Game of Thrones: Crossroads

Chapter 35 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

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Marina Ka-Fai: Yeah, well, here we go, she's about to tell him.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
Veridissima: Well, she's about to; glad you liked Edric, glad you enjoyed it.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 35

Gendry watched; subconsciously holding his breath as Arya sat on the couch. She had finally decided to open up; finally decided to tell him the truth. He didn't say anything; feeling that if he spoke Arya would retract her decision and not tell him. Arya bit her lip and shifted in her seat.

"I…Honestly I don't know where to start." She said finally. "This is going to take some explaining so please; don't interrupt, okay."

He nodded, slowly letting out his breath and sat down on the sofa next to her. He didn't sit right next to her, giving her some space; waiting for her to speak.

Arya pondered for a moment and then finally spoke up. "Okay, the reason, the reason why I've been doing what I did is-is because of Sansa."

Gendry was surprised at that; wondering what Sansa had to do with it; however Arya's words confirmed what he had felt for a long time. That Arya had a good reason for leaving the group and joining Sansa's friends.

"I did it because I needed to save Sansa." Arya explained. "She; she's depressed, trapped in that group. She doesn't want to be with them but they're forcing her to stay with them, to stay together with Joffrey, even though she wants to break up with him."

Arya inhaled shakily and shifted again.

She looked over at Gendry, he was watching her patiently, concerned.

'Why didn't I trust him beforehand?' She thought sadly. 'He's right, I've been hurting myself with all this; I could've just spoke to him and he could've helped me…Gods, they all could have, I've been so blind.'

She cleared her throat and continued; she had to tell him everything, for some strange reason it was helping her feel better, talking about it all, it felt like a huge weight was being lifted off her.

"I didn't know for a long time what was wrong with Sansa; but I knew she began to get depressed two years ago."

Gendry frowned, wondering how deeply affected this incident, whatever it was, had effected Sansa.

He soon got his answer when Arya spoke again. "I got my answer about two weeks before I joined them. I found…Two years ago; that prick Joffrey got Sansa pregnant; she-she was afraid of what we would say so, so she went and got an abortion."

Gendry was stunned by what he heard; he was shocked at what Sansa had to go through with all that; most of all, his hatred for his half-brother increased.

'Asshole!' He thought, suppressing a growl. 'He probably lied to her; I'll bet Sansa got a nasty surprise when she ended up pregnant. But; how hard it must be for her; to do what she did and live with that fear, she must've thought…'

Gendry wondered if Sansa had reacted just the way he thought. Yet he was still confused, he couldn't see why this would make Sansa stay with those pricks she called friends.

Arya however explained that too.

"I snooped around a bit more after I found out about the abortion. It turns out that Margaery and her cousins found out about it too." She told him. "They ridiculed her for it and warned her that they would tell everyone the truth about what she had done. That scared Sansa and so; she stayed with Joffrey, who still doesn't know what she's done. She stayed with the group, because they forced her too."

Gendry knew she had asked him not to interrupt, but he couldn't understand this and had to ask. "Why would they want her to stay with them, I mean, if they look down on her for that then…"

Arya shook her head. "She's a Stark, part of one of the richest and most well-known families in Westeros, it's a prestige thing. Why do you think they were so ecstatic about me joining them, they had two Starks then."

Gendry sighed; he supposed he could understand that. He nodded and indicated to Arya to continue. She sighed and then continued her explanation.

"I couldn't; seeing Sansa like that, I didn't want to leave her in such a toxic atmosphere, I wanted to help her; to show her that, people will still care about her, even if they know the truth." She paused and then added. "I felt, that it would be easier, to it from the inside, so I worked my way into the group. I was a fool, I made so many stupid mistakes and look what's happened, nothing, nothing's changed."

Gendry bowed his head; he supposed Arya was right, but now wasn't the time to give up he felt.

Arya let out a slow breath, trying hard to hold back the tears she felt threatening.

"But, I guess it doesn't matter now; I've been kicked out of that group and Sansa's still stuck with them."

Gendry moved slightly closer to her; a determined expression on his face. "I'll help you, we all will, you just have to explain to the group."

She looked at him, her eyes wide. "No, I can't, I; they wouldn't…"

"You underestimate our friends Arya." He said seriously. "If they heard all this; they'd be on Sansa's side, I know it. C'mon, on Monday, please, come back to us, tell the guys the truth; we'll work together to help Sansa."

She bit her lip again. "I…I suppose I could but; what if they don't?"

"Then I'll still help you, even without them." He told her seriously.

Arya stared at Gendry in surprise and then, smiling widely she acted. Without any alcohol or the blackmail influencing her actions, she closed the gap between her and Gendry and kissed him. The kiss was deep, without hesitation, Gendry returned it eagerly and when they parted, it was only for air. Finally Arya smiled.

"Thank you. Well, I guess on Monday, we can but try." She said softly.

"Trust me; we all missed you, and we'll sort this all out, I promise."

She smiled. "It's a shame we don't have much time until your mother and sister come back."

He saw the mischievous look in her eyes and knew what she meant and laughed; although he agreed with her. Finally however, the truth was out and now he swore he would do whatever it took to help Arya save her sister.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.