Game of Thrones: Accidentally in Love
Chapter 9 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
Reviews
wazzup11: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks; he is :)
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hotbella: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
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Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you especially liked those parts :)
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ESO: Yeah well, that's the way it is; Ramsay isn't even in this fic in any way, shape or form. Well, she's not so little in this, remember I put the ages at the start. Tywin won't really show up, until the end, we'll see more of Cersei here and there. Dany won't appear however; mainly as she is not relevant to this story.
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 9
Sansa couldn't help but smile as she stood waiting, it was the day of the tourney at last. She had been looking forward to this day ever since she had heard about it. She was already all prepared, she was just waiting on her sister.
'I can hardly believe it, my little sister, married to the heir to the throne.' She thought happily. 'I'll be married eventually too, to Prince Joffrey; oh, this couldn't be any better.'
As expected, since they were now married, Arya had moved out of the Stark's quarters and into the new ones she and Gendry shared. Finally Arya arrived, Sansa smiled widely at her sister; even though she still refused to adapt to her new surroundings, wearing her hair in a simple braid.
"Are you ready Arya?" She asked cheerfully. "This is going to be so exciting."
"I…Yes, I guess you're right." Arya replied, sounding rather distracted.
Sansa noticed this and asked cautiously. "What's wrong?"
Things had been going so well lately, she didn't want another argument to start.
"Nothing really." Arya replied with a shrug. "It's just, I was supposed to have my dancing lessons today."
Sansa smiled gently. "I'm sure they can wait until later, your teacher won't mind, surely?"
Arya smiled lightly; almost secretively. "I suppose not, let's go…Watch my husband show of his skills."
Laughing at her own joke Arya began to head to the tourney grounds, Sansa followed her; smiling.
Arya soon found herself sitting in the stands, along with Sansa, Jeyne and Septa Mordane. She knew that three of the men who had come with them, Jory amongst them, would be fighting in the tourney too. She could see them now, lined up with the other contestants.
"Jory looks so plain compared with the others." Mordane remarked, disdain colouring her tone.
Arya rolled her eyes. "So, as long as his armour protects him, who cares about decoration?"
Mordane turned to her. "Young lady, I hardly think…"
"I know what I'm talking about; Gendry told me. Besides, you'll see he isn't exactly…flaunting his armour." Arya replied with a grin.
Following Arya's gaze they saw Gendry, true to form, his armour was plain steel, similar to Jory's. In fact, his only concession to ornamentation was on the shoulder armour which was shaped in the form of the Baratheon stag. After some speeches from Robert, the tourney was ready to begin with the joust.
Almost immediately Arya's words proved their point as those who had more decorative, but less protective armour, were easily taken down. Harwin and Alyn were both defeated by their opponents, but Jory went on to defeat two of his and lost his third bout to Lothor Brune by a judge's decision. While Sansa and Jeyne promptly gushed and made comments regarding the riders. Arya watched in silence, admiring the action, the control the men had over their horses, the strength of their blows.
Her training made it possible for her to see all this and to realize that most of those in the tourney were very good, highly trained, warriors.
It was during the sixth bout that something horrific happened; Ser Gregor Clegane, the Hound's older brother, rode against a young knight, called Ser Hugh of the Vale, and ended up killing him with a splintered lance. Jeyne broke down at that point and had to be led away. Sansa and Arya remained however.
"Gods, such a terrible accident." Sansa gasped, echoing the thoughts of those around them.
Arya shook her head however, she had seen what really happened. "That was no accident, he killed him, on purpose."
Sansa looked at her, horrified. But she chose not to comment further. She did not want to even guess how her sister would know something like that. In the end, it came down to the final four, Gendry would be facing Loras Tyrell, third son of Lord Mace Tyrell of The Reach; Jaime Lannister would be facing Gregor Clegane.
During a break, Arya went looking for Gendry, finding him clad in just his breeches and boots, using a bucket of water to wash himself.
"Gendry." She called out as she approached.
He turned and smiled when he saw her. "Arya; I hope, I hope you've been enjoying yourself."
Arya smiled lightly. "It's been very…educational."
Gendry grinned at that. But Arya wasn't here to gossip she became serious.
"You have to be careful, the sixth bout…That was no accident, the Mountain killed that man." She warned him.
Gendry nodded slowly. "You saw it too…Don't worry, I will be."
Arya nodded; hoping he was right as it was soon time for the semi-finals to begin.
The match between Gregor and Jaime came first; it lasted for five tilts before Gregor won the match, unhorsing Jaime with terrific force. When it came to Gendry's match with Loras; both combatant's prepared themselves.
Arya couldn't help but notice something. 'That's not the horse Gendry was riding before…why did he change it?'
As she watched however, the bout continued as normal. As it did, Lord Petyr Baelish, who had sat down next to the girls and become acquainted with them during the joust, leaned over to her.
"You must have noticed." He whispered. "Ser Loras' mare is in heat, enough to drive any stallion mad. Your husband knew that, so he swapped his usual horse for a mare."
Arya smirked and nodded; such trickery wasn't illegal, in fact, it was expected; Gendry however had managed to turn it against his opponent. Finally, after several tilts and splintered lances, Gendry emerged the victor. Dismounting after that announcement he aided Ser Loras to his feet.
"That was a good fight, my thanks." He said with a grin.
Loras grinned too and shook his head. "Indeed, my thanks too."
The audience cheered, before silence fell as it came to the final bout. Luckily there was no need for fear. After four tilts with no clear victor, the fifth came and Gendry, to the amazement of the audience, unhorsed Gregor and was declared the winner. Accepting the crowd's cheers with humility; Gendry did as expected of him, although for him, it was truth, he delivered the crown of love and beauty to Arya.
Back in their chambers, Arya was still blushing as she removed said crown. She turned to Gendry and shook her head, smirking.
"Funny, how people make such a fuss about such a silly title and crown." She remarked.
Following the joust, Gendry had also taken part in the melee, being the last to be defeated by the victor, Thoros of Myr. Luckily he escaped without serious injury. He did not take part in the archery however.
Gendry shrugged and replied to her. "Maybe so, but it's tradition, might as well put on a show…Although, that doesn't mean it wasn't deserved."
Arya blushed again; knowing what Gendry meant. Clearing her throat she quickly shed her dress, revealing her breeches and tunic underneath. She retrieved Needle from it's place by the bed and turned back to Gendry.
"You have fun…I think I'll take a rest." He said.
She smiled and nodded. "You certainly need one after all that."
With that she kissed him, enjoying it far more than she ever thought she would, before leaving for her 'dancing' lessons.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
Well, things have been picking up and seem happy, sadly this can't last, starting next chapter, the 'certain problems' mentioned in the summary begin to emerge, be ready.