AN: Soo this is a new story I've been working on. I can't promise anything about how often I will post new chapters, as my summer is going to be craazy busy with work and stuff. Anyway, it's a little longer than the other chapters will be, just to get started on the story. It's also worth mentioning that I am Norwegian, so my english is not perfect, and I apologize in advance for any grammar mistake that may occur. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

"Arya? Arya!"

Arya lay on her back on the grass and stared up at the cloudy sky while breathing in the fresh air of the Riverlands. She could hear that someone was looking for her, but she was in no hurry to reply. This was her place – the hill behind the trees. This was where she came when she wanted to be alone, think or just be. It was now weeks since the Bortherhood had returned her to her lady mother and king brother, and now she was, yet again, yearning for some alone time.

"ARYA!"

She realized it was her mother calling, and knew better than to ignore her for too long.

"Arya Stark!" her mother's voice slashed through the air like a whip, and Arya could hear that she was losing patience.

"Coming!" Arya shouted back. With Needle on her hip, she ran down the hill and saw her mother with her arms crossed, shaking her head by the sight of her daughter.

"What did I tell you about wandering too far from camp? Need I remind you I just got you back, and will not lose you again? Stay within the camp!"

Arya felt like a child again, which bothered her. Yes, she loved her mother dearly, but she wished she would stop talking to her as if she was nine.

"I'm sorry, mother," Arya replied. Catelyn's stern face softened and she stroke her daughter's hair affectionately.

"I have some matters to discuss with your brother. Promise you will stay within the camp so the guards can keep an eye on you."

Arya nodded obediently, rolling her eyes internally.

"And don't be late for supper!" Catelyn said and left. Arya wanted to yell after her that she was too old to be "kept an eye on". After everything she had been through, after everything she had survived on her own, she knew she could take care of herself. But perhaps that was why her mother wanted to keep her close at all times. To keep her safe, so she would not have to defend herself against enemies. So she would not get more blood on her hands.

With her mother out of sight, Arya headed to the forge. If she had to stay in the camp, then at least she wanted someone to talk to, even if her mother was not too fond of the blacksmith she brought with her from the Brotherhood. Robb on the other hand, had been more than happy to welcome a new smith.

"Arya Horseface," a knight from Winterfell greeted as she hurried past him.

"Eat shit," she replied without stopping. The guard laughed as she ran toward the edge of the camp.

She could feel the heat from the forge several feet away and stopped in the opening to accustom to it. As a northerner, she was not very fond of heat. It made her sweaty and uncomfortable.

Gendry had not noticed her yet. Arya looked at him for a second; taking him in. His bare chest was covered in sooth and sweat. His muscles flexed as he brought the hammer down on the steel, and there were a somewhat peaceful expression on his face. Arya caught herself smiling, and blushed by the realization. Stupid girl.

"Are you spying on me?"

She started and looked at Gendry, whom were flashing her a crooked smile. Arya stuck out her tongue and entered.

"No, stupid!"

"Here to help me then? Gods know I could use an extra pair of hands in here. The other soldiers are inadequate for this kind of work."

Arya jumped onto the counter next to him and grabbed an apple from his satchel. "Don't know how much good I would do. I've never done anything like this before."

Gendry shrugged. "It's not that hard. I could show you if you'd like."

He explained the process of turning a piece of steel into a beautiful sword or a strong piece of armour. It looked easy enough when he did it, but when he handed the hammer to Arya, she found it too heavy and could barely lift it.

"I'm too skinny," she complained and handed it back to him.

"You just need some more muscle is all," he said. Arya grimaced and continued eating the apple. She sat in silence while Gendry worked. He had stopped shaving, letting his stubbles grow into a thick beard. Arya did not know how she felt about that. It made him look older and more sincere. Not like the boy she had met back in King's Landing.

"Hey, you okay?" he suddenly asked.

Arya snapped out of her trail of thoughts and looked at him, blushing slightly. "My mother has forbidden me from practicing with the guards. She says they need to practice more than I do as they are going into battle, and I'm not. I could fight!"

Gendry did not reply. Instead, he brought out something wrapped up in a cloth from underneath the counter. Arya lit up instantly.

"A gift?" she asked and took it from him. The shape of it reminded her of the present Jon had given her before he left for the wall. She unwrapped it quickly and stared in awe at the skinny sword in front of her.

