Game of Thrones: Shot Through the Heart

Chapter 6 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. LOL :)
Boris Yeltsin; Thanks.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Veridissima: Yup, it's great, LOL, nicely put, glad you liked that part too :) Well we will, especially when Bran and Meera finally get together.

Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 6

Bran smiled as he headed to the cafeteria; it was lunch time; he'd be meeting up with Arya, Jojen and Meera for lunch. This had become a regular routine for them and Bran found it quite reassuring; being able to enjoy their company like this. It surprised him, at first, he and Meera only had the archery club in common; yet now they were closer and hung out a lot more. Bran smiled again as he remember how, despite all the practice and effort they put into it, they still weren't able to beat Meera at video games.

'We'll do it someday, I swear it.' He told himself with a grin. 'Maybe if I didn't keep getting distracted I might manage it. But I…'

He shook his head; it was strange; he was more easily distracted these days, found himself thinking about Meera a lot more, in ways that didn't make sense to him. She kept popping into his thoughts, even appearing in his dreams.

'It's weird; I can't, surely I can't think of her…like that.' He thought, troubled. 'She's my friend; and Jojen's sister; yet the way I think about her, it's almost as if I…No, I really have to stop this; before I end up damaging my friendship with Meera.'

So, composing himself and trying to smile again, managing with some difficulty, he continued on to the cafeteria.

When he got there; as he approached their usual table, he was surprised. He noted that Arya was strangely absent from the table; Meera and Jojen were there, but not Arya. That wasn't the only surprising thing either. There was someone else present too; someone Bran didn't recognize. It was a young man, about eighteen; tall with a muscular build, he also had short blonde hair, dark blue eyes and the ghost of a blond beard forming on his chin. He was talking to Meera, smiling casually. Meera was smiling too, even laughing at something he was saying. Bran felt a strange clenching sensation in his stomach at this. He wasn't sure why, but something didn't sit well with him about this. He did his best to remain casual however as he approached the table, taking his seat.

"Hey Jojen." He greeted, turning to face Meera. "Hi Meera."

They all turned to face him; Jojen returning his greeting.

"Hey Bran." Meera replied; returning the greeting too, before introducing the young man. "This is Melwyn, he's an old friend of mine."

There was a strange flicker in Melwyn's expression; something only Bran noticed.

"Hi." Melwyn greeted, acting as if it didn't happen.

Bran nodded. "Pleasure to meet you."

He was however wary, something about this guy he didn't like.

After a brief paused he finally decided to say something.

"So, Melwyn…" He began. "How is it you know Meera, and uh, how come I've never seen you around before?"

Melwyn smiled lightly; although Bran saw his eyes flick over to Meera before he answered.

"Well; we've been friends since we were little kids. I've been away these last couple of years; with my parents in Essos." He explained. "I really wish I'd kept in touch."

He said the last part to Meera; his expression changing, Bran saw it before he adopted a neutral expression as Meera turned to face him.

She shook her head. "It's alright, I understand; it's not like we stopped being friends."

Melwyn's expression briefly changed again and Bran realized exactly what that strange flicker of expression meant.

He suddenly, inexplicably, felt angry. 'A friend? My ass! I'm sure he wants more than her friendship, it's written all over his face! How can she be so oblivious to it; yet, she obviously values his friendship. And because of that, Meera might attend the club less and less, I'd see her less and less. The way he acts, I don't want to think too badly of him, but what if he's…'

He suddenly realized the way he was thinking and stopped himself.

'Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait, what am I thinking, what is wrong with me. Could I sound any more bitter, I should be happy that she's seeing a friend she's not seen in a long time.' He had a nasty feeling that strange sensations he was feeling were easily explained, but hoped it wasn't what he thought. 'This isn't like me, I'm not, I'm not jealous, surely not…or am I?'

What troubled him most was he had no answer.

Arya then finally arrived and Bran turned to greet her.

"Hey."

She nodded as she sat down. "Hi, what's up?"

Meera introduced her to Melwyn; but as she did so, Bran observed Arya carefully, something seemed off about her. She seemed distracted by something, worried. He wondered if he should ask her about it, but then decided against it. He knew Arya well after all, if she wanted to tell him, or anyone, then she would. But only when she was good and ready to do so. The only person that rule seemed not to apply to was Gendry, who seemed able to get past her defences easily and who she seemed to have no problem confiding in. After the introductions were made Arya looked around at them.

"So, I guess you are all going back to Greywater then?" She asked.

They all nodded, Meera explaining. "Yeah; there's no archery club today, so we're just gonna go straight there."

Arya nodded and smiled, although to Bran it seemed forced. "Well, have fun, in case I don't see you when school finishes Bran, I'll see you at home, okay."

"Sure, see you then." Bran replied.

It seemed Arya's timing was perfect since at that moment the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch. They all began to head to their next class; Bran was deep in thought. He was pondering many things, this situation with Melwyn, the strange feelings he was experiencing and now, Arya's odd behaviour. He was worried; wondering just what would end up driving him crazy trying to work it all out first.

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