The Song of Midvinter Morn [Nina Heavenshield]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Home.​

​

A Curious Boy is Mister Théo Heavenshield. No snow, no cold weather, would ever stop his sense of adventure, not here on his home planet. There is simply to much to do, to much to explore and to much to learn. His appetite for knowledge of the Valkyri, great. His love for them, greater. The family does not often visit, the rigors of mother and father's work keeps them away, but Théo knows that if they could they would remain on Midvinter. But Théo has a small part of Midvinter with him at all times, a small pouch of Midvinter soil, kept hidden within the folds of his robes. This is his connection to Midvinter when he is away, it gives him the ability to connect to it's Life, a constant that reminds him of who he is, although he does not have to go far to find a connection, all he has to do is look into his father's face and there it is.


Every morn, before the sun graces the sky, the song of Midvinter rings out across the continent, from the capital to the small village, the song awakes the Valkyri. It is song of the forge, as smith puts hammer to anvil and folds the metal into magic.

​

​

Théo was no different, he had awoken to the song, the curious chinking, repeated, as if a heart beat of the planet, set his mind racing and his heart matched to rhythm. After breakfast within the grand hall, he would go find the smith. But for now he enjoyed the company of his family as they broke fast with breads, meats and fruits of the forests. His grand father sitting at the head of the table, regaling stories of his youth long ago and before his exile. Théo listened with a keen ear, wanting to know everything about his bloodline, it sadden him in a way as he realised he could not meet Thand's father. His eyes shifted over to his own father, sitting quietly next to his wife, there was a sadness on his face too and Théo wondered if he was thinking the same.

Mother fussed as usual, making sure he and his sisters had enough to eat, fussed over father the same way. Théo loves her dearly, so different is she when Jedi, but with her family, she is absolute love.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He began to play with what remained of his food. Pushing it with his fork and resting his head on a crooked arm, his mind has wandered, thinking about the day and wanting to go and find the forge. His eyes lifted, distracted by the giggles of his sisters, grand father pulling faces as he illustrated his story through his expressions, Théo smiled. Although he loves them dearly, at times Théo feeling detached from his sisters, maybe it is simply because they are girls or that they are older or maybe it is that they are not blood. He could not really understand it, but he wished he had a brother. He has a friend in Zak, his best friend in fact, but it is not the same as having kin.

Théo pushed his plate away, the final declaration before he would go. The family has all but finished their meals as well and began to move off to one of the small, more comfortable family rooms to the side of the grand hall. He began to follow them, but stopped and called to his grand father.

"Grand Papa, I think I will go for a walk, I promise not to go far", he told him. His grand father considered his grandson for a moment before giving consent, but with the added assurance that someone would accompany him. His grand father knew full well the mind of a boy, especially this boy and added that if Théo was not back in the grand hall by mid day he would send the guards looking for him and shut down the capital. It was a threat, one to press the point and to put a slight fear in Théo mind. It worked, to a point. Théo looked up to his grand father, so tall and large just like Papa. There is a resemblance in that face to his father's, Théo noticing it for the first time and he wondered what his father would look like with long hair. He like the long hair of the Valkyri and he decided then to grow his own.

"I promise I will be back by mid day", he grinned, before turning and running down the length of the grand hall and out the large double doors.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

With arms raised by his side, Théo bounced down each step leading down from the grand hall. Once again he had forgotten his pelt to keep him warm, but the young never seem to feel the cold, not when there is adventure afoot. Besides, he seemed to be adjusting to the climate, more quickly, and with this growing body, Théo stands much taller by comparison to other boys his age. It is his heritage, his blood line .. he is Valkyri. His physical strength has developed along side his growth, more stronger and sturdy and able to lift weight with ease, within his capacity of age.

He rounded the side of the grand hall, as he passed his eyes looked over the artistry of the building. Tall it stands on a stone base, tall trunks of trees hold up the main structure on the outside, the walls thick with wooden planks cut from a different tree he did not know, but the colour of which lighter. The eves and the edges that overhang from the tiled roof carved with Valkyri symbols, and at the top crossed over are the guardians and totems.

Théo stopped noticing a colour that had once adorned the wood, a faded blue, it appeared to be to his eyes, and he thought he caught a hint of gold flashing in the what little sunlight there is this day. He supposed that the grand hall had once been painted in the royal colours of his fathers Standard.

