Mists part, for Hawthorn and Hearth [Thrand]

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

Averlorn
Midsummer

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]


The day of the solstice approached. Within the forest of Averlorn there would be much celebrations come the day and the Queen, her mother, would begin the festivities by the shores of the Frostvatn there to receive blessing from the frozen lake. It would be the beginning of the new year and a new hope for the Aelvar, to live in peace and prosper. The children of the misty forest would play a large part in the celebrations for they are the blessed among her people, they are to dance an old dance around the tree in the center of their realm. Ióunn would participate, she had been practicing for days it seemed to her and had grown bored of it, her heart wanting for adventures of the forest.

Now, she sits on the floor of her home, a heavy sigh escaped her full red lips as she glanced over to her keeper. Mother and father are busy with preparations, and so she is in the care of one of the elders, who, sleeps. With practiced care she moves slowly off the floor and creeps soft footed toward the door, a single glance enough to tell her sleep had not been disturbed.

As she walked through the heart of her village, her presences went largely unnoticed as the Aelvar busy with their own work paid her little heed. "Little Twig, where hither you wander?", largely unnoticed except for the children, who blocked her path as they gathered around her. A sense of annoyance would cross her face, not caring to tell. "To dance practice, I go", she lied, but knew this would be enough for them, for they had their own part to play in the form of a play to be performed in front of the Queen. "Let me pass for I shall be late". They stepped aside, knowing the ire of the dance master and they did not wish to get her in trouble.

Alone at last, Little Twig skipped along the path away from her village and over a small stone bridge that crossed the babbling brook. Before her the forest in which the tall pine reached for the summer sky, the avian and creatures so full of life set about their daily chores and into the enchanted mist she walked.

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Thrand had never been to the southern parts of Midvinter before. He was told it was different from most of the rest of the world; the soil was more fertile and the snowfall during winter was more lenient, which meant the vast majority of Midvinter's crops were grown there which were then distributed to every settlement around the continent. To the farthest south was a place called Helm's Fist, which bred some of the toughest warriors Midvinter had to offer, he'd been told. Of course, few were the settlements that didn't boast their kind was the strongest, so Thrand took what he'd been told with a grain of salt.

Still much too young to master a horse on his own, the little prince rode with his father on his black steed. While the king held the reins, Thrand clutched onto the mane of the mighty stallion, feeling the power of every muscle moving together in perfect harmony. It always excited the young boy to be on horseback, and he couldn't wait for his first-ever riding lesson.

The journey from the capital to the south is a long one, and many stops are made along the way. The High King and his escort had just finished the trek through the mountains marking the halfway point of their journey, and in the early morning hours they decided to set up camp. Thyrian was not above putting up his own tent, and of course little Thrand was more than eager to help however possible. He'd hold the nails which his father then pounded into the ground one by one, and he even tried lifting the hammer himself but proved unable to even budge it. As the royal tent - carrying the scarlet and silver of House Hearthfire - came up, Thrand helped his father further by placing the furs which served as their floor.

They only needed one bedroll, for the boy had yet to completely grow out of sharing his parents' bed at night and when travelling he much preferred to sleep with father. He wasn't cold - like Thyrian he had fire in his veins with which to keep himself warm in even the harshest Midvinter weather - but he yearned and relished every moment he could spend with his dear father, who in turn adored devoting time to raising his firstborn. While Mysa was indeed his daughter, she had walked her own path for much of her youth, more in line with the ways of the Jedi. Thrand, meanwhile, was born to be king one day.

The following morning, the young prince was up before anyone else in the camp. Only the guards posted overnight had their eyes open, and Thrand knew their patrols well by now. Before squirming out of his father's grasp, he turned to him and placed a tender kiss upon his cheek littered with scars. "Rest, papa," he whispered softly with nothing but adoration. There was much the little lad didn't know, but one thing he knew for certain was that daddy never rested very easily without mommy beside him.

Sneaking out into the sunny midsummer morning, Thrand's legs carried him past the guards and out of the royal encampment for some exploration. It wasn't the first time he'd done so, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. Not far from the camp there was the 'haunted woods' he'd heard talk of by some of the other boys back in Tháinbroek - the reason he was so excited about the trip south! A wall of thick mist presided over the forest, with only the closest trees visible from the outside. By the looks of them, they were really old.

Thrand walked up to the fog wall and carefully placed his hand upon its edges, as if expecting it to be impassable. Yet his hand went through it, and so the rest of him braved the unknown, step by step until entirely enveloped by the dense mist. His tiny legs carried him forward, never once stopping long enough to get lost. These woods aren't that bad, he thought. Tamlin just said so to scare us.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

She walked an aimless path. Her arm swinging a stick at the ground with each step taken and her mind wandered to places of the imagination. Mythological creatures with wing and talon, fur and beak flying high in the Midvinter skies, she sat atop one of them the wind filling her long red curly hair and she could see it all! Midvinter lay before her with snow-capped mountains as far as the eye could see. A body of water so vast it seemed to melt into the sky. A strange land she had pulled into her mind filled with adventure to last a life time but it was not real. Or was it?

