Threads In The Loom [Ylva]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Falls of Crystals

The evening comes, as Théo and Ylva ride along the stone path that winds it's way up the mount side to the village. The mist from the cascading water fall moistens their skin and wets the hair, the sound is deafening, a roaring sense of power as the meters of water tumble over the rock and into the depths below. Théo leaned over in the saddle to look down, saw nothing but white spray rise up .. it was a long way down. Come the morning he would meet with the elders of the village, their guest to their hearth and the talk of further trade was high on the agenda for the Northmark and it's people.

It is said that the Falls of Crystals was the first place in which his grandpapa had been sighted since his return to Midvinter to reclaim what was rightly his, the throne. But he had been on Midvinter long before this sighting in fact it was his father that first found him. His grandpapa had kept on the move however, still uncertain of his welcome among his people and it was the shield maiden from the Southmark that had convinced him to reveal his true identity, all those years ago.

So Théo wanted to see what these people were like, what had brought is grandpapa all this way to live among them. It is said they are the artisans of Midvinter, spinners and weavers of the finest cloth and tapestries that had no comparison. The old tapestries in the Grand Hall are said to have come from here, gifted to the forefathers long ago.

It was nice to be away from the larger cities, traveling with Ylva once more and being together. Théo had not seen her in a while, as she had been with mother at the Dawnguard training in the force and after the quick visit to Fridheim, it was time they headed home, albeit the long way. But it was worth it, this place was remarkable beautiful.

Théo turned to Ylva with a smile, "Just like you, this place is very beautiful". His hand shifted down to his leg, rested against his pocket to make sure he could still feel the small package inside it.

[member="Ylva Solveig"] ​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Bjomolf buried his massive paws within the snow in every step the great Wolf took, moving alongside [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]'s stead carrying Ylva Solveig in their journey together. She could not recall just how long it had been since she had spent such personal time with the Dire Wolf, let alone with her Partner in life and his cheesy little romantic quips that he spoke so fondly to her. Ylva turned to look over her shoulder at Théo, brushing her hair back so that she could rightly offer him a mix of skepticism and amusement, a soft little laugh escaping her as she smirked back at him and shook her head a couple times.

"You are the worst..." she replied, though with nothing but love and the pleasure of his company, in her voice. She had missed him dearly, the DawnGuard had certainly been an experience but to be away from he and Bjomolf both was something she had found difficult. Especially as she knew his Mother only so little and she knew nothing of her peers, let alone found herself willing to trust or confide in them as of yet. "If you're going to try and flatter me, Théodred, at-least put some effort into it" she mused, a grin widening as she gave him a half nod, clearly teasing the man rather than mocking him any. She knew he enjoyed the challenge in their relationship, the banter and the playful bite between them both; never was their any true meaning behind their jests with one another aside from the want to laugh and love in their private competition and play.
Of course, she and Théodred weren't always that way; he understood the kind of Woman that Ylva was, often projecting her need to feel strong and independent, with skepticism and dare it be said, resentment towards others that were quite at home in their weaknesses and reliance upon others. It was a consequence of her up-bringing or lack there of, that she would rise up to become a fierce fighter and survivor, all at the expense of her own self-esteem and ability to fit in with what was considered typical Galactic Society.

"...But you are right" She soon spoke up once more, her attention turning to their side where she would gaze over the side and wonder just how far down the rapids truly fell before hitting the rock-bed or whatever actually lay below; their vision clouded by the off-spray of the falls picked up in the wind and causing her pale skin to glisten in a forever layer of dampness, as though Midvinter weren't cold enough. Fortunately, she was not without her Furs that did well to keep the cold bite of the world around them from settling in. "These Crystal Falls are certainly pleasing on the eyes..." She smiled and returned her attention to his, almost as though she expected another goofy compliment to leave him in that moment.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Well I will see what I can do", he teased back at her comment about effort. The streets of the village were quiet, there was no welcoming party which he was not expecting and he thanked the gods for it, much preferring to slip into town unnoticed. They would find their accommodation for the evening firstly and see to their mounts before taking in the place. The night was still young in that respect, and both of them were seasoned riders and had not felt the journey as yet. Théo would have to turn his mind to business come the morrow and with him would be Ylva after all she is as much his council as anyone and even though Midvinter clung to the old ways, that women are not allowed to lead or have authority .. that was not how he worked and it had never been his view.

Théo stopped them in front of a small cottage in the heart of the residential area, the sound of the falls seemed to be everywhere in this place, the constant roaring of it filled their ears and he did not doubt that this would become intrinsic to all the people that lived here. It had too. The force of nature so strong and powerful had to inform on them and he imagined their blood causing through them like the ever shifting waters. There was something special about this place, something hidden that only the elders would know. Mystery, such an inviting feeling.

"Here we are", he gestured to the cottage, "A castle for My Lady", he persisted with the compliments he knew she found amusing. Ylva was never one for actually been able to take a compliment even though he meant them all. Théo led his horse to the stable and prepared him for the nights rest, they had not travelled with much, not having the need to as both of them were good hunters and well experienced in the ways of Midvinter or surviving in harsh conditions with little. They would be home soon enough, comfortable in New Himmeldal.

