The Princess and The Smith

Chapter Three

All this time she thought he was dead. Six years of grieving, six years of pain and blood shed. After all these years he was looking as handsome as ever and very much alive. Her heart pounded as she stated at the young man atop the horse, clad head to foot in black. His doublet was a thick black leather lined at the slaves and neck line with fur. His breaches reached his feet tucked into his sturdy black boots. Even his cloak was black, the inside lined with black fur. He slid from his horse,  and walked straight to her. He held his hand out to her. Turning to look at Jon and Danarys, they both nodded and she stepped out and took his gloved hand, he pulled her close. "Arya?", his voice came out soft and shaky, " Arya is it really you?", she nodded. She squeezed his hand and reached out to touch his face. Her hand moved to his jaw and he leaned into her touch. Before anyone could say anything else she pounced on him, throwing her arms around his neck, instinctively his arms came up to move around her waist as the pair buried their heads in each other hair, this was responded with several wolf whistles emanating from the Brotherhood's direction. "Seven bloody hells, I thought you were dead!", Arya murmured, Gendry's arms shifted slightly and his embrace tightened. "Funny that, because here I am very much alive and originally thinking  the same about you ", his voice came out husky as he murmured his reply into her neck. An awkward cough brought them back to reality. "As romantic as this is I imagine our guests are tired and would like to rest",  Tyrion said an amused hint expression on his face. Gendry set Arya down being as gentle as he could, Sansa, Bran, Rickon, Jon and Danarys all looked fairly amused by the sight. Still gripping his hand Arya walked with Gendry as he lead his horse to the stables. Arya lead him to a private stable, which was next door to  her own horse's stable. "Where've you been m'lady?", Gendry looked at her his expression more worried than amused. " Everywhere and Nowhere", she replied, "ah, the oh so mysterious lady has made an appearance I see", he said looking half amused, but the amused expression soon disappeared and was replaced with an expression that mixed with concern and grief, he stepped towards her and pulled her close again, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in her hair. She responded by sliding one arm around his middle and the other around his neck, her fingers tentatively stroking the hairs at the nape of his neck and burying her head in his chest. They held each other both of them just living in the moment, he shifted his head in her neck, his nose brushing gently against her collar bone. "I thought you were dead, the red witch told me you died by the hand of the Frey's, I thought I'd lost you. Promise you'll never leave, promise me", he told, his voice shaking with his on coming sobs, "Gendry I want you to listen to me-" "NO ARYA!", he pulled his head out of her neck to look at her, tilting her chin up with his fingers to get her to meet his heavy gaze, his voice came out angry and thick with grief.  "Please just promise me", he begged, Arya could see the genuine grief and she nodded, she moved her arm from his back to hold his jaw, still stroking his hair she nodded more eagerly this time. Gendry Waters, knight of the Brotherhood Without Banners, I promise you with all my love and heart that I, Arya of house Stark will NEVER, leave", her voice came out shaky but firm, mixed with grief and joy to see that the man she loves is very much alive and is holding her. Gendry pressed his forehead to hers, "thank you" he said closing his eyes. She pressed back against him and closed her own eyes, relishing in their close proximity. He leaned forwards slightly, realising what is about to happen, Arya is hesitant but let's him move closer. She licks her lips and prepares herself for what is about to happen.

Their mouths were just a breath space apart, Gendry leaned in closer, copying his actions Arya felt like she was flying, his lips moved a little closer and-"Oi, Gendry Thoros is getting his arse kicked by a twelve year old, you really should see-", Anguy walked in and stopped dead in his tracks, looking rather amused, Arya and Gendry jumped apart, both red in the face and looking extremely awkward, "was I interrupting something?", Anguy asked looking amused, the pair looked at each other, "NO!" they said very fast and at the same time. "right?", Anguy responded no it at all convinced. He turned and walked out again. Arya looked up at Gendry who cocked an eyebrow and grinned, "I, uh, I'll show you to your room if you like", she said feeling ng her face flush even more. Gendry chuckled, "You are very kind m'lady", he told her, he lifted his hand to her face his thumb gently brushing over cheek bone, she quickly snapped away, turning her face away from him. She moved to the door way of the stables, "come, if you follow me you'll know where your room is", she walked out of the stable and Gendry followed. He moved a bit faster to walk beside her.