JOFFREY POV:

Winterfell:

Joffrey Baratheon was the epitome of a carefree gallivant Prince. Maiden's where ruined but they were so charmed that they would prefer a life as outcasts than to say it was his doing. Pirates and gamblers enjoyed his company late at night after court while in the day he got his fare share of beauty sleep. 'You have to take life seriously' Gendry always said but Joffrey just brushed him off. His brother was to be King of all one day, he was the one that had to be serious, Joffrey on the other hand was the one that skipped his lessons, failed to get to know other politicians unless it was at a party and only feared his father being the one with the last word. Today he was precisely that; scared!

Being the loyal little brother he was; Joff stayed behind the shadows inside the great hall as his family had an impromptu meeting. He saw his brother speak with more passion than he had ever seen in his life, he saw his father strike Gendry and shut him down without option to speak back and saw his mother walk away in tears and anger all because of one Arya Stark. Yes; she was smoking hot. Would he sleep with her? Absolutely! She had that air of being feral and primal under the sheets but was she worth breaking up their family? During the whole exchange she stood beside Gendry silent, not batting an eyelash, cold and indifferent as the weather outside while Gendry spoke like he was debating his whole life's existence before The Seven. Did she really like her brother? It's not like Gendry was stupid but sometimes he underestimated women's hunger for a title. He needed to speak to him soon but firsts things first. Joffrey was carefree but not even him could ignore the possibility of war.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck... What should I do?" He panicked as he heard his father and uncle plot in hushed tones to kill Jon Targaryen. Joffrey didn't need to spend countless hours sitting with the small council to know that if war broke the North would win. They had been in Winterfell scarcely a week and they were surrounded by strength all around and from what he could tell the Targaryen boy was counted as one of Eddard Stark's children. Harm him and the northerners would rise.

"What the hell are you doing here?"-

"Heeeeeeeck!" He screeched as his Uncle Jaime opened the door followed by his father.

"Hunting! Let's go hunting!" He practically yelled needing a distraction and he needed a one fast. Where the hell was Gendry?

"Not today boy, pack your things. We're leaving this cold grave-sight in an hour... tops!"- His father roared walking fast down the corridors with a letter on his hand. He had to act fast, from what he heard the letter was addressed to Jon Arryn telling him to arrange a marriage for Gendry with a noble Lady from the South but he didn't hear which house it was.

"Father is this really all that necessary just for a girl? Be happy! Be merry! Let's get drunk! When was the last time The Bull liked anyone? You said it yourself you where worried he'd take after Uncle Renly!" Joffrey went for humor but it was a tough crowd, he also could see that both his uncle and father where lost inside their minds plotting and planning. Gendry was somewhere inside the castle in one of his foul moods while his Uncle Tyrion must be passed out in his assumed drunken stupor so Joffrey made a choice. Gendry was a big boy, in the end if he didn't want to get married to someone else other than Arya Stark he was going to make it happen all by himself, the letter was to be forgotten. War on the other hand was too important so he excused himself and went running to the next option he had of action.

"Don't have time Joffrey. Whatever you want go tell your mother"- Stannis dismissed Joffrey as soon as he stepped inside of his chambers. His reading desk was filled with papers and squires were walking in and out. He was leaving today for the Wall.

"Actually Uncle I..." Joffrey tried to speak but the room was crowded and it was a delicate matter. He was also interrupted by his Uncle's right hand; (insert laugh) as his was, well. Sort of cut off.

"What the hell is this?"- Stannis yelled while reading a royal parchment.

"It's that brother of yours, came over with his blonde guard and cut us down with half of our men... Oh, hello's to ya my Prince. Got yourself lost inside the Castle?"- Davos Seaworth was a good man, funny to death but this wasn't the time to start saying jokes.

"I WANT TO TAKE THE BLACK!" Joffrey blurted out making the whole room freeze, that certainly got Stannis attention.

"Leave us"- He said with worry on his face "Ok, pill it out; who is it?"-

"Uh? Who is what? Did you already know Uncle?"

"It was only a matter of time. What I didn't think was that you'd be so stupid to bed a noble lady from a important house and soil her so much to the extent that you had to hide up in the Wall. So hurry up and spit it out before the girl starts showing"-

"First of all; I resent you thinking so about me Uncle" Stannis rolled his eyes while Davos smirked.

