Samwell Tarly and Gilly begin a romantic relationship despite being two people trapped in horrible situations at the edge of the known world at The Wall. Despite war consuming Westeros and the world seeming to approach its climactic end, somehow things have surprisingly worked out for them for the moment. Gilly briefly moved to nearby Mole's Town but then fled back to the Wall in time for the Battle of Castle Black. Rushing out to defend the Wall from Mance Rayder's horde Sam kissed Gilly for the first time (Gilly didn't know how to react because Craster never kissed his wives).