I'm not just a Girl

Chapter Two

I woke up when Poseidon moved from underneath me. It was still dark so it was unusual for him to move.

"What's wrong boy?" I whispered. He walked over towards Harry, nudging him with his nose. Dread filled me at each passing second.

I crept over closer to him. His eyes were open, but he wasn't breathing. I checked his pulse in his neck and wrist, like father had shown me, but there was nothing.

He was ice cold. I hated to think he had been awake when he was dying and hadn't called me. I closed his lids and sat back.

Tears filled my eyes and I cried. My brother was dead, now I had no family left here. I had an uncle in Horn Hill, but I never really knew him. He sent his son to the Nights Watch anyway so what would he do with me?

Poseidon laid his head on my lap, sensing the sadness. "Looks like it's just you and me boy," I said through the tears.

~~~~~~~~~~

After I buried Harry, I tried my best to wash before I went to Tywin again. I made my decision, I was leaving tonight.

I was late and as I rushed through the door of the hands tower he shot me a glare, but continued with his work.

"Stannis has a much larger army than us, and apparently has magic on his side," Tywin said. "If he's attacking tonight, what do you suggest we do, Lord Faren?"

Faren looked nervous and jittery. His fat pink fingers fidgeted nervously with his cup. "Well, my Lord, we have a very strong army-"

"So does Stannis," Tywin said. "Yes he does, but I'm sure we could beat them." "Hmmm, I'm sure you are. And are you going to be out there on the battle front?" Tywin asked.

"N..no my Lord, I'm afraid I don't have the military training," he said. "Then why are you advising me here?" He asked.

Faren fiddled some more, but couldn't answer. "Get out, all of you," he said. They all filed out, but I stayed this time.

"How's the boy?" Tywin asked. I was surprised her remembered. "He... he died my Lord," I answered.

"I'm sorry to hear," he answered. He didn't sound sorry. Just then, a girl walked in with his dinner.

"Set it on the table," he ordered. She did so and scurried off again. "Eat," he said to me. I hesitantly sat down in front of it.

"Go on," he said. "It's not poisoned." I ate slowly at first, but the hot meal was to much to resist.

I stuffed my face and the plate was gone in minutes. "You were hungry," he observed. "When was the last time you had a proper meal?"

"I don't know my Lord," I answered, my mouth half full. He left his seat and began to pace the room. "You've been there all this time girl," he said. "What do you think we should do?"

"About what?" I asked, surprised. "About Stannis and the Stark boy," he answered. I was nervous, I didn't want to answer him, I wanted Stark to win.

"You might as well fight Stannis my Lord. If he's attacking tonight, you don't really have a choice," I said. He chuckled.

"You're a good girl," he said. "It's no place for you here." I swallowed some water. "How would you like to be hand maiden to Cercei?" He asked.

I didn't want that. I didn't want that at all. "I... I don't know, my Lord," I answered. "Well you will find out soon," he said. "I need a squire, one that can ride with me on the battlefield."

I nodded, unable to find words. I was so glad I was going to leave tonight. "Get my armour girl," he said.

~~~~~~~~

I ran errands for Tywin that evening before the major battle. As I was doing so I ran into the Hound. I'd only heard stories about him before, but he was just as big in person.

"Sorry," I mumbled before running off again. Joffrey was with him and I did not want to deal with him. He may be a King, but he was a brat and if the stories were true, he wasn't the rightful King.

"Stupid peasants," I heard him mumble. I would give anything to stick a dagger through his face.

Tywin dismissed me and told me to go find the ladies and hide with them. I left the room swiftly incase he asked me to fight.

I ran through the Tower of the Hand. However, when I passed Twyins office, I noticed a sparkle out the corner of my eye.

It was Eddard Starks sword. The Valerian steel glistened in the sunlight. The gold and ruby encrusted handle made it look majestic, like an accessory not a weapon.

Most impressive of all, was the wolf carved on its tip. The delicate perfect strokes showed the animal of their house.

It took me two seconds to decide to take it. Tywin wouldn't notice it was gone until morning, that is if they won the war.

I would be well on my way anyway. I stuffed it under my dress and fastened it to my thigh as well as I could.

I took my usual route through Flea Bottom, which was more chaotic than normal.

I climbed up the little hill and went into the forest where Ghost should have been waiting.

It was unusual for him not to have been there, but I was early. I changed from my dress into the old pants and shirt I used to wear.

I strapped my bow around my waist and my arrows across my back. I made a makeshift carry for the sword, it wouldn't be good to show it around here.

I crept around the camp to see I I could find him and it wasn't long until I heard him growling. "Poseidon," I whispered and he continued to growl, but didn't move.

He was growling at a boy, who was pressed up against a tree, looking petrified. "Down boy," I said, and Poseidon backed down, a small bit.

I took out my bow and arrow and pointed it at him. "Who are you?" I asked. "G... Gendry," he answered nervously.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "I was leaving Kings Landing, until I ran into your dog," he answered. "Why?" I asked.

"I'm a wanted man," he answered.

"For what?" I asked. "For being a bastard," he replied.

Suddenly something exploded behind us and the ground shook. I turned for a millisecond to see Blackwater Bay light up green.

I didn't hesitate. I ran. Away from Kings Landing. Away from hell.