A/N: Okay on with the story...

And I don't own these characters, they belong to GRRM. Enjoy! :)

Chapter 2: Surprise Announcements

The reconstruction of Winterfell had begun without a delay when Sansa was named Queen in the North. She was to be queen regent until Bran decided to marry or came of age, even if he was already four and ten. At seven and ten, the queen regent was every bit as beautiful as her lady mother. She had the same auburn hair and searing blue eyes, tall and pale. Every aspect of a Tully but the honor and grace of a Stark.

Whereas Arya was a Stark through and through. The blood of the North was most prominent in this Stark. She had grown to become a true Northern beauty and was said to be the spitting image of her dearly beloved aunt, Lyanna. The youngest sister had out grown her boyish looks and become a comely young woman. Her chestnut brown hair now fell below her swelled breasts and her eyes were as steely as ever. Her body now had curves and her looks were rivaled from every girl in the North to Kings Landing.

Even though Arya and Sansa did not get along as children, their sudden family reunion changed all that and they became inseparable. Every now and then they had their quarrels but always forgave each other within the hour. Just as their new found bond formed, it seemed that everything in Winterfell thrived. The rebuilding was going according to plan and right on track. The people loved the Queen and her kindness as well as her political wit, whom she acquired from none other than Petyr Baelish.

Arya spent her days training with the knights in the courtyard, teaching Rickon how to shoot a bow, or practicing her water dancing in the Godswood. There were the also the occasional visits to the forge she made whenever she needed to have Needle repaired. Although she had out grown Needle, she couldn't find it in her heart to part with it. It was a constant reminder of Jon and the love she bore her half brother. But besides that Arya was content with her day to day life.

It was still dark when Arya made her way to the forge. The only people still awake were the night guards that were out patrolling and she knew that she wouldn't be seen entering the smithy. The forge was always warm no matter what time of the day it was, it often reminded her of her time in Braavos. She almost always never talked about it but sometimes she would give Gendry tidbits of her adventures in Essos.

When she climbed up to the loft above the forge, she saw that Gendry was lying on his stomach and snoring softly. She let out a tiny giggle before making her way to his cot. She gently nudged his shoulder before he rolled on his side and extended his arms to her. Arya quickly nuzzled into his large frame, laying on her side facing him. He kissed her nose before closing his eyes again. She turned around so that his chest came into contact with her back. She sighed and wrapped his arm around her.

"Do you remember that day by the river?"

Gendry chuckled into her neck. "How can I forget? The way I remember it, it memorable in more ways than one."

Arya felt a slight tinge of guilt as she turned to face him. He had a long gash on his right bicep. "I'm sorry. I was just really angry at the world and you were the closest thing next to me." She rubbed his arm as she spoke. "I didn't mean to cut you but it also caught your attention."

"Really? Because it seemed to me that my pain gave you joy." he teased. "Besides I wasn't the only who avoided someone. Think about it Arry, we went two almost three moons with out speaking to each other." He cupped her face.

She grabbed one of his wrists before replying,"I hate to say this but for once you were right, Stupid. I did miss talking to you and hearing your stupid laughter and your stupid snoring and your stupid voice."

He laughed and she smiled at him. "Am I really that stupid?"

She laughed and smacked his chest.

"I remember that after our "little" argument, you actually smiled and it reached your eyes. It's like you came back to life that day and that's what I remember most." He leaned in to kiss her as he finished.

Pulling away she, nestled back into his chest.

"That's not what I remember most about that day." she whispered. "We made love for the first time that day."

A toothy smile played on his lips as he remembered that blissful night. They had been arguing again about warfare tactics and somehow it turned into an all out screaming match about their feelings for each other.

"You're not taking this seriously Arya! You can't go in war without a battle plan!"

"Well why should I?! None of this gives me my family back! The only thing I have left is to bring down that bloody turncloack and his bastard and reclaim Winterfell in the name of my family! At least then my parents and Robb will be able to rest in peace."

