A/N: I own nothing except my OCs. A Song of Ice and Fire is owned by George R.R Martin.
-The Eyrie-
Artys twirled his training sword as he waited for Robert Baratheon to strike him. With Jon busy with governing the Vale, his son and two wards quickly grew bored. Robert, the eldest of the boys, suggested that they sparred. Having nothing better to do, Artys agreed.
Now he found himself regretting that decision. Like all Baratheons, Robert was tall and strong. The Baratheon being a year older did not help matters. Even with a simple training blade, his strikes caused the heir to the Eyire to stagger backwards. As the young lord from the Stormlands charged him, Artys blocked the attack with a swing of his own. As he parried Robert swings with his own, he was forced backwards be the repeated attacks. Finally, finding an opening, Robert hit Artys, knocking him down to the ground.
"That was close" Eddard said. Robert helped Artys back on his feet.
"Man, you Baratheon`s are strong" the blonde boy rubbed the back of his head.
"You are not so bad with a blade" Robert spoke.
"Thanks, Ser Samwell trained me well" Artys said.
"Aye, that he did" Eddard agreed. As the three friends continued talking, Ser Andre approached them.
"Lord Baratheon, Lord Arryn has requested your presence at his chambers" the knight stated.
"Alright, I will go see him" Robert said. He then followed Andre to the chambers of the head of House Arryn. Artys placed his practice blade in a racket and then sat down next to Eddard.
"What has Robert done this time?" he jokingly asked.
"Nothing as far as I know" Eddard replied.
"Although…" Artys trailed off.
"What is it?" Eddard asked.
"I have heard some…rumors about your fellow ward" Artys finished.
"Like what?" Eddard asked slightly worried.
"Well, some claim he likes to pinch and fondle passing serving girls" Artys replied. Eddard glanced at him confused.
"Why would someone spread such a rumor?" he asked the heir of the Eyrie.
"Who knows?" Artys shrugged. "People do love gossip." Eddard nodded in agreement.
"Do you believe them?" he asked.
"I am not sure" Artys replied. "I do not want to believe them, at least."
"Neither do I" Eddard stated. An uncomfortable silence fell over the two young lords as they simply stared at the floor.
Artys sat in his chambers, reading yet another book on the history of the Seven Kingdoms. Maester Colemon had urged him to read more about the other six kingdoms. Having practiced enough for the day, Artys decided to "honor" the maester`s request.
"`The Age of Heroes' huh" the young lord thought aloud. The book he read was about the war between the Children of the Forest and the Andals, the ancestors to many in the realm. However, his reading was interrupted by the entrance of his father.
"How goes the reading?" he asked.
"Well, at the moment" Artys replied.
"Good" Jon smiled, sitting down beside his son. "Have heard anything from Alyssa yet?" he asked.
"No, nothing yet" Artys replied.
"And after you even sent her a new handmaid" Jon noted. Artys quickly turned towards this father, shocked by his statement. "I overheard you speaking with Maester Colemon about it" Jon stated.
"I felt she could us the company" Artys spoke.
"She is your sister, it is only natural that you would worry about her" Jon said.
"Betha seemed rather eager to go" Artys stated.
"I see…" Jon trailed off, glancing over at his son. He then placed a hand on his shoulder. "Eddard spoke with me after his lessons" Jon said.
"About what?" Artys asked.
"Robert" Jon replied. "There are some rumors going around about him."
"Like the one about him fondling serving girls?" Artys asked.
"Aye" Jon nodded in reply. "Eddard told me you do not want to believe them, why is that?" he asked.
"I want to believe that Robert would not sleep with women before he is married" Artys replied.
"Is that so, what about you?" Jon asked.
"I would never do that" Artys replied.
"Why?" Jon asked.
"It is not honorable" Artys replied.
"Good, you remember my lessons" Jon smiled. "`As high as honor´, those are our words. It is important that you remember that."
"I know" Artys said, staring his father directly in the eyes. Jon gave him a smile.
"Well, I will not keep you occupied any longer" the Lord of the Vale said. "Keep studying" he patted Artys` shoulder before leaving. As Jon exited his son`s chambers, the young Arryn turned back to his book.
A/N: And that`s the end of that chapter. It was pretty short, but I`d rather make shorter chapters for more frequent updates.. As for the question from last time, I would most likely worship either the Seven or the Old Gods. For today`s question, what is your favorite noble house and your favorite Great House?
As always, thank you all for your favorites, follows and reviews. Have a fantastic evening and see you all next time.