I rode through the wilderness with Arya next to me, Astrid and Nymeria in front of us at a running fast pace as they could as we galloped behind them both. After almost having a breakdown with Gendry and thinking too much of what was going on in Winterfell, Arya decided to go out hunting, just the two of us and not being worried about the upcoming battle that would happen. Gendry even encouraged me to go out and breathe in the nature air to get my mind back at ease. Broon and Pod, along with at least 6 Brotherhood men left for the Wall 3 days ago, having us only sit and wait.

So there I was, wearing a tunic and trousers on my horse, riding through the forest and leaving my fears behind me. My hair, growing back to being long again and now getting to the middle of my back, was braided and rearranged into a bun on the back of my head, the same with Arya since her hair was long enough to have her seem like a Lady. It was much to her dismay, since she wanted to cut her hair short once more since it felt nice to her when we were traveling with the caravan.

"Come on, Nora. I thought you were faster than this!" Arya rooted me on, having me grin and kick my horse and pick up the pace even more as we were speeding through the forest, having me feel the rush of wind coming against my skin.

"Don't be antagonizing little sister." I replied to her over the noise of our horses galloping and the rustling of the trees that sped by. Arya laughed, a hearty laugh that was not heard from her in awhile. After a minute or two of galloping through the woods, Arya and I slowed out horses to a trot and then to a walk, side by side as I breathed out a sigh of relief.

"I feel as though I should be worried about something." I said in a joking tone, hearing her snicker as we walked in a leisure pace.

"That's why I got you out of Winterfell and into the open air." Arya reminded me again, having me smile and look over at her, "Come on, it's like old times with the caravan. We didn't have to worry about anything."

"Except our live spans." I said back in a smirk, in which she snorted.

"Okay, other than that though. I liked it then, not being surrounded by responsibilities and cares about the life of a Lady." She said aloud, then going a bit quiet, "Now it's different." I looked ahead from this, thinking about how we were changed women then. I had to change into being a Lady and current Heir of Winterfell, with Arya back to looking like a young lady now, since she was getting older and slimmer in her appearance.

"I'm glad it's different now." I said, after a moment or two of silence between us as we were thinking all that we have been through. Arya looked over at me from her horse, having me watch her before I kept talking.

"If I didn't agree to work for Father, to get out of Thedra Ascent, then I would of stayed there, not knowing and not realizing who I was, and not meeting my family. I wouldn't of been able to find Astrid, or meet with Gaila or Brennon. But the worst would of been Gendry, and a life without him there for me." It was a horrible thing to think about, but it flooded my mind so many times when I would dream or when I would pause in a moment from working for so long.

"I'm glad you came out too." Arya said to me in her small but bright grin on her face. I smiled back at her, since she was hardly one to say things so simple yet so compelling at the same time. She was becoming wiser and wiser every time we would talk to each other about life. I looked forward once more, hearing the quietness of the forest and nothing else around us. I started to get worried, looked over at Arya now with worry,

"Where are Astrid and Nymeria?" I asked her aloud, seeing her look from me and over to the road in front of us. She leaned up a bit in her saddle, still holding onto the reins for dear life. She gave out one long whistle, something I knew she trained Nymeria in responding to since they were reunited. At first we heard nothing, having me think that she was really hurt, her and Astrid.

"Astrid!" I called out, my voice was loud and clear. I heard heard it, the sound of a direwolf in pain. I immediately kicked my horse, Arya right behind me and we bolted towards the sound of one of our wolves being hurt. It took us about a moment or two before we reached to where we heard the commotion.

Within seconds I threw out my bow from the sheath and drew it back. In front of us were Astrid and Nymeria, but Astrid's nose was bloodied: her nose was slashed by a sword and she was barring her teeth. Nymeria was in front of her, protecting her daughter and growling so loudly our horses were shaking in fear. There were a few Wildings in front of us, sporting spears and bows and arrows drawn back. I shot instantly at the Wildling with the bow, seeing him grunt and fall from his spot as the others were frozen. Most of them were looking at Nymeria, whom was not showing any mercy from her spot as I aimed at all of them from my spot.