"It's beautiful!" she grinned and held it up. "It's just like Needle!" she tried a few manoeuvres and furrowed her brows together. "Although it is great-" she pretended to poke a man with it and lost her balance. "It's a bit too long for me."

Gendry snorted. "You took it from me before I could explain. It's mine. I was hoping you could teach me some of that dancing that you do." He took the sword from her and held it up as a challenge. Arya laughed and pulled Needle out of its sheath.

"You are too big for water dancing," she teased as he tried to mimic her position. However, despite his size, Arya was surprised to learn that he was quick on his feet. The sword was just the right size for him, and he was a fast learner. Arya could not remember the last time she had enjoyed herself as much as she did while teaching him water dance. It made her forget about her mother's strict rules and the guard's japing comment. It reminded her of the lessons she had had with Syrio Forel, and she found herself repeating the lines he had taught her. Gendry laughed at her, but for once, did not tease. They made a deal that they would practice daily on the top of the hill behind the trees, as it was too warm and cramped in the forge to fight.

When Arya left the forge and hurried to Robb's tent for supper, she had a big smile on her face and a warm tingle in her stomach. She could not wait until tomorrow.

When she entered Robb's tent, he was sitting by the table with their mother.

"Arya," he smiled. "Come join us."

Arya sat down next to her mother and started hungrily on the soup in front of her, slurping it loudly.

"Arya. Arya, please stop eating, we have matters to discuss," her mother pleaded and put her hand over Arya's bowl. Arya looked up with her mouth full and swallowed loudly. "What is it?" she asked.

Robb folded his hands on the table in front of him and looked at her. "It is the Freys," he told her. Arya shuddered by the name. "You know about the wedding between Edmure and one of Lord Walder's daughters. Well, after your return, he has shown interest in marrying you to the heir of the Twins, Edwyn Frey. I have to admit that was part of the original deal we made, before I… Well, you know." He could not quite meet her eyes as he said the last part.

Arya snorted back a laugh, believing they were japing. She had heard stories about the pale and long-nosed Frey heir. However, the sight of her family's earnest faces stopped her laugh short. "Wait-" she looked from her brother to her mother and shook her head. "Robb, you're not-"

"Let me finish!"

Arya crossed her arms and eyed her brother suspiciously. He had better not be considering this or she would cause him serious pain! She had thought that after being lost for several years, her mother would think twice before marrying her off to some stupid lord.

"We need his men, and we need free passage across the trident. I thought Edmure was enough to regain Lord Walder's trust and loyalty, but he changed his mind. He wants a wife for his heir."

Arya chewed on her lip, the anger boiling up inside her. It was not fair to force her to mend his mistakes.

"However, I told him no one were marrying my little sister before the war is won and Sansa is safe from the Lannister's claws. This gives us time to return to the Twins and get you back- before you have to marry anyone."

Confused, she looked from her mother to her brother for some more explanation.

"It is only a temporary betrothal," Catelyn offered. Arya nodded thoughtfully, considering the plan.

"So we lie?"

Robb nodded. "It is time for us to play dirty. Time is running out and I do not know how long I trust the Lannisters with Sansa. Eventually they will do something to her in order to make me bend the knee. We no longer have the kingslayer to bargain with…" Arya noticed that his eyes flickered toward their mother, but only for a second. Obviously, he had not forgotten her betrayal.

Arya chewed her lip so hard, it burst and bled. She would not be fighting in the war – her mother had made that perfectly clear, despite Arya's constant pleading. This way, however, she could still be an important piece in the North's victory. She could help get Sansa back. She could help defeat the Lannisters. It was better than doing nothing!

"Will I be a ward of some sort?" she asked grimly.

"Temporarily, yes," Robb replied.

"How long will I have to play along?"

Robb shrugged. "Hopefully only a couple of months. Mother will be with you at the Twins. Edmure as well – his wedding will be in five days. We will all attend, and then you and mother will stay behind while I take my host south."

Arya was silent for a long moment, considering it thoroughly. She had been many different people throughout the years; Arry, Weasel, Nan… Surely she could play Arya the betrothed as well.

"I'll do it!" she said determinately. "Anything to save Sansa. And if that bloody git even as much as looks at me wrong, he will have to answer to Needle!"

