A/N: Apologies for the delay! Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint! As always, thank you so much for reading and reviewing! Please keep it up!

Gendry was frustrated to say the least. Arya was always barging in when she was not wanted. Well, if he was being honest with himself, that was entirely untrue; Arya was always wanted. That's what frustrated him even more. He wanted to spend all of his time with her, yet whenever she was there, she always found a way to get on his nerves.

Gendry sighed as he turned around once again in his little cot, not able to get comfortable. He couldn't help but wonder if Arya's absence was the cause. Just as Gendry was ready to give up any attempt at sleep and continue working, he heard scratches at the door. Gendry rose from the cot, draped a blanket over his shoulders and walked over to the door to open it. Nymeria stood there, wagging her tail in greeting before she pushed her way into the forge. Gendry closed the door and walked over to stroke her back. Her fur had snow at the tips and she had dried blood around her mouth.

"Just had a feast?"

Nymeria stood tall and shook out her fur, getting Gendry wet and causing him to laugh. Gendry leaned over and grabbed a cloth from the bin. He dipped it in water and then leaned forward to clean Nymeria's face. He paused before proceeding, "You better not bite me." Nymeria did nothing but whine and stare at him with her big yellow eyes. Something about them felt different somehow though, like the time he had first met Nymeria.

Gendry finished cleaning the blood and gave her one last pet, "Time for bed girl." Nymeria seemed to understand and hopped onto Gendry's cot before he could get there, "That's my bed." She let out a small growl. Gendry sighed and then laid out his blanket on the floor and grabbed a pillow from beside Nymeria's large form. "Fine. You win."

A few minutes after he had finally gotten settled on the hard floor, he heard Nymeria move, and then suddenly felt her warm fur against his back. Gendry fell asleep wondering if right now, Arya was having one of her 'wolf dreams' and if it was really Arya next to him.

Gendry woke to a loud knock at the door, which was followed by Nymeria shoving his side with her head, whining. Gendry grumbled, annoyed. He slowly stood and stretched, sore from the night spent on the hard floor, and then made his way over to the door. He was surprised to see Jon, looking ever put-together. Gendry shook his head to wake himself up more and straightened up, "Mornin' Jon."

Jon smiled, "Good morning Gendry. I hope I didn't wake you."

"Not at all" he lied.

"May I come in?"

Gendry moved aside and opened the door further for him, "Of course."

Jon entered and was quickly welcomed by Nymeria, "I see you had a guest last night."

Gendry snorted, "Aye. She decided to take over my bed."

Jon laughed and then sat down on the small stool. "Well I wanted to speak to you yesterday, but the day got away from us all." He paused and Gendry wondered what on earth he would want to talk about. "I-I just wanted to apologize for what I said to you the other day. You are free to do whatever you want, as is Arya."

Gendry shifted his stance, feeling uncomfortable, "No apology necessary m'lord."

Jon smiled, "Alright then. I'll leave to your work as I'm sure you have lots to do before you leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Jon raised his brow, "Did Arya not tell you?" Gendry shook his head. "Oh, well you leave at first light towards Winterfell. Aegon and I are leaving later today with the dragons to go meet the wildlings in the north. You and the brotherhood will head north toward Winterfell, but stay east. I wish I could go with Arya as well, but the wildlings don't seem to trust Aegon."

Gendry nodded, "Well I guess I'll see you after the battle."

Jon smiled and nodded, "Take care of my sister for me."

Gendry scoffed, "Don't believe she needs lookin' after."

"You're right about that." Jon said as he walked out the door.

After working in the forge all morning, Gendry decided it was time to break his fast, and he headed towards the main castle. The halls were bustling with men preparing for the long journey north. Gendry spotted Thoros near the entrance and made his way over. "Gendry! Holed up in the forge now were ya?"

"Aye."

Thoros patted him on the shoulder, "Look lad, the little lady doesn't seem to happy at the moment. I would suggest making it right with her before we leave."

Gendry scrunched up his forehead, "I didn't do nothing. S'Ned you should be talking to, not me."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that."

Gendry sighed and nodded. He then moved around Thoros and entered the dining hall. He found a seat on the bench with the brotherhood and began eating. He could feel Arya's glares in the back of his head. Just as he was finishing his food, Greenbeard nudged him, and he turned to see Arya walking by. Gendry turned and rose from his seat to follow her out. "M'lady" he called, but she did not acknowledge it. He scowled and called her by her name, "Arya."

She halted and turned to glare at him, "What is it Ser Gendry?"

He sighed at her formality, "I'm sorry, alright?"

She put her hands on her hips and he rolled his eyes before continuing, "I don't want you to go to Starfall. I-I just want you to be happy."

