The Lion and the Red Wolf Fair [Ylva]

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Ohh," he smiled at her question, becoming swept up in reminiscence. "It was quite incredible. As a kid all I ever knew were the slums of Pelagon, and suddenly I had an entire galaxy to see. And I have done my share of seeing and experiencing strange new worlds, too many recount for you here and now." He rubbed his bearded chin, remembering each and every one. "Once my training to become a Jedi Knight was deemed complete, I set out amongst the stars with nothing but a ship and the clothes on my back. By that time the Republic had long since fallen, and the Jedi were in disarray. No order to report back to, you see," he added with a wink.

"Being and Jedi out there, you meet people. Good and bad. You learn truths about yourself you never would otherwise, and you learn truths about the state of the galaxy as a whole. Lots of people believe firmly in power; military might, monetary wealth, religious influence. I learned to believe in people, individuals. These things I mentioned would all crumble into nothingness without the support and efforts of the everyday folk. They are the ones holding the powers of darkness at bay, through simple acts of kindness and love." He realised he got lost in his own words and turned to Ylva with a smile.

"That was my motivation to stay in the fight, so to speak. It's so easy to give into feelings of futility; what am I fighting for, why am I wasting energy on this? You need a strong motivator to offer anything more than a feeble struggle in life in general. Today, my motivator is the woman I have shared a bed with for decades. My sons and daughters. My grandchildren. My family. Just as I gave rise to all of them, I would not be same man I am today without all of you." He placed a hand upon hers, as if to say thank you. By now the family of gryphons had curled up into a ball and were soundly asleep. One of the cubs' hind leg twitched, indicating the little one was having a dream.

"What say we leave them to it, hm?" he whispered, trying his best not to russle the hay too much as he rose to his feet made for the stairs. For a brief moment he stumbled in his step and had to lean against the handrail to catch his breath. "I'm alright," he told her before she could voice her concerns. "Just... give me a moment." After a few deep breaths he was able to resume the descent, until once more the light of day fell upon them. "What time is it," he voiced his first thought aloud. "I'd say some lunch is long overdue."

[member="Ylva Heavenshield"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Ylva listened as Thurion spoke of his upbringing within the Jedi Order, his experience and learnings over the years prior to the becoming of House Heavenshield. Becoming a Jedi Knight hadn't yet become an ambition of hers, for she had scarcely discussed with [member="Coci Heavenshield"] what the completion of her training would look like. Life as a Force User for Ylva was a personal one and seemed to be much more confined to family and the single world of Midvinter when the Dawnguard themselves weren't involved...-And frankly, that was more often than not given Ylva's difficulty in trusting and confiding in others. For the time being she didn't intend to speak upon their differences, or reply at all for that matter, until after Thurion had suggested they leave the Gryphons to rest.

It was however in his climbing to his feet, that Thurion lost them and Ylva snatched out to catch him by the wrist in case he were to fall. "I'm alright. Just... give me a moment." he cautioned her, though would be met with something of a stoic and almost protective glare, the look that his Son so often found himself victimized by during times where his confidence oft distracted him from his wiser judgement that ought to be seeing eye-to-eye with her. Still, she let go of his arm, not wanting to push the man for he had lived a long good life and had done more than enough to earn the right to carry himself. The act had been something of an instinctive and caring one, of surprise even so to herself as she rarely went so far ahead as to impose upon others with such a will. "Just take it easy would you.." Ylva replied under her breath, skepticism vivid in her words, they which would be audible for her father's hearing.

When the pair of them would leave the tower and step back out into the light of Midvinter's Sun, Ylva turned to look back to Thurion as he mentioned the hour encouraging the mid-day's meal. "Come then, I'll walk you home" she agreed, nodding to further add weight to the sentiment of agreement. She didn't expect that he would have tired of her company as of yet, however the offer left room for the two to part once they'd arrived, should that so be his desire. For the time being however, they had a bit of a trek back and she remained curious about the life of a Jedi he had lived, and what that meant for everything beyond Midvinter's skies.

"Do you ever miss it, being out there with the rest of your people...-The Jedi, I mean. Midvinter's always going to be your home" she corrected herself with a knowing smile.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

When his daughter offered to walk him home Thurion smiled softly, gently grasping her by the arm just as a means to steady himself in his step in case of another attack. That last one just now had been one of the milder sort, yet still strong enough to make him stumble, and he could not allow himself to be seen so weakened in front of his people. Next to the High King over at Tháinbroek, he was well aware so many looked to himself for guidance and he would not let them down by appearing a frail old man, even though that was very much how he felt these days.

"Thank you, Child." Ylva's next question had him give his beard a good scratch as he pondered an answer. "Sometimes, perhaps. Were I a younger man with the same zeal to fight the malevolent forces found aplenty out there." He stared off a bit, only to shake the thoughts from his mind. "But no. My place is here, on the world of my ancestors. I have never looked back once we got settled here, away from the hustle and bustle of galactic politics and wargames. We did our good share, Coci and I, and we are proud of our service to the Order. There are better, abler men and women in charge now."

Not taking the same route as they came, Thurion showed her the way back onto the main streets, foregoing dirt roads for cobblestone. There was a pause in their conversation, where he simply delighted in his daughter's company. However, there were grim words on his lips he felt compelled to share with her.

"These wounds," he spoke, wishing to confide in Ylva as they wandered the streets back towards his homestead. "I believe the Crone cursed me when she inflicted them. I can feel myself slowly fading away, poisoned and driven to madness." They were terrifying words to hear uttered aloud, even by his own tongue. "Until now, only Coci knows of the state I'm in. I haven't told Théo..." He halted in his step, prompting her to do the same before offering her a look carved in stone. "...and I do not wish him to know. Not until I decide the time is right." In this matter he was adamant.

Their walk resumed. "You must understand; I do not keep this from him out of pride or spite. Him learning of my condition would shatter his world a second time. You didn't see him after the passing of his grandfather, how a young boy was filled with such grief. And... I want him to enjoy the world the two of you have built a while longer."

[member="Ylva Heavenshield"]​