Catelyn gasped, but Robb laughed. "Which is why I don't have to worry about you, little sister. You know how to take care of yourself. Thank you. And I promise we will get you away from the Frey's as soon as we can. I will have some of my best men remain in the Riverlands as a precaution, as many as I can spare. If something is wrong, you need only send a raven and they will come to your rescue."

Catelyn squeezed her hand and smiled. "I am very proud of you, Arya. This is the right thing to do, I am glad you understand."

However, as she left the tent, the happiness she had felt only an hour earlier had vanished completely.

Next day, she met up with Gendry on the top of the hill as they had planned. Due to the recent news, she had trouble concentrating and was frequently knocked down by one of his gentle blows.

"Something on your mind?" he asked as he helped her up for the tenth time. Arya chewed her lip. She had avoided telling Gendry because she knew him only too well. He would be furious and do something stupid like he always did. Then again, he was her best friend, and she was aching to tell someone. After being knocked down again and again, she finally gathered the courage and burst out: "They are sending me to the Twins in a few days."

Gendry looked at her. "I know. For your uncle's wedding."

Arya shook her head and felt her throat tighten. "I'm not coming back in a while. From this day, I am officially betrothed to Edwyn Frey, heir of the Twins." She watched warily as Gendry absorbed the information. The transformation in his face was just as she expected. She tried to explain the plan, but Gendry was already off.

"NO! Arya, they can't do this! Are you serious? They just got you back! If I had known, I would never have let you return! Arya, you cannot do it! I won't let you, I-" he balled his hands into fists and punched the nearest tree as hard as he could.

"Gendry!" Arya gasped and hurried to restrain him. His knuckles were bruised and bloody. "Calm down, you didn't let me finish!" she shoved him away from the tree and kept his hands in hers to keep him from punching something else. "It is only pretend. Robb needs Frey's men and in return I have to marry Edwyn. But the wedding will not find place before the war is won, and by then Robb will have returned for me and taken me home to Winterfell. That piece of shit won't have the time to wed and bed me."

Gendry shook his head, his nostrils flaring angrily. "And what if we lose? Then what? What will be of you then?"

Arya snorted. All this time, she had never even considered the possibility of Robb losing before. He had seemed so confident when he talked about bringing down the Lannisters; she had put her faith in him without a doubt.

"Arya, you do realize war is ugly, no matter how many men Robb has got by his side. There is always a possibility-"

"Don't you dare," she spat. "Don't you dare finish that sentence!"

Gendry sighed, exasperated. "He could die, Arya. I could die. Then what – will you marry that Frey prick? Spend your rest of your days in his captive, being his wife, having his children?"

Arya shook her head, her eyes stinging. "That won't happen. Robb will win, and he will bring Sansa back and then we all go home to Winterfell."

"Don't be a child, Arya. You have to be realistic. You need to have a way out in case something happens!"

"Robb would never agree to the betrothal if he was not sure that he would win. He would never put me in that position!"

"Sounds to me like he already did." His words felt like a punch in her stomach.

"You are such a stupid bull!" She yelled and pushed him to the ground before stomping away. Gendry tried to seize her, but she was too quick.

"Arya-" he called after her.

"Leave me alone!"

"We should have stayed with the brotherhood," he said, more to himself than her, but Arya heard him, and froze for a second, her stomach lurching. She refused to turn and look at him. If she did, she was sure she would break down and cry and back out of the whole plan. Instead, she cursed loudly at him and ran as fast as she could toward the camp. He was not going to ruin this for her. She was with her family, and she was helping retreat Sansa. All she had to do was act like a proper little lady until the war was won. She would have to play the game of thrones for only a few months, and then they would all return to Winterfell as a family. Although it scared her, she had been proud to be a part of Robb's plan. She had felt like she mattered, that she would make a difference. Now, it was all ruined.

As the day of her departure drew nearer, Arya decided it was time to forgive Gendry. The more she had thought about what he had said, the more she had realized he was right. If Robb did not plan an escape for her in case something went wrong, she would plan one for herself. If Robb were killed in the war, there was a slim chance that the Freys would let his guards enter the castle, especially to take her away. If Robb lost the war, it would be up to her to get herself and her mother out of Lord Frey's custody. As soon as they arrived at the Twins, she would explore the entire castle and find a way out as a precaution. But first, she wanted to make amends with Gendry before she left. He was her best friend and she could not bear the idea of him going into war without knowing how worried she would be about him.

