A/N: Hey guys, hope you're still enjoying the story. Here is the next chapter. So far I've got ideas for where I want this story to go so hopefully quick updates from now on. Yay! I don't really know how accurate this is with Gendry being ill and everything but I hope you enjoy. :)
Gendry had survived the night, with Maester Luwin's help, but he hadn't stirred in days and Arya felt sick with worry. His skin had returned to its tanned complexion but his fever still hadn't broken and a light film of sweat covered his skin. He shivered and shook but was boiling to the touch and Arya held a damp cloth to his forehead. Thankfully, the Maester could see no sign of frostbite which was lucky considering he'd been out there for the crone only knows how long. Arya refused to leave his bedside, she'd skipped meals and hadn't bathed, in case he woke. Every time, he groaned Arya had to swallow a lump rising in her throat, it brought back too many memories of Harenhal, of Gendry's screams as they tortured him. At the moment he didn't look like a king, he looked vulnerable and childlike as his dark hair hung in his eyes and Arya needed to protect him.
At noon, Sansa entered Arya's chamber. She wrinkled her nose at the sight of Gendry and no-doubt Arya's smell. "Mother wants you moved." Sansa said, looking at Arya with disdain.
"Moved? Moved to where?" She replied.
"To the spare chambers, she said you are to bathe and dress appropriately for a lady and will be expecting you at supper tonight. She said that you have spent far too long up here with this boy and that it is not how you should behave in front of the people if Winterfell and that it brings shame on the Stark name to have such a rebellious child. She said if you do not do this, she will take Needle from you and have it melted down." Sansa replied with a slight smirk. Arya looked horrified and already had a hand placed on Needle protectively.
"She wouldn't do that, she wouldn't. Father wouldn't allow it! I don't care what she said, Gendry is my friend and heir to the Iron Throne in case mother forgot! I bet you're relishing telling me this, aren't you Sansa? Always were the pretty and perfect daughter that couldn't put a foot wrong. You don't understand Sansa, I can't leave Gendry here. You haven't seen what we've seen and it is a comfort knowing that I can help him. You can tell mother-"
"I'm not telling mother anything. Anyway, it's not like you're far away from him. He's still in the castle, to be honest he's probably going to die so it doesn't really matter does it. Arya, you talk as if you've seen the world, and the horrors it contains. I was stuck at the Red Keep and was beaten for all the mistakes Robb made-" Arya cut Sansa off. How did she have the nerve to speak to her sister as if she was naiive?
"Mistakes? What mistakes, Sansa? Like the one where he tried his upmost to get me and you back...or where he fought the Lannisters, parents to the 'king' you hate," Sansa could say nothing to Arya's sarcastic reply, "and don't talk to me of seeing the world, dear sister, for you have never been to Harrenhal. You think you got it bad, I suffered and watched my friends suffer too, we were lucky if we were fed. I was beaten and bloodied and I couldn't weep, weeping is a sign of weakness and fear, and from fear brews treachery and betrayal. I would not be seen as a traitor, if I was, I would be beaten some more."
Sansa had nothing to say in reply. Instead, she dropped her gaze and shouted for the guards. Before long, Jory entered Arya's chambers with two other guards. "Come My Lady." He beckoned to Arya. She looked between Sansa and Jory and shook her head. They would not make her move. "If you do not come willingly, I will have to use force." Arya remained silent and stayed seated. Jory cautiously walked over to Arya, aware that she was unwilling to move. He reached out a hand to try and grasp her arm but she was too quick. In a split second, she drew Needle and pointedly aimed it at Jory's chest. "I'm not leaving him...I need to be here if he wakes." Suddenly a strong pair of hands gripped her from behind and her legs dangled as she was lifted into the air, she hadn't noticed the other guards go behind her. She kicked and flailed but to no avail and she was passed to Jory easily as if she was a sack that weighed nothing. "Put me down! No, stop, please! Gendry!..." But he did not stir. With that she was carried from the room, kicking and screaming as she went.
