51 AC
Island near Skane
Third Person Pov
As Lyra and Rickard soared through the sky on Snowfyre and Greysmoke, the children watched with a mixture of awe and envy. Morgan, ever the inquisitive one, turned to Theon.
"Father," she asked, her voice filled with longing, "can we bond with them too? Can we ride them like Aunt Lyrra and Uncle Rickard?"
Artor, his eyes gleaming with excitement, chimed in, "Please, Father! I want to fly!" Even young Harrion, though a bit more hesitant, looked up at Theon with a hopeful expression.
Theon smiled gently at his children, his heart swelling with pride at their eagerness. "Not now, children," he said, his voice firm but kind. "Bonding with a dragon requires strength, maturity, and a deep understanding of the ancient ways." He looked at Jonnos, who nodded in agreement.
"But," Theon continued, his gaze sweeping over all the children, " You can ride with us, learn from them, and feel the power of the ice and the sky beneath you. In time, perhaps, the dragons will choose you as well."
"I will ride with you, Father," Morgan declared, stepping forward with a determined glint in her eyes. "I wish to learn all I can about them."
Theon smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at his eldest child. "Very well, Morgan," he said. "You shall ride with me."
A chorus of voices erupted from the other children. "Me next, Father!" Artor exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I want to fly!" Even Harrion, usually more reserved, piped up, "Me too!"
Theon chuckled, holding up a hand to quiet them. "One at a time, my little wolves," he said. "We will all have our turn. We have much time to learn and to fly together.
Theon helped Morgan onto Saphira's broad back, securing her in place with straps made of dragonhide. The vastness of the dragon, the sheer power emanating from her, filled Morgan with a sense of awe and exhilaration. Jonnos, meanwhile, lifted Torrhen onto Sylvi, his son's face alight with a mixture of excitement and a touch of nervousness.
With a powerful beat of their wings, Saphira and Sylvi launched into the sky. The icy landscape below shrank rapidly, the wind rushing past them with incredible force. Morgan gasped, her eyes widening as she looked down at the world spread out beneath her.
"It's… incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice barely audible above the roar of the wind. "I can see the whole island!"
Theon, his hand steady on Saphira's neck, smiled at his daughter's enthusiasm. "The view from up here is unlike anything you have ever seen, isn't it?"
"It's like a dream," Morgan breathed, her gaze sweeping across the endless expanse of ice and sky. "The colors… the light…"
Sylvi soared gracefully beside Saphira, Jonnos pointing out landmarks to Torrhen. "Look, son, you can see the longship from here. It looks like a tiny toy!"
Torrhen, his initial apprehension forgotten, gripped Sylvi's scales tightly, his face split into a wide grin. "Can we go faster, Father? Can we fly higher?"
"We will, in time," Jonnos replied, his voice filled with a quiet pride. "But for now, let us enjoy the feeling of the wind beneath our wings."
The two dragons soared through the sky, their movements fluid and powerful. The children, perched on their backs, laughed and shouted with delight, their voices carried away by the wind. They pointed at the glaciers below, marveling at their size and beauty. They watched the seabirds wheeling and diving, their flight patterns dwarfed by the dragons' majestic movements.
"Look, Father, look!" Morgan cried, pointing towards a distant mountain peak. "It looks like a giant's tooth!"
Theon chuckled, sharing a look with Jonnos. The children's wonder was infectious, a reminder of the magic and mystery that this world held.
Theon and Morgan soared through the sky, their laughter echoing in the crisp air. Jonnos and Torrhen flew beside them, exploring the vast expanse of the icy island. Over the next hours, the other adults who had bonded with the dragons followed suit. Lyrra took Eddard and William for a ride on Snowfyre, pointing out the intricate patterns of the glaciers below. Rickard, with Greysmoke, gave Alaric and Harrion a more somber, but equally awe-inspiring, tour of the island's highest peaks.
Each ride was a unique experience, a chance for the children to connect with the dragons and with the ancient power of their bloodline. They learned about the different types of ice formations, the habits of the creatures that inhabited this frozen land, and the history of the dragons themselves.
