A/N: As requested by , because she's asking for a story where Gendry is a prince and next-in-line to the throne, while Arya is from a poor family.
Since I'm still in the middle of Leaving Winter, this story might run on a few chapters only…well, depending on the reception. We'll see!
This one's short and probably a bit (or a lot) boring since I'm still trying to establish stuff here. The story would pick up thereafter. Any inconsistency would be my fault, since I find it a bit hard to play with the time period.
Enjoy :)
He was bored to death.
It was his 17th name day in a week's time, and the castle was busy preparing for the feast to come. He was not allowed to wander away from the castle grounds, and Gendry was beyond bored.
Prince Gendry Baratheon, son of King Robert and Queen Cersei (formerly Lannister), first of his name and the only heir to the Baratheon throne. He is called the Bull Prince, not meant to be an insult but otherwise a compliment to his well-muscled frame, his powerful skills at swordfighting, and his knack for taking risks. At 16, he is the epitome of a true-born ruler and the very image of his father when he was his age.
He had just broken his fast and keen on practicing with swords at the training ground when his personal guard, Ser Yoren, gave him the King's order to not let the Prince out of the castle grounds today. Gendry was slightly angered by this, and he demanded to see his father immediately.
"The King is in the middle of an argument with the Hand of the King. Lord Tywin seemed pretty upset about the recent ambushes in the King's Road, but the King said that he cannot afford to send more men to find the perpetrators for more than necessary," Yoren responded.
Gendry sighed. His father is frequently busy and more often than not, stays longer in his study or in the Great Hall to hear the grievances between the lords and to also listen to the lesser folk. His mother, the Queen, understood that the King has a duty to his people although she too misses his presence. Gendry himself is being molded to become a great ruler when his time comes, but if he had the choice, he would be out on adventures with his lowly friends, making the most out of life and having fun.
Having fun, he thought. Only my friends show me what having fun means.
"Ser Yoren," he said in a whisper. The knight moved closer, getting the hint that hushed tones meant secrets that could lead them into trouble. "If anyone asks where I am, you must say that I am in my room reading a book and wishes not to see people until I finish reading the books so."
Yoren stared blankly at the Prince; trying to decide whether this would be a good idea or a bad one. "But what if the King asks for you, what should I say?"
Gendry frowned. "You do remember that this isn't the first time we've done this sneaking out, right? I'm sure your brain would think of something cunning. By cunning, I mean the No, I did not go to the tavern or brothel kind of cunning."
Yoren looked at his charge for a while. He knew that the Prince did not really have a knack for following rules, and that he was bull-headed at best. Once he got his mind onto something, he makes sure he gets it. So if Prince Gendry says he will leave the castle grounds, he will leave the castle grounds, with or without escort.
"It might be best to stay closer to the castle, my lord. It would be easier to call for you if needs be," Yoren replied.
"Very well," Gendry answered with a nod. "You know where to find me, then."
"With your new friend, the blacksmith's daughter?" Yoren inquired.
Gendry smiled brightly, his handsome features lighting up at the mention of the smith's daughter. "Yes. I shall spend time with my new friend this morn and be back this afternoon, unless you call for me. But," Gendry raised his finger to Yoren. "Only when necessary. Remember that, Yoren. I shall be happily practicing with wooden swords and climbing trees and playing blind man's bluff with the smith's daughter."
"Take the hidden passage, as usual. Be safe, my lord."
"I shall be back sooner than you know."
Gendry quickly ran from the castle's hidden passage and straight into the gates that lead to the city. He donned his traveling cloak to conceal his face; making sure that no one would recognize him and reveal his true identity. And even if Yoren allows him to run free to see the smith and his daughter, Gendry knows that his loyal guard sends a secret guard or two to make sure that he is safe within the lesser folk.
As soon as Gendry stepped inside the forge and was greeted by the heat from the furnace, he put his hood down and smiled at the blacksmith. Gendry found him a warm-hearted man, kind and loving to his daughter and respectful of others, regardless of their stature. He spent hours on some days just talking to the new smith, who has recently held the position of blacksmith to House Baratheon.
"Good morn, Ned," Gendry greeted him with a smile. "Is your daughter here?"
Ned Stark, once an apprentice and now respected craftsman of iron and metal, has come to King's Landing to work for the Baratheons. A man of the North, he favors the icy cold winters of Winterfell, to the heat of King's Landing. Gendry knew that only loyalty to the King and his love for his craft were the only reasons why Ned remained here.
"I believe she's up there in her favorite spot and even if she does not say it, I know she waits for you, my lord," the smith answered.
"Please," Gendry said with soft eyes. "Call me Gendry. I demand no formalities when it is merely us. I have enough people calling me My Prince, Your Grace and My Lord in the castle. I shall hear none of those from you."
"I cannot do as you ask, my lord," answered Ned, his eyes remaining downcast. "If anyone hears of it, my head will be on a spike as fast as I could say my name."
"Then I must command it from you," Gendry said firmly. "We are friends, aren't we? I find no need to receive formalities from friends."
Ned heaved a deep sigh. "As you command it. Shall I fetch my daughter for you? She's been climbing trees this morning, and the Seven knows how tired I am of reminding her that young girls do not climb trees nor do they play with wooden swords."
Gendry laughed. "I have already disturbed you from your work. Do carry on. I know where to find her. It's that big old tree a ways from here, is it not?"
Ned smiled and nodded in answer.
Gendry returned the kind man's smile. "Then I shall go and see to it that Arya does not break her neck from climbing trees."
"What took you so long? I've been climbing trees since early this morning," Arya Stark said as soon as he took the space beside her.
"I had to sneak out today," he explained as he took the apple she offered him. "My father forbade me to leave the castle grounds because of some recent ambushes happening at the King's Road. They must fear for my safety, especially that my na-" Gendry immediately shut his mouth before he could speak further.
"What?" Arya said with a tilt of her head. "Because your name day is fast approaching?"
Gendry could only shrug.
"Only those who still cling to their mother's skirts follow the rules," Arya said with a grin. "And you most definitely have a knack for not following the rules."
"How observant, My Lady Stark," Gendry answered her grin with one of his own.
Arya's face changed into a frown. "Do not call me My Lady! I am not one and only a lowly smith's daughter. Do not mock me so, for I will stick you with this pointy end of my sword!"
Gendry laughed. "To be honest, you really are no lady because no proper young lady climbs trees and cusses, and eats like she hasn't eaten for days. And besides, you're always in breeches, that no one will recognize you as being a girl."
"Shut up, stupid!"
Gendry laughed harder, making Arya grasp onto the tree branch harder, lest they both fall to the ground. "See, you're the only one who calls me stupid!"
"No, no, no! Hot Pie calls you idiot, on the other hand," Arya replied.
"How sweet of Hot Pie," Gendry said with a roll of his eyes.
Arya laughed this time, and Gendry couldn't help but express his mirth too.
"Last one on the ground shall bring the best hot pies everyday for the rest of the week!" she said.
"Deal! Hey!" Gendry exclaimed when Arya was already jumping and crawling from limb to limb. "You little cheat! Arya!"