It's the last chapter before the epilogue! Holy crap, I cannot believe that this is nearly done! I mean, wow. I didn't expect it to be this long when I started and I certainly did not know how I was going to have it end like this. I think it was fitting to close the main story line with Arya and I threw in a surprise at the end. I hope you guys enjoy. ! more to go and then I'm finally done... with this fic at least! Big thanks to my beta MSquared79. She is AMAYZANG and every time I get stuck she pulls me through!


Arya

"Arya?" Gendry asked.

Arya shook herself from her thoughts and looked over to her husband. "What?"

"Didn't you hear what I just asked?" He asked with a smirk. He still made that face at her, the one whenever he felt she knew more than he did about everything. It was so annoying, but also so grizzly.

In truth, she had completely forgotten what they were talking about. Her thoughts had been rather focused on herself ever since they left King's Landing. It felt wrong to think that they were going to Winterfell because it wasn't going to be her home anymore. Storm's End was its own place, but it wasn't a place that she felt would be similar. Perhaps this is what her mother felt when she left Riverrun after her marriage.

Aside from that, she was starting to feel doubts about what she was. Lady Baratheon. She wasn't going to be a proper lady, the Night King would rise again before she was wearing a dress again, but still the title felt like a prison.

She was a fighter, an adventurer, an assassin, now confined to titles and castles. She wanted to go sailing west of Westeros once before, but that dream could no longer happen. Duty had become the chain to her desires.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Arya asked as she looked on ahead. The path was becoming harder to see as the sky grew darker. But it looked like there was torchlight up ahead. Aside from her and Gendry, the Baratheon party consisted of a dozen knights all dressed in yellow and black. They had been riding at a rather slow pace so as to not disturb Arya's broken arm, per the maester's orders.

"I was saying that I was thinking about the Valyrian steel. Since I'm the one who owns it and forges it, then technically it kinda makes us more richer than the Lannisters, doesn't it?" His grammar was still years from being what was needed for a lord.

"Everyone became richer than the Lannisters when Tywin's mines went dry. But yes, House Baratheon might just be the richest House in all of Westeros. But once you stockpile it up and sell it all, you might become richer than the Iron Bank of Braavos."

"Braavos… isn't that where your friend was from? You remember, the one who helped us escape?"

Arya nodded. "He wasn't my friend. He was simply no one." She remembered when she saw Jaqen's face next to the dead body of that woman. She almost felt angry that he had nearly killed Daenerys and the babies. But in truth, there was nothing. He wasn't her friend and she wasn't his. From what she saw in the House of Black and White, it made her wonder if he truly was dead. "You planning to make a few large purchases in the future?"

"Well, I wouldn't really know what to buy. I mean, I'd have my own forge of course. But I feel I owe most of it to your brother. He sold the steel at a rather cheap price."

"Gendry, he told you that you don't need to. A sword and set of armor were far more than you could have asked for."

"I know I just… It's my father's fault that the realm became so poor and filled with blood. I feel I ought to pay back that debt the best I can. I want to be more like your brother. Not another black-haired Baratheon who just fights and fucks."

"You're nothing like your father. And as long as you have me and Davos, you won't become him. If anything you're a bit more like Renly. He was more charismatic and much nicer than King Robert was."

"I saw him once. Tobho and I were attending a tourney once. Made great coin that week. Renly was up in the stands. Didn't strike as charismatic."

"You ever see Stannis before he tried to kill you?"

"Hell's no. Never wanted to. Not even Tobho. People talked a lot about him and every time they did they scowled." He chuckled mentioning the memory.

It was the same for Arya. Given that Stannis was the Master of Ships at the time, a meeting with the Hand's family was expected. "You're the best bits of all of them and none of the worst parts."

"Thank the gods for that."

The torchlight up ahead was more prominent now and a few braziers were visible too. Arya sucked in a breath when she recognized where they were. The place where it all started for her. The Inn at the Crossroads.

"Isn't this where we last saw Hot Pie?"

"Last time I was here was a year ago. He's still here I bet."

"Speaking of bets, it looks like we don't have to settle the last one we have. He can come with both of us to Storm's End."

She almost forgot about that. She thought she would still be a Stark at this point. No, she was a Stark just like she was also a Tully.

They would see if they could get rooms for the night. Hopefully, they could. If not then they would have to quickly make camp.

The moment they both set foot through the doors, they were immediately greeted by much noise. Soldiers of the Riverlands who fought at King's Landing were drinking and singing songs of merriment and rejoice.

