To Music Of A Pipe Unseen [Thrand]

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

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

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The dawn had yet to come but on this day the Aelvar would leave their shrouded realm to pay visit to Thainbroek. The procession moved slowly over the ancient stone bridge, the lanterns lit the way casting shadows within the tall trees and upon the moss that had grown thick for eons. They sang a song old as time and to music of a pipe unseen, their voices soft and lyrical and to anyone that would hear them, their hearts would soar as beauty surpassed would know no words to describe it. This was no lamentation but a song filled with a sense of hope and coming of the New.

It would be seven passes of the moon and sun before they would grace the gates of Thainbroek, there to meet King Thyrian Hearthfire and his son once more. The long journey north passed mostly joyous as those of the Aelvar that had not trod the soil outside of woodland realm discovered wonders beyond their imagination.

One of those Aelvar that sat upon her horse in wonderment which rode directly behind the Queen was Iounn. Her blue eyes straining to take in everything, her mind journeying to place beyond the horizon only when they got there did it capture her. Mountains so grand, the like she had never seen beyond the misty veil, snow as far as her eyes could see, white flowers growing within the icy ground, so delicate that she feared to touch them for they may break and vanish under her touch.

But regardless of all this beauty, she was impatient to see her friend once more, and [member="Thrand Hearthfire"]’s pretty green eyes.

On the last day, a rider was sent forth to inform King Hearthfire of their arrival. The road to Thainbroek, much busier with travels on the road returning to their homes or arriving to the capital with cart loads of goods and wears to sell at the markets. The Valkyri was such strange people, curious and some even suspicious of them .. but some where friendly, especially the children who out of curiosity would line the roads to watch the procession pass by. Iounn would wave to them all with the biggest smile Midvinter had ever seen.

The procession moved beyond the forest that surrounded Thainbroek and made their way along the steep path to the gates, Iounn’s eyes fixed on it believing she had entered a dream. “He lives here?”, she asked no one by the wind.

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Thrand had been looking forward to seeing Ióunn again since their last meeting in her home, and the chance to show her what his world is like. Every day upon their return to Tháinbroek he'd been asking his father when they would come, and all he could say was 'soon'. Thrand would stare out his window every so often in hopes of catching glimpse of them, but it was a rider sent from the Aelvar that got his hopes soaring when he informed them they would arrive within the day.

Thyrian stood ready to receive his honored guests at the city centre, standing tall with the shadow of his father's statue at his back and dressed in his finest formal clothing. The entire city lined the cobbled street leading from the main gate toward the Great Hall, all of them curious to see these elves for themselves. Some were excited, others were wary. So many old tales were being realised lately, with Beorni returning from their exile and gryphons spotted soaring the skies once more. Now come the Aelvar, a race no Valkyri had ever encountered in their entire lives. What would be proven true next, dragons? Dwarves?

Granted, since the coming of the Dawnbringer and his two sons Midvinter had seen much welcomed change, introducing new ideas while respecting the old ways. King Thyrian had proven himself every bit his father's son, in spite of his own view of himself.

But Thrand would not remain by his father's side for long, for as he saw the far-reaching escort of the Lady of the Lake he could keep still. Before Thyrian could even react the boy was off, running down the street in full view of everyone, dodging and weaving between horses until he laid eyes on Ióunn once more. When he did so, he waved at her with the biggest grin on his face. "Ióunn, Ióunn," he called out to her and began walking alongside her as she rode up the street. It didn't take long for one of the Aelvar to lift him up to sit behind her on her small horse, and he immediately wrapped his arms around her from behind for a hug.

"I've missed you so much!"

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

The procession passed through the gates of Tháinbroek only to be greeted with a long line of Valkyri along the streets five deep or more in some cases. To Ióunn they all looked amazing, tall and strong even the girls and their home the capital of Midvinter, so filled with differences between the two races it was almost too much to take in. High up within the city she could see the Grand Hall, all festooned with banners and sigil of the clans that rallied to their King. She was just as excited to see The Biggest of them All, and how he would be dressed in his royal attire. She liked the King for all is fiery vestige, he was nice and kind to her.

But regardless of all this, there was only one person she wanted to see more than anything and she stood up in her stirrups and craned her neck to find Thrand. It took a while find him, but there was no mistaking that mop of blonde hair weaving and ducking between Aelvar and horse, it was all she could see but she knew it was him. He waved to her which she returned just as quickly and before she knew it he was seated behind her hugging her so hard she thought she would never breath again.

"I have missed you too Thrand!", she turned her face enough to rest her cheek against his as they rode forward to approach the his father, the King. He looked so splendid in his regal robes and she could not help but wave to him as well. "Your home is wonderful, you must show me everything!", she said so excited to be with Thrand once more and her tiny soft hand raised to rest on his arms holding onto her so tightly. The adults can have their day with talks and feasting, all Ióunn wanted to do was be with Thrand and go see every nook and cranny of Tháinbroek.

