#bookgendrya

Lady/Apprentice Smith

Harwin went to one knee before her. “Arya Stark, of Winterfell.”

“I did my work, is all. Bellows and tongs and fetch and carry. I was ‘sposed to be an armorer, […]”

With Family/Orphaned

She looked glumly at her sister. Sansa was chatting away happily as she worked. […] The boys were at practice in the yard. She wanted to see Robb put gallant Prince Joffrey flat on his back. […] Jon grinned, reached over, and messed up her hair. […] It wasn’t Septa Mordane waiting in her room. It was Septa Mordane and her mother.

“She died when I was little. She had yellow hair, and sometimes she used to sing to me, I remember. She worked in an alehouse.”

Too Skinny/Strong

“You’re too skinny,” he said. He took her arm to feel her muscle. Then sighed and shook his head. “I doubt you could even lift a longsword, little sister, never mind swing one.”

The master called over a tall lad about Robb’s age, his arms and chest corded with muscle. […] “This is Gendry. Strong for his age, and he works hard […]”

Criticised/Praised (by the person, who was given their work)

The septa examined the fabric. “Arya, Arya, Arya,” she said. “This will not do. This will not do at all”

Ned turned the helm over in his hands. It was raw steel, unpolished but expertly shaped. “This is fine work. I would be pleased if you would let me buy it.”

The Coat of Arms/The Swords

“That would look silly. Besides if a girl can’t fight, why should she have a coat of arms?” Jon shrugged. “Girls get the arms but not the swords. Bastards get the swords but not the arms. I did not make the rules, little sister.”

|| Parallel Scenes of them Protecting Each Other

“I do!” Arya wouldn’t let them die for her like Syrio. She wouldn’t! Shoving through the hedge with Needle in hand, she slid into a water dancer’s stance. […] The officer jabbed his shortsword toward the Bull, who’d come forward to stand beside her. Praed’s cheap steel in his hand. - Arya II, ACOK

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be hosting Book Gendrya Week from the 5th to the 12th of August 2024. Like with last year’s month this event is for their book relationship, plotlines and the characters themselves. I want to thank my contributors who helped with prompts: @laurellerual & @daceytheshebear. I hope you all will enjoy making gifs, fanfics, meta’s, art, etc. I would ask people participating to not use the show actors.

Please use #bookgendryaweek2024tag so I can find your work :)

Prompts -

Day 1: Contrasting Beginnings

Day 2: Protection

Day 3: Roles

Day4: Memory

Day 5: Found Family

Day 6: 5 Year Skip Proceeds Au

“You want to fight?” she asked the Bull. She wanted to hit something. He blinked at her, startled. Strands of thick black hair, still wet from the bathhouse, fell across his deep blue eyes. “I’d hurt you” “You would not.” “You don’t know how strong I am.” “You don’t know how quick I am.”

Trust Shown in the Little Moments

“There’s a guard on the postern,” said Gendry quietly. “I told you there would be.” “You stay here with the horses,” said Arya. “I’ll get rid of him. Come quick when I call.” Gendry nodded.

Arya trusts Gendry not to get cold feet and to be there with the horses after she deals the guard despite his previous complaints.

“I can keep going as long as you can.” she yawned. “Liar,” he said “You keep going if you want to be stupid, but I’m stopping. I’ll take first watch. You sleep.” […] It was no good arguing, Arya realised; Gendry had the right of it.

Arya is only worried about waking up to see that the bloody mummers have caught up to them, she’s not worried about his capability to keep watch and doesn’t try to push that it should be her because she trusts him. It also shows the Gendry cares about her even if it is in a blunt way.

“One of us should watch the horses,” she said, wary. Tom overheard her. “There’s no need for that, Squab. Come eat, they’ll be safe enough.” “I’ll stay,” Gendry said ignoring the singer. “You can come get me after you’ve had some food.” Nodding, Arya set off after Hot Pie and Lem.

Arya trusts Gendry to watch their horses when they’re in an uncertain place,on his own so she can get some food. It again shows that Gendry cares for her and agrees with her concerns.

The bars were too narrow to pass a cup through, but Harwin and Gendry offer her a leg up. She planted a foot in Harwin’s cupped hand, vaulted onto Gendry’s shoulders, and grabbed the bars on the top of the cage.