How To Kill a Flower

Chapter 39

After the meeting about Jaime i saw Arya walking into the forges. She must have been checking on her weapon. I leaned against the balcony, overlooking the bustle of people who were moving fast, trying to prepare for the long Winter to come. 

Once i saw Arya leave the forges, i began my decent in to the same place she had just left.

I walked into the hot room to see Gendry is just a thin dirty shirt working on the dragon glass weapons. I leaned against the beams supporting the building, just watching him work. 

No matter how angry and hurt i was because of him, i still couldn't look away from his strong arms and glistening chest.

Suddenly he paused his work to lift his eyes and catch mine. I didn't smile at him, just stared into his gaze. I could tell he wanted to walk over to me, but was conflicted because of our last conversation. He turned back to his work but i could see how distracted he was just with me watching him.

I smirked slightly and walked forward, i looked down at his weapons pile. I began inspecting his work. He really is talented and makes strong weapons. 

When i had finally reached where he was, i stopped with my breath caught in my throat. I looked down at his pile of weapons but two swords were set off to the side. I could feel his blue eyes on me as i picked one of the short swords up. 

I spun it in my hands, swinging it and testing the balance in my hands. I grinned as i looked at Gendry's face. He was smirking but i could also tell from his eyes that he didn't want me to fight in the battle.

My smile fell slightly, "These are beautiful." I set the sword down next to it's twin.

He paused while looking me over, "I made them for you." My eyes lifted to his, "I had hoped you wouldn't fight, but i know you well enough to know better."

I nodded to him, "You cant expect me to hide in the crypts with the rest of the woman and children. I can fight, which means one more person protecting my home. We need everyone who can fight to do so."

He puts his tools down and walked towards me, only a table of weapons between us now.

"Why do you have to fight?" He asks.

I scoffed at him, "Why do you? I've had more training then you have." 

"Because its too dangerous." He said.

I shook my head at him, not believing what he was implying, "You do remember what i told you I've been through, don't you?"

"This...this is different, Ciri" He started, "This is death, i don't want you to get killed."

I looked at him with determination in my eyes, "Valar Morghulis."

He looked at me confused.

I spoke again, "It means, 'all men must die'. I am not afraid to die, Gendry. I am only afraid of not doing everything i can to protect the ones i love." I looked back down to the swords.

"Then i will be right next to you. Protecting the one i love." I looked back up to him, my mouth open slightly in shock.

"Don't say those things to me, not if you don't mean them." I said with fire in my eyes.

"Who said i didn't mean them?" He began walking around the table to my side. I didn't turn to him, but i felt his shirt rub against my arm, "Ciri, please don't fight. For me."

I turn to him, our bodies inches apart, "Don't. Nothing you can say will stop me." I grab the twin swords, "I will protect my home, my family. No one can stop me."