Book 1-One: Shiera

I am; Shiera Icefyre, eldest of the Icefyre Sisters, first Head of the White Dragon and Black Wolf. I was named in honor of Shiera Seastar, the Star of the Sea, she was the last of King Aegon the Unworthy's Great Bastards and her Mother was Serenei of Lys.

My sisters and I were petite in size with buxom hourglass figures; we had the Stark features of the long face that was refined by our Valyrian heritage, we had flawless ivory pale skin that was fine as silver and long flowing silver-gold hair that was like spun moonlight and sunlight. I had jewel-like lilac eyes with sapphire iris and I wore a bronze pendant shaped as a circle quartered by a cross on a gold chain necklace.

From childhood to women grown; bards have created songs about us three, we were compared to the Star of the Sea and even surpassing the Lannister Queen as being far more beautiful than she. But being bastard daughters to the Mad King has set us apart and our potential as brides were leery; most fear that Daenys, Rhaena and I would inherit the Targaryen Madness.

Yet we know that we have shown no signs of the Madness...How could we? Rhaena, Daenys and I are three-in-one; we have our own personalities but we will act as one if needed.

Let me tell you how my sisters and I came to be; I will tell you our Mother's story...

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Our Mother was Serena Stark-she was the twin sister of Lyanna Stark, second daughter and fourth child of Rickard Stark; Lord of Winterfell, Lord Paramount and Warden of the North. Lyanna and Serena were the first set of twins born; they were mirror images but the second daughter was the only Stark with long flowing pure black hair like the winter night and the Stark grey eyes.

Right away as the five children of Rickard Stark grew; everyone took notice of Serena and realized that she was different from her siblings. It was obvious that the twin sisters were different as day and night; it was clear that Lyanna was the favored daughter and how easy she was allowed to get away with almost everything.

Serena carried her-self like a wolf with grace; she could be found meditating within the Godswood, reading and studying in the library, debating with Maester Walys Flowers and stumping the man with her intellect, and sitting at Old Nan's feet listening to her stories. Where Lyanna was becoming spoiled, entitled, self-centered and even plain boorish; her younger sister was more humbled, respectful, bright, wise and a very smart woman in her right.

Serena took the time to learn womanly skills; she learned to cook meals, bake bread and helped in the kitchen, she also learned how to maintain a household as chatelaine, she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty, etc. She was also skilled in sewing along with embroidery; Serena even mended clothes of her siblings and Father, she also designed and made her own clothes, and always embroidered red Weirwood leaves to her designs..

Lyanna would scoff, sneer and avoided such work, and has been heard by many to say that womanly skills were useless; she enjoyed showing off her skills in riding horses, beating her brothers at sword fighting and gloating about it, and shooting arrows...she spoke of traveling and being a warrior that was better than being a noble flowery damsel of the South who act like pious Septas who are sold like cattle to equally flowery Lords and become brood mares. But Serena proved that she was a centaur on a horse, can shoot arrows on the move by ground or even astride a horse and even beat Lyanna in a sword duel, and showed that she was no future brood mare but a noble warrior Lady of the North; it became a rivalry between sisters that looked more like it was a fight between she-wolves.

There was a horse that roamed the North and beyond the Wall, a wild fierce stallion known as the Devil Stallion of the North and no one has ever captured him. The horse was dangerous as he had injured many men and even killed a few; hence why this stallion was known as the Devil Stallion.

Lyanna, Serena and their brothers; Brandon, Eddard and Benjen have heard the story about the Devil Stallion of the North from Old Nan, and visitors to Winter Town have spoken on sightings. The description from both the story and gossips were accurate; a stallion black as night with mane and tail the color of frost, his hooves were like black sapphires and his eyes were night blue.

Lyanna Stark challenged her twin to try and capture the Devil Stallion; if men could not catch such a horse then maybe a maiden could. The sisters carefully planned it, gathered supplies in secret and left Winterfell under the cover of night; Lyanna refused to tell anyone of their plans but Serena told Old Nan during the two days of secretly preparing.

Lord Rickard Stark was furious come the morning when Old Nan told him what his daughters did but he was more furious at his eldest daughter for coming up with such a stunt. It was also at this time that his second son Eddard who was also known as Ned was being sent South to be fostered in the Vale with Lord Jon Arryn; Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount of the Vale and Warden of the East.

It was the next day that Lyanna returned home after somehow losing her supplies and nearly looking like a beggar upon returning to Winterfell; her clothes nearly torn to rags, her hair was almost like a bird nest with twigs and leaves tangled, lost her boots somehow and was covered in mud of sorts. The scolding that the Lord of Winterfell gave his elder daughter was severe, he even took his belt to her hide, had her locked in a shed under guard without letting her clean or even change and she was denied food for three days.

For three days and three nights; people of Winterfell and Winter Town searched everywhere for Serena Stark, and some were giving up hope of ever finding the second Stark daughter. But just as hope was about to be lost; Serena came riding on the back of the Devil Stallion and she wasn't alone.

