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Gendry's Perspective
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The Coronation
It was the morning of Gendry's coronation and although the ceremony didn't begin until midday the castle was already in full swing. The sun had only just begun to rise and the kitchens were preparing for the feast, the servants were preparing the throne room, and handmaidens and squires were running around frantically preparing baths and setting out clothes.
Trying to avoid the chaos Gendry stayed out of the way. He knew the importance of today but he was not looking forward to having such a large spectacle in his name. There would be Lords and Ladies he has never met before, people of honour of whom he had never laid his eyes upon. All of them were coming to see him crowned, to meet their new king and he couldn't bear the thought.
Wondering through the corridors in his most simple clothing, he eyed the progress. He enjoyed taking in all of the hard work being done. He had only wished that he could be a part of it. Whenever he did try to help, the servants would bow to him and insist that he allow them the honour. So, all he could do was watch.
He was climbing one of the stairways to the tower so he could look out over the whole city. He enjoyed seeing the ships on the bay and the people in the market, he liked that he could see the rooftops of the houses in flea bottom and the children running through the streets. He found the tower to be somewhat of an escape for him. To imagine himself back out there, at the forgery where he belonged.
As he rounded the corner he was quite surprised to see Arya Stark, long brown hair, grey eyes and all. She stood barefoot at the top of the stairs, she had one leg lifted off of the ground, and her arms stretched out at her sides and balanced on the tip of her toes. Her concentrated gaze was fixated at the wall above his head and she barely even glanced at him.
"What are you doing, Arya?" he asked out of confusion. Gendry had never seen such a strange act before.
"Syrio says a water dancer can stand on one toe for hours."
"It is a hard fall down these steps."
"Syrio says every hurt is a lesson and every lesson makes you better," she said with all of the confidence in the world.
"He sounds like a wise man."
"He is. And a good instructor," she broke her stance then and sat down on the stairs. "You could really use him. No offense, your Grace."
She was laughing at him, mocking his clumsiness with his sword. He felt the heat rush into his face so he looked to the ground.
"I guess I may have to talk to this Syrio."
"I could help you, too," he looked at her when she said this and saw that she was sincere, the rosiness of her cheeks and the small smile that graced her lips.
"I would be grateful, my lady."
"What did I say about calling me that?" she said annoyed.
"Sorry," he said taking a seat next to her. He looked to the window, they weren't at the top of the tower but he could still see out far enough. He saw the sun climbing higher and higher, the sky turning blue and the reflections on the water. He could see the bustle of the city people as they went about their day.
"Do you miss it?" Arya's voice brought him out of his daze. She was eyeing him carefully as if wondering what he was thinking.
"Yeah, I do," he turned back to the window to avoid letting her see his emotions.
"I miss Winterfell, at least you can see your home from here," he could tell she was trying to make him feel better and he had to admit that it sort of did.
"They wouldn't let me return there, you know. They said that they couldn't risk having the heir to the throne wandering around the streets of Flea Bottom. Once I am crowned today, I may do as I please. And I want to return home and see my friends, the people who raised me," he turned to look at her again. "You understand, don't you? People constantly trying to tell you who to be."
"Yeah, I get it. My father says that I must marry a Lord and rule his castle and give him little knights and lords. But that's not what I want. I want to hold my own lands and fight, and do all of the things a lord does. I want to be the one to be the King's councillor or build castles and holdfasts. Nobody understands me."
"I understand you, Arya. I believe we understand each other. In this large castle, it is a nice thing to know that there is someone you can talk to. So, I thank you," he stood from where he sat. "I should probably go and prepare for the coronation."
He only made it half way down before he heard her call out to him. "Hey Gendry," she waited until he turned to face her before she continued with a smile, "I think you are going to make a great king. One the realm has never known before."
He smiled and gave her a small nod before rounding the corner from which he came.
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He kneeled before the High Septon in front of the Iron Throne. The gallery was filled and people lined the walls. Pews and benches had been brought in and they too were overcrowded. They all looked upon him as he knelt before their eyes. He wore black breeches and a black robe embroidered with gold ornamental designs. Upon his shoulders he wore the Baratheon cloak of gold with the black crowned stag on the back. He looked very much a king.
