Game of Thrones: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Chapter 3 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

wazzup11: Thanks, glad you liked them, well, here we go, another chapter :)
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks :)
CadeTheSlowpoke1: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you liked him and their thoughts, well, wait and see; that is something they will worry about. Glad you like Tommen and his idea :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, glad you liked them :)

Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 3

Tommen knew he'd need to explain things, to talk to someone about his plan; so as to avoid any awkward questioning and to get help. So he headed downstairs and looked for his mother; he knew his father would be working late and his siblings were out. Truthfully, he did not think his father would really be concerned; he knew Myrcella was more than likely to support him and he didn't really care what Joffrey thought.

But he would need his mother's help anyway, in order to get what he needed. He soon found her in the living room; she looked up as he entered and smiled at him.

"Hello Tommen." She greeted him happily.

Tommen grinned back. "Hi mum, uh. I need to talk to about something."

Cersei started at that before biting her lip. "Tommen? What do you…An odd way to say it; are you…?"

"Mum?" He was confused, wondering what she was getting at, what she thought.

Cersei sighed before asking. "What I'm asking is; are you trying to tell me you have a boyfriend now?"

Tommen blushed and shook his head quickly. He wasn't surprised his mother would actually think that. Tommen was indeed homosexual and was in fact out and had been for some time. It wasn't a secret after all.

Still, that wasn't what he had to tell his mother.

"Ah, no mum, I don't have a boyfriend, that isn't what I wanted to say to you." He explained quickly.

Cersei nodded slowly. "I see, then what is it?"

Tommen sighed. "There's; I want to, I need to, go back to wearing school shorts."

There was a pause as she stared at him, clearly confused. "You what…back to shorts?"

"It's to help someone out; I need to go back to wearing shorts in order to help him out." Tommen explained.

"Help out?" Cersei was even more confused.

Tommen explained in a bit more detailed. "A boy my age is being bullied because he still wears shorts to school; the only boy over fourteen wearing them. You know him actually, it's Robin Arryn. People mock him all the time for it and I thought, if I wore shorts too, they'd leave him alone."

"I see, but then they'd start mocking you instead." Cersei replied with a sigh.

Tommen nodded. "I get it mum; but there's more to it. If I'm wearing shorts too; it'll probably help Robin feel more comfortable, he won't be alone anymore."

Cersei sighed sadly; she couldn't fault Tommen's reasoning. "Are you sure this is the best way to help him. I mean, I understand you wanting to help someone; you're like your Uncle Jaime in that regard, always wanting to help others. But Robin needs to man up and stand up for himself; even if it's to his own mother…I fear your idea will baby him."

Tommen bowed his head; this was going to require more explanation.

So he shook his head and tried to explain the other part of his plan.

"I know mum, but perhaps having someone he can relate to will help him get the confidence he needs." Tommen explained. "My goal is to give him a little push; feel confident enough to man up."

Cersei's eyes widened slightly. "Oh…I, I see, you have a good point. Alright then."

Tommen grinned. "Yes, alright, thanks mum."

"So, why exactly are you telling me?" She then asked.

Tommen sat down. "Yeah well; apart from obviously needing to explain things so as to avoid awkward questioning…I also need help, actually getting shorts for school. None of the ones I had before would fit me now."

Cersei laughed at that. "Of course; I should have guessed. So, I guess we're going to have to go shopping then."

Tommen nodded and Cersei stood up.

"Well, no time like the present; let's go."

Tommen smiled and got himself ready before heading out with his mother; ready to buy his new school shorts.

Arya sighed as she headed to Gendry's apartment; they had planned to hang out after school that day. Yet Arya wasn't feeling her usual happiness or excitement at being with her boyfriend.

Her mind was full of what happened at school. 'What if they are right…I'm, I'll never be beautiful like Sansa; the one all the guys want. What does Gendry even see in me…A scrawny short girl with messy hair, can't dress nicely…a, a long face, like a horse.'

Out of all the cruel japes about her; that one hurt the most; Horseface. As it felt the most accurate to her; especially in regards to her appearance.

'Why was I cursed to be like this; to lack my mother's beauty…To be ugly or, just plain?' She thought sadly.

In the end however she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, focusing on trying not to draw attention to her worries as she knocked on the door to Gendry's apartment. It did not take Gendry long to answer; Gendry Waters was twenty-one, five years older than Arya, at least a foot taller than her and muscular; he had shaggy thick black hair and blue eyes.

He was good-looking and it was known many girls who saw him were instantly attracted. Yet with Arya it was different, they had been friends first. Then slowly, as time passed, they began to feel a mutual attraction and a year ago, decided to take the plunge and give a relationship a try; now here they were a year later, still dating, thankfully with the difficulties involving her family behind them.

'But for what; why does he stay with me?' She thought forlornly.

Still she smiled in return of his own smile when he greeted her.

"Hey Arry, I'm glad you could make it." He said.

She nodded and entered the apartment.

They began to simply hang out together; watching TV; taking a break every now and then to raid the fridge. It was just the two of them as Gendry's mother Alyssa was out at work. Arya sighed as she thought about that. Gendry and his mother had the misfortune of being poor and therefore stuck in Flea Bottom, the most deprived and crime-ridden slum in King's Landing.

That had certainly been one of the things that coloured her family's view of Gendry initially; but the truth was they were good people, just unlucky.

Arya shook her head as she considered. 'They both work so hard, trying to earn enough money to get out of here, at least live somewhere different. But they're both too proud to accept charity.'

They wouldn't let others do things like that for them; not even Arya, her family was certain wealthy enough. At the very least, she felt she had to help. So, with help from her parents, Alyssa was able to leave her dangerous job as a waitress in a sleazy bar and instead work in her dream job as a nurse. Gendry meanwhile worked as a mechanic and was comfortable with that job.

Gendry sighed however; worried as he noticed something a little off regarding Arya. She was being unusually quiet and seemed upset about something. He sighed; knowing he wasn't the best with words; sometimes he could be quite clumsy, but Arya always seemed to appreciate his sincerity at least.

Deciding to try and get to the bottom of things he asked.

"You seem worried, is something bothering you Arry?"

She looked at him. "Huh?"

He bit his lip. "Are you alright, you seem a little…upset."

"Why…Why would you want to be with someone like me?" She asked suddenly.

"What?" Gendry gasped, startled.

Arya sighed. "I was just thinking; a guy like you, you could have every girl you ever wished at your feet. You could have a much…better looking girlfriend, not a plain one, like me."

"Arry." He gasped again; horrified. "Why would you think that, you are the best in my eyes?!"

But her expression made it clear she didn't believe him.

He tried to reassure her. "C'mon Arry, you know I love you and not some…other girl."

He tried to kiss her but she hesitated, before finally accepting the kiss. As they kissed Gendry found himself fretting.

'"What is wrong with her' she's never been like this before, quiet maybe. But I've never seen her like this; she's always had some…insecurities about her appearance, but never this bad.'

They parted from the kiss and Gendry was afraid; afraid of something terrible happening to Arya; if her current mind-set continued.

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