Hey guys, I know this chapter is later than I said it would be but I have been super busy and have assignments up the ass and can barely get a moment to myself. But here it is, FINALLY!

I hope it was worth the wait!

. … . … .

The Feast

Gendry sat in his place of honor on the dais, Lord Stark sat on his right as Hand of the King, and to his left sat the blacksmith Tobho Mott. The small council had argued that someone of greater status should occupy the seat but Gendry had remain firm. Tobho was the only father figure he had known. Though he was only his apprentice, the man had treated him with kindness and pretty much raised him for the past ten years. It was not something that you forgot, and it was not something that could go without thanks.

It was the first time the two had seen each other since Gendry left for the Red Keep and it was very nice thing to be reunited after all that time. Although it had not yet been two moons, it felt like a life time.

"I'm very proud of you, boy…" Tobho chuckled to himself for a moment before correcting himself. "Or should I be saying Your Grace."

Gendry laughed, "You may call me what you like. You are the closest thing I have to a father and I have come to consider you as a friend."

"Ey, even your speech is different. You look the part too," he said eyeing his attire. He had sent Tobho an outfit to wear to the feast so that he might fit in and be more appropriate for the occasion but by the looks of it, he had refused to wear them. "Ye boy, I see you eyeing me back. You may be the King now, but I'm still just a blacksmith. I don't deserve to wear those honorable clothes. They ain't me either."

"I am just glad you are here, no matter what you wear," he said.

The two talked for a while, food was served and they ate and drank. Tobho talked about business at the smithy and the new apprentice he took on after Gendry left him. And Gendry told Tobho of his time in the castle; his lessons, his hunting trip and its terrible result, what it was like to sit on the Iron Throne and how he was liking his new life. Occasionally, Lord Stark would join them for a few words before returning to his conversation with Lord Baelish and Lord Varys.

Soon enough, everyone was finished eating. It had been a grand feast of boar, auroch and pheasant. There were lots of greens and vegetables, and a lovely dessert. From his spot on the dais, Lord Stark stood with his goblet raised high in the air, which brought silence throughout the entire room.

"I would like to propose a toast to our King Gendry. Robert Baratheon was my best friend, I knew him since we were boys and I have stood by him every step of the way. Now, I stand here, next to his son, who looks the very likeness of him, who has his strength and his courage, and who has his caring heart. Over the years, Robert lost a lot of those redeeming qualities but I have faith that Gendry will stay true to the path laid before him," he turned to look down at Gendry then. "You have experienced many things in your life thus far. You know what it means to be a commoner, to be hungry in hard times, and you know what the people want and need. Allow this knowledge to guide you to be the King this realm deserves," he faced back to the crowded room. "May his reign be prosperous and long lasting, may he be blessed with good health and wisdom, and I believe that he will become the King the Seven Kingdoms has been long awaiting. Long live King Gendry!"

"Long live King Gendry!" the whole room boomed in unison, raising their glasses high before taking a heavy drink.

Gendry stood next, "Thank you, Lord Stark for your kind words. I do so hope to be a great king. This was not the life I had expected but I do intend on making the best of it with hope to make my people proud. I also would like to thank you all for coming here today to swear your fealty and join me in celebration."

The room cheered and Ned Stark placed a strong reassuring hand on his shoulder as he sat back down.

"May the party begin!?"

The room was soon filled with music, laughs and voices. The servants pushed some of the tables aside to make more room for dancing, while others circled the room with pots of ale and wine. It didn't take long for the dance floor to fill up with the Lords and Ladies and the swung around in utter enjoyment.

Gendry sat patiently. He knew many of the Lords would soon approach him to make offers of marriage and ask that the king be kind to join their daughters in a dance. The weeks leading up to the coronation he had taken dance lessons to prepare for the feast but he didn't know that this was why.

The first to approach him was Ser Stevron, son of Lord Frey and heir to the Twins. He had made the journey in his father's stead to swear their houses fealty. Accompanying him were several of his brothers and sons.

"Your Grace," he said bowing in front of the dais. His companions doing the same in unison.

"Rise, Ser Stevron," Gendry said and watched has he stood, the others following suit. "What can I do for you ser?"

"My father, Lord Walder Frey, would like to offer my dear sister Roslin's hand in marriage. She is a maiden of six and ten and very beautiful," he motion someone forward, and a young girl stepped forward. He was right she was beautiful. "Would you honor her with a dance, your grace?"