Her mind came back to her as the intrusion of noise into her thoughts turned her head only to find in the clearly close by the Vhaanir grazed leisurely their snow white fur shimmering in the sunlight. They are a common sight to the Aelvar, taking solace in the forest away from the eyes of men. “Merry weather, Bucky”, as she calls him, others might know him as Belawir. Bucky simply raised his heavy head graced with full antlers, snorted at her before returning to graze.

It was only now did she realise just how far her feet had taken her, the mist is thicker here on the edge of the forest, it was the furthest she had ever gone. She had been warned to turn back if she ever entered this part of the forest, her father had told her that there was nothing beyond it to concern with. It is scary and exciting to be venturing into the unknown, what would she find? The edge of the world which would plummet into an abyss? Or strangeness even beyond her imagination? Creatures never seen before? Maybe. It was simply too enticing to her inquisitive nature and even though her pace had slowed, she keep onward moving away from the clearing into the thick forest.

Then she heard it, a crunch of brittle leaves fallen from the oak to loud to be that of a creature’s foot fall. Ióunn swiftly and silently found the undergrowth in which she hid and waited to see what would come along the path. Her heart raced with a coupling of fear and curiosity and then she saw him. Pushing back a low branch and stepping through the thickets was a boy. As he approached and passed her hiding place, Ióunn with silent grace of movement followed him keeping to the shadows of the trees. He looked .. funny. Dressed in strange clothes, hair as white as the snow and eyes so green like a gem in mother’s crown, a soft breeze played in his hair and only then did she notice. His ears they are not pointed!

She pulled back a grasp escaping her lips, her eyes wide as she realised this was a boy from the realm of men. It is true, they are real.

​

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Thrand had found it rather an easy task navigating the mist, unbeknownst to him owed to his Umbaran eyesight passed down from his mother. Ducking under branches and stepping over roots he stepped farther through the fog, until finally it subsided and allowed him to bask in the beauty and wonder that was Averlorn - a forest more ancient than any other on the planet. Green eyes widened at the sight, trying to take in as much as possible of this magical place.

He then laid eyes on the lonesome Vhaanir, recalling having met their kind before he could neither walk nor talk. "Hi," he called out to it gently, waving cautiously so he would not spook it. The buck, again, casually lifted its head before resuming its grazing, seemingly uninterested in the tiny person. Rather than continue on through the forest, Thrand felt content with remaining in the buck's company for the time being, lying down on his tummy in the soft mosses and propping his head up on both elbows.

Part of him was curious to find out whether he could join the feast himself, only to remind himself that people can't eat grass. But leaves aren't grass, are they? Picking one off the ground he took the tiniest bite before recoiling in disgust, sticking his tongue out. "Ew, yucky!"

Sitting up he turned to toss away the offending leaf in the opposite direction, again not wanting to spook the Vhaanir. It was then that he saw her, hiding and watching him from behind a tree. Thrand got up on his feet as if shot out of a cannon, both a little frightened as well as intrigued. "H-hello," he waved at her where he stood, too scared to come any closer. "Do you live here?"

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

Creeping so slowly Ióunn peaked out from behind the oak to watch this strange boy. Her head tilted and her eyes tried to take him all in. Try as she might, she did not understand why he would want to eat leaves. They are strange these men of the outer realm. Maybe the oak leaf was not to his taste, maybe he prefers that of the elm or the hawthorn?

Like a little wee spider, she ducked back behind the tree as he spat out the leaf and turned to her direction, but still curiosity was too much and she moved to the other side of the tree, to see if he looked any different that from that perspective or maybe he was pulled from her imagination. But when she looked again, all she found was his bright green eyes looking back at her, she gulped but did not move as he sprung from the ground as if sprouting from it. Although frightened, her courage grew and this time Ióunn pulled back only slightly when he waved at her, he can speak too? A language she understood.

Her senses where on alert and unbeknownst to her she moved the air around him causing it to pull on his clothes and the mist seemed to creep from the trees and curl around his legs. Her pointed ears poking through her long red curly hair moved to take in everything they could just in case he was not alone, where there is one there might be more after all what is a young boy doing this far into her realm?

“Wherefore have you come?”, her voice soft as a whisper. She stepped out from behind the tree and approached him with care placed steps, her eyes darting deep into the forest from where he immerged. “Is thee forsaken?”.

​

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

The girl he saw was strange-looking, like something he'd never seen before. Her hair was red like the autumn leaves with piercing blue eyes, but what stood out the most were her pointy ears poking out of the sides of her hair. She looked like the most fairytale princess he'd ever seen. Had they been older he would've used the word 'beautiful', but for now the word 'pretty' would do nicely.

"I'm on an adventure," he shyly replied, rubbing his arm. "I'm not lost, I'm right here!" Suddenly remembering his courtly manners, Thrand took a bow while trying his best to make it look as proper as he were able. "Erm... My name is Thrand of House Hearthfire, second of my name and... and..." He'd tried to remember how to properly introduce himself but it never seemed to stick, and instead came across as very stilted and awkward.

