Game of Thrones: Accidentally in Love

Chapter 1 of a new Game of Thrones story, series AU where Gendry is the trueborn son of Robert and Cersei, also edited the timeline to account for characters ages. Anyway, hope you enjoy.

Here are the important ages BTW:

Robb and Gendry: 20
Sansa: 18
Arya and Myrcella: 16
Bran: 15
Tommen 14
Rickon: 10

Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 1

The city of Winterfell, the principal city of the region known as the North within the lands of Westeros, was bustling with activity. They had just received word that King Robert Baratheon, a childhood friend of the lord of Winterfell and Overlord of the North, Eddard Stark, was coming with a reasonably large delegation to visit. Only a handful of people knew that the visit wasn't just some whim of the King.

They knew it had to do with the recent death of Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King and the man who had raised both Robert and Eddard as his wards, becoming something of a second father to were concerns for Eddard and his wife, they knew a likely reason for Robert's visit, other possibilities were also present, since both families had children who were of age, but were unmarried, not even betrothed to anyone. Yet right now, their worries and concerns were far from their minds; as instead they were focused on preparing Winterfell for the upcoming royal visit.

As such, Catelyn Stark was walking through the great hall of the castle, talking to Maester Luwin and Septa Mordane.

"Makes sure we have plenty of candles for Lord Tyrion's room." She said to Maester Luwin. "I am told he reads all night."

Maester Luwin smiled thinly and nodded. "Of course, my Lady."

They stopped briefly and observed the preparations being made in the great hall.

It was then Catelyn remembered something else.

"Oh and Septa, before I forget…"

Septa Mordane nodded; already knowing what she was going to say. "Arya…"

"Yes." Catelyn confirmed. "We must ensure she is on her best behaviour, and her dress must be kept clean. None of her usual nonsense like archery or swordplay or anything like that."

Mordane nodded; this was a sadly regular occurrence. Of Catelyn and Eddard's five children, two were girls, six and ten year old Arya and eight and ten year old Sansa. Of the two, Sansa was already a perfect Lady, taking her lessons in being so seriously.

Arya on the other hand appeared to be something of a wild child. She couldn't be more opposite her sister; it caused her mother and Septa to despair; especially since she seemed determined to thwart any effort to turn her into a lady. Instead she followed pursuits and even expressed desires to wear clothing meant for men, she therefore got into plenty of fights and arguments because of it.

'The last thing we need is for Lady Arya to embarrass us before the Royal family.' Mordane thought to herself. 'She'll find herself in serious trouble, more so than ever before, if she does.'

"Of course, my Lady." Mordane replied to Catelyn's request.

Satisfied Catelyn resumed walking, along with Maester Luwin and Septa Mordane.

Finally, with everything else all ready, and the Royal Family due to visit later in the day, the family themselves were getting ready. The two sisters, Sansa and Arya Stark were still clad in their sleeping shifts as they stood in the room set aside for them getting ready. Sansa was smiling; Arya however, looked around indifferently, although slightly annoyed, even if she wasn't showing it.

Sansa turned to her sister. "Oh, this is so exciting, isn't it?"

Arya shrugged. "I suppose."

"You suppose?" Sansa echoed, her smile wavering.

Arya sighed and then explained. "The way father talks about the King, it'd be nice to finally see the man behind the stories. But as for the rest, all this we've been doing, just seemed, overdone, if you ask me."

"Gods." Sansa muttered, shaking her head.

She couldn't believe her little sister was being so dismissive about something so important. It wasn't enough for Arya to act improper; she now seemed to show no respect to the Royal Family either.

'Worse still; she's likely to act improper while they're here and embarrass us all.' Sansa noted.

Before she could say anything to try and set her sister straight however, Septa Mordane entered and spoke sharply to them.

"Hurry up, both of you; the maids are here, get ready." She gestured as she continued to speak. "The King and his retinue will be here soon, get dressed, we need to get you all prepared."

Arya sighed but Sansa nodded and the maids entered while Septa Mordane left. The girls shed their sleeping shifts and prepared to begin.

Before long they were in their smallclothes, the maid's began lacing up their corsets, much to Arya's displeasure. She grunted as the corset tightened; Sansa however barely reacted. Finally they were all dressed and the maids had just finished brushing their hair.

Arya glared however as the maid began attempting to style her hair. It was clear, in an effort to impress their Southern guests; that the maid was trying to braid her hair in a southern style, Sansa's maid was doing the same. Sansa noticed Arya's glare and tensed, worried.

"Arya…"

Arya however jerked; forcing the maid to let go. She turned, glaring at the maid. "Forget it."

"My lady?" The maid replied, confused.

"Just let them do it…" Sansa said quickly.

Arya however shook her head. "No, are you crazy, why would I do something like this?!"

Sansa bit her lip; her maid had finished and was looking on, apprehensive. "It would really impress our guests and you'd look so…so…"

She trailed off as Arya's glare turned icy.

"Stupid?" Arya spat.

"No Arya." Sansa said quickly. "Look, please, I don't see what's…?"

Arya wasn't in the mood however. "I don't care; I'm not some silly Southern girl. I am of the North; that is what I should be showing, that is what I should be proud of."

Sansa groaned; but gave up. Arya however did concede to allowing the maid to tie her hair in a single braid. Similar to the style she usually wore, only a little more decorative since braided through it was a thin beaded chain; Arya accepted that too, since it wasn't too over the top for her tastes.

Finally the girls emerged from the room, Mordane was waiting for them.

"Good, you're here, let's go, everyone else is already waiting." She said; before stopping and glaring. "Lady Arya, why have you not finished?"

Arya tensed, knowing what she meant, bracing herself for the argument. "I have."

Mordane shook her head. "You have not; your hair is not…"

"My hair is fine the way it is." Arya snapped; unable to believe they were making such a big deal of this; especially since she was doing something they wanted her to do.

The Septa shook her head. "We're trying to make a good impression for our guests and…"

Arya immediately replied. "That's just what I'm doing, I am of the North and so I should look the part. Isn't that what you're always telling me? Besides it is a good impression to be proud of who you are."

Sansa rolled her eyes, unable to believe Arya would use that as an excuse for her behaviour. Surely she didn't think she could twist things to suit her own ends.

Mordane sighed; still glaring. "We don't have time for this, let's go now. But you haven't heard the last of this."

With that she escorted both girls down to meet up with the Royal family.

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