Game of Thrones Imagines Book Two

Still Waters run deep - Part 4 - Gendry x Reader

"Good morning, my lady." A voice said softly. The curtains being opened to reveal the light of the new day.

(Y/n) had hardly been able to sleep a wink. She had had a strange kind of thrill from being caught by Jaime Lannister when she had crept back into the castle. And that odd thrill had certainly been part of the cause of her long sleepless night. But mostly, it had been due to the handsome Gendry, that she had found herself incapable of slumber. Her mind filled with the memories of being held in his strong arms. The memories of his lips. Of his voice. Even his smell. And though there were celebrations for her name day planned, (Y/n) knew that she had to get out of the Red Keep to find her mystery boy.

"I cannot believe that you are now of wedding age. My sweet little child. It hardly seems but a moment ago, that ya father brought you too me. Nothing more than a speck of a thing, with wild black hair, and a brilliant pair of eyes that hid behind her father's leg. Now look at ya. A lady. Every inch a doe." Elora, (Y/n)'s maid mussed, as she took a seat on the bed next to her mistress. Her fingers brushing some of that said black hair, away from (Y/n)'s sleepy eyes.

Elora had been the only mother that (Y/n) had ever known. The only mother that she had ever needed. When (Y/n) had once asked about her real mother, her father had simply told her that she had died. That she was beautiful, intelligent and sweet. But other than that, Robert seemed reluctant to say anything more. (Y/n) never sure why, but never wanting to press the king further. The young lady more than happy with the mother that Robert had given her to. The older woman that now sat on her bed, the only person that (Y/n) ever told everything to.

"Now. Let's get you out of that bed and dressed for the day. I believe that your father is waiting to have breakfast with you. Then, when we are alone again, you can tell me who you are thinking about allowing to take you to your name day celebrations this evening." Elora told her. Pulling the bedding back and helping (Y/n) out from under the covers.

"Oh, I know who I am going with. I am going with Ser Jaime." (Y/n) yawned. The maid taken aback by her lady's declaration.

"The man that escorts you to your celebrations, should be the man that you are accepting as your suitor. Ser Jaime............."

"I know, Elora. But I promised him. If I go with Ser Jaime, I am not declaring that I have set my heart on one man in particular. That I am still free to choose. For as you were undoubtedly going to point out, Ser Jaime is a Kingsguard, and therefore cannot marry. But I am sure that Tywin will look favourably on the gesture. And given that, hopefully he will be more open when I go and see him next. There are still so many issues facing the smallfolk of the city, and only I seem to be doing anything about it. And despite how much I love my father, I know that it is the old lion that actually gets things done around here." (Y/n) explained, as she made her way over to her dressing table. Elora taking the brush and untying (Y/n)'s hair.

"I suppose. And there are worse men in Kings Landing that could take you. Jaime Lannister is certainly easy on the eye. Perhaps even the queen will soften if her brother is prepared to escort you." Elora mussed, as she pulled the brush through (Y/n)'s locks.

"The queen will never soften towards me. She hates me, and I hate her. As long as we never meet, we reluctantly accept that we have to live under the same roof. That is just how things are. But at least I know that she will not be present at my festivities. The last thing I want, is that evil, drunk old witch, ruining everything." (Y/n) replied. Not giving a damn about the feelings of the queen.

"Well, you must tell me then, which lord you do have your eye on? Is it one of the sons of Ned Stark? I have heard that his son Robb and even his bastard, are the prettiest of things. What about a prince of Dorne? Don't tell me that it is the imp? He is nice enough, but.............."

"My eye has fallen on someone..........but.........but it isn't a lord. He.........well, I am sure that he is a blacksmith." (Y/n) confessed. Turning around and taking her maids hands in hers.

"A Black.............!"

"Please don't scold me, but I went out into the city last night. I went to talk to the people. And as I made my way back to the castle, I dumped into him. Literally. Or should I say, he bumped into me. Oh, Elora, you should see him. His name is Gendry, and he is so handsome. There was something in his eyes. In the way he looked at me, that made my heart beat at a pace. His arms held me so tight, and his lips tasted like nectar..............."

"You kissed him? He held you? In the name of the gods, child! Tell me that you didn't............"

"Elora! No! He just helped me up. And I ended up in his arms. I suppose that I couldn't help but kiss him. He really is so handsome. And he was so sweet. It was just a peck, actually. Nothing more. I swear." (Y/n) explained quickly. Interrupting the interruption. Hoping that the maid wouldn't push any further. Hoping that she could keep her true feelings for the young man, hidden.

"Wait? Did you say Gendry? As in Tobho Mott's apprentice, Gendry? You do know what he is, don't you? He is an unrecognised bastard. The only reason that he is the old man's apprentice, is that some unknown lord paid for him to be taken on. Your father would never allow such a match. He would never allow you to marry someone like that. Even marriage to Lord Baelish would be better than an unnamed smith. At least the whoremonger has position and wealth." Elora scolded. The maid knowing that despite her mistress's kind heart, she would have to talk her out this fancy. The older woman sure that the king would have the young apprentice killed, before he would allow the young man to touch a single hair on (Y/n)'s head.

"Lord Baelish! I would rather wed one of the flea bitten dogs from the streets. You can't believe a word that comes out of that snake's mouth. I am more than sure that the only person that Lord Baelish could ever truly love, is himself. And need I remind you that I am nothing but a bastard myself! Please Elora. I know that I cannot marry Gendry. Despite how my heart feels for him. But I need to go and find him today. I told him that I would. That I would speak to him. Please........I just want to explain to him who I am. Why we can't.........why I cannot get to know him better." (Y/n) retorted. Her tone at first harsh, but then softening. The young lady knowing that the older woman was right. That even though she liked the idea of Gendry being the one to take her to the evening's celebrations. That even though she would be quite happy to show her father, Kings Landing and the rest of the world, that she would happily take Gendry as her husband. (Y/n) knew that it couldn't be. That she may end the evening being promised to some young man that she had never laid her eyes on. But until then, she was free to love whoever she wanted. And she wanted to love Gendry.

Elora couldn't help but sigh, as her child looked into her eyes. The maid knew that talking (Y/n) out of something once it was in her mind, had always been a hard job. She also knew that allowing (Y/n) to speak to the young blacksmith. To let her see how he lived and worked, may in fact be the only thing to change her mind about loving him. And what would be so bad in letting them speak anyway. By the end of the evening, (Y/n)'s hand would have been given to an eligible lord. And then, before long, she would be a mother herself. So, perhaps allowing the young doe to have this little fancy before her life changed, could be the best gift that she could give her mistress.

"Fine. I will help you see the boy. But I want you back in good time. We have to make sure that you are ready for this evening. All eyes will be on you, and I want you to look your best." Elora finally agreed. (Y/n) gleefully hugging the older woman.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now, I have a little plan." (Y/n) began, as she dropped her nightgown to the floor. Explaining what she had in mind, as Elora dressed her for the day.