Private Here There Be Dragons

[Nina Heavenshield]

It was a slow day at the College of Enlightenment, newly constructed center of learning and recently opened to the public. Perhaps it was presumptuous to expect pilgrims to flock to them so soon after their grand opening. Her dearest friend Arnor had been kind enough to pay a visit, but he could only stay so long due to his commitment to help resettle his people in the Heartlands bestowed to them by her father. Like her, Arnor had great things in mind for his people who had been forced to live in poor conditions for generations.

That, and Arnor's wounds sustained during the fight against the Greater Demon which had guarded the entrance to Tháinbroek seemed to have significantly weakened him. Of course, the Beorni warrior would not admit to this himself, but Nina could see it having been around him for so long. Everyone was growing older.

The footsteps of Loremaster Talerion, her second-in-command and of elven descent, went unnoticed by the white-haired Umbaran, as did his clearing of his throat. She'd fallen asleep with her nose in some book.

"High Loremaster," he reached out to gently rock her shoulder. Nina stirred and rubbed her eyes as she sat up, stretching her arms into the air. "Forgive me, Lady Heavenshield. I would not wake you unless it was important."

She let out a big yawn, feeling her eyes grow heavy once more. "It's fine, Talerion. What's the matter?"

"A visitor is on his way, having ascended the 10,000 steps. He is just about to reach the summit, the watchtowers report." Her interest piqued, she glanced past him over at the entrance.

"Oh, is it someone we know?"

"Your brother, High Loremaster. Lord Heavenshield of the Northmark," he replied in his usual dry tone.

Nina slammed the book shut and jumped out of her chair, suddenly revitalised by the mere mention of her brother's name. She grabbed her blue cloak and rushed through the library towards the exit. "Thank youuu, Taleriooon!" she shouted as she ran. The Aelvar blinked and shook his head.

The golden entrance to the College opened and sure enough, on the other side stood that very familiar face she'd grown up alongside.

"Théo," she pounced on him, throwing her slender arms around his large frame. "You're here, you're here!"

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Mood music


For the most part, the ride to the College of Enlightenment had been a time for Théo to reflect upon the year that had passed. The undertaking gave him pleasant thoughts, as well as the remembrance of all the losses, not just personal but for the entirety of Midvinter. But through all of it, there was much to be grateful for, thankful for. He still lived, so did his immediate family even though they struggle through the pain of the loss of Thyrian. But as he passed each village, there was the constant reminder of the last great war, looking him in the face through the eyes of people that had lost much.

The journey had been a slow one, each time he passed through one of these villages he would pause and spend time with them, seeking out what each and every one of them needed, even if it was only some small, he would make sure they would have it to help ease the burden of their hearts. He had vowed to Thyrian to help his father in this time and all time to come, and this effort was the start of it. Father would never know, Théo would make sure of that.

Upon the morning, Théo stood looking up at the steps leading up to the College. “What is with Heavenshield’s and steps?”, it was bad enough mother had them leading up to the Fortress of Dawn but, “This, is over kill”. Or the death of him. He set his mount free to roam at will, before turning to start his climb.

As fit as one might be, this was a test of endurance, even for a Valkyri. It took him hours, and much foul language, and more than one oath to never build a structure with steps, before he reached the summit. Before him stood a most magnificent structure, Nina had taste he had to give her that. With his breath somewhat even again, he approached the doors only for them to open and Nina to appear.

He smiled, as her arms wrapped around him, he still had strength enough to lift his sister off the ground. She is petite. Théo buried into her hair and placed a kiss, it was good to see her so happy. The first time he believed, that he had seem a smile on her face so full of life. She had found her true calling finally.

“Of course, I have come”, he placed her down to the ground once more. But looked deep into her eyes, “I have missed you very much”.

“So, this is it huh?”, he looked over the roof and walls of her college. “Impressive. I didn’t like the steps though. You trying to outdo mother?”.

He took her hand, “Well come on then! show me around”.

Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Her feet left the ground as they embraced, having been parted for far too long. When Théo eventually put her down, Nina reached up to his face and cupped his bearded cheeks with both hands. Everything about his outward appearance took so much from Mother, save for those deep blue eyes passed on from Father. Though he'd vastly outgrown her, Théo was still her baby brother.

"Oh I've missed you too," she hugged him again, briefly this time.

"I mean, there's a landing pad right there," she pointed over his shoulder to the platform behind him. "But hey, I could just dismantle the whole stairway and let people brave the mountain pass and wilderness on their own. I'm sure that'd take way less time to get here," she raised an eyebrow at her brother, trying to mask her smirk.

Théo's hand engulfed hers as they headed inside and the golden gates shut close behind them. As soon as one stepped inside they would find themselves in the library, filled to the brim with knowledge both ancient and new and kept in order by the Loremasters and watched by armed guards positioned in strategic locations to offer maximum view of the surroundings.

