Gendry's End Game

    Gendry, bastard son of King Robert Baratheon, has had quite the journey.  We first learn of him when Ned stumbles upon what Jon Arryn was up to before his untimely death- figuring out Robert's blond hair green eyed children aren't really his. Tracing Jon Arryn's steps, Ned finds Gendry working for Tobho Mott as an apprentice. Gendry turns out was placed there by a "stout brown bearded man with a hooded face" who paid twice the amount it normally costs to be an apprentice.  It's been speculated that Mr. Stout hooded Face is none other than the spider himself, Varys. Anyone else would have been this is some sketchy stuff but not Tobho Mott as he was all about the milk money so he could care less. 

"The boy is my apprentice. Who he was before he came to me, that's none of my concern." -Tobho Mott (Game of Thrones, Eddard VI)

    

    Gendry has some mad skills and makes this impressive helmet that's shaped like a bull's head. Why? Not sure as Ned tried to throw some coin at him and he says no. Mr. Milk Money Tobho Mott got some hurt feelings from that.  From the other books, he never seems to do anything with it other than polish it. It's there that Ned says if Gendry ever wants to be a swordsman instead of a blacksmith he should hit him up. Not really sure the motive there. Maybe it's loyalty to his BFF Robert? Maybe he thinks his mad skills would translate to swordplay? 

    So Gendry, the spitting image of a Baratheon upon first glimpse, is placed with the number one armorer in Westeros who knows how to work Valyrian steel. He's been hit up by Loras Tyrell, Renley Baratheon, Tywin Lannister, and a host of big wigs at various times for some bling. Why would hiding Gendry there be a good move? Ned Stark, while he was Robert's BFF, knew right away on first sight that boy was Robert's. How would someone who works for Renley or Tywin not spot him and be like "Yo that Tobho Mott's boy looks just like Robert"? No worries though as that comes into play once Ned's "honorable but dumb self" decided to tell Cersei her incestious ways were done for.  Stout man Varys comes to the rescue and tells Tobho Mott to send Gendry to the Wall to protect him. Funny enough seems like everyone and their moms know he's someone important- or the very least good money since Cersei wants him dead.

    Fast forward to the Brotherhood Without Banners and we see Gendry is all about that lifestyle. Not sure what the criteria was outside of joining the crew, but Beric Dondarrion knights Gendry.

"Arise Ser Gendry, knight o f the hollow hill, and be welcome to our brotherhood." - Beric to Gendry  (A Storm of Swords, Arya VII)

    Seeing Beric return to live various times, maybe talking with Thoros of Myr during his down time, and more than likely his life wasn't all that great under the Faith of the Seven, Gendry has accepted R'hllor by the time he encounters Brienne of Tarth at the crossroads. (Cue "Crossroads" by Bone Thugs N Harmony). Once again we see the first glance impression come to play with Brienne of Tarth thinking "hot damn this dude is a Baratheon".  Brienne questions Gendry about who his parents are and all the follow up questions based on it. Is it a coincidence that this theme keeps coming up?  

    The Inn of the Crossroads at this point in time has become a shelter for orphans based on the wars and shenanigans of folks like the Brave Companions. Gendry ends up saving Brienne by shanking Biter. Shortly after the Brotherhood captures Brienne to which Gendry follows them for a bit before deciding the orphans need his protection so he needs to go back.  Clearly he's still affiliated with the Brotherhood even after Beric Dondarrion's death but it's unclear his relationship/thoughts on Lady Stoneheart.  And here is where Gendry's story has left off.

    Gendry's two major characteristics / themes that are on display in almost every scene he's involved with. Gendry has mad skills as a blacksmith- so much so that his life is spared various times and he's knighted. The other theme is that he is never once doubted as being a Baratheon- soon as someone sees him "BARATHEON!" Gendry's path most mirrors Jon Snow's to the point where they are almost identically outside of events and people they encounter: 

• High profile parentage 

• Hidden identity to protect him from folks who would want him dead

• No clue who he really is

• Runs off to join a group/do something with his life 

• Both gain a title- Ser Gendry / Lord Commander

• Both with a sworn duty to protect their "assignments" - The Inn and The Wall

• Both are beloved/important to Arya Stark

So where will Gendry's go from here? What's his endgame?  Without a doubt Gendry will be hitting up his two major plot points- blacksmith skills and being a Baratheon. 

    First and foremost his blacksmith skills will come into play in several possible ways. I think one that has a 50/50 shot involves Brienne. The last we saw Brienne she was given the options of sword or noose by Lady Stoneheart. The sword, Oathkeeper, was a trigger for Lady Stoneheart due to the golden lion head as its pummel which she interpreted as Brienne being team Lannister. 

    In the event you forgot, which if you're reading GOT tinfoil theories you more than likely haven't, Oathkeeper is one part of House Stark's ancient Valyrian steel sword Ice. Once Ned got his head removed from his body and years of unsuccessful struggles of obtaining a Valyrian sword for House Lannister, Tywin decided why not get a 2 for 1 deal by melting down Ice. Of course all this down by Mr. Milk Money Tobho Mott who could care less if the money is good. So Oathkeeper and Widow's Wail are forged. Jaime gives Oathkeeper to Brienne and Widow's Wail ends up with Joffrey. Joffrey gets himself merked which no one except his mom cares about and Widow's Wail currently resides with Tommen.