"Where are you from?" I asked them aloud in a clear tone, showing a hint of anger since they hurt my own direwolf. They said nothing at first, showing their imitation and not being so easy weak.

"I'll ask you one more time before I behead you for hurting my wolf." I warned her, having me seeing him eye me now with sinister eyes.

"You're the Wolf girl." one of them said to me aloud, having me eye Arya for a mere second before looking back at him.

"You've heard of me?" I asked.

"You're a Stark, and Starks are being spoken of far and wide near the Wall. We came after one, not too long ago to order to kill him: the cripple." He said in a sinister tone. I was taken back when he sad that, having me see Arya squirm in her spot as she drew out Needle from its sheath. She aimed her sword at the Wildling man whom spoke, having me watch her from the corner of her eye.

"Who were you following?" She asked in a low tone, almost breaking in anger. The man only smile as I drew another arrow and pulled back, about to shoot at the man whom was now looking at me.

"Answer her, Wildling." I said to him in a command. He then looked over at Arya once more, his eyes were cold and showed no love in them. Is this was a Wildling was? Cold? Not merciful? But the next thing he said was as shocking as the moment I realized that I was a Stark child:

"Bran Stark." I lost my voice when he said our brother's name, but he continued, "He's a boy of magic: he can make people do what he pleases without touching them. He's a demon, knows how to control the mind like a God. I've seen it with my own eyes: the cripple can produce magic from his mind."

"And where did you see him last?" Arya gritted through her teeth, having me see that whew as trying to keep her composure and her maturity at a regular level, though I knew she wanted to jump down and kill that Wildling where he was. I was in the same boat, since they were after my younger brother and wanting to kill him not only because he was a Stark, but that they thought he was a magician.

"We were just following him not, until your pet here ruined our hunt for him." He sneered back at her, having me near a ripping growl from Nymeria, taking a few steps and barking loudly as one of the other Wildlings scooted away from Nymeria, whom was still crouched in front of Astrid. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the Wildling man chocked out, fell to his knees and was dead on the ground, with a arrow shooting out from his chest. Arya looked over at me with confusion.

"It wasn't me." I said to her, my arrow was still attached to my bow as I looked at her confused as well. But then we heard commotion behind us, having me look and see that a couple of the Brotherhood Without Banners were there on their horses, riding up and meeting us in front of the Wildlings. Two of them, whom I remembered as Tyrion's Squire and good friend, were in the front of the pack of men. Bronn and Pod watched us as I lowered the bow carefully and kept it to my side.

"Pardon your nice meeting with the Wildlings, Miladies." Bronn said in a smirk, something I picked up when I met him the morning he left with Pod and the Brotherhood, "But your brother asked us to find you two before you ran into this bunch that was tailing us since we left." I looked at him in shock, as Arya did as well. The other two Wildlings bolted away from us, running for dear life as I heard Bronn chuckle from his spot.

"With your permission, amy we run after those two and rid of them?" He asked in a polite tone, as if it was some kind of game. I sighed in relief, placing my bow back against the sheath on my back as I placed the arrow back into the sheath.

"No need. I want to see my brother more than have those two dead." I said back to him, knowing that I might of hit a thorn against his side. But Bran was far more important as Arya and I turned our hoarse around to face the group of men in front of us, "Where is our brother?" Bronn smiled, a genuine smile for once as Pod did as well.

"You need to see this."

We all rode back in a short amount of time, having Arya and I lead the way since we were so excited and thrilled to find out brother once more. My heart was thumping out of my chest with the mere though and wonder that all of the living Stark children were going to be together once more, with nothing else holding us away from each other. Nymeria and Asirid lead the way by our horses, though I knew Astrid was in pain from the Wildlings and their harsh treatment on her.