"Thrand," he finally said with determination. "I'm Thrand." He stepped a bit closer. "What's your name? I'm sorry if I'm not supposed to be here..."

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

The crawling mist crept up his body and it was not until it reached his waist did it stop, his words the reason for it as Ióunn stayed the wind and the mist. Although awkward she could tell he was of noble birth not only in his words but in the way he held his stance. There was a sense of defiance there born from sense of pride that only noble blood has an underpinning base upon which to draw from. She knew this, she had it herself. And so Ióunn returned his show of grace not with a bow but a wobbly curtsy and inclination of her head.

On the edge of the clearing, a set of black eyes watched the young children who now had their attention on each other and not the stag. For in those eyes, if one was to look closely, was the Sun. And after the children would exchange greetings, did Bucky turn away and vanish in silence into the mist leaving no trace of his presence behind, save for the memory of him in the minds of the children.

“I, Ióunn Wuduælfen, first daughter of their majesties The Wise and The Bearer ..”, she sighed and shoulders slumped, it just took too long to complete the royal greeting. “I bear the name Ióunn”, she finally stated with her head lofted high. And taking a step forward leaning toward the boy, she spoke in a whisper so the mist would not hear her.

“You must away for if they find you here”, she trailed off and all of a sudden she lunged forward taking him by the hand pulling him into the thickets of the forest. “Don’t even let breath escape your lips”, she said placing her finger to his lips to quieten him. Ióunn encourage Thrand to the ground under the protection of the hawthorn and although unseen by the eye, two Aelvar rangers scouted the clearing searching for the intruder.

What had started as a dull day turned into something of much excitement, and .. adventure.

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

After their rather awkward introductions Thrand felt a tug of his arm as she dragged him along to hide in the nearby bushes, close to the ground. He came willingly, thinking it some strange version of hide-and-seek, and when asked to keep quiet he shut his mouth tight in an overexaggerated fashion, even covering it up with both hands. At first there was nothing happening, no noise other than birds chirping and the soothing sounds of nature. Like a whisper on the wind, however, they came into view.

Down from the treetops two figures descended, cloaked and hooded and their faces covered. Their footsteps made no sounds at all, as if they were not even there. At first it seemed like they had no notion of their whereabouts, and emboldened by their seemingly excellent hiding spot Thrand removed his hands from his mouth. Then suddenly shouting could be heard echoing from afar, calling out his name. "Papa," he gasped only to immediately cover his mouth again. It didn't look like they'd heard him.

But the next moment something grabbed him by the foot and dragged him backwards out of the thickets all in one go, holding the small boy up by his ankle. Thrand let out a helpless yelp, kicking and squirming as best he could considering he was held upside down by a third hooded man. "No! Let me go," he cried out in defiance. By now the other two had joined them, and they'd also found the princess hiding alongside him.

They began to speak to one another in a foreign tongue; it certainly wasn't Basic nor Runian, he knew that much. They also addressed the girl, Ióunn, who could do little but stand by and merely protest their actions. "Father," Thrand then cried out, for stepping out of the curtain of mist did the High King himself.

The loud, imposing *thuds* of his footsteps made the hooded figures turn to face the hulking behemoth-of-a-man, and as his face came into view the crimson blade of his lightsaber activated. Eyes burning with rage met those of the hooded figures, who all drew their weapons; long, slender blades that looked like they could cut through anything. However, the same was very true for a lightsaber. "Let. The boy. Go," his deep voice commanded attention.

Holding out his hand, Thyrian pressed his palm against a nearby tree. The bark became twisted and singed as his fingers dug into the wood, applying more heat to it with every second. "Or I swear I will put your home to the torch." His threat was akin to that of a wolf's snarl, speaking through gritted teeth. It seemed to pay off, as the hooded figures began to back off and even shoved the captured boy towards him. Thrand wasted no time in running to his father's side, who slowly removed his hand from the tree. A black mark remained upon the trunk.

"Thrand," he then deactivated his lightsaber and knelt down, taking the boy into his arms for a tight embrace and kissing his cheek. "I was so worried!" Thrand nuzzled into his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Papa," he apologised, meaning it wholeheartedly. Thyrian then stood up, lifting him off the ground and resting him upon his arm. By now more Valkyri came stumbling out of the mist, visibly lost and confused yet weapons drawn nonetheless. At the same time, more of the woodland residents showed up amongst the treetops, bows drawn and trained upon the invaders.

"Ióunn," Thrand called out to her through all the chaos and bid his father to put him back down. While hesitant to do so, Thyrian noticed the look in his son's eyes. That look which told any onlooker that he knew what he was doing. Thrand ran over to his newfound friend and took her by the hand, leading her towards the centre of the impending conflict, positioning them between the opposing forces. "That's my dad," he whispered not-so subtly and pointed at the king now joined by his loyal huscarls.