"I shall, and I will take the offer into consideration," he said with courtesy. He stepped down from where he sat and offered his hand to the Lady Roslin. She took it shyly before giving him a curtsy. He led her to the dance floor and they danced. He asked her about herself and she answered kindly. She seemed like a nice enough girl but she was very timid which was not very amusing to him. When the song ended he gave her a slight bow and she curtsied in response. He escorted her back to her brother before taking his seat back on the dais.

Next, he was approached by Lord Rickard Karstark, Lord of Karhold, with his daughter Alys of five and ten.

Then, there was Lord Howland Reed of Grey Water watch, offering his daughter Meera.

Lord Wyman Manderly of White Harbour offering his daughter Wylla, a maid of five and ten.

Last to approach him that evening were the Tyrell's. Lord Mace Tyrell, his mother Lady Olenna, his wife Lady Alerie, and Ser Loras, all approached the dais bowing to their king.

"Rise," Gendry said motioning them all to stand. Behind them stood a young maid of five and ten. When her father motioned to her she stepped forward and curtsied to Gendry.

"Your Grace, I offer you my daughter Margaery to wed," he said confidently.

"It would be my pleasure to be your wife and queen, your Grace," she spoke. This caught him slightly off guard because the other girls he had met so far barely made a sound.

"And what about you would make a good queen?" Gendry looked at her curiously, leaning forward to listen.

"I have all of the confidence in the world that you will be a great King. I, myself, am a kind young maid and I care about the people. I am confident and come from one of the great families. Marrying me will give you a great alliance with House Tyrell and all of its money and resources."

"You speak true, my Lady. I will take your proposal under consideration along with the others. I am not yet ready to make my final decision."

"Well, your Grace. May I at least have this dance?" she asked as she curtsied once again, reaching out for him to take her hand. He stood and led her to the dance floor.

He spun her around and she pulled herself firmly to his chest. Another thing that took him by surprise.

"You have a very firm chest, my King," she whispered into his ear. He felt himself begin to tense and backed away slightly careful not to break away all together.

"Thank you, Lady Margaery," he said guiding her around the floor. He could feel her family watching them as they danced. "You are a very outspoken girl, would you agree?"

"Yes, I would. I was raised to be a confident woman, your grace," she said taking a step closer to him, not once losing their rhythm. "My grandmother taught me to speak my mind, with manner, but honestly. I know what I want and I have no trouble admitting that to you."

"Well, I am happy that you are as much a part of the proposal as you family."

"Why, yes. I am quite ready for marriage and I doubt I could find a better match," she said pulling herself closer yet again. "I doubt you could find a better woman to be your queen," this time she rubbed herself against him. Again he felt arousal as he began to tense up and she smiled when she felt the hardness in his breeches. When the song stopped he stepped away bowed and thanked her for the dance, then returned to his spot on the dais and summoning Podrick to bring him some wine. He could not have gotten away from the girl fast enough. Yes, she was beautiful. And yes, she seemed nice enough. Which was very tempting. But she was nothing like what he wanted in a woman.

The Stark girls were next to approach the dais. Not with the hope of making any betrothals but simply to congratulate Gendry on becoming the King and giving him good wishes.

"You look very fitting in the crown, your grace. And you look as though you belong on the Iron Throne," Sansa said sweetly. "I do hope you are enjoying your feast."

"Today has been like nothing I've ever experienced before. Quite overwhelming if you ask me, my Lady."

"Well it doesn't show," she smiled at him and curtsied before walking away. Leaving him alone to talk with Arya.

"Are you having fun?" Gendry asked her.

"Not really, a room full of drunk rowdy men, and Ladies being proper as always," Arya said none too pleased. "I feel like I am the smallest person in this room."

"Well, that is because you are. You are quite small for your age," he said laughing.

"I will grow!" she shot at him.

"I am sure you will, my Lady."

"I am not a lady," she said looking to the ground.

"You look like one on this night," he said gazing at her. She had yet to develop a woman's body, but she was still beautiful in her rose coloured dress. Her hair fell loose down her back where it was usually worn up.

"Not compared to Sansa," she replied solemnly looking in the direction of her sister. And Gendry supposed she was right. Sansa had the beauty and figure of a woman, her long auburn hair was always perfectly in place and she always presented herself with grace. But, that wasn't all too important to him.

"You may not be the perfect lady Arya, but you are a lady nonetheless. You may lack the grace in your presentation, but you make up for it with your skills in swordplay. And you may not have the beauty that Sansa holds, but you are beautiful in many other ways," he was looking at her and he could see the red rise to her cheeks as she looked to her feet.

