Another Gendry chapter. A lot will be from his perspective but we will also being seeing more of Ned Stark and eventually some Arya.

A bit of a time jump here but not much happens in between.

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The Life of a Prince

It had been six days since Gendry's arrival and meeting with the King. He had a lot of difficulty in adjusting to his new life, but it wasn't as bad as he had originally thought. He could live without the constant pampering and the servants waiting on him hand and foot, he was just so used to doing everything for himself that it often felt like a burden.

There was also the fact that everyone in the castle referred to him as a lord. He often pleaded with the castle staff to call him by name but to no avail. To him, he was just any other person and didn't want them to feel as though he was superior because honestly he wasn't. He lived his whole life the same as them; serving those of higher birth. He hadn't asked to be legitimized, nor had he asked to be treated in such a way of nobility.

He also couldn't stand the way they dressed him. He would be much more comfortable in clothes of his choosing and yet they said it wasn't appropriate for a young man of his position. The clothes they gave him were not what he was used to. They were often tighter fitting and sometimes colorful; he hated the idea of him drawing even more attention to himself. It would be much easier for him if he could just go unnoticed. The only time he got to wear anything even remotely comfortable was during his morning lessons with the master at arms.

Then, there was their consistent efforts in waking him up before first light. It nearly drove him crazy. Why couldn't he wake after the sun?

Working as a blacksmith was hard work, but he had never been so exhausted in his life. The forge was physical and labouring, he would work through his sweat and the strained fatigue rippling through his muscles each and every day without a problem. But, for some reason the mental exhaustion he was experiencing the last few days made him want for nothing but a day's rest. The only benefit he saw in the arrangement was that he was getting three straight meals a day and never felt hungry the way he did when living in Flea Bottom. How could they have so much food and give none to the people?

His lessons kept him busy, so he didn't always have the time to think about such things. They kept him on a strict schedule. He would wake up, bathe, get dressed and break his fast. Just after first light, he practiced his sword wielding skills with the master of arms and riding horseback until midday. After his midday meal, he would meet with Lord Stark to discuss politics and learn of the noble families throughout the realm. They spoke until dinnertime most days. However, there were times when they would be interrupted due to Lord Stark being called into meetings with the small council. This was always a relief to Gendry because it gave him a break and allowed him time to explore. Lastly, after dinner, he would work with the maester on his reading and writing until they both grew too tired to continue on.

With his crazy schedule he had no trouble sleeping at night, the moment his head reached the pillow he was instantly in a slumber.

Nearly a week in the Red Keep and he still wasn't used to the place. He was lost more oft than not and had to ask Podrick to accompany him most of the time. When he was on his own he usually had to ask some of the maids or guards for directions back to his chambers, which he found to be a bit embarrassing. It didn't help that he often heard them laugh at him as he walked away. He couldn't understand why people would choose living in such a place with so many identical hallways and so many doors leading to different places. To him all of the tapestries looked the same, so they gave him no indication and all of the stairways were just as confusing.

He was walking with Podrick to the Tower of the Hand to meet with Lord Stark for his lessons. It was confusing as always but he tried to create a mental map in his mind. Though, in the end, all he could remember was the winding staircase.

When he reached the door he was greeted by Jory Cassel, the captain of Lord Stark's household guard, who then knocked twice and then allowed him entry into the solar.

"Good day, Gendry. Ready for our lessons?" he hadn't looked up from the papers arranged across his desk but acknowledged him nonetheless and gestured for him to sit.

"Yes, m'lord," he stopped and corrected himself. "I mean, yes, my lord." It was hard to adjust his way of speaking as well, but they told him he was to speak properly now that he bears a title of noble birth. Lord Stark just smirked at his mistake before shuffling his papers to the side of his desk and pulling out his list of the noble families and their sigils.

"What is the sigil of your house, house Baratheon?"

"A crowned Stag, it is black on gold."

"House Arryn?" he asked going down his list.

"The moon-and-falcon, white on sky-blue."

"And, what are their words?"

"As high as honor, my lord." Lord Stark smiled at his remembrance.

"House Tyrell, tell me both their sigil and their words."

"Their sigil is a golden rose on a green field, their words are 'growing strong'," he was getting tired of reciting the different houses day after day but Lord Stark insisted that it was important and that he must be familiar with them all. And so, they continued. There were the major houses: Lannister, Florent, Frey, Tully, Greyjoy, Targaryen and Martell. But also the small houses Redwyne, Hightower, Yronwood, Harlaw, Karstark and the like. He was able to name both sigil and words for all of the families with few mistakes which impressed Lord Stark. The man didn't say it himself but he could see it in his eyes as he tried to hide back a smile with each answer he got correct.

Once they were finished going through each of the houses, they discussed the histories and feuds between them. He was told that this was also of importance because the feuds were often about lands and titles, about crops and livestock, and matters of joining two houses. Lord Stark informed him that, "Oft times, these matters are settled by the king because it was the kings duty to create peace and order throughout the realm." Knowing previous disagreements and their resolutions could one day help him in decisions of state.