Gendry glared at her, knowing full well that she would pull through with that promise. But deep down inside he knew that there was still that ten year old girl inside her. And what shocked him the most was that she felt as if she was still alone with nothing left to lose.

"Do you honestly think that you have nothing left? How can you be so blind? You have had and always will have me!" he screamed.

Arya opened her mouth to say something but was too stunned to move. She replayed what he said over and over again in her head.

He came closer to her and repeated his last sentence. "You will always have me Arya, even if you don't love me. I love you, Arya."

Suddenly, it felt like an imaginary weight had lifted of her chest. All her fury and rage lay forgotten as she wrapped her head around his words. She then somehow found herself running towards him. She barreled into him as she punched him. He didn't move, but stood as she hit him.

"YOU..."punch"STUPID"punch"BULL HEADED"another punch"BOY!" Arya hit once more before crushing their lips together.

This took Gendry by surprise but wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer to him. She wasn't really sure what she was doing but followed his lead as he snaked his tongue into her mouth. She pushed back at his tongue as they fought for dominance, he won. Slowly breaking their kiss, Gendry pecked her bottom lip before moving down the side of her face to her neck. Arya moaned as he sucked below her earlobe and she peppered kisses all over his face.

Gendry let out a frustrated growl as he bent over to lift her off the ground, wrapping her legs around his waist. She gasped as he backed her into a tree and continued to rain kisses alongside her collar bone. He made his way back to her lips again and gave her a gentle kiss. Leaning back, he noticed how red and swollen Arya's lips were. She placed her hands around his neck and leaned forward to kiss him again. She kissed his cheek before stopping at his ear to whisper something.

"Make love to me, Gendry."

Gendry stared at Arya with wide eyes. He knew it was wrong and they would have his head for this, but he loved her and wanted to be with her in every which way.

"Make love to me."she repeated once more with confidence.

Torn between his mind and his heart, he gave in. They coupled against the forest floor, gently at first as he took her maidenhead. When she climaxed the first time she moaned his name before uttering,"I love you, too."

Then it became rougher and passionate after each time. They laid together four times that night before returning their attention to the impending war for Winterfell.

The memory of their first time stayed with them both as they drifted off into a deep sleep wrapped in each others arms. For the first time in a long time, Arya felt happy and secure in Gendry's arms.

Then, came the morning that changed it all.

Bran and Rickon were in the Great Hall with Sansa and a few other loyal bannerman breaking their fast. All were so consumed in their conversations that no one noticed when Arya and Gendry walked in.

"Morning." she muttered as she sat down to eat her breakfast.

They all greeted her and set out for their duties. Bran left to continue his lessons taking Rickon with him, Gendry darted off to the forge, Sansa sat with Maester Luwin talking over the reconstruction and discussing other matters, which then left Arya with her water dancing. As she made her way to the Godswood, she saw when two ravens simultaneously arrived in the rookery. Dark wings, dark words, she thought instantly. Suddenly she found herself doubling back to the Great Hall, arriving before Maester Luwin. The moment the maester came in, he made his way to the Queen Regent.

"Your grace, these just arrived in the rookery. There is one addressed for you and another for your sister, Lady Arya." he informed them.

Arya stood speechless and motionless until she regained her senses. "Who are they from Maester Luwin?"

By that time both sisters made their way to the old man. "The one addressed to the Queen bears the seal of the Targaryens and the other addressed to Lady Arya has the seal of the Baratheons." the maester responded.

Arya's mind scrambled for a moment. Why would Stannis send word to Winterfell? Least of all to me? she thought.

Arya reached for the scroll and read it quickly, as did Sansa. When they finished reading the papers, both Stark sisters uttered the same words.

"They're coming."

A/N: Thoughts? Questions? Let me know what's on your mind...

Update: [8/27/12] Please don't think I've given up on the story just yet! I've been busy with school and haven't had time to finish writing the next chapter but fret not lovely people, the story will continue. I'm going to be very busy this week but I should be able to update a new chapter later this week or by the latest Friday. Wish me luck!