Hey everyone!

First off, let me apologize for such a long hiatus. I feel so bad for not updating for soooo long and leaving things the way they were in the story. Just know that I haven't updated for personal reasons and simply not having the time between school and work but I finally have things sorted and hope to finish the story without such long waits in between chapters.

I thank everyone who has reviewed, faved and followed and I am so glad that everyone has enjoyed the story so far! More to come and please continue to let me know what you think.

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A Sister's Bond

Arya was angry. She wasn't really sure why but knew that it had almost everything to do with Gendry's wedding announcement. He was her best friend, at least that's what she thought he was, but now things had changed. First he ignored her for weeks on end. And now, he is to marry and forget she even exists. She didn't want that. She wanted him to be the way he was. To laugh and play the way they always had. Although he was the King, he allowed her to be herself and call him stupid when he deserved it and give him a punch when he needed it. Who was she to go on rides through the Kingswood with now? Who would take her to picnics on the beach and go swimming in their under clothes with her? Who else could she feel that comfortable with?

That first night after Gendry let it slip that he was to be married, Arya had cried, tossing and turning in her bed unable to sleep. She knew it had to happen sooner or later, it was inevitable – he was the king. But, why did it have to be now? Why did he need to marry when she wanted for them to be like they had always been? The thought of him forgetting about her, or not having the time to do the things that they used to. Even in the past few weeks she had scarcely seen him, so what would it be like when he feels he needs to entertain someone else? Someone he is supposed to marry. Arya couldn't help but torture herself. Thinking constantly about being no one. Of being a kid in comparison to the lady he has chosen to be his bride. She was not beautiful like Sansa, nor lady-like in any way. As much as she has tried lately to wear more dresses and act more proper, it wasn't who she is. How could Gendry ever see her to be anything, or anyone? How could she expect to be someone worthy of a king?

She attempted to muffle her sobs but a few escaped her as she attempted to catch her breath. She swore to herself when eventually there was a light knock on her door. She sat quietly hoping that whoever it was would go away but a whispering voice she recognized to be Sansa called out to her. She wiped at her face furiously trying to hide the tears that streaked her pale face but gave up realizing there was no point because the tears just kept falling. Taking a deep breath she moved to the door and opened it to see Sansa looking at her with a worried expression.

"Arya?" genuine concern was written in her sister's expression. "Is everything okay?"

And with that simple question, any composure that Arya held slipped away as she began to openly sob.

Sansa took her sister into her arms, closed the door and led her back to her bed. The two rarely got a long but Sansa had rarely seen her sister cry and knew that she needed comfort at that moment, so she held her close and allowed her some time before she spoke again.

"Arya, I know we do not get a long but if you need to talk, I am always your sister and I am here for you whenever you need me."

"I just feel so stupid," Arya said between her sobs.

"You are not stupid, why would you say such a thing?"

"Do you promise you won't laugh?" The look on Arya's face only brought more worry to Sansa. She had never seen her younger sister in such a state.

"I promise."

"Well… I think I'm feeling a bit hurt… and jealous," Arya said with a look of confusion spreading across her features.

"Jealous? Of whom?"

"Gendry told me today that he is to be wed," a look of understanding washed across Sansa's face as she realized that her sister had come to see the King as more than a friend. It made her think of her feeling for Joffrey and wondered if Arya had felt the same butterflies whenever she was in his presence. Arya sat with her hands in her lap, staring down as she fiddled with her fingers.

"Oh Arya, I know it must have been difficult for you to hear. And I know how close you two have become since Gendry's coronation; but you have to understand that he is the King. Father always said that a King needs to marry and produce heirs in order to keep his position secure and produce alliances throughout the realm. And I have seen the way you smile when you are with him, it's the same way I smiled when I had thought I had loved Joffrey…"

"Yes but Joffrey was a terrible person Sansa, he had Micah killed. He turned you against me," Arya said interrupting her sister.

"I know and I am sorry for that. I was so excited to be betrothed to a prince that I let things get out of hand. I should never have lied," Sansa said. "Anyways, Gendry is expected to be married in the next two or three moons, I overheard one of fathers conversations earlier and an heir is to be expected as soon as possible. And because you have not yet flowered…"

"Sansa!"

