Game of Thrones: Accidentally in Love

Chapter 4 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Yup, it sure is :)
ccanonman89: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
smird85: We'll see more of her later on in the fic, I promise.
Marina Ka-Fai: Yes, that is true, but as you said, she tries :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yeah, they do, but they try, that's the main thing.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 4

Arya smiled faintly as she stood in the training yard. She had taken Needle with her, examined it and was now testing its capabilities on one of the training dummies. It was at a time like this she felt alive; not stuck in a dreary room struggling to learn how to sew or some other girly activity.

It had also warmed her heart to realize that maybe her mother didn't view her as poorly as she had thought; it had all been a misunderstanding. Despite her thoughts to the contrary, her one achievement from Septa Mordane's lessons had in fact received approval from her mother.

'It's a small thing really, especially when put next to all of Sansa's.' She thought quietly. 'But, it still means a lot, to know that mother was at least proud of that.'

She just wished she had shown her mother earlier; but her confidence had taken a blow at that time. There she was, having finally outdone Sansa at something, yet Sansa hadn't said a word. Septa Mordane still focused solely on Sansa, telling her she just needed to work harder, not one word did she say to Arya in spite of her achievement.

Arya narrowed her eyes slightly. 'Honestly, that is just so unfair.'

She attacked the training dummy again; taken out her anger on it. She stopped suddenly however when she heard someone applauding behind her. She spun around and froze, standing there, smiling at her, was Prince Gendry.

He approached her calmly, still smiling. Arya remained tense however. She hadn't intended for him to find out about this. Her mother had told her to at least conduct herself properly around him. But that was obviously not possible now.

'Well, I may have just inadvertently ruined things.' She noted with a slight feeling of guilt.

Gendry stopped in front of her, still smiling as he spoke. "So my Lady, we are betrothed it seems."

"Y-yes." Arya replied; feeling uncomfortable."

She then saw Gendry's gaze and inhaled sharply, he was looking directly at Needle.

He glanced back at her face, one eyebrow raised. "Oh, what have we here, a lady with a sword?"

She knew that she was supposed to apologize for her 'impropriety', but instead, her usual instincts asserted themselves.

"Stop calling me that." She said quickly. "I hate it."

Gendry seemed momentarily surprised, before grinning. "As my lady commands."

She snarled but said nothing. Gendry meanwhile was observing Arya carefully.

'My brother really is desperate to put people down, the things he said about Lady Arya. Yes, many of the rumours about her seem to be true. Her wildness, her dislike of being called a lady, or even acting like one.' He thought to himself. 'Still Joffrey's wrong, she's not the way he thinks she is. She's beautiful, fiery…she's the kind of girl I could like.'

He quickly cast around for a subject, something that would interest them both, maybe help him find out more about her.

He had been surprised when his father announced that he was betrothed, not to Lady Sansa, as he had expected, as would have been usual, but to Lady Arya. Then he remembered Arya and how she looked and realized his father's reasoning. It had taken all his strength not to roll his eyes.

However that did not mean he was against it, or not intrigued. From the moment he laid eyes upon her, he had known there was something about Arya Stark, something which drew him in.

Arya fidgeted uncomfortably. "I should…go, I'm not supposed to be here, right."

Gendry shrugged. "No need to leave on my account, actually I was hoping you could stay."

Arya stared at him in disbelief, he nodded and then gestured to Needle.

"How good are you with that sword?"

Arya glared at him. "Excuse me, you think…?"

Gendry shook his head, holding up his hands, trying to calm her. "Whoa, calm down, I was only asking."

"Fine…I…I've only just got it, but I sometimes sneak down here to use the practice swords." She admitted.

Gendry grinned at that. "I see, interesting. Why don't you show me?"

Arya tilted her head, even more confused. "Show you?"

Gendry nodded. "Spar with me."

"You…" Arya nearly choked on her words, she hadn't heard that right surely. "You can't be serious."

Gendry merely nodded. "Of course I am, come, show me how good you are with a sword."

Arya sighed but agreed, allowing Gendry to fetch the practice swords while she sheathed Needle and put it down, next to the training ring.

To say Arya was surprised was an understatement; here she was, having been warned by her mother to present a favourable impression on the Royal Family. Yet she was about to do some sword fighting, sparring, with her betrothed, not only that, it had been his suggestion.

'This is…not what I thought, so much having to pretend to be a proper lady. He's…he's encouraging me to act the way I normally do, perhaps more so.' She noted as she took the practice sword from him.

Gendry nodded and together they took up fighting stances, facing each other, they then began. Arya was fast despite her lack of training, but she could see Gendry had received good training. He was strong, while not as fast as her, he was still quick on his feet. Before long Arya was glaring at him, lying on the ground, having been knocked down several times.

"You're good." Gendry said at last, smiling. "You have potential…"

She snarled. "You beat me, I'm the one on the ground, how is that good."

'Yes, on the ground, covered in dirt, hair a mess…yet still so beautiful and still so fiery.' Gendry thought to himself. 'She is a girl I could truly love.'

He briefly noted that, while the thin beaded chain was absent, her hair had been styled the same way as it was at the feast, in a simple braid. It was then he noted that this seemed to be her usual style, rather than something she did only when she had to.

Shaking his head Gendry approached the prone girl and held out his hand. "You just need to practice more, perhaps you'll even get good to beat me."

Hearing the humour in his tone, Arya finally realized he was truly complimenting her. She smiled and accepted his hand, being pulled back to her feet. At Gendry's suggestion they began again.

She pondered as they did so. 'I'm still not sold on this idea of marrying him; but I would certainly like to be friends with Prince Gendry. I've never felt so free or…accepted, in all my life.'

She smiled at that thought, even as she ducked under one of his attacks.

Arya wasn't sure how long they had been sparring; all she knew was it was long enough for her to get even dirtier; she was also getting better. Just then however, everything came to jarring halt.

"Arya!"

Both she and Gendry turned and Arya's heart dropped. Her mother and Sansa were approaching her; her mother looked apprehensive, while Sansa looked scandalized.

"Arya, what do you think you are doing?" Sansa remarked sharply as they reached her. "Have you lost your mind?"

Catelyn shook her head; her voice calmer. "Arya, I thought I asked you to…"

Before Arya could retort Gendry stepped forwards, smiling. "It is quite alright, my ladies. I'm the one who asked Arya to spar with me."

His words stopped both Sansa and Catelyn in their tracks; both of them staring in shock at the Crown Prince.

"She is very impressive I must say." Gendry continued and Arya looked away, feeling the heat rise to her face.

'Stupid.' She thought to herself.

Sansa looked even more horrified than ever. "What, but that's…That's not proper and..."

"Exactly." Gendry replied, grinning.

Sansa looked as if she was about to start up again. But Catelyn then put a hand on her shoulder and spoke.

"I…I understand, our apologies for the interruption, Your Highness. We will take our leave now." She said, surprising Arya by smiling at her before leading a shocked and horrified Sansa away.

Gendry turned to Arya, grinning.

"Well, that turned out nicely."

Arya couldn't help herself, especially as she noticed her mother and Sansa thankfully hadn't seen Needle, she grinned too.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.