"Do you, Gendry Baratheon, swear by the seven to protect the realm of men to the best of your ability?" the High Septon began.
"I swear."
"Do you, Gendry Baratheon, swear by the seven to pass judgment and give justice with the integrity of a King?"
"I swear."
"Do you, Gendry Baratheon, swear by the seven to dedicate your life to the well-being of your people?"
"I do so swear."
"Then, by the Seven and as High Septon, I do so crown you Gendry of the House Baratheon, First of his Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. You knelt before me as a prince, but now you rise as King," he sat the golden crown upon his head and Gendry stood. The High Septon moved to the side as Gendry took climbed to the top. He turned to face the people there to witness before he took his seat upon the Iron Throne. The moment he sat the room burst with a loud cheer and everyone clapped at seeing him follow after his father. Though this was not a moment he had expected in his life, he couldn't help but feel pride in himself for being where he was.
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It was now late afternoon and the sun was slowly beginning to make its descent. After the ceremony, the many people gathered before the Iron Throne to bend their knee and make an oath of fealty to him. It took a long time but he graciously accepted and asked each their name if he did not already know it. He met all of his Lords and their bannermen, he met their wives and their children and though they did not get a chance to speak to them all in depth he knew the feast would give an opportune time.
After a few hours of meet and greets on the throne, Gendry finally had a moment to himself. He returned to his chambers for some quiet before he had to join his guests for the feast. He removed his cloak and robe and laid himself down on the bed. He couldn't help but allow his exhaustion to take over as sleep consumed him.
He woke to a knock on the door. He knew the guards were without and wouldn't allow anyone to bother him unless it was of importance. So he groggily stood and made his way to see who it was. When he opened the door Lord Stark bowed slightly, "Your Grace, sorry to disturb you, but might I speak to you a moment?"
Gendry moved out of the way allowing Ned to enter the room, "What is it?"
"I just wanted to discuss the expectations now that you have been crowned king. It is a large responsibility."
"Must we do this now? I am very tired, My Lord. And it is a long night ahead of us," he said as he carried himself across the room to sit in an armchair, he gestured for Ned to take the one across from him.
"I am sorry, Gendry, but I must bring up this one point tonight. The rest we can talk about on the morrow," he said as he took his seat.
"Okay, go ahead," he said in defeat, yawning as he said so.
"As you know, Your Grace, it is most important for a king to have an heir," Gendry sat up in his chair startled by the thought of having children. Looking at the worry on his face Lord Stark continued, "I am not saying you must have a child at this moment Gendry."
"Thank the gods," he sighed. Lord stark smiled at this before continuing on.
"Nonetheless, the sooner you marry the better. Many of the lords will expect you to marry within the next year and the sooner you produce a legitimate heir the more secure you are on the throne," he said, Gendry could tell he was looking at him to see how well he was taking in the information. He gave a curt nod to indicate that he may continue. And so he did, "Tonight, there are many lords in attendance who will offer you their daughters' hand. Many of them beautiful and worthy of being a queen. However, I must ask that you simply refuse all offers, tell them you will take it into consideration. Choosing a queen is a strategic thing to do and you do not want to simply agree without thinking it through. Do you understand?"
"Yes, My Lord. However, what if even after careful consideration I do not want any of their daughters?" he said in honest question. How could he possibly marry within the next year?
"Well, Your Grace, you will need a queen. In the end, it is your decision to make. But, you are expected to make a decision based on what will best benefit the realm," he stood. "I will leave you to think on the things that I have said. Just tonight when you are meeting your lords and ladies, try to come up with a list of potential brides."
With that, Gendry was left alone with his thoughts. Why must he marry within the year? Why must he so quickly produce an heir? He was still a boy really. Yes he was considered a man grown, and many boys his age were betrothed or married. But, he couldn't help but think that he was too young to make such a decision.
He lay back down on his bed, staring up at the folds of fabric on the canopy, before he let sleep take him once again.
Only two more hours before the feast began.
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Hey guys, I hope you liked the chapter. Would have wrote more but I have to head to class, so I will try to post the next chapter over the weekend!
Review!