"Stand down," the lad demanded of his royal guards, who all turned to Thyrian for confirmation. After some hesitation he softly nodded. "Aye... listen to your future king." The briefest of smirks appeared upon his lips.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

She shook her head, the red locks bouncing around her face and her eyes widened with fear as the call from Thrand cut the air, calling for his Papa. It was too late for only moments later the boy had been dragged from his hiding place and the rangers had him. Ióunn darted from her position, a ranger guarding her, and would lay his life down if it come to it but her protests went unheeded, calling for them to place the boy down.

Suddenly, the forest seemed to shake as men entered the clearing, strange men the likes she had never seen before all giants of men, hairy and thick of body and her mouth dropped open at the sight of them. But the situation had turned dangerous, both sides drawing upon the steal and standing their ground. Ióunn knew the rangers would not let them pass, not a step further and would cut them down in the blink of an eye .. she only had to utter the words.

A man, the biggest of them all, strode forward placing his hand upon one of the sacred trees of the Circle and burned it, threatening to do the same to their home. Ióunn filled with rage as the bark twisted and smouldered at his touch, her tiny fists curled into a ball her fingernails cutting into her skin and the air around them all shifted. A strong wind whipped at them, the enchanted mists crawling toward them and if allowed to engulf them would be fatal, to all of the barbarians as she strode forward pushing her fear aside to confront the barbarians. The men of his guard stepped back, uncertain of what to do as the unnatural wind pushed against their bodies. Not strong enough to force them away, she had not the power to command it so just yet but they would understand it none the less. The rangers formed up around her, protecting her if the men of the outer realm attacked, rangers in the trees honed their sights down the length of their arrow shafts on the biggest of them all.

And in this moment, Thrand stepped forward grabbing Ióunn by the hand and walking her to the center of the impeding conflict. “That’s my dad”, he whispered, standing by her holding her hand. Ióunn shot a look to her friend bewildered that the biggest of them all was a King. The biggest of them all, ordered the men to stand down and with a subtle gesture from Ióunn the Rangers did the same lowering their arrows and swords, yet still prone in their hands should there be a turn of events.

A soft shimmering of white light floated around the edge of the clearing, watching, not a sound issued forth. Yet all of a sudden, in unison the rangers that surrounded Ióunn went on bended knee their heads lowered, the archers in the trees took tension of their bows with head inclined as the white light moved until reaching the scorched tree. A whisper of words, nothing more, spoke and the scar that had defiled the trunk was gone, a sense of calm entered the clearing and played upon all minds. “I know what you once were Ashborn. I know what you are Hearthfire, first born .. to the Bringer of Dawn”. These words entered the biggest of them all’s mind, only he would hear it. Behind the men of the outer realm stood the Queen of Averlorn more powerful than all for she had walked the plains of Midvinter before their fathers, and their fathers before them, their fate was in her hands now.

“That’s my mother”. Ióunn whispered back to Thrand.

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y80ofCkPbdE​

The sudden appearance of the Lady had the defenders bowing, all the while the giant Valkyri sheathed their weapons and put their shields away at the command of their prince. All at once did the opposing forces stow away their aggression, and all eyes were drawn to the otherworldly Queen of the Forest. Thyrian turned to face her, sensing her words dancing upon his mind. The fire in his eyes died down as he carefully stepped towards her with an inquisitive look on his face.

"Your Grace," he spoke, for there was no question whether she were royalty. His lightsaber remained in hand for now, deactivated but ready for use should things go south. He bowed his head, hand upon his heart. "I am Thyrian of House Hearthfire, High King of the Valkyri. My father was indeed the Dawnbringer, who is now one with the gods." He turned to look over at his boy and the little girl by his side. "Thrand, come here," he bid in fatherly tone. "Bring your friend with you."

The Valkyri parted as the prince and princess joined the king, and should the girl wish to join her mother she was free to do so. "We did not come here to bring harm to your people, Your Grace. We were looking for this little one here," he explained while placing his hand upon the lad's white-haired head, and in turn Thrand clinged to his father's leg. "It was a father's love that brought us here. My companions and I were on a journey south and had made camp outside these woods. When it came time to pack up and move on, the lad was missing. There was little question as to where one so young and curious would go."

Thyrian then did the unthinkable and bent the knee to the Lady of the Lake, and soon the other Valkyri followed suit, including young Thrand who during all this had kept his gaze upon Ióunn. "I beg thee forgiveness for intruding upon thy home, my lady." While they paid their respects to the ruler of this land Thrand tugged at his father's sleeve. "I'm sorry, Papa," he whispered. Thyrian leaned over to place a kiss upon his head, letting him know it was alright. "You're lucky mommy isn't here," he whispered back with a wink.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

"Leave us, all of you. No harm shall befall the King of Men", She assured the Valkyri standing steadfast by their king, the Aelvar rangers stood and vanished back within the forests to continue their duty without question. The Queen of the Aelvar stepped forward toward Thyrian and his son. And once alone, her soft pale hand raised and cupped the cheek of her daughter and looked into her eyes,

"There is no greater love than the love for a child that is your own". Turning her head, she looked upon brow of Thrand, standing next to her daughter hand in hand and smiled. "Ease your mind little one, you are safe and so is your Papa". She indicated for the children to play if they so wished. Ióunn tugged at Thrand's hand, hoping his fears had been dispelled enough to leave his father's side.