    So what does this have to do with our boy Gendry? Well Gendry is in league with the Brotherhood with Banners meaning his boss is Lady Stoneheart.  Gendry was Tobho Mott's apprentice so more than likely he has a fair amount of knowledge on how the reforging of Valyrian steel works. Once it is discovered where Oathkeeper came from, I would think Lady Stoneheart will be all about getting Widow's Wail and having Gendry reforge Ice and restore House Stark's family sword. But Widow's Wail is with Tommen, King of Westeros, there's no way Robert's bastard son would be dumb enough to go get that. Strap your tin foil hats tight, this is where Arya Stark comes into play.

    Arya Stark without will return from the land of being No One to check off her list of trifling fools. I would suspect she'll reconnect with Gendry. Find out what's he's after and want a piece of it considering House Lannister killed off Ned, Robb, and Catelyn (who she will not be informed is Lady Stoneheart). Tommen's going to die if we believe the Maggy the Frog prophecy. So why not do a 2 for 1 deal where we get Tommen's AND Cersei's death by the Valonqar. Anyway she gets Widow's Wail for Gendry and he reforges Ice from the two swords.

    Another possibility for Gendry's blacksmith skills revolves around The Others. Events unfold when the Others show up for war and we learn Valyrian steel is the only way we stand a chance. Sam was sent to the Citadel to get some information, it's fairly possible he's going to discover the process of making Valyrian steel from there. Tobho Mott is all about the money, but Gendry as we've seen from protecting Arya, saving Brienne, and saving the orphans is all for the greater good.  In addition he's in a prime location- the Crossroads- where Sam  (if going by land based on his weak stomach) will no doubt cross.  He will no doubt utter "you look like Robert Baratheon!" first and then go into a "oh you know how to work with Valyrian? Check this out." mode. Whatever route George RR Martin goes, Gendry will be forging weapons and/or armour made of Valyarian steel.  

    The other major plot point for Gendry is being a Baratheon. So where will that play into the story? Given Gendry's bastard status/past is very parallel to Jon's, this will have to play out as well for him. For the most part, the would be rulers of Westeros are going to want Gendry out of the way once they are aware of him.  As of the end of A Dance with Dragons the power players are the following:

• Cersei Lannister

• Stannis Baratheon

• Doran Martell

• Varys

• Faegon

• Daenerys Targaryen

    Cersei, Stannis, and Faegon will definitely want Gendry out of the way to rule out any threats to their claim on the throne. Doran seems to be playing both sides of Faegon and Daenerys so Gendry would not be important to him.  Varys saved Gendry twice which points to him being a backup plan if Faegon fails.  Of the major players in or coming to Westeros, there's only one who will most willing to legitimize Gendry as a Baratheon is Daenerys Targaryen.

    So why would Daenerys Targaryen be willing to legitimize Gendry? Isn't he a threat to her claim of the Iron Throne? Actually he's not. Of the power contenders, Daenerys, while wanting to reclaim what is "rightfully" her family's rule, appears to be working outside of the system and for reform. The others, regardless of playing fair or not, are sticking within the established system. Even Faegon has been taught the ways of Westeros and insiders working with him (Jon Connington, Varys, Doran). He's not looking to do more than just claim the throne. If you're playing within the system, a technicality like Gendry doesn't work for you. 

    Daenerys legitimizing Gendry as Baratheon will be great street cred for her within Westeros. From a public relations standpoint, what's better than a "charity" case of giving status to a common man that the current unpopular Queen regent wants him killed? You also get the whole "oh look she's gives mercy" which will invoke imagery similar to Aegon's conquest where he gave options to everyone before going to battle with them. Depending on who is advising Daenerys at the time, she might be told she needs to make alliances aka a marriage to solidify she's down to staying in Westeros.  Her options aren't going to be very good when it comes to significant Houses in Westeros  due to who opposes her and what young stallions are going to be left. Marrying into a lesser house more than likely wouldn't mean anything. Why not conquer the Seven Kingdoms and the former ruling house? I mean technically we all know it's the Lannisters but Baratheon is the name on the marquee so let's just pretend like everyone else in Westeros. 

    If not due to marriage to Daenerys, Gendry's going to get legitimized due to his help in the War for the Dawn. We've established he's going to me making Valyrian steel weapons and armor so he'll get points for that. He more than likely will be seeing action on the battlefield  which he will no doubt stand out with his bull helmet getting some good use. If you look at the previous heroes that everyone goes wild for, they all had some sort of weapon/armor that stood out: Robert with his war hammer, Ned  with Ice, Thoros with his flaming sword, Arthur Dayne with Dawn, etc. Are you going to tell me a dude rocking a bull helmet on the battlefield isn't going to get noticed or be exaggerated when the bards sing their songs? Gendry looks the part and given his honorable tendencies (protecting Arya, saving Brienne, protecting the orphans) he no doubt will be doing his part to save the world.

    So will Gendry end up with Arya? I highly doubt it. I think they will reunite with friend zone intact. I think her role will be to introduce Gendry and his skills to either Jon Snow or Daenerys. We can speculate on Arya's end game in another post. I believe her love for Gendry is due to his similarities to Jon Snow aka protective older brother. I don't see Gendry falling in love as he's driven much like a Brienne to make something of himself.

    When all is said and done, I believe Gendry will be Gendry Baratheon, Lord of the Stormlands due to his role in helping in the War for the Dawn against the Others. He will be talked about with great reverence like his old man Robert was during the Rebellion. Maybe the third time's a charm and we'll see House Baratheon and House Stark joined by the marriage of Gendry and Sansa Stark. They would be a good pairing- depending on situations and availability- Gendry gets a student of the political game in Sansa and she gets a feeling of protection/safety.