Dark Wings, Dark Words

Seven hells

Ashanna knew she needed to heed Yoren's warnings.

She had been traveling with the nights watch's soon to be new recruits, for many days and nights.

She had been wearing the same blouse and sheep skin breeches that she fled king's landing in. She also had her cloak. The only thing she changed was her family Stark pin. She kept that pined on the inside of her blouse.
She had her two spare whistles for hail hooked on her Pendant of the family symbol. A direwolf head.
It was hidden from the sight of her companions that was the most important thing Ashanna had to maintain.

But when their group decided to camp near a river, Ashanna seized her chance to bathe.
She borrowed a bar of soap out of a sack of supplies and a pot before running through the woods to the river.
She left Arya in the company of Gendry, Hotpie and Lommy. Surprisingly Arya had befriended the boys who had picked on her when she first arrived.

Ashanna removed her clothes one at a time. And scrubbed them all with the soap.

She gathered rose petals and put them in the pot and filled it with water. She then dunked each piece of clothing into the pot.

Before getting in the river herself, she layed out her clothes to dry. It wouldn't take long, it was the hottest time of the day and the heat was exceptional.

Ashanna plunged into the water and washed the dirt and grime from her body. She washed her hair with the soap quickly and ducked her head under the water to rinse.
When she was clean she folded her arms on the river bank and rested her head on them. She closed her eyes and listen to the flow of water surrounding her.

"Seven hells!" A familiar voice swore above her. She glanced up to see Gendry staring down at her in shock.

"I can exp-" Ashanna started but Gendry cut her off.

"I knew it! Your a girl." He said in surprise. Ashanna rolled her eyes. He stared at her as she went to pull herself over the bank. She was still without clothes and raised her eyebrows at him expectantly.

"Well... Are you going to be a gentleman and turn around or do I have to ask you?" Ashanna quipped. Gendry smiled slightly as he turned around, his back facing her.

Ashanna climbed out of the water and dressed herself. When she was fully clothed and only her cloak remained she called for him to turn around.

"How long have you known?" Ashanna asked as she used her fingers to comb out her dark hair into shiny, knot free waves.

"Your face is hard to forget, malady." Gendry said courteously.

"Don't call me malady, Gendry. My friends call me Ashanna." She said clearly.

"I'm sorry about your father.. He seemed a good man." Gendry said sadly. Ashanna nodded gratefully.

"He was." She said shortly, her voice broke.

"You've fled king's landing with your little sister." He said coming to a conclusion.

"My little sister.-" Ashanna started but was once again cut across by Gendry.

"'Arry' was the one who told me you were here. I can't believe everyone's so stupid that they don't know your girls." Gendry said in disbelief.  Ashanna scoffed before getting to her feet.

"It isn't hard to outsmart a pack of thieves, rapers and murders." Ashanna said as she pulled the hood of the cloak over her head.

"Your running from the Queen. That's why Arya freaked when she saw the gold cloaks." Gendry said in realisation.

"Why do they want you I wonder?" Ashanna asked.

"I don't know.. I'd advise against asking me questions. Your father asked questions and so did Lord Arryn. Now there both dead." Gendry said quietly. Ashanna took his hand in hers.

"Don't you dare blame yourself for their deaths. It wasn't your doing." Ashanna said gently. Something flashed in Gendry's blue eyes and his glanced at Ashsnna's hand in his. His eyes snapped to hers.

"We should go back.." He trailed off. Ashanna nodded. She got on her tippy toes and planted a kiss on Gendry's cheek.
His face flushed a bright Crimson.

"What was that for?" He asked in shock.

"I know you'll kept our secret." Ashanna replied simply as she started to walk to the others.
Gendry followed her.
Her back was facing him but she knew he smiled.
She felt it.