A/N: So here is the welcoming/birthday party, from Arya's POV and next chapter will be a Gendry POV. I'll be taking POV requests and the most popular request after each chapter will be the next POV.

Arya really didn't want to go to this thing. She had never been the partying type and for Robert Baratheon to throw a huge party for her family and for her truly annoyed her. Perhaps she could sneak out after a while…but then it would most likely get back to her parents and she would end up grounded.

Arya, when she could be bothered, truly tried to behave as a princess and lady of society, but nothing ever seemed to go right for her. The paparazzi followed her everywhere (though nothing had come out about hers and Gendry's meeting which she was thankful for), and every single move was monitored. One toe out of line and she made front page news.

Arya shuddered when she remembered the time she had snuck out of the palace with a kitchen boy named Mat when she was fourteen. They had stayed out all night, smoking marijuana that Mat had nicked from a friend of his and the next day there was an unflattering picture of Arya cuddled up to Mat on the front page of the newspaper. She had been grounded for three months for that stunt and Mat had been dismissed from Winterfell.

Arya knew that her parents had a lot on their plates and she knew her rebelling and acting out only served to stress them out more, but there was something thrilling about the adventure of breaking rules. Arya didn't know what it was, but something in her was compelled to testing the boundaries.

The car pulled up to the Red Keep, home of the Southern Royal Family. Arya rolled her eyes at the pretentiousness of the South – Winterfell was much more practical. She got out of the car and ignored the flashing cameras and the "Happy Nameday" shouts from the press and from the people invited to this event. She held Rickon's hand as she entered the Keep, getting through security easily and found herself in the foyer.

Her family followed her in and Ned and Robert embraced like brothers. Cersei and Catelyn greeted each other and after they calmed down, the children stepped forward.

"Here's my son and heir, Joffrey," Robert said proudly. Arya rolled her eyes at the arrogant smirk on Joffrey's face, his lanky frame not even reaching Robert's shoulder. "My daughter, Myrcella and my youngest, Tommen," Robert continued. Arya eyed Myrcella – she was attractive, definitely. She had all the beauty of Cersei but none of the coldness it seemed. Arya decided she would get to know Myrcella. Her gaze slid to Tommen who was Bran's age and she smiled, remembering the cherubic boy from the Starks' last visit.

"Please allow us to introduce our children," Ned said formally. "This is our oldest daughter, Sansa." Sansa stepped forward with a pretty blush and curtsied perfectly and Arya rolled her eyes. Perfect Sansa, I-can-do-no-wrong Sansa…

"Our youngest daughter Arya," Ned continued and Arya stepped forward dutifully, reminding herself that she was doing this for her parents and she curtsied. She knew it wasn't as good as Sansa's, but at least she didn't stumble this time.

"Our son Bran." Bran stepped forward and bowed. "And our youngest, Rickon." Rickon smiled widely and bowed deeply and Arya smiled fondly at him. He reminded her of herself when she was a ten year old wild child.

Arya felt eyes on her and she looked over at Robert who was watching her with something unfamiliar in his eyes. Arya shivered and looked away. She wouldn't deny the look in his eyes had unsettled her and she caught Cersei glaring at her.

"Shall we head in?" Cersei asked with crisp formality.

"That would be lovely," Catelyn answered and everyone went into the dining hall adjacent to the entrance hall.

Arya entered the dining hall and saw the place was crowded. There was music playing and Arya vaguely recognised the tune, and there were tables and chairs everywhere. Arya watched as Robert took a swig from a wine glass before going to the head table, capturing everyone's attention. "The Starks have arrived!" he said in his booming voice and a cheer rang in the air. "Tonight is all about welcoming the Starks to the South!" Arya sagged in relief when Robert sat down – she didn't want too much attention on her nameday.

"Shall we sit?" Ned asked and Arya nodded, following her family to the high table. A few minutes passed and Arya saw a tall, handsome blond man walk onto the dais and take a seat next to Arya. She deduced this must be Jaime Lannister, the queen's twin brother.

"Princess Arya," Jaime greeted. "Still playing with swords?"

"I could best you, Ser Jaime," Arya teased and Jaime chuckled.

"With that little rapier your cousin gave you?" he asked her.

"Definitely," Arya answered. Jaime shook his head and took a drink.

"How's life been treating you?" he asked.

"Not bad," Arya answered. "I miss Winterfell."

"Understandable," Jaime said sympathetically. "There are days I still miss Casterly Rock."

"I'm already melting down here," Arya complained.

"Just wait for next month," Jaime told her. "That's when it gets really hot." Arya groaned and took a drink, watching as the staff started dishing out entrees.

"I look forward to seeing you best me in swordplay," Jaime told Arya with a wink.

"Thank you for the boost of confidence," Arya replied.

"Of course, I am stronger," Jaime teased.

"I'm quicker," Arya countered.

"You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" Jaime teased with a smile.

"Only when I want to be," Arya said. They ate the rest of the entrée in silence.

