Game of Thrones: Love Shall Find its Way

Chapter 7 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 7

Bethany was deep in thought as she left Bran, praying in the Godswood. She knew what she had to do, but putting what she wanted to say into words would be hard. She had to ensure her family, especially her father, understood what she meant. Not only that, she had a strong feeling of wanting to speak with Meera Reed.

'I never really got to know her, this girl who won Bran's heart.' She thought to herself. 'She must be someone special, I'll need to find and talk to her.'

There was someone else she wanted to see too; and as luck would have it, she spotted her entering the forge. She smiled and discreetly followed, not wanting to interrupt. She entered the forge and saw Arya and Gendry talking quietly.

"Arry, as much as I enjoy your company." Gendry was saying softly. "Please don't distract me, I have work to do."

Arya laughed and shook her head. "Oh Gendry, you have time, Robb isn't expecting you to be finished fixing his sword until at least tomorrow."

Gendry couldn't help himself, he laughed at that too and then embraced and kissed her. Hating the thought of interrupting them, but knowing it would be difficult to find another chance to speak to them, Bethany decided to make her presence known. She knocked on the door and entered properly.

They turned to face her, Arya looked slightly chagrined but didn't appear to have a complaint ready. Gendry smiled and bowed his head politely in greeting.

"Lady Bethany."

She smiled. "Lord Gendry, Lady Arya, I have…heard the happy news. I wish to offer my congratulations."

They both responded with identical wide grins and Gendry's arm, which was around Arya's waist, moved as he brought his hand up to her belly.

Arya then replied. "Thank you; it's a little surprising but, I'm actually looking forward to this."

Bethany nodded.

"I wish you all the best; I'd love to stay and talk but…there are some things I need to discuss with my family." She said; trying to maintain a façade of calmness.

They nodded and she left; she still didn't have any idea what she was going to say to her family. Deciding she needed more time to contemplate this; she decided to see the other person she wished to visit. Not seeing her at the archery range, Bethany decided to try her room. She reached the door and knocked; almost immediately she heard the reply.

"Who is it?"

She cleared her throat and announced. "Lady Meera, it's Bethany Mallister, I'd like to talk to you."

There was a heavy silence; then finally Meera replied. "Come in."

Bethany opened the door and entered the room.

She bit her lip as she saw Lady Meera. The young Crannog woman was in the middle of re-stringing her bow. Bethany couldn't help but notice dark shadows under her eyes, as well as her looking rather pale.

'It doesn't look like she's been eating right too.' She noted worriedly. 'Bran was doing his best, despite everything, so was she. But it's been so hard on her; it must hurt her so much.'

She stepped a little closer as Meera watched her carefully.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" The young woman asked; mild curiosity in her voice.

Bethany was momentarily distracted, and impressed, by Meera managing to expert re-string her bow, despite looking up at Bethany, her eyes not even on the bow itself. However she quickly composed herself.

She then spoke. "I was talking to Bran; I've…been noticing a few things. So I asked Bran to be honest with me."

Meera suddenly froze; her eyes still on Bethany who continued.

"In all this time, I don't see Bran as anything more than a friend. I believe he felt the same way." She paused, giving Meera time to take this in. "So I asked him, if he loved someone else. He confirmed that he did."

There was no doubt about it, Meera's face went bright red at that.

"I…I, what…" She stammered.

Bethany however smiled reassuringly. "He told me all about you, how he felt about you…I can see why. I'm happy for both of you; you love him just as much, don't you?"

Meera couldn't help but smile and nod in confirmation.

She was stunned by this revelation; it suddenly seemed to ease the pain she had felt since the betrothal was announced. Despite being the one betrothed to Bran, Bethany was on their side, she wanted them to be happy.

"But…Such a thing wouldn't be possible." She stated. "You and Bran are…"

Bethany shook her head. "I'm going to see my father, I'll talk to him, convince him it would be best to end the betrothal. Then, hopefully together we'll be able to convince Lord Stark to end it…I'll put in a good word for you and Bran. See if I can convince Lord Stark to allow the two of you to marry."

Meera blushed again at the thought of being married to Bran. "I…Thank you."

Bethany smiled and nodded, politely excusing herself and heading off to look for her father. Within her room, Meera set her bow aside and walked over to the window. Her breath hitched as she spotted Bran crossing the courtyard, talking to Arya. She recalled the news of Arya's pregnancy, the first child to be born of the Baratheon branch family. She couldn't help but wonder; should Bethany's plan succeed, what it would be like to be married to Bran.

'Married to the person I love…If we ever had children, Gods, just the thought is.' She lost herself in thought, wondering at a possible future.

She prayed fervently that whatever Bethany said, it would convince Lord Mallister and Lord Stark; to give Bran and her a real chance.

Bethany was certain of it now; she needed to end her and Bran's betrothal. They would never be more than friends, having them marry would just make both of them miserable. Even if they did manage to work up to having a child; there would be no love, a very poor situation for a child to grow up in. Not just them, Meera would be miserable too; she was already tearing herself apart. Bethany felt the need to do something, she had to, she had come to like Meera as much as Bran. She wanted them to be together, to be able to show their love for each other. With this resolve she found her family, seated in the library, reading and talking quietly together. She composed herself and stepped forwards.

"Father; there's something I wish to talk to you about."

He looked up, as did the rest of her family. "Bethany, is something wrong?"

She explained. "I wish to talk about my betrothal…I…I must ask that we end it, Father."

"End it." Jason Mallister gasped; the rest of her family looked shocked.

Bethany nodded, keeping calm.

"Hear me out, please." She said; her father nodded and she continued. "I do like Bran, but as a friend. We've tried, we've spoken, done everything, but we're nothing more than friends. We can't love each other. That's…That would make our marriage terrible, it would benefit no one."

Jason shook his head. "But Bethany, you…"

She cut across him quickly. "If we had children, they'd grow up in a loveless household. That's not something I could do, especially not to innocent children. Before you say it father, it won't 'get better with time'. Bran…Bran already loves another and I know that. I am happy simply to be his friend. That already is a great boon for us."

There was silence as she finished, she waited expectantly.

Finally her father sighed.

"You're absolutely sure of all this Bethany?"

She nodded. "Every word father; please; I am happy simply being Bran's friend. Please, let us end this betrothal and allow Bran to be with the one he truly loves."

There was a brief silence and Bethany feared she'd made a mistake; that her father wouldn't accept. But then, after exchanging glances with the rest of the family, he smiled.

"Very well, my girl." He said, smiling. "We should go and talk to Lord Stark; I wouldn't want to trap you or his son in a loveless marriage, we'll see about ending the betrothal.

Bethany nodded, smiling. One step closer now, she hoped, to giving Bran and Meera the happiness they deserved.

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