So here it is. The last chapter. My baby is all grown up. I hope you like it! I was actually thinking about writing a sequel, but every time I try I fail. But who knows, maybe someday I'll succeed. Thank you so much for reading and for your wonderful feedback.

Chapter 30

Arya

The two weeks passed faster than Arya had ever expected. After Gendry had learned about Jarin being his biological brother, the two of them were insepperable, and Arya found herself slightly jealous. But when captain Snook announced that they would approach Dorne the next day, she quickly forgot about the green monster and was unable to think about anything but her big sister and her little baby boy.

As promised, they could see land in the distance the morrow after, and the captain told them to pack and get ready to row the rest of the way. Arya paid him what she had promised, and thanked him for his hospitality. It did not take long to put her belongings back in the trunk, and with the cabin boys' help she managed to carry it on deck. Merida's trunk was much smaller and did not contain as much as Arya's, but Arya made a promise to herself she would buy her friend lots of new dresses; nothing she ever did for Merida was enough to thank her for saving their lives.

They climbed into a rowing boat along with Twigg and two other men. The cabin boys lowered their trunks into the boat with several ropes as Gendry and Jarin appeared from the cabins.

"There it is," Arya told Gendry excitedly. "We're here!"

Twigg and his men rowed in turn, but still the journey toward land was long and hot.

As the boat drew nearer the shore, Arya caught a glimpse of a crowd on the quay. She stretcher her neck trying to see Sansa, but they were too far away and the people simply blurred together. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, pushing her nervousness as far away as possible. A large hand stroke her back and as she turned her head, she looked up at Gendry's reassuring smile.

"Everything's going to be okay," he whispered. She sighed and squeezed his arm.

"I know, I know." She tried to smile, but the movements of the boat made her stomach twist. After two weeks on the sea, she thought she would have been used to the nauseous feeling the waves gave her.

"Who are all those people?" Merida asked, staring at the crowd. Arya turned and could swear she saw a mane of red hair in the middle.

"My sister," she said, not taking her eyes of the red dot. It had been so long since they had last seen each other. Sansa had a son now. Espan. The thought was bizarre, but yet Arya knew Sansa was the perfect mother. She could remember how Sansa had babied Rickon when he was born, and she had always been protective of those younger of her. Arya too, despite their differences.

"Almost there," Twigg said between the strokes. Now Arya could clearly see her sister in front of the crowd, clutching a bundle in her arms while waving violently to them.

"Is that her?" Merida asked excitedly. "Oh, she's so pretty. Like a proper princess."

Arya smiled. Sansa had almost become a princess once. If only their father had accepted the offer of becoming the king's hand. But from what Joffrey did to Mycah while staying at Winterfell, Arya was glad her father declined. Sansa deserved better.

"Any minute now," Twigg teased. Arya was so excited she felt like jumping out of the boat and swim the rest of the way.

"You're shaking," Gendry stated.

"I'm fine," she told him.

As the boat reached the quay, the seconds felt like minutes. Arya jumped onto the dock as quick as she could and ran toward the crowd, not even noticing the people watching her. She could see Sansa turn to give her babe to a woman beside her, just in time to catch Arya as she jumped into her arms.

"Arya!" Sansa exclaimed, hugging her close. "My sweet sister."

Arya felt her throat thicken and had to blink several times to prevent herself from crying. "I've missed you," she whispered, tightening her grip around Sansa's slender shoulders. Sansa pushed her away and examined her closely.

"Why do you look like a boy?" she asked. Arya snorted before pulling her sister back into another bone-crushing hug.

"I will tell you all about it later!"

A man walked up beside them and cleared his throat loudly. "My love, would you care to introduce us?"

Sansa smiled and put her arm around the tall man's waist. "Arya, this is Ned. Ned, my sister Arya."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my lord," Arya said, curtsying politely.

"And this is Espan," Sansa said, gesturing to the woman holding the babe forward. Arya stared at the bundle in amazement. He was such a little creature, with fair hair and chubby cheeks.

"Sansa, he's beautiful. Congratulations to both of you."

Lord Edric smiled proudly and stroke his wife's arm. "Now you must introduce us to your companions."

Arya gasped. In her excitement she had completely forgotten about those she was traveling with. When she turned, she saw that Twigg had already turned the boat and was headed back to the ship. Arya waved her friends forward.

"Hello Gendry," Sansa greeted. "It's nice to see you again."

"You as well, my lady," Gendry said, bowing. "Lord Dayne."

Ned took a step forward. "You must be the blacksmith. It's about time we got a new pair of hands to Starfall – our blades are getting blunt."

"And this is Merida and Jarin – they saved our lives," Arya said, smiling at them.

"I'm pleased to meet all of you," Sansa said. "But let not waste time down in the wind. We have prepared a feast in the castle in your honor. The people of Starfall are almost as excited to receive you as I am."