"Arise, Thyrian of House Hearthfire. You have no need to bend the knee to me", and once he did, she would turn to walk with him through the Circle of Oak. "You speak of Gods, I know of your Gods and we the Aelvar have but one. But all Gods, yours and ours bow to One that rules them all. And without the One God there is nothing", she turned to look into his scarred face, so etched with pain from the past but his life so different from when he had been known to the galaxy as Ashborn. A life time of experience and paths trod to come this far and find his true nature, his true calling. "I speak of Midvinter". Without it, the very planet on which all life bows to its majesty.

"I am Aewen Wuduælfen, Queen of the woodland realm of Averlorn".

​

[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian stood and turned towards his men, assuring them the safety of himself and their prince. He sensed no ill will from the Woodland Lady, and so trusted her to not go back on her word. As the Valkyri huscarls returned through the fog to the outside world, little Thrand kept close to Ióunn as the four were left alone to wander the forest. He didn't feel like ever letting go of her hand. For now he would follow closely behind his papa but as time went on he would join his newfound friend in playing in the woods.

"You are right, we do share the same god," Thyrian replied and looked up to the sky where the sun sat proudly. "My father never spoke of you and your kin, nor have I ever read or heard of this realm of yours before. I have heard tales of the 'elves living in the enchanted forest', though. How have your people been able to remain so secluded for all this time? How has no-one stumbled upon this place, as we have," he asked with genuine curiousity. "Why now?"

Meanwhile Ióunn had led Thrand off the beaten path where their parents walked, and with Thrand still marvelling at the tall trees and the greenest leaves he had ever laid eyes on he let her show him all there was to see. "This place is pretty when it's not spooky and foggy," came his astounding insight. His then looked across to the girl beside him. "How old are you, anyway? I'm this many," he said, holding up three fingers.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

Aewen followed Thyrian's gaze to the Sun, climbing over the sky to shed his warm rays within the clearing, "The Aelvar Rangers spoke of his death, I was saddened to hear of it", she said referring to the old king as they progressed along a small path leading away from the clearing and the mists would part before her, it was unnatural and it would be noticed. "Welcome to the enchanted forest King Hearthfire", she turned to face him a slight smile over her lips and provide the answer to his question as why they had remained hidden for countless years.

"We are the Aelvar, people of Midvinter that have walked her soil since the beginning of life here. We are but few, and because of this the Elders of the past deemed it necessary that we remain a myth in order to protect ourselves. The will of men was weak, is weak and filled with suspicion of anything or anyone strange to them and the Aelvar had been cut down simply because we were different".

The sound of water running approached their ears, gently babbling over rocks within the bed on which it lay, but rather then ford the brook, Aewen turned Thyrian to walk it's bank which was lined by the tallest pine of Midvinter. "That was thousands of years ago, before your father's time and time beyond that". They had walked away from the children who played safely by the clearing.

"I sense that within you is great power, great sorrow that you cling to like a child .. you, and your brother", Her arm raised and pulled back a low laying branch to reveal the Frostvatn, the lake frozen and in it's center a spiraling shimmering light, the source of the power of the Aelvar. "The time has come for all of Midvinter and it's people to unite. Our home has been touched by the darkness". No news to the King of the Valkyri, but they needed to be ready should it happen again.

"I am placing great trust in you Hearthfire". Aewen's tone turned more serious, since this would be the first time that men would walk these forests unharmed and be allowed to return to their realm bearing the memory of it.

​

Ióunn raised her hand and stifled a giggle, "I am that many too", she said before pulling Thrand along into the forest once more. "You have pretty eyes", she added with a side ways glance, "And you are tall". She bent down to duck under a branch and crawled in the undergrowth until they reach a wee hole in the ground. "Take a look inside", Ióunn encourage him with a nod of her head to say it was alright to do so. For inside the home in the ground he would find a set of bright eyes looking back at him, followed by many more blinking with intrigue as much as hers.

"They have lived in there for such a long time", she said as she used the will of the frostvatn to calm them and draw them out of their hole and around the two would bounce and nuzzle a family of snow hare. "Gently now, and they will come sit on your lap".

She watched as one of the white hare crept toward Thrand, tentative at first but when it realised no harm would come and especially in Ióunn company, did the hare scramble onto his lap, sat there nose twitching faster then the eye could catch. "You can pat him, go on!".

