FINALLY AN UPDATE!

Sorry for keeping you waiting, it has been hectic with final assignments and exams and what not.

First off, I went to ensure all of my faithful readers that I WILL NOT stop writing this story until I feel that it is done. I know there has been concern because it took me so long to update, but no worries people.

Second, I had questions of Renly and Margaery. They would never have been married if Renly hadn't made himself a king. You have to remember that her only goal is to be "The Queen."

Anyways, I'm sorry I haven't answered any reviews I just really can't find the time. But I do take each one into consideration when I am writing and I am loving all of the feedback!

Keep it coming! :D

Her Name Day, Part II

They rode for an hour before Gendry finally pulled back his reigns and brought his horse to a stop. Arya followed suit as she looked around at their surroundings. It wasn't a part of the Kingswood that she was familiar with but it seemed as though they were just in the middle of nowhere. Why did he even bring her here? Nothing but trees and bushes surrounded them. She watched the King as he dismounted and tied his horse to a nearby branch.

"What are you doing?" she asked, she couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed that she was spending her name day wandering around in an unfamiliar place. Normally she would love the adventure, and at least she was with Gendry. But, she wanted to take full advantage of it being her day.

"We have to walk from here," he grabbed his saddle bag and stood looking at her, clearly waiting for her to get down from her horse and follow him even further.

"You should have told me where we were going, you do realize I am wearing a dress?" Why did she choose today of all days to dress the part of a lady. Was it to show her father that she really was growing up? Was it to show herself that it's not as bad as it seems? Either way, she was really missing her breeches right about now.

"Well normally it's not something I have to worry about with you," he approached her as he spoke, obviously trying to hurry her along. He reached up and rested his strong hand on her waist and lifting her from her saddle.

"I still know how to dismount a horse!" she backed away from his reach once her feet were planted on the ground.

"I am sorry, My Lady. I thought you might need some assistance," he said mockingly as he tied her horse next to his. "Why are you protesting against this outing?"

"I'm not."

"You seem cross with me, Arya. Did I doing something wrong?" she noticed the sincerity in his voice, he was actually concerned that she might be bothered. She wasn't of course. She wasn't really sure why she was acting this way.

"No, you have done nothing. Let's just go," she began walking into the thick forest ahead of them.

"You're going the wrong way," he said laughing at her attempt. She followed the direction he was pointing to and heard him following behind her.

They had walked in silence for what seemed to be a long time, until they came to a cave. Gendry approached it and went inside before coming back out and taking her hand. He held a torch in his one hand, never letting go of her as they walked through the dark. The further they went, the more curious she grew and she realized that the cave had turned into a tunnel. Where was he taking her?

After a short while she could hear the sound of running water and the crashing of waves.

She could finally feel the excitement rising and she held on to his hand more tightly, but she didn't notice the small smile that he gave to her reaction.

Light could now be seen as they reached the other side and she found herself picking up her skirts to move faster towards the water.

When they reached the exit, Arya was instantly overwhelmed with the smell of salt water and the sound of gulls soaring through the skies. Waves were beating against the cliffs above and she could feel the heat of the sand around her feet as she removed her boots.

"Do you like it?" Gendry asked, watching her as she took it all in.

"It's beautiful," she was mesmerized. "I mean, it's nice," she said shaking it off, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. "Is this Blackwater Bay?"

"Yeah, down the coast from the Capital. Away from the rest of the world," he took her hand in his again and led her further down the beach before stopping and removing a blanket from the bag he carried. He spread it out and gestured for her to sit, she did.

"How did you find this place?"

"My father showed it to me. When we were hunting all those moons ago. He said that this was where he liked to disappear to on his hunts. To get away and enjoy his drunkenness," he looked out to the water. "I come here when I want to think and have the time to get away. Though it's difficult to avoid bringing guards along. I'm actually surprised we were able to escape today."

"Well, I'm glad we did," she said with a smile. She was playing with the sand, allowing it to sift through her fingers. But, she still felt his gaze. She liked it, but still couldn't help but to feel uncomfortable.

"Do you want to go in the water?" he asked, jumping to his feet and beginning to remove his clothes.

"Stop! What are you doing?" averting her eyes, she too stood from where she sat. She had not expected this action and it caught her off guard.

"Having fun," he said laughing. He stood wearing only his breeches. "You have to join me, I can't swim."

Before she could even protest he was running down the beach towards to the waves. Feeling as though she didn't have much of a choice she removed her dress and ran to join him wearing only her shift. Though uncertain with her body and the idea of being alone in such a state with a boy, she could feel the rest of the world just melting away.