But regardless, he stretched his back ridding his body of the dull ache before slipping his arms around Ylva's waist from behind as he saw to Bjomolf. "Lets go for a walk", he whispered near her ear as his nose dived into her long red hair. "My legs could do with a stretch".

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[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Dropping down to the cold of snow, Ylva did not follow [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] as he saw to his Horse but rather turned her attention to Bjomolf as she awaited him, her brows lifting a little in concern, though she spoke firmly to her big beast of a Wolf; "No eating the locals now, you hear?" he tried not to snicker at the visual image that came to play in the corner of her mind as she sought to encourage the great dire beast to behave himself, "One animal's enough for me, I need you to be good!" she smirked, the comment clearly made out at Théo's mocking expense.

Their temporarily residence didn't look much like a Castle, though that wasn't a bad thing by any means and glancing back to her man, she grinned at his further attempts to win her affections. "What am I going to do with you..." She laughed under her breath, moving to step toward him and placing a kiss to Théodred's cheek, soon to turn and face the Cottage. As she felt his arms come around her sides, her hands rose to hold his while she leaned back a little into his embrace, "Actually, don't answer that..." Ylva decided, turning to look back over her shoulder in search for his lips to offer him a real kiss worthy of her love for him.

New Himmeldal was a wonderful place, though these ventures of theirs across the lands of Midvinter were forever dear to her heart, it was often a time to call their own, where politics of the Valkyri and her time with the DawnGuard under [member="Coci Heavenshield"]'s training, while all good things in her life, could be forgotten for the sake of their relationship together, she and the Man she had once almost bloodied for taking her knife without asking, the highborn brat, Théodred.

"That sounds perfect.." She agreed, having been on her backside for far too long now, Bjomolf could rest while they could enjoy the sights and sounds of this new place together. By her experience thus far, there was never a place in Midvinter that she hadn't found to offer something she could come to love. The World was special in so many ways and she had many years stolen from her, that she now had to make up for. "You've been here before?" She asked, an expectant tone as she doubted there were many places that Théodred wasn't intimately aware of.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

For the most part, the Falls of Crystals was quiet this coming eve, there was barely anyone around to see the visitors arriving but those that did noted their strange attire so unalike their own. Crude by comparison, even for the more common folk in the village, who seemed to wear the finer threads afforded to them by their craft. However, they had been informed of the coming of the Warden of the North, and supposed that this stranger was he and the Lady Solveig they had heard of, stories of the large wolf had travelled this far north and Bjomolf's species was not a common site on Midvinter.

"Actually I have not", he answered her, having never come this far to the north west of the Mark, "But I have heard of it". He took her hand gently in his as they walked to the platform that hung over the edge of the falls themselves. Théo was unaware that this platform was the very same his grand papa had stood upon so many years ago when in exile and spoke to the Lady Firebrand. It had been a bittersweet night for them both, the coming of the King and for the Lady, a sense of revenge and closure upon a passed that had haunted her from birth.

The sound of the water falling over the rock and plummeting deep into the valley below was something Théo knew he would not hear the like of again, it was frightening and empowering all at once and the spray, the mist of the small droplets damped their hair. He lead Ylva to the railing and he could not help but look down into the white abyss. There was something intriguing about it all, a mystery that spoke to him but could not grasp the words and it seemed to come from the water, a song perhaps of a language now lost? no... it was a familiar song .. it was the force.

But his mind was distracted.

Théo turned to Ylva standing next to him, his hand raised and pressed gently to her cheek cupping it before leaning toward her lips to kiss most softly. His other hand slipped around her waist and pulled her closer to his body. He had missed her so much in the time he had been away in the Westmark, and he had missed the North. There was another thing on his mind and he was pulling courage around himself, as he looked into her eyes moving from their embrace.

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[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

The Falls of Crystal, or rather in her mind 'The Crystal Falls' because it sounded better; Frankly Ylva hadn't considered such a place to exist on Midvinter given it's often winter climate, even in the warmer seasons. The Falls gave an atmosphere that differed entirely from the rest of the lands she had roamed, the after-spray of the falls showering everything nearby with such light drops that they were hardly distinguishable against the breeze itself safe for the damp touch to their skin and an easing cool air that was somehow pleasing and not encouraging of the cold of the night.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"] took her attention once more as he moved to kiss her, Ylva's head lifting to meet his height, her lips touching with his as she pressed herself against him and into his embrace. They two, had gone a good time now without so much as privacy to share in their lives together. Her love for him had never waned, though she had spent a great deal of time training under his Mother's guidance in the DawnGuard Temple alongside other Valkyri Force Users. To feel his warmth, his loving caress and to be held in his arms once more brought her blood to her cheeks in a faint red glow against the cold outside world. Times such as these, she might have worried about how she looked; Ylva's quiet unease surrounding her image and reputation came from a lack of self love and loathing that her past upbringing had encouraged, yet she was often too proud to speak on it. With Théodred however, he had become aware of these things and in his arms, these concerns usually fell away rather easily in response to the feeling of belonging and appreciation that he gave for her..

