The Godswood is not new to me at all.

I remember my father, Miraak Skuldafn, The Dark Dragon is what they called him. He would meditate by the tree. His back to it in such a way that he could remain connected to the power.

As a child, I watched him do this every Sundas at sunfall. His eyes would turn white as ivory and I would run to tell my mother. I thought in my heart that he had taken ill each time. She would pat my thick mane and smile at my ignorance. A smile that was genuine and motherly.

"Your father is connected to the trees, little dragon. He sees more than us," she said, combing her fingers through my hair.

My confused eight year old mind didn't understand what she meant. I didn't know what green seers were or wargs despite the fact that a few of the people that lived around me had the abilities.

"Momma, can I do that when I get big?"

My mother chuckled lightly and picked me up. I smiled and played with her long, blonde dreads. They were long and thick ropes that had never been cut. My father had the same style though his were longer and black. My little fingers loved to explore the thick knots.

"You can do and be whatever you desire, my love. This world is dark and full of terrors but also full of opportunities."

Now, I sit like my father used to. My back against the tree fully and my legs crossed over on another. I connected with him somehow. The man was as big as me. Had the same eyes and the same long mane of hair. Despite these facts, doing the thing that he used to do makes me feel his presence more.

I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. Memories flash behind my eyes and I smile despite myself. My childhood was a beautiful experience but also strenuous. The lessons and the hunting. The sword fighting and the hand to hand combat. The best was being marked into the family with our traditional tattoos.

My sister and I finished our training at age fifteen. The reward for every child is the traditional markings. The arms are covered completely with dragon tongue using black ashes and ink. The back is marked with the words of our house. Just beneath the chest lies the Sweet Mother in her golden age. Her wings span behind her and she kneels with her head facing to the west.

The pain is unbearable but it is the last test combined with the reward. If one cannot bear the pain and goes unfinished, they are seen as failures and must begin again. It is worse than The Hunt by far. At least for Lydia and I.

They dropped us off deep in the northern trees blindfolded, two at a time. Lydia and I went together, as is custom for siblings. They sent us alone with nothing but undergarments on our bodies and a horn to signal forfeit. A fortnight is all we have to survive and make our way back. Many blow the horn before the fortnight is over.

Lydia and I ran into a sight that we didn't expect at all. Two white bears ready to kill us and eat our flesh. All we had was makeshift weapons. I had a stone axe and Lydia, a spear. We felt fear, yes, but fear is a given. Fear is necessary for bravery and courage.

"I'll take the one on the right," I whispered in Valyrian tongue. Lydia grinned dangerously and steadied her spear. We both saw a reward in these bears. A nice thick pelt for us to take home.

"I wonder what bear tastes like," she hissed. The bears roared and began charging us from a distance. Their teeth gleaned in the moonlight.

I sneered at the beasts and crouched defensively. "Let us find out."

We charged headlong into the battle. In Blood and Fear we would have our furs... and a meal.

I laugh heartily at the memory. The bears we worthy foes for us. Their size was a problem but in the end we came home wrapped in furs. Picking meat from our teeth with the claws of the bears. I still have one that my mother made a necklace out of. So does Lydia.

For so long they my sister Lydia the Huntress and I, Oerion the Red due to bloody stains on my lips. What a glorious time for us. Our people worshiped us and my father believed us worthy to rule Wintersbane. Prodigies, he called us.

Well, look at us now father.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Arya jabs her needle forward, missing me by a fraction. I grin and swing my sword at her furiously. She rolls away and back in quickly, stabbing at my neck. I duck and ram into her with my shoulder. Sending her to the ground, gentler than expected.

She growls at me like animal.

"Why did you stop? I'm on the ground! You could have made a kill!"

I roll my eyes at her need to prove herself.

"I know, Arya. I'm just trying to help you learn how to fight a much larger opponent."

She huffs and stands up, dusting herself off. I smirk and get into an unfamiliar stance. She narrows her eyes at me in confusion.

"What are you doing," she asked, readying her blade. Her stance is obviously Bravosi. I decide that I should show her how to mask her skill.

I shake my head and wave her forth. She wastes no time in charging me.

Arya is a very skilled fighter with little left to learn. The thing is that one should not show their foe exactly how deadly they are until its too late for them.

I notice how her face contorts as she parries and strikes. Her brows raise as I execute a wild move that displays inexperience. She knows I'm more capable than that and it confuses her. Arya lets confidence reign and goes for the kill when I feign an opening.

The tip of her needle comes careening toward my neck. Just as it comes too close, I kick her wrist and send it flying away. She stumbles a bit and reaches for her dagger. I swoop in behind her and grab her arms in one hand. The other points my sword at her throat.

We breathe heavily as our position sets in. I've beaten the mighty She Wolf. What a feat for me but really I'm sweating from our proximity. I lower my sword and let her go reluctantly. She looks back at incredulously.

"How?"

"Show a thirsty man water and give him poison," I said, ominously. She became thoughtful causing me to smile. I like knowing that I can teach her something.