"Arya!" A dark voice called from behind the crowd. Arya twirled around and caught a glimpse of a man fighting his way through the group of people. His hair was longer and grayer, making him look older, but Arya saw the same kindness in his eyes that she had missed so sorely these past months.

"Father!" she leapt into the air and was caught by a pair of strong arms. "What are you doing here?"

"How could I miss my youngest daughter's wedding?" he smiled, pulling her closer.

"I've missed you so," she told him, feeling tears sting her eyes.

Her father sniggered as he put her back down on the ground. "And I've missed you, sweetheart."

They were taken to the castle in large wagons pulled by big, strong horses. Arya stared at the landscape in awe. It was so different from the north; it was warm, dry and arid. The surroundings were nothing but mountains and desert, but it was still beautiful. The castle was much bigger than Winterfell, with more towers and spears than Arya could count.

Sansa rocked her little son in her arms while smiling proudly at them. It was obvious that she loved her home more than any of them had ever anticipated, and Lord Edric was just as kind as Sansa had told her in the letters.

They were escorted up the wide staircase and through a long hall.

"The maids have prepared the south tower for you," Sansa said to Gendry and Arya. "You will have to sleep in separate rooms until your wedding, of course."

Arya nodded and gave Gendry an affectionate smile.

"Jarin and Merida," Sansa looked at the couple. "You will be staying in the east tower. Now, we will let you refresh and unpack before the feast. And in the morrow we have to start planning your wedding."

Arya chuckled by Sansa's excitement and as she and Gendry started on the stairs, she could feel the tiredness well over her. Perhaps she would have time for a quick nap before the feast.

A dark-skinned maid showed them to their rooms. As they bid farewell, Arya felt a rush of impatience toward the wedding. It was strange to be so excited about something she had been so against only months earlier. Sansa followed Arya inside the room and closed the door carefully behind them.

"What do you think?" she asked. Arya looked around the room with widened eyes.

It was a huge room, thrice as big as her chamber back at Winterfell. With a wide smile on her face, she threw herself on the soft featherbed, large enough for five grown men.

"Wow," was all she could say. Sansa laughed as she seated herself in the chair by the window facing the coast.

"This is where you'll live together after the wedding," she said. Arya sat up and gave her a confused look.

"You want us to live here? Permanently?"

Sansa scoffed. "Of course, what did you expect? It's perfect! That way we can spend every day together – you'll have maids and wet nurses and everything. Why aren't you smiling?"

Arya bit her lip and folded her hands in her lap. "Sansa," she started. "I thought I was clear about this; I'm grateful for your hospitality and all, but this is not the life I want for Gendry and me. We want to start over, a new start for both of us. I'm not this woman you want me to be."

Sansa sighed and crossed her arms over her stomach. "I was afraid you'd say that…"

"I'm sorry, sister."

"We can get you something in the village," Sansa said. "Ned always wanted to build a new forge. A bigger one, with a living area above." Sansa walked across the floor and sat down next to Arya on the bed.

"You'd do that for me?" Arya asked. Sansa took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"I'd do anything for you, Arya."

Arya requested that their wedding were doubled with Merida and Jarin's. Mostly because she knew their new friends were too poor to have a big wedding like Sansa was planning for her and Gendry, but also because she wanted some of the attention off of herself. It made her uncomfortable to have everyone's eyes on her, and sharing her wedding with Merida, she was not the only one they would be looking at.

It was a hot day - even hotter than usual, and Arya found herself sweating nervously as her maids put on the new dress Sansa had made her. She had considered objecting, but even she understood that getting married in breeches was not appropriate for anyone. No, she wanted to look beautiful today. For Gendry.

"Arya," Sansa breathed, staring at her. "Gods, you look like a proper lady! No, you look like a princess!"

Arya turned and looked at her reflection in the mirror glass. The sight took her breath away; she was wearing a green gown with a deep cut and a slim waist. Sansa had given her a beautiful necklace of silver with emerald green rocks, matching her dress perfectly. Since her hair only reached her neck, Sansa had ordered the maids to set it up in a knot and lay a thin hairnet on top, similar to the necklace she was wearing.

"Sansa, I-"

""Hush, little sister. Just look at yourself, you look wonderful."

Arya sighed and smiled. "I really do, don't I?"

She met Merida at the bottom of the tower stairs, and gasped by the beauty that met her. Although her dress were simpler and her necklace planer, her natural beauty made her look just as pretty as Arya, if not even prettier.

They were led to the great hall which was decorated with flowers and banners in different colors. The horde of people made Arya's stomach twist, and she could only imagine how nervous Gendry was to stand in front of all these people. she suddenly wished she had asked Sansa for something smaller, but all these requests made her feel like a burden, and she didn't want to seem ungrateful.

"You ready?" Sansa asked.

