I went north to burn you
as winter touched the land
to light the pyre alone 
as you would've wanted,
not as a woman or a soldier.

But that which only death can tame
here where things no longer grow.

And a part of my heart 
will forever harden here.

And in all this dark and cold
where banners refused to fly,
the coming war was but a whisper then,
we were still untouched by prophecy.

I still remember fair skin and fiery hair
surrounded by dark shimmering waters
echoing in our remote cave,
a womb keeping us safe from the world,
I still remember being claimed by flesh.

"You're mine, as I am yours."

Those are the only words
I have permitted to brand me.

And I know that all we have 
will be lost as kingdoms march on
into violence as all those driven
by destiny irreversibly do.

I'll cross to that other side soon enough
but for now I watch the flames
flicker and lick against the night,
against the first flurry of snow.

A part of my heart will forever harden
here as you would've wanted.

I never cared about blood and fire.

I only wanted you
when winter finally came,
for the words to touch my skin
and mark me once more.

"You're mine, as I am yours."