Flanking the Devil Stallion of the North were two direwolves that kept pace with the horse. It was clear that Serena had somehow changed; she seemed much more older, solemn even and there was some kind of burden that has been placed on her shoulders.

Instead of scolding his youngest daughter; Lord Stark embraced Serena out of relief that she was home for indeed, Serena Stark was far more wiser and smarter than her twin sister. She named the Devil Stallion, Hrimfaxi (Frost Mane), the two direwolves were a mating pair and they were named; Frost and Sky.

Frost was an albino male with red eyes and his mate Sky was a gray female with gold eyes; they were the first direwolves South of the Wall and the two wolves were even the colors of House Stark. Those who follow the Old Gods took this as a sign that Serena of House Stark was truly blessed to have the living sigil of her house beside her.

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By the time that Eddard "Ned" Stark went to the Vale for fostering; Serena Stark began to show signs of Gifts that were only known in stories and legends. She took to exploring the whole North; riding Hrimfaxi and accompanied by her wolves, she would be gone for days but always returned and her eyes always looked older.

Serena even found and raised a snow owl from chick to adult, and named it White Ariel. She traveled to the Northern Mountains and to the Neck; Serena discovered untapped treasures in gems, silver, gold and iron ore.

Such wealth unheard of and yet found in the North was quickly distributed to every House including the Night's Watch; northern steel weapons and armors were forged that became a secret weapon for the North. Yet Serena wasn't done with her miracle making for she also discovered how to make glass; she taught Houses Mormont of Bear Island, Umber of the Last Hearth and Karstark of Karhold.

These three northern Noble Houses refined the making of glass and northern glass was far more better than Myrish glass; glass gardens began popping up that became useful to farmers, northern eye telescopes were being created and northern glass windows were being installed into keeps, fortresses and houses. Even House Manderly of White Harbor sent a trading ship with Serena Stark who brought rice from Yi Ti and few rice farmers with their families who not only settled in the North but also began rice farms that grew rice, this rice soon became staple fare to both nobles and smallfolk in being stored properly, cooked and filling bellies.

Serena encouraged both nobles and smallfolk of the North to make trade, and create business to strengthen the North as a whole; some of the Noble Houses like Houses Bolton of the Dreadfort, Dustin of Borrowtown, Cerwyn of Cerwyn, Hornwood of Hornwood, Ryswell of the Rills and Stout of Goldgrass have scoffed, and even called the second Stark daughter crazy. But the rest of the Noble House including the Northern Mountain Clans and even the Night's Watch agreed on business including trade.

But that was not enough as she helped Walder, Old Nan's great-grandson, as everyone has been calling him Hodor and all he could say was "Hodor"; there were witnesses who spoke of watching Hodor going to his knees as Serena placed her hands on his head and their eyes went completely white, it was an hour until their eyes became normal yet something was different as Hodor began talking like a normal human once more. In fact Hodor was no more as Walder proved that he wasn't a halfwit as everyone had assumed; he also shocked everyone as he stumped out anyone who dared to call him Hodor and reminded them that his name was Walder.

With Serena's help; Walder learned to read, write, how to do sums and surpassed the Maester of Winterfell as being very bright, he also trained as a blacksmith and wielding weapons as a warrior. Everyone was floored as Walder was the same age as Brandon Stark and yet he was truly different; questions were asked and the second Stark daughter gave her simple reply that left everyone even more floored.

"I had a dream of a boy being forced to hold a door open by a demonic crow with three eyes who kept croaking hold the door...hold the door...hold the door;" Serena explained matter of fact. "It wasn't long until I realized that it was Old Nan's great-grandson Walder being possessed and I had to act quickly!"

Even Walder backed Serena's story as he spoke of his possession...

"I remember seeing a demonic crow with three eyes grabbing me, brought me to and open door and forced me to hold it open as it croaked hold the door over, and over again that I found my-self repeating it aloud for real that it became the only thing I have been saying since I was a child," said Walder solemnly. "But then this direwolf who was pure black with grey eyes wearing an open circlet of hammered bronze surmounted by nine black iron spikes in the shape of long swords appeared.

It was a she-wolf with a cloak of swirling snowflakes; she drove the demon crow back through the open door I was forced to hold and I heard the monster croak in shock Winter Wolf. I was pulled from the door by the Winter Wolf as it was closed and sealed shut by a being of wind, and I was guided home until now!"

Soon news of Serena being a powerful Greenseer and Skinchanger spread but since she was using these Gifts to help the North; it became clear that she was chosen by the Old Gods. Serena Stark was soon being called the Winter Wolf and Star of the North but she never let such fame go to her head.

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It was the Year of the False Spring in 281 A.C; Lyann and Serena Stark were now young women, and a lot of things had happened over time. The heir of Winterfell, Brandon Stark was betrothed to Catelyn Tully of Riverrun in the Riverlands; while Lyanna was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.

Lyanna, of course, was against marrying and becoming the Lady of Storm's End; it was known that Robert had fathered a bastard daughter during his fostering in the Vale and knew that he would not be faithful. Serena even confirmed that the young Lord of Storm's End would not be faithful and will sire other bastards in time but he did indeed love her twin sister; yet the eldest Stark daughter refused to listen to reason.

