A/N: Wow can I just thank you all for the awesome reviews, favorites, and follows? They made me smile like an idiot when I checked my email. Any who, this chapter picks up right where the previous one left off. So if smut isn't your cup of tea...feel free to skip the beginning and some of the middle. Other than that enjoy. Oh and I apologize if I went overboard with the sexy times...I couldn't stop myself. ;P
Chapter 2: Ready to Start
"M'lady."
"My lord."
The dark haired man, no husband, stood all but a foot away from her in nothing but his smallclothes. She still wore her shift as Robb only stripped her of her dress and corset. Tentatively, he reached for her hand and pulled back just as quickly when she flinched. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Flustered and a bit frustrated with himself, he turned away from her opting to sit on the bed with his back to her. Arya watched as he reached for a tunic in the dresser by the bed and pulled it on. He shifted around on the bed until he was lying down on his side.
"Goodnight, m'lady."
Arya remained standing in confusion as her new husband settled into their bed to sleep.
He's not going to touch me. The realization of the situation made her angry for some reason. Fuck this bullshit! I was forced into this marriage and it's expected of us to fuck. He doesn't get to decide what happens here.
Finding her courage, Arya made her decision without a second thought. She removed her shift and climbed onto the bed. Her husband felt the bed dip as he turned to face her. She took the opportunity to crawl onto him and push him down into the featherbed. She straddled his lap in nothing but her smallclothes, her breasts uncovered and unclothed, half naked and yet his eyes never left her face.
He was startled and unsure of what was going on. Before he had the chance to ask, Arya beat him to it.
"Listen very carefully, my lord. You don't get to decide what happens here for me." His mouth opened and shut, keeping quiet and letting her continue. "You may think that what you're doing is the decent thing to do or that it's what's best for me, but it's not. All you're doing is prolonging the inevitable. So let's just get this over with."
"You're right. As you wish, m'lady."
Something inside her snapped at the last reply. "Do not call me m'lady!"
He blinked in surprise and weariness. "Forgive me but what does m'lady wish, I call her instead?"
"Arya." She whispered. "Call me, Arya."
"As you command… Arya."
Arya saw as his eyes flickered with conflicting emotions, nervousness and insecurity most prominent. She bit her lip. He had done nothing to receive such behavior from her. It's not as if he wanted to marry her, let alone bed her. All he was doing was following orders.
She let out a shaky breath and reached for the pins in her hair. Her long brown locks tumbled down in waves covering her back and chest. Once more he extended his hands forward, one settling on her waist and the other trailing up to her face. Looking into his eyes again, all she saw was curiosity and wonder in his cerulean eyes.
Then he said her name.
"Arya."
It was so soft and quiet that she was sure she imagined it. It wasn't until he shifted under her and sat up did she hear him again. Face to face, she heard her name once more.
"Arya."
She couldn't fathom why hearing him say her name made something inside her flutter. But maybe it was the distinction in the way he said it that made her feel that way. There was no anger, sternness, or amusement in his tone, just a simple normalcy. And then she came to the conclusion that she'd never addressed him by his name before. It was always just 'my lord' or 'ser'.
"Gendry."
Her hands, which had been resting at her side, came up to his chest. One remained on his chest while the other went to the side of his face. They sat looking at each other for what seemed to be ages until something went off inside them both. Their lips came together and the spark from before returned, becoming stronger and stronger with every kiss and touch.
Arya wasn't too sure about what to do but he seemed to know as he took the lead and cupped her face. He brought them closer together as he pressed soft kisses down her face and to her neck. She let her head fall back, a gasp escaping her lips as he moved his mouth across her neck. Several places he kissed seemed to make her sigh and gasp, so he returned to them, careful not to bruise her pale skin.
Somewhere in between his kisses and her sighs, Arya had begun to move against him. She still sat astride him, but her hips moved without thought. His lips still traveled along her collarbone and shoulders, leisurely making their way to the tops of her breasts. But the sensation of her hips moving over him, made him groan and reach for her face. He pulled her face to his and their lips met once more, with need and urgency.