Arya scowled, "And you think I'd be happy with Ned Dayne?"

Gendry looked to the floor and scratched the back of his head, "I-well, you two are well suited, and he seems to like you."

Arya scoffed and turned to leave. Gendry reached out and grabbed her arm. This seemed to catch the attention of some kitchen maids walking by. Gendry quickly dropped Arya's arm and looked to the floor, ashamed.

Arya sighed, "Come on then. Let us go prepare to leave."

After all the preparations were made, and plans were finalized, Gendry couldn't help but notice that Arya still seemed irritated. From other people's whispers, people seemed to think that Ara's irritated mood stemmed from Jon leaving. But Gendry knew that wasn't it. So Gendry locked himself away in the forge and finished working on something for her.

He had never given back the dagger she let him borrow, and she hadn't asked for it. Instead, Gendry had been working on replacing the handle with one more suited to Arya's taste. He finished with the dagger just before dinner. With the dagger in his pocket, Gendry passed the dining hall to ensure Arya was there. Once her presence was verified, Gendry quietly made his way to her chambers. He wasn't quite sure which one was hers, until he saw Nymeria perched outside of a door. He smiled at her and gently stroked her head. Nymeria then stood and moved out of the doorway, allowing Gendry to enter. He quickly placed the cloth-wrapped dagger on the bed and left, bidding Nymeria goodbye.

Gendry then made his way down to the dining hall and joined the brotherhood's table. The men were all laughing and singing by the end. But Gendry wasn't laughing. Tomorrow would be another hard day of travel for them all. And the next day would be the battle. Gendry wasn't laughing at all.

When it had gotten dark outside, Gendry finally relented and stopped working. He had finished repairing everyone's gear, and hoped that it would last them until they reached Winterfell. Sweating, Gendry put out the fire and then went to the main castle to take one last bath before leaving in the early morning. He sighed as he let the warm water surround him, and quickly got to work on scrubbing the grime from his body. When he finished, he grabbed a clean pair of clothes, wrapped his cloak around his shoulders and then made his way back to the forge to sleep. He didn't think he would be getting much sleep though, with thoughts of the upcoming battle looming in his mind.

When he entered the forge, Gendry saw that the candle was already alight. Arya was there, sitting by the candle, face aglow. She looked stunning, with remnants of the falling snow placed upon her long, dark hair, and a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth as her gaze met his.

"Arya" he said softly.

She rolled her eyes and let out a playful laugh, "I came to thank you for this" she held up her dagger with the newly made handle containing a direwolf's head, similar o the Stark sigil.

"No thanks necessary."

Arya simply nodded, "It really is beautiful Gendry."

He shrugged, not knowing what to say, their argument from last night forgotten. After a moment's silence he asked, "Are you ready for the battle?"

She scoffed, "I'm always ready for battle."

He smiled, "And of course you'll get to see Winterfell again."

Her smiled dampened, "It won't really be the same though. All burned down, with Jon being my only family still there."

Gendry nodded in understanding, not sure what to say, or if he should offer comfort. Instead he just stood there in silence. After what seemed a while, Arya let out a sigh, "Can I sleep here tonight?"

Gendry let out a laugh, "You'd give up your last night in a featherbed, for sleeping on a tiny cot?"

Arya bit her lip, "I sleep better here."

Gendry looked into her grey eyes and sighed, "Of course you can."

With that, Arya quickly maneuvered her way onto the cot, and Gendry carefully got in beside her, keeping his tunic and breeches on. They settled into the cot and Gendry smiled at the warmth of having her there. After a while Arya turned to face him and asked, "Gendry, are you afraid of dying?"

Gendry pondered this for a moment before responding, "Aye. I suppose so. Aren't you?"

"No." She said, no emotion in her voice. "Death almost seems quite peaceful compared to all this" she paused, looking up at him, "Do you remember Harrenhal?"

"Of course."

She looked down to her hands, folded together towards her chest. "There was so much death everywhere, that most times I thought it might be best if I had died. Slit my throat and be gone on my own terms."

He shifted and looked at her, scared that she would be speaking this way. He moved his hand to raise her chin, forcing her to share his gaze. "Don't die Arya."

Her eyelashes fluttered closed for a moment before she shifted, setting her head down on his chest. "I have no intention of dying yet Gendry."

He leaned down before his brain could protest and placed a light kiss on the top of her head, "Good." And with that, they fell into sleep.

The next day seemed to drag on as the Brotherhood trudged slowly through the deep snow. Most had horses, however, the horses moved just as slowly as the men did. Gendry and Arya were lucky though, as Arya rode Nymeria, and Gendry rode the beta male. As a joke, Tom had attempted to approach one of the wolves for a ride, but they all had turned and growled at him. No one else had tried.

