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CHAPTER ONE; THE BLACKSMITH AND THE KNIGHT

The general understanding Aurelia Marigot had of respect was that it should go both ways. A mutual connection between two or more people, it solidified and upheld the values necessary for peace and prosperity. Purposeful, chivalrous and advantageous in the grand scheme of things, it was unfortunate that it wasn't very common in King's Landing.

"Lady Aurelia!" Ser Hogarth shouted irritably as he chased the sprightly girl through the weaving paths of the city, his hand readily on his sword in case she got into any more trouble. She was far too clever for that, though it was a precaution that had to be taken.

Rey laughed as she dodged a number of citizens, none recognising her. Why should they? She was dressed like one of them, acted like one of them, and besides, they only saw her during special events such as tournaments and trials.

"Aurelia!" the voice of her guard was distant now as she ducked into the steel marketplace, her eyes trying to spot the familiar blacksmith shop. She pushed her way through customers and merchants, her small figure easily finding small gaps to step into. She knew exactly where she needed to be, so it was handy knowing the streets as well as she did.

Her dress trailed behind her as she wove through the roads of Fleabottom, and she cursed her handmaidens for having made her wear an itchy dress rather than the loose trousers and shirt she often wore when exploring.

It wasn't as if she hated her heritage, or her status, she just didn't like the attitudes associated. She didn't like being seen as 'better' or 'worthier' than others just because of her family's money. She didn't like living in the Red Keep while her father did business with the King and the Small Council. She'd rather be roaming her home of Dewacreage with her brothers and sisters, interacting with the locals and enjoying the little time she had left before she was married off into another family.

She had come to terms with the fact that she would be given away in a few years time to a man from some proud family. Her father had mentioned Robb Stark of the North in passing, though thankfully, that was shut down quite quickly seeing as they were already at peace with the people of the Hand of the King, Ned Stark. Besides, they didn't want Rey to marry into such an important house. It was an odd way of thinking, but House Marigot tried their best to stay out of the way for the sake of survival. While the country knew of their status and prosperity, there was nothing of knowledge as to how they worked or what they had done to hurt others.

"Hello, Gendry!" Rey called out once she reached the shop of the most respected blacksmiths in King's Landing. There was only one person in the shop, that being one of her best friends.

"Lady Aurelia of House Marigot," the teasing voice of Gendry Waters immediately welcomed Rey. The girl smiled as she stepped inside, feeling at ease once more. She adored the black-haired boy, he was the only person who genuinely didn't care about her state and her money, only the person underneath all of the privilege. Nonetheless, he did still enjoy taking the piss every now and then. "How can I be of assistance this fine afternoon?"

"You can forge me one of your swords, perhaps?" Rey asked hopefully, to which her friend chuckled and shook his head.

"What would you want with one of mine?" He looked up from his bench, his soft face coated in soot and sweat. "Besides, do you even know how to wield one?"

"A little," Rey responded proudly. It wasn't easy being a lady of a peaceful noble house who wanted to learn the ways of battle. Even with an oblivious father and a mother she hadn't seen in four years, it still remained difficult to uphold her image whilst wishing to fight.

It was when she was seven did this passion bloom. She stood in her chambers of her family's home, overlooking the large courtyard. With newly blooming summer flowers of all colours imaginable dancing across the walls and the grounds, it seemed to be a perfect, yet conflicting backdrop for her eldest brother's lesson in swordplay.

Irvin Marigot, who had only been thirteen at the time, wasn't terrible with a weapon, though he did not possess notable skill. With dusty hair and a concentrated glint in his eyes, he always tried his best. He was good like that, Irvin was. The heir to Dewacreage and the future Lord of the House Marigot, burdened with responsibility and plans, yet he never complained once. No matter the time of day, he always seemed to be happy to listen, play, or laugh with Rey, who looked up to him in ways she never did towards anyone else in her family.

She remembered watching Irvin and the master of arms practise, and like every day, she observed and tried her best to mirror the stances, attacks and defences, despite never having a weapon of her own. She always kept a chair against her door whilst in 'training', as she knew the consequences of being caught. Her parents wouldn't have been able to bear the embarrassment.

While Irvin and her other brothers were trained for means of survival, there was hope they wouldn't have to put their lessons to the test. With House Marigot being a community of peace, there was little expectation of threat. Rey's ancestors had made sure of that.

Hundreds of years ago, when Aegon Targaryen conquered and united the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, House Marigot was one of the first to bend the knee to his rule. There was no use battling an enemy they couldn't defeat, or fighting a war that couldn't be won. There was only a hope for the future of their house. Represented by the Lord Protectors of the Reach, the Tyrells, House Marigot found exactly what they sought— safety and peace. They allied themselves silently and carefully, often picking the side more likely to succeed. They ducked their heads when danger was on the horizon, and chose to remain in solitude during the days of Robert's Rebellion. Alongside Highgarden, the castle of Dewacreage was renowned for its agriculture and medicinal ingredients for Maesters and healers across the country.

Though powerful and wealthy, House Marigot was intelligent, not seeking fame nor war. They were reliable, kind and quick, though they could deliver a fatal sting; reminiscent of the bumblebee adorning the house sigil. It was something to be cherished, both the animal and the noble house. It had been nurtured for centuries so that it could flourish and ultimately, thrive among the strong families of Westeros.

"Here, now you have to," Rey laughed brightly, tossing a bag of gold dragons his way. Gendry wasn't looking, which was why he cried out in pain when the heavy sack hit him in the side of the face.

"Seven hells!" he groaned, and Rey gasped softly, rushing forward and taking his head in her dainty hands.