Arya nodded and took Merida's hand, giving it a little squeeze.

"Thank you for this, Arya," Merida whispered, her eyes tearing up. "For everything". Arya smiled.

The vows went by like a blur. All Arya could remember was thinking how handsome Gendry looked in his brand new breeches and tunic. Her heart beat faster as Gendry uttered the words and promised to love her forever.

As they sat down for the feast, Arya looked over at her father and could swear he was wiping a tear from his cheek. The sight made her smile. Gendry took her hand in his and kissed it gently. Despite him being from simpler conditions, he had fit in perfectly in front of the crowd, smiling brightly at her as she entered. He looked so calm and handsome; Arya finally saw the royalty in him. He would have been a great king, she thought, beaming at him. But I could never be a queen. She bit her lip and looked down at her hands. The wedding and bedding, she suddenly remembered. The part she had been dreading since she attended her first wedding. The part where the men ripped off her new gown and looked at her naked body. Well, she was not going down without a fight. She wished she had brought Needle – then she could have smacked whoever tried to touch her. But Needle was safely put away in her trunk along with her dagger.

"You look pale," Gendry whispered to her as the third meal was served. Arya looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'm just happy is all."

"You're dreading the traditional bedding, aren't you?"

Arya bit her lip. "Not as much the bedding as the tradition beforehand. To be honest, I can't wait to be alone with you."

He leaned nearer and gave her a light kiss on her lips, earning sighs of adornment from the guests.

"Merida looks just as nervous as you," Gendry said, stroking her lip. Arya looked at her friend and saw that she was positively shaking. Jarin tried as best as he could to calm her down, and Merida tried to put on a brave face.

The entertainment made her feel slightly better and she forgot about what came next for a few hours, but as someone yelled out to prepare for the bedding, Arya felt her blood turn cold as ice.

"I'll see you in your chamber," Gendry whispered, giving her one last kiss. Arya clutched his hand a little too tight.

"It's our chamber now," she said through gritted teeth. A group of men were approaching her with wide grins on their faces. The women were pulling Gendry to them, Sansa in the front.

Arya slapped anyone who reached out for her, but was unable to smack away every wandering hand, and in the end, they managed to rip her gown off. Luckily, she managed to keep her slip somewhat whole and kept the rest of her gown wrapped around herself. As she was carried to her tower, she caught a glimpse of the men carrying Merida to hers. Jarin and Gendry were right behind them.

She felt somewhat safe when she finally saw the insides of her chamber, and rested tiredly on the bed in nothing but her ripped slip. When Gendry entered, she realized he was almost naked. Obviously, he had not been so persistent to knock the women's hands away. It was a tradition after all.

"Your hair is a mess," he said, smiling. She stared at his muscular torso, at the scars on his thigh and face. Although his scarred face had scared her at first, Arya now found him even more beautiful than ever. And he was hers. Truly hers, her husband. She laughed by the thought. Husband. How surreal to think of him as that.

"Are you nervous?" he asked, approaching her slowly. Arya bit her lip. For some reason, she was. Gendry put his hand around her face and kissed her passionately, making her nerves fade away. She loved him. It was nothing to be afraid of. He loved her, and she loved him. He removed her hairnet gently and let her hair fall down around her face.

"I love you," she said, kissing his neck. "I love you so much it hurts." She moved her lips to the scar on his cheek and felt him flinch by her touch.

"And now we can be together. Really together, as husband and wife."

She ran through the snowy forest as quick as she could, limping slightly on her front left foot. She could smell the castle before she saw it. The familiar smell of bacon and horses filled her nostrils and she sped up. As she reached the large stone walls, she only needed howl before the gate opened and she was let in. She could hear people yell in surprise by the sight of her. No one was afraid, though, she could sense it. They were only happy to see her alive. She jogged across the courtyard and up the steps to the castle. The guard outside opened the door for her, and she slipped inside as gracefully as ever. She continued up the stairs and down the corridor and stopped outside the open door to her owner's chamber. It was completely empty. She could smell that no one had been there in weeks. She continued to walk and found her way to the chamber in the end where she could hear a babe cry. Although the sound was loud and annoying, she hurried inside and found the babe in a tall crib. She had to stand on her back feet to be able to look at the little babe in the crib, but as she let her snout touch the babe's cheek, the girl fell silent and merely looked at her. She managed to jump into the crib and laid down next to the babe, feeling her hands run through her fur.

Arya sat up abruptly, her heart throbbing rapidly. It was a wolf dream, she reflected. She just had a wolf dream about Nymeria! She knew it was real; it was too vivid to be a dream of her own. That could only mean one thing: Nymeria was alive! She was alive and had found refugee with baby Atheena, the new lady of the north.

Sooo. Thoughts? I'm a bit scared of what you think of the ending, so please be gentle. Would any of you be interested in a sequel?