Blackwater Bay had a certain unmistakable stench that Gendry found at once nostalgic and abhorrent. In this instance, distance and time had not made the heart grow fonder. The Aurora cut through the murky waters of the harbor with ease, the carved wood glowing in gold sunlight. It was a brilliant day, not too hot, not unbearably chilly, and as Gendry looked out over the climbing streets of homes and shops, he saw the spires of The Red Keep gleaming as its gilded roof reflected blinding light like a beacon.

It was deceivingly beautiful from afar, he thought. It was never a sight he'd been blessed with. His life in Kings Landing was deep within its cracks and crevices, where filth settled and pooled. Gendry found most things in life were more enticing from a distance. It was only up close that one could see the flaws in a facade.

Gendry's existence in Kings Landing was likened to that of a cockroach, skittering through life with the simple ambition of survival. Even living amongst the poorest of the city, he had it better than most. Apprenticeships, while a modest living, were hard to come by, and by the grace of The Seven, he had fallen into one.

From the deck of The Aurora, he could almost imagine what it must be like to visit his home as a noble. Seeing the cobblestone streets wind towards the spectacular fortress and knowing their eyes would only see the loveliest parts the city had to offer. There was no reason to distress Lords and Ladies with the ghastly sight of the poor, licentious creatures of Flea Bottom. The rich never did like to see the victims of their greed. So they let them scurry about in the shadows.

Sorcha bent over the rail at the waist. Her entire torso hung over the side as she gaped at the harbor full of ships. Gendry's hand hovered just above her lower back, prepared to snatch her up if she leaned a bit too far. After nearly a year, they'd cleared away the worst of the debris left behind from the Battle of Black Water. The wreckage of Stanis Baratheon's warships had bottlenecked the bay to near landlock, with treacherous splintered masts and sunken ships just waiting to bring another unsuspecting vessel down with it. Now, trade returned to its usual thriving pace, and Captain Hornigold could slip through without a second glance.

Sorcha's spirits had returned to their usual heights, and as her curls blew back from her face with a gust of salty wind, she shot him a toothy grin. He couldn't help but smile back, though it didn't meet his eyes. Gendry had never considered himself a worrisome man. He was appropriately cynical, though not nearly as much as Arya had been. Her signature pout and furrowed brows came to mind with a vividness that he hoped would never fade.

The longer his journey dragged on, the more worried he grew. He'd never been naive—no— a childhood in Kings Landing didn't allow for that. Yet the man he'd been when he departed his city was not the same man that now looked upon its shores. Sorcha was often the subject of his anxieties. A Merling without an ounce of experience with their world headed into the belly of the beast. The lamb offered herself up to a den of lions. He wanted nothing more than for Sorcha to succeed in finding her sister. But the world of men had never shown him kindness before, so he was not disillusioned to think anything different would befall him now.

Seawater sprayed lightly across his skin as the sounds of the city grew louder. The gruff orders of Captain Hornigold were now as commonplace to Gendry as a bird's call in the forest. But the hustle and bustle of civilization were as shocking as a bucket of ice water after a warm bath. As the anchor plummeted into the depths of Blackwater Bay, so too did Gendry's stomach. From their position at the bow, he could see two armed Gold Cloaks loitering at the edge of a bustling dock.

"Captain?" Gendry called over his shoulder, the worry in his voice drawing Sorcha's attention from the shore to her companion.

"What's the problem, lad?"

"Gold Cloaks are waiting at the dock. We need to leave." Hornigold narrowed his eyes in the direction Gendry had gestured. Gendry bit his lip as he studied every line of the captain's face for a sign of what he was to do. Was it possible that Hornigold had known who Gendry was from the moment he stepped foot on The Aurora? Had the captain orchestrated some trade for his ship's immunity in exchange for King Robert's bastard son?

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it." Hornigold was as unbothered as if Gendry had pointed out a porpoise, not the looming threat of persecution. Even as the Gold Cloaks peered up at the docking ship with hands resting precariously atop their swords.

"What's wrong?" Sorcha sank back down to flat feet and turned to look between the two men with apprehension. Gendry was panic-stricken, and as Sorcha placed a gentle hand on his arm, she found it shaking. He met her eyes just as Hornigold turned on heel to holler orders again. The crew resumed their preparation for landfall while Gendry struggled to steady his breathing.

"See those men in armor?" Sorcha followed the jut of his chin to the men hovering at the docks. She nodded. "They're looking for me."

"You know them?"