It should have been dark, walking into a hollowed-out mountain, but thanks to the set of mirrors reflecting sunlight down into the College daylight was never a problem.

"Well, this is it," she said as they stood at the open center of the library next to the main hearth. If he looked up he would notice three more floors reserved for classrooms, living quarters, and her private office respectively.

"Isn't it beautiful? Takes my breath away every time," she hopped up on a nearby table with her feet dangling over the end.

"The first-ever example of Three Kindred architecture. I expect we shall see more wonders such as this in the near future." Now that the Beorni had been returned their homeland and the Aelvar had come out of hiding, possibilities were endless as to how this world of theirs would progress.

She placed her hand beside her on the table and gave it a few pats, asking Théo to come sit with her.

"I heard about Papa's visit, I'm so happy for you and Ylva," Nina took her brother's hand in hers once more as they sat together, lifting it to her lips for a gentle kiss to congratulate him on their pregnancy. Of course, she'd also heard about the reason behind the visit in the first place.

"You will make a great king one day, Théo. Your family will stand with you, when the day comes." She leaned into his shoulder, resting her head against him. It was not a topic she much enjoyed contemplating, for her brother's future coronation would also entail their father's passing. Something she never wished to imagine.

For the time being, she just felt like sitting there with her little brother.

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He smirked at her pointing toward the landing pad, “You miss so much if you fly”, and besides he liked the journey on horseback, it was the only way to gain a connection to people on the way, and it gave time to contemplate.

The delight in her eyes was enough to make Théo broaden his smile, although big sis led him to the main hearth, Théo did not partake, still hot from the climb but his eyes did divert around the room, taking in all the tomes and parchments filled to the brim with knowledge. He had not been one for the books, although he had studied enough on Voss to gain his knighthood, Nina had always been the one to sit alone and dive into tales of yore. Or paint. He wondered if she still did that too?

“It is remarkable Nina”, and it was, he doubted he had ever seen such beautiful architecture with the combined styles of all the races of his home. “The Beorni in particular, are masters they truly are”.

Nothing ever stays secret in the Heavenshield family, not that he held any secrets and the news of their expected child had reached her. Papa would have seen to that for sure, also the news of why he had ventured all the way to the Northmark.

Théo placed his arm around her shoulder as she leaned into him. “It is a joyous thing, especially after ..”, well she knew of what he spoke. “Life moves on”.

As for the Kingship? If honest with himself, he feared it, not just because he would have massive shoes to fill from Grandpapa down, but leading is not for the weak. Standing strong against the tide of duty that may require you to do things that normally would not pass to you was only one aspect that filled the crown. There was more to it than leading a unit of men and women, a lot more.

“I just hope I will do a fair job of it. But let us also hope that that day will not come for years yet”, by then he might be ready, if one is every ready. But as much as he liked to view the structure of Nina’s College, he knew that she had asked him here for a purpose.

“So, tell me why the summon”, she turned to her, his head tilted to the side.


Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

She sat with him for a bit, quietly enjoying their time together as just brother and sister. Like they used to when they were little and unburdened by duty. Before the people they cared about started dying. She missed Grandpapa greatly, and though she was not close to Uncle Thyrian she mourned his loss for the sake of their father. She was already worried about Papa's heart, that any further losses would break him in the end.

Hugging her brother's arm as they sat together, she nuzzled into his shoulder. Théo was warm and comforting, like Papa.

"What, I can't just ask you to come see your big sister once in a while?" She teased and slid off the table to stand in front of him, hands on her hips as if having taken offense. It didn't last long.

"Fiiine. I wanted to show you something me and Arnor discovered on our travels. Our last journey together, in fact, before the Great War."

Taking him by the hand, Nina led him towards the nearest staircase which would take them up past both the second and third floor, until they reached her private quarters on the fourth and final floor. More stairs for Théo to complain about.

Stepping inside her office and closing the door behind them, she immediately started tidying up amongst piles of parchment, books, and datapads. "Sorry about the mess, I've been meaning to clean up for some time... here, let me just get this out of the way..."

Once somewhat satisfied with the state of her office, Nina knelt down and reached under her bed, pulling out a chest and placing it on her desk. Opening it, she revealed to her brother what could only be described as the tooth of a massive carnivore.

"We discovered this over by the Velmaerr on our way to join the war effort against the Crone. It's definitely a tooth, but it far too big to belong to any known carnivorous species. It's not a fossile or even some buried skeletal remains; this thing was still fresh when we found it. Like someone, or something, had just dropped it on the ground."

Allowing Théo the chance to examine it more closely for himself, Nina crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, a smirk upon her lips.

"Velmaerr is only a day's journey from here, beyond the southern mountains..."

You know, in case he felt like going on an adventure.

