GENDRY POV:

Dragonstone:

"Hurry up Hot Pie we don't have all day!"

"Actually we do! The castle wont move itself and everybody can stop at your command. Settle down you ass!"-

"Hot Pie..." Gendry said in his kingly voice.

"I'm sorry. Settle down your ass...My Prince"-

Ever since he received the letter in Storms End Gendry was beyond delighted. Her mother had written to him to tell him that he was to go to Dragonstone to visit his cousin Shireen since she was back from the North. Gendry adored Shireen, along Cersei they were the only two women that had him wrapped around their little fingers. He hadn't seen Shireen in almost four years! After his wife's death Stannis surprised everyone by taking Shireen to the North with him, everyone said that wasn't an appropriate place for a girl but Stannis just brushed them off and said that he was more than capable of bringing up his own daughter. Since then they had communicated over letters and Gendry was overjoyed that he was going to see her again. He also loved visiting Dragonstone since he found anything Targaryen fascinating. The trip was just what he needed, if only his squire would shut up and follow orders...

"Stay in the ship for all I care, I'm going to see my cousin" He said getting off of his own warship that Cersei had giving him for his last birthday. He gave his personal guard a run for their money as he skipped three steps in one leap running up the impresive stairwell that lead to the castle. He only stopped when he saw a pair of blue eyes just like his.

"Gendry!"- Shireen squeals as she runs to him. More woman than a child as the last time he saw her but still his little princess as he lovingly called her.

"I've missed you so, so, so, soooooo much!"- She says hugging him as he sweeps her off the ground and lifts her in the air.

"Wait a minute! I came here to see my cousin Shireen. Small child, shy as a mouse and always wore black. Who is this beautifull woman that stands before me?" He said examining her at arms length.

"Well, someone said I looked good in colors"- Shireen said giggling as she twirled around in her bright yellow dress. She was smiling and wasn't hiding her greyscale under her hair. She had it put up in an intricate ponytail and she looked strong, not frail. The North did her good.

They quickly went inside the castle and before he knew it it was already nightfall...

"You should go to sleep. You are tired from your trip and we can keep talking tomorrow."-

"I am not a child you know, I can still stay and talk some more. I truly did miss you Shireen"

"As did I Gendry and don't worry, I won't tell anyone I can boss the future King of Westeros around but you still need to sleep"- They had spent all day talking about their lives. Gendry wanted to know everything about the North, about the famous Wall and how was it like to live in cold temperatures while Shireen seemed very interested to know about his quest of finding a Queen. In the end he did as she said and Gendry fell fast asleep only to be awaken in the middle of the night by furious howling.

"For God's sake did you hear that? Dragon's are coming!"- Yelled his squire as he barged in the room, leaping in the bed out of fear.

"Dragons don't howl Hot Pie; Wolves do! But I have to admit they sound alarmingly strong and close but there aren't wolves in Dragonstone, " He said while getting up and looking out the window. It was pitch black but he could still see down below. A hooded figure was walking towards the pier but the yellow dress was a dead giveaway.

"Shireen!" He yelled as he ran out the door barely clothed to reach his cousin. The howls were getting louder and closer and Gendry feared for his cousin as she was outside defenseless to whatever beast was coming. With his sword in hand he ran outside followed by his guards. He reached the pier to late...

"Shireen don't move!" Gendry yelled as the biggest wolf he had ever seen in his entire life jumped in front of Shireen, bearing his fangs to all and eager for fresh blood.

"Wait! Don't shoot!"- Shireen pleaded standing in front of the wolf as two of the guards had their bows pointing at the beast.

"Have you gone mad girl? Stand aside!" Gendry yelled in shock at how Shireen seemed to protect the beast?

"Please, he is harmless. He only thinks you're going to hurt me"- She said as she petted the beast who dwarfed her more than ten sizes. "Please Shaggy calm down. They are my friends"

Easier to be said than done. The beast seemed to react to Shireen's touches but was still growling at them. It's hair was black as night and had bright green eyes that glowed in the dark.

"Back down Shaggydog Do as you are told..."- Said a figure from behind Shireen. It was a young man, skinny in comparison to Gendry but you could tell he was strong. He was well built but his demeanor seemed relaxed hinting no sign of danger. He was followed by yet another wolf with silvery grey fur that seemed to finally subdue the black beast.

"Bran... I wished you could have told me you were coming"- Shireen said welcoming the man wary at Gendry's eyes.

