Game of Thrones: Everything I Never Knew I Wanted

Chapter 1 of a new Game of Thrones story, Arya/Gendry pairing, enjoy.

Important Notes: In this story the hunt for Robert's bastards started earlier so Gendry was taken to Winterfell by his mother for safety. They were received and sheltered by Ned, who realized at once who Gendry was. Ned never became Hand of the King and a different match was made for a Stark/Baratheon marriage alliance. Finaly note, in this story Arya is 17, Gendry is 22. The only ages can be worked out from that, using TV series as a base; for example, Bran is 16 in this.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 1: Panic

Arya was pacing around her room, frantic; her mind was racing.

'Shit, this is bad.' She thought to herself; although it was difficult to focus with her mind in such a whirl. 'What am I going to do? What do I do?'

She forced herself to stop pacing and calm down. She looked at herself in the mirror, grey eyes wide with confusion and panic stared back at her. She ran her fingers through her light brown hair, trying to compose herself. The reason for her panic was simply, she had been missing her blood for the past two moons; which meant only one thing, she was pregnant. She knew who the father was too; the Smith's apprentice, Gendry.

'But, this can't be right, we were always so careful.' She fretted; it was true, she always took Moon Tea after her nights with Gendry. If she couldn't find it he spilled his seed on her belly instead of inside her.

The old woman from Winter Town, who gave her the Moon Tea, had confirmed her pregnancy. Arya's mind was reeling from the implications; he was older than her, at least six years older and the bastard child of a simple tavern woman and an unknown man, but her most prominent worry was the fact she was already betrothed. What would her betrothed think, would this cause problems.

She shook her head; she couldn't think about these things, not now. She had more important things to do; it was risky, she knew, but she had to go and see Gendry and tell him the truth. So she made up her mind and left her room. She was careful to avoid any of her family members and soon arrived at the forge. Mikken was nowhere to be seen, Gendry was working the forge. He looked up and smiled when he saw her. However he then noticed she was paler than usual and her tight expression; he put down his tools and came over to her.

"What's wrong Arry?" He asked; using the affectionate nickname he had given her. "Has something happened?"

"Can we talk in private, please, this is important." She told him.

He looked confused but nodded and led her through the back to his room. She bit her lip; it was in this room, not long after her sixteenth nameday, she and Gendry had begun their love affair. It had only become sexual three months after her nameday, now past seventeen; they had been secret lovers for just over a year. They had been friends for a long time; she had been only a baby when he had come to Winterfell with his mother, fleeing some danger. His mother had died a year or so later due to illness caused by the cold; but he had survived and began working as Mikken's apprentice. Since then he had settled in well and was now part of her life.

These thoughts flashed through her mind as she looked around the room she knew so well; almost as well as her own room back in the castle. Gendry sat on the bed; the bed they had shared so many nights of passion, she sat next to him and took his hand.

Finally he broke the silence. "Arya, I'm getting worried."

She sighed; she couldn't hide the truth from him anymore.

"I've been missing my blood for the past two moons." She confessed; by the clueless look on his face he hadn't figured it out yet.

She sighed and took his hand placed it on her belly. Realization dawned on his features and to her surprise he smiled; the biggest smile she had ever seen. He then kissed her, deeply, she returned the kiss eagerly. However he then remembered something and pulled back.

"You're betrothed…" He breathed; his voice sounded far away.

She bowed her head sadly. "I know; I never wanted it…But what choice did I have…? Now this happens." She stopped and then let out a sigh. "I don't want to leave…I should probably say this more but…I love you."

She smiled as she said the last three words; he returned the smile; knowing how much such a simple phrase meant from her.

He pondered their choices; knowing how their actions would have consequences which greatly affected both of them.

"I love you too Arry. But what are you going to do?" He asked. "I mean, you can always take Moon Tea and…"

To his surprise she vehemently shook her head.

"No, I…I can't, I don't want to…" She paused for a moment and sighed again. "I never wanted kids before…But, a black haired blue-eyed blacksmith won't leave my mind…And he's changed so much about me."

She smiled at him knowingly; he returned the smile before pulling her into an embrace. He saw the smile leave her face, as the full weight of everything fell on her. She looked so small, so…vulnerable. It was a rare sight; he kissed the top of her head.

"We're going to figure this out together, I promise." He told her as he lay down, pulling her down with him.

They lay together for some time; enjoying the quiet, thinking about what had happened, what they would have to do, what they could do? Finally however Arya had to leave, or people would become suspicious of her disappearance, Gendry had to return to work. So with one last kiss they parted and she returned to her room. Once there she walked over to her mirror and lifted her tunic to bear her stomach. She had hated dresses and 'ladylike behaviour' her whole life. Despite the best efforts of her mother, sister and Septa to make her one; she resisted and finally won out in the end, wearing breeches and tunics, more befitting for males and carrying her own sword, a thin Bravos blade called Needle. Her stomach was still flat; she found it hard to believe there was a small new life growing in there. She knew however it would not stay flat for long, then everyone would know the truth.

Sansa was worried about Arya; after her younger sister had her first blood; it would always come four days after Sansa's. But Arya had missed her blood for the past two moons. She decided to confront Arya about it and get to bottom of what was going on. She approached her sister's chambers and knocked on the door before entering. She froze when she saw the sight before her. Arya had also froze, still standing in front of her mirror, tunic raised, a hand on her belly. Suddenly it all made sense to Sansa as she saw this and put it all together.

"You're pregnant?!"

Arya turned, letting go of her tunic; her expression frantic. "Sansa, quiet, you want everyone to hear you?"

Sansa fully entered the chamber, closing the door behind her.

She shook her head. "You're not even denying it?"

Arya shook her head.

"I can't believe it." Sansa groaned. "Arya, you're betrothed."

"Sansa, please…"

"Who is the father?" She asked; shocked at how harsh her voice sounded.

Arya noticed it too and stiffened; shaking her head.

"Sansa." Her voice was barely over a whisper.

Sansa shook her head. "You have a duty to your family, Arya. They could start a war against us, they could abandon father. Didn't you stop to think about that?"

Sansa was shocked to see her younger but much stronger sister start to cry, the tears spilled over, but she refused to move.

Sansa wanted to go and comfort Arya; but she didn't; she couldn't stop thinking about the consequences of her sister's actions. So many people could get hurt, all for one simple impulsive act.

"Family, Duty, Honour." She recited. "Our mother's words, Arya; just as important as our father's words."

With that final admonishment, Sansa left her sister's chambers, in search of her mother. She knew her mother would know what to do about this.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.