Hey everyone, this is my first Fic and I would really appreciate your thoughts so don't hesitate to let me know what you think.

This first chapter is pretty much what happens in book two and season 2 and shouldn't have any spoilers or content beyond that. After this I will still be using a few details from GRRM just until I get the ball rolling on where I want the story to go.

None of the characters are mine, they fortunately belong to George R. R. Martin.

Enjoy :).

A Realization

He rode up to the smithy as the previous Hand of the King had done before him. He wasn't sure what it was he was looking for nor what to expect when he got there but nonetheless there were questions he needed answered. He left Jory standing with the horses as he approached the blacksmith.

"What can I do for you M'lord?" Tobho Mott asked with the utmost respect for the new Hand of King Robert. He seemed to be proud of the visit at this moment.

"I have heard that Lord Jon Arryn had been here not too long before his death. I am here to inquire why that might have been," Ned stated looking around the smithy to see if there may be any clues he could pick up on.

"He was here to see the boy," Tobho said solemnly, all pride vanishing from before.

"Then I must see him as well," Ned said with a tone of authority. The blacksmith summoned a young lad he called by the name of Gendry who seemed to be about ten and five with a masculine build, he had muscles that corded his arms and chest. Ned noticed that he had the bluest of eyes and blackest of hair that sat shaggy upon his head. Looking at the boy he tried to think of why such a boy would be of such interest to Jon Arryn and how such a thing could result in his demise.

After a short introduction, the blacksmith touched Gendry upon his shoulder and told him to show Lord Stark the helm he had made. The boy disappeared behind a cupboard and came back carrying an iron helm that was shaped into the head of a bull. It was finely crafted, the details intricate and it was evident that it had required a lot of labour. Ned turned it over in his hands looking at it with intrigue.

"This is very fine work you have here boy," he said impressed. "I would be pleased if you would let me bu..."

"It's not for sale," he said in interruption. This was the first time that he spoke since coming forward from the forge. It was evident in his tone that he was not looking for the respect of a highborn lord. He reached out and took his helm back from the lord before taking a few steps back.

"Please pardon him m'lord," Tobho said before turning back to the boy with a look of what seemed to be both embarrassment and authority. "Gendry, Lord Stark honours you with asking. You should gift him with the helm as thanks."

"I made it for me," he said as stubborn as steel.

"No need for apologies, the boy seems quite attached and has put a lot of work into it," Ned stated with an amused look upon his face. "Gendry, I would like to know of your visits with Lord Arryn. What did he talk to you about?"

"He would ask me questions is all, m'lord."

"What would he ask you?"

"First he asked me 'bout me work, then whether I've been treated well, if I like it here," He began careful not to make eye contact with Ned. It was evident that the topic made him uncomfortable. "Then, he would ask me 'bout me mother, m'lord."

"Your mother?" Ned asked with an air of confusion running through his mind.

"Who she was and what she looked like."

"And what did you tell him?"

"She died when I was young," he had a pain in his voice as he said this. "She had yellow hair and would sing to me. She worked in an alehouse."

"Look at me."

The boy lifted his head to look at Lord Stark for the first time and it was then that the wheels in Ned's head stopped turning and he came to a realization. He saw the broad jawline and the piercing blue eyes and it was then that he saw his best friend, King Robert, when they were just boys living as wards together. The dark hair made it all too clear in Ned's mind.

"Go back to work boy, sorry to have bothered you," Gendry gives a slight bow before backing away and returning to hammering metal at the back of the smithy. Ned turns his attention back to the blacksmith. "You know who he is. Who paid his apprenticeship fees?"

"He is a strong boy, m'lord," he avoids making eye contact and Ned can tell that he is nervous at this moment. "I took him on with no fee."

"You lie," Ned claims eyeing Tobho unwavering. After a few minutes of silent and an almost threatening glare from Ned he finally spoke.

"It was a Lord," he states in defeat. "He wore no sigil, m'lord. He paid twice the fee. One for the boy and one for my silence."

"Thank you for your time, you are not to discuss this any further with anyone but I," Ned turns to leave then and walks out of the smithy to join Jory with the horses.