The Sun Prince and The Gods

[Lief]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aubjzXHYKs4​

​

Though the day was bright, and full of wonder, it was to the tiny hand which was dwarfed within her own that Kära cast her eyes. It clutched tightly, while the body it belonged to moved uneasily at her side. She would not let him fall, though, her little Sun Prince, nor would she release his hand.

She had let him out into the summer sun of Midvinter, away from the City itself until the Gates could barely be seen in the distance and woodland sat on either side of the trail. He had not walked the whole way of course, she had set him down onto his feet just moments before and was taking the time to steady him.

While it was warm by Valkyri standards, she still had her Snowball swaddled within furs. It probably didn't help his balance, and in all honesty he likely did not require them at all. He was a Phoenix like his Papa, who was walking several feet behind in awe of his little family, but that didn't mean she was going to risk getting him sick. No way.

Kneeling down to where he stood, Kära stared into the beautiful eyes of her son and smiled with all the adoration in the Galaxy. Reaching out with her free hand she gently tapped his nose, before leaning forward to rub hers against his in a way he had come to adore these past months.

Thrand had been on his feet for just a few weeks, and he was still not the most confident. The moment had been shared by King and Queen both, it had melted their hearts. Seeing him strengthening with each day only made them swell with pride.

Today was special though. It was not about physical growth, but spiritual. Sure, he was but a Toddler... But Kära felt it was time regardless. Looking up, past her beloved boy and to her Husband, she gave an almost sheepish smile. It felt strange to be leading this excursion, being the outsider that she was, but Thyrian had been very accommodating, he realized how dearly Kära wished to follow the customs of their people, to raise their boy the right way.

"Mama's got a surprise for you, my little Sunshine..."

Kissing Thrand atop the head, she very gently led him away from the more stable path and over the grassy terrain toward the trees. Beyond lay a very small herd of Vhaanir, creatures which had not been spotted this close to the City since the Battle which had taken her boys namesake and made him a God. Knowing that they were returning made her heart swell, not least because they reminded her of Mysa.

Force knew where her little Snowflake was. The reminder tore at her heart, though she did her best not to let it show. Kära had done all she could to track her eldest, she felt through the Force that she was alive... And she had sent some of her old contacts out to search. There was little more she could do.

Focusing back on the present, she smiled down at her boy and put one finger to her lips. Hopefully the Vhaanir would not be scared away before the Sun Prince laid eyes upon them.

[member='Thyrian Hearthfire'] [member='Thrand Hearthfire']

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Tiny, unsteady feet plodded through the snow, greatly aided by his mother in his endeavours to find his balance. His small hand rested in hers, holding onto her as best he could with what strength he had at so young an age. Soft murmurs and occasional chirping left the young prince's pink lips as he took in the scenery, with big, green, sensitive Umbaran eyes open as wide as they could go. At times the toddler would fall on his round baby bum, but with mother's help he always got up again for another set of steps until the next inevital loss of balance.

There were few things the months-old infant could comprehend, let alone memorise, but the faces of mama and papa were already ingrained in his mind. It was more than just their faces, though; more so than these, little Thrand had learned to associate certain smells with them, and could therefore combine these should he need to find them in a crowd. Then there was their voices: mommy's is smooth and gentle, and daddy's is deep and when he speaks it makes his tiny body tremble when held to his chest, lulling him to sleep.

Looking back to papa shadowing them a couple metres behind, Thrand raised a hand to wave at him by clenching his fingers, to which Thyrian smiled and waved back silently. A toothless grin found his lips and a giggle of pure joy was sounded. The next moment mother spoke and bid him to keep quiet, so he did!

When the small group of shiny, four-legged creatures came into view, it became evident even to someone so small that these beings were worthy of respect. He remained at mommy's side for the time being, sticking his hand in his mouth to nibble on while keeping completely quiet. It was then that father stepped forward, extending a hand towards the closest Vhaanir who very hesitantly approached him, but as it started nuzzling his palm the others approached as well, for this family of three were as connected to the world of Midvinter as they.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]​

 

[Lief]

He was so strong.

To be walking at such an age was a shock for Kära, yet he had required no pushing from either parents. Of course he was wobbly. Of course there were times that he would fall. But his determination knew no bounds and she was as proud as could be. With his tiny hand in hers, he carefully stumbled over toward the trees.

