*The following chapter was written by reader sensfan90. Thank you sensfan90, for adding to this little world!

(Dragonstone 296) Maege I (by sensfan90)

She hated fire. She hated the smell of the smoke, the emptiness of its existence. She loved snow, the softness, the way it froze into ice, melt and then fly away in vapor. Most of all the snow reminded her of home, where her family was, where her blood was. Fire did not live in peace, it burnt and spread without care. The flame may be bright even sweet in its warmth but its comfort was fleeting. The Heart Trees were gone, not like the forests and bogs of her home. Not this place, Dragonstone was so wrong to her. She knew in her soul she should not be, her purpose was far away. She was a still a cub, not a fearsome bear like her mother.

"Cadet Mormont, have you finished your studies?" Without thinking her body knelt down, hand firmly in her palm. The instructor looked over her work for a moment, smiling as it met approval. Of course it did, father had instructed her from the day she gained her letters. She knew more about the Fire Nation than any Westeros born bender alive.

"Excellent Cadet, a message from Commander Chang awaits you in your quarters." Nodding she bowed once more before leaving, the sounds of training filling her ears. This at least she could lose herself in, mother and father sat and talked as the Flameguard drilled for as long as she could remember in Dragon's Cove. Other times they took part; Mother in her mail, ever wrathful with a morningstar, father eyeing an opening for his flame. For a few brief minutes she found some solace, a pity she reached her quarters so quickly. As expected the letter sat on her desk begging to be read. Sparing a glance at her sister sleeping, she sighed as the instructors clearly held her to a higher standard.

Lady Maege Mormont

It has come to my attention your studies have progressed quicker than anticipated, my son will arrive this evening to prepare for live exercises. I am aware my lady that you wish to cease your schooling as soon as possible, for all its power and reach I do sympathize with the realities of combustion. Nonetheless the Firelord and your family are clear in their wishes; you will not leave until we have determined you are fit and ready to control your power as befitting of your station.

"A power I did not want, at least mother warned me about the other problem. Father…father was too kind to his blood." Father always spoke of the Fire Nation as a wondrous people, industrious, smart and worthy of pride. Yet for her they seemed disdainful of what she held dear, always grasping for more instead of appreciating the beauty of what they had. They craved more power, more adoration, more everything. At least she understood why they craved her, mother made it very clear the day she learned of having a baby brother the duty of a noble lady. The fact that her bloodline also happened to produce strong Fire Benders and having a large if somewhat empty estate made it all the better. Lost in thoughts she barely caught herself as she entered the arena.

"Commander Chang, I have come for the exercise you requested. What are your orders?"

"Cadets Rina, Takkar and Haruto will attack with their flames, you are to respond in attack only with combustion. I will stay in sidelines to prevent serious injury to either party. We will either end or escalate the exercise depending on your aptitude."

"Am I allowed to use my own flames against them should the worst come to pass?"

"It would constitute a failure in this test but personal safety may influence my conclusions. Still my presence should mean such problems are minimal." But not unavoidable, at least you do not deny it.

"I will take my station then." Both sides bowed as was tradition and took their places. Takkar in the lead with Haruto and Rina flanking him, Chang silently to her left. She hid her smile as she already knew the ins and outs of her opponents, a secret she held dear. A part of her wondered if the rumors of her family were true, perhaps the skinchanger blood was stronger than they let on. She could feel the flames and auras of others as clear as day, even her twin Azula showed the talent if one listened hard enough to her ramblings. Commander Chang glowed strong and hard, an ember fostered by years of training and experience. Cadet Rina burst from a flicker to a storm, a young women trying to impress but suffering the uncertainty of youth. Haruto, now there was a pitiful speck of heat grasping at air. He was boy playing at a young man all too aware his future in the Fire Nation was at the feet of his betters. And Takkar, the boy had a bright flame but every so often it would almost snuff itself out, as if it was reaching beyond its own grasp.

"Begin."

"Charge, do not let her gain ground!" Three versus one and without fire to shield herself the battle seemed lost but she could see Chang shake his head, as if they were all being stupid. Feeling their flames burst over the ground she smiled as it finally clicked. Erupting the spark in her lungs she pushed all her fire down, the force of flame propelling her in the air. As the she began to descend her chi focused itself….