The main course was brought out – beef ribs in red wine sauce with potato mash, carrot, corn, peas, broccoli and pumpkin and gravy. Arya's mouth watered – beef was among her favourite foods and she had to remind herself that she was in public and therefore had to eat at a reasonable pace. She forced herself to take her time even though every instinct was telling her to wolf the meal down.

"This one is for your nameday," Jaime told her. "Robert had it specially prepared when your father told him it was your favourite. Many happy returns."

"Thanks," Arya answered. "It's so good. Why did Robert not call attention to my nameday?"

"Your father told him to keep it discreet," Jaime said with a wink. "But sixteen is still a special occasion. Have you ever been kissed or are you sweet sixteen?" Arya tensed as she remembered the kiss Mycah had given her, the kiss that had ended their lifelong friendship.

"No," she lied. "I've never been kissed."

"Well then, there's plenty of time for that throughout your life," Jaime said.

"Why did you never marry?" Arya blurted out. She blushed, knowing that she had most likely spoken out of turn, but Jaime sat back with a calculating look on his face.

"I never felt the need to settle down," he said quietly, his gaze somewhere Arya couldn't see properly. "And then I guess I never found the right woman." He smiled at her. "Besides, I recall you being against the very idea of boys."

"I was also nine years old," Arya pointed out, relaxing. "Times have changed." She watched as the dessert was brought out and realised with horror that it was a large birthday cake.

"I'm afraid everyone will know it's your nameday now," Jaime said.

"Great," Arya groaned.

"You should be happy," Sansa scolded lightly from Arya's other side. "Sixteen years old Arya. In two years you'll be a legal adult."

"Hooray," Arya said drily. Jaime smiled and Arya burned red as everyone was looking at her.

"Tonight marks another special occasion," Cersei called out. "Tonight is Princess Arya's sixteenth nameday." Arya suppressed a groan as a chorus of "Happy namedays" sounded before the cake was brought before her.

Arya took the knife and cut the cake, relieved when the cake was served so she wouldn't have to make a speech. She watched her parents come to her and opened the package they gave her to reveal a sterling silver necklace with a wolf pendant. Arya was never one for jewellery, but something about her parents giving her a necklace – a proper necklace – choked her up.

"Thank you," she murmured, looking at Ned and Catelyn. "It's beautiful." She put the necklace on and her parents kissed her head.

"Happy nameday Arya," Catelyn said.

"Happy nameday Little Wolf," Ned added. Arya stood and decided to put a real effort into the night.

She saw Renly Baratheon with his not-so-secret boyfriend Loras Tyrell by the bar and ambled over to them.

"A bit young for drinking, aren't you Princess?" Renly asked upon spotting her.

"I'm not here to drink," Arya replied with a smile. She hugged Loras and then Renly. "It's good to see you both again."

"As it's good to see you," Renly said, looking her up and down. "If I was straight I would be chatting you up right now." Arya laughed and sat next to Loras.

"Sorry Renly, you aren't my type," she teased. "Now Loras, on the other hand."

"You aren't my type either," Lora told her with a smirk.

"I dig the gown," Renly gushed. "It's very flattering on you. I must say, you look radiant."

"Thank you," Arya said with a smile. "You two clean up nice."

"Of course we do," Loras scoffed. "I'm not an international fashion designer for nothing."

Arya had been talking with Renly and Loras for a while when she saw her father walk towards them. "It's time to go Little Wolf," he told her before seeing Loras and Renly. "It's good to see you two again." He shook Renly's hand and then Loras' and Arya grabbed her evening bag and stood. She hugged the men goodbye and followed Ned through the dining hall which was emptying.

"Did you have a good time?" Ned asked her as they made their way to the rest of the Starks.

"Surprisingly, yes," Arya answered. "It was great."

"We didn't want too big a fuss," Ned explained. The cold air hit Arya's face as they stepped outside and she followed Ned to the car. "We know you've never been one for parties."

"Thank you," Arya said with a smile. "If it was Sansa, we'd still be there because she'd be making a speech still." Ned chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They reached the car and climbed in, Ned in the passenger seat and Arya in the back with the rest of the family.

"Thank you for putting in the effort tonight," Catelyn said quietly, holding a sleeping Rickon to her. "It means a lot to us."

"I had a lot of fun," Arya replied.

Arya arrived in her room and changed into her favourite shirt and slacks. She opened her laptop on her bed and searched up Myrcella Baratheon. After adding her as a friend, Arya turned off the computer and settled down for the night, looking forward to what the next day would bring.

A/N: GAH I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH MYSELF! I wanted Tyrion and Arya to interact but because I am such a stupid person, I couldn't give them a witty dialogue. :/ I can imagine them just at the bar trying to out-shock each other and then they become besties when they realise they're as bad as the other. Oh well, I will find an opportunity to give them some interaction. I've never been good at writing parties but I hope I passed.
I can see Jaime being observant of this tomboy princess from the last time the Starks were in King's Landing and I can see him giving her little tips and stuff to improve on her fencing/sword-playing. I had to keep the sword playing Arya.
Hope you enjoyed it :) So next chapter will be Gendry and then I'll be taking votes to see who the next POV will be after him. Hope you enjoyed.