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian took it all in while remaining quiet, allowing the elven queen the floor to introduce him to their world, one ruler to another. Never could he ever have imagined something like this ever existed on his homeworld, so removed from the typical harshness of Midvinter climate. Here it was warmer, with little to no snow upon the ground. It was green and lush, and there were flowers and trees here the likes of which would never have survived on the outside. For all his years spent out among the stars, all his having witnessed so many strange and unique creatures and civilisations, this place and its people seemed to much stranger to him. Perhaps it was simply because they were as much part of Midvinter as the Valkyri or Beorni, and this was just as much their home and it was his.

"Lady Aewen, I... This is all so new and sudden to me. All this time the Valkyri thought themselves the masters of this world, unchallenged as the one sentient race." He turned to her, a solemn look upon his face. "What you say is true. My kind are often times wary of the unfamiliar, either through ignorance of their existence or through sheer stubbornness in accepting it. When you reveal yourselves, I am fearful of how they will react, learning there is a whole different race of people sharing their world. Some of them may react violently."

He then stood straight, as if at attention. "But you have my word that I will do what I can to help them accept your people as children of Midvinter, and that your realm will remain left untouched. Some will no doubt want to see for themselves whether the stories are true concerning your kind." Thyrian bowed to the lady. "I swear it, on my honour as High King."

Looking out at the great frozen lake, he could feel its presence. "The Force is strong in this place," he spoke softly. "This is why you have remained hidden all this time?"

​

​

Ióunn's comment regarding his eyes had the boy blush, not really knowing how to take a compliment from a girl. He'd received plenty from his mother and sister, but they were family - they had to say nice things to him! This was a girl his own age, and one he'd only just met at that. Thrand wanted to tell her she was pretty too, but his words caught in his throat and instead remained silent, hoping she would not feel sad by his not repaying the compliment.

Instead he took pleasure in the hare climbing into his lap, petting it and feeling its soft fur in the palms of his tiny hands. "So cute," he remarked as he petted every nook and cranny, wanting to find the best spots. "Do they have names," he asked her with genuine curiosity.

The hare nuzzled into his palm, its long ears laid back as it felt at ease. As Thrand continued to pet it, he looked over at Ióunn and blushed again. "I think you're pretty too."

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

"Do not believe that we cannot defend ourselves if need be Lord Thyrian. We have been doing so for countless years already", the words sat onimously on the air as this woman would not be trifled with. His words, she understood, were not spoke to bring the baring of offense but he had only just discovered their existence were as the Aelvar had knowledge of the Valkyri from their beginnings. "Midvinter faces a far greater danger to all it's peoples than the curiosities of some or even the threat of war among ourselves. My people are not without fault, they view the Valkyri as barbaric. I do not hold such views", she assured him as she turned to look into his eyes of fire. "You are an honourable man, and I give you my pledge that war shall not ignite between us".

They continued to walk along the shore of the Frostvatn until they reached a small pebble beach but no water lapped over the stones but they were captured by the ice and had been this way for hundreds of years. "The Force?", a slight smile graced her lips. "Is that what you call it".

Her head turned to cast her gaze across the frozen lake, "This is the Frostvatn. A sacred place and where the Aelvar draw upon to give them power. And yes this is how we have remained from your view for so long". In the distance she could hear their children playing, a gently laughter on the air which came to them both on a gentle breeze as soft and light as the snow. "We approach the eve of midsummer, tonight there will be much celebration for the renewal of all things. I would be .. no. The Aelvar would be honoured if you and your son would join us".

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She leaned forward with her palms pressed into the ground as she sat of her legs tucked under her and she watched her new friend delight in the creatures. "He is Silver Foot", she pointed to the hare on his lap. "And over there is Lillywhite, she loves the lillies that grow in the valley, she eats them all the time". Silver Foot was very content to just sit in a warm lap and even began to close his eyes to nap, whereas Lillywhite so full of energy bounced around the grasses with her own purpose occasionally stopping to bring her paws up to scratch her nose.

No one had ever called her pretty before, apart from her mother and father but they are supposed to say things like that even if they do mean it so a little flush of red was captured on her cheeks. Iounn never really thought about it, she was just Iounn that cared little for what others thought of her. But this was a strange boy from the outer realm who had a funny name and no pointy ears and with that thought her eyes shift to them. Her hand move as if to raise and touch them, but she didn't even though she is highly intrigued by his looks.

Instead, she picked up a leaf off the ground, it was a leaf of the hawthorn and handed it to Thrand. "Here. You must be hungry and there is plenty more", after all he that is what he likes to eat, and hopefully the hawthorn was more to his liking than the oak. "Do you eat leaves all the time?". She asked very curious indeed.

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[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

"Yes," the king answered, gazing out across the frozen lake. "It is what this energy is known as out there, among the stars. There are many sects that have devoted themselves to the Force and its powers; the oldest of which are the Jedi and the Sith." Thyrian turned towards her as he briefly explained. "The Jedi see it as a helpful tool with which to bring peace and healing, as well as a guiding hand in moments of uncertainty. The Sith..." His face grew grim and his mouth filled with disgust. "They only strive to use its powers for themselves, to grow in strength and corrupt the minds of others. It was they who assaulted our world not long ago, seeking only to bring pain and misery."

