Private Passing of the Torch

[Thibbi Hearthfire]

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Caer Amleth, the Heart of Elvendom

They set out early the next morning, a party of six destined for the elven capital. Mother led the way, clad in her cloak of leaves and prodding the ground ahead of her using her walking staff, checking for marshland or hidden burrows to avoid. Thibbi and Thebba followed, paying more attention to their four-footed furry friends accompanying them. The pups seemed happy to be let out into the wilds again, hesitant though they were to stride too far from the group.

Thibbi, as ever, would hold his sister by the hand while keeping an eye on the black pup frolicking amongst bushes and flowers alongside its siblings. As the capital beckoned, the unbridled nature eased off in favour of far more symbiotic, idyllic vistas. Towers and spires appeared against green, mist-laden mountains framing the scene in the distance. Then, the most outstanding feature in all of Averlorn:

The Frostvatn - an eternally frozen lake considered sacred by the Aelvar, as it was the source of their magic and the reason life thrived so within their enchanted forest. A Nexus of the Force dwelled within, brimming with unfathomable power only the Lady of the Lake could fully harness. Queen Ióunn was the young ruler of Averlorn, burdened with unlocking her mastery of the Frostvatn, while her King-Consort commanded her armies as was tradition. The King-Consort was none other than Thrand of House Hearthfire, the firstborn son of the Phoenix King himself.

As the party entered the capital, Kära felt secure enough to let down her guard. Hers was a face known to the Aelvar, as were her children.

"Lady Hearthfire," a palace guard greeted them in the common tongue with a respectful bow of his helmeted head. "I am honoured to receive thee."

"My thanks," the aged woman replied, somewhat perplexed. "I'm here to see my son, might I rely on you for directions?"

"Your visit was foretold," he said, turning sideways to point the way. "Through that archway and into the grove ahead. They are expecting you."

Thibbi plucked the black pup into his arms, receiving a lick on his lips. He shared a look with his sister, one of anticipation mixed with a healthy dose of confusion. "They?"

Thebba Hearthfire

 

[Thebba Hearthfire]

As they made their way through the forest, the twins hand in hand, Thebba's attention was drawn to the little red pup that was just about keeping up with its kin. It had been a difficult night in truth, she had woken several times despite her exhaustion, paralyzed with fear that the little thing had not made it. She was more than grateful when dawn came and he was still snuffling around, and after hand feeding him again his strength seemed to blossom.

Enough that she did not have to worry about carrying him.

They lingered close by, almost underfoot without being too much of a trip hazard, and as they frolicked and jumped about, delving into the underbrush to chase an insect or pawing at one another, her heart soared.

Eventually she even managed to lift her head, to observe their surroundings as they came closer to the capital. She couldn't really remember the last time she had seen it, so her breath was caught in awe as it unfolded before them. Given that they were entering a populated area, she paused long enough to scoop up white and red, just as her brother had done with his own, nestling them close in her arms.​

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While mother and the guard spoke, Ebbie hid behind her brother. Her eyes were wide and not necessarily distrustful but certainly wary and fretful. While she was quick to warm up to animals, other people were still an unknown to her. One hand reached out to gently grasp at his sleeve, the other keeping the babies close.​

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Thebba was just as confused as Thibbi by this enigmatic 'they', and her grip of him only tightened.​

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Mother wouldn't lead them into danger, she had to trust that much.

Thibbi Hearthfire ​

 

[Thibbi Hearthfire]

Thibbi petted the pup in his arms as they followed Mother through the archway and into the small grove, a clearing surrounded by trees and a babbling brook adding to the serene scenery. Rays of the sun pierced through openings in the thick canopies high above; small beams of light at first, then growing wider as they stepped towards the centre of the grove. The soft melody of a wooden flute made the pup's ears perk up, and so Thibbi put him down, watching as he trotted ahead with a wag of his tail.

As the mysterious piper came into view, Thibbi looked at his sister with a rare grin before taking off, running past their mother towards a massive tree. There, sat upon its vast roots, was a man fully grown and clad in the finest of elven attire though he was not of their kind, fingers deftly playing the flute to create the most hopeful of music. Here the sun shone the brightest, casting its blessing down on he who was named after the king-turned-god. White was his long hair, blindingly so when basking in the early midday sun, all while leaning against the root there was the two-handed greatsword last wielded by his namesake, resting in its scabbard.