"Love cannot change a man's nature;" Lyanna was heard saying to her sister one day.

Serena knew that her sister has no choice as she was a daughter of a Lord Paramount and Warden; Lyanna must honor the alliance, marry and bear children to Robert Baratheon. As for Serena Stark; her Father was bombarded with letters offering betrothals for her hand from the Crownlands, Stormlands, Vale, Westernland, Riverlands, even Dorne and Iron Islands ever since tales, and songs of the Winter Wolf begun to spread.

But she was not meant to marry as Serena heard the voice of the Old Gods speak to her; she was not only Their chosen but also vessel and she foresaw visions yet was forbidden to speak them aloud for now. It wasn't long until Brandon, Eddard, Lyanna, Serena and Benjen Stark went to the Great Tourney at Harrenhal in the Riverlands; the tourney was to last ten days and great prizes were offered that drew many from across Westros, even some foreign trades attended.

It was a surprise when King Aerys II Targaryen appeared at the tourney and many were shocked by his physical decline. Everyone had heard about the Defiance of Duskendale and how it drove the King to madness during his imprisonment that he no longer trusted anyone, and he saw conspiracies everywhere.

During the opening ceremony; ten and five names day Ser Jaime Lannister was the youngest knight to join the Kingsguard, it was at this time that the Stark twins came upon three squires beating and mocking a crannogman who was a bannerman of their Father. The two sisters beat and drove the three attackers away with tourney swords they had grabbed; this was how they met Howland Reed.

It was Serena who attended Howland, cleaned and bound his wounds with linen, and the two talked about everything even the Old Gods. The young Lord of the Neck viewed the Winter Wolf as an unofficial Green Priestess of the Old Gods and practically revered her.

Lord Reed became a guest of the Starks; it was Brandon who helped him dress as a noble Lord and accompanied the siblings to the opening feast with other northmen and women. During the feast Prince Rhaegar Targaryen performed a sad and beautiful song; Lyanna rudely poured wine over Benjen's head for teasing her for weeping.

After witnessing that embarrassing scene it was Serena and Howland who spotted the three bullying squires; one served a knight of House Haigh whose sigil is a pitchfork, second served a knight of House Blount whose sigil is a porcupine and the third served a knight of House Frey of the Crossing who sigil is two towers united by a bridge. For two days of the tourney; the three knights rose as champions of the joust and each of them was feeling prideful.

But a knight astride a black stallion flanked by two direwolves appeared and the knight bore a shield bearing a Weirwood tree with a laughing face. The mysterious knight challenged the three knights to a joust and they accepted but they soon lost; the direwolves dragged each of the fallen knights off the field and stood guard over them.

Howland Reed appeared upon the field and gazed upon the three knights as he said solemnly: "The Winter Wolf has restored my honor!"

The mysterious knight removed their helm to revel Serena Stark who gazed upon the three men on the ground.

"You should have taught your squires to treat others with respect;" rebuked Serena just as solemnly, "remember that you had been bested by a woman and I am no mere woman!"

"Serena Stark the Winter Wolf, Star of the North, Priestess of the Old Gods and Lady of the Laughing Tree;" announced Lord Reed as he bowed to Serena.

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Suddenly King Aerys II Targaryen began to laugh and everyone became fearful as no one knew how his mood would change suddenly. The King looked upon the second Stark daughter and there was a touch of madness in his eyes.

"The Winter Wolf is well known to all of Westros; the tales and songs have spoken true," declared the Mad King as he stood. "I, Aerys Targaryen, Second of My Name; King of Westros name Serena of House Stark my Champion and personal sworn sword!"

"I accept this position by your side, Your Grace, as long as the three knights whom I have beaten rebuke their squires and publicly apologize to Lord Reed who is a sworn bannerman of House Stark;" said Serena as she bowed still astride Hrimfaxi.

The three now disgraced knights rebuked their squires severely and each squire recieved a beating from their knightly masters; the knights also publicly apologized to Lord Howland Reed. They also gave the crannogman Lord their armor, horses and gold in compensation of insulting and injuring a noble.

Howland Reed kept the gold but returned the armors and horses to the three knights as Serena took her place at the King's side with her direwolves. Through the rest of the tourney; King Aerys kept the Lady Stark close to his side and even trusted her wolves more.

Frost and Sky brought small games back from their hunts; the King would closely watch Serena prepare and make stew with the meat, she even baked flatbread mixed with fresh blackberries brought by White Ariel. Serena Stark would take the first small bite before offering to Aerys who had her feed him and he enjoyed the simple stew with the flatbread, the Mad King ordered that his Champion was the only one to cook his meals and feed him; he would only eat what she and her animals had gathered.

Slowly the King was gaining his weight back but he still refused to be touched to be washed, have his hair and nails cut; he still feared to be stabbed. Yet he still trusted the Winter Wolf to prepare, cook, serve and feed him his meals; he treated the young Stark girl better differently despite his madness.

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