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Anyone living and working at Nina’s college would get fit very fast, all the stairs in the place was already firming up his legs. Théo had always kept himself in good condition, you had to in these parts to be able to survive the harsh environment. Let alone be the best you can be for any trouble that might come about.

Entering her office was a nice reprieve from the stairs, warm and comfortable and a mess. He had to grin, although he is not a clean freak, he does look after his home along side his wife and family. Nina was always messy, it was just the way she was, thinking that there are more important things to be doing than cleaning. He could see her point of view.

After she was finally satisfied, she presented him with something. Curiosity kicked in, one thing Théo had been all his life, and a good nose for adventure had not left him either. He leaned over the box containing the find, he picked it up to examine it more closely. It was a tooth, a very large tooth and as he listened to her explanation about the find, he looked passed it to her.

“Velmaerr?”, now that can’t be good. “You sure this is not some trick?”, she would know his meaning in the question. He would not put it passed Velkar to do something like this, just to get a kick out of it.

“If it isn’t a trick, then this belongs to a very large creature .. like nothing I have seen on Midvinter”, he looked it over again before placing it back in the box. He assumed that Nina had no knowledge of the creature either, else she would not have sent for him.

“Arnor? He does not know of this?”, the Beorni had a far longer history on Midvinter, maybe the Aelvar would have knowledge too but Théo knew Nina would have exhausted all avenues of this already.

He smirked back at his sister, “Another day in the saddle is fine with me. When do we leave?”. He would go either way, just to spend good quality time with his sister, as it is, he rarely gets to see her so he would not pass up this opportunity.



Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Nina could only shrug at Théo's subtle mention of Velkar, the Trickster God. It was he who had created the eruption from the dormant volcano in the first place, during the first battle against the Crone, so it was only natural to assume that anything related to Velmaerr was also his doing. There was truly no way of knowing unless they go find out for themselves.

It was deemed a cursed place; not somewhere people would willingly stray near.

"He did not, which I thought was alarming. Although Arnor did mention the very first Beorni having discovered findings like these; he spoke of 'mountains made from bones'. I suppose it means they found a whole lot more remains than just a single tooth."

She lit up as her brother agreed to come with her. "We leave right now," she chirped before tucking away the tooth in its chest back underneath her bed. Best to keep their findings to themselves for the time being!

Nina then walked over to the far side of her quarters, where against the wall there stood a small self-made shrine. It was littered with candles and pictures of loved ones and associated keepsakes, and on the floor was a cushion she'd procured from the Silver Jedi the day she left the Order, commonly used when meditating.

Above the shrine, upon the wall, hung a curved sword and underneath it its accompanying sheathe. It was the same sword she'd kept at her side all throughout her journeys with Arnor, culminating in their facing off against the greater demon. She'd not had to wield it since.

Bowing briefly to the shrine, she then plucked the sword from its resting place and slung it upon her back, tightening the leather strap across her chest to keep it in place. Nina was not a warrior like her father and brothers, but had rather adopted the Beorni philosophy of pacifism. Hence the shrine and almost-ritualistic arming of herself, and though she did not reveal it to her brother she's even attempted to mimick the Beorni throat singing in private.

"All good to go," she sidled up to Théo and smiled, hugging his arm as they exited her office. "Careful you don't hurt yourself going back down the stairs, old man," she teased.

Once the pair had reached the outside, and eventually the bottom of the 10,000 steps, they would collect their horses from the stables reserved for visitors of the College. Nina walked up to her pure-white steed and hugged his large head, nuzzling the wide bridge of his nose. "Do you like him? I purchased him while I stayed with Mum and Dad in Heavenheim. His name is Flake, like snowflake? And he's the sweetest boy there is, yes he is...!"

She didn't have Arnor to ride around on anymore, so getting herself her own horse seemed like a good idea. Once saddled and ready to go, Nina and Théo set out for the mountains south-west of their location. Velmaerr was just on the other side.

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Well, there was no time like the present it seemed. Théo grinned at his sister, so eager to get going on this expedition. Although the tooth was interesting, this was not something he was interested in, this was her gig, but that did not matter. It had been ages since the two of them had time together and if she wanted to trek around Midvinter looking for something she had her heart on, well it added to the time spent.

As they existed the College, Théo pointed to the landing pad. “You know there’s a landing pad right right?”, throwing her own words back at her. “You not heard of air speeders?”. He let out a huff steeling is body for the climb down, just as hard as the climb up.

“Let’s hope he’s not a flake”, he threw the jest at her, as his fresh mount was brought to him. Still new to this whole prince thing, Théo felt awkward as the stable hand handed him the reins and bowed as he backed away.