And just like that, she gave in. Her body knew what to do if she didn't. He kissed her hard and coaxed her mouth open with his tongue. She willingly let him in, her own tongue lashing at his. The taste of Arbor Gold and plain lemon water was prominent as was the taste of the roasted lamb from their wedding feast. And she greedily ravished his taste, a moan escaping her mouth. Her moan must have spurned him on as he pulled back and took in the sight of his wife. Lips red and swollen, eyes dark, and hair disheveled. The image of her like this would forever be engraved in his mind and with that, she found herself on her back with Gendry kissing his way down her lithe body.
He latched his mouth around her right breast and sucked, worrying her nipple with his teeth. His thumbs toyed with her other nipple, rolling it between two fingers and pinching lightly. Arya moaned and held him to her chest. He moved to her other nipple and did the same, kneading and massaging her breast as he did so. Pleasure was all she could feel, the nervous were put to the side and the pleasure surged through her. Soon enough, Gendry removed himself from her breasts and moved lower to her navel and her hips.
His kisses were like feathers against her skin, soft and subtle. When he reached the top of her small clothes, he stopped, his fingers grazing the sides. He looked up to meet her eyes, silently asking for permission to go further. The moan she let out when his fingers brushed over her clothed sex was all he needed. Gendry swiftly peeled it off of her and smoothly spread her legs open. He could see how wet she was now and how her curls glistened with her arousal.
Arya felt something building inside her, low in her belly and it ached to be relieved. She could feel his breath on the inside of her thigh and it was becoming increasingly harder to think and breathe. Gendry sat back and drank in the sight of her spread open like this. She was absolutely beautiful; the harsh whispers he heard during the feast were wrong, deadly wrong. Slowly he started kissing her thighs and she fought the instinct to keep her legs closed. He dragged his mouth upwards to her glistening cunt and Arya almost catapulted off the bed the second she felt his mouth on her.
It was like nothing she ever felt before. Sparing and riding could not even compare to the way Gendry's mouth pleasured her. He would tease her with a single finger, circling her wet lips as he sucked relentlessly on her clit. Arya felt like screaming but all that would escape her mouth were keens and wails. Her legs were thrashing uselessly against the bed and Gendry hooked them over his shoulders, his hands keeping her hips steady. He would suck, blow, and kiss her clit teasingly, pulling away just when she's about to blow.
This irritated Arya to no extent and she grasped his black locks tightly, forcing him to finish what he started. This made Gendry laugh, but he complied nonetheless. He went back to work sucking and parting her wet folds. Her soft groans indicated that she was getting close to the edge, her hands releasing his head and gripping the sheets instead. He tugged at her clit one more time before finally making his way to her dripping wetness. He licked a single stripe up her cunt and her back curved upwards off the bed, a loud and needy cry tumbling from her throat.
He did it again, this time inserting a finger inside her.
"Oh fuck…"
Arya wasn't new to fingering as she tried touching herself once but ultimately ended with her feeling foolish and naïve. Gendry however, was a different story. His motions were practiced and knowing, unyielding as he pumped his finger inside her. She could feel herself nearing the edge of something…blissful and euphoric. Soon enough his mouth joined his fingers, twisting and curling as she unconsciously rocked her hips into him. He moaned and she felt the vibrations deep in her core as he fucked her with his tongue. The blinding heat was becoming unbearable for her and she jerked against him, trying to desperately reach her peak.
"Oh fuck…Gendry….please….please…I want-I-I-I—"
Her mumbling was cut off as Gendry slipped a third finger in and sucked her swollen nub before flicking it with his thumb. He felt her come apart and spill into his mouth, moaning and bucking against his mouth wildly. Arya felt her world go blank with bliss and rapture, the sheets tearing under her firm grasp. When she came back down from her high, all she saw was his face. Her wetness coated his jaw and she watched with glazed eyes as she licked every last drop of her arousal off his face. The nerves she had before were long forgotten and now all Arya wanted was more.
Gendry was as hard as a rock, warm and wanting as he planted kisses up her navel to her sternum. Possessed like a wildling, she could take no more. She hauled him up to her and crushed their mouths together, her legs locking around his hips and rocking urgently over him. His hands came around to her hips, holding her there as he ground into her soft and wet center. The whimper she made would forever be engraved in his mind as well. Gendry gingerly pulled away to remove his small clothes and saw Arya's face scrunch up with confusion then understanding. The lust in her eyes was beckoning him to continue pleasing her as before and her doe grey eyes were darker than ever with anticipation.