Jory took her to the spare chambers, apologising all the way. Arya liked Jory, he had looked after her family well enough. By the time Arya was in her new chambers, she had stopped shouting and instead went for the silent treatment. Jory looked at her with pity because he knew the bond between Arya and Gendry, he'd seen it. When she continued to say nothing to him, he exited her room and locked it from the outside. He could hear her moving about, like she was pacing.
Arya didn't know what to do with herself, she paced back and forth, arms crossed. She eventually came to the conclusion that it wouldn't hurt to bathe, it might help her relax. She had one of her maids to fetch water and told her to put in the metal tub. When that had been done, Arya told the maid to leave, coming across ruder than she meant to. She left, looking slightly affronted, for she had done nothing wrong. Arya quickly stripped herself of clothes and immersed herself into the warmth of the water. It was quite hot but it soothed her muscles which helped her relax. Arya rested her head against the side of the tub, rubbing the crease between her brows to try and rid the headache that was gnawing at her skull. It wasn't working. Eventually, Arya completely submerged herself in the water, the hotness of it scolded her scalp but she could feel it ridding the sweat and dirt from her hair. When she came out of the water, there was knocking at the door. "My Lady Arya, your mother wishes to speak to you." Jory's voice rung out. Arya clambered out the tub and wriggled into her night shirt.
"Tell her to leave!" She shouted back, specifically so Catelyn could hear.
"Arya, let me in. Please, this is childish." Catelyn replied with an impatient tone. Arya scoffed. Says the one who made me move chambers, she thought.
"Fine. Come in." Arya relented. The door unlocked and Catelyn strolled in, all pristine and perfect in her dress. "Thank you, Arya." She glared at her daughter. Catelyn looked about the chamber and her eyes settled on Arya's bed. She went and sat down on it and beckoned Arya to follow. She tentatively walked over and sat down next to her mother, refusing to look her in the eye. "Arya,I know you must be upset but you cannot simply go gallivanting around with this boy. It doesn't look right, he's a smith and you're a highborn. I hope you understand why I have done this, it's for your own good." Catelyn said earnestly, trying to make eye contact with her. Arya shook her head.
"No you haven't, mother. You've done this for you. In case you didn't know, Gendry is heir to the Iron Throne. He will be king someday. You just don't like the fact he's a bastard, do you? You're treating Gendry like you treat Jon and don't pretend you're not. It's all about keeping up appearances with you, isn't it? That's all you care about. Yes, Gendry is a bastard but he didn't choose to be. He didn't ask to be born, yet you act like its his own fault. But I shouldn't be seen walking around with the soon-to-be king because he isn't highborn enough for you...well sorry to disappoint you mother, but Gendry is my best friend and I'm not going to stop being friends with him to keep you happy."
"Arya, please don't bring Jon into this conversation," Catelyn said with disdain,"Gendry isn't king yet, he's still a smith. I know you are close but I'm sorry, this relationship cannot continue. Soon, you will be looking to get married to a Lord and bear his children. How do you think Lord will feel if he knows you've been off doing the crone only knows what with another man before him?" Catelyn tried to reason.
Arya looked at her mother in disbelief, "Mother, mine and Gendry's relationship isn't like that. We're best friends, that's as far as it goes. I would never..." Arya trailed off and shook her head, "I will never marry some highborn ponce that loves himself more than his children. In fact, I won't ever marry, I'll join Gendry's Kingsguard when he is king." Arya turned away from her mother and slipped into her bed. "Goodnight, mother." She wriggled so her legs rammed into Catelyn, forcing her to move. Catelyn got up and shook her head at her daughter, muttering under her breath "seven hells Arya..."
A/N: Hi guys, here's the new chapter. Bit longer (ish) today. Hope you're still enjoying it, please review and let me know what you think. Yep that's right-Sansa's a bitch in this! This chapter was quite fun to write so I hope you find it fun to read. I know exactly what I want to happen in this story so it's just a case of me getting the chapters written and posted. Please review and follow and stuff :) Cheers m'dears!