With a mighty push off the ground, Théo faulted into the saddle, his black fur lined cloak fanning out behind him. “Yes, I am sure he is a very sweet boy”, he rolled his eyes. He raised his hand giving her the lead before they would start off to their destination. His mount moved up beside her as they rode out, from the inside of his jacket he pulled out a flask and unscrewed the lip. “Howlin’ Wolfs finest”. Inside a story hot brew to warm the cockles.

“It’s called Bum Hummer. Named after Uncle”, although there was a smile on Théo’s face there was also sadness in his eyes.


Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Nina grimaced as her brother took a swig of whatever unholy brew he'd cooked up. "Ugh, no thank you," she thought it best to decline the likely impending offer to share in the alcoholic beverage. "I'm with Papa on this; why willingly drink something you know isn't good for you, and tastes like poodoo?"

Though she supposed if hard-pressed to survive the harsh winters of the North people would do anything to keep warm, her brother included. He couldn't actually enjoy the stuff, could he?

The mention of him naming the brew after their uncle though did put a smile on her face, even if just a sad one. There was a moment of silence as all you could hear was the sound of hooves hitting the cold ground. There was no sense in rushing to Velmaerr, it wasn't going anywhere. She'd much rather get as much time with her baby brother while they could before he returns to his family.

"I remember that day on Voss," she eventually broke the silence, staring ahead at the road before them. "When he and Auntie Kära showed up out of the blue. I'd never seen Papa so sad, and yet so happy to be reunited with him." She never begrudged Thyrian for taking Mysa off their parents' hands; even then she'd been able to tell the man cared for her greatly and wished to raise her as his own, same as Thurion had done for her years prior.

It didn't change the fact that Mysa was still their sister. She knew, however, that it affected her brother deeply growing up, forever staining his relation to Uncle Thyrian.

"I can't imagine what his life must have been like, to have been a pawn of the Sith for so long before finally discovering his long lost kin. He must have suffered so greatly," she could only surmise, her blue eyes then turning skywards.

"We can only pray he is at peace now, at Grandpapa's side. At least they won't be lonely up there."

She mustered a smile for the pair of fallen kings, but could not help dread the day there would a third king joining them.

Riding alongside her brother, she reached for his hand and held it tightly. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He grinned, amused with her refusal to take some mead. “I bet you have never even tried my brew”, she hadn’t so how could Nina possibly know if it was horrible or not? It wasn’t of course, he wouldn’t drink it either. “More for me though”, he took it back and tucked the flask into his cloak.

“Yes, they are together once more and that is good for the both of them”, he spoke of grandpapa and their uncle. Whether his uncle had had the choice of being with the Sith was not something either of them could know for sure. After all he had a reason for being with them, and that had been his choice to stay. But life among the Sith is never easy either way, to fathom the amount of anger and hate one needs to survive in their company was only a small part of it all. What they had to do to maintain it, well that was unthinkable.

Théo turned around looking back along the track they had both travelled from the College, come a long way?, “Naw, we have only gone about three mile I reckon”, he poked his tongue out at her with the jest.

“There has been a lot of changes in the family, on many levels. Look at you! You are all grown up now”. He had always been such a tease with his sisters. The meandering pace took them passed the mountain base and into the open vast snow fields heading south toward their destination. Théo leaned over and smacked the rump of Nina’s mount, Flake. What a silly name.

The startled horse shot off galloping and Théo encouraged his mount to do the same and coming up fast behind Nina. “Race ya to the end”, the end of what?


Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

"Oh shut up," she gave him a light shove at his teasing her, but before she could offer a witty retort of her own her horse suddenly took off at a gallop, forcing her to grab a firm hold of the reins to avoid falling out of her saddle. As her brother closed in behind her, she looked over her shoulder as her hood came off and letting her long white braid free.

She grinned back at her brother as he challenged her to a race.

"Ha! Prepare to eat my dust, little boy!"

Leaning forward in her saddle, Nina encouraged Flake to indulge in running wild and free as was the unbridled nature of all living things native to Midvinter. Theirs were free spirits, full of a passion for life and the strength of will to see things through. Adversely, neither man nor beast born to this world were designed to survive long in captivity.

They rode hard and fast, competing for the lead position while following the natural roads and paths taking them south and west. Any woodland critters or the occasional traveler would have to give the road to the pair as they charged through with soaring hearts and laughter on the wind. Everything else around them became faded and distant, pushing aside the grave matters of the world and giving the simple things a chance to breath.

They were just brother and sister enjoying themselves, having fun in spite of their supposedly respectable positions. The way they would have spent each day growing up had their parents ever been given the choice for a quiet life of anonymity.

The chase only came to an abrupt end as Nina intended to have Flake leap over a fallen tree, rather than waste precious time riding around it. In the attempt, her white steed decided he'd rather not and reared up on its hind legs, making Nina tumble out of the saddle and fall bum-first into a shallow puddle of water.