"Secondly I think it's obvious that I am not taking the black. Too much celibacy and gold is more my color... So third and finally Father wants to kill the dragon spawn. He is sending someone to kill him at once!" Again; silence...

"Well, that seems even more far fetched than you taking the black yer Grace"- Said Davos gobsmacked after his confession. Stannis however remained silent.

"How do you know this?"- Davos continued.

"There was a row earlier between Gendry and father. Things were said and he found out that apparently the Targaryen boy is a warg like the Starks. Father views him as a threat so he is sending someone with the men he gave you for the Wall to kill him"

"So, who is it?"-

"I don't know, they were talking really low and I couldn't hear" Stannis started to pace the room back and forth. Words like 'obsessed, idiot and clueless' where the only thing you could decipher under his muttering.

"How many men did my brother the idiot left us with?"- Stannis finally spoke.

"100. Again with the 'there is no need for men north of the wall, that it's all old wives tales' excuse"-Davos replied.

"We can work with that to our advantage. It wasn't what I was expected in numbers but it is ideal if we are to pin down who is carrying out with the assassination. Davos go tell Lord Stark if he can lend us 5 men, strong, loyal and discrete. Do not tell him why, just do it. As for you"- Stannis said signaling to Joffrey "You are coming with us!"-

"I'M WHAT?" He sputtered, if he had eaten his breakfast Joffrey would have had puked it all over.

"Your Grace. Not that I like questioning you but this one has more business doing at the Wall as does a whore in a maiden-vault. He wouldn't last a day!"- To corroborate Davos words Joffrey sat down and was fanning himself. Why the hell did they come to the North?

"Soldiers will assume that Robert's son shares his hatred towards the Targaryens. It wont look suspicious if he starts to sniff around to see who the assassin is and I also have my reasons. I think it would do him good."-

As the two men started planning a counter attack on Robert's actions Joffrey was hyperventilating. I hope Arya fuck's Gendry to death! He thought. If he was going to die at least one Baratheon should get properly laid. He doubted his father was going to get any after how distressed and angry his mother seemed to be after this mornings meeting.

"SHIT, THE LETTER!" Seeing that his future seemed black; literary! Joffrey ran to the tower where the ravens where held but it was no use, as he was running up the stairs one of his father's squires was walking down no doubt from sending the letter. It was useless, the letter had been sent so unless Gendry did something to convince his father otherwise he was going to be welcomed with a bride ready to be cloaked back in Kings Landing.

"Are you going to send a letter as well my lord?"-

"FUCK ME!" Joffrey screamed. Was is it with everyone sneaking up and scaring the shit out of me today? On the top of the tower stood another man; small, hated by the Gods for he was ghastly looking and smelled like the most dirty garbage filled ally in Flea Bottom.

"Uhmmm no, just... admiring the view from up here" Joffrey mumbled. The small man had little feathers around his mouth. Was he eating a live pigeon?

"Beautiful isn't it? Our North... you must come again when the time comes to join houses, maybe this time your highness will come as far enough to the Dreadfort"- The man said sending a message of his own in one of the pigeon carriers. Which houses was he referring to?... Suddenly a cold breeze blasted through, it was more like an ice fist that hit the castle walls. The wind became a force to be reckoned with as he heard men yelling and horses whinnying down below. It was as if mother nature didn't want them to leave Winterfell.

As the strange smelling man left, the weather worsened and Joffrey was content to see that today nobody was leaving for the Wall. He wrapped his furs tightly around him... Winter wasn't coming, it was already here!

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GENDRY POV:

Winterfell:

It's my fault, it's all my bloody fault!

Respect!...

My Duty!...

What is right for the Crown! HA! I have never seen a man so self centered, selfish and egotistical than my father...

Gendry was muttering his way around Winterfell Castle, his feet stumping on the stone floor while servants threw themselves to the side so he wouldn't run over them that is if Nymeria didn't run over them first! And some point she had joined him and was leading him through the castle.

