Conversations with the not so dead
Author's Notes: So I'm on a roll this month :D Been a while since I added a chapter here. This one happens just after Chapter 50. Hope you all enjoy this scene, thought about adding it to the last chapter of Raven, but that chapter is overfull with scenes and interactions. Enjoy! :D
Rating: M; it's Game of Thrones, anything less is not Game of thrones :D
Summary: Companion piece to my other fic, the Raven's Plan. A series of conversations from minor characters perspectives.
Ned Stark I
He was in a foul mood.
How could Jon simply wave away Robb's actions? Since when was such brutality acceptable?
Lothar Frey had been ripped apart by a direwolf, screaming and in pain.
And no one in Winterfell cared!
Since when was this just? Since when was this acceptable?!
He fumed as he walked, intending to go to the Godswood to pray and think.
He walked into the courtyard and looked around. He froze.
In the courtyard, for a moment he felt like he had travelled back in time for a second time. In the middle of the training yard, a man stood hefting a warhammer in one hand with ease. The head of the warhammer was larger than normal, the wielder was handling it with an ease that Ned hadn't seen in a very long time.
For a second, he truly thought that Robert Baratheon was standing in the training yard.
He found himself walking towards the training yard.
Robert was sparring now with one of the guards. It looked like Desmond. Even as he watched, Desmond misstepped and Robert knocked him on his ass none too gently.
Desmond cursed and Robert laughed, before holding out a hand to help Desmond up.
Desmond accepted the hand and shook his head ruefully. They exchanged words that brought a smile to both their faces. Robert turned towards him and Ned's illusion was shattered.
It wasn't Robert. It was Gendry. The blacksmith's apprentice and Robert's bastard son.
More importantly; the one Arya was in love with.
He remembered meeting him in Master Mott's, in King's Landing in the Street of Steel. It felt so long ago, many, many life times ago.
Ned found himself approaching the unaware boy.
Desmond noticed Ned first, "My Lord!" he said in surprise.
Gendry turned towards him. He was surprised and looked more than a bit uncomfortable as he recognised him.
"Lord Stark," Gendry bowed nervously.
Ned cast a look at Desmond, "Leave us, I wish to speak with Gendry."
Desmond cast a nervous look at Gendry before bowing and leaving without a word.
Ned looked him over, Gendry was tall and muscular, close up he looked even more like Robert when he was young. A whirlpool of contradicting emotions assaulted him.
He gave Gendry a long sharp look, adding to Gendry's discomfort, "I remember your work, that bull helmet of yours was very well made," he said simply, "Master Mott spoke well of you."
"Uh, thank you Lord Stark," Gendry thanked him in confusion.
"I remember offering your master a place for you among my people," Ned glowered menacingly, "But I don't remember offering you my daughter."
Gendry blanched, "Uh…uh…" he stammered at a loss and more than a little bit of trepidation.
Ned snorted, the boy looked so much like Robert, it hurt. But Robert had never been one to be at a loss for words no matter the situation.
Ned dropped his glower and shook his head mournfully, he sighed deeply, "Not that I think I could stop Arya these days. She does what she wants now…and not even Jon can stop her."
Gendry looked more than a little relieved now, he gave him a commiserating smile, "I'm sorry, Lord Stark."
Ned snorted again, he paused and cast a glance at the warhammer and then met Gendry's eyes, "You're pretty good with that warhammer. Let's see how good you really are."
Gendry's eyes widened in surprise- and a little fear, he gulped, "Of course, Lord Stark."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
A short while later, both he and Gendry were panting, the exercise had done Ned good. His mind felt clear and he was calmer. Gendry was even more like Robert than Ned had imagined. He had definitely inherited Robert's affinity to the warhammer.
Ned even had a couple of bruises to prove that. The boy wasn't up to Robert's standards at this age, but the gap wasn't unclosable.
"Good spar, Gendry," Ned sighed, "I don't know what the future holds for us, but at least I know you'll try to take good care of her."
Gendry nodded and vowed solemnly, "I will Lord Stark."
He placed a hand on Gendry's shoulder, Ned smiled, "Welcome to Winterfell…and I guess to the family as well, Gendry."
Author's Notes: Hope you liked this, don't forget to comment!