Arya watched as he tore his last piece of clothing off and then steadily climb back on the bed. She could feel him, hot and heavy, as his cock rubbed against her thigh. Unconsciously, her legs opened wider for him. His hands trailed up her legs to her thighs and rubbed slow circles on the smooth skin. She twitched at his touch and moaned.
"Please."
Her plea was all he needed to proceed. Grabbing his tip, he placed it at her opening, still wet from her release. He stroked his cock up and down her cunt, preparing her what was to come and making sure she was wet enough to take him inside her. While Arya was petite and limber, Gendry was positively huge. Not too big but proportionate to his height and stature. He groaned at the contact of her flesh on his, coating him in her juices.
"Gendry…"
Arya was staring at him, waiting for him to enter her fully. This was her way of giving him her consent, and he understood. Pushing in just a bit further, he hit her barrier. Arya groaned at the feel of him inside her. Never had she felt so full and stuffed, it felt almost like being complete. Locking her legs around his hips, she opened herself up to him. He grunted as he felt the wet heat surround him and he pushed forward with more force.
Her maidenhead tore and her face screwed up with discomfort. Gendry stilled when he saw the look on her face. Arya felt pain but it was fleeting and it wasn't as bad as she expected. It was like a cut or small gash but nothing more and Arya was used to that type of pain. She thought nothing more of it and brought her hands up to his back.
Gendry stayed still not moving until she decided to move. He felt her hands come around to his back, settling there before she began to shift her hips. The pain was still there but it ebbed and lessened with every thrust, her movements urging him to move with her. He complied, canting his hips towards hers and thrusting deeply. Her hips mimicked his actions, her palms caressing every inch of skin she could reach. His head dropped down to her breasts and he bit and nibbled on them, his thrusts becoming faster and harder. The pain dissipated and all Arya felt was a rather lovely fullness and the euphoria from her earlier climax. Her nails marked his shoulders, arms, and back with cat like scratches, while his fingers were sure to leave bruises from where he held her a little too tightly. Their movements are all bite and scratch, want and need.
Raising her hips higher, Gendry managed to thrust even deeper into her and Arya's cries became louder and more incoherent. Her heels dig into his arse with each push and pull of their hips. Somewhere in between his lunges, Arya rolled Gendry onto his back. The new position allows for Gendry to drive himself even deeper into her tight slit and for Arya to control the pace. Arya bit the corner of her mouth and rolled her hips unhurriedly, her palms coming to rest on his chest. His arms hold her steady at the waist and he rocks in time with her. The pace gradually increases, every push becoming quicker and quicker than the last.
Arya can feel it coming now, the sweetest release within his midst. Her movements became frantic and rushed, faltering slightly. Gendry senses her need to peak and he rolls them over again, Arya's back coming back in contact with the bed. He spaces their bodies apart just enough to fit a hand between them. The rough pad of his thumb brushes the swollen nub of her cunt and she jerks beneath him. Her breath becomes ragged and she writhes as he strokes her clit with the same rhythm of his thrusts. Arya tightens around him, milking him as her walls clench around his cock, her back arching off the bed as she comes with a guttural cry of 'Gendry'.
Gendry pounds into her as she rides her wave of ecstasy and bucks his hips when he comes, her name tumbling from his throat and spilling his seed inside her.
"Arya."
He collapses atop her and is careful to spare her his bulk. Arya hardly registers the weight of her husband as she is still lost in her trance and frenzy. Never had she felt more alive and blissful than with a cock inside her. She finally understood why many women would risk their maidenheads to handsome and feverish, lusty lovers; for the feeling of complete and utter euphoria, a pleasure beyond compare. Gendry can see the red flush that covers her heaving chest and her face. Her body is still thrumming with spasms and aftershocks of her release, and he can feel it. He's still half hard inside her and she moans when he pulls out, the touch sending shivers down her spine.