"I am sorry Arya but it is true. You are a maid not yet flowered so you could not have been an option. Not to mention that father already has an alliance with the throne as Hand of the King."

"I thought you were supposed to be helping me?" Arya questioned with annoyance etched in her face. "Not to mention you only flowered a moon ago but you were still betrothed to Joffrey last year."

"Yes, but Joffrey was only a Prince not required to marry right away. Had he still been heir when Robert died we would have had to marry sooner I believe. And, I am helping you Arya. Or at least I am trying. You need to know and understand the truth of the matter. Whether you love him or not, he is King and he has a duty. For all we know, he could love you the same but does not have the luxury of marrying for love. Nor do we. We are noble ladies from one of the most noble families in the Seven Kingdoms and when the day comes that father finds us matches we will not have much choice in the matter."

"I do not love him!" Arya denied but she understood what Sansa said to be true. No matter what opinions she held there was not much that could be done to put her at ease. She just had to deal with what was to come. She had to come to terms with the fact that as King, Gendry could not be concerned with how she felt. He had the entire realm to worry about. And perhaps one day she would marry as well. Not that she wanted to actually be married. But knew it was something she would be required to do in the future.

"You do love him, whether you know it or not. Anyways, it is late. I hope you can understand that this is something that Gendry has to do. Get some sleep but I am here if you need me," Sansa stood to return to her own chambers but only made it part way to the door before Arya stopped her.

"Sansa," Arya said softly and she turned to look at her little sister, hugging her knees to her chest and looking so innocent. "Can you stay with me tonight?"

"Of course," she said running back to crawl under the covers with her sister.

"Thank you, Sansa."

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Gendry sat in his solar with a blank piece of parchment sitting in front of him on his desk. He had been trying for hours to write a letter to Mace Tyrell accepting his proposal to marry his daughter Margaery but he could not find the words.

His mind was swimming with his earlier interaction with Arya.

He had not meant to tell her about his marriage so soon, but it was probably best that she had heard it from him. And he felt terrible for the things he had said to her. His implication that she was merely a child had insulted her and he wanted nothing more than to take back those words. Yes, she was younger than he was, and yes she still held on to some of her child-like tendencies. But, he could see in the short time that he has known her how much she has grown up. He could see the small changes in her behaviours and he attempts to be more of a lady. However, he enjoyed the way she was still herself. Soulful, spirited, aggressive and rebellious. She was also honest to a fault and he liked that. She was the only one who still treated him as a regular human being. Not just a king. He felt like himself whenever she was around. So despite everything, he did not want to lose her. Even if they could only be friends.

If only she had given him the chance to explain.

He looked down at the parchment in front of him and the quill in his hand before standing from his desk and heading to his chambers.

He was not in the state of mind to write to the Tyrells tonight. It was late. He needed sleep.

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A gentle nudge woke him from his sleep and he could see that the sun had barely begun to rise as he opened his eyes, darkness still overtaking the light within the chamber. He turned to see who it was to disturb him and Podrick stood tall as always, bowing slightly in greeting before heading to the wardrobe to lay out his clothes for the day. As he sat up he noticed there were pages coming in with buckets of hot water for his bath and rubbed his eyes wearily.

"Pod, why am I being awaken at this hour?" he yawned, "Does a King not deserve to sleep past sunrise at least once in a moons turn?

"I am sorry Your Grace, but Lord Stark asked for you to be ready to break your fast with him and his family this morning."

"And since when does the Hand of the King have more authority than the King himself?" he questioned half-heartedly. His squire was of an age with him and yet he seemed very soft-spoken and out of sorts when questioned in this manner, so he quite enjoyed giving him somewhat of a difficult time.

"Uh... uhmm… I apologize Your Grace," he said stopping what he was doing. "Should I tell Lord Stark that you will not be joining him? I should not have disturbed your sleep Your Grace it won't happen again!"

Gendry laughed as Podrick began rounding up the pages and dismissing them from his chamber.

"I'm kidding Pod. Do not worry so much. Go and let Lord Stark know that I will be along shortly. I will be bathing and dressing myself as usual."

A quick nod and a bow and Pod was on his way, leaving Gendry alone in his chambers. He laid back and stretched, not wanting to leave the comfort of his bed. He had barely slept and yet he knew that he had to get up sooner than he would have liked.

