Game of Thrones: Shot Through the Heart

Chapter 9 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin; Thanks.
Marina Ka-Fai: Yeah well, that's was kinda the idea, he's not really a bad person, just took things a little too far, being misguided is all. Glad you liked Gendry :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks.
Veridissima: Glad you enjoyed it, yeah, not a pleasant experience; well, they're about to tell the family, also, an interesting observation and possibility will come up.

Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 9

"Meera are you alright?"

She started and then realized she had sank onto the bed, following the incident with Melwyn. Bran was sitting there too, still keeping a respectful distance however; a worried expression on his face. She did her best to compose herself and nodded.

"I'm fine Bran, thank you." She said; although her voice shook slightly. "Just…shaken."

Bran bit his lip as he observed Meera, she was rather pale, her usually messy hair even more so. There were marks on her arms where Melwyn had grabbed her.

"I still can't believe he did that." Bran stated angrily.

Meera shook her head however, sadly. "It's not like him, I had no idea. I never thought he would go so far; ugh, how could I have been so blind? You saw it right away, didn't you? I can't believe I've been so stupid."

Bran moved closer, yet still ensured he kept a respectable distance from her. "Meera no, you weren't being stupid. You just, didn't notice, you were happy to see your old friend again. You hadn't realized how much he had changed."

Meera nodded slowly, letting out a slow breath; she knew Bran was right. She just needed to hold on to that; already she was feeling calmer. She was worried however about when they went back to school; how would Melwyn react? But she pushed those thoughts aside. She had to focus on the present just now.

She cleared her throat and turned back to Bran, smiling.

"Thank you, if you hadn't stepped in there…things could've gotten ugly."

Bran nodded; suddenly strangely pensive. "Meera, I have something I need to tell you."

She tensed and Bran sighed.

"This probably isn't the best time, after what just happened. But this is what I came over to say in the first place." He continued.

Meera did her best to smile encouragingly. "You know you can tell me anything Bran."

Bran nodded slowly and then sighed. "I think…Meera, I think I love you. When you were away from the club, I missed so much. Then when I saw you with Melwyn…You were right, I did see what he wanted right away and, I felt jealous."

Meera was stunned by this; those strange feelings that had been stirring inside her around Bran. Bran felt the same way; she could see why he felt this was a bad time, but in truth, she felt it couldn't have come at a better moment. It certainly helped her finally realize the truth about her own feelings.

Bran continued to bare his soul to her. "I hated that, that feeling. You're a person, not an object for people to argue and fight over. But, the truth is…"

Meera decided now would be the best time to step in.

"I understand Bran, I know what you're trying to say. But…I love you too."

Then, before he could respond, startling him greatly, she closed the gap between them and kissed him.

Bran was amazed, it was almost as if there was a storm within him. He could feel Meera's lips on his, and an electrifying sense of joy shot through him. When they finally parted he was gasping for air, staring at her in amazement. Meera smiled at him, her eyes dancing, although he detected the faint hint of a blush on her cheeks.

"That was…incredible." Bran gasped; all the while thinking to himself. 'It was my first too.'

Meera nodded. "Yeah, it was."

Like Bran she mused privately that she had just had her first kiss too.

Bran looked carefully at her, suddenly curious. "How did you…know?"

"What you felt, those…strange feelings. I felt them too." She admitted. "Let's at least try Bran; hopefully this will work. I'd be so happy if it did."

Bran nodded. "It's up to us to make it work Meera."

She grinned. "Then let's do so."

Bran nodded in agreement and they spoke for a while longer, planning their first date. They finally finished by the time Howland and Jojen arrived home, Jojen had come up to join them and looked around.
"Um, aren't we missing someone?" He asked.

Meera shook her head. "I'll explain it all later Jojen."

It was then Bran noticed the time. "Oh Gods, I better get back, I'll see you later."

They both said goodbye and Bran left, feeling happier than he had ever felt before.

When Bran arrived home however, he noticed something was different. Almost as soon as he came through the door, Rickon hurried up to him.

"Bran, there you are, we're waiting for you."

Bran was confused by this. "We?"

"Everyone, we're all in the living room. Arya and Gendry say they've got something they wanna tell us." Rickon explained.

Bran was now even more confused but he followed Rickon into the living room. He saw Arya and Gendry seated on the couch, they were holding hands, no, Arya was clutching Gendry's hand. She looked rather distressed. He looked around; their parents were present, as was Robb, Jon and Sansa.

"Bran's here." Rickon called out as he joined the others.

Bran noted Arya seemed to become even more apprehensive as he also joined the others.

Ned nodded. "Well, we're all here now Arya, what did you want to tell us?"

Arya bit her lip and fidgeted as she spoke. "I…I just, this isn't easy, I can't…"

Gendry squeezed her hand reassuringly and, taking a deep breath, Arya finally spoke.

"I…it happened a couple of days ago. I missed my period and, and I was worried." She paused, already noting the looks on her mother and sister's faces. "I took a pregnancy test and, it came up positive."

Even as she said it she slumped in her seat; her fear plain to see. This shocked the family greatly; especially when the tears came. Despite the death glares he was getting from Robb and Jon, since it was clear he was the father, Gendry did his best to comfort Arya.

The silence that followed was the longest Arya had ever known; it was only broken when one of the family reacted. To everyone's surprise it was Sansa and even more surprised was her reaction.

"Oh Arya." She cried out as she suddenly embraced her sister, nearly knocking Gendry aside.

That seemed to bring the others to life as the full effect of Arya's plight hit them. They all hurried to offer what comfort and help they could. The only one who hadn't yet moved was Catelyn; she was deep in thought. She was turning Arya's words over in her head.

'What she said…hmmm, I'll need to ask her a few questions. After all, she might not need to worry, not need to feel afraid.' She mused. 'We'll just have to see; but in the meantime, she needs us.'

Finally, as the others stepped back, Cat approached and embraced her daughter.

"It's going to be okay sweetie." She promised. "No matter what, we're all here."

The others nodded and Arya felt relieved at last. Later however, while she was alone in her room, her mother entered.

"Mum, what is it?" She asked; slightly worried.

Catelyn pondered briefly and then spoke. "The test may have been positive Arya; but have you shown any other symptoms of pregnancy; morning sickness or anything like that."

Arya shook her head. "No I haven't, why?"

"Well, pregnancy tests can, sometimes, give a false reading." Cat explained.

Arya froze, she hadn't considered that. "You mean, you mean there's a chance I'm not pregnant. But, how can we…?"

Catelyn smiled. "I don't want you to worry Arya; pregnant or not, as I said, we're all here for you. But let's be sure; you can take another test if you like, but your best option is to go to hospital, get a professional observation done."

Arya smiled back and nodded.

"I understand mum, that's, that's actually a good idea, that way I'd know for sure." She replied.

Cat hugged her daughter, knowing that, whatever the result was, she'd be there for her.

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