Ale was flowing in mugs held in every hand and food was devoured at every table, specifically pies.

"Arry! Gendry!" Arya and Gendry both looked over to their old friend and smiled when they saw him. "What are you two doing here?" Hot Pie asked as he came up to them, setting aside a tray of food and wrapping his arms around Gendry it a great hug.

"Oof! We're heading back to Winterfell." Gendry replied.

"Really? I thought you'd be goin' south? Words been goin' around that you're a lord down there. I mean, all I heard was that a bastard blacksmith was the new lord of Stormlend or somethin' like that."

Gendry smirked and announced himself to Hot Pie. "I am Gendry of House Baratheon now, Lord of Storm's End and the Stormlands."

Hot Pie chuckled heartily. "Well 'round here I get called Lord of the Pies. So I guess we both went from gutter rats to nobles!" The three of them shared laughter as Hot Pie led them to a free table. "Wait 'ere, I got somethin' special for you Arry." He took off, leaving them both with a horn of ale each.

Arya decided not to drink to right. She had too much on her mind and wanted to be sure before she did. Wines and ale weren't the best to help her think straight right now.

Hot Pie quickly returned with a tray of food and something else wrapped in a small warm cloth. "I've finally got the shape just right. I hope you like it better than the first." He unraveled the cloth and showed a loaf of bread that was baked and made into the shape of a direwolf. Compared to the last one Arya had, this one was far better. It was almost adorable. "Big sellers these are. I've been trying some others, but these are my best. I like to start with the tails first and dip em. Give it a try."

Arya did as he said and broke off the tail of the wolf. The bread was freshly warm and felt crispy. She dipped it into her pie and tasted the gravy-soaked bread. "It's really good." She confessed with a smile.

Gendry went for the hind legs and did the same. "You have my praise, on great lord of the pies. You should be cookin' in a castle."

"Nah," Hot Pie argued, "this is my castle. When the last owner looked at some of the Mad Queen's soldiers the wrong way, they did 'im in. I've been sharin' the place with his daughter ever since."

Gendry folded his hands. "Well, I have a proposition for you. I want you to come with us to Storm's End."

"Us?" Hot Pie asked and looked to Arya. "Aren't you goin' back to Winterhe- Winterfell?"

"Just to say goodbye to my brother and sister. Then I'm joining my husband's side." She slid her hand to Gendry's and wrapped her fingers around his.

"You two got married?" His brow arched up. "Never woulda guessed. But congratulations anyway. Real fitting really. Well, I'm guessing you'll need rooms. Unfortunately, we're packed full."

"That's alright," Arya told him. "We'll set up camp outside."

"So, will you come with us?" Gendry asked again.

Hot Pie gave a smile but shook his head. "It's a nice offer, but like I said, this is my castle and I am the lord here. I'm gonna have to say no."

Gendry had a look of disappointment but nodded all the same. "Very well. If this is what you want, then I won't try to pull you away from it."

"Aw, I expecting a bit more fight from the smith." Hot Pie jested. "Enjoy the food. I'll come back in a bit though. I want to hear your stories." With that, he returned to his work. He and who had to be the original Innkeeper's daughter were bustling about to serve their patrons.

"Should probably ask him to try a stag next," Gendry suggested as he tore off another piece of the wolf bread and ate it with his pie. "We should get more to take to Winterfell. I bet your brothers and sister would love some."

Arya merely smiled and continued to eat. She wanted to be more cheerful, but she didn't feel the desire or fuel to be. She decided to drink from her waterpuch at her side and didn't realize how thirsty she was until now.

Their bannermen had joined in rejoicing with the Riverland soldiers as soon as they finished pitching the tents. A few managed to pull some women to their laps and fondled what they could before they had to give coin for more.

There were three knights of the Vale who recognized Gendry and invited him to share war stories. Gendry did not wish to be rude and gladly took to their company with his ale in hand.

Arya simply remained at her table and continued to eat. She finished off the direwolf bread except for the head. She would save that bit for tomorrow.

A sudden silence washed over the inn rather unexpectedly. All eyes went to the door and many began falling to their knees. Arya turned to look and rolled her eyes when she saw Jon entering. "Kneel before the King!" Someone called and everyone else did as they should.