"No- I-" He ran a trembling hand through his hair, which fell in stringy sections to the edge of his jaw. "Remember when I told you I was running from someone?" Sorcha nodded again, listening so intently that he felt her gaze pierce through him like the tip of a sword. "Well, I'm running from a few people, actually." His eyes flitted between her and the Gold Cloaks with barely contained trepidation. "Those men are some of them."

"What did you do?" Despite the alarming widening of her eyes, Sorcha's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Nothing!" A few sailors shot them inquisitive looks and Gendry hurriedly quieted his voice to just above a whisper. His head bent towards her conspiratorially. "I will explain everything later, I promise. But right now, I need you to listen to me." A handful of The Aurora's crew clambered over the rail and descended to the docks. They set to work securing the ship to the capstan, and the remaining men began putting the gangplank into position. Gendry spoke in feverish whispers, and Sorcha had to train her hearing through the noise of the docks to understand him.

"I don't know for sure, so we act as if nothing is amiss until they make a move. Stick with the story we agreed upon, and don't draw any attention to yourself."

"Gendry!" Wynn shouted from across the deck as he directed the sailors through docking procedures. Eyes wide as a doe staring down the point of an arrow, Gendry met his gaze. "There's work to be done. Until you step foot on land, you're still a part of this crew." Wynn jutted his chin in the direction of the gangplank and raised his brows expectantly. Looking pleadingly back at Sorcha for a second more, he obeyed. She tried to stop him a moment too late and was left to fidget alone while the rest of the ship fulfilled their duties.

"My Lady." Sorcha turned to look up at the captain of The Aurora who's gruff, smoky voice had grown a comfort to her along the journey. Hours she'd spent listening to his instructions as he followed the stars toward their destination. Her time on the ship had taught her many things. Interacting with humans, men, in particular. She was sure it would serve her well in the coming days.

"Darian," Sorcha nodded, her lips curling upwards.

"I have something for you. A parting gift, I suppose." The Captain pulled something from his jacket pocket and held it out to her. Resting in the palm of his hand was a shining golden compass. Its design was simplistic but beautiful. Encompassed by a golden ring and encased in glass, the quivering arrow pointed true north. A covering was fastened to it by hinges and would snap shut should she wish to protect it from the elements. Captain Hornigold's lips twitched as he watched the woman before him come alive with enthusiasm. A contagious grin grew upon her face.

"You're giving me your compass? Won't you need it?" Sorcha's brows knit together, but her concern was overwhelmed by excitement. She practically bounced on her toes. She might have if she was more stable with her legs.

"I've got plenty more. I think it will be of more use in your hands." Hornigold held it closer, and she took it from his hands as delicately as if it were a priceless artifact. A bubble of mirthful laughter escaped her as she spun in place, watching as the dial always pointed her in the right direction. Hornigold had shown her how to use his during one of their chats, and she'd gotten such pleasure from the contraption that he felt she needed one for herself.

"Thank you!" Sorcha squealed, listing her arms and pouncing upon him with the hug of a boa constrictor. Hornigold stiffened slightly in shock, but after a moment of deliberation, wound his arms around her in an embrace. Sorcha pulled away to examine her compass once more, lifting it to the light and studying every tiny detail.

"If you ever realize you're better off without that husband of yours, I'm sure the boys would love another crew member. Especially such a clever and lovely one. A woman such as you should see the world, not be stuffed into corsets and petticoats." Sorcha's eyes met his, then shot to the compass in her hands. Heat bloomed across her cheeks.

"Thank you, truly." Sorcha looked past him to where Gendry and the others hoisted the gangplank upon their shoulders. His muscles rippled across his back and down his arms with effort. A warmth spread through her filling the space within her chest with its power. "But I think my husband and I will be just fine." Hornigold scoffed at the thought.

"If you change your mind, you know where to find me. We'll be docked for a few weeks to restock provisions and recoup." With a cheeky wink, he strode off towards the others. Sorcha watched from the upper deck as the gangplank was set in place. As soon as he was freed from duty, Gendry swept up beside her. There were no belongings to collect. They had only the clothes on their backs and the compass in her hand.

Heart pounding with sickening ferocity, Gendry lead Sorcha towards the gangplank. His best hope would be to pretend nothing was amiss. None of the Gold Cloaks could know what he looked like. Arya covered their tracks by claiming Lommy was the blacksmith boy they searched for. It was that lie that had saved his life. Last he checked, Melisandre was still poisoning Stannis's mind and had no pull with the authorities of Kings Landing. So when he headed towards the ramp, he had almost convinced himself there was nothing to worry about.