He shifts to lie beside her and tries to catch his breath. Arya opens her eyes lazily as her breathing regulates. They're covered with sweat and sated for the time being, but Arya is more than eager to begin again. Turning to her side to face Gendry, she places a hand on his chest.
"Seven hells, is that what the big fuss is about?" Her voice was hoarse from all the screaming.
Gendry doesn't know how to answer her but the look on her face is anything but sarcastic. Instead, he smiles at her and brushes the sweaty hair from her face.
Arya blinks and then bites her lip. "Let's do it again."
And they did.
Once with her on top of him and another with them both sitting, moving in tandem together. After peaking for the fourth time that night, Arya crumbled atop Gendry and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Morning came all too soon for them and Arya felt warm. The pillow she was laying on was extremely comfortable, not to mention it smelled wonderful. Musky, with a hint of smoke and leather….it reminded her of home. And then she opened her eyes.
The pillow she was laying on was no pillow at all, it was Gendry.
Her eyes went wide and she tensed. Subtly slipping away from his hold, Arya sat up and then winced. Her thighs were aching and the place in between her legs was sore. She tried moving her legs a little but muscles she never knew she had, protested and she winced again. Sighing and admitting defeat, she lay back down on the bed and closed her eyes.
The memories from last night came flooding back. Gendry's touch, his fingers, his mouth, and the way he moved inside her. She could almost feel the tremors and shudders as she recalls the way he fucked her deep into the mattress and how he came inside her. She blushes when she also remembers the way he wiped his seed mixed with her release and her blood from her thighs with his tongue.
She's still in the middle of her memories when she feels the bed dip on her side. Her eyes immediately find his on hers. He doesn't speak but the silence is strangely comfortable. Blue and grey both stare aimlessly at one another; as if at any moment the other will disappear. His hand finds her face, cupping her face and tenderly stroking her cheek before he kisses her on the lips. The kiss quick and soft but deep. Gendry pulls back and breaks the silence.
"Are you hurt?"
Arya tilts her head and cocks her eyebrow in confusion.
"It didn't hurt too much…did it?" He asks nervously.
"Oh…"
Well it hurts now, but it felt so wonderful last night. But she doesn't tell him that, instead she tells him the truth.
"No, not at all."
Well, some remnants of the truth.
The weight seems to be lifted off his shoulders and he relaxes a bit. The hardest part is over and now they have absolutely no idea how to go from there. Arya gnaws her lip and shivers when a small breeze enters their chambers. Gendry pulls away to latch the window shut but Arya yanks him back to her. He freezes but she tugs him over her, surging up to peck him. She's telling him that she wants more and he kisses her back. Her leg frames his hip and his hand seeks the wetness at the apex of her thighs. He slides a single finger inside, wrenching a whimper from her.
Just as the passion and the burn in her belly began to rise, a knock at their door interrupted them. Gendry stilled his hand when he heard one of Arya's handmaidens, speak.
"My lord, my lady, the King and Hand request you join them this morning to break your fast."
He sighed and answered to Arya's dismay. "Very well, we will join them shortly."
The handmaiden must have left right away as there was no response and the room grew quiet again. Arya whined when Gendry withdrew his hand from in between her legs, the loss already dampening her mood. Nonetheless, they dress in silence and are escorted to the Tower of the Hand promptly. The simple and blissful vibes they shared in their bed chamber are gone instantly. Back were the guarded and stony masks they wore to deflect attention. They walked linked together, her grabbing his upper arm and him her hand. The mirth was gone, but the understanding lingered.
It's what's for the best.
Breaking their fast proved to be as dreadful as Arya thought. The King leered at her shamelessly the entire time and not more than once did she have to swallow the urge to throw up. Ned didn't miss the way Robert glared at Gendry, his own son…all for the resemblance of a woman that was already dead. Arya barely spoke a word to her new husband and spoke even less to the King, who was relentlessly seeking her attention.
Instead Arya focused her attention on her father and inquired about her siblings. Ned informed them that Catelyn and Rickon would be joining them soon. Bran and Robb had decided to spend some time with Sansa before she was to depart later that afternoon. Arya bristled at the name of her mother and Gendry noticed. He didn't ask but all he did was lift her hand to his lips and let it drop between them again. The gesture surprised both Arya and Ned but continued as if nothing had happened.