When the morning began, all of the men had left together, but as they got closer to their destination, the Tully's and the Knight's of the Vale followed the Kingsroad leading to Winterfell, while the Brotherhood and the wolf pack stayed due east, towards the Dreadfort.

When they got close enough to the east side of Winterfell, the sun was setting on the short winter day. The men were exhausted from the long journey through the snow, and even the wolf pack seemed to need rest. They set up a few tents, and Gendry and Thoros were on first watch. Gendry sat near Thoros, perched outside of a large tent with Arya and Nymeria sleeping in one corner, and a few members of the Brotherhood in the other corner. Gendry couldn't help but watch Arya sleep. She seemed restless tonight, shifting from side to side.

Thoros drew his attention away from her, "Ya shouldn't be sittin' here daydreamin' of a princess."

Gendry scrunched up his forehead, "I wasn't."

Thoros let out a laugh, "Aye, and I'm fucking the dragon queen."

Gendry scoffed, "I'm just worried about her is all."

Thoros nodded, "Aye. I am too. When I see her in the fires she is surrounded by darkness."

Gendry shook his head, not believing in Thoros and his stupid red god, "Just wish she'd tell us where she has been all this time."

Thoros offered him a small smile, "Some things are best not knowing." Gendry scowled and Thoros retreated, "I'm sure she'll tell you in time." Gendry simply nodded.

They sat there in silence for a time, feeling the soft snow fall above them. Gendry pondered the days to come. He himself was anxious to see Bolton dead, but it worried him that Arya would likely be the one to kill him. He was not worried of her fighting, as she was easily the best fighter here; what worried him was her expression when she is fighting, like she is lost to the world.

Gendry was drawn from his thoughts when Tom approached and nudged him in the shoulder, "Time to rest now lad, I'll take over from here." Gendry nodded and wandered into the tent, collapsing onto one of the blankets. He was asleep in an instant.

The next morning, Gendry was woken up by Nymeria's whining. He smiled when he opened his eyes to see her large form above him. He started getting up when Tom yelled, "Alright you sorry lot! Time to move!" Gendry stood and looked around at the Brotherhood bustling around him. He quickly grabbed his things, secured his cloak and exited the tent. In the distance he saw Arya perched against a tree. She looked beautiful with her dark hair standing out among the white snow banks. Gendry made his way toward her, holding some food in his hands.

He smiled as he approached, and she quickly came forward to take the food from his hands. He laughed as she devoured her food. When they finished eating, he turned serious, thinking of all the things he wanted to say. If Bolton and his men decided to abandon Winterfell, they could be heading this direction any moment. Bolton's men would vastly outnumber theirs, even with the wolf pack, and Gendry feared for their lives, or rather, Arya's life. And, he was pretty sure that he loved her. It was ridiculous really, a baseborn bastard loving a princess. But she wasn't really a princess, she was so much more. She was the bravest, strongest, most beautiful person he had ever known, and it scared him how much he cared for her. Scared him because he wasn't sure what he would do about it.

"Arya, I-"

She seemed to read his mind, "Don't Gendry. Don't be stupid."

He looked to the ground, embarrassed, but was then pleasantly surprised when he felt Arya's warm breath on his cheek. He looked towards her, but her eyes closed as she gently pressed her lips against his cheek. Gendry sucked in a breath, shocked by her gentleness. Arya leaned back and let out a laugh as his bewildered expression. She then turned and walked away from him, towards the camp, while Gendry remained there. He only moved when he heard Arya shout, "Gather around men!"

Gendry quickly made his way over to the crowd of men, and listened as Arya continued her speech, "It's time to head out! The majority of the battle will take place in the north and south walls, but if the bastard runs east, we will be ready for him!" The men cheered. "Give them hell, but make sure you don't get in the wolves' way, they won't thank you for that!" Laughter erupted from the men. Arya let out a laugh as well. Her gaze then met Gendry's, and she sent him a mischievous smile. He crossed his arms and beamed back at her. She raised her newly bladed direwolf dagger above her head and shouted, "For Winterfell!"

"FOR WINTERFELL!"

A/N: Please don't hate me for ending it here! I wanted to do the battle, but then the chapter would have been so long! So I will pick up from here in the next chapter, which will be either from Arya's or Gendry's perspective, and it will contain the whole battle! It may take me some time to write it and get it all together, so please be patient with me! Also, I hope this chapter didn't come off too choppy. I had to rewrite parts of it, and I'm still not that happy with it, but I wanted to get it posted! Anyways, thanks for reading!