"You know Rickon, he can't stay away from you for long. We just took a mild detour going home."- Said the man not taking his eyes off of Gendry. He wasn't a threat but Gendry felt uneasy under his gaze, like he could see straight to his soul.

"Holy shit!"- Hot Pie screamed finally joining them. He fainted the second he saw the two wolves.

"Direwolves"- The young man said as if reading Gendry's mind "They are direwolves... not wolves"-

While fearing for Shireen's safety Gendry had completely missed the ship that was by the pier. Another figure was climbing down and this time Shireen ran towards it.

"Forgive our rudeness your Highness. I am Brandon Stark of House Stark at your services. We didn't mean to cause a scene"- A Stark? This far from North? Direwolves? Gendry was lost at words even more when the grey wolf approached him. He signaled his men to stand down as the animal sniffed him out of curiosity. Shireen was walking back hand in hand with another man looking shy and nervous.

"Gendry? This is Rickon Stark; my betrothed"-

"Your what?" He yelled making the black wolf angry again.

"Her future husband your Grace"- The man said standing in front of him and bowing in acknowledgement. He seemed younger than the other one but was more built. He was broad shouldered with wild, long hair and a smugness to his demeanor.

"Forgive me for my lack of words my Lords but you have to understand that it's the middle of the night and in front of me I have two large beasts that aren't supposed to exist. I also find out that my little cousin is engaged... so why don't we go inside castle so we can talk things better" Gendry says while throwing a disapproving look at Shireen. She definitely forgot to tell him this tinny bit of information last night.

After picking up an unconscious Hot Pie they all walked in silence to the castle. His men obviously not happy having the crown prince in the presence of such wild and feral beasts but they seemed manageable. At least Shireen seemed safe around them. She even allowed them inside the castle as the quickly went and sat beside the fireplace.

"So... mind telling me what is going on cousin dearest?" Gendry said not even attempting to hide his anger. He hated lies.

"Well it really isn't official but I am to marry Rickon. I came here to collect some dresses and some of mother's jewelry so I could wear then when we announce it"- You couldn't miss the way Shireen shied away from him behind Rickon who didn't seemed intimidated from Gendry. The other Stark; Brandon sat on the table as if were his own home.

"Shireen was supposed to return back to Winterfell with her father so we can make our union official. I was returning from Oldtown with my brother when we decided we should come and see her"-

"What my brother is trying to say is that he couldn't bare to be parted with his beloved and didn't want to waste a second apart. I see that you didn't know about the betrothal but I assure you your Grace that we come with good intentions. Your Lord Uncle is well aware of the marriage plans, we were just waiting for the announcement"- Replied Bran.

"I'm not mad... I just don't like to be kept in the dark, that is all" Gendry muttered. Another marriage. Great! His father was going to go ballistic!

"Oh Gendry"- Shireen said walking over and sitting in his lap like she did millions of times when she was a little girl. "I was going to tell you, I swear I was! It's just that I wanted to talk to you more, letters can't never supplant being face to face and I wanted to know all about you. Father told me how you particularly felt about your own engagement so I didn't want to trouble you"-

"You my li... my Princess will never trouble me. Just be forward with me from now on and don't hold back. Agreed?"

"Agreed!'- She replied while hugging him and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Now let's go to bed and I promise I'll tell you everything about my Wolf in the morning"-

"I hope you leave the bad out"- Rickon chuckled.

"Of course she will or she would be talking for days"- Replied Bran.

...

The next morning Gendry woke up a little later than usual. If anyone knew what was the future King's flaw it would definitely be sleep! Disturb him and he would be cranky all day letting loose the infamous Baratheon wrath to anyone near him.

As he walked down the stairs he heard Shireen and the Stark boys.

"I don't know Shireen, I don't think he would be welcomed"- Said Rickon.

"What do you mean he wouldn't be welcomed? Gendry is one of the most lovable persons I know, I'm sure that once they get to know him the whole North will welcome their Prince"-

"He's a Baratheon Shireen"-

"So? I am as well and they don't seem to have a problem with me!"-

"Good evening Your Highness, nice of you to join us today. Will you prefer to eat breakfast of lunch?"- Asked Bran. How did he know he was there? Gendry was sure he didn't make any noise and was behind a thick wall of stone.

"Hello to you all" He said letting himself be seen as he sat on the table, servants rushing in to serve him.

