INT. WINTERFELL GREAT HALL - NIGHT A feast is happening in the great hall of Winterfell, celebrating their victory over the Night King. Arya and Gendry sit next to each other, cups of ale in hand, observing the festivities. The cheerful noise of the feast surrounds them, but their voices carry through it. GENDRY Arya, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about. ARYA (leans in, curious) Go on. GENDRY When I left you back when we were with the Brotherhood... I've always felt a sense of regret about that choice. ARYA That decision led you to become a great blacksmith and now a lord. And it led me to my own journey. Things have a way of working out. GENDRY Aye, but I often wonder how different things would have been if I had chosen to follow you to Winterfell at that time. ARYA (smiles) You may never know. GENDRY (sincere) My entire life I've been on the run, or huddled in one corner or another, bending iron for every second. And eventually, that led me back here. I never had a place I could call home or someone to share it with. ARYA And now you have a title, lands and people who look up to you. You're finally at home, Gendry. GENDRY (nods) But sometimes it feels like something is missing. ARYA What are you trying to say, Gendry? GENDRY (looks into her eyes) Arya, I left without a word. I wasn't honest with you. And after everything you've gone through, you deserve the truth. ARYA (skeptical) The truth about what? GENDRY That I cared for you. More than just as a friend. And that leaving you behind has haunted me ever since. Arya is taken aback for a moment. She looks at her ale and ponders how to respond. ARYA We were children, Gendry. Different people. We did what we thought was best at the time. And that's okay. GENDRY (softer, almost whispering) Do you think we could have a fresh start? ARYA (sincere) I think you're a good man, Gendry. And you've proven your loyalty and bravery a hundred times over. But I've become someone else - someone who doesn't quite fit in this world anymore. GENDRY But we could try, couldn't we? Arya looks deep into Gendry's eyes. She sees the desperate hope and decides not to crush it. Instead, she smiles and clinks her ale against his. ARYA (leaning back) Who knows what the future holds? But for now, let's just focus on living through the next war. One step at a time. Gendry nods, understanding her signal to move forward in a more casual manner. He returns her smile and takes a sip from his cup. GENDRY (nods) One step at a time. And with that, they turn their attention back to the feast, the air cleared between them for the time being, as their bond becomes stronger than ever.