Gendry
Things were definitely not going according to Gendry's plan.
First, Arya thought it'd be a good idea to approach a stranger with no purpose other than to ask him about his stupid bike. When the man tried mocking her, Arya got defensive, like she always did about things she loved, which led to the two of them being held while Arya's bike almost got stolen. And then this Thoros and his biker gang arrived. What was it with this area and biker gangs, anyway?
If it weren't for Arya's curiosity, Harwin – one of Thoros' men – would never see her, or recognize her. As much as Gendry wanted to be angry with her for getting them into this situation, he couldn't be. She was Arya, his Arya. Well, not his per se, but its things like these that she did, that made him wish she were his.
It turned out that Harwin used to work for Arya's father. He used to be part of his personal security team. The security team that was so quick to be replaced by a new one once Eddard Stark moved to King's Landing with his daughters nearly a year ago. Arya told Gendry that Harwin worked for her father since before she was born, and was oftentimes invited to attend their family dinners. He was like part of her family, she said.
After Harwin recognized Arya, he was quick to tell his companions of her true identity. Both, Thoros and Anguy knew who she was, but claimed that they would never recognized her in her new disguise. They were also quick to tell her that they knew that she was sought after, and swore not to contact the authorities.
"A friend of Harwin's, is a friend of ours," Thoros said. "We'll take you home, to your mother and brother."
"Thank you, but I am afraid we must refuse," said Gendry. The attention finally shifted from Arya to him.
"And who are you, might I ask?" asked Harwin.
"I'm Gendry," he replied. "I'm the one who's been taking Arya home. We appreciate your concern, but we've been faring just fine on our own. "
"Is it true?" asked Harwin, looking at Arya.
"It is. Gendry is a friend," her face turning the slightest shade of pink after she said the word friend.
"And you've been traveling by car? Where have you been spending the nights?" chimed in Anguy. He was the youngest of this group of men.
"We've got a tent," replied Gendry as Arya nodded. "We camp out in the woods, away from the roads."
"Well, I can't image that being very comfortable. At least let us take you to the group for tonight. You can rest, have a proper meal, and sleep in a bed instead of a tent. How does that sound?" asked Thoros.
"Group? What is this group? We are trying to stay as far away from groups as much as we can to avoid Arya getting recognized," Gendry didn't like his idea. Not one bit.
"Why, we are the Brotherhood Without Banners. We protect the people of the Riverlands. You know, bring food to the poor, help rebuild homes when the river levels get out of hand, chase away the Freys from the innocent," explained Thoros.
"We are the modern-day Robin Hoods, really!" exclaimed Anguy.
Arya smiled at Anguy's comment. She then looked up at Gendry, her eyes begging him to agree to go along with these men. Arya seemed fond of Harwin, and it's true, they could both use a good night's sleep and a proper meal. Knowing that he can refuse and that they could both be own their way, but at the same time not wanting to disappoint Arya, Gendry contemplated the decision. What harm could come from a meal, a bed, and a smile upon a girl's face? thought Gendry.
"Fine, we'll come with you. But just for tonight, tomorrow we'll be on our way. Alone," said Gendry as he saw Arya's face light up.
"Great!" exclaimed Thoros. "I'll call the boys and tell them to get the food started!"
This Brotherhood Without Banners 'headquarters' were half an hour's drive from the gas station. There must've been ten or eleven cottages spread out by the lake, some more run-down than others. Gendry still didn't fully understand what this Brotherhood was, and why they seemed to keen on helping him and Arya. But Arya trusted Harwin, and so Gendry had no choice but to trust him as well.
Upon their arrival they were greeted by eleven or twelve men. Thoros went around introducing everyone, but Gendry didn't care enough to remember their names. Thoros and Harwin decided it was best if they do not reveal Arya's identity to the rest of the Brotherhood, apart from their leader, Beric Dondarrion.
They had prepared quite the feast for them that night. Roasted chicken, lamprey pies, ham steaks, spiced squash, and brown oatbread filled Gendry's plate. The Brotherhood eagerly chatted with their new guests, sweet summerwine was being poured, and Gendry questioned himself why he ever thought this was a bad idea.
"Have we met before?" asked Thoros, approaching Gendry. "I just feel like I've seen you somewhere."
"No, I don't believe we have."
"You sure? You said you lived just outside of King's Landing, correct? Are you by any chance from Storm's End? You just have that Baratheon look!"
Baratheon look? What was he talking about? Gendry was a bastard, nothing more. He's never even been to Storm's End, or met a Baratheon for that matter.
"No, I was born in Flea Bottom," replied Gendry.
"Ah, I see," said Thoros and he drunkenly stumbled away.
Gendry then looked around the room for Arya. He saw her talking to a blonde boy who must've been a couple of years younger than Gendry. Gendry couldn't recall seeing that boy earlier when they had met everyone.
Approaching the two Gendry heard Arya laughing at something this blonde boy was telling her. He didn't like the idea of a stranger making Arya laugh like that. She only laughed like that when Gendry told her jokes. But then again, he hasn't really seen her around others. Perhaps she laughed like that at things everybody said to her.
The blonde boy noticed Gendry making his way towards them, causing Arya to turn around and look at Gendry as well.
"OH! Gendry! Come over here, you must meet Ned!"
"Ned?" asked Gendry.
"Yes, Edric Dayne," replied Ned. "You must be the Gendry Arya's told me so much about!"
Arya? He knew her real name? Gendry looked at Arya with angry eyes, demanding an explanation for why this boy knew who she really was.
"Oh, Gendry," Arya was by his side now, her voice quiet. "I've known Ned since I was a little girl, it would've been impossible for me to hide my true identity from him!"
"Right," was all Gendry said. He still didn't like this Ned.
"Anyway, I've been telling Ned about our journey so far. His aunt is engaged to Beric, that's why Ned is here. Ned promised to give me a ride on his motorcycle!" Arya said, her face lighting up.
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea, Arya – Arry," he corrected himself, calling her by her pseudonym, just in case anybody overheard.
"Well, why not?" asked Arya, surprised.
Gendry took her by her arm, and walked to where Ned couldn't hear them.
"Arry, I can't have you riding to Gods know where with these people," he said, calmly.
"Well, what's the worst that can happen, I mean – "
"A number of things can happen," he said cutting her off. "He can drive you straight to the police, for one. Or drive you deep into the woods and do… things to you. Arry, its simply not wise."
"Well," she said, her voice angry now. "You can't go around telling me what to do, I won't put up with it. Ned is a friend. An old friend. I've known him for years! Way longer than I've known you!"
Gendry seemed taken aback by her last words. She was right. She's known Gendry for less than a week. He was a nobody, just someone she stumbled upon. Letting go of Arya's arm, "go" was all he said before he made his way over to where drinks were served.
A/N: Hello all! So, someone finally makes a connection about Gendry looking like a Baratheon! Also, the BWB camp is farther north than it is in the books. I just couldn't make them travel for days and make no progress with the distance. As I mentioned in the previous chapter, they are now somewhere near the Twins.
PS. I've totally always imagined Anguy to be the Robin Hood of Westeros. I don't know if it's the fact that he's an archer, but I just really wanted him to say that line about BWB being the modern-day Robin Hoods :P