He looked to be almost blushing at the courtesies. He raised his hands. "Rise. Do not let me keep you all from enjoying yourselves." Jon was followed inside by Ser Lonnel Fenn and three Northmen. "I've heard this place has the best kidneys pies in Westeros. I'm eager to try for myself."

As the soldiers and other folk stood up, Hot Pie and the innkeeper's daughter rushed forward to him. Hot Pie gave a bow and the daughter did her best courtesy. "My king," Hot Pie said excitedly, "we're honored to have you as a patron. But in afraid we have no rooms to spare."

"Your grace!" One of the Riverland soldiers said, "I will be more than willing to forfeit my lodgings for you."

Jon shook his head. "That won't be necessary. All we need is some hot food and ale."

Hot Pie hurried off to get what was asked. As Jon scanned the room, he looked surprised when he saw Arya. He walked over to her table and stayed with her.

"I didn't think you'd catch up to me," Arya said.

"We've been riding rather hard. We're trying to beat the train of men coming after us." He chuckled. "You look like you just had to sit through a stitching lesson."

"Ugh, Septa Mordane was always a bitch. 'No no Arya, that won't do!'" She did her best to imitate her old Septa's voice. It made Jon laugh at least. "But she was always fair. She didn't deserve to die." She remembered all the bodies that were stricken about the stables and heard what happened to their bodies afterward. All their heads decorated the Red Keep on spikes for weeks. "I don't feel right, Jon."

He gave her a slight smile of understanding. "Me neither. I expected things to feel like they once did after we won. But they don't."

"And they never will. No matter how much we want things to return to how they once were they won't. There is no going back." Arya took a deep breath as if taking in all she had just said. "My list of names was all that drove me to survive, to live even." Ever since she took Cersei's head, she had trouble sleeping. She had no more names to say before bed, no more enemies to seek revenge on. "When you came back from death the first time, did you still feel that desire to be a man of the Night's Watch?"

"No. I didn't. My purpose for being there died when I did. I was going to take Ygris and Lyarras as south as possible. If I wasn't wanted to help guard the realms of men then so be it."

"But then Sansa came to Castle Black. You had purpose again. Family. You always fought for us because that's who you are. Now that's Cersei is dead I'm going to be Lady Baratheon." She shook her head when she said those words, denying them.

Jon gestured to her ale, silently asking for a swig. Arya handed over her horn and let her brother have it. As he finished, a smile came on his face, one she rarely ever saw. "Look at the two of us. Who would have thought us being in these positions?"

Arya had to chuckle. "I haven't decided if Mother would be pleased I am at last a Southron lady or horrified I have married a bastard. Even if he is a king's."

He looked at her then, mimicking the same look her father would give her when it was grave to be in King's Landing. "Are you happy, Arya? Happy that you married Gendry?" His gaze fell upon her husband as he asked. He was raising his horn of ale with some of the other soldiers and Hot Pie even. He was happy for certain.

"I want to be, truly. But it doesn't right that should. Ever since we left home, violence is what drove me to be who I am." Syrio, Sandor, Yoren, Jaqen, they all were the ones who had a part in shaping her into the fighter she was. "How am I supposed to go back to being Arya Stark of Winterfell, the little girl who got mud on her dress and couldn't stitch a thing to save her own life?"

They both shared a fit of laughter in the last bit.

Jon shook his head at her. "You don't. There is no going back, only forward. Kill the girl, Arya. Kill the girl, and let the woman be born."

Let the woman be born. By all rights and features, she was most definitely a woman. But until had she considered it? Ever since she was there for her father's murder, she almost never thought herself a woman out to get revenge but a girl. 'A girl has no name.'

"Do you know where I should start?" She asked.

"That's for you alone to decide. If I tell you, I'll just be your big brother lecturing you how to live. Boys and girls are told how to live, men and women choose. So tell me what you choose to do?"

Arya had to think on it, really think. What would she choose? For a brief second her eyes went to the door. She could leave and ride as hard as she could. Leave everything behind and live her life not looking back on it. But what would her father say, what would any of her family say if she did? Coward, no, just dishonorable, the true stain on her father's memory because she forsook her vow of marriage and ran away from it all.

Her eyes went back to Gendry. She loved him, truly she did. She loved how they teased each other, how they fought together. He was hers and she was his Lady.

If Sandor were the one talking to her then he would just grunt and scowl at her. But what he said to her at the Wall that night, the only time he ever acted nice. 'I'd rather be a lord than a Hound who leaves a trail of bodies wherever he goes.'