"Captain Hornigold!" The taller of the two Gold Cloaks called as Darian's boots planted on the dock. "Haven't seen you in these parts for at least six months." They approached with their hands on their sword, not to draw but to show superiority. Hornigold had always found the gesture to be laughable. It did nothing more than calm their nerves, for if he wished, their throats would be slit before they'd fully unsheathed their weapons.

"I try not to make a habit of frequenting lands amidst a war." The War of Five Kings was heard across nearly every kingdom in Essos. The list of those willing to trade with a tumultuous monarchy was short. Captain Hornigold was well known to take risks, but none without logic. Joffrey Baratheon was a loose cannon. "Your king seems to enjoy conflict." The other Goldcloak, a bulky man with ginger hair and an abundance of freckles, shook his head with a bitter laugh.

"With that, I cannot argue. But your vacancy has cost us a few coins. We're gonna need a bit more to keep our agreement going after such a break." They both gave the pirate an anticipatory look, and Hornigold's expression soured.

"Well, well, well," The tall one's face twisted into a grin. His gaze fixed on something over his shoulder with a glint of unmistakable lust. Sorcha descended the ramp on Gendry's arm as radiant as ever. "Seems you've found yourself a pretty little thing to keep you company at sea." The man smirked, his lips pulling back to reveal darkened teeth. Gendry's heart dropped to his feet as the Gold Cloaks eyes fixed intently on him and Sorcha. His hand squeezed her hand tighter.

"Where'd you find a woman like that? I wouldn't mind sticking my cock in her." Hornigold's lips flattened into a terse line. His glare was enough to strike fear into the strongest of soldiers.

"I pay you not to ask questions." The Captain threw two pouches of coin hard into the man's chest. He managed to catch it before it fell but let out a grunt of pain at the force of it. "That includes the company I keep." With a brow raised, Hornigold stared them down with a glare that could boil the seas themselves.

"Alright, alright." The bearded man held up a hand in a show of innocence. "Don't want to share. I understand." Yet their eyes still trailed along every curve of Sorcha's body. It was then that they looked at the man on her arm. The bearded man's eyes narrowed in thought.

"You, boy. Haven't I seen you before?" Gendry's throat bobbed as his heart picked up to a gallop. His palms were clammy, and suddenly, the balmy air felt hot and oppressive. His mind spun its wheels, trying desperately to formulate an explanation. "Where'd he find you?" The man studied Gendry closely, trying to place his face with a memory.

It was all too possible that the Gold Cloak had seen Gendry before. Tobho Mott was one of the best blacksmiths in the city and often forged weapons and armor for knights. Gold Cloaks mightn't have been the bulk of his clientele, but Gendry had dealt with a handful on behalf of his mentor. It had been four years, but some people never forget a face.

"Braavos." Hornigold declared, stepping up beside Gendry and clapping him roughly on the back. "Hard worker, this one. Not the best of sailors but a good enough carpenter that I make use of him." The explanation seemed to appease them, for, after a moment of studying Gendry, they grumbled and turned away. His anxiety calmed to a dull roar now that they'd stopped staring.

"Thank you." He gave Hornigold a grateful look. The Captain nodded once, arms crossed as he watched the Gold Cloaks count their coins. They seemed satisfied with what they found, and with a nod to their patron, the men strode off down the docks with pockets lined with silver.

"My business works in anonymity. I don't take kindly to Gold Cloaks sticking their noses in my business." Hornigold pressed his lips together in displeasure. He looked over Gendry's frightened eyes and quickened breath thoughtfully. "Those two are dumber than a rock. As long as they get their money, they don't care." It was silent for a moment as Gendry fought to steady his nerves, and Hornigold observed his countenance with suspicion. Then Sorcha slipped her arm from her false husband and stepped towards the captain.

"Thank you for everything." She craned her neck to smile up at him. Taking her hand in his, Hornigold met her gaze with a sincerity few had the honor of perceiving in him.

"I hope our paths cross again, Miss." His lips curved upward in the ghost of a smile. Eyes locked, he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles.

NOTE

So this fic has basically turned into a Sorcha x Hornigold fic and I don't know how to fix it lmao. I feel like Sorcha and Gendry's relationship so far has been leaning more heavily on Gendry because Sorcha is still learning about the surface and how the human world works. The next few chapters we will hopefully start to see more of her strengths appear and see Gendry begin to rely more on her as well. Also prepare for some Gendrya nostalgia at some point cause I have plans.
I'm guessing this will be around 20 chapters total. More updates are coming I promise!