"Gendry I was wondering if you would like to come to the North with me to announce my engagement. Other than Father I'll have no other representation and I would love for you to be there"-

'Of course' that is was Gendry would say but the Crown Prince could not. It had been 25 years since a Baratheon other than Stannis and Shireen herself had sat foot on the North. After Robert's rebellion the once loved family was considered a disgrace. Robert being the center of their hatred being the one who allowed Lyanna to be taken away and butchering the Targaryen children. After he severed ties with Eddard because he refused to kill an infant, the child of the infamous She-Wolf; Robert was deemed public enemy number one.

"I would love to but I don't think it would be wise" Shireen was already whining asking why went Rickon cut her off.

"Because his father tried to murder our cousin and his uncle crippled our father for life. The North remembers Shireen..."- He said solemnly making things awkward for all.

"What is going to happen to Dragonstone?"- Asked Bran oblivious to the tension in the room. "After you are married and go live in the North, I assume Stannis will remain at the Wall. Who will rule the castle?"-

"I don't know... I haven't really thought about it"- Said Shireen.

"I wished Jon could see it. It is his heritage, a man should know were he comes from..."- Bran said looking at his surroundings. Ah, yes... the infamous Targaryen; last of his name, half dragon - half wolf.

"What kind of man is he?" Gendry couldn't help but ask. All his life he felt oddly connected to the young man, in another life Jon would be the Crown Prince, not him. Gendry was surprised that it was Shireen who answered his question, he was even more surprised with her kind words.

"Jon is very sweet and kind Gendry. He is a man of the people and doesn't discriminate rank nor sex. He reminds me of you!"- "She giggled "Girls fight for his attention and he is very strong, he is the best swordsman of the North!"-

"Well he isn't the best swordsman but he knows how to defend himself"- Chuckled Bran.

"I hear you favor the war-hammer like your father. Is it true Your Highness?"- Rickon asked genuinely curious.

"Please... call me Gendry and yes, I do! Most people would find it a disadvantage in a fight because of its weight but I find it quite perfect for me"

"Would you care to spar with me later in the yards?"-

"I think that can be arranged"

Very quickly he found out that he quite liked the Stark boys. He found out that Bran was a student of the mind and was in the Citadel learning everything he could about magic and the occult traditions while Rickon was groomed in war and armory, he was expected to take control of the northern fleet under his eldest brother and Father of course. They were close and seemed to be found of Shireen, Rickon much so which relaxed Gendry. At first sight the contrast was too great between his cousin and her betrothed. He had a hard, some would even call mean exterior but if you looked closely enough you could see that it melted away the moment Shireen was near. It was endearing, Gendry wondered if he could ever find that in a woman.

A whole week passed and he felt at ease with the Wolves, both human and animal. He wished his brother Joffrey was there so they could bond more as a family but sadly Shireen and the Starks had to return to the North. His father had sent him a letter absolutely forbidding him to go to the announcement of the betrothal but said that they would all go for the wedding in exactly two months time. So after saying their goodbyes Gendry was once again heading to Kings Landing, this time a little more relaxed after spending time with wolves and knowing he was going to visit the elusive North.

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EDDARD POV:

Winterfell:

Eddard Stark was in the privacy of the Godswood polishing his sword as he often did many times, savoring the few moments of peace he had by himself. Since his two youngest were out of Winterfell and the Girls went to a picnic with their cousin you would think the castle was at peace but it wasn't. Eddard woke up this morning with a sense of unease as if something was going to happen.

"My Love?..."- He turned around to see his wife near the entrance. Although they had been married for more than twenty years she still respected and feared his Gods so he sat up and walked over to were she was. He knew it, he knew the moment he opened his eyes that morning...

"A raven came in today; from Kings Landing..."- Catelyn said handling him the letter.

Eddard read the letter as fast as he could, he read the damn thing five times in a row as if willing it to change the outcome. Nothing good comes from a Baratheon coming to Winterfell. He allowed Shireen; she was a sweet girl that was put on the earth by the Gods themselves to reign in Rickon but the whole lot? Robert? The Kingslayer? The entire royal court?... The King had two sons and he had two daughters, put into consideration his past obsession of joining the houses and the fact that he hated anything Targaryen while the last of the line walked freely trough Winterfell's walls? That was trouble waiting to happen.

"Where are Jon and the Girls?"...

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