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

"Maybe you should go with your brother. Keep him out of trouble?"

Nina turned her head to look up at her father, who placed a tiny kiss upon her pale forehead. She smiled at the tickling of his beard against her soft skin and gave him a nod in response. Scraping what little food there was left off her plate and scooping it into her mouth, she slipped off the bench they were sat on. She walked around the long table to give both her parents and grandfather a kiss on the cheek before collecting her furs. Noticing her brother had forgotten his as usual, she brought them with her as well.

It didn't take long for her to find her little brother; he had not gone far in such short amount of time, and currently stood marvelling over the Valkyri architecture. Nina had been to Midvinter more times than her brother, so she had already taken in the awe-inspiring sights of Tháinbroek. Not to say she was not impressed each time they'd enter this grand city. "Théo," she spoke into his mind upon taking him by the hand. "You keep forgetting to put on your furs. You're going to catch a cold, or worse." She began fussing over him as she is prone to do, making sure the fur stayed on properly when draped over him. There was a hat too, but she knew he'd never wear it.

"Dad told me to keep you safe, so that's what I'm going to do."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Besieged! That is what Théo is. But deep down he did not mind, in fact he loves his sisters very much. Especially Nina, she is always there for him in the times that Théo needs a gentle touch and a kind word. But still she fusses, like he is still a baby and he guessed it would always be this way. He did not protest as Nina placed the fur around his body and secured it in place, however, he eyed the hat and before she would even deem to place it on his head, Théo pulled up the hood and grinned.

He took her hand once more, his gentle fingers finding hers and he turned his gaze to the grand hall once more and nodded for her to look. With his spare hand he pointed to the blue and gold inset within the wooden as if he was showing her something for the first time. Our colours? he asked her having learned telepathy when communicating with her.

But before she could replied, he tugged her hand and moved along the street toward the trade area of the capital. Did you hear it? did you hear the sound of the forge this morning? I wonder what the Smith is crafting today...

Théo looked into NIna's face, his own etched with excitement at the prospects of discovering something new. Maybe we will see him make a sword!

The two children walked hard on the dirt street, dodging carts and Valkyri as they filed into the trade quarters of the city. The air is thick with business and many of the sellers calling out to advertise their wares, enticing people to come look and buy. Far too enticing to Théo, and he hoped would be for Nina as well. Girls like shopping! or at least looking, he pointed to one stall that was adorned with trinkets made from metal. Small intricate pieces of jewelry, set with small stones polished and entwined within the thin encasement of shinning metal. He did not know what the stones or gems are or the metal but he wondered if Nina like them.

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Nina noted the worn colours her brother was pointing at. "They used to be more colourful back when I was not much older than you," she remarked, then turned back to her brother. "You don't have to use telepathy, Théo. I can understand you speaking normally." She figured since having more or less taught him the skill herself purely by exposure to her innate talents, that he simply enjoyed the opportunity to show off, which was fine. She just didn't want to be a bother, having to strain his young mind to simply talk to her.

Théo then proceeded to drag her off towards the market, bustling with people as always. She was never a fan of large crowds, much less one comprised of people three times her size, but father asked her to look after her brother and so would follow him wherever he'd go. "I don't think we should be out here alone," she said, more so in general than directed at Théo. Her hesitation eased up somewhat when he showed her the stand showcasing all the jewelry, however; while not a materialistic girl by any means, she did still enjoy the inherent beauty of precious stones and metals.

She very carefully picked one up just to feel the weight in the palm of her hand. It was heavier than it looked! The owner of the stall noted her surprise and chuckled, prompting Nina to put the trinket back in its place. Biting her lip, she tugged at Théo sleeve for him to follow. "Let's go find that smithy so we can get back to the others."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He had just gotten used to it is all, showing off indeed! But he was very pleased she had relaxed more, the stalls with the sparkling gems had done the trick, to a point. But boy she needs to loosen up and get out more. Well, that IS Théo job!, or at least that is what he was thinking, Nina might not agree, but he did not care. In fact, he cared very greatly for her. Fine! he will speak .. normal. "Nina?, we will be alright, father would not let you come and find me if he did not think we would be safe". He squeezed her hand gently for further reassurance.

Théo noticed her interest in the jewelry, not materialistic she may well be, but one day Théo will gift her something made from the precious stones of this fair Midvinter. One day when he has the ability to be able to do so.