True to his word, Catelyn and Rickon both arrived some time later. While the conversations grew livelier, so did the tension in the room. Mother and daughter uttered scarce words and father and son spoke no words. Ned entertained Rickon as Arya and Gendry ate their fill before heading out to court. Catelyn broke kind words with the King and chastised Rickon for not eating properly. The tension slowly dispersed when Rickon made everyone laugh with his impression of the King, even Robert guffawed at the young Stark boy's imitation of him. The fun lasted only so long before they were to be presented at court.
They rose and walked to the throne room. Arya was as taut as a high strung bow and Gendry was tense as well. They knew why they were heading into the throne room. They were going to announce the consummation of their marriage to the entirety of court. Funny how a stain of blood on a white sheet, could control the lives of two people.
The King took his seat on the throne, the Queen coming to sit beside him in a gown of crimson and gold and a scowl on her face. Ned stood on the other side of the throne and began court. The pleas and other matters were dealt with swiftly and Arya cringed internally as the proof of her purity was soon to be put on display. Gendry must have been feeling the same as he stood tall and stone faced. Yet somehow he was also calm and languid and it enabled her to feel the same.
But the peace could not last forever and the moment she had been dreading had arrived.
"Lord Gendry Baratheon and Lady Arya Baratheon, step forward." The King's voice echoed soundly in the vast room.
They both took a step forward, wanting this to be over just as swiftly as the other matters had. The sheet that been on their bed that morning was now being draped on the upper level of the throne room. The scarlet stain was bigger than she thought and there it was, in her face, taunting her. Her fingers balled into fists, wanting nothing more than to let her knuckles fly in the King's face. But she did nothing and stood still as all the people of court assessed her yet again.
"Looks like the Stark girl was a maiden after all."
"Pity. Good thing I withdrew my money from that pot. Otherwise I would have lost a new lot of gowns."
"Gods, look at the torn fabric!" An elderly woman gasped.
"Oh my, maybe her bastard husband fucked her like his father fucks whores, by the force."
"Or maybe she enjoys being fucked like a whore." One of the women sneered. "Didn't you hear? Lady Baratheon howled like a bitch in heat last night."
"Huh…maybe both were made for one another. The bastard and the lady wildling."
Each whisper was harsher than the last. And finally Arya could take no more. But before she could do anything, Ned spoke again.
"This marriage and union has been consummated and is now forever sealed. I wish the best of luck to Lord Gendry and Lady Arya."
"TO THE UNION OF HOUSE BARATHEON AND HOUSE STARK!" The King bellowed, raising his wine goblet.
The rest of court only smiled fake smiles and gave false curtsies. Gendry brought Arya's knuckles to his mouth and placed a tender kiss. His face might have shone a smile, but his eyes were full of rage and humiliation. Not for him, but for her. It was because of his calm demeanor that she was able to stomach the rest of the session.
He's an honorable man, nothing like Robert. It'd be a lot easier to hate him if he truly was his father's son. But he's not…he's selfless. I don't deserve him.
The thoughts followed her all the way to the Tower of the Hand. Little did she know that Gendry's thoughts were somewhat the same as hers.
Sansa looked radiant and was all smiles when her family gathered to bid her farewell. Arya was saddened to see her sister leave her so soon after seeing her for the first time in four years. They might not have been as close as they would've liked, but they were still sisters and they loved each other dearly.
Family. Duty. Honor.
Gendry was beside her the entire time and kindly bid her farewell as she took her leave from King's Landing. Her mother clung to Sansa and cried when they finally parted from the castle and onto the King's Road.
Two down, four to go…
They didn't speak for the rest of the day after that, both busy with grueling and dull tasks around the Red Keep. Arya had dinner with her father and her siblings and Gendry with his uncle, Renly Baratheon. Ned and Cat had kept to themselves and were exchanging hushed words as Bran and Rickon shared stories that Old Nan had told them time and time again. Robb and Arya talked about Winterfell and how much she missed her direwolf, Nymeria.
