Dark Wings, Dark Words

I love you

"They'll kill you." Gendry snapped as Ashanna rooted through the kitchen for supplies.

"They won't kill me, they'll imprison me or keep me as a hostage, There's a difference." Ashanna quipped as she bundled a loaf of bread in a clean cloth. Gendry watched her in disbelief.

"I can't believe your leaving." He said in astonishment.

"We're leaving. Me, you, Arya and hot pie. Just give me a day or two and we'll be on our way to Winterfell." Ashanna said firmly.

"This is a horrible idea." He said while he shook his head at her.

"She's my sister... I have to at least try to save her." Ashanna snapped.

"Let's say you save her, but they take you prisoner instead... You can't expect me or Arya to leave you there. And you certainly won't expect me to be all nice to your sister 'cause I won't." Gendry said grimly. Ashanna opened her mouth to respond.

"It won't be her fault-"

"She would be the reason you went back, the reason you got caught." Gendry said in a harsh tone. Ashanna looked into his blue eyes, she caught sight of a glint of something before if was gone again.

"I don't need your permission to protect my sister." Ashanna said strongly.

"I'm trying to protect you, Ashanna." Gendry said with a sigh. Ashanna stopped her searching to look up at Gendry again.

"Why? You owe me nothing." Ashanna said in confusion.

"I didn't know what love felt like.. I didn't have anyone I cared about or wanted to protect.. until I met you." He whispered, adverting his gaze.

"You love me?" Ashanna asked quietly, her words came out in little sighs. She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to confirm or strict down the hope fluttering in her heart.
Gendry nodded once, a definite nod.

"I love you too." Ashanna said softly. Gendry's eyes met hers.

"I can't give you the life you deserve." Gendry said sadly, his voice shaking. Ashanna ran to him and pulled him to her arms.

"You are more than enough." She whispered into his chest. She could feel Gendry shake his head before pulling away from her.

"You swore an oath to marry Jojen Reed." Gendry pointed out.

"I don't love Jojen Reed.. I love you." Ashanna said in frustration.

"I can't give you a keep let alone a castle, my name is not worthy of Ashanna Stark. I have not a penny to my name." Gendry says firmly.

"I don't care about any of that." Ashanna insisted.

"You will care.. our children would be bastards in their own family's eyes." Gendry says sharply. Ashanna shook her head, They'd love them.

"We have our entire lives to talk about this, just come with me." Ashanna pleaded. He shook his dark haired head, his blue eyes were etched with sadness.

"They'll make you marry Jojen.. what will that make me? Your blacksmith? Lover? Do you really think I'll be able to serve him? When I know he has you?" Gendry asks heartbrokenly.

"That won't happen." Ashanna said strongly.

"Your right.. it won't. I'm not going to Winterfell. I love you, Ashanna. More than you'll ever know.. but I won't be able to live near you and not have you to myself." Gendry said as he turned to walk away.

"What will you do so?" Ashanna asked her voice came it uneven.

"Arya has a plan." Gendry said quietly. Before turning to look at her one last time longingly, lovingly. Then he was gone through the kitchen door, leaving a tear stained Ashanna behind.

Her heart was broken. He cries came out as little rasps for breath as she sank to the ground.