She raided the kitchen for something to drink and hid it in her satchel before hurrying to the forge. Gendry smiled slightly when he saw her and pushed the armour he was mending away.

"I did not think I would see you again before you left," he said and crossed his arms. Arya bit her lip and stepped inside.

"I hate to admit it, but you were right." The words tasted strange on her tongue. Gendry whistled and looked at her in disbelief.

"Arya Stark, are you apologizing?"

Frowning, she shot him a dark look and snapped:" You don't have to gloat, stupid!"

He laughed loudly and Arya punched him in the arm as hard as she could.

"Some lady," he teased sardonically. "If you ever hit your betrothed like that he would probably chain you down."

Arya grimaced. "I'd like to see him try!" she looked at him, suddenly feeling sullen. "Are you going to accompany us to the wedding?"

Gendry shook his head. "No, I have too much armour to mend. Besides, seeing you with that son of a whore would be torture." He forced a smile and messed up her hair like Jon had used to do.

"You are stupid," Arya scoffed. However, the way he looked at her made her stomach twist. She was suddenly very aware of how dirty her breaches were. "Do you have time for one last lesson?" she asked and brought Needle out of her sheath.

"Of course I do, m'lady."

When they reached the hill, Arya could tell that Gendry had been practicing by himself. He was a fast learner, and almost managed to disarm her a couple of times. Arya was quicker, though, and ducked away from his blows, laughing at his frustrated expression. For a moment, she almost forgot about her journey in the morrow. She no longer thought of her mother's fretting and Robb's constant assurance that everything would be okay in the end. It was only the two of them; Arya and Gendry, fighting, sweating, and laughing. But when they collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, Arya was pulled back to reality.

"I wish you were coming with," she told him. "I feel like I am the one going into war." She sighed and stretched out in the grass, looking up at the evening sky.

"I guess you are. In some way. Not into a bloodbath like I am, of course." He tried to ease the tension, but his face gave him away. He was worried. Arya sat up abruptly, gaping at him.

"Don't say it like that! I worry about you enough as it is."

This made him smirk. "You worry about me, eh?"

Arya nodded, blushing slightly. "Of course I do, stupid. I worry about all of you."

"Right," he snorted and took a sip of the ale she had brought. Then another. Arya took the flask from him and drank hungrily.

"Are you scared?" she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Gendry shrugged. "I haven't really given it much thought." Arya rolled her eyes and punched him. The stupid bull was too thick to be scared. "After everything we've been through, fighting in a battle doesn't seem like much," he admitted with a forced smile.

"I know," Arya agreed. "You remember when the Lannisters captured us and brought us to Harrenhal? I remember I was so scared the Tickler would interrogate either one of us. I even worried about Hot Pie. I was so scared I remember thinking that if we survived that, if I were reunited with my family, I would do whatever it took to make them proud. That is why I am doing this."

He looked at her with those ocean blue eyes and she could not help but blush. "Arya Stark, you are the bravest person I know."

She did not know whether it was the ale, or the dread of what tomorrow might bring, but Arya suddenly had a need to be as close to him as possible. She wanted to breathe in the familiar scent of sweat and coal that had kept her company for the last couple of years. She wanted to feel his strong arms around her, and hear him say that everything was going to be okay. Gendry had been her rock during the toughest years of her life, and he had never faltered. Somewhere along those years, he had become a part of her, a part she was afraid to lose.

"Don't go south," she whispered and curled up against him on the ground. "You are not a knight. A master of arms has never trained you. If you go south, you will die. Please, Gendry, stay here. Stay in the Riverlands."

"Arya…" he pulled her closer and put his arm around her. "I have sworn to fight beside your brother. I might only be a bastard, but I am a man of my word, and I will not betray your brother's trust. They need a smith. I can't stay."

She closed her eyes and buried her face in his tunic. Sometimes, while on the run, she would snuggle up beside him in the night. It had made her feel safe. Yet, something had changed between them since then. Something in the way he looked at her. In the way her stomach fluttered by the sight of him.

"Arya," he whispered and she could feel his warm breath in her hair.

"Shh, don't talk. I want this moment to last a little longer."

They lay in silence and watched as the darkness crept upon them. Neither cared. This could be their last moment together and Arya did not want it to end. She was losing her pack, just when she thought it was as complete as it would ever be.