Once we saw Winterfell in our eyesight, our horses went faster and harsher then ever as I lead the group back through the gates and open archway into the middle of the fortress. I slowed my horse, seeing that there was already a commotion happening in the middle of the square, all of the workers were there surrounding none other than Bran Stark, whom was on a horse with braces on his legs to hold him to the saddle from what I could see. They were all smiling, talking to him, and showing kidness as I then saw all of them look over at me, the talking went dead and they all bowed as I rode over to him. Arya was at my side as our wolves moved through the crowd. The people moved out of the way of Astrid and Nymeria, having me see they stopped by Ghost, Shaggydog and Koda, whom were all but their owners that were by Bran. Sansa, Jon, Gendry, Rickon, their wolves, along with Brennon and James, were in the open middle area as I smiled widely at my younger but safe brother. Looking down at the floor, I saw the last direwolf to be part of the pack: Summer. The light gray and golden tint of Summer was a contrast compared to the other wolves, but Summer stayed close to Bran and watched me closely.

He looked older, much older since I saw him last. He grew into a young man from what I saw, his with brown shaggy hair moved to the side and how he presented himself. He was wearing furs from being up in the North. HIs face was slimmer, more rigid, like Arya. HIs brown eyes looked warm as they did before when he was a young boy back here in Winterfell.

I stopped my horse in front of him, seeing him eye me up and down as if I was a lost dream of his. Arya rode up next to me and I could of swore I saw tears in her eyes: good happy tears that her brother was alive.

"The true Heir of Winterfell has returned. Bran Stark, Lord of WInterfell." I said to the crowd, having the whole square hear and have me see Bran smile widely at him. He bowed his head to me, having me do the same to him.

"You are the true hero, bringing the Starks home once more because of your bravery." Bran said to me, his voice was low and chilling but brought authority behind it. The crowd cheered, as if we were in fact going into battle and about to have a victory on our hands. It brought me true joy to know that he was alive, the last one of us to be found, and back in our home where we needed to be finally.

"We'll celebrate tonight, a feast in the honor of the Stark Children!" James proclaimed, having me hear more cheers coming from the entire fortress and ringing in the North. This is what we needed, something to bring us away from the reality of war, and towards the goodness of family and honor to each other.

We needed celebration.

And a feast there was. Food beyond what I thought we had was on our table as the Great Hall was filled to the brim of the workers and soldiers. All of the Stark children, along with Jon and Gendry, sat at the Head Table with Bran's blessing. He was in the middle of the group of us, respectively so as Tyrion and Jamie were on the right with Bronn and Pod, James and Brennon on the left with Thoros and Anguy. Everyone else talked together in joyful noises and laughter as we ate and drank together in peace.

"When Podd and Bronn found me, I was on my way to the Wall from where I was to find Jon. He explained to me the situation and I came with them immediately." Bran explained to me as I sat on his left, "Thankfully I knew how to ride without my legs, something Tyrion Lannister gave me after I lost my ability to walk." I looked from my brother to Tyrion, whom was laughing with a sheepish Pod and a boisterous Bronn.

"He showed you how to ride?" I asked him in wonder and disbelief.

"Not exactly. He showed me how to make the saddle with my braces." He explained to me, having me look back at him and see that he was telling the truth. I did nothing else but smile at him, seeing him pat my hand with his frail one.

"It brings me pleasure to knowing that we are siblings, Nora. And from what I saw when I rode back in here, you've been keeping our family alive." Bran said to me in a cheerful tone, "I remember this place being in ruins, after the fall of our father. I never thought I would live to see the day of this place being filled with people, with happiness and with peace."

"I only wished to make this place perfect for our family, until you came home, since you are the rightful heir of Winterfell." I explained to him, seeing him squeeze his hand in mine as he then had a spark behind his eye.