Intent on pouncing his eldest brother when he was not looking, Thibbi found himself coming to a stop mere feet away when he realised who it was Thrand was playing for. It wasn't intended as a greeting to expected visitors, but rather as a lullaby to a small babe resting in an elaborately carved cradle while all bundled up in the softest furs.

The tune reached its natural conclusion, and as he gently set aside his flute, Thrand turned to acknowledge the arrival of his closest family. He grabbed both twins and placed them on either knee, holding them tightly. "How I've missed the two of you, my Sun and Moon," he said gladly, having to downplay his giddiness for fear of waking the slumbering babe.

The eldest felt his mother's hand grasping his shoulder, looking down at her pride and joy with tears in her eyes. "He's perfect," she leaned down to whisper past his ear before placing a lingering kiss upon his bearded cheek. Her first grandchild.

Thebba Hearthfire

 

[Thebba Hearthfire]

As they approached the grove, Thebba clung to Thibbi and the pups she held against her chest. The music was hauntingly beautiful, it held an ethereal quality, and when the black pup was set down to happily chart a course around the trees she noticed the joy he too took from it. With Thib's hand soon slipping from hers, as he raced forward to the music's source, Thebba sank to her knees and allowed her two pups their freedom too. Little white raced on ahead, but red?​

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Red crawled back to her. She took him up, held him close, and then approached her oldest brother.​

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It took Thibbi's sudden halting for Thebba's own pace to pick up. What had caused him to cease his mischievous pounce? She arrived last even so, behind her mother, and when she peered past them to the bundle of joy an audible gasp escaped her lips. Her brilliant green eyes were wide and misty, and the next blink brought with it tears of elation and joy.​

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"Is he yours?" she asked, even as she was pulled up into his lap. Nestling in close, she breathed in her brother's scent and wrapped an arm around him, careful not to squish red in the process. "He's so tiny" she said, wiggling in excitement and acknowledgement of just how adorable the little thing was, and just how excited she was to see him.​

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"Oh, I loves him" she added, still peering down at the babe while embracing brother and pup.​

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Thibbi Hearthfire ​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

"He is," the eldest spoke with the pride of a first-time father, beaming a smile down at his baby sister before kissing her head. "His name is Elessar. It means 'starlight'," he explained, looking up at his mother. Though he did not require her approval, he wished for it all the same. Kära nodded her approval, then approached the cradle with tentative steps. "May I?" This time Thrand nodded.

The mother's experienced handling of newborn babies was put on display as she managed to lift the napping child from his resting place without effort, all without causing the slightest squirming. She cradled him for a bit, studying his wrinkly face and hairless head, then approached the twins happily clinging to their biggest brother.

"Ibbie, Ebbie, meet your little nephew."

Kära presented the bundle of joy to the pair, close enough to touch. Thibbi was hesitant, not wishing to do something wrong and wake him, though finally settled on running his fingers along the infant's plump cheek. "Hi, Ellie," he whispered, utterly enthralled by the moment. Allowing the twins the time to greet the wee one, Kära looked to her eldest.

"The palace guard informed us you'd been expecting us," she steered the conversation towards the nature of their visit. Thrand smirked. "Such is the nature of my queen," he explained. "Ióunn has come far in her mastery of the Frostvatn. She may not be all-knowing, but she's learned to see what others cannot and predicted your arrival three days ago. You're a bit early, though; she did state you'd arrive at noon, so I'll have to deduct a point for inaccuracy," he chuckled.

Arms around his siblings, Thrand slid off the root of the tree and lowered the two to the ground. He knelt and kissed Thebba on the cheek and Thibbi on the forehead before hugging them properly. "You two need to stop growing so fast," he lamented, recalling a time when he could one of them on each arm.

Peering over their shoulders, the look Mother gave him told him all he needed to know; this wasn't a simple courtesy call. Rising to his full height, easily rivalling that of his father's lineage, Thrand picked up the man-sized blade of his forebears and swung the scabbard over his shoulder. "Come, we'll speak more at the palace. I take it this troop of fluffy friends belong to you," he gave his sister a ruffle of her snow-touched hair, the same as his, referring to the trio of pups in their care.