"How was she after I left?" Arya asked as she ate her roasted chicken.
"Sullen and howling constantly." Robb replied giving her a sad smile. "She took to trailing after Ghost and Summer. I think that she thought that they might have led her to you."
Arya sighed. "I bet she did. I just wish that I would've been able to bring her. I miss her so much."
"I know you do little wolf." Robb leaned over to kiss her forehead.
"She was my last piece of Winterfell and now…I have nothing." The words were low but they still struck something within Robb.
"You will always have Winterfell with you, Arya. Maybe not now, but you will again. I promise."
Arya brought her gaze to Robb. He wasn't one for false promises and the look in his eyes was determined to prove to her how much he meant it.
"I'm holding you to that, big brother."
He chuckled. "I was hoping you would."
The light laughter she let out was enough to make everyone else grin with giddiness and joy. The atmosphere in the room felt like home. Instead of having dinner in the Tower of the Hand, they were back in Winterfell and up to their childish antics that got them in trouble. Bran and Rickon joined in on the fun by flinging their unwanted peas at Arya and Robb. Cat immediately rose to scold the boys when Ned stopped her, pointing with a smile as Arya and Robb threw their potatoes at them in retaliation. And before they knew it, food was flying around the room unbidden.
Squeals of laughter and surprise were bouncing off the walls and into the dimming evening sky. Ned and Cat watched on as their children acted as just that, children. The tears of joy were threatening to spill from Catelyn's eyes but she pushed them away when she noticed that all four of her kids were eyeing them with malice in their eyes.
"Don't you dare Robb Stark!" She warned as Robb launched his chicken at her. It hit his father but the laughter still escaped Lord Eddard Stark's mouth. The rest of their dinner was spent cleaning the dining area with laughter and snorts.
Gendry was already in their chambers undressing for bed when Arya entered. The smile she wore at dinner was still plastered on her face. It slipped when she remembered that she was married and shared a chamber with someone else. He greeted her kindly.
"M'la—Arya."
"Gendry."
She strode to the front of her dresser and produced a shift from one of the drawers. Picking up a new set of small clothes, she disappeared into their privy. The bath she called for earlier was warm and soothing when she stepped inside it. She bathed rapidly, mostly wiping off the food that stuck on her during the food melee at dinner. Her hair remained clean and clear of food and she scrubbed her skin until it was pink and clean. Deeming herself tidy, she reached for her robe and dressed in her small clothes and shift.
The room was quiet when she exited the privy. Gendry was extinguishing the last of the candles when she clambered onto the bed. It felt peculiar to be lying on the bed after what transpired there the night before. Gendry's hand on hers jolted Arya from her thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"I was only bidding you good night."
"Oh."
"Goodnight, Arya."
"Goodnight, Gendry."
She assumed that he was going to climb in after her but he didn't. He turned to the door that led to the adjoining chamber.
Wait, he's not staying here with me?
"Gendry?"
He let go of the handle and turned back to her.
"Yes?"
"Where are you going?"
"The adjoining chambers."
"Why?"
Gendry staggered towards her. "I thought that maybe you would like the chamber to yourself tonight."
"Oh." Her voice was small.
He nodded and turned back to the door.
"Wait."
He stopped and twist to see her, realizing what she wants. "Okay."
They meet halfway as she pounces on him from the bed and he tumbles down on the mattress with her. Electricity trickles through their veins as they tear their clothes off. They didn't have to love each other to fuck each other. They were already married and this seemed to be the only perk and upside to their arrangement.
It's different this time when she takes him inside her. They know what to do now and how to do it and before too long Arya is crying out as her release takes a hold of her. Gendry follows her moments later and they drift off to sleep soon after.
The next morning, Arya stands tall and stoic as her mother and brothers depart for Winterfell. She's sad to see her brothers leave but Bran is to remain and keep her company in the Red Keep. Rickon hugged her fiercely and she kissed his hair.
"I don't want to go" Rickon cried.
"I know, but you have to." She pated his unruly curls and kissed his head.
"But why? Why does Bran get to stay?"
"I don't know but what I do know, is that I will miss you so much my little wildling!"