She let out a soft yelp as she fell, but it was cut short soon after. As she sat up and gathered herself, she turned to Théo and attempted to state she was alright, but the words weren't uttered. Her hand reached for her neck as a slight panic began to build. She looked around her where she sat, her hands digging into the snow surrounding her.

Again she tried to form words to explain the situation, but not a sound was made. She resorted to pointing at her throat and neck with trembling fingers, having been splashed with ice cold water and then exposed to the sub-zero temperature.

Her hair became disheveled as she searched, her otherwise tidy braid undone in the fall. By the time she finally discovered what she'd been so desperate to find, Nina uncovered the device made to fit around her neck, bent and broken. Likely trampled by accident by her own horse.

She felt the tears build in her eyes while clutching the device to her chest, feeling utterly defeated by the startling reminder of her greatest childhood insecurity.

"Théo," she was able to muster a small voice inside his head. "I've lost my voice..."

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Nina soon caught up with him and his mount, passing them by in a flash. This put a smile on Théo’s face, as he was enjoying the moment with her just being free of everything for a change. It was just the two of them, no rank or titles or any burden of duty what-so-ever. He felt young again, not that he was old, but his childhood came racing back as quickly as the horses raced.

Clumps of snow kicked up from ‘flakes hooves, he had to dodge else he would get one in the face. His mount was fast, but more build for endurance and he knew that he had to be patient, because ‘flake would slow up with fatigue.

“Not for long!”, he called out to her as Nina and ‘flake turned a bend in the path and for a moment she was out of sight.

Théo could hear the thundering hooves of both mounts, but sudden Nina stopped and as he turned the corner, she came into view but already tumbling from the saddle. He pulled his mount up fast and leaped from the saddle. Théo took hold of ‘flakes reigns to stop him from tearing off. He tired them both to a near by branch.

“Nina!”, he came running as soon as he could, she was frantically looking for something in the snow. “Nina what is it?”. She pointed to her neck, and he noticed her device missing.

Once she had it in hand, Théo pulled her into a hug and cradled her in his arms against his chest. He kissed the top of her head as her words entered his mind. “No you haven’t, I can hear you just fine”, he smiled.

He lifted her face up with a finger so she would look into his eyes and see his smile. Théo had missed this communication with her, as much as it was amazing to here her speak, something she had longed for all her life as a child, but this was more meaningful to him. It was not just words to him, that pressed upon his mind, but all her emotions and feelings, and privacy. And in return, she would receive the same from him. It had been their own form of connection as children, that only the two shared and because of it, Théo had developed such a powerful ability in Telepathy, he probably would never had have.

“I miss this”, he wiped away the tears with a gentle finger caressing her cheek. “Besides, you can build another”.

Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Once her brother appeared to put his arms around her, Nina buried her face in his chest and let the tears roll down her cheeks, utterly dismayed by the loss of her "voice". Even though it never came from her own lips but rather from the device itself, she'd considered it her own voice for the duration of her wearing it. She'd never wished to go back to that mute child, so timid and introverted. She wanted to be strong, like the rest of her family.

She wanted to be normal. Whole.

She too put her arms around Théo, welcoming the emotional support as well as the warmth his embrace brought her. Again she attempted to give voice to her words, but nothing came of it. It was hard, being forced to regress to a previous state she no longer wished to have anything to do with.

Eventually she was able to calm herself after the initial shock of defeat and gather her thoughts. Scooting over to sit beside him on a more dry bit of earth, Nina leaned against her brother, probably looking more like his daughter than his older sibling.

"I'm supposed to be your big sister, you know," she was able to muster a soft smile as she sniffled, having wiped what remained of her tears from her cheeks. It then faded as she stuffed the broken device into a leather pouch on her belt.

"Who am I kidding, I can't look after anyone. I wasn't there to fight the Crone the first time she appeared, I wasn't there to help Mum out when Papa's condition worsened and he could hardly walk, and I was barely of use in the Great War. Were it not for Arnie or Uncle Bors I would have gotten myself killed fighting that big ugly demon thing."

She picked up a small stone and tossed it in the puddle she herself had been thrown into when she fell off her horse.

"All I care about is writing my stupid book and collecting boring, useless old texts. Some Heavenshield I am," she huffed and pouted, frustrated with her lack of confidence in herself. She knew she was better than this, she just needed to vent a bit.

Quietly she hugged Théo's arm, clinging to him like she would their father.

"Can we set up camp for the night, please?"

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

While Nina was ranting, venting and self deprecating Théo stood and listened, watching as she throw herself into it all. "Worst Heavenshield ever!", he spoke to her mind. "You are not burly, or hairy at all .. very melodramatic though", he smirked as the words formed in her mind. "Come on, you know what you are saying isn't true. So tell me the truth Nina, where has all this lack of confidence come from?". He lead the horses away from the path on which they were racing, and pointed in the direction he wanted to go. He was happy enough to camp for the night, and spend more time with Nina, but not here out in the open.