"Mm" she smiled against his kiss, making a small sound as she sighed in pleasure, "I'm still very much yours, Théodred" she assured him, "Even if your Mother's been taking up much of my time..." she pulled away from the touch of his lips and looked to meet his gaze with a genuine and affectionate look, confident and entirely smitten with him. "Don't think me cruel for keeping you waiting so long" she added with a slightly more playful smirk, pressing her lips to his soon after and kissing him once more.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

It was in moments like these that Théo would loose himself, and every part of him did not mind and he succumbed to her kiss. Yet, something did play on his mind and for once he believed he had the timing right. He hoped at least. There was no one around to take the moment from them, only the sound of the falls filled their ears as well as the words spoke between the two and the union of their heart was more powerful now than ever. The moment had come, the only thing that would pull his lips from her's and he reached for the small box he had been carrying for some time.

"Are you really mine?", he smirked while still concealing the box. "Your time apart has been cruel on us both regardless of the reasons why, but always we are one and I hope always will be", he opened his palm so see would see the box, yet he raised his hand and opened it and inside were two rings. Théo, ever the traditionalist, bent the knee before his love and presented her with the rings.

"I love you, I have for as long as I can remember now. It is difficult for me to remember a time before you and life can not go on without you", he said looking up into her face, looking into her sparkling eyes framed by her red hair the likes of which not seen anywhere on Midvinter, at least not in his eyes. He did not know her thoughts on marriage, whether she had considered it with him or even if she was accepting of the custom but he was about to find out.

"Will you do me the honour and allow me to become your husband?". A deviation from the normal question, words chosen to fit his love and her mind. Everything vanished from this world, not even the sound of the falls Théo could hear, nothing at all save for the sound of his own heart thumping against his chest as he waited for her answer.

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[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"Will you do me the honour and allow me to become your husband?"​

​

Ylva's eyes landed upon the two rings encased within the box, yet she found herself left completely speechless. Before even being proposed to as she was, [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] had bent the knee before her, which was something that was held very close to heart for all Valkyri folk; You typically only bent the knee to someone whom you've sworn fealty to, someone of great respect and honor before the eyes of their peers. In a sense, that was what Ylva had come to make sense of marriage, though she never thought she would find herself in the position of being given such praise and devotion...

Her brows furrowed, her eyes drawn to his, she looking down on him as his knee was pressed against the cold ground beneath them. Shaking her head slowly, she reached not for the box, but for his wrist, that she could pull the man back up to his feet to stand face to face, on equal ground. There, a slight curl to her lips as she figured he'd probably think she were to refuse him, instead she spoke before Théodred could get ahead of himself, "Only if you do so as my equal..." her fingers trailed across his wrist, moving slowly to take the little box into her palm, though her hold taking his hand too as she added firmly, "You already have honor...-Such that I thought not possible in men, before you found me on Nirauan". Her raised her left hand to take to the side of Théodred's face, the warmth of her palm gently touching upon the cold of his cheek, that the cool nights air had tempered; "I love that you go to such effort...-But you look ridiculous".

Ylva couldn't help but grin as she stepped closer into him, a slight snicker escaping her lips before she lifted her head a little and found his once again, a longing lasting kiss that she wished to savor; no matter the jest, her soon-to-be Husband knew her better than anyone. "Nothing would give me greater pride than to become your wife" she whispered only once she had parted from him, her boots falling flat against the ground slowly, and she leaning forward into his embrace.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

There was always uncertainty in situations like this, no one ever truly knows another even after years of being in their company. Their minds are their own. But her kiss, it not only spoke of love, but gave Théo her answer, her touch as warm as any heat from hearth, and the look in her eyes and it set his heart to full. He could not help but smile at her tease of him looking silly in the snow before her yet it was not done out of any tradition but for respect for the lady before him. There was no denying her strength not just physical but of character, her loyalty as steadfast as the mountains of Midvinter, and her love bound to him from this day and for all days to come.

As was his love for her.

They both stood remaining in each others embrace and his lips had not left hers. Their hearts once more, united in this moment and will be forever, not even death would part them. There was no need for any more words, Théo leaned down and laced his arm around her legs and lifted Ylva off the ground and carried her back toward the village and their cottage. The door was quickly dispatched with a firm boot which broke the latch and swung wildly inward and he took her to their bedroom. The only light in the room was the soft glow from the fire and the light of it set her hair to flame, flickering off her colour. Ylva is beautiful, but never did she look so beautiful as in this moment.

Only now did he place her feet to the floor and stood back just for a moment to take her in, his eyes drinking in all of her and every part of his being set aflame like her hair and he took her once more in a strong embrace filled with fire and passion and tonight they would celebrate their love until the morn came.

She is his, and he is hers.

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[member="Ylva Solveig"]​