Thebba Hearthfire

 

[Thebba Hearthfire]

"Starlight" the young girl echoed, "little star." Sun, Moon, Star, they were a veritable sky, both night and day, and each radiated in their own right. Ebbie watched as her mother took up the babe, stroking red's forehead in the process. There was an eagerness to her now, that nervous shyness done away with in favour of anticipation. In her shoes her toes wiggled, and in Thrand's lap she bounced lightly.

Then the little bundle of joy was brought before her, and her breath caught in her throat to see him up close. ​

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"C-Can I?" she asked, even as Thib reached out to stroke his little cheeks. Permission fast granted, she reached for one of his tiny hands and felt him cling to her finger. "He's strong" she declared, not that there had been any doubt in her mind to that. "Aren't you, little star?"

While the adults talked, her attention was focused solely on the babe. She was studying him the way she did the animals she encountered, setting his face to memory. The tiny dimples in his otherwise pudgy cheeks, the tiny button nose, and the slope of his forehead. Every part of him was perfect.

It took Thrand lifting them up and setting them to the ground for her attention to shift. The warm hug was welcome, and she buried herself into his chest in response. Urged into motion, Thebba leaned down and scooped the white pup back up to settle against red and then peered up at her big brother proudly.​

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"We rescued them" she said, "well... Thib did, really." He'd been the one to chase off the Frir after all. As for whose they were, she only half nodded.​

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"These two are, but I think the other has claimed brothie." She looked to Thib then, smiling sheepishly. "Thinks you're his mama" she whispered.

Thibbi Hearthfire ​

 

[Thibbi Hearthfire]

Thibbi looked down at the black pup happily panting and wagging its tail. He'd never been an animal person; certainly not nearly to the extent of his twin sister who'd sacrifice everything if it'd save one more woodland creature. His exposure to wildlife rested solely on his single-minded desire to keep his sister safe. For him to adopt an animal of his own had never once crossed his mind.

As he plucked the little furball off the ground, it extended its neck to touch noses with its white sibling similarly held by Thebba. He was looking out for his sister too. "I'll take care of him," the words leaked out of him like a solemn vow that couldn't be contained. Having finally claimed ownership of him, he immediately found handling the pup a great deal easier.

He then felt the large hand of his older brother squeezing his shoulder as Thrand accompanied the group back the way they'd come, through the archway towards the palace. Kära still clutched her grandson to her bosom, having reawakened her maternal instinct.

Passing the same guard that had directed them towards the grove, they proceeded up the steps into the palace itself. Having never been, Thibbi gazed up at the ceiling to find birds of every colour imaginable nesting among the boughs forming the roof, chirping and singing a plethora of melodies finer than any musical instrument could produce. The floor was of polished stone, and stained-glass windows cast their colourful likenesses in the reflection.

"Come, this way to my study," Thrand guided the three, passing noble dignitaries and ministers along the way. "I'm afraid you've missed Ióunn; she set out with a retinue for Beornstead last night for the annual Midvinter Moot. I asked her to send our regards to Uncle Thurion when she sees him. Normally I would have gone too, but the road is no place for a newborn. Besides, we already knew of your coming."

Turning left down the hall, they entered a rather simple room by Aelvar standards. Shelves lined the walls, displaying a wide array of memorabilia; war trophies, various mementoes, and even a portrait of him and his wife painted by Cousin Nina as a wedding gift. On his desk were an assortment of books and letters.

"Make yourselves at home! Just put your things wherever," he invited, propping his sword up on the mantelpiece. Thrand then knelt and, with merely a caress of the log in the fireplace, caused it to erupt into flames.

Thebba Hearthfire

 

[Thebba Hearthfire]

Though it took a moment for the words to come, Thebba could tell that her brother did not actually hesitate in taking up the role of guardian for the pup. The words slipped out so effortlessly, and with such solemnity, that her breath caught in her throat.​

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Thank you her mind brushed over his, more a feeling than a statement shared between the twins.​

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One of her hands fell into Thibbi's, the other clutching her two babes close, and as they came upon the Palace itself the girl's eyes widened with awe. Her head lifted to take it all in, the many coloured and shaped birds in the canopy overtop, the bright and welcoming space, with its crystal rainbow glass, and the people... So many people. ​

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Thebba felt a little intimidated by them in truth, she clung closer to her brothers and tried to stay out of sight. She wasn't good with strangers, much less so many of them. As a result, it was quite the relief when they came upon the much humbler study.​

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The girl studied the walls, the shelves lined with long earned possessions and beautiful portraits. And books... so many books! Mother had worked hard to ensure they could read, and though their little homestead had shelves of books too she'd never seen so many in one place.​