As the two walked away from the main path, it would take them twenty minutes to get to a good spot to camp. A clearing by a small brook formed from the thaw from the near by mountains. There were patches of snow still thick on the ground but the warmth of the days pasted had melted most of it away. Spring was one of the most lovely seasons on Midvinter, the wild flowers finally had their time in the Sun. Théo started on the horses, taking their saddles off their backs and allowing him to have their heads to go forage and water. The two travelers had not come prepared for camping so the saddles would do for a pillow, and a nice fire and Théo's brew would keep them warm through the night under their cloaks.

"You know, we need all sorts of people on Midvinter to survive. From farmers to builders, bakers everyone. Everyone has a place and a part to play. You even more so. Without someone researching and writing the history .. it would be lost. Already there is history lost because someone like you did not take it all down. Great men and women would die and fade away, only a few would be kept to sagas or songs. But with you, and your writings .. all of them will live forever ".

For what it was worth, the camp site was ready. All that was needed was flame to the fire and something to cook over it.

"Can you fish? .. I can't", but he could hunt and he just so happened to have his bow with him. He never rides through Midvinter without it, saber sword and bow.


Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Following Théo to more suitable camping grounds, Nina raised her hand to her neck and traced with her fingertips where she'd been used to wear the device that allowed her to voice her thoughts aloud. It was odd not having it there, she only ever removed it before going to sleep just to make sure it would not get damaged were she to toss and turn at night.

"It's just... I don't know," she shook her head while walking alongside her brother. "It's a silly thing to bring up now, after so many years, but... As much as I wish it to be true, I am not actually related to you or anyone in our family. I'm adopted. I don't share our father's blood as you and Thirdas do, and I am definitely not a native of Midvinter. I've learned to deal with it since I was a child, but I suppose those doubts have always been there, gnawing at me."

Helping her brother out with unsaddling the horses and gather wood for a fire. Throughout the formation of their camp site Théo spoke of how her work was actually of greater use to Midvinter than she realised. If she could chronicle the events leading up present day, then future generations would be able to learn and further their understanding of the world, as well as the countless other worlds found among the stars.

He then asked her if she knew how to fish.

"Step aside, little one," she replied with newfound confidence, thanks to her brother. "Bet you I'll catch us dinner before you can!"

She picked up a long stick off the ground and studied it for a bit, deeming it sufficient before brandishing a small knife to sharpen the end of it into a point. Before she would make for the nearby brook, Nina turned to Théo and placed a kiss upon his cheek as a way to say thanks.

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Like Théo cared, nor Thirdas for that matter, the fact that Nina was not of their blood. Her brother gave her a mock look of complete surprise, as if she was telling a grand secret. “No, you are not blood, but family comes in all manner of types and you are every bit Heavenshield as Thirdas or me”. He said unpacking a large knife from one of his travel bags. “It’s not about blood, it is about following the Heavenshield Way”, yes there was a Way.

“It’s about the way in which father and mother taught us to be, among ourselves and more importantly, with others. How we treat them, look after them and honour them. It is about how we conduct ourselves. We have the same parents, we have the same honour, family, duty”. It was also about how to fight the fight, but Nina would know this.

Théo prepared to head out into the surrounding woods, to hunt. He did not have his bow and quiver, besides a deer would be too much to kill for the two of them for one night, the Gods would not be pleased with the waste. And no amount of fish would fill his stomach, not a big burly Valkyri as he was.

“You are on”, he took up the bet, “and no cheating”. He went off looking for rabbit or a fowl. There was something familiar about wandering the forest at night by himself, it was strange, but he felt at ease out here in the wilderness. Many times he had stolen away from home whether it was Thainbroek or off world, and venture out alone much to the terror of his parents. But he never felt any danger but once with Mysa.

He took out his lightsabre, his thumb gently rubbing the white hilt. It had been years since he had seen Belawir the great Stag of his sigil. Was he still alive? Did the Vhaanir live forever? A snap of a twig brought Théo back to the present. He stood perfectly still and listened. Something moved close by and with silence he followed.

The hunt was on and he felt so alive.


Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Count on her brother to give her courage and restore her confidence using only a couple well-placed words of comfort. Théo's resemblence to their father only seemed to increase as they got older, further cementing his right to be the next High King; the boy had become a man, and in so doing gained much wisdom. And yet, as their beloved father would so often emphasize the importance of, Théo had retained his inner child.

The Heavenshield Way.

She watched him for a bit as he wandered off into the woods, a smile on her lips before she too turned away to step over to the brook they'd set up camp next to. She held up her sharpened stick to use as a fishing spear, eyes watching carefully for signs of life in the clear, cold stream.

