What Arya really wanted to do was take a bath. She wondered if the inn keeper would trade her a bath for labour. Morning had been before sunrise and she stifled a yawn as she went to get a horse. Thoros was talking to Lord Dondarrion and would thus be riding alone. Anguy offered her a ride, but Gendry did as well. Being so close to Anguy after last day's kiss, helped her choose. So Gendry helped Arya on to his horse. Of all the riders, Hot Pie was the most excited to return to the inn. He wanted to help make the bread. As they rode up, it was Hot Pie who noticed that the chimney used for the kitchen fire, was not active. They all wondered what was up. The inn keeper explained that something was stuck in the chimney and so smoke came back down. They couldn't use it like that. The problem was, no one was small enough to fit down the chimney or even climb up it, to dislodge the blockage.

"Arya could fit," Hot Pie suggested.

"I'd be in debt to ya girl," the woman said.

"If I go into your chimney, in payment I want a room with a hot bath."

"That's fair, you'll need one after going into the chimney."

"Gendry what's best, to get lowered down or climb up?" Arya asked.

"Lowered down, that way your feet can stomp the blockage down. I'll tie a rope around my waist and help you down, or pull you up."

Anguy offered his assistance also, but the inn keeper didn't want too many people on the roof, incase they made damage. So he joined the Brotherhood in the dining area for some ale. First Gendry and then Arya climbed up on to the roof, using a neighbouring tree. Once up top, Gendry tied a rope around his waist and the other end he secured around Arya. Then he secured a cloth over her nose and mouth, explaining she didn't want to inhale too much ash or it could make her sick.

"Use your legs and back to lower your self down the chimney, the rope is just your safety line." Gendry instructed and helped her to the mouth of the chimney.

"Don't drop me," she warned.

Gendry gave her a look, "just trust me that I have you."

She nodded and then slowly climbed down. It was slow going and the fear of getting stuck or falling, creeped over her. Gendry shouted down encouragement and she could feel the rope around her waist. What seemed like hours, was only minutes when at last her feet hit something. She knew right away it was an animal and from the smell, it definitely was dead.

Gagging, Arya held on to the line. "I found it. I'm going to hold the rope and stomp!"

Gendry braced himself as her weight hit the rope. When the animal came loose and fell, so did Arya and a pile of ash, but the rope saved her. Hand over hand he pulled her up, but the rope began to fray, as it slid over the chimney mouth. She was almost at the top, but not quite. Gendry realized he'd have to reach down and grab her, or the rope would break. The took off his shirt and stuck his arm in.

"Grab my hand, the rope is about to break!"

Arya struggled to push herself into range and blindly reached above her head. Her fingers found his and then he had her wrist. One handed he pulled her out and in her relief she hugged him tight, forgetting he was shirtless and she was covered in soot from head to toe.

"Oops sorry," she grinned after removing the cloth from her face.

"You don't even look like you, you're so dirty. It's almost funny," Gendry said.

They climbed down off the roof and Hot Pie told them it had been a fat rodent of some kind, that had been the culprit. The inn keeper gave Arya a blanket and told her to strip. She'd wash her clothing. Gendry was told to do the same. They were both filthy and both had earned a bath. Hot Pie had to lug the water to the tubs. The one in Arya's room was full first, then Gendry's room. As she stuck in her toe in the water, it was almost too hot. Taking the wash cloth and a separate bucket, Arya washed her hair a little and arms, where her clothing hadn't covered her. Satisfied that she wouldn't instantly turn the tub water black, she eased into the bath. For a little while she just lay there, enjoying the heat relaxing her muscles. Then began the vigorous scrubbing. By the time she got out of the water, her skin was glowing. She was almost embarrassed by how dirty the water had become.

The inn keeper knocked on the door and then came in. "Your clothing isn't dry yet, you'll have to wear a dress for now. It'll be a bit big, but will do the job for now."

Dresses was one thing she had not missed from home, but she had no choice. As she came out of her room, Gendry was dressed and waiting for her.

"My Lady," he smiled.

"Don't start, my clothing's just not dry yet."

He offered his arm to her and she punched it. Side by side they came into the tavern. She prepared herself for teasing, especially from John, but it didn't come. Lord Dondarrion stood up and told them to come sit with him, Thoros and Anguy.

"You clean up nicely," Anguy said.

She couldn't stop herself from blushing. "This is better than wet clothing."

Thoros snorted, "don't like being a girl do you?"

"Most girls are stupid and weak," she retorted.

Lord Dondarrion said, "you my dear are neither. We had said that the Brotherhood would take you to the wall, but we have some business closer to the Twins. You'll travel with us that way first, before we continue on your true journey."

Arya was okay with this change in plan, as her family had friends at the Twins. "As long as we continue in a northerly route, I'm good with that. And my guess is that I have no option anyway."

It was not a question, but Thoros treated it as such. "There is always an option, but you wouldn't like it."