The procession stopped, they had arrived and Ióunn's mother, the Queen of the Aelvar dismounted to greet the High King of Midvinter.

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

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[Thrand Hearthfire]

"You bet," he cheerfully replied with the biggest grin. He didn't have that many steady playmates, mostly boys his own age who he happened to come across while out and about. So long as there were no adults around it was fine, because the other children didn't care that he was the son of the High King. Once parents turned up all of a sudden he was treated differently and the children were told not to bother him. It wasn't like that with Ióunn; she was a kindred spirit in that they were both royalty with their own duties to their respective people, yet they were still able to just be kids around each other. He was so very grateful for stepping through that fog.

As he was bigger than her and sat behind her, Thrand took the reins in both hands to steer the smaller horse to follow those in front, even though he really didn't need to - the streets were so packed and they were stuck right in the middle, so there was no choice but follow the procession towards the city centre. As father came into view both he and Ióunn waved, with Thrand calling out to him. "Hi, daddy!" He felt like a conquering hero atop the young horse, and felt rather saddened when it came time to dismount alongside the others following the Lady of the Lake's lead.

The King returned their wave and chuckled at his son's enthusiasm. He seemed so very happy whenever with the little princess, and so he was more than happy to allow the two all the time in the world. They would not be needed for the formalities anyway, so they were free to explore together. "Welcome to the great City of Tháinbroek, Lady Aewen of the Aelvar! And you, Princess Ióunn," he smiled as the children joined them, with Thrand holding her tiny hand in his. "Myself and the Valkyri of Midvinter are honoured to be the first to take your kind into our homes to share our hearths!"

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

The Lady Aewen bowed low with much grace as the King of Midvinter address her and her people. "It is truly an honour be here with you and your people of Tháinbroek. We have traveled a long distance and had the pleasure of seeing many Valkyri upon our path to your gates. I thank you King Hearthfire for the welcome and for your generosity". Ióunn and Thrand stood a little way away from the proceedings with she did not really care it although watching all the Valkyri around her looking at them all curiously made her giggle. A little with nerves supposedly but mostly with excitement. They were all so so very big!

Mother and Thrand's father would be busy with talks that would take place within the vast room of the Grand Hall but that did not interest Ióunn, not one little bit. She turned to look at Thrand standing beside her and wondered when he would grow tired of this ceremony too. Although neither of them are dressed properly for adventure, stand attired in their Sunday best, that mattered very little to children.

"When can we steal away?", she whispered to him leaning a little toward his ear. She was eager to see the city, and the children and where they played. Everything, the houses, the markets, the stables .. all of it was wonderful to a child that had never set foot outside her woodland realm. It was all so different, the design of the buildings nothing like that of home, but nonetheless beautiful. Just different.

"You can see so much sky here", she noticed the dome of grey blue above her, never had she see the sky without the line to the tree tops. A gentle squeeze of Thrand's hand would tell me she grew more impatient to go.

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[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Looking around him Thrand marveled at the sight of so many people of such different and distinct races in one place. There were Valkyri and Aelvar mingling and interacting with one another, and towering above them both were the Beorni sprinkled into the mix. It amazed him that ten years ago none of these peoples had never crossed paths, yet now in just a short few years both the Beorni and Aelvar had emerged to work alongside and take up arms with his own people. He couldn't help but feel so very grateful to have lived to see this momentous occasion.

Thyrian meanwhile graciously accepted Aewen's thanks and invited her to the Great Hall, offering his arm for her to hold onto. Before they would ascend the steps, the King turned his head to the Prince and Princess for a quick wink and smirk, letting them know now was the time to escape the formalities. Thrand knew exactly where to take Ióunn first and gently tugged at her hand to follow.

Their first stop was the statue which towered above them all. As they approached the foot of the statue Thrand noticed him standing right where his father had just stood, his small feet sinking into the enormous footprints in the snow. "This is my grandpapa. His name was also Thrand. He died in battle before I was born..." He'd been told many times of how he was named after the late High King, and how he'd risen to divine status as the Lord of Sunlight upon his death. "After he died protecting his people and family he became the Sun God of the Valkyri. They even named the sun after him."

He looked over towards where their respective parents were making it up the steps, both followed by their respective bodyguards. "Papa comes down here every morning to speak with him. I don't know if he ever answers, but I don't think that's the point."

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

As the two children weaved their way through the gathering crowd, Ióunn was awestruck by the sights that surrounded her, her head turning this way and that taking it all in. Her lack of concentration on their direction caused her to bump into a soft furry leg and as she looked up her eyes widened to impossible size. A very large bear like person stood looking down into her face.