Even in his infantile state the babe clearly saw; he understood that the great beasts they were witnessing were a sight to behold, something sacred to not disturb. Mysa had been the first among them to spot the Vhaanir, to interact with them, alongside young Théodred. For whatever reason they had taken a liking to the pair, and had even aided them during the Great Battle.

Not even Mysa had seen them since, though. Or if she had, she hadn't mentioned it to either parent.

Slowly the woman lowered herself into the snow and brought Thrand into her lap. She kissed the back of his snow kissed hair, feeling the internal warmth emanate from him, and as the herd approached she gently extended her hand in invitation.

"It's okay" she whispered to the child, feeling Thyrian's presence at their side as he did the same. One particular Vhaanir, a tiny buck that looked as though it too was learning to walk for the first time, approached the little Sun Prince directly. It faulted once, twice, before standing tall above them. Then, without warning, the creature bowed its magnificent head.

In unison, the other Vhaanir - significantly older than the first - followed suit. Kära could not believe her eyes, she simply sat in dumbfounded silence as the Gods greeted their babe.

And inside her heart, she knew that Thrand, God of the Sun, smiled down on them.

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"] [member='Thyrian Hearthfire']

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

The Sun Prince looked on with awe at the young buck wobbling towards them on its four legs, and once it found its balance Thrand cheered by cooing, bouncing in his mother's lap and waving his arms about. When the buck proceeded to bow to him he settled down, and even tried reaching for the Vhaanir with his tiny arm, but it was far too far away and wasn't looking to come any closer.

At this point Thyrian joined them in the snow, kneeling down beside his queen and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let him go," he asked of her with a tender smile, knowing well her trepidation of leaving their son to his exploring. As Kära's hands released their grip, Thrand wasted no time in getting down on all fours to crawl through the snow, slowly and methodically.

He headed straight for the young buck who didn't seem to be going anywhere, and as they came into contact the buck nuzzled the prince's face with wet nose, making him giggle in response. Soon, however, the entire herd of Vhaanir gathered around him to pay their respects with Thrand at the centre of the half-circle, now sitting upright and greatly amused by it all, trying to clap his tiny hands with uncoordinated motions.

"Our son is blessed by the gods," the king told his queen, and even he could not help becoming emotional, wrapping his arms around his beloved from behind and resting his chin upon her shoulder.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]​

 

[Lief]

It was with great difficult that she let him go.

She longed to keep him close, safe, warm, but who was she to deny the Gods she had come to know? They had gifted her with a child, a true child, with a loving husband, and a people accepting of her foreign state. They had brought her into peace and serenity, guided her from the darkness she had known and into the light. They had gifted her the greatest of friends, and a place to call home.

They could be trusted with her boy.

Her hand reached for Thyrian's as their boy wandered toward the herd. All at once they encompassed him, allowing perfect view for the parents to monitor. As though they felt the mother's struggle. The whole scene was incomprehensible, and her hand tightened in her Kings. Breathless. In awe.

Their little boy was as accepting of them as they were of him.

She felt him behind her, and leaned back into his embrace. He was correct, Thrand was blessed... "We are all blessed by the Gods, and our people will be blessed by their Sun Prince. I love you, Thyrian. I love all that you are, all that you stand for. I love the child we have created, and the Gods who watch over him. Now, until the end of times."

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

The young buck who had been first to greet the lad touched let their noses touch, before licking Thrand's face much to his enjoyment, prompting another giggle. In the far distance, all but unaudible to the human ear, another Vhaanir gave the signal to move out, as all those present raised their heads with ears perked. Without much ado they began marching away from the family of three, with Thrand saying goodbye to his newfound friend. "Buh-buh," came his attempt, flopping his arm about in an uncoordinated wave.

Before he could lament the departure of the Vhaanir, he was scooped up by his father from behind which had him cooing with joy as Thyrian handled him with such ease, but also with the utmost care. "Don't worry, little Snowball - you will see them again, one day. In times of great need, you may call on them and they will fly to your aid." His finger began tickling the boy's tummy, which only had him even more elated before finally returning him to his mother's arms, for he knew she yearned to hold him with every breath she took.

Thrand nuzzled into his mother's bossom, for he was tired from the eventful day out. His small hand clutched Kära's finger and held onto it, and unbeknownst to even himself his innate warmth transferred into his mother; a soft, gentle warmth, like that of an extra blanket on a cold night.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]​