She nodded and began to eat the stew set before her. Gendry was already having a cup of ale. Anguy again tried to get her to take a drink of his, but not even daring her to drink it worked. When she was done eating, she got up to check on her cloths. Anguy followed her outside and without being too obvious about it, Gendry followed them. He still didn't trust Anguy to be alone with Arya. Especially now, when the dress highlighted that she was indeed a girl. He hadn't noticed it before, himself, but in that dress her womanly assets were more pronounced. Gendry had to admit, he liked it when Arya didn't look so much like a boy.

Anguy caught up to Arya and took her hand. "Walk with me a bit?"

She shrugged, "alright. My cloths are almost dry."

He nodded. Being a hunter, he knew that Gendry was following them, but trying to stay hidden. Anguy stopped them under a tree and positioned his body, so that Arya was leaning with her back against it. He moved closer, until she was forced to look up at him. She stopped talking and suddenly looked at his lips. Anguy grinned and then dipped his head, knowing that Gendry had excellent view of the kiss he was about to give Arya. But she ducked under his arm and bolted. He laughed, as every hunter enjoyed a good chase. Anguy caught up to her, back by where her clothing was hung to dry. To his disappointment, Gendry was there also.

"It's dry now, if you want to change." Gendry handed Arya her clothing.

"Finally! This dress is itchy." She took her cloths and headed for the inn.

Anguy smirked, "I would have been happy to help you remove it."

Arya hadn't heard, but Gendry did. He stood in Anguy's way, arms crossed. "You do know she's only eleven, right?"

"Age means nothing, she's older than her years." Anguy said and then in a challenging tone added, "I know you've noticed her too. What are you her guard, friend or lover?"

Gendry's eyes narrowed, "I'm whatever she wants me to be." If he had to fight Anguy to save Arya's honour, he would. But Anguy was older and Gendry knew he'd take a pretty good beating, if they fought. Not to mention, attacking one of the Brotherhood could result in the wrath of the other men.

Anguy laughed and slapped Gendry on the back. "She's lucky to have you as a friend. Come let's get some ale, before Thoros and John drink it all."

From the window above the backyard, Arya had heard Gendry's assessment of who he was to her. She wondered again what it would be like to kiss him. A part of her wanted to be able to compare their kisses, to see who she liked better. Anguy had this dangerous vibe, that scared her and yet attracted her all at the same time. It was so confusing. Gendry was a friend, but she had always had affection for him. The things they'd already been through together, bonded them. She wanted to kiss him, but was scared of his rejection. One day, maybe when he was sleeping after having too much ale, she'd do it. For now she was done changing and went to rejoin the other men. Today she noticed that there were women at the inn, unlike in the past. These women were scantily clad and she knew they were whores. That profession she would never understand and didn't want to. She sat down with Hot Pie, who seemed more agitated than normal.

"Don't tell me you're wanting a whore too?" Arya asked, having noticed some men missing and guessed where they were.

"No…. Did you like the bread you ate today?" Hot Pie asked in return.

"Ya, it was better than the first time we ate here. Like there were herbs in it or something. Why?"

"I made it…. I think I'm going to stay here, with the inn keeper." Hot Pie blurted, "she offered me a job in the kitchen. I get paid and I get food. I like it here."

Arya wasn't really shocked. "Have you told Thoros?"

Hot Pie nodded. "He doesn't care what happens to me…. I think he knows who you really are."

"Did you tell him?"

"No. But he's not stupid. You have to be someone important if you were given a sword as a gift. Even I know that," Hot Pie stated.

"Alright. Well good luck." It was an awkward moment. Arya thought of Hot Pie as a friend, but didn't feel comfortable hugging him.

"I made you a wolf, with bread. Keep it for the journey to the Twins." Hot Pie handed over the bread, wrapped in a cloth.

"Thank you…. Bye Hot Pie."

Arya rejoined the men. She found Gendry and told him about Hot Pie. Then they mounted the horse assigned to them and waited to fall in line with the other riders.

"I think I'm going to miss him," Gendry said.

"Maybe," was all Arya replied.

The rest of the afternoon they rode with only Thoros and his singing breaking the silence. It was a few hours later, when they were forced to stop because one of the horses had lost a shoe. Anguy went to find it, while Gendry checked to see if he could hammer it back into place.

"I can fix it for now. But when we get into town, it has to be re-forged and fixed properly," Gendry explained to Thoros.

"I can't have a horse going lame. So do what you can."

He was given the missing shoe and some tools. He hammered the shoe back into place easily. It had been one of the tasks he had done while at Harrenhall. Satisfied with his job, he had Arya walk and trot the horse in front of him. "It'll do."

They remounted and continued on their way. Thoros eventually waived Anguy over. "Take a few men and scout ahead. I don't want any unnecessary surprises."

The men, with Anguy in the lead, rode off. Arya wondered who they were looking for or expecting to run into. Hopefully it wouldn't be more gold cloaks.