Here's the next chapter! It's a good thing I've already written most of the story, because I'm suffering from a massive writer's block. This way the block won't affect you because I've got plenty of stuff to post. R&R

Chapter 13

Arya

She was covered in sweat when she woke up. What was that? Glancing around for her wolf, she realized Nymeria was gone. Old Nan had told them about stories where people entered animals in their sleep, but that was only stories right? Yet the dream had been so vivid, she could still taste the blood on her lips. And Gendry had been there. Alive, but injured. He had come after her! But it was only a dream, she reminded herself. Gendry was probably safe and sound back in Winterfell, forging another sword or one of his stupid necklaces.

But when Nymeria came leaping from the bushes, Arya instantly knew that something was wrong. The wolf growled, stopping only for a second before she turned and ran back the way she came. Arya shoved her belongings into her satchel and jumped onto the already saddled horse.

"Nymeria, wait!" she called, and the wolf reappeared in the distance, growling impatiently. "What's wrong?" she asked, even though she had a strong feeling the dream had been real.

She pushed her mare into full speed. Nymeria was already far ahead of her, but stopped frequently to show the way. Don't die, Gendry, she prayed. Please don't die. He was only wounded in the leg, but in the dream, he had been bleeding very much. If he didn't get help soon, he could bleed to death.

It felt like hours before she finally reached Nymeria, who was leaning over a hooded figure.

"Gendry!" she exclaimed, jumping off her horse. "Gendry, seven hells, are you alright?" she pulled the hood down and stared at his lifeless face. He was so cold, she was afraid he'd frozen to death.

"Gendry, c'mon stupid!" she shook him in an attempt to wake him up, but Gendry's eyes remained closed. "Wake up!" tears were stinging her eyes, blurring her vision. Nymeria sniffed on his thigh, whimpering.

"His wound," Arya stated, making the tear in his breeches even wider so she could see the cut. A spear, she reckoned. Luckily, it had only pierced halfway through.

I have to compress the wound. She had payed enough attention when Bran talked about his lessons with Maester Luwin to know this, and was suddenly very grateful for her brother's knowledge. She pulled a tunic out of her satchel and tied it together around his thigh.

"We need find shelter," she told Nymeria, who immediately ran off. Arya pulled off her cloak and wrapped it around Gendry. He needed all the warmth he could get.

"Don't you dare die, Gendry. As your lady I command you to live," she stroked his cold cheeks, trying to rub some color into them. When Nymeria returned, she nudged Gendry's arm under her head. Arya lifted the blacksmith's body onto the direwolf's back. He was heavy, but Arya was strong, and with Nymeria's help, they finally managed to find a way.

Grabbing her mare's reins, she followed Nymeria as hurried along; walking carefully so Gendry wouldn't slide off.

"Where are we going?" Arya asked when a hill came into sigh. She could see a range of mountains behind it, and knew instantly where they were. Bran had showed her the map of Westeros only weeks before, pointing at the different places. The mountain rage was across from the long lake, on the other side of the king's road. She couldn't believe they had ridden almost halfway to the Wall in only two days. No wonder her horse was so tired.

As she started on the mountain, Nymeria was suddenly out of sight.

"Nymeria? Nymeria!" she called, panicking. What if someone had taken her and Gendry?

But as she came to the top of the hill, she saw a small cave at the foot of the mountain. She caught a glimpse of Nymeria's tail in the entrance and ran down to reach them as quick as possible.

Gendry was still unconscious when she came back to the cave with her arms full of branches. No matter how dangerous it might be, she had to make a fire. That way it would be possible to melt the snow into water, cook food and regain Gendry's body heat. She had snuggled him up in her fur rug and dragged him as close to the fire as she thought was safe.

The cave was small and was soon warm and comfortable. She melted snow in a pan and poured it into her flask. She left something in the pan for Nymeria and when the wolf was satisfied she went outside to water her mare. "Good girl," she said, patting her neck as the horse drank happily.

She was relieved to find that Gendry's cheeks were no longer as cold, and his face was actually regaining color. Running her fingers through his thick hair, she apologies for putting him through this. Had it not been for her recklessness, they would both be back in Winterfell right now.

"Forgive me," she whispered, squeezing his hand.

She did not fall asleep that night. With Needle in her hand, she watched the fire, frequently feeding it with more sticks. Nymeria lay on Gendry's other side, her head resting on his shoulder.

"He'll be alright," she assured her wolf, smiling. "He's strong, he'll wake up."

Gendry

It was warm. He had fallen asleep in the snow, he remembered. His head had felt empty and his thigh had throbbed with pain. It still hurt, but he was warm. His throat was so dry it hurt when he swallowed. It took him a lot of effort to open his chapped lips, and even more to let out a single word.

"w-water," he whispered in a hoarse voice from lack of use. As he slowly opened his eyes, the light stung. His breath was heavy and his mind groggy.

"Water," he repeated. Someone moved next to him. He turned his head toward the noise.

"Gendry!" a voice exclaimed. He narrowed his eyes at the moving figure. Arya! She was there, she was safe. She put an arm around his head as she put a bottle to his lips. The cold water was the best thing he had ever tasted in his entire life.

"I'm so sorry!" Arya went on, her voice piercing through his ears. "Everything is my fault."

He tried to smile, but ended up grimacing. "I'm. glad. Y-you're. okay," He told her.

"Stupid," Arya said, stroking his cheek. "You almost died and you worry about me."

He looked at her, stared into her deep gray eyes. "you saved me," he breathed. He felt the dizziness return, and blacked out again.

Bran

Bran rolled into the great hall with every faced turned to him. "Lord Stark," some of them greeted. He gave them a curtly nod before he seated himself in the throne, staring down at the crowd.