He let out a sigh, Nina is so unused to such crowds and bustling, not that she had not seen it before this, but still it set his mind to worry about her. "Alright, we will go", he said and took her hand once more. Such a timid thing, but one of the many qualities that he loves about her. Théo led her away from the crowds and into a small street. The sound of the blacksmith became audible and as they rounded the corner, the long house stood in view. Out side, stands a man shirtless and rippling with muscles, a film of sweat coating his body from his labour and as he raised his arm once more to bring it down upon the anvil, Théo's eyes widened and he gasped.

The sound vibrated through his body, the hammer struck the metal sending sparks flying as it impacted with the glowing sword. For some odd reason, Théo pulled Nina to the side and hide them both behind a large barrel and peeked over the top of it to watch more. The sight although intriguing and awe inspiring, was also intimidating. Now THAT, is a Valkyri.

"You think I might look like that one day?", he whispered to his Nina, but it was more him thinking out loud.

​

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]​

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Théo's fascination with the blacksmith was beyond her; she was not as attuned to all aspects of the Valkyri as her brother. Nina was not Valkyri in any way, and truth be told didn't share a single drop of blood with her younger brother. She was Umbaran, yet prolonged exposure to the Valkyri ways via her adoptive family makes her feel more at home on Midvinter than Umbara ever could. She barely even remembered her old life anymore. "If you take after daddy, I'm sure you will one day," she replied. Dad was the strongest man she knew, except for maybe grandpa. Grandpa sure is bigger than dad, either way.

In an uncharacteristically bold move, Nina tugged at Théo's hand. "Let's get closer." Her young mind did not think the man would mind them watching. Inching closer to the ringing of hammer against anvil, Nina froze when the blacksmith suddenly stopped and looked at them, wiping the sweat from his brow and muttering something in Runian. He did not sound angry with them being there, so she inched even closer. On the ground was a couple logs for the fire. She mustered her courage and sat down on one of them, inviting Théo to do the same.

There they sat, watching the man work the iron with the ferocity and skill only Valkyri could. Théo, of course, was even more enthralled than she, which brought a smile to her face.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

For the best part of two minutes, Théo sat on the wood log not enthralled with the Smith, but with Nina. His head turned sideways just looking at her as though a stranger and not the girl he had grown up with to this point. He was not that worried by the Smith, if he got angry at their presence, they could soon leg it if they had to. But Nina, for once, did something .. daring! For her at least. Gosh maybe she is not that timid as he believed her to be. He smiled as he looked over her face before turning to watch the Smith.

Hit after hit continued in a constant pattern, the hammer bending the glowing red metal, three hits on one side before the Smith turned the sword and did the same. He did not say a word to them, but his eyes spoke as they would flick to them from time to time, they spoke a strange language of gentleness within a man so giant as he. He must have children of his own, Théo thought. As they remained, the Smith reminded him of his father in a way, the patient application of the hammer to the metal akin to his father's working of the wood block. Focused, deliberate, patient and caring about what one is doing gleans results of quality and achievement and a sense of purpose. Oh father is clever, cunning! and clever, the penny dropped in Théo and he smiled.

A gentle voice spoke, "I hope to be more like our Papa in all ways", he said to her as if telling a secret. Théo is a typical boy, full of adventure and curious, goofy and fun but moreover he is a boy that holds values dear and he thinks. He is also caring, and loves his family above all things and holds the fact that he is his father son with pride.

The Smith stopped, moved over to a large metal barrel near the anvil and plunged the glowing sword into the water. A loud hiss met their ears and steam billowed up engulfing the Smith's body and settling on his skin. His skin and muscles glistened with the moisture, and small threads of water combined with sweat ran down his body marking his skin as it clean dirt away.

Théo jumped up, grabbing a firmer grip on Nina's hand and led her over to the Smith. "Can .. can we see it?", he asked in basic not really knowing if the Smith understood. A quick nod indicated he did and with a leather gloved hand he held the sword up for a moment inspecting his own work before presenting it to the children to look upon. It is still crude in form and hot to the touch but Theó could see the design of a long sword in the making. He wondered what metal formed the sword, taken from the bowels of Midvinter and crafted into a thing of beauty .. in his eyes.

"One day I will have a sword", his thoughts he said out loud. The Smith put the sword to the anvil to rest there and turned to walk into his long house, in Runian he invited them in.

​

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]​