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When the door was closed she set down her pups and urged them to rest on the rug. Both were tired, they'd had a long day of adventuring already, and they nestled up together and howled for their brother. Once together again, the trio bundled up and slept.​

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Ebbie's eyes however fixed themselves upon the fireplace as it suddenly sputtered into life with just the smallest of caresses. She took a half step back, looking to Thibbi to see if he had seen it too. Was that something they were capable of? Her heart leapt into her throat at the thought.​

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Soon she was sat in a seat, which she shuffled along on and patted for Thib to join her. She needed her brothie now more than ever, there was so many unknowns around her.

Thibbi Hearthfire ​

 

[Thibbi Hearthfire]

Thibbi had noticed the same as his sister, that their brother had created fire through mere touch. It was not an ability known to either sibling nor that the eldest child of the Phoenix King possessed the very same power. Still staring at the fireplace and their brother, he sat down next to Thebba to put his arm around her. There was fear and excitement in equal measure, for a new world appeared to open up before them.

"How did you..."

Thrand stood and faced the twins, casting his emerald eyes at Mother. She met his gaze with that imperious look he'd grown up knowing back in Tháinbroek all those years ago. She nodded, and he knew then there was no postponing it any further; innocence would be unmade this day, and he was saddened by his role in unmaking it.

He knelt before them where they sat, resting a hand on their shoulders and looking them in the eye with all the love and empathy his heart could muster.

"Ebbie, Ibbie... You were too young to know our father the way Theryn and I did. He had these... powers, unlike any I've ever seen. He could create and manipulate the element of fire as if it were a part of his very being." He then presented his open palm as a lone bright flame appeared, warm and gentle. "I was at your age when I discovered I'd inherited the same abilities, and I spent years learning to master them."

Thibbi was mesmerised, even feeling brave enough to reach out and run his fingers through his brother's flame only to find it would do him no harm. "It tickles," he smiled softly. Thrand chuckled as the flame was extinguished.

"You have these powers too, as I believe you've recently discovered. They may take different forms, but they all stem from Father's blood. You will need to learn to control them, as I have. It'll take much discipline and determination, and, above all, it'll take time. If you'll let me, I will be your guide."

Their mother spoke now, still cradling their infant nephew.

"I know this must all be frightening, but we only want what's best for you. To undergo training is the only way you'll be able to lead normal lives, or you may end up hurting others. So, what say you?"

Thebba Hearthfire

 

[Thebba Hearthfire]

Thib's arm wrapped around her, and soon her head was settled upon his shoulder. Her eyes however remained fixed upon Thrand, following him about the room as he rose up from the fire, glanced to their mother, and then approached them. He looked so sad. Thebba reached out a hand and placed it in one of his until he knelt down and engulfed their shoulders each in one of his mighty paws.​

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Not for the first time in the past day's worth of hours, their Father was spoken about. It was a rare occurrence indeed, for their mother's grief was so strong that she would not, could not, speak on him, and the twins had very little exposure with others beyond her. Certainly none who would speak on their Father with any true understanding.​

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If any had stories to regale, however, it would be Thrand.​

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Thebba took in all that she could, sifting through her brother's words to steal at anecdotes and traits to try and paint a better picture of the Late High King in her mind.​

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A man of fire... and as with the logs in the hearth, Thrand so effortlessly demonstrated the legacy he had left behind in their blood by conjuring up a simple flame within his palm. Ever the more daring of the pair, Thib was quick to run his fingers through it. She half jumped when he did, trying to pull his hand back, only he said that it tickled. It did not burn him.​

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Taking his hand, she turned it over this way and that before staring at the spark. Then, following his lead, she dipped her fingertips through it too. No pain, just... a tingling sensation.​

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As Thrand finished his explanation, and Mother spoke up too, a heavy realization set within the girl.​

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"We're not going home, are we?" she whispered, looking from her Mother to her eldest brother. Suddenly her eyes were aflood with tears. "I don't want to hurts anyone" she said, "never, never, ever..." Thebba looked around the room again, it was almost as big as their little forest home was. Just one room amidst countless others.​

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She quickly wiped at her eyes before those tears could fall, then looked to Thib. "What do we do?" she whispered, believing foolishly that only he could hear her quiet words.​

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Thibbi Hearthfire ​