Although it was simple to memorize the sigils, the whole feud discussion tended to dishevel him. It was so difficult to keep it straight. He found difficulty in knowing which banner men declared for which houses as well, there were just so many. At least with the sigils and house words he could create a mental image or form connections in some way. It just seemed like there was so much he had to know and so little time to learn.

Lastly, on the agenda of each day was a discussion of the current politics across the realm. He enjoyed talking of the Queen across the Sea and only wished he could know more. All anyone seemed to know was that she was a Targaryen princess that possessed three dragon eggs, was married and with child to a Khal who lead a large army. There was already talk of her plans to bring them across the narrow sea to take back her families throne.

All other politics he found unamusing and usually let his mind drift as he only half heard what was being said.

He was startled back into reality by the sound of Lord Stark's voice.

"Very good progress, let us finish for the day," he said putting their papers away. Gendry hadn't even noticed the sun go down and only then did he realize that night had fallen. "Tonight we shall dine with the King" he stood then, and Gendry couldn't help but absentmindedly follow him from the room.

With the King? He hadn't spoken to his father since his first day in the castle. King Robert was often drunk and/or sitting upon the Iron Throne hearing petitions from the people. He would see him in passing or at a distance from opposite ends of a hallway, but never had they approached one another. He couldn't really say that it bothered him much, he had never had a father anyways; but the fact that he did now made him want to know the reality of what it was like. He never saw the king as the fatherly type. At least it hasn't seemed so. And so, he never got his hopes up to the idea.

But now, standing outside of the doors of the kings private dining quarters, he couldn't help but feel nervous again. To be sitting in the King's presence for only the second time. To be meeting with his father. It was still a hard concept for him to grasp. What is there to say? How should he refer to him? The whole thing was just overwhelming for Gendry.

At least this time, he would have Lord Stark to help him along. They had begun to bond over the last few days and he has found there to be something comforting about his presence.

He couldn't keep them waiting any longer.

So…

He took a deep breath.

And before he could lose his nerve, he opened the large doors and stepped inside.

He walked awkwardly across the room before kneeling, "Your Grace," he said addressing the King with his eyes fixed on his own feet.

"Get up, boy," Robert laughed his big bellied laugh once again. "Join us," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him and Gendry moved quickly to do as he was told. He normally wouldn't give in to such commands so easily and with such obedience, especially to someone like Robert Baratheon. But, he couldn't help but want to make a good impression. It was his father after all.

"Well, Gendry. It has been just about a week since you have arrived here at the Red Keep. And, as we agreed, we would like you to make your decision of whether or not you would like to stay and become the Prince of the Seven Kingdoms. That is, until I wed and bear a son who is a true heir for the throne," said King Robert between mouthfuls of wine.

He almost couldn't believe how quickly the conversation had gotten to this point.

"I am sorry, your grace, but would you not like to know how my lessons have been thus far?" he was careful to speak properly the way he had been taught by Maester Pycelle. It wasn't as easy as one would think.

"The King has received daily updates of your progress since you have begun," Ned Stark indicated, "and after some discussion with the small council we believe that you will be a fine prince and one day have the possibility of being a proper king," Lord Eddard Stark was proud in saying this. He has seen the boy go from being a bastard, blacksmith living in flea bottom, to a semi-decent lord in only a week. He knew the boy had potential and he was not one to deny the truth. "We only ask that you continue with the same diligence we have seen in your tasks these past six days." He looked at Gendry, who sat in disbelief of what he was hearing.

"You are Gendry Baratheon now that you have been legitimized and so you will always be. Whether you so choose to stay and accept the claim bestowed upon you or return to your home in the city, you will no longer be Gendry Waters, a common bastard. I cannot nor will I, acknowledge you as my true heir. But, you are of my blood and you are high in my succession. Should you stay, you will live out your life as a lord and prince," the King eyed him seriously. Gendry could feel his intense glare and tried to avoid it as he tried to come to a decision. He looked to Lord Stark for help but he only looked at him with curiosity and expectation. He didn't know what to say so he looked into his lap to avoid their gaze.

He had almost forgotten of their agreement, so he hadn't put much thought into it. Did he want to return to his small home in the city where the streets smelled of piss? Did he want to return to a place where he most often felt the pangs of hunger? He did miss the feeling of having his hammer in his hand, pounding away at the metals in the forge. He missed the hard work and sweat he put into his accomplishments. And what about the people, his friends?

He could help the people more from his position in the castle. That would bring him pride in his decision. Staying would mean a better life for himself. A better life for the city. He could help those who suffered each day, while the lords who are supposed to protect them allow them to be raped and go hungry.

If he stayed, he could make a difference.

If he stayed, he could change the ways of the noble.

He could make things right.

When he focused his attention back at the two men sitting across from him, he met their consistent glares.

It almost felt like a challenge.

"I will do it," he said with the confidence he never knew he had.

"Well then, Prince Gendry Baratheon. We have some work to do."

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Oooo it's getting good. I have so much more planned and I hope it all goes well.

I'm gradually trying to get things along but I don't want to leave out many details, so hang in there.

Let me know what you guys are thinking! REVIEW :D