"Lord Oerion, a raven came for you."

I looked up to the balcony to see Lady Sansa holding a letter. The look on her face was haunted. I presume she watched us soar from above. Beside her stood Little Finger. The smirk on his face made me clutch my sword subconsciously.

Something about him makes me want to kill.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Little brother, I apologize for my late response. I've informed Dany about our lineage though I was reluctant. She did not take it well at first. It took Tyrion and Jon Snow to convince her when they themselves were skeptical. She wishes we told her straight away.

Dany is furious with you. You were supposed to come to Dragonstone when she landed and yet you've remained in Winterfell with your Arya Stark. She must be otherworldly if she has you by the balls, little brother. Even Aela couldn't turn you into a pup like this one has.

Despite my need to comfort you, i must give you this conflicting news. Jon Snow and Jorah Mormont have just taken to traveling north. They wish to capture a walker and convince Cersei of the true threat. They are on their way to East Watch by the sea for this mission.

I argued to Dany that I should go with them. We both know that I have experience with the land beyond the Wall but she would not let me go. As you know, we are quite close and have gotten even closer if you understand what I'm implying. I don't resent being under her thumb but I am a warrior. I wish I could behave like one.

If you wish to join them, go to East Watch, brother. They need all the men they can get. Especially one that knows the true North like you do. I love you and keep your sword arm strong.

Lydia Dragonborn of House Skuldafn

In Blood and Fear

When I finish reading, I'm relieved but also I'm annoyed. How could those two be so stupid as travel beyond the wall be themselves. There is no way that I can let them do this alone. The true North is my home and by right I help them in this endeavor. If only to show Daenerys that I'm not abandoning her entirely.

"Bad news," Arya said from behind me.

She loves to "sneak" into my room but right now I'm not in the mood. There is so much that has to be done. So many threats to her and to my sister. To everything that we know and appreciate. It's just becoming too much.

"Look, I need to be alone right now," I hissed angrily. Arya stared at me in shock. I felt bad inside immediately. I don't like hurting her feelings.

"No, you're going to tell me what's going on," she said. I scowl as she steps closer to me. I don't know what I'm capable of right now. I don't want to chase her away. "Talk to me."

I don't want to tell her that I'm leaving, I realize. I don't even want to leave. If only I could stay here and learn more about her. Fall even farther into the feelings I have around her and ignore the threat beyond the wall.

I just can't do that. I have to ensure her safety if I even wish to have times in which I can bask in her presence. With no underlying paranoia.

When I look in her eyes I can't hold it back anymore. "Arya, I have to leave."

She looks at me oddly. Like I'm lying to get a reaction out of her. I wish that I was. She walks closer to slowly.

"You're joking. You've only been here for a fortnight and now you're leaving," she yelled, fists balled up in fury. I'm taken aback by how emotional she is. I've never seen her this way toward me. About me.

"Your brother and Ser Jorah Mormont are ranging beyond the Wall in search of a walker. They to show Cersei the threat," I explain, calming down.

Arya seethes silently. She paces the room with her small hands grasping her hair. I can understand her annoyance. Her own brother risking her life for an evil queen while she can do nothing but wait.

"I'm going to help them. I know the North like no other."

She stopped in front of me ready to argue all the reasons I shouldn't go, but she stopped. Conflicted because I would be helping her brother stay alive. Also not wanting me to die. For which I am utterly pleased if my presumptions prove correct.

"I don't want you to go," she whispered. "I feel like me when you're here...I feel safe."

Her voice is small and filled with emotion. She stares into my eyes, neck tilted back comically. My heart beats wildly in my chest at her admission. I've never been as flustered than in this moment here and now. Sometimes the dragon bows to the she wolfs influence.

"I don't want to leave you," I whispered. My hands clench with the need to touch her. To wrap my arms around her small body and hold her close. "But I can't sit back and let Westeros be taken over by the dead. I have to help get rid of them because I don't ever want to have to leave you again."

Arya's face shows her shock and I am suddenly aware of my own words. I've admitted my deepest desire and now I can't take it back. If I had to choose between Wintersbane and this She Wolf, I would choose her. That is dangerous for me.

She smiles suddenly. It's a smile that I've yet to see. A certain innocence shows through and all my doubt leaves. I am joyous in this moment as her small arms reach up to wrap around my neck. They barely make it but I don't care.

"If you make it out alive I'll never let you leave my side, dragon."

I wrapped my arms around her waist somewhat hesitantly and pulled her up closer to my face. She feels like a sack of feathers in my arms but it feels so right. She fits perfectly against my chest and I don't want to let her go.

"If I make it out alive you'll have to kill me to make me go away, wolf."

Arya leaned in closer and planted small kisses on my cheeks. Making my breath leave my body and a smile spread across my face. We are both teens with the world on our shoulders and yet I feel peace with her so close.

When her lips connect with mine it is like ice and fire battling for dominance. Between a dragon and a wolf some think the dragon will always win.

But, when the dragon falls in love it will give over all power. It will relish in its journey as it drops from the sky.