under her spell. She is dangerous, we don't know what the Stark's want!"
"They want to be left alone! They didn't want you to come in the first place!"-
"You don't know these lands and these people as I do"
"Exactly! And you know that the only way you are getting a reaction from the Starks is if you harm one of them! Everything was going along before yesterday!"-
"It has to end Cersei. You has Queen regent know what being Queen entitles, your duties. That girl has nothing of it"
"I trust Catelyn..."-
"And I trust my gut"
"The same gut that had you pinning after a dead girl till today when you saw your son do the same thing. Must blood be spilled again, relationships severed, long life regrets made?"-
Robert sighed but was set on his duty as a king and as a father. Gendry was a good boy, sweet with a good head on his shoulders. Jaime was right, a She Wolf would tear him apart and leave him to die. The Starks belonged in the North, nowhere else.
"It is done. We leave once I finish with some letter I must send"
"Gendry was right... you really are a hypocrite"- Cersei stormed out leaving him alone. Always alone; Lyanna's curse. Surrounded by all but never whole, he didn't want that for his son. You could see he was far more attached to the girl than she was to him. Jaime came back closing the door.
"Well your wife barricaded herself in her room and I lost Gendry in the castle after one of the direwolves appeared."-
"Leave them be... We have other pressing matters"
"The Targaryen Spawn?"-
"Exactly... who can we send to the Wall? I also have to write back to Arryn. He must continue to find a bride for Gendry, in fact I know who and expect everything is set for a wedding once we return back to Kings Landing"
Hello Fanfic Friends!
First of all: I AM NOT ABANDONING ANY OF MY STORIES! PLEASE, spread the word!
It's just that I still don't have a computer and it's really difficult to write let alone update!
As always I hope you liked this chapter and am eager to hear what you though about it.
AvidreaderofLit: Yup, totally reading P&P again so I felt inspired. Jon will be making his appearance soon so don't worry. I wont drag that first reunion with Gendry for long.
LottieDot: Guuuuuurl you complete me!
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Read you next time and have patience with me, things are pretty hectic in my country to go out on a computer spree!
XOXO