"Thank you, your grace," she said not looking at him. She wasn't sure how to take what he said, so she figured it was time to end the conversation. "I should get back to my sister. Enjoy the rest of your party," and with that she ran off across the Great Hall to where her sister stood with their father.

. … . … .

The next day, things were finally back to normal in the castle. With Robert's funeral and Gendry's coronation finally taken care of, there were only the normal duties left to be done.

A meeting of the small council was called at midday and Gendry was the last to enter and take his place at the head of the table.

"What is the first matter of discussion?" he said looking to his Hand, Ned Stark.

"As you know, when your father was still on the throne we had word of the Targaryen siblings across the narrow sea raising an army of the Dothraki," he said, he waited a moment for Gendry to indicate that he remembered hearing of it. When he nodded, Ned continued, "Well, we have now learned that Viserys was given a golden crown…" he paused for emphasis, "of molten gold."

"He's dead?" he was quite stricken by the news. He knew that it was probably to his benefit but it was still a bit hard to hear. They were exiled because his father had the Mad King murdered and took the throne, if their mother hadn't taken them across the narrow sea they would have been killed too. He felt a bit responsible for what has happened to them.

"Oh quite, your grace," said Varys. "Khal Drogo, his sister's husband, finally gave him what he deserved. I hear the young Khaleesi allowed it and felt no remorse."

"So, are the Dothraki no longer a threat to the throne?"

"It is the opposite actually," spoke Little Finger. "The Khal is more motivated to give his princess what she wants. To come home."

"Well, this is concerning. Lord Varys, I would like you to send Danaerys a message from me," Gendry said. The Lords sitting around him all looked at him with concern. "I would like you to send news to her of King Robert's death, tell her I apologize on behalf of the Seven Kingdoms and if she is willing I will grant her a pardon and place of authority within the Kingdoms as long as she does not rebel against me. I would prefer to have peace then to fight a war."

"That is very wise, your grace," Gendry could tell that Lord Stark was happy with his decision. He had told him of Robert's hate towards the Targaryens and his plot of their murder. Based on what he has learned so far, his father was not only a drunk but insecure as well. He handled threats with death. No second thoughts, just elimination. "Though you should know, she is most like to refuse."

"Yeah, I figure as much. But, I think it would be good for her to know that I am not my father. I was not living nor thought of when he rebelled, and I have only recently learned of my birth. Robert may have been the Usurper but I am just of his seed, I am nothing like him." He felt wrong talking so badly about a dead man but it was the truth. He wanted to be a better King and create a better realm for him people. That was why he accepted the throne and why he wouldn't let the Targaryen take it. "What else is there to dicuss?"

"Did you receive any worthwhile proposals last night at the feast?" Varys leaned forward in his seat letting the King know he had his full attention.

"Many of the girls were very beautiful, though I don't think they are really my type."

"It's not your type we are concerned about, your grace. You need a Queen and an heir," Lord Baelish pronounced. "Your marriage is to create an alliance that will benefit the realm."

"Can I not find a wife whom I actually have feelings for?" he wanted a real marriage, not one that would force him to be unhappy. He wanted love.

"I am sorry, Gendry. But it is in the best interest of the realm for you to have an honourable match," said Lord Stark. He could tell that he felt bad for him, just by the way that he looked at him as he said it. Gendry knew that Lord Stark married out of duty and has grown to love his wife. But, that was not how Gendry pictured his life. He didn't want to grow to love someone. He wanted to love them to begin with. Ned continued, "You are young, we understand that. And we understand that it is hard to imagine such a life. But as King, you have a responsibility to your people and it is your duty to protect them and provide them with security. A marriage with one of the Ladies from the great families would benefit everyone. Margaery Tyrell seemed of the sort. She comes from a great and wealthy family and they have been in support of the crown from the beginning. It would be good to have them on your side."

"I will have to think on things. You told me I have a year and I plan to use it to my advantage," He stood before they had a chance to speak and left the room to avoid continuing the conversation.

If Gendry is to marry, he will do it on his own terms. He was the King now and this was a decision he wanted to make on his own and they could not force him on the matter. Yes, it would be beneficial to marry into one of the Great Families. But, they didn't say which one. At that moment he caught a glimpse into his mind of Arya, her beautiful smile and her large grey eyes shining brightly in the sun.

. … . … .

Might take another week or so for the next chapter, I have soo much to do its crazy! But I will try to have it up as soon as I can!

Thanks for your patience & all of the great reviews !