Rolling over and swinging his legs over the edge of his King-sized bed he got up and removed his under clothes before crossing the room, making water and sliding into his large tub. He quickly washed and got dressed. Before long he was ready to meet his Hand and his family for their morning meal.

His family, that means Arya too, he thought to himself. He was instantly filled with a small amount of dread and his heart began to beat faster than it should. He had hoped to see Arya at some point throughout the day but not with her father present. He wanted to explain to her what he had meant the day before. The thought of her still being crossed with him made him feel guilty. But he had already sent Podrick to accept the invitation so he didn't want to be rude by not going now. So, building up his courage he left his chamber and headed towards the Tower of the Hand with his King's Guard in tow.

As he approached the dining room, the household guard opened the doors and allowed him entry. The Starks were already seated around the small table as he entered. He could see that Arya had her back to the door but when Lord Stark and Sansa stood she turned around quickly and he could see that she was not happy with his presence and his stomach sank to the floor.

"Good morning, Your Grace," Lord Eddard welcomed him, nudging Arya to stand also and show him respect. When she got to her feet she and Sansa curtsied without saying a word.

"Good morning, Lord Stark. Sansa. Arya," he greeted as he approached the table. As he sat down they followed suit and servants began bringing in their food.

"Thank you for joining us," Ned said as he held his goblet to be filled with juice. "I feel that we have not dined together in some time and thought this would be much more casual than eating in the small hall with the other nobles."

"I agree, I am glad that you extended the invitation," he said glancing in Arya's direction but she was avoiding his gaze as she pushed the food around on her plate.

"I hope you do not mind me bringing this to the table, but did you manage to complete your letter to Lord Tyrell last night?"

Oh he did mind, especially it having been mentioned in front of Arya. He noticed her tense slightly as the words were said.

"No I do not mind," he said politely. "I have yet to finish the letter, I found myself to be quite distracted last night."

He looked at Arya again but she still refused to look in his direction.

"I figured you might have some difficulty so I have written one for you to sign and to be sent by midday. I know this is not exactly what you wanted but the sooner this is official the better. I have also invited the Lady Margaery to stay in the Red Keep so you may get to know one another. I thought it might make things a little bit easier for you once it comes time to wed. I hope you approve of this as it can be quite difficult to marry someone you do not know."

"Thank you, Lord Stark, I appreciate your aid in this matter for I knew not what to say," Gendry put on a false smile as he took the letter that was being handed to him. He opened it and read it over before nodding and placing it in his lap for later.

"I met Lady Margaery during the coronation feast," Sansa said, "She is very beautiful."

"Yes, she is," he replied because her beauty was undeniable but he felt very awkward admitting such in front of Arya so he tried to change the subject.

"So, Lord Stark, how do things fare with your family in the North?"

"They are well, thank you for asking. I correspond with my wife regularly and the boys are getting along just fine. My eldest son Rob seems to be doing a good job running things in my absence."

"Glad to hear. You girls must miss home?" he asked in hopes of getting a response out of Arya who has yet to speak. As expected only Sansa replies.

"Oh yes, Arya and I miss the North dearly. It has been about a year since we have seen our mother and brothers. I do not know about Arya but I miss the cold. Do not get me wrong, this Southern climate is delightful but it is very different than we are accustomed to."

"I can imagine," Gendry smiled at that. "I myself have only ever been in King's Landing. Growing up as poor as I have in Flea Bottom, I didn't have the means or resources to ever leave."

"Well you definitely do now," Ned laughed.

"I suppose I do," Gendry smiled.

"Arya?" Ned said eyeing his daughter.

"Yes, father?"

"Is everything alright? You are very quiet this morning, I usually have to interrupt just to get a word in with you."

"Yes, I am fine. I just did not get much sleep last night," she looked up finally looking at him before averting her eyes once more and he felt the guilt begin to rise within him again. "May I be excused to my dancing lessons?"

"Yes, that should be fine, run along," Lord Stark dismissing her from the table. He wanted nothing more than to follow her but he knew that at that moment he couldn't. He could only hope that he would see her later.

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I hope you liked the chapter, tried to make it a bit longer since it has been a while but didn't want it to drag on too long!

New chapter soon!