"My sister has been missing for three days," he said, trying to sound as powerful and authorized as his father. "I know that many of you have been searching the woods every day, and I – and my family- appreciate your help. But as she is sourly missed, we've decided to give a thousand gold dragons to the one who can bring me my sister back alive."

The crowd muttered to each other, excited by this news.

Bran cleared his throat loudly to hush them. "The new blacksmith apprentice is gone as well," he said, looking at Myra, whose face was red and swollen from crying.

"He left to search for Lady Arya and did not return. Some say they saw him riding north. We will reward you for his safe return too. Everyone at Winterfell is important to us, and we pray that the Gods will be good and bring them both safe home to us."

Myra gave him a smile, wiping tears from her cheek. Her husband, Mikken, held her tight against him, his face hard as a rock. Bran hoped that wherever Arya and Gendry might be, they were together and safe.

Arya

Gendry slept for several days. She would have been worried had it not been for the fact that he had already woken once. While Nymeria went outside to hunt, Arya would stay by his side. Sometimes the wolf brought her catching back to the cave for them, and Arya would cook the meat. She was saving the bread for the horse, as horses did not eat other animals, and there were no grass to be found. She must be starving, Arya thought miserably. If they lost her mare as well, they would have to continue on foot, and with Gendry's bad leg, it would go rather slowly. Arya found herself wondering what they would do when he woke up. Would they still be heading to the wall or would they return to Winterfell, where she would have to marry Dickon Tarly?

She was startled out of her thoughts by a sudden movement on the cave floor. Looking down, she noticed Gendry was awake and was trying to get up on his elbow.

"Wait, you should rest," she insisted, pushing him back down. Gendry frowned and pushed her hand gently away.

"What have I been doing for gods know how long?" he asked dryly. She sighed but did not object anymore. He must be starving, she thought and fished a piece of meat out of the pan above the fire.

"How long have I been out?" he asked. She was surprised by how strong he suddenly seemed. The rest must have given him his strength back.

"Almost four days," she said.

He scoffed. "No wonder I am so bloody hungry." The piece of meat was gone almost at once. Arya threw some more snow into the pan before feeling his forehead.

"Your fever's gone. Finally!"

Gendry smiled. "It takes more than a spear to kill Gendry Waters."

Rolling her eyes, Arya punched his shoulder lightly. "stupid," she chuckled. "How does your thigh feel?"

He put his hand around his leg, and removed the bloody tunic. "It hurts," he said. "But at least it looks good. What did you do whit it?"

Arya shrugged. "I only cleaned it with ice water. It's a wonder you haven't got some sort of infection."

"You did good, Arya. Thanks."

Arya bit her lip, guilt rushing over her again. "I would never have forgiven myself if you died, you know."

She looked at him, drowning in his piercing blue eyes.

"Arya-"he started, but she cut him off.

"I'm sorry I ran away. I never thought you'd follow, though."

Gendry pulled himself closer to her, taking her hand in his. "Of course I'd follow."

Arya sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder, their faces only inches apart. "I won't do it again," she promised. He smiled and pulled her into a tight hug.

"The next time I'll come with you."

Gendry

The first time he tried to walk on his leg, Gendry had fallen to the ground, crushing the good leg under his weight. Cursing, he got back to his feet. Arya supported him, and after some practicing, he managed to limp across the cave floor.

"You're not strong enough to leave yet, though," Arya told him.

"We'll ride. Don't worry, I'll manage."

Arya pushed a strain of hair behind her ear, looking at him with a skeptical look. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Arya, I'm fine." He said. But just as he uttered the words, he stumbled and fell to the ground again.

She crouched down beside him, steadying him as he got to his feet. "Liar," she said, smiling.

"Where do we go from here anyway?" he asked, ignoring her japing. He knew that if they returned to Winterfell, Arya would be married to Dickon Tarly, but The Wall was no place for a girl. Not even a girl like Arya. He remembered all of the thieves and rapists he had traveled with on his way to Winterfell, and shuddered. It was too dangerous.

Arya hesitated. "I really want to see Jon," she said. Gendry nodded. He had expected that. Whenever she talked of her brother, her lips would twist into a wide smile. There were no doubt he was her favorite.

"You know the wall is dangerous, right?" he asked her. "Most of those who takes the black is forced into it; few of them are as honorable as your brother. They are thieves and rapists, Arya. They'll fuck you bloody if they get the chance."

She crossed her arms and glared at him. "I'm not scared of them!"

"Then you're stupid!" he replied. She gave him a challenging look before she picked a dagger up from beside the fire.

"Then I guess I'll have to be someone else while I'm there," she said. He stared as she pulled her braid from behind her back and cut if off by her neck.

He gasped. "What are you-"

"From the moment we arrive at the Wall, I'm Arry, ok?"

Gendry shook his head in disbelief. As the short hair danced around her face, she actually reminded him of a boy. Her skinny figure and large clothes did definitely work in her advantage.

"What do we say to them anyway? Are the knights even allowed to have visitors?"

Arya hesitated. "We'll send Nymeria in with a note for Jon. I'm sure he'll find a way."

"Perhaps I ought to join them," Gendry said, thoughtfully. Arya shot him a sharp look.

"You don't mean that, do you?" she asked.

Gendry shrugged. "Why not? It's not like I belong anywhere else. Even bastards can dare to be ambitious on the wall."

Arya crossed her arms. "You're being stupid. Why would you want to join them? Do you want to live in celibacy for the rest of your life?"

Gendry sniggered. "So that's what worries you, eh?"

Arya punched him in the shoulder, making him laugh even harder. "I'm just saying…" she said through clenched teeth. Gendry took her hand in his. As she looked up at him, her gray eyes meeting his blue, he felt his stomach twist. He really did love this girl, even now, when she resembled a boy.