The bare mention of his former brethren left him with a bad taste in his mouth, but what he felt above all else was shame. He had done terrible things in the name of the Sith Order and its empire, things he would never share with anyone save for one. His eyes flared up briefly, before closing them and inhaling the soothing air the Frostvatn provided. "Forgive me. I have... a history." Looking over his shoulder, he saw Thrand and the girl playing together as if nothing in the world bothered them. It gave him hope. "You have a beautiful daughter." Facing her, he nodded.

"We would be delighted to," Thyrian accepted the Lady's most gracious offer with a soft smile.

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"Silver Foot," Thrand repeated, continuously petting the white-furred creature napping in his lap. Part of him never wished to leave, for doing so meant to stir Silver Foot from his slumber. Leaning down he placed a tender kiss upon its head. What Ióunn did next, however, had him confused and amused all at once.

"Nah, leaves are yucky," he grimaced, still feeling the taste of them on his tongue. But even so, he plucked the leaf from her hand and offered it to Silver Foot, who happily began to munch on it. "It's good for hares, though," he giggled. Then a low grumble was heard, and Thrand placed a hand on his tummy.

"I guess I must be hungry," he confessed, although at this point the towering shape of his father stepped into view, kneeling down before the two children while trying not to spook Ióunn. "Thrand, our hosts have invited us to stay for dinner. Would you like to stay a bit longer?" Never had the boy nodded his head so fast in his life, to which Thyrian chuckled and ruffled his white hair. He then turned to the little princess.

"Hello," he held out his hand with a smile. "I'm Thyrian, Thrand's daddy." He sat down with them, crossing his legs. "What's your name, little snowflake?"

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

"And you have a handsome son", she would say no more to the man as they walked back to their children. His past mattered little to her, as long as that past did not revisit Midvinter in his form which she sensed it would not. There was remorse within the man, a sadness that cut deep not just for the deeds he may have done, but those of others that he once called colleagues, or maybe even friends .. nothing concerned the Lady of the Frostvatn other than her home land. Aewen stood back and watched the three play with the hare, that particular family had been living in the forest for ages past, the two white hare ancestry to their forefathers and mothers just as men and Aelvar had. And they had just as much right to the place as those that deem themselves above them.

"Come, the eve is fast approaching", she would interrupt them gently so they may all rejoin their village. As much trust was placed in her hands by the King of the Valkyri as she had done so with him.

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She giggled, "I am pleased to hear that but you are right Silver Foot loves them". Iounn sat back watching them both, when she heard his tummy rumbling as if there was a monster inside it. "What do you eat?", she suddenly asked, after all this was the first time she had ever met a person that was not Aelvar and had no idea of them. "Are you going to grow up all big and hairy like them, the others?". And at this moment, the biggest of them all joined them, the King.

Iounn turned to find her mother who only smiled to reassure her daughter. Deep down Iounn was delighted that her friend would be joining them for the celebrations and so a smile grew on her lips as Thrand thought it a great idea. "Hello", she said back still a little tentative around the biggest of them all but when he reached out his hand for her to take and spoke with gentle words, she placed her hand in his very large one and she was about to recite the royal greeting but decided that was not needed.

"My name is Iounn. It is nice to meet you Thhyrian", she was not sure what to call him really, mother would insist on using protocol but he seemed most relaxed about that sort of thing. The truth was Iounn struggled with the pronunciation of the 'th's which would come out of her mouth a little longer then required. At this moment mother urged them all away.

They would enter deeper into the woodland realm, curious eyes would turn to see the the men that now walk among them with their Queen by their side. All would turn to bow to her as she passed before returning to their duties or chores.

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[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

The king looked over at his son with a smirk. "With any luck he'll take after his mother in the looks department," he told the little princess before ruffling the boy's already unkempt white hair. "Don't you worry, little snowflake." Soon after the Aelvar Queen appeared as well, and bid her guests to follow. Thyrian was the first to rise, and promptly picked his son off the ground to stand on his feet, white hare carried in his arms. A quick brushing off Thrand's tunic and trousers to rid them of any dirt and leaves, and they were off.

Thrand walked beside Ióunn as they journeyed through the woods away from the curtain of fog, both hands busy carrying the hare safely while at the same time wishing he had a spare to hold hers. Thyrian brought up the rear, remaining close behind the two little ones with a reassuring hand resting upon he lad's shoulder.

Soon they found themselves having reached civilisation in the form of exquisitely designed buildings and infrastructure, constructed as if having sprung from the rocks and trees themselves. Valkyri and even Beorni craftmanship did not possess such levels of intricacy when it came to patterns and ornaments, and everything was graceful and delicate. As the inhabitants were made aware of the two strangers accompanying their Lady, they began lining the woodland paths making up their streets, paying their respects to their ruler while also getting a closer look at the round-eared ones.

