Like Many Readers Of A Song Of Ice And Fire Before Me (but Not Nearly Enough), I Feel Somewhat Disturbed

Like many readers of A Song of Ice and Fire before me (but not nearly enough), I feel somewhat disturbed by how GRRM deals with childbirth. While I love the books and the complex, nuanced female POV characters the author brings forth, I have do have criticism regarding how women in general are treated in the story, way way to often as mere plot devices. GRRM's use of "death by childbirth" as a gendered way to kill off characters strikes me as particularly problematic, but the way labour and birthing are actually portrayed is also not without issues.

In the realm of asoiaf fanfiction most (but not all, naturally) of what I've read depicting childbirth feels like it's told either from a perspective that is very medicalized and doctor-centric (is that a thing?) or by someone who has learned about it mostly through other forms of fiction. I'm usually bothered with the amount of agency attributed to the woman labouring (too little, imnsho) or with scenarios that speak to an overall lack of knowledge about the physiology of birth.

So I thought I'd try my hand at it. It felt like a really really daunting task, but I really really wanted to see what I could come up with, if I'd be able to write something that felt truthful and gritty, but also delicate and respectful of the experience of giving birth. I chose an outsider point of view for the narrative voice, so we get Arya giving birth through a Gendry POV.

I am very passionate about this subject, and I loved each minute I spent with the text, written hastly in the middle of the night. Once I started writing, it simply flowed.

This is an excerpt:

"It make no matter what you isn't, son. You is the father. A good one, I dare hope. You let her lean on you now." Arya was panting between his legs, still on her knees. Trembling and pale though she was, she was strong. The strongest person I’ve ever known. Naturally she found her might again. She set a foot on the floor in front of her, so she was kneeling on one leg, and then held on to Gendry’s knees behind her to raise herself to a squatting position. Wylla had to be truly happy with what unfolded in front of her; there was a fond smile on her face, so broad Gendry could see the gap where she had lost a tooth.

“Tis perfect, dear. You doing so well! You is fierce. Let us see that babe, m’dear. The babe know the way. You may let come.” Wylla crouched in front of them. “You doing so well dear. You is. I know the hurt. It’ll pass, promise. I can see the head. You wanna feel the head?”

Gendry couldn’t see her face, but he could feel Arya’s smile. That’s why she didn’t want the maester around. This last turn of moon, Sims had been rattling on and on about draughts for the pain, and the necessity of lying still all through labour so not to waste the strength she’d need when came time to push. Bloody idiot.

This fic was inspired by the second prompt of @aryaxgendryweek 2020, "I got your back".

If you're interested and wanna read more, this is the link to it on ao3.

If you're interested in the discussion about women in asoiaf, the dead ladies club by @joannalannister a great place to start.

I love Maeve!Gendry. This makes so much sense. Also refreshing to see a fic where Gendry is really smart (which he is!).

careful as I write her name on the corner of the page

My short attention span is showing… not sure what happened here but have some Friday silliness xoxo

She knew it wasn’t anything special. He did it for tons of people. For all subjects, it seemed. Well, good for him. She wasn’t one to fault anyone for showing a little hustle.

Plus, it reaffirmed that he was smart.

She liked that.

Not that it mattered, because she didn’t mean anything to him. But still.

OR

A very flustered and confused Arya Stark ends up paying the new kid to do her homework that she could easily have done herself

Read it here.

I sometimes rewrite passages from the asoiaf books into my fics. Weird, but I like it. Feels like paying homage. This is one passage I adore in A Clash of King:

Arya scuffed at the ground with her foot, but she let the Bull lead her around to the front of the inn. Rorge's laughter and Biter's hissing followed them. "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."

"You're asking for it, Arry." He drew Praed's longsword. "This is cheap steel, but it's a real sword."

Arya unsheathed Needle. "This is good steel, so it's realer than yours."

The Bull shook his head. "Promise not to cry if I cut you?"

"I'll promise if you will." She turned sideways, into her water dancer's stance, but the Bull did not move. He was looking at something behind her. "What's wrong?"

"Gold cloaks." His face closed up tight.

It couldn't be, Arya thought, but when she glanced back, they were riding up the kingsroad, six in the black ringmail and golden cloaks of the City Watch. One was an officer; he wore a black enamel breastplate ornamented with four golden disks. They drew up in front of the inn. 

Soo I rewrote it in a different context. It’s Gendry’s POV. Check it out:

She was dipping her hand in the water, as if to test the temperature. Gendry stood where he was, waiting for the answer she'd have for him. The sound of the water rippling filled the room for a long moment.

"You want to fuck?" he heard her ask.

He blinked at her, startled. She was the one waiting for an answer now, leaning against the tub.

"I'd dishonor you," was what came out of his mouth.

"You would not."

"You don't know what you're talking."

"You don't know what I know or not."

"You are crazy, m'lady." Somehow she was close enough to grab. "You can't say that to a man."

Arya lifted her chin and her eyes darted to his. "I just said it to you." She was still leaning against the tub, had he crossed to room to be so near her? Gendry shook his head and took a step back.

"You're asking for it, Arya."

She widened wicked eyes at that. "I am."

That is not what I meant. "Promise you won't be talking shit like that again!" His voice sounded hoarser than it should.

"I'll promise if you fuck me."

She smiled with lips and eyes to crumble his resolve. He made to grab her by the waist, but Arya suddenly put her hands on his chest and stopped him. Her brows were furrowed. "What's wrong?" He croaked.

"Steps approaching." Her face was stone.

It couldn't be, he'd heard nothing, but when he glanced back over his shoulder the door was screeching open and Jeyne’s stern face appeared behind it.

By the way every time I do that I make note of it so readers know where I am borrowing/stealing from. This is an excerpt from the second chapter in About Oaths and Wolves. It’s on ao3! 

here:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/25614373/chapters/62173423 

This is *SO CUTE*

Arya x Gendry: 

There’s something in the way I wanna cry That makes me think we’ll make it out alive So come on and show me how we’re good I think that we could do some good, mhm

[enlarge for details] - [template credit]

Not sure if the Ned would be okay with it, but I love it nonetheless.

Ooooh Gendry being Arya's sworn shield would be the perfect way for Ned to let them be toguether under the radar of the northern lords. I think Arya would protest at first, stating that she doesn't need protection, but Ned and Gendry would manage to convince her of the beneficts. Also "I may be the shield, but you're the sword, m'lady".

You have no idea how much I love this take🥺🥰

That quote especially 💚

I was wondering if you would draw Bella (Gendry’s sister) and Arya talking? Thank you!!

Bella turned to Arya. “Don’t he like girls?”Arya shrugged. “He’s just stupid. He likes to polish helmets and beat on swords with hammers.” (Arya V, ASOS)