Chapter XX: Gendry II – The Lady of Storm’s End

He was nervous as he stood in front of the septon in the sept of Storm’s End. Gendry hadn’t really thought this was going to happen. The guests watched as Talla walk towards him, some with smiles on their faces, and Talla’s mother with tears in her eyes. And Talla – Talla was all he could wish for. She was nice, sometimes a little mischievous, but without a mean bone in her body. For a brief moment, he imagined another woman walking up to him – then he put this thought aside. What was past was past and they had both made their choices. It had been for the best, both for him and for Arya.

Talla smiled brightly when she finally reached him, and Gendry just hoped he wouldn’t bungle this up. He was certain he’d memorized everything, but now he couldn’t remember a thing.

Somehow, they got through the ceremony anyway, and it felt like a dream when Sam removed his sister’s cloak and Gendry replaced it with a Baratheon one. Then, the septon pronounced them “one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever,” and Gendry leaned forward to kiss his bride. Talla’s lips were warm and passionate and a little clumsy. When they pulled apart, she was blushing and he could feel his own cheeks warm up as well.

The crowd cheered when they walked outside to greet their people. “Lord Gendry!” he heard, but also “Lady Talla!” and “Long live Lord and Lady Baratheon!”

Gendry took his wife’s hand. He certainly hoped they would.

It had, she found, and she nodded.

Fin

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