As they rode back to the castle, Arya watched through the trees as the sun set over the bay. Her twelfth name day and it was a day she would never forget.

She thought back to the cold of the water causing goose pimples over her skin. The winds bringing a chill over her that made her want to stiffen at the touch. But, what she thought most about was the fun she had. Gendry trying his hardest to swim in the shallows of the water to no avail. The bouts of laughter they had as he struggled against the smallest of waves. She thought of his strong hands on her waist as he through her into the air to land with a splash in the water. It was an amazing day. And, she got to spend it with her best friend.

"What are you thinking of, my lady?" he asked her breaking her train of thought. She gave him a look that sent a smile across his face and she couldn't help but to return it.

"I'm just thinking of the fun we had today," she looked at her hands gripping the reigns before looking up and meeting his gaze. "I want to thank you Gendry. I'm sorry for how I behaved before."

"No need to apologize. It's my fault really. I cancelled your lessons without warning," he rubbed his hand through his hair.

"Well, now that I know the reason I'm quite glad you did," smiling she moved her horse into a trot and then took off to a run through the Crownlands leading to the city gates. She could hear him yelling after her asking her to wait for him but she only laughed, and without looking back kept her pace to win the race he didn't know he was a part of.

He didn't catch up to her until she was already in the stables. She leaned against the wall waiting for him to dismount. When he finally joined her they walked to the castle together where there seemed to be some sort of commotion.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gendry asked loudly. He didn't quite have a bellow the way his father once had but he seemed to have confidence enough to get everyone's attention. The room was silent in an instant as the guards and servants stopped what they were doing to turn in their direction. Arya heard as the guards who had accompanied them on their outing entered the castle behind them. No one seemed to move or react to the King's question, and so he repeated himself, "I said, what is the meaning of this?" she could sense him trying to keep it together but she could tell he was growing frustrated without response. After another moment of silence, she felt his hand take hers, like he had earlier in the woods, but this time he pulled her behind him as he made his way through the crowd. She tried to keep pace but her legs weren't as long or as strong as his. She tried to talk to him but it seemed like she only fell on deaf ears.

When they finally slowed down, she saw as he gestured for the guards to open the doors to the throne room and he continued his stride on in.

As they entered the room he finally loosed her hand and she caught her balance. Sitting below the Iron Throne was the small council and pacing the floor was her father. He looked up at them with worry and anger as they approached and she felt herself fill with an ounce of fear of what was to be said.

"Where have you been?!" Ned boomed. It was the only way to really describe his outburst. He was trying to show just how worried he was without coming off too authoritative to the King. She knew her father all too well. Although he did hold some power, he still held his honour above all. Plus, she couldn't help but assume that he had no idea of their plans for the day.

"I'm sorry, Lord Stark. Someone was to inform you of our plans, I'm guessing word didn't make it to you?" Gendry hated confrontations and she knew that he would do whatever it took to keep things calm.

As they finally reached where her father stood he pulled her into his arms and held her tight to his chest. She felt as though she could barely breathe.

"All I know was that you had gone for a ride, and with only two guards. Your rides do not usually last more than a few hours and you have been gone since early this morning. What was I to think?" he finally released her and she stepped back to look at him.

"Father, Gendry just took me for a surprise for my name day. There is nothing to worry about. We were safe," she hadn't realized what she said until the words had already left her lips.

"A name day surprise?" he turned to look at Gendry. "I'm sorry Your Grace, but I must ask. What are your intentions with my daughter?" His words were filled with venom and she could sense the disturbed nature radiating from him.

"I- I…" he looked to her for some sort of explanation and noticed that he struggled with the answer. "She is my friend, My Lord. That is all, I swear to you."

"I hope you are telling me the truth. She is but two and ten, not yet a maiden flowered," she could feel the heat rise in her cheeks as they turned a deep shade of red, her large eyes grew even larger at the shock of his words. "You must remember that you are a king, Gendry. You have responsibilities, and none of them include my daughter. I would never go so far as to keep you apart, but do not do anything that may call into question her innocence."

She had never been so embarrassed in her life. Not only had he said these things in front of Gendry. But her father spoke these things about her in front of the Lords Renly, Varys and Baelish as well as the others of the small council.

"I would never, My Lord," was all Gendry said. Hearing his words made her think back to the beach, them in their small clothes. Close to one another. Did he mean those words?

Well, that's all she wrote.

For now!

I will try my best to update soon, but I won't even try to guess when because I've been super busy. Hopefully it won't take as long as it did for this one.

Don't forget to review!