Game of Thrones: The New Stark
Chapter 7 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 7
Seated at the hight table, Rickon looked rather uncomfortable; so too did Shireen. While a feast was due to be held anyway to welcome King Stannis and his retinue for their visit, it now gained an additional layer with the announcement of his betrothal; an announcement which still left him feeling strange.
'I don't get it, why am I so; urgh I mean, we hardly even...' He thought.
Looking over at Shireen, he saw her glancing over at him, offering a quick shy smile before turning her gaze elsewhere.
Rickon bit his lip, unable to deny. 'She is...pretty, in a different way from most. Even though others can't see it, neither can she from what she said...'
As he reflected on this; he began to wonder. No doubt there was some reason behind such a betrothal being made; beyond what was told to him. Yet despite this he felt strangely drawn to her.
'I wonder, could we...make it work?' He found himself thinking. 'We'd have to work at it; especially as we don't know that much about each other, except for stories. But she's strong, stronger than she thinks, or anyone sees. I can see it.'
He had to admit, noting the strength hidden within Shireen, he couldn't help but feel relieved. It was one of his worries, would she be strong enough for the North. Yet it seemed she was, it was hidden, but that strength was indeed there.
Some time later during the feast, as there was less sitting around eating, more mingling, Shireen bit her lip, standing. She knew she needed to get to know Rickon better. But there was something else she wished to do too. She nervously approached Gendry, who was alone for the moment. His wife Arya; Shireen had been warned against calling her Lady, was talking to Lady Sansa and Lady Catelyn right now. As she approached she began wondering, what should she say, she also wondered about his reaction.
"Um, Ser Gendry..." She said at last.
He turned to her and, to her relief, smiled. There was no revulsion in his eyes, despite her Greyscale.
"Princess, hello, do you need something?"
She shook her head. "I just, wanted to talk. I mean we are related after all yet we do not know much about each other"
He nodded slowly and Shireen fumbled for a subject.
"Um, well...First, let me congratulate you, for your upcoming fatherhood." She said at last.
It felt lame, but he smiled nevertheless. "Thank you, Arya and I are both looking forward to it. It will be journey indeed, difficult yet...we believe it will be worth it all."
Shireen smiled; relieved to hear that and, with that, she began to feel more at ease, soon they slipped into simple conversation. Yet never once did his kindness or politeness fade.
Selyse raised an eyebrow, watching this talk between her daughter and the baseborn Blacksmith the Starks saw fit to knight and then actually let into their family.
'By having him marry their wild daughter no less...' She reminded herself.
Yet what she saw was rather impressive. Despite his lowly status, his time spent with the Starks seemed to have taught him well and he was surprisingly humble.
Selyse shook her head. 'Despite being elevated to noble status, he still addresses the nobles as his betters and he's being so kind and polite to Shireen...polite to everyone.'
She couldn't deny it; despite herself. She was in fact impressed. She wasn't the only one, it was clear that Gendry's actions as a noble had caught the attention of Stannis and several others and all of them were indeed impressed with what they saw.
Unaware of this however; Gendry continued to be himself; smiling widely as Arya came back and sat by him. She smiled back, it seemed their lives would be busy for the foreseeable future; yet in a way that made the anticipation worthwhile.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
