Game of Thrones: Acceptance in Adversity

Chapter 1 of a new GOT story, a series AU, hope you enjoy it.

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

Chapter 1

The ringing of the two blades against each other as the two people continued their sparring match was the only sound they heard. Stepping back from each other, the duo grinned. They couldn't be more different. One was a young man, aged two and twenty, tall and muscular with shaggy black hair and blue eyes.

The other was actually a woman, seven and ten, with medium long brown hair, grey eyes and a long face, she was pale and quite skinny.

"Is that all you got?" The young woman taunted playfully.

Laughing the young man raised his sword again. "Come and see."

With a laugh of her own, the young woman moved in to attack. The young woman was actually of noble blood, the youngest daughter and third child of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell and his wife, Lady Catelyn, formerly of House Tully. Her name was Arya Stark, a contradiction to everything expected of her gender and breeding.

She hated ladylike behaviour, sewing and such. Instead she favoured things more expected of her brothers, swordplay, archery and such. Yet surprisingly, after so many years of difficulty and arguments, her family now pretty much accepted her behaviour. Her father had even got her a tutor for her swordplay, especially for her own personal sword, Needle.

This was the Water Dance, a style focusing more on speed than strength and getting under the opponents guard to attack their weak points.

The young man's name was Gendry Waters, he was a bastard, yet surprisingly, was a Royal Bastard, being the son of King Robert Baratheon; he was also a knight, having been knighted for services to the Stark family. He was close to Arya, they had been friends for quite some time and even, despite Arya thinking it would never happen to her, due to her dim views on it, fell in love. This was enough to cause a scandal, due to their different social classes, and Gendry being a bastard just made it worse.

Grinning, Arya recalled. 'Yet his knighthood makes him eligible to court and marry a noble lady, yet of all people, he choose me...we are betrothed now.'

It was true, they were betrothed and their wedding would be held in a couple of weeks. Dodging another of Gendry's attacks, Arya deflected a second and attacked, but he also dodged. She noted he was getting better.

'Although...not everything is alright...' She thought sadly.

It was true, despite everything, they still faced one notable obstacle. It wasn't her sister Sansa, whom she had expected to be against her. But then, Sansa, despite her initially low opinion of Gendry, had warmed up to him considerably after he saved her life, the act for which he earned his knighthood.

No, their opponent was in fact her mother. Despite everything, despite explaining herself over and over again, Arya just couldn't get her mother to accept that Arya was happy being the way she was. Happy with her sword fighting and wearing masculine clothing, like now.

Happy with being betrothed to Gendry, that Gendry made her happy and feel loved, without compromising her self-identity, accepted her for who she was.

Despite trying to convince her of all this, Catelyn seemed to believe Arya could still, in some way, become a proper lady, that her and Gendry were a poor match and shouldn't be marriage, despite him being eligible.

"Arry?" Gendry asked suddenly, sounding concerned.

She started, realizing they had parted from combat.

He looked worried. "Are you alright, you looked rather...far away?"

"I was just, thinking, about us...about the past and..." She replied; another thing about her and Gendry, they were always honest with each other. "And my mother."

Gendry bit his lip. "Arry...I..."

"Don't you start apologizing, she's the one with the problem." Arya responded quickly. "Now, come on, let's get on with this."

Gendry grinned and nodded as Arya regained the fire in her eyes and they resumed sparring, until they heard it.

"Arya!"

Rolling her eyes, Arya turned, Gendry stepped up next to her, as they both observed Catelyn Stark approaching.

"Mother?" She queried tiredly.

Catelyn shook her head. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Sparring." Arya replied casually. "Before you start, I have every right to be here and your excuse that nobody would want to marry a girl who fights, I think you'll find Gendry does."

"That's besides the point, you are a noble lady and should behave as such, he is encouraging this poor behaviour you..." She began.

Arya flared up at once. "I am happy this way, being proper that isn't me, why should I pretend to be someone I'm not!"

"Arry, please." Gendry said softly, touching her shoulder.

Cat glared but also noted that Arya did calm down, she smiled at him and breathed deeply.

"Anyway, Mother, is there a reason you came looking for us?"

Catelyn stiffened and then replied. "Yes, you should be getting ready, the hunt will be leaving soon."

Arya's eyes brightened at once and she quickly left, as did Gendry. The hunting party had been planned for some time, it seemed everyone was pretty much organized now and they would be getting ready to leave soon.

The hunting party was already together and making the last minute preparations, Catelyn smiled as she approached Ned and Robb, who would be leading the hunting party.

"Are we all ready Ned?" She asked.

Ned nodded. "Indeed, as soon as Arya and Gendry get here, we'll leave."

Cat nodded; still feeling upset by her earlier argument. Every day that passed, every day where Ned allowed Arya's fault to continue, concerned her greatly.

"Ned, Arya..." She began.

He shook his head. "No Cat we've spoke of this, my answer has not changed. Arya and Gendry are perfect for each other and Arya is happy, she is finally herself."

She couldn't believe this. "But, she...others would..."

"Cat, let's not argue about this. Can't you be happy, your daughter is getting married, is happier than she has ever been and this is a good thing."

Cat said nothing, dismayed that once more, nothing seemed to work, nobody seemed to understand, not even Sansa.

Her mood was not improved by the arrival of Arya and Gendry, Arya still wore those improper clothes, was still armed and clearly intended to take part in the hunt, rather than just watch as she and Sansa were doing, as they were supposed to do.

But not a word was said about it and soon they rode out of Winterfell, unaware of the sudden events that would affect their views in a drastic way.

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