Authors Note: Well everyone, I was so excited about this one, that I decided to stay up and post it right at the midnight hour! This chapter was so difficult for me to write because of writer's block among Arya/Gendry feels. Which is weird since I'm doing this to myself, but anywho! Read on!
Arya felt like leaping for joy when Gendry woke up a week ago. Gendry had spent the majority of his days in small council meetings with Jon, so Arya was left with Nymeria all day. Normally, she wouldn't mind but Arya needed to explain things to Gendry.
Her invitation for dinner had been the first communication from Gendry all week and that was only twenty minutes ago. Arya put on oher riding leathers with the buttoned up vest and was just finishing a Dutch side braid on her hair.
Jon had told her that Gendry wasn't much for having visitors so, Arya respected his space. During the week, Marchesa sent Arya a letter that said a man was looking for her. Arya assumed it was an assassin from the Faceless Men. If she wasn't going to finish the assignment, they would kill her and send someone who would. Arya slept with Needle at her side after that.
Two days after Gendry's fever broke, Arya dug up Needle from it't place by the sea. With the tiny sword in her hands, memories Arya thought lost forever returned to her. Memories of Winterfell and Yoren. Memories of fighting with Sansa over silly songs. It was a wave of refreshment to be Arya than stone hearted No One.
Looking at the time, Arya headed to Gendry's chambers. For the first time in years, Arya felt nervous. Nymeria must have sensed discomfort, for while they were walking, the direwolf lovingly nudged her head into Arya's hip.
When Arya arrived, Gendry was sitting at the table set for two. On the table was a full plate meats and another of various fruits. "Come sit and eat, Arya. I'm famished." Gendry commented as he motioned towards the empty chair.
The two ate their food in silence. Once they were both finished, Arya sat awkwardly and bit her lip. "How was she supposed to tell Gendry it wasn't a fever?" She could come right out or prepare him first. Arya decided on the latter.
"Gendry, I've been wanting to talk to you all week." Arya began. She paused a moment and looked away from his eyes. Coward! she told herself.
Before Arya had a chance to speak, Gendry began talking, "Arya, I know what you did. You tried to poison me." Gendry revealed.
Arya didn't know at all how to respond. "I-, I'm sorry. I couldn't go through with it." she stuttered. Arya saw Gendry's eyes flicker. "He must be mad" she thought.
Gendry stood up from his seat and walked to the book case. "Sorry you did it at all ot just sorry you didn't finish the job?" he replied dryly.
Arya was struck back by his sudden coldness. She expected him to be angry but Arya wasn't prepared for Gendry to shut off emotion towards her. Not like this anyway.
"Sorry I did it at all! I was terrified when you didn't improve right away after I administered the antidote!" Arya assured him, carefully considering her words.
Gendry only shook his head and laughed but there was no humor in his voice, "Is that supposed to make me feel better? I spent years, just trying to find out of you were alive. I started a war, praying you would hear and make your way back to me! After three years, I started to lose hope. You were the one thing I ever wanted and seven kingdoms couldn't fill the whole you left behind! I finally found you and this-" he broke off with tears in his eyes.
Suddenly, Arya felt tears in her own throat and prayed they stayed down. She felt as though she deserved to be burned alive. Arya knew how she had shattered Gendry.
Arya chose her next words carefully, "I didn't know it was you when I got the assignment. I thought you were dead! I had no idea any of my family was alive until last year! This might not be an excuse but I am sorry Gendry. That's why I got the antidote. I saw Jon's devastation and couldn't bare to not see your eyes again!" she explained, desperate for him to understand.
The two didn't say another word for what seemed like forever. Tears were rolling down Gendry's face but there was no noise coming from him. Gendry moved to leave and Arya called his name.
He stopped at the door and looked over his shoulder at her. "I forgive you Arya, but don't expect me to trust you. At least for a while." With that, Gendry left Arya in his chambers and she finally let herself cry.
Gendry reached the forge and picked up a sword he had been working on. Wanting to release his anger, Gendry started pounding harder than he knew was necessary. Arya had poisoned him.
He knew it was Arya but didn't quite feel the reality of it until she admitted it to him. Gendry wanted to pretend that none of it happened, so he avoided Arya most of the week. Thoros demanded Gendry confront her at dinner and inside, Gendry knew he was right.
There was no pretending. Not anymore. Arya had hurt him. Gendry truly did forgive her but being around Arya made him want to throw something. Gendry had been elated when he found her. He hoped to bring Arya back to Kings Landing with him but then she got cold.
At first, Gendry worried she hadn't remembered him. When he realized Arya was simply bitter, Gendry wished she had forgotten. He had left her alone. Look who's alone now.
Arya has Jon and Nymeria. "Who do I have?" Gendry thought. "My only uncle died fighting right beside me." Gendry remembered holding Stannis in his arms as he bled out. Right there, with hundreds dying around them, Stannis legitimized Gendry.
Gendry had never wanted to die but two times in his life. The day he was the last Baratheon, and today. He never should have come to Bravos. Gendry loved Arya but the hurt that girl inflicted upon him stung worse than any battle wound.
The young smith beat harder until finally, the metal broke off. Crying, Gendry dropped to the floor. It shouldn't hurt this much. Why did he ever leave Arya? WHy did someone want him dead? Gendry should have stayed a simple bastard boy. None of this would had happened.
Getting hot, Gendry left the forge to find a cool spot. He thought of Arya, how she must be feeling right now. Gendry couldn't even imagine it. Guilt came like a knife. Gendry had been so harsh. Stannis would have been disappointed.
Not wanting to think anymore, Gendry went to his chamber and took the sleeping draft Gaius had made for him. All the nightmares of white-walkers, and battles returned and Gendry needed sleep. He downed the draft and drifted off.
Dawn broke and Arya's head ached from crying for so long. She didn't sleep for hours. Arya just lay in bed with Nymeria and let all the tears she had never cried come. Gendry, Robb, her father and mother, Arya had never had a chance to mourn, to feel their loss. Gried overcame her the moment Gendry turned his back on her.
Arya got out of bed and tried to hide her face with the powder that a servant girl had brought upon Arya's arrival. More than ever, Arya wanted to return to Winterfell. It's dark, gray walls would be a welcome sight.
Yes, Arya would go home. She ran through the halls, eager to tell Jon of her decision to travel with them to Westeros. Sansa would be waiting with her niece and nephew and Jon would have his goofy grin from ear to ear.
Not watching where she was going, Arya ran into a tall body and nearly fell but strong arms caught her. Looking up, Arya saw Gendry's blue eyes. She immediatly straightened herself and tried to remember what Septa Mordane had taught her so long ago, "Your Grace, I apologize. I was looking for Jon. I wasn't paying attention."
Gendry didn't even seem to hear the formalities, "Your brother is in a meeting, Arya. What can I help you with?" he offered.
"I wanted to tell him of my decision to return with you to Westeros." Arya explained.
The King nodded his head, "I will let him know. Jon will be pleased." Gendry said as he walked away.
But will you?
Note: So as you can guess, Thoros will be a main player in the Games soon enough! Just a spoiler and the song I listened to while writng this was So Cold by Ben Cocks and also one of many Wicked Game covers! Wait for next update!