Brothers of Ice and Fire [Theryn]

[Thrand Hearthfire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-2XnZ--b-E​

Father's firm but gentle hand sat upon the Sun Prince's shoulder, offering him reassuring squeezes as they wandered the streets, along which carts and people flowed steadily regardless of weather. Tháinbroek had ever been the reigning trade centre connecting people from all over Midvinter, and as such Thrand had taken a liking to watching the merchants and their strange faces, trying to guess where they hail from and what goods they sell. He'd become rather good at it, having learned to recognise certain details about their faces and the way they dressed to discern from which corner they originate from.

But today was not the time for such idle pleasures. Little Theryn was with them, carried on his older brother's back with little effort due to his smallness and light weight. Thrand had hoped to be able to run around and play with his younger brother, but he was so very frail and as such was kept indoors most of the time. And now he'd been told they would be parted.

Thyrian stopped and turned them around to face him as he got down on one knee. His eyes, while ever ablaze with fire, seemed so very sad. Without a word he reached for Theryn's tiny hand clutching his brother's shirt and placed a loving kiss upon it. He then leaned forward to place another one like it upon Thrand's forehead before looking them both in the eyes. "Go on," he said with tembling voice. "Go do whatever you want to do. Go be brothers to one another, before..."

Just as the King's composure fell apart completely he rose, wiping away a stray tear as he did only to offer his sons a comforting smile with much difficulty, letting them know it was alright. "Okay, Papa," Thrand said, knowing they only had these precious few hours to spend together before mother would leave along with Theryn. So the elder turned with the younger on his back, and away they wandered, leaving their father watching them as they disappeared into the crowd of people.

"Where do you want to go first, Ryn? Father said we can do whatever we like until mother has to leave."

[member="Theryn Hearthfire"]​

 

[Lief]

Though it was rare that he was taken from the Great Hall, the frigid weather of Midvinter did little to the boy who was carried upon the back of his strong brother. It wasn't that a fire burned within his core as it did Thrand and their Father, quite the contrary he was frightfully cold to the touch, simply that the cold had little sway over him. He was sickly enough without the chill setting into his bones, though, his little cheeks were flushed and his nose was bright red as ever.

Nestled into fluffy furs so lovingly by his mother, Theryn nuzzled the back of Thrand's stark white hair as they ventured through the streets of their home with their Father's watchful gaze to keep them safe. Only now his brother had slowed to a halt, urging the younger of the two to lift his head in curiosity. Papa stood just there before them, knelt to be at eye level. He placed a gentle kiss to Theryn's hand, winning him a goofy grin and a hand which tried so hard to reach for his Papa's face. Something was wrong though, and even in his infantile state he knew it. Papa was sad. Thrand was sad.

Soon they parted ways, and Ryn clung on to his brothers back for fear of falling down and losing him. Even now, even with the two of them being so young, their connection was strong. It pulsated through the Force and entwined their souls the way that no other could explain.

"Raaand" he murmured softly as the crowds seemed on top of them, in truth the Valkyri of these parts were used to watching for the smaller folk such as their Mama, yet even so he wanted to get the attention of his brother. Ryn did not really know where there was to go, he knew the Great Hall like the back of his hand these days though he could only walk the length of it with assistance. He was of the age where walking should have been as simple as breathing to him, but there had been setbacks in his development.

"Rand choose" he finally said, settling his cheek back against his brothers head while admiring the views as they presented themselves. So much to see, so much to explore... And yet he felt as though they had little time. Like there was an urgency to his brother's pace.

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Down the street they wandered, older brother carrying the younger with seemingly not a care in the world. But such was far from the truth, as Thrand knew it would be a while before the two would next see each other. He understood Mother's reasons enough for her leaving, and he also knew it tore her up inside sticking to her decision. Father seemed much sadder than before, and in truth he felt sad too. But he would not let his sadness keep him from enjoying what little time there was for him and Theryn to spend together.

"Okay, let's see what some of the other boys are up to," he thought aloud as they moved away from the busy streets in favour of some of the more quiet ones. By now the lad knew the city like the back of his hand, having spent many an hour exploring it with or without his parents' knowledge or approval. Mother was often worried when he'd return later than expected, but Father understood; a growing boy should not be cooped up inside all his life. To Thrand, all of Midvinter was his home, and not just the Great Hall of Tháinbroek.

As they turned the corner into one of the back alleys they happened upon a group of young boys around the same age as himself, and for the moment Thrand sat his brother down to move about on his own while watching the others interact. They were playing at war, practising their swordmanship using sticks for blades. Among them was a Beorni cub, bigger and taller than the other boys who clearly had the upper hand, yet they all seemed to enjoy themselves regardless.

Thrand kept a close eye on Theryn as the younger brother drank in the scene, just as one of the boys called out to them. "Hey, you!" A redhaired kid appeared before the two with an extra stick in hand. "You wanna come play? You know how to fight with a sword, don't you?" The stick was offered to Thrand as he was the older of the two, prompting him to put his arm around Theryn for protection. "I know how to use a sword," he stated plainly, having no need to prove himself. It became evident that these boys didn't know who these two were when they all turned and scoffed at his bold claim.

Again the stick was offered, but this time to little Theryn. "No," Thrand said defiantly and grabbed hold of the end of the stick without second thought, leaping up from where he sat. "You leave him alone. I'll fight you."

[member="Theryn Hearthfire"]​