The Old Bear's Daughter

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"So, who will it be?" the Hound asked, "Should we find out if your fire god really loves you, priest? Or you, archer? What are you worth with a sword in your hand? Or is the little girl the bravest one here?"

Beric looked back at Arya, "Aye, she might be. But it's me you'll fight."

The people around them started to gather to watch what would happen.

"Lord, cast your light upon us," Thorus spoke in a deep voice.

"Lord of Light, defend us," the men chanted as Anguy cut loose the Hound.

"Show us the truth," Thoros continued, "Strike this man down if he is guilty. Give strength to his sword if he is true. Lord of Light, give us wisdom."

Arya exchanged a look with her friends who seemed to find it just as unusual as she did.

"For the night is dark and full of terrors."

"For the night is dark and full of terrors," the men echoed him.

Beric got on his knees and Thoros used a sword to cut into the kneeling man's hand while Sandor was swinging around the sword he had been given.

Then, Beric took the sword of Thoros and quickly dragged his bloody hand against the shaft of it, making the sword go up in flames. 

Juliana watched as the Hound stumbled back in fear before gathering himself and taking a shield of a man in front of him.

Beric, who now also had a shield in hand, swung around his sword as he faced the Hound.

Sandor shouted as he charged forward, clinking blades with Beric. He attacked again but Beric blocked him and then attacked back, his fiery sword being blocked by Sandor's as the defender took a step back.

They stood opposite each other for a moment before Beric started to charge repeatedly making Sandor take steps back while dodging and blocking his opponent's sword. 

The two fighters got closer to the crowd, making Arya duck and Juliana could feel Gendry pulling her away from Beric who was swinging around his sword wildly while Sandor was frantically trying to avoid the flames that scared him so.

They moved away from the watchers again and Sandor managed to block another blow with so much force that Beric had to take a step back, which Sandor used to attack again.

Beric managed to block as he turned and seemed to dance back into the battle, swinging at the taller man. Their swords clashed, creating sparks as Sandor became more aggressive and his different barrels around them.

Beric used his shield and pushed Sandor forward, sending him stumbling into a small fire. The tall man yelled before kicking at wooden objects around him and marching forwards again, blocking an oncoming blow and kicking at Beric's stomach.

Juliana watched as the two took turns in attacking and blocking until Sandor managed to hack Beric's shield to pieces. 

Beric threw down his demolished shield and started to attack again, forcing the Hound back until the man tripped, holding his shield up to protect himself from further blows.

Seeing as the shield was made out of wood and Beric's sword was still burning, the shield caught fire after it was repeatedly hit, making the crowd chant, "Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!" while Sandor stood back up and started to hit at the shield to kill the flames.

"Kill him!" Arya yelled as Beric charged again.

Sandor blocked and pushed the older man back, shouting in fury and charging forwards. Beric had his arms raised to deliver another blow but Sandor was quicker and stabbed him through the chest, making him fall to the ground, dead.

The crowd fell silent as Thoros dashed forward and leaned onto his friend's lifeless body, "Lord, cast your light upon this man, your servant. Bring him back from death and darkness. His flame has been extinguished. Restore it."

Juliana couldn't make out the rest of the chant as Sandor yelled and rolled himself on the ground to try and extinguish the burning shield. 

"Arya, don't!" someone yelled as Arya dashed towards the Hound with a weapon in her hand but was stopped by Gendry before she could kill the man.

"No! Let go of me!" she shrieked "Let me go!"

"Looks like their god likes me more than your butcher's boy," Sandor taunted.

"Burn in Hell!" Arya yelled as Gendry held her down so she wouldn't do anything stupid.

"He will," a voice spoke and Juliana looked away from her friends to see that Beric was on his feet again, "but not today."

*****

Juliana found Gendry working on a piece of metal.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Just mending Lord Beric's armour."

Juliana furrowed her brows, "Why?"

Gendry put down his tool, "I'm going to stay on and Smith for the Brotherhood."

"Why would you do that? I'm supposed to bring you and Arya to Winterfell, remember?"

"The only reason you were supposed to bring us there is that she is a Stark," he said as he used a cloth to clean his hands, "I have no business there."

"Then come to the wall with me."

"And serve some purpose I don't believe in? Lay down vows I don't want to uphold? This is where I want to be, the Brotherhood needs good men."

Juliana sighed and there was a moment of silence before she spoke again, "Then I will come back."

"What?" Gendry asked.

"I'll bring Arya home and then come back here."

Gendry stood up and stared at her before taking a step closer.

"What are you doing?", she asked as he stepped even closer but she didn't dare to take a step back. She looked around quickly to see whether someone was watching them.

"Probably something stupid," he replied.

She went to answer but was cut off by his lips on hers. His arms went around her waist, pulling her closer to him but letting her the option of escaping his hold if she wanted to. Instead, she kissed him back feverishly, lifting her hands to the hem of his shirt to pull him closer.

They pulled apart for a moment, looking into each other's eyes before Juliana closed the gap between them again, continuing their kiss.

First kissing scene I've ever written. I hope it wasn't too cringy