As the day wore on, the pale sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the icy landscape. The sky deepened into hues of violet and indigo, and the stars began to emerge, glittering like diamonds scattered across a velvet cloth. By the time the last dragon had returned to the frozen lake, the island was bathed in the soft glow of the moon.
The Northmen gathered around the crackling campfire, the flames casting dancing shadows on their faces. The chill of the night was kept at bay by the warmth of the fire and the thick furs they wore. But the true source of warmth came from the excited chatter of the children, their voices filled with the wonder and exhilaration of their dragon rides.
"Saphira was so fast!" Morgan exclaimed, her eyes wide with remembered awe. "It felt like we were flying at the edge of the world!"
"And Sylvi was so graceful," Torrhen added, his voice filled with a quiet pride. "She flew so smoothly, it was like gliding on the wind."
"Snowfyre took us so high!" Eddard recounted, his usually serious face softened by a smile. "We saw the whole island, spread out like a map of ice and stone."
"Greysmoke was so strong," Alaric chimed in, his voice a low hum. "He felt like a mountain moving through the sky."
Even young Harrion, usually the most reserved of the group, couldn't contain his excitement. "The wind in my hair!" he squealed, his small hands gesturing wildly.
The adults listened with amusement and a touch of pride, their own faces reflecting the joy of the children. Theon and Jonnos exchanged a knowing look, understanding the profound impact that the dragons had on their children.
"Did you see the glaciers, Father?" Morgan asked Theon, her voice eager. "They were so blue, like frozen fire!"
"And the mountains, Uncle Theon," Torrhen added, turning to his uncle. "They looked like sleeping giants, covered in ice."
Lyrra and Rickard shared their own experiences, describing the breathtaking views and the incredible sensation of flying on the backs of such magnificent creatures. They spoke of the raw power of the dragons, the ancient wisdom in their eyes, and the sense of connection they felt while soaring through the sky.
"It is a feeling unlike any other," Lyrra said, her voice filled with a quiet awe. "To be one with such a creature, to feel the wind beneath its wings… it is a gift beyond words."
"A gift that we must cherish," Rickard added, his gaze sweeping over the children. "And a power that we must wield with wisdom and responsibility."
The children continued to chatter, their stories intertwining, their laughter echoing around the campfire. The dragons had captured their hearts and their imaginations, forging a bond that would undoubtedly shape their future.
As the night deepened, and the children, their hearts full of dragon-riding dreams, were finally ushered into their tents, the adults remained by the fire. The flames danced and crackled, casting flickering shadows on their faces, illuminating the serious expressions that had settled upon them. The weight of their discovery, the implications of the ice dragons, hung heavy in the air.
Theon, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames, broke the silence. "We cannot stay here," he stated, his voice low but firm. "This island is too far from our lands. We need to find a place where the dragons can remain hidden, safe, until the time comes for them to reveal themselves to the world."
Jonnos nodded in agreement. "Long Lake," he suggested, his voice a quiet hum. "It is vast, remote, and surrounded by dense forests. It would offer both concealment and a source of water for the dragons."
"Long Lake," Theon mused, considering the idea. "It is a good choice. But it is still within the North. Even whispers of such creatures in our own lands could reach the ears of the South."
Rickard Karstark, his brow furrowed with concern, spoke up. "That is my worry as well. If rumors begin to spread, if even a hint of the dragons' presence reaches King's Landing, the South will become suspicious. They will start asking questions, sending envoys, perhaps even launching their own 'investigations' into the matter."
Diana, ever practical, added her thoughts. "And if they were to discover the truth… the consequences could be dire. The South has always feared the power of dragons. They would see this as a threat, a reason to move against us."
Lena, her calm presence a steadying force, offered a solution. "Wards," she suggested. "Ancient wards, woven into the land itself, to conceal their presence."
"Yes," Theon said, his eyes gleaming with a newfound resolve. "Wards. We will use the old magic. I will begin the work myself, as soon as we return. We will weave a web of concealment around Long Lake, so potent that no one will stumble upon the dragons, and no hint of their existence will escape."
Jonnos nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "It is a formidable task, brother, but a necessary one. We will help you, in any way we can."
"And the dragons?" Lyra asked, her voice filled with concern. "They need to fly, to stretch their wings. How can we keep them confined to Long Lake?"