He had been walking around the castle for some time now but it had done nothing to lessen his anger. Gendry was livid! The punch didn't matter, he wasn't a girl but the words, the meaning behind them. He was absolutely disgusted with his father! How dare he deny him the chance to be with Arya when his own life was crippled after losing a Stark of his own. Talk about double standards! He must look like a madman talking by himself but he didn't care. If they want to see mad let them try and drag him out of Winterfell...

As he continued with his anger fueled rant Nymeria stopped in front of him, got on two feet and dragged a door open.

"What the?..."

"Nym how many times do I have to tell you not do that? I am going to have to tell Miken to come and fix the hinges again!"-

Gendry froze. In front of him stood Arya in her small clothes, her hair loose and wild, barefooted and looking as beautiful as ever.

"What are you doing here? Come inside you idiot!"- She said dragging him inside to what he assumed was her room. Decorated in grey, white and pearl it was a very simple room filled with the essentials. Definitely not what you would expect of a Princess of Winterfell. She had a small table; not small if you really looked at it, more Arya sized if you could say that. A boudoir, small closet, bathroom chambers to the left and that was it. That and a huge size bed where he could easily...

"Snap out of it you dolt!"- Arya said smacking him on the head, taking him out of his daydreams.

"Don't hit me woman, I have had more of my fare share of punches today!"

"And they are going to keep coming if my father catches you in my room! What are you doing here?"-

"I was walking around and Nymeria led me here" on cue the direwolf whined like a looking innocent pup.

"Of course she did"- Arya muttered giving the beast a pointed look. "What happened with the King?"-

"He hit me square in the jaw not before banning me from marrying you. AUCH! Damn it Arya, stop hitting me, you are freakishly strong!" He said after Arya smacked his head yet again.

"That's for calling me your betrothed! I agreed on you courting me Gendry. I am not promised to anyone!"-

"Hey; you and me ok! Wasn't that what we agreed in the Godswood?"

"We agreed to getting to know each other better NOT to be engaged to be married!"-

"A courtship is the first step to a marriage Arya. I already made my feelings clear. Do you... Don't you feel the same way about me?" Fear gripped Gendry's very core as he waited for Arya's words.

"Gendry I..."-

"ARYA STARK YOU OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT THIS SECOND!"- Eddard Stark's voice boomed from behind the door as Gendry saw his life flash before his eyes.

"Nymeria; up! You; not a peep from you!"- Arya ordered as she threw him in her bed under the covers while Nymeria hopped over him. He could barely breathe. From the steps he heard Eddard wasn't alone.

"Retaining the last drop of civility I had I refrained from asking you further in front of the King but where were you last night young lady?"-

"With Gendry, I thought it was obvious by now"-

"Did you sleep with him?"- Gendry didn't need to see to know that Arya was rolling her eyes.

"If you mean the action of falling asleep, taking a nap or resting; yes, I did! If you're talking about fucking I assure you dear father that my maidenhood is intact"- Gendry murmured a silent thanks to the Gods.

"I don't believe you"- Another voice said.

"Believe whatever you want Rob. It's my body and I'll do whatever I want to with it!"-

"Arya you must stay away from Prince Gendry, he is not the one for you!"- Eddard said with authority.

"You spend my whole life telling me I can be with whoever I want and the moment I take interest in someone you take it back?! I'm sorry but I am not going to stop on seeing Gendry!"-

"The hell you are! If he dishonored you I am going to smash his pretty little face!"-Another voice, this one he recognized. It was Rickon!

"You touch his pretty little face I assure you Shireen is going to be a very pretty little widow!"- Arya growled.

"You would side with someone over your own brother? Your own family?"-

"I would side with someone who want's to be my family"- There was a hint of wonder in Arya's voice after that. She want's me just as I want her or she wouldn't be standing up to her father and brothers. She's just guarded!

"I don't buy it. She must have done something with him last night or she wouldn't be so passionate about it"- Nymeria started to growl.

"Fuck off Rob!"-

"Settle down little Wolf. We only want what is best for you"-

"This is bullshit and you know it Jory!"- Jesus, how many people where inside the room? "I know you like Gendry, hell all of you do! He is smart, caring, respectful and he likes me!"-

"You would be Queen my Love, it is not your place"- Eddard pleaded.

"I wouldn't be queen tomorrow nor the next day. We are just getting to know each other!"-

"You would be dragging Gendry along with your games until you bore and decide you don't want to be Queen. Grow up Arya and find someone more of your liking. Ramsay has stood by you for years, why don't you settle down with him?"- Rob said.

