So, here's a new story from me. I don't really know where this is going, but I will try to keep it light and funny, so don't expect any major drama, twists or complicated plots... I just can't bring myself to write anything complicated when it comes to those two. (I leave it to GRRM and to the fic writers who master this skill :P)

So here goes the prologue, which is the only chapter that is not a Gendry or Arya POV. Hope you enjoy it! :)

P.S.: Rated T for now. May change in the future.

"Your Grace, we need..."

"How many times must I tell you not to call me 'Your Grace', Ned? Seven hells!"

"Right, right… As I was saying, we need to sort this out."

"Yes, we need. And I know exactly what I'm going to do."

Robert Baratheon was recovering slowly from the wound caused by the boar. It hadn't been as severe as everyone had thought initially – and certainly it hadn't been mortal as Cersei Lannister expected it to be.

Cersei's plans had backfired when Robert survived, and after learning about her treason and that Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen weren't his children, he had made sure to humiliate Cersei and Jaime publicly before banning them, along with the rest of the Lannisters, from the Seven Kingdoms. He could very well have them beheaded, but Ned had convinced him against it.

"Are you going to wed again?" asked Ned.

"Probably, but that's not my immediate concern. I need an heir, Ned, and I need one now – a grown-up heir. And from what you've already told me, you know exactly where to find me one."

"You're talking about…"

"Yeah, yeah, the eldest of my male bastards. What's his name again? Geddy? Gary?"

Ned cleared his throat.

"It's Gendry."

"Yeah, whatever. You said he's a smith, right?"

"Right."

Robert's expression was serious.

"Bring him to me, Ned. I'll acknowledge him and legitimize him, and you will take care of his education. If he likes being a smith, he can keep with it, but make sure he will learn his letters and everything he needs to know to succeed me someday. And do it quickly, I may not be so lucky next time," he said, throwing a glance at his half-healed wound.

"I will."

Ned did as he was told right away. He managed to get to Tobho Mott's forge rather quickly.

He found Gendry at the door, receiving coin from a client, probably the payment for some work. When he noticed Ned, he bowed to him.

"M'lord," he said, keeping his eyes to the ground.

"You need to stop that."

"Stop what, m'lord?"

"Not looking people in the eye. Not keeping your head high."

Gendry did look him in the eye now, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not supposed to…"

"Forget everything you're not supposed to do, boy. You're coming with me."

"What? I did something wrong?"

"Lord Stark, is he in trouble?" asked Mott, approaching them.

"No, he's not in trouble," Ned said, fighting back a chuckle. "I would like to thank you for taking care of Gendry for all these years. He's coming with me now."

"Where?" Gendry asked.

"Don't question the Hand! Do as you're told! I apologize for that, mylord. If you need anything else from me, I'll be at your service."

"Thank you, Mott, I don't need anything for now. Gendry, go get your things. Your father awaits you."

"My father?" he asked incredulously.

"It's a long story…"

"Hurry, boy! Don't make the Hand wait!"

With that, Gendry disappeared into the forge, probably into his room or wherever he kept his belongings.

"I apologize again, Lord Stark, Gendry is a good boy, but he can be quite stubborn."

Ned chuckled.

"That's not surprising. His father can be very stubborn too."

From Mott's face, Ned was sure he was going to ask who Gendry's father was, but then Gendry was back, ready to leave.

"I'm… I'm ready," he said, staring at the ground again.

"What did I tell you about keeping your head high?"

Gendry looked at Tobho Mott and then at Ned again, and raised his head.

"There. That's how you should look at people from now on. The king's son is not supposed to keep looking at the ground."

Gendry's eyes widened and Mott's jaw dropped to the floor.

A very amused Ned and a very astonished Gendry quickly said their goodbyes to an equally astonished Tobho Mott, before heading to the Red Keep.