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. And if anyone were to tell her she couldn't be as he is, who were they? Arya is the Lady of House Baratheon and Storm's End. "I choose to stay."

Jon smiled heartily at her. He always had such warm smiles like their father. "That makes me happy." His eye went down to the head of direwolf bread and widened. "Is that bread?"

She nodded and pushed it to him to try.

Jon took a quick nibble from the ears and his eyes rolled back. "Is there any more?"

Arya smiled and waved Hot Pie down. He came rushing over to her and the king.

"How can I be of service?" He asked graciously.

Jon held up the head. "Did you make this?"

"I did, yes." Hot Pie nervously replied.

"It's damn good. You have any more? Maybe a dragon?"

"I got trouts and wolves, but no dragons Your Grace. I can try one if you'd like."

"Just a pair of wolves then. In the morning I'll want a dragon to eat."

"Right away." Hot Pie sped away and Jon broke the bread in half and shared it with Arya.

"Do you think your arm will heal by the time we get back to Winterfell?"

"It should be, why?"

"Because I owe you a real duel. And I'm not going to hold back this time." He smugly grinned at her as he ate the rest of the direwolf bread they currently had.

Arya chuckled at him. "You think you're the only one who was holding back?" With those words, Jon's grin faded.

After the bread was brought, Arya had hers wrapped up for tomorrow's ride while Jon scarfed his down. She joined Gendry and spent time rejoicing with some of their bannermen and the men of the Riverlands. Things went on like this for another hour before it was becoming a bit too much.

She left the tavern. She had to get away from all the boisterous noise. Let the men celebrate their great victory in their way and she would celebrate it in her own way. She walked along the road to the north, following its snowy trail. Looking back on things, so much happened at this inn. She crossed Poliver's name off from her list herself, she chose to go home instead of King's Landing, she lost one of her friends here. She found the clearing by the river where she practiced with Micah long ago.

The river was partially frozen over and there was no sign of anyone being here. The snow looked like a fluffy bed, undisturbed and untouched. She walked to the edge of the river and looked out to the rushing water. For a moment, she thought she caught a glimpse of gold gleaming from undeath the flowing water. Was Joffrey's sword still in the water or did someone fish it out, Arya wondered.

This was where things truly changed for her, for her family. She never wanted to be a lady, but now she was and a damn good fighter too. If things didn't go to hell, would she have still wanted to be who she is now? Would her father have let her become a knight like Ser Brienne of Tarth?

Would she have ever made her list of names? Joffrey, Cersei, Meryn Trant, Walder Frey, the Mountain, Illyn Payne, Polliver, Rorge, Tywin Lannister, the Red Lady, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, the Hound. All the names she ever muttered before she slept. Some had been taken off by choice, the rest were crossed off either by her or someone else.

Perhaps she would make a new list, a list not of people she was going to kill, no. One that drove her to live her new life. "Gendry, Sansa, Jon, Bran, Rickon, Daenerys, Aemon, Matthias…" Just a few names now, but her list would grow, her list of people she would protect. Her hand drifted to her stomach when she thought of the chance that another name would be added soon. She missed her moonblood and the timing did fit.

She'd know once she was back at Winterfell. Gods, if she truly was going to become a mother… it was hard to comprehend. Still, deep down she hoped that if she was, she had a boy, a little Ned or Jon.

Arya was drawn out of those thoughts by a rustle amongst some bushes nearby. Normally, she would have drawn Needle at the surprise in her peace, but she could feel who was coming. Nymeria appeared and trudged over to her, silent as Ghost and covered in flakes of snow. She was the last of her litter. Maybe if the other wolves were set free they too would have lived.

Arya removed her gloves and softly stroked the fur of Nymeria's snout. Nymeria was always a good girl, she always protected her. Arya stepped forward and hugged Nymeria around her mane. It was time she went back to protect her real pack. She didn't want to be sad, but she couldn't help it.

Arya looked at her direwolf's eyes, sharing one more moment with her. "Goodbye, Nymeria." she released her direwolf and Nymeria turned to leave. But when she reached the bushes from where she came, the majestic beast halted. For a moment, Arya thought that Nymeria was going to look back at her once more. But it wasn't so. Nymeria took off and disappeared back into the woods. When she did, Arya no longer felt sad. She felt as happy as she once did a long time ago. When she was with her father at Winterfell or dancing with Syrio.

It was at that moment that she knew in her heart that the Game of Thrones was finally over.