"Because I don't love Ramsay!"- She screamed. The room felt silent and Gendry was positive you could hear his heartbeat. She talked about love... Did she?...

"Arya you've know the boy less than a week!"- Eddard said with concern in his voice.

"You have never doubted my decisions father, not even when I was I child. You've let me explore the world alone and allow me to sit on your council table. Why start questioning my actions now?"-

"Because you are my daughter. It is my life's purpose to take care of you"-

"Hell NO! I know that tone! She's won you over hasn't she?"-

"Rickon don't you have a wife you should be tending to?"-

"He's right Jory! Father; it is what is best for all. Yes, I admit I like Prince Gendry, he seems to be a good man but I also consider my duty to take care of Arya, you are not made for the Iron Throne little wolf, you are far more greater than that. Your spirit demands freedoms that Queen don't have the luxury to experience."-

"You said I had a month Father and I am keeping good on my word"-

"Is this what you really want?"-

"This is madness!"- Rob said stomping out of the room.

"Yes father, I do"-

"Say the word and I'll kick him out, I'll kick the whole lot out!"-

"What a way to warm up to your new extended family Rick"-

"I mean it Arry, I like Gendry but if you decide to part ways you just tell me and I'll do the rest"-

"Thanks Brother, I will remember it"-

"C'mon Little Lord, let's give your father and sister some privacy"- Jory said leaving the room. Only Eddard remained.

"The past has it's way of catching up with you"-

"Father please don't start. I am not Lyanna"-

"Your brother; under my orders of course has 100 men surrounding the castle and Ser Rodrik is moving the garrison as we speak. This time I am not taking any chances"- Gendry gulped.

"And I wouldn't hold it against you father! All I am saying is that I like Gendry, it is just a simple courtship. If it doesn't work then it doesn't work"-

"It's Stark's and Baratheon's... nothing is simple"- Eddard sighed. "Do you..."-

"Yes father, for the millionth time; I like Gendry!"-

"Very well then... I'll calm down Rob and try to settle things with Robert for the time being. I believe a meeting will be good for all. Be ready to break bread with everyone and noon."-

"I will father... and thank you for listening"- Gendry heard a few more loving words between father and daughter and just when he was going to stand up from the bed Eddard returned.

"Ohh and Arya?"-

"Yes father?"- Arya squealed at the close call.

"Cut down on Nymeria's feeding. She is getting to big, she can barely fit on your bed anymore"-

"I will father"- Arya giggled as she closed to door for good.

"Can I come out?"

"The coast is clear"- She said lifting the covers off of him. As Nymeria jumped off of the bed and sat next to the door guarding them from further interruptions, instead of sitting up Gendry dragged her down with him, rolling them over so he was on top of her and wasted no time in showering her with kisses.

"Did you mean it? Every word you just said?"

"Did I stutter?"-

"No but other than the moments likes these when we are alone you don't seem too open about your feelings for me"

"That's because I don't show my feelings outside of my family Gendry. It's not personal, it's just the way I am, the way I am trained to be"- Arya said in a soft tone in fact letting her guard down as she pulled the hair away from his face.

"So you have no problems with this? With us?..."

"With our courtship? No I don't!"-

"And of love? Could you possibly..."

"I am not in love with you Gendry..." His heart stopped "But I may be on my way as we speak"- Arya gave him the brightest smile he had ever seen and he was sure he had one like that as well.

"Good, let's do something so you can catch up with me. Shall we?"

Gendry kissed Arya averting the crisis for the time being. Oblivious that his father had arranged a marriage with another woman, oblivious that Rob Stark was somewhere in the Godswood warging in his direwolf speaking to his cousin on the Wall and even more oblivious of Roose Bolton was more than looming above his precious Arya.

Hello FanFic Friends!

Right up the bat I can tell you; one more chapter and then Jon will make his appearance again so keep on reading.

This chapter was somewhat of a filler but I wanted to show more of Arya's feelings towards Gendry and well, I had access to a laptop so I couldn't waste the chance.

Working on my other stories so don't worry.

Thank you all for your support.

Remember to leave your reviews, favorite / follow.

XOXO