"Enough, Lady Mormont wins the round." Landing she quickly exhaled, feeling the shock. Combustion was painful to stop once it began and more than one of her predecessors had died because of it. Still Commander Chang and Lee had assured her as long as the chi remained within her body she would be fine. If it had already erupted from the body she had to use it….always.

"But father!"

"I said the flames could not be used to attack, Lady Mormont wins the round for actually paying attention." Takkar sneered for a moment but reigned himself in and returned to his station. Haruto looked like a startled rabbit, in real combat he would have died. Rina at least bowed respectfully, wordplay and harsh lessons were a staple of the curriculum after all. Turning slightly she bowed to her instructor, whatever one said of the man he never played favorites when it came to discipline or teaching. Then again the fact that his son missed such an obvious trick spoke ill of his future. As mother said, politics and nobility did not change between Westeros and the Fire Nation.

"Second round begin!" This time no one moved, each side afraid to fall into a trap. It put her at the disadvantage, studying three sets of eyes and feet made it far too easy to miss intent. Sure enough the she barely moved in time to dodge the strike from Rina.

"You missed Rina!"

"I did not!" Feeling the searing heat behind her rolled to the side. Caught in a poor position Takkar and Haruto proceeded to advance. Looking from the corner of her eye the problem dawned on her, the banners of the hall were aflame. It was a dirty trick but it worked, the banners of the now truly flaming stag meant points of ignition to move flames from her rear. Her back may be turned but even she could picture the nod of approval from Chang, Rina had trapped her without anyone noticing. Inhaling she had only one play, forcing within herself every flame erupted for a moment by her will.

"A wall of fire is a poor defence against another firebender Maege. Surrender?"

"You missed your chance Takkar!" He did the arrogant prick, he forgot the single greatest problem of fire compared to other elements, it could be extinguished swiftly and no longer of use. Focusing her chi she tilted her head upward and let it flow.

KAAAAAAAAABOOOOOOM

It was over in an instant, the explosion pushing Chang, his son and the two students back harshly. Suddenly lacking the air to fuel itself the fire died. The young men and woman looked fearful but Commander Chang, he actually smiled at her work. Good, by the Old Gods she did not want to use it again.

"Excellent Lady Mormont, your control was absolutely perfect, though may I ask how you knew the distance without so much as thinking?"

"Instinct Commander, ever since you and the academy taught me to better control my breathing and flame I just knew." Chang nodded, though a bit of distaste flashed over his eyes. Mother told her all men were vain jealous folk, perhaps he simply was affronted his lessons were not her real guide? Either way he conceded she had combusted with just enough power to dispel the flames and not enough to endanger her comrades. Of course what mattered for the spar was she had the time and know how at all to use it, it was a bloody death sentence if it hit.

"I will inform the Firelord and your parents of your accomplishment, for now you are dismissed for the evening."

Fist in palm she bowed and turned to leave, however she noticed the older cadets approaching. "Impressive Lady Mormont, my father does not give accolades lightly. Perhaps we could spar alone some time?" His flame was wild again, threatening to snuff itself out. She thanked the Old Gods she was young and not blooded as mother informed her what some men could do alone with a woman of her station.

"Perhaps in future, though our classes are rarely one and the same. You are all far more experienced in the academy than I. I'm sure I won't do so well a second time. Besides someone has to look after my sister, by the spirits and the Old Gods she can't be left alone for long."

"All sisters are like that Maege." With a steady aura, Rina at least spoke without greater meaning. Then again she had four siblings if her memory was right. Haruto simply bowed a tad too quickly, clearing wishing to leave. Mayhaps the rumors of what Lady Ursa did to him were true, another half-breed crushing his ego was too much?

"I will take your word for it Cadet Rina, now if you will excuse me I have a meeting with Maester Cressen. I do not wish to be late." Takkar looked to say something but Rina and Haruto had already turned away leaving him with no good reason to stay. Making her way through the halls she eventually reached the ravenry where the elder man was busy looking over the missives. She knew Dragonstone was a far busier keep the her own in Lyanna's Bay but the number of ravens were startling.

