Game of Thrones: Crossroads

Chapter 36 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
rubini25: Thanks, glad you enjoyed all the chapters; yeah, well Gendry's family have slightly different views from the Starks; yeah, pretty much, oh she's not really trying to break them up just now, she's satisfied with mocking them. Yeah, too true, pretty much how it's actually working to be honest. Yup, well, hope you enjoy :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yeah, it's pretty sad, well, read on to see what happens next.

Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 36

Monday morning came and Arya awoke. She stood up from her bed and let out a slow careful breath. Today, she was supposed to meet up with Gendry and go see all her old friends again. She was supposed to tell them the truth and hope they would agree to help Sansa. It was also her last chance to completely sever ties with those assholes Sansa called friends; in the hopes she would finally be able to save Sansa from them. She began to get dressed; she smiled as she picked up a pair of baggy second hand jeans and a similar T-shirt.

'It's been too long.' She thought happily before getting dressed in the clothes she used to wear, the ones she was most comfortable in.

Finally, for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like herself again. She headed downstairs and joined the family for breakfast; pointedly ignoring Sansa's disapproving look and noting Rickon's confusion. Finally Catelyn drove them to school; the moment they arrived and left the car, Sansa left them hurriedly. Rickon also left; hurrying to meet up with Shireen. Catelyn looked at Arya.

"Arya, what is going on?" She asked, worriedly.

Arya shook her head. "I'm sorry mum, I can't really say, but I'm sure things will be better soon."

Catelyn was still dubious but accepted Arya's explanation; knowing she wouldn't get any more answer than that. Once inside the school Catelyn headed to her class while Arya waited for Gendry.

When Gendry finally arrived Arya smiled and walked over to him. He smiled back and, after a brief talk with Edric, who went on ahead, they embraced and kissed. When they finally parted Gendry noted Arya's nervousness.

"Arry…"

She fought to keep the tremor out her voice. "Edric's gone to tell them we'll both be coming back…What if they're still mad at me?"

"It'll be alright." He reassured her. "Some of them still may be mad, but they'll listen to you."

She smiled lightly, hoping he was right. They walked, hands linked as they headed to their old table where their friends were sitting. They all looked up; Arya noticed how they tensed and were watchful, all except Shireen. Shireen smiled widely and stood up from where she had been leaning against Rickon's shoulder. She hurried over, Gendry let go of Arya's hand as Shireen hugged her.

Arya smiled and returned the hug as Shireen spoke. "Oh, please tell me it's true Arya; please tell me you're back. I've got so much to tell you."

"About my little brother?" Arya replied with a suggestive laugh prompting Shireen to blush and laugh too.

They separated and headed to the table. Shireen sat down next to Rickon again; seeing the reunion seemed to have calmed Rickon, he didn't look angry any more. He kissed Shireen's burned cheek and smiled at Arya.

"Now Arya." Ned Dayne remarked sharply. "Do you really think you can just come back to us like nothing happened? We're expecting an explanation."

Arya sighed sadly; she truly did feel bad doing that to her friends. "Yeah, I know, I do have a reason for what I did guys."

The others looked at each other and Lommy remarked. "I hope it's a good one, after all…"

Devan however was the voice of reason. "C'mon guys, let's hear her out."

They agreed and, taking a deep breath, Arya told them her story.

When she finished explaining to them about Sansa and her suffocating relationship with Joffrey and the group and her fears there was silence, the group stared at her with wide eyes. Arya felt the tension coiling inside her again. 'Dammit, I was right, they're not gonna see it the way I did.'

However, she was soon, surprisingly, proven wrong. Even more surprisingly, it was Edric Dayne who was the first to react. He put his hand in the middle of the table and announced.

"It's one for all Arya, no going it alone." He said firmly. "We're in this together."

Arya smiled gratefully and put her hand on top of Edric's before the rest of the group joined in.

"Thanks guys." She said happily.

They all smiled and Arya knew that, at last, she had allies, people who would gladly help her and her sister. They decided to get to work immediately. They knew it wouldn't be easy, Sansa's group would likely try anything to stop them, but they all agreed they would never give up and would keep going until Sansa was free.

True enough, it wasn't easy; the whole week had passed and they were being met with resistance everywhere; but they stuck together, no matter what they faced, no matter what rumours the Populars spread about them. By doing this Arya realized that, without realizing it, they were showing Sansa, who witnessed most of the incidents, that even knowing shocking secrets or suspicions about each other, they could remain friends and be there for each other. They were showing her she would not be alone, no matter what happened.

Arya sighed. 'But it's gonna take something drastic to convince Sansa completely…Also, no matter what we do, it has to be her, she needs to break free on her own, it's the only way she'll truly be free. But we're getting there, I can see it, we're pushing her in the right direction.'

Her happy thought was pushed away however as she turned the corner and saw, at the end of the corridor Aegon, confronting Gendry. She hurried over, concerned, and what she heard worried her.

"Fine, we'll see what the others think; oh I can't wait to see their faces when they realize what you've done." Aegon remarked with a smirk before walking off.

Arya saw Gendry's expression and knew at once something bad had happened. She hurried over.

"Gendry, are you okay, what's wrong, what was he talking about?"

Gendry turned to her and sighed. "He, I don't know how, but he found out about the bet…and the blackmail."

Arya groaned. "Oh perfect, just what we need."

Gendry sighed; he couldn't understand this at all and now things would surely get worse.

As they had expected soon the rumours of the bet and the blackmail were all over the school. Many were shocked by it and whispered whenever they spotted Arya and Gendry together but they stood firm, deflected the questions directed at them. The group still stood by them and Arya managed to convince her mother that the rumours were lies. But that still didn't deter Margaery and her friends and Arya found her temper wearing thin, Gendry's was being stretched too and they both found their emotions being sorely tested. Arya could only pray a miracle would present itself and allow her to end this nightmare for good.

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