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Can't Be Broken

She stood on one leg, the other bent so that her foot rested on the inside of her knee. Her hands met as if she were in prayer, with needle gripped lightly between them. At Syrio's word she spread her arm to stretch to her side, needle slowly swiping at the air infront of her, at the same time she allowed her leg to drop to the ground stretching it out and bending at her other knee. Once she felt she was in the appropriate stance she froze as Syrio circled her to check her posture.

"Good," he said. And with that she swung her leg around beneath her, jumping over it with the leg that was supporting her, so that it was outstretched in front of her. In trying to make her next transition she lost her balance falling backwards and needle clattered to the floor.

"Not so good," Syrio said shaking his head and clucking his teeth in disapproval. She hated that sound and knew she had messed up. "What is with you today? You're head is not where it usually is. Not so graceful."

She sat up and hugged her knees the way she was apt to do when upset. "I didn't sleep very well is all," she stated, hoping that it was a good enough excuse.

"Even on the worst of days I have seen you stand on your toes for hours at a time. No, sleep is not the problem."

"I just have some things on my mind I suppose..."

"Things so important it is worth losing your life?" he struck at her with his blunted sword, only missing her by a hair as she rolled out of the way. Jumping to her feet she grabbed needle and got back into her Waterdancers stance awaiting his next attack. "You almost lost an arm little one."

"I am not so little anymore," she said defensively.

"And yet a girl can not separate her troubles from her lessons."

"And a man does not know the troubles of being a woman," she retorted.

"I see no woman, I see but a girl who aims to have her limbs removed from her body," he said striking at her once again, she held up her own sword to block him. He added more weight upon her sword and she used as much strength as she could muster to hold him at bay. "What do we say to the god of death?"

"Not today," she forced through gritted teeth, finally bringing herself to push him away.

"Not today," he repeated dropping his sword to his side and dismissing her for the day. She was a bit annoyed with her lessons ending early but she understood that it was probably for the best. Her head still wasn't on right and she couldn't get the thought of Gendry out of her head.

Accepting the fact that her day was not going to go as planned she headed to the stables to help the stable boys and hide out for the rest of the day.

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As he left the Tower of the Hand, having signed and sealed the letter to the Tyrells, he dreaded the idea of having them arrive within the next fortnight. Margaery truly seemed to be a nice girl but he couldn't help but question her intentions. However, regardless of his feelings she was still the best pick out of those who had been offered to him.

Pushing them from his mind he made his way through the Red Keep to take care of his duties for the day.

First were the petitions from the court and common people.

Then there was a small council meeting after the midday meal.

Then he had to attend a fitting for his new wardrobe. He did not think new clothes were necessary but his advisors insisted upon it.

Lastly, though not on his official agenda he felt the need to find Arya and get things sorted before things got worse between them.

He searched high and low throughout the castle. He checked all of her favorite places that he could think of and eventually he was ready to give up his search. He walked the grounds, heading back towards the Keep to retire to his solar when he heard someone laugh. Not just any laugh. But a laugh he had become accustomed to hearing and one that rang like music through his ears. He followed the voices and laughter which brought him behind the stables. He saw Arya dressed in her usual breeches and tunic, needle strapped to her hip and a wooden practice sword in her hand. She was pretending to spar against two of the stable boys and laughing as they clumsily made an attack on her. One word Gendry never thought to use in describing Arya was graceful but in that moment, as she dodged between her opponents swords, it was the only word that came to mind. He stood watching for some time before he was noticed by one of the stable boys whom immediately dropped his makeshift weapon and bowed to him. Arya paused and lowered her sword before turning to face him. Her face turning into a scowl and her loose posture becoming stiff.

"Might I have a word, my lady?" he asked, gesturing for her to walk with him. He knew that asking her in front of the stable hands would force her to agree to his request. She may be rebellious in all she does, but she knows when to comply and show respect when in the presence of others.

"Your grace," she bowed before walking passed him and his outstretched arm towards the gardens. Feeling embarrassed he redirected the boys who stood watching in awe to get back to their work and then he turned to follow Arya.

By the time her reached her she was already in the gardens, no one else was around because it was about supper time.

"Arya, listen…" he started as he approached her. Her back was to him and he could tell she had her arms crossed against her chest. "I am really…"

"How dare you!" she interrupted, her tone harsh and unnerved. "Do you honestly believe that I want to talk to you right now? Child that I am and all. What words could you possibly have to say to a little girl?"

"That I'm sorry. I really didn't mean what I said yesterday."

"If you didn't mean it you wouldn't have said it Gendry. Admit it."

But what could he say? She was obviously still very offended by what he said. He honestly did not see her as the child she thought he did. She was his friend above all else. She is still the only one he could be himself around. They could laugh together, and play. They could go swimming in their under clothes. She is the only highborn girl he knew that would be comfortable doing all of the things they have done. And if things didn't work out between them, who could teach him to be less clumsy with his sword?

"I will not admit to something that's not true. I will honestly say that you are young, you still have a lot to learn about life. And I can tell you, that I am not much older. There is but a four year difference between us but at six and ten, I am already considered to be a man grown, I am expected to be King and rule over the Seven Kingdoms, I am expected to wed and produce heirs. This is not the life I had expected for myself Arya and yet this is what has been handed to me. If I had it my way, we could play and fight and swim all day long. We could ride through the woods and get covered in mud. If I had it my way Arya, I would take my time getting to know my place as King. I wouldn't marry so soon. But we both have to understand that I am baseborn, regardless of being legitimized by King Robert before he died. I have to secure the throne and make him proud. He died just as I was getting to know him and it is the least I could do. To be honest. Maybe I'm jealous of you."

"Jealous of me?" she asked confused by his admittance. "Why?"

"Because you're two and ten. You aren't yet expected to do all of the things required of a lady. Your father accepts you for what you are. A young rambunctious girl who would rather do all of the things that a boy might. You don't yet have to worry about wedding a man you do not know for political reasons. You may be encouraged to act more like a lady, but no one is forcing you to be anyone but you."

"Well, what if I want to marry. Maybe not today. But one day soon. What if I want to become a lady worthy of a lord?"

"Now who's telling a lie?" he questioned her, not quite believing her to be sincere in her words.

"Okay, but only half a lie," she insisted. "I wouldn't mind marrying one day." He watched as she turned and walked away from him. Sitting a short distance away in front of the fountain. He crossed the distance and sat next to her.

"So I must ask, are you honestly upset about me saying that you were a child? Or were you upset by something else I said?" he said looking off into the distance.

He turned to look at her and saw her sitting quietly. She had pulled her knees to her chest and was looking at her feet.

"Maybe a bit of both," she admitted after a minute or two passed by. He waited for her to continue but she didn't.

"You know you'll always be my friend, right?" he hoped she knew that. But based on her reaction he knew she thought otherwise.

"How can you be so sure?" he saw a tear slip down her cheek her large doe-like eyes wide with questioning.

"Because, I want you to be. You have been there for me since the day of my coronation, and I want you to remain there for me throughout this journey. I need someone who will be on my side. Someone I can turn to or escape with when things get to be too much."

"You'll have a wife for that…" she said wiping another tear from her face.

"Like I will want to spend all of my time with a spoiled highborn lady who is all proper and wouldn't know a good time if it slapped her in the face."

He smiled as she laughed at that. He would much rather see her smile than cry.

"You promise, Gendry?"

"I promise."

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Hope to have another chapter in the next few days!

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