Game of Thrones: The New Stark
Chapter 2 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 2
Gendry shifted slightly in his seat as he sat with the rest of the Stark family for breakfast. Of the whole family, only Arya had inherited her late father Eddard's Stark features, such as hair and eye colour.
All the others shared the same auburn hair and blue eyes from their mother, Catelyn, who also sat at the table, occasionally glancing down to where he and Arya sat.
Apart from Robb, the other family members consisted of Sansa, Arya's older sister, the second child of the family; and Arya's two younger brothers, Bran and Rickon. Shifting his gaze from the family, Gendry looked around the room at the other people of Winterfell all gathered and eating.
He suppressed a sigh. 'It's strange, sitting here, knowing that, there are some who, still question my marriage to Arya. Those who, have doubts or struggle to accept me…?'
He nervously glanced up at Catelyn Stark again and then at Sansa. Of the family they were the only ones that expressed any negative opinion about him and Arya marrying. They were not openly against them marrying, but expressed doubts and seemed wary around him, on guard. He knew it would be a struggle for him to find acceptance from them; but he would endure. He knew they only acted this way because they cared deeply about Arya and were concerned for her. He just had to prove to them that he was capable of putting those fears of theirs to rest.
It was only after they had eaten and during a moment when it was just the family that something happened to surprise not just him, but everyone.
"Gendry." Sansa said suddenly, catching his attention.
He turned, eyes wide. "Yes?"
He didn't even have to look to know Arya had stepped up to his side; equally confused.
Sansa approached, it was then Gendry noticed she was holding something.
"I...There's something I wish to give you." She remarked. "It's something I made for you, a gift...as a way to say thank you."
Gendry looked around at the rest of the family, all of them were starting; clearly as surprised as he was. He knew what Sansa was referring too of course; in addition to aiding Arya, Gendry had earned his knighthood after saving Sansa from a group of bandits, at great personal risk.
"I...thank you, but what are you…?" He stammered.
But he never finished for then Arya gasped. "Sansa?"
The others gasped too; all of them amazed; in the case of Catelyn Stark said amazement was mixed with other emotions as she too beheld Sansa's gift. For Sansa had presented Gendry with his very own Stark cloak, that she had made herself according to what she just said.
While it was clear some doubts still remained with her; Gendry knew what this meant. Sansa had accepted him at last. Seeing Arya's grin, he nodded, deeply grateful.
Some time later, there were whisperings throughout Winterfell; mostly about a recent announcement that had been made. The King of the Iron Throne, Stannis Baratheon and his wife, Selyse, were going to be making a visit to Winterfell.
It was to be a formal occasion and for someone like Gendry, a truly nervous time as the skills he had to learn to fit in with nobles would face their sternest test yet. But right now, such worries were clearly far from his mind. Standing nearby, watching Catelyn couldn't help but feel worried as she watched.
'There they go again, even in light of what has been revealed...' Cat reflected.
She was watching Arya in the sparring yard, training with her own sword, Needle. Such activities had long caused issues between herself and her youngest daughter. Yet now, she had finally realized; Arya was who she was and this was part of her, as such, she had come to at least tolerate it.
Gendry was also present, sparring against Arya and practically encouraging her.
Cat shook her head. 'I still have my doubts about him. He is a good person and he makes Arya happy, but still...I think them being together has only encouraged her wildness and not tempered it any. I wouldn't mind them being like this; if they could just learn that there was times when they have to be proper...like this upcoming visit.'
That was her biggest concern; especially as she knew that their visitors from the South, especially Queen Selyse, were unlikely to look kindly on Arya's preferred activities or even something as simple as her manner of dress.
Then there was the matter of her marriage to Gendry and how they'd view that. Cat sighed; this was going to be a very nerve racking visit, she was sure of that.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.