"They will not be confined," Theon assured her. "They can fly at night, under the cover of darkness. The stars will be their only witnesses. And with the wards in place, even their shadows will be hidden from prying eyes."
The adults continued to discuss the plan, weighing the risks and the potential rewards. They spoke of the need for secrecy, the importance of patience, and the daunting task that lay ahead. The future of the North, and perhaps even the fate of Westeros, seemed to rest upon their shoulders.
Theon, having outlined the plan for concealing the dragons, shifted his gaze towards the fire, a different kind of excitement flickering in his eyes. "There is something else I wish to discuss," he began, his voice taking on a more enthusiastic tone. "A project I have been developing in my mind, one that I believe could reshape the future of the North."
His family turned their attention to him, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. "And what is this project, Theon?" Diana asked, her voice filled with a gentle encouragement.
"A university," Theon declared, the word hanging in the crisp night air. "A place of learning, here in the North, where the sons and daughters of our noble houses, and even talented individuals from the smallfolk, can receive a comprehensive education."
Rickard raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "A university? We have always relied on the maesters from the Citadel for our scholarly needs. What need have we of another place of learning?"
"The need for autonomy, for self-sufficiency," Theon countered, his voice passionate. "The need to shape our own education, to instill in our children the values and skills that are most relevant to the North. We cannot forever rely on the South for knowledge."
"And what manner of education would this university provide?" Lyra asked, her curiosity piqued.
"A broad one," Theon explained. "Etiquette and diplomacy, for those who will one day rule. Health and healing, to ensure the well-being of our people. Mathematics and history, to understand the world around us and the lessons of the past. And, of course," he added, his gaze sweeping over his family, "training in all forms of combat, with every weapon imaginable. Our lords and ladies, and our most talented commoners, must be both learned and skilled in battle, ready to defend the North against any threat."
"And you would allow the smallfolk to attend as well?" Lena asked, her expression thoughtful.
"If they demonstrate exceptional ability," Theon confirmed. "There is untapped potential among the common people, brilliant minds and skilled warriors who could serve the North with distinction if given the opportunity. This university could be a beacon of hope, a path for them to rise above their birth and serve our people."
"It is an ambitious plan," Jonnos observed, his tone a mixture of caution and admiration. "And a costly one. But I see the merit in it. A well-rounded education for our nobility, and the opportunity for the talented among the smallfolk, would undoubtedly strengthen the North."
"And where would such a university be built?" Rickard inquired.
"Just outside Wintertown," Theon replied. "There is ample land there, and it would be close enough to Winterfell to benefit from its protection and resources, yet far enough to allow for growth and expansion."
Theon's voice grew more animated as he described his plans. "We will begin construction within the next three moons," he declared, his eyes gleaming with determination. "It will be a grand undertaking, but I believe we can have the main structures completed within five years. Then, we will open the doors and begin to shape the minds of the future."
"And who will teach at this university?" Diana asked, her brow furrowed slightly. "Where will you find scholars of such caliber in the North?"
"We will draw them from all over the world," Theon replied, his gaze sweeping over his family. "The Citadel, of course, but also from beyond Westeros. I will seek out the finest minds in every field – mathematics, philosophy, history, healing, swordsmanship, archery, even dragonlore – and bring them here to share their knowledge."
"It will be a melting pot of cultures and ideas," Theon continued, "a place where the wisdom of the world converges. And it will be a beacon of light in the North, a testament to our strength, our ambition, and our commitment to knowledge."
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "It will not be easy," he admitted. "There will be challenges, obstacles to overcome. But I am confident that, with our combined efforts, we can make this vision a reality. We can build a university that will stand for centuries, a legacy for generations to come."
Theon paused, his gaze sweeping over his family gathered around the fire. The ambitious scope of the university seemed to hang in the air for a moment, then he continued, his voice dropping slightly, becoming more intense.
"There is another reason why I am so determined to build this university," he said, his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. "I have a plan, a long-term plan, that requires a great deal of knowledge and expertise to bring to fruition. A plan... to ensure the survival of the North, even in the face of the longest, harshest winter imaginable."
His words hung heavy in the air, drawing the full attention of his listeners.