Nina had countless times witnessed the great finesse with which Arnor had used his trusty fishing spear to catch an unsuspecting prey beneath the surface, and figured it couldn't be that hard, surely. Just wait for a fish to approach, then WHACK! Instant dinner.

She was given multiple shots at capture their dinner in the span of just a few minutes, yet each time she thrust her makeshift spear down into the water she'd always miss, or she'd make a sound that spooked them just as she'd make her move. This was harder than the silly old bear had made it seem!

"Oh, poop," she finally gave in to frustration and took a break from the fishing for now, sitting atop a rock by the side of the brook pouting to herself.

It was tempting, to cheat and use the Force to simply pluck the fish out of the stream with but a thought. But she was a woman of her word, and it simply would not do to have her brother catch on to her! Cheating was decidedly not the Heavenshield Way, nor was giving up.

She picked up her spear once more and stood by the brook, taking more jabs at any passing fish. Still no luck.

Finally she hefted the spear over her shoulder and threw it like a javelin, completely expecting it to merely hit nothing and drift off with the gentle current. But lo and behold, the sharpened stick actually appeared to hit something as faint streaks of red could be made out moments before being washed away downstream.

She reached down and gave the end of the spear sticking out of the water a good tug, and as it was pulled out a large fish was stuck on the other end, wriggling for its life. Nina let out a soft yelp, having never actually caught a fish before in her life, and tossed her catch over onto dry land. It kept wriggling something fierce despite its severe injury, and a panicked Nina proceeded to whack the poor fish repeatedly with her stick until finally it ceased moving.

Catching her breath once the deed was done, she stood up straight and ran her fingers through her hair, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.

"That... was simply horrific," she grimaced at her own work. She contemplated picking her catch up by its rear fin, but couldn't bring herself to reach out and touch it for fear it would keep wriggling.

Hopefully her brother was faring better.

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Meanwhile in the thickets....

He moved silently toward the snapped twig, each foot placed with care and practice. He raised his hand and took his knife, the only weapon on him apart from his saber, he knew this would not be enough. His bow would have made fast work of the kill but where was the challenge in that? flicking on his mind were Nina's words back by the river, she had forgot to turn her brain off. It brought a grin to his face but at least they would have something to eat if he was not successful. He strained his eyes trying to pierce the darkness surrounding him, much darker under the branches of the mighty trees of Midvinter. A moving shadow up ahead, low to the ground and unaware of his approach. A rabbit.

Never would he out run a rabbit, he had to get close as possible before pouncing his prey. If the rabbit twitched, Théo stopped dead in his tracks. This was going to take a while. Maybe he could use the force? Nina would not know would she?

He crossed his feet, stepping sideways until positioned behind a tree in the rabbits line of sight, this gave him the ability to move without been seen but he still had to be careful of his feet. For the most part, the soft nettles aided him in this and as he came up to the butt of the tree, he looked to see his prey. The rabbit had moved, closer nibbling of the soft grasses that grew among the nettles and for now, totally unaware it was being hunted. Théo leaned to his right foot, allowing all his weight to it before bringing the left to meet it, he was in sight now and the rabbit would see him too if he was not silent. He prepared to pounce, he just needed the critter to turn away. Suddenly it did, it's ears twitching alarmingly, nose smelling the air but not in his direction.

Théo was about to uncoil but a flash came in from the left, a large flash of black and white and ... teeth. The mighty Frir wrapped it's jaws around the startled rabbit and bit down hard killing it instantly. Théo could smell the fresh blood and heard the last squeak of the prey.

Shit.

He was out in the open, now only meters away from a Frir who was also hunting and the rabbit was just an appetiser. The Frir's nose lifted and smelt the air, her big head turned and looked directly at Théo standing stock still. The wide pupils of the Frir's eyes focused on him, and to the cat this was much better and bigger prey. The half eaten rabbit fell from it's mouth replaced with a low rumbling snarl.

All bets were off. It was time to use the force.

The big cat began to circle and pace around the clearing, sizing him up as well as forming a plan of attack. Both where in a stand off for the moment, it would only take one sudden movement and the cat would take the advantage. The cat moved as silently as he did, even though Théo watched every pace as keenly as the cat. His hands raised palms facing outward as the force pulled into them. He did not want to kill it, he would if he had too, but one good shove and the cat would think again about approaching him. The Frir darted into the thickets, as quickly as it had appeared from them. Théo quickly located it through the force, it was circling in him in the darkness, oh very clever.

He stood still, let the cat come to him. And it did from behind in a high vaulting pounce. As it came closer, Théo rolled to the side on the ground and in one movement was on his feet again facing the great cat. His arms shot forward releasing a force push as the cat landed on it's feet and it rolled through the nettles for several meters before it got to its paws bewildered. It eyed Théo with suspicion now, not as ready to attack and slinked off into the night. He kept track of it just in case it decided to try again.

