Chapter one
Arya Stark
Alone in the Great hall with a goblet of wine Arya Stark pondered over the past few years. Her farther Eddard Stark was dead and place beneath Winterfell well her sister Sansa Stark was still in Kings Landing. Robb Stark and her eldest brother who was King in the North had sworn to get her back but after the great attack of on the North by the Greyjoy's, Robb had to retreat and had lost all the ground he'd covered. He had lost so many men trying to regain the North but Arya was grateful he had.
Theon Greyjoy had lead the attack on Winterfell and had forced Bran and Rickon to run. Her two younger brothers had come upon Robb and his army at the same time Arya herself had. With nearly all the Starks together but missing Sansa, Robb had sent men with Arya, Bran and Rickon to regain Winterfell. It was nothing but a burnt mess with the dead lying crisp and burned. Arya had seen enough dead to move on but Bran and Rickon were scared out of their wits. Accompanied by Gendry and a host of two hundred men Arya was able to restore Winterfell back to its former glory.
Gendry walked in the large wooden door at the end of the hall. Arya had her feet on the table and was leaning back on the chair. As he approached her his new golden armour glinted in the dim torch lights. Slowly Arya moved her legs down to the floor, Gendry's face had told her that this was a matter that heeded her attention. Gendry was a tall man of twenty year, his dark hair and cool blue eyes reminded her of his father, King Robert Baratheon.
"Arya." He pulled a chair out from under the table and sat next to her. Gendry took the second empty goblet that Arya always had ready for him. "You really should stop drinking, you're still young."
Arya smiled at him. "I am a girl of fifteen and not married yet." She paused. "I can drink all I want." Arya took a large drag of wine. The spices of the South filled her mouth.
Gendry shook his head in distaste. "AT least you can hold more wine than me."
The two of them laughed. As the laughter stopped Arya stared at Gendry. He was Robert Baratheon's only living heir now that Stannis Baratheon was dead. Instead he was Arya's shield, not that she couldn't defend herself.
"The cold winter winds are dying down my lady and the snows fall warm. Winter is coming to the end and let us hope that there is long spring and an even longer summer." Gendry spoke as he lifted the goblet. They clinked them together.
Arya took another drag. "Bran is starting to get anxious, he wants Catelyn to come back but to be quite honest I rather she not." Arya admitted to Gendry, she knew that she could trust him not to say anything.
Gendry frowned. "She is your mother Arya and you need to remember that."
"What would you about mothers?" Arya snapped at Gendry. The look on his face made her apologise. "Forgive me Gendry, the last time my mother was at Winterfell she did not stop crying at my father's crypt and that upset both the boys. She swore she'd come back soon but it has been three years past and we receive naught but updates about the war from her." Arya grumbled. "She stopped being my mother when she sent Sansa and me with father to Kings Landing, look at how that turned out."
Gendry placed his goblet down and moved his hand over Arya's free hand. His warm touch sent tingles all through Arya's body and when there was a knock at the door the two of them pulled away. Gendry was the first to answer.
"Who is there?" He shouted down the great hall.
A small voice replied. "Maester Pip."
Gendry grunted. "Come in Maester."
Maester Pip was a replace for Maester Luwin, he was younger than the last by about forty years. Still Arya missed the old Maester and no one could replace him but Maester Pip was trying his best to.
Maester Pip stumbled through the door holding a piece of paper with scribbles on. The Maester came running to the head of the table, his short chain clinking on his chest. His grey clothing swishing on the floor. Gendry and Arya had a little laugh between them at the Maester's run and stopped as he reached the end of the table. The Maester panted for breath.
"Lady Arya." He began. "An urgent message from Catalyn Stark."
"Tully." Arya muttered under her breath. "Read it aloud Maester." The Maester looked at Gendry with a quizzical look. "Have no worry Maester, Gendry will not say a thing."
The Maester began to read. "Lady Arya Stark of House Winterfell, your mother, Catelyn Stark, is on her way back to Winterfell. She is accompanied with one hundred men to replace the ones that you had first brought back to Winterfell." Maester Pip stopped.
Arya growled under her breath and rose to her feet. "She is not taking the men who now have families and farms. I gave them their lives back and she expects to take them back to war!" Arya shouted.
"Lady Arya." Gendry snapped up. "They have to do their duty."
Arya turned on her guard. "That means you too! She can have you all, like she always does!" Arya threw back her chair to a thunderous clap on the stoned floor. With her back to the two men Arya walked towards the door. "Send word to my mother Maester Pip, she will not have my men and she will not have Winterfell." Arya slid through the back door to the great hall and slammed them behind her to make a point.