Silver Foot remained calm in Thrand's arms, but the same could not be said for the boy himself. "Papa, why are they all staring," he asked out of confusion. Thyrian didn't know what to tell his son that would provide sufficient answer. "We are strangers in their land, the first in history," he settled on. "And... they probably think we look weird," he added, looking down at him and gently tugging at the lad's ear with a soft smile. While this eased Thrand's mind a bit, Thyrian decided to keep an arm around him as they walked side by side.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

Walking beside her friend Thrand, Ióunn could not help but hear his father speak of why her people were staring and she giggled. Yet, curiosity got the better of her now and she slowly raised her hand to touch Thrand’s ear as well before finding her own to feel the difference between the two. It felt the same as her own, just without the pointy bit but his ears were cute nonetheless. “I do suppose you do look weird, but you are big too”, she added looking up into Thyrian’s face addressing him. From her point of view he looked to all the world to be as big as the trees themselves.

The small group lead by her mother traversed many a bridge that cut through the village until they reached the main courtyard in the center of it, already many Aelvar had gathered to take up the best spots to view the coming celebrations and line the grasses around the main pole that would form a part of the dance in which Ióunn would participate. The pole was a cross with two circles hanging from it and festooned with flowers and green vine of Midvinter. The smell of foods lingered on the air, and soon would be placed on the long tables for all to eat but not before the Queen would open the celebrations.

Ióunn was a little sad this day, for her father would not be here to see and join them for he was away north, very far north with the rangers and unbeknownst to Ióunn he was scouting the area known to most of Midvinter as Vinterbound. The forests in Vinterbound was dead, as was the lake, such a sad sight to see to any one let alone the Aelvar who hold nature in their hearts. Father was there to see if the forests and lake could be healed.

Word had spread quickly through the forest that there would be men here this eventide, some of the Elders had not liked the idea of this, it was a sudden decision by the Queen to have invited them without discussion, but Aewen had never once put the Aelvar in danger and so they would look on with interest as much as the children that now gathered around the group walking alongside them all and could not keep their eyes off both Thrand and Thyrian. But one look from the Queen would have them disperse and find their parents.

The Queen Aewen led Thyrian, Thrand and her daughter up onto the main platform. “Gentle Aelvar of the Woodland Realm, tonight we celebrate the turn of the season on the eventide of midsummer. For above us the Sun has blessed our forest once more and provide much abundance of gifts that will see us through the coming vinter. It is turn not only of the season but of great fortune”, she turned to nod her head in grace to the King of Realm of Men.

“For the wisdom of the Frostvatn has decreed a visitation of the King of Men, Lord and King Thyrian Hearthfire first of his name and his son, Prince Thrand Heartfire, first born and heir apparent, to grace us with their presence for this our celebration”, Aewen stepped forward with her arms slowly raising, “For on this day we have pledge a peace between the Aelvar and Men so that when the turn of darkness falls upon our home Midvinter we will stand together and fight it as brothers and sisters of the Realm of Midvinter”. She lowered her arms but in so doing offered Thyrian to step forward and speak to her people.

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[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

When Ióunn then reached up to touch his ear Thrand giggled and squirmed a bit from the tickling sensation. He looked to her own ears, pointed and foreign to him, but he did not reach for them. They looked perfect the way they are and he did not wish to ruin the picture by touching them. Instead he shot the princess a boyish grin as he felt more comfortable having all these strange beings staring at him. Father keeping close helped a lot too.

Now led unto the platform overlooking the rows of long tables, Thrand got a bit of a stage fright and quickly hid behind his father's leg, peeking out from the side towards all the seated people. Once introduced, Thyrian stepped forth with Thrand in tow. "I, uh... Thank you, Lady Aewen, for showing me and my boy such great hospitality. I am truly stunned by the beauty and serenity of this place, and to me it is no wonder why you've chosen to remain elusive. Protecting one's home should be everyone's chief concern."

By now little Thrand came more into view and stood in front of his father, not really knowing what to do with his hands. Meanwhile Thyrian's hands rested upon his son's shoulders. "This is my boy, Thrand. It was his namesake that perished defending his home, and now blesses each day with his light and warmth. I believe our two peoples share many beliefs, the same notions of honour and courage, and it is my belief that the Valkyri and Beorni alike would accept you walking among them as brothers. You should not have to hide from the wonders of this world, for it is your home as much as ours."

Thrand turned his head to look up at the towering form of his father, and the king leaned down to place a kiss upon his forehead. "We are here as honoured guests for this grand feast, and now we would like to offer the same courtesy. All of you are invited to come visit the city of Tháinbroek, so that we may see that we are not so different. All of us are children of Midvinter." With that, Thyrian bowed and Thrand mimicked the motion. Once finished, the lad turned around to bury his face into his father's thigh, hiding away where he felt safe. Thyrian plucked the boy off the ground and settled him against his chest, resting him effortlessly on one arm. Thrand cupped his hands around his lips and whispered something to him.

"My son informs me that all this delicious-looking food is making him hungry," he added with a chuckle.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​