"Forgive me, I wasn't aiming for your face," she apologised sheepishly, to which he chuckled and rolled his eyes. There was a slight scuff above his eyebrow, but nothing bad.

"I think we've come to the conclusion that you've got the aim of an infant," he retorted, though there was a smile on his face. "Doesn't mean having a bag of gold thrown at you hurts any less."

Rey grinned sheepishly, pulling back from the blacksmith's apprentice and bending down to pick up the small sack of tokens that had fallen to the dusty floor. "Is it enough to get me one of your weapons?"

"I told you, I can make you one for nothing if you'd like," Gendry chuckled, shaking his head as he brushed off the dull ache he still felt. "You're my friend, you don't need to pay."

"And have you get in trouble with that twat who watches over you?" Rey scoffed, slamming the bag on the workbench, her fingers nearly brushing against the hot coals if Gendry hadn't caught her wrist in time. The girl rolled her eyes as the boy smirked at her carelessness, before she nodded towards the money. "Take it. There's a little extra in there so that you can get a little more to eat. You know my father would be more than happy to provide shelter and food..."

"You know I don't want that," Gendry grumbled, shaking his head as he averted his eyes.

"So what do you want?" Rey raised her brows and Gendry smiled, turning towards his anvil.

"I want you to piss off back where you came from before Mott comes back from the brothel," her friend called over his shoulder. "Take the money with you, I'll have it ready this week."

"Promise?" Rey asked, a hopeful smile adorning her lips. Gendry glanced back and returned the gesture, nodding. Gasping in delight, the girl beamed. "Thank you! Also, the money's yours. Goodbye!"

"Rey!" Gendry yelled out, only to see that the girl had disappeared, running through the markets so that he couldn't return the gold. The boy huffed, though he couldn't help but smile a little at her bright aura, even if he had only seen her for a moment. She was the closest to family he'd ever had, and he wouldn't trade the brief encounters they had for anything.

"My Lady, you need to stop running away every time we leave the Red Keep," Ser Hogarth grumbled once Rey found him stomping around the marketplace anxiously. He wasn't hard to miss, with his tall stance and ridiculous armour. He seemed to be ageing quicker than most knights in House Marigot's guard, mostly due to the fact that he took care of Rey everyday.

"I'm not running away, you're just not quick enough," she grinned, to which he rolled his eyes. Rey then slumped a little, knowing she was in trouble. "I'm sorry, Hogarth, it's just...I'm not going to be able to have this sort of freedom once we leave King's Landing. As soon as I get back to Dewacreage I'm going to be married off to someone I don't know."

"The Queen won't be happy to hear what you've been doing," Hogarth raised his brow, causing Rey to falter a little bit. "Don't concern yourself, My Lady, no one will hear anything from me."

"Thank you," she mumbled, her eyes lifting to the overbearing castle at the edge of the cliff. It was somewhere she should have called home after living there so long, but in truth, she hated it. Like other members of her family, she wasn't fond of attention. She just wanted peace and the freedom to do as she pleased. There was a certain intensity in the atmosphere, particularly around Queen Cersei and her children. Her eldest son, Joffrey, was a monstrous little thing, while the younger ones, Myrcella and Tommen were quite friendly and welcoming.

"Let's get you back, before anyone else notices," Hogarth suggested, and Rey hesitated, before nodding. "I'm sure that Arya Stark wouldn't mind you paying her a visit. I'm told she's been taking sword fighting lessons."

Rey couldn't help but smile. The small yet feisty young girl was one of the two daughters of Lord Eddard Stark. Sansa, the elder sister, had been quite taken with the Marigot girl, admiring her dresses and grace, while Arya saw the deeper and more extraordinary qualities. Rey had only met Ned Stark once, but she enjoyed the time she spent with the girls, Arya in particular. The child had the confidence to do and say whatever she pleased, not caring how others perceived her. Needless to say, Rey wished she had that kind of self-assurance.

"Do you think we could do another training session once we get back to the Keep?" Rey asked hopefully as she fell into step with the knight. He chuckled softly, dipping his head. Rey grabbed his arm, looking up at him with hope in her eyes. "Please?"

"I hope you are aware that I serve your father, My Lady," the man responded, though his voice was gentle. "There are a few too many secrets you've asked me to keep from him."

"And I'm grateful," Rey insisted. She truly was, that was no lie. Hogarth had been present in her life since she was a baby, and as much as they both complained about the company, they had genuine love for each other. He was noble, good, and treated her like a human being rather than a Lady. He was far more of a paternal figure than her actual father, though the bar wasn't too low to pass. "It's just...I want to know how to protect myself if I have to. King Robert is out of the city hunting, and the country is beginning to crumble. Just a few weeks ago one of the Kingslayer's men shoved a knife through Ned Stark's leg."

Ser Hogarth hesitated, before grunting in defeat. "I'll find you a sparring sword and we will practice in the cellars once we return, all right? I don't want you having difficulty with your father or other nobility."

"Thank you, Hogarth," Rey now seemed to have a skip to her step. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"I've been by your side since you took your first breath," the man scoffed, looking down at the girl with a certain softness in his expression. "Of course I know how much this means to you."

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hope you enjoyed the first chapter!! rey/gendry and rey/hogarth are cute as hell friendships so wayooo we love early character establishments!

rey is also supposed to be quite a contradicting character due to the way she was raised. she's only supposed to be like 15/16 at this point so she's just trying to have a good time before she gets married off, but she understands the weight of her duties and is happy to carry them out for the sake of her family. she's a lil overbearing but that'll change!! it's fine for now i think lol