Rickon giggled as she tickled him and pinched his nose. He grinned and hugged her again, burying his face in her dress. He let go and to her amazement, he gave Gendry a hug. Arya and Robb both watched in astonishment as Gendry lifted Rickon off the floor and placed him inside the carriage. The little Stark boy waved madly at them and they laughed. Arya dropped her head to rest on Robb's shoulder, trying to make her last few moments with her eldest brother last. Gendry had gone to stand next to Ned.
"You know that you standing here like this won't stop me from leaving, right?"
"Shut up. You're ruining it Robb."
He threw his hands up in surrender and laughed. "I'm kidding she-wolf."
She stuck her tongue out at him. That only made him laugh more.
"Have you tried to fix it with her?" Robb asked her with all due seriousness.
"No."
"Arya…"
"Robb don't."
He sighed. "She just wants what's best for you. And before you interrupt me, hear me out."
"Fine."
"I know that we're not as close as you and Jon but I still love you all the same. And I know you, Arya. Family is the most important thing to you. That's why you cling to Winterfell the way you do. Winterfell is home and it will always be home, but home….home is also where your family is."
"And where's that Robb?"
He scrunched his nose. "I wasn't finished, little wolf."
She smirked. "Then proceed."
"Here," He pointed to her heart. "Home is here. Doesn't matter where we are; Winterfell, Highgarden, King's Landing, or the Wall, home is where your family is. Even when we're miles from each other, I still think of you whenever I spar or ride. I can hear your laughter and see your mischievous grin, just as I hear Sansa singing when the birds chirp. Because you are both here and will forever be there. Stark you may be but you are also still a Tully."
"Family. Duty. Honor." Her eyes glistened with moisture and she threw her arms around her brother. "Okay. I'll fix it with her."
"Good. I was just about to start crying as a last resort." Robb exhaled, with a snort.
Catelyn watched as her son and daughter smiled and grinned at each other. This could be the last time I see them like this…My grown boy and my wild girl.
She wiped her tears and walked up to Arya wanting to mend their relationship before she left. Catelyn didn't have to do much as Arya embraced her and held on to her similar of that of when she was a child and scared. They didn't need to exchange words to know that everything was okay and that she wasn't angry anymore. She was scared and all she needed was her mother to hold her and to tell her that it would be alright, even if it wasn't. Cat sobbed as she stroked her daughter's wild curls.
"My sweet girl, I love you so much."
"Mummy."
She drew back just enough to kiss her temple and wipe the fallen tears off her face.
"Be brave, be safe my wild girl."
"I will."
Mother and daughter embrace once more before Cat stepped into the awaiting carriage. Robb remained before her.
"I have something for you."
"What is it?"
He grinned. "A small piece of Winterfell."
"What? I don't under—"
The yelping and howling of a certain direwolf cut her ramblings off. Arya was stunned and blinked.
Please don't let this be a dream. "Nymeria." She breathed.
The wolf snapped her head in Arya's direction and bounded to her with an impossible speed.
It's real…It's real.
"NYMERIA!"
The giant wolf stopped short in front of her and tackled her. Arya cried tears of joy and enveloped her in her arms. She stroked her fur and kissed her face and Nymeria licked her face, pawing at her to rub her belly.
"I'm so sorry I left. I didn't want to leave you behind but I had to. I'm sorry girl. Never again. I promise."
Nymeria wagged her tail and licked Arya in response. Arya looked around for Robb and barreled into him.
"Thank you."
He smiled into her hair and kissed it. "Anything for my family."
"I love you, big brother."
"And I you, little sister."
They shared one last goodbye before they parted ways.
Ned held Arya close as she waved them off and Gendry held her hand. Bran waved at them from the top of a wall and Nymeria howled a gloomy but hopeful howl as they rode away.
Now, I'm ready to start.
A/N: The smut was written with the smut Queens in mind (eirenewbie and Lady3Jane...not sure if Lady reads this but she always inspires my smut one way or another). About Joffrey...well, we'll just have to wait and see. Oh and about Arya and those nasty court whispers...things are going to change and very soon.
Let me know what you guys think...and happy Arya x Gendry week. Best of luck to all the fic writers out there!