"Oh hello my lady. I apologize for the mess but Lord Stannis and Lady Azula have been busy of late."

"I did not think the Master of Ships was this busy."

"Yes well Lord Stannis likes to be kept well informed and the Lady Azula even more so. Thank heavens for the academy or I would not have the clerks to sort every raven."

"My mother says thinks similar things. Sailors, soldiers and dock workers are all the same; you never have enough."

"A intelligent woman indeed. Unfortunately my dear I know why you are here. No reply has come from Bear Island or Lyanna's Bay. Have no fear at the rate I hear your studies are progressing you should see home within the year."

"I may but Azula would still be here. As much as I want to go home I will not leave her alone Maester, she has so few friends of worth here."

"What about Lady Lyanna?"

"Family, she need friends, real ones. Besides my cousin can be a little much at times."

"So I hear, it has only been a few months Lady Maege, most of the cadets have known each other for years. They still see you and your family as guests in their home."

"They want it to be our home, that's the problem!"

Placing whatever parchment he was focused on upon the desk he looked at her more closely. Experience dawned on the much older man."You seem troubled of something far deeper child, how may I help you?"

"I miss home, I miss….I miss my life. The eyes of the these people, these Andals and Fire Nation feel wrong."

"I know this place must seem foreign…."

"I'm a Mormont living deep in Andal lands. Housed in a keep created by Valyrian magic and full of my father's blood. Which apparently comes from another world if words and wind be true. Unless our bread comes from Sothoryos I do not see how it could be any worse."

"Many children feel such feelings when fostered, perhaps…"

"Don't you people get it, I am of the First Men, not the Fire Nation. I am a Mormont, a proud family in service to House Stark. No one understands, I don't feel anything of this place, even my flames feel hollow. I can feel their stares, I am something else to them and the worst part is I know it to be true."

"Ah….ah I see. You do not believe in the Firelord do you?"

"No, she is but a woman. She is not of the Old Gods or the New and she is not my Queen."

"She is no queen…." She stared as if what was obvious to a child was lost on him. "Very well her people may treat her as a Queen but that is how their society formed, your father's society formed."

"But it's not mine Maester, why does anyone not see that? When my cousin and I sit proudly in our green tunics they laugh and sneer instead of acknowledging our history. My blood has fought the Ironborn for centuries, Wildings, knights and criminals. What have they done in Westeros?"

"People's minds are their own child, as long as you are sure of yourself than you will find your own path. Lord Stannis had much the same thought with the whims of his wife and yet his children are every bit a Baratheon as they are of the flames. Is there anything else?"

"No, thank you Maester for your time." Cressen smiled as she left, at the very least the man understood her unlike most everyone else. Finally reaching her quarters she smiled as the red, black and gold banners faded into greens and greys. Banners of Bear Island, the Wolfswood and the Barrowlands filled their room, none larger than the great Weirwood her mother had painted as the first she ever prayed too. Was that why she felt so wrong, that the Old Gods were too far away?

"Ahhhhhhhhh Maege….Maege please help me!" Her blood ran cold, her sister had been sleeping soundly only a moment ago yet moved like a shadowcat to her side.

"Azula….Azula what's wrong?"

"I had a nightmare, it was terrible!" Relaxing she smiled, her sister always dreamed of great and terrible things. A dragon of ice one night, a direwolf the next. What was it this time?

"Its only a dream, I am sure you will be alright. Go back to sleep."

"But sister I had it last night and the morning before. It's always the same….always."

"Sister, what is so scary that you almost cry when you look me in the eye?"

"I saw you sister, I saw you fighting surrounded by flames."

"Like I was firebending?"

"Yes….no maybe? But it's what's in the flames."

"….Tell me sister, what did you see?"

"I saw a massive doe shed a tear, burning stags, hollow stags and one that looked like it was covered in the fur of a lion. And they clashed violently as you screamed. Your flames engulfing everyone."

"My flames killed them?"

"That's just it sister, no one screamed from your flames. You screamed and screamed yet they continued to clash, the bones piling wherever they go."

"Bones?"

"Bodies, bones and blood everywhere. Wherever the Stags clashed, people died."