"And as Lord of WInterfell, I had a duty to fulfill. According to Sansa….you wish to marry Gendry Waters?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. For a quick second I hated Sansa for telling him about what I wanted in my own life. To me, what I wanted was nothing compared to what we had to deal with soon with Cersei Lannister. But Bran then looked ahead, having me see him clutch the sides of the table and lift himself up to hold himself in the air, to seem like he was standing. I watched in both horror and fascination as he started to speak.

"It brings me great joy to see Winterfell filled with people once more, people of joy and loyalty. I thank you all for bringing Winterfell back its glory." Bran announced, the crowd clapping in approval as well as the rest of the Starks did as well.

"As my first act of Lord of Winterfell, I wish to conduct legitimization, with a man who is beyond worthy to be stripped of his title of Bastard." Bran announced, having me hear nothing but a few murmurs here and there from other people in the Great Hall. I watched him as he held himself up with his arms, seeing the strength as he continued.

"I call forth Gendry Waters." No sound was heard, except for the scrapping of a chair to indicate that he was getting up from his chair next to Thoros. He walked, slowly with heavy steps and a worried look on his face as he stood in front of Bran with his hands folded in front of him. I saw him, his wide blue eyes looked worried and scared for what was about to happen. But he knew about it, from what Sansa informed him some time ago, so this shouldn't be a big surprise. His face, on the other hand, was saying something else. Bran lowered himself back down on the chair, sitting up though to maintain his status as the Lord.

"Gendry Waters, I have been informed from my sisters that you are the Bastard son of Robert Baratheon, the late King of Westeros." Bran explained aloud, having me watch Gendry intently.

"It is true, Milord." He replied back to Bran in his low voice, but I heard a hint of quivering

"I wish to legitimize you not only to be a Lord with the ability to have your own property and rights, but to have to also marry whom you wish of a higher status." Bran explained to him, having me hear more murmurs in the court.

"My sisters tell me of all that you have done for them: bringing them back to Winterfell and out of harms way, provide camaraderie, and loyalty. There is nothing more noble to the Stark clan than that: Loyalty. You have shown no ill nature to my family, nor have you betrayed them or lead them astray." Bran continued, having me watch Gendry with a small smile on my lips. All that he was saying was in fact true: Gendry never failed me once. He was never a Bastard to me, far better than any other nobles that I have met that weren't Starks.

"If I am to legitimize you, in the name of my father Eddard Stark, and as the Lord of Winterfell, will you pledge your allegiance to the Stark House, to fight for our cause and to uphold our traditions?" Bran asked him aloud, having me see him in a new light: as the true Lord of WInterfell.

"I swear on my life, Lord Stark." Gendry said aloud, then loping over at me and having me see him nod his head at me once. I smiled widely at him, feeling Sansa take my hand in her as support. I squeezed her hand so tight I thought I would snag it clean off her body. But my heart was too much filled with joy and happiness from what I was witnessing, since he was doing all of this for me. Bran smiled, his cheery smile that I remembered he had when he was a boy, now suited him as a Lord.

"Then I legitimize you, and strip you from your status as a Bastard. You are now Lord Gendry Baratheon, a highborn in his own right." The whole room erupted in applause and cheers from the workers and other members of the fortress. Sansa, Arya and Rickon cheered in joy as well as I, even though I felt more tear coming down my face as I shot up from my chair and ran around the main table to reach Gendry.

As soon as I was close enough to him, he picked me up in his arms, swinging me around in joy as I held him close. We no longer had to tip toe around that fact that he was of lower birth than me. He was a noble now, just like me, and now we could be together for the rest of our lives. It all came to the end then and there. I kissed him, pouring my love into that kiss as I framed his face in my gentle hands. He kissed me back, having me giggle against his lips. I was too much filled with joy to have

anything negative fill my soul or mind. It wasn't until Bran spoke up again that I came back to reality.

"And now, if my memory is correct, we have a wedding to plan!"