At his feet the mangled rabbit lay. He picked it up, there was nothing left of value. Whatever other creatures of the night may be about could have the left overs, as the threw the carcass away, and started back for the camp site. As luck would have it, in the lower branches perched a fowl. Big and plump. He pulled it to him with the force grabbed it by the neck which broke with strength of a gentle squeeze.

He would not return to Nina empty handed.


Nina Heavenshield

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

By the time her brother reappeared out of the woods, Nina had mustered just enough bravery to catch one more fish from the stream, this one a bit smaller which made it easier to finish off. Not as much fight as the large one. Her catch coupled with the plump fowl her brother brought was more than enough for the two of them, they may even get a bit of breakfast out of it the following morning.

"Ah, there you are," she was relieved to have Théo back as it was getting dark. She'd never spent a night out in the woods all by herself, she's always had Arnie by her side to scare off any would-be predators. Not even the dreaded frir would go near a slumbering Beorni.

"See? I caught these two all by myself!" She proudly displayed her pair of fishes as they lay ready to be hung over the fire. "No Force powers needed, just me and my mighty spear! How about yourself, hmm?"

She took the bird off his hands and got to work plucking its feathers, stuffing them in a leather pouch. "This way nothing goes to waste," she explained. "It's how the Beorni hunt and prepare their food. Every part of the animal gets put to good use, so as to not upset the Spirits. They have one for every animal, you know."

As evening settled in the area had gone completely black hours ago, and by now their combined catch of the day was being barbecued over the flames. Nina's stomach was growling, eager for that first taste of dinner.

Huddled under a thick alk fur to keep warm in the sub-zero temperature, she watched Théo tend to the fire seemingly unaffected by the cold, having no need for such coverings until bedtime called. It amazed her to this day how just being part-Valkyri offered such protection against the elements, for in actuality both Théo and their baby brother Thirdas were only one-fourth Valkyri. Even so, the highly dominant genetic structure of their kind reigned supreme.

Finally it came time to feast on the results of their combined efforts, and Nina immediately tucked into an avian leg hot off the fire.

"Gods, I'm starving," she exclaimed even as she devoured the white meat. One perk of conversing telepathically was you could do so while eating, or even while holding your breath, and it would make no difference.

"Papa would have loved this," she said next once her initial craving for food died down some and she was able to appreciate it more. "Not just the poultry, but this. All of this." She gestured to their surroundings.

"He would have loved to take us out camping, I think. When we were little, you know? There just wasn't enough time," she lamented. Not that she blamed their parents for being too busy; they were the leaders of the foremost order of Jedi in the known galaxy at that time.

"Can I ask you something, Théo? And, please don't take this the wrong way," she apologised in advance in case it was a sore topic.

"How come you chose not to be a lion, like the rest of us?" She knew about his special affinity to the Vhaanir, but she'd always wondered whether there was something more behind his decision not to fly the same banner as their father.

Théodred Heavenshield ​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

“Yeah he would”, Théo looked around the clearing in which they camped for the night, thinking of his father here with them, “Both he and mother both. But they did their best, and neither of us went without anything”. They may not have gone camping, but there was always love and support in the house and that was worth more than any number of trips.

Théo was equally as hungry, Nina’s fish was tasty and between the two of them, they had plenty to keep the pangs of hunger away for the night. “You know that is a question I had expected to hear from father”, he wiped the oils from the fish on his leather trousers. The fowl looked too inviting, and he removed the other leg from the cooked bird.

“It’s not that I think .. that I think I am not a lion. Of course, I am, I bear the name of the House. It is hard to explain but I will try”, which he would between bites.

“I don’t know how much you know, but I will start at the beginning. The night I was .. conceived .. mother tells me the story of how a young Vhaanir entered the tent on the eve of battle. It did not stay long and vanished soon after. You know what they say of the Vhaanir, that it is through them that the Gods see”, he scoffed with mirth, considering the amount of times the family has encountered the Gods of recent times. Them and Midvinter.

“Well, that young buck was Belawir. He grew up as I did, with each passing year and from time to time I would encounter him especially when I needed him most. Rode into battle on his back once, don’t you remember?”. He unclipped his saber from his belt and handed it to his sister.

“This saber contains a gift I got from him, after a fight and part of his antler broke off, it forms a part of the hilt and father carved the Valkyri words on it”, it point to draw her attention to the detail.

“But even besides all this .. history .. “, he grinned at her hoping she was entertained by the retelling. “Belawir saved my life. If he had not, I would not be sitting here with you now”. He lifted his shirt to show her the horrible gash scar on his lower torso where the boar had ripped him apart. “A hunt that had gone horribly wrong”.

“That is why I have taken up the sigil of the stag, he is part of me, and I am part of him”. His fowl was getting cold and it was time to remedy that.

Nina Heavenshield ​