"Sorry", was all that could be said from the girl so overwhelmed with it all. The Beorni male simply lowered his head and grinned not caring about the intrusion from the child. A gentle pull on her hand snapped her out of her revere as Thrand led her to a space in the crowd directly in front of a large towering statue of a man head bent, power in his form and holding a long large sword by the pommel.

Ióunn listened to Thrand as he told her about the man formed in metal. "He looks to be a kind man", she tilted her head to the side regarding his face. "But sad", she whispered softly not really intending for her final words to be voiced. "Your Papa looks like him, and he must have been very good to have become a God". This was something she never had understanding of, these Gods of Midvinter. They are the Gods of men, the Aelvar have only one. The Frostvatn. But this did not mean it was not possible for others, she did not know how it all worked.

"Are there other Gods?", she asked more curious now. "Will you become a God?".

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[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-2XnZ--b-E​

"I think he was sad ever since grandmother died. But that was a long time ago, when father was just a boy." Much of his father's time as a child was a mystery to him, and what he knew he'd pieced together on his own from listening in on conversations and what little written records his father kept on the subject. "He must have been very lonely, sitting on the throne," Thrand looked up at his grandfather, suddenly feeling the weight of his legacy.

When asked if there are more gods in the Valkyri pantheon, he nodded. "There is Helm, God of War and Justice, and his sister Éar, Goddess of the Hunt and... making babies, I think. Then there's their father, Odiir, who rules the Wind and Skies, and their mother Runa who governs the Earth and Oceans. Odiir also has a brother, Teign, the God of Smithing." He paused, trying to remember. "There was a sixth one, but I can't remember his name. Worship of him became banished a long time ago. I think he did something really bad and was cast out by Odiir and the others."

His bright green eyes turned to the statue once more upon her next question. "I hope not. It must be hard, being a god. I just want to be me."

Deciding to take Ióunn elsewhere, Thrand waved at his grandfather with a smile before they left the scene, slipping away from the large crowd of people in favour of somewhere more quiet. Climbing the stairs leading up to the stone wall, his hand never left hers even as they stood upon the ramparts, gazing out towards the neverending horizon. "This is my favourite spot, you can see all the way to the western shores from here. Uncle Thurion and Auntie Coci lives there, in Fridheim. I don't think there was a city there before they settled in the area, but there is now!"

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

Her sparkling blue eyes did not leave his as he told her of all the Gods of his people. They sounded so marvelous and interesting, even the naughty one and she did wonder what he must have done to have be banished. "Your Gods .. they sound so brave .. I would like to be so brave one day". As Thrand pulled her away once more, she too gave his grandpapa a wave before leaving. She wished she could be able to have made his smile. "I am glad you only want to be you too".

They weaved their way through the crowd once more. And as they did she took in all the celebrations that seemed to have sprung up out of nowhere. It could only be for the reason of their arrival to the capital, music filled the air, and the smell of roasting meat filled her nose and some of the ladies wore flowers in their long braided hair. She liked that, the way they wore their hair, they all looked so pretty.

But once atop the stone wall, she looked out across the tops of the nearby forest onward to the west and for as far as Iounn could see it was white with snow and mountains the likes she had never seem before. "I am dreaming", she whispered, with eyes wide unable to believe them really. Although Thrand spoke of his uncle and aunt, she did not really hear him for at this moment she felt overwhelmed by all this sudden realisation that so much more was out in the world in which she lived. "Its .. its so big". She became a little frightened by it all and turned away ducked down and sat with her legs pulled to her chest and her arms wrapped around them.

This was her home too, as much as anyone else's that lived on the beautiful world of Midvinter, but now she feared it. As a child would ..

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[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

As the Aelvar princess gazed out towards the neverending horizon with such awe, Thrand couldn't bring himself to look anywhere but at her. Her face and form were so foreign and exotic to him, even though there wasn't that much to set them apart; she had two arms and two legs, ten fingers and ten toes, same as he. But it was how she held herself, the way she kept her hair and how her people adorned themselves so beautifully with nature itself. But most of all her pointy ears were the greatest source of fascination to the young boy, they made her look so cute.

"I sure hope this isn't a dream..."

When she then ducked down behind the rampart and hugged her legs, Thrand sat down beside her and put his arms around her. "It's okay, Ióunn. It will get smaller the more you see of it, I think. I've seen quite a lot of it, papa often takes me on his journeys to the other holds, and I am not afraid of it. Midvinter is my home, so why should I be scared of my own home?"

He settled a hand in her red hair to rest her head against his shoulder. "Do you want us to go find your mama?"

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

"I want to see all of it .. I .. I just got a little frightened", she said as he guided her head to his shoulder. She uncurled her legs feeling more relaxed and less afraid with Thrand. After all she had been protected and isolated her short life, and never nothing of the outside of the mist of the world of Midvinter until now. Only what she had heard in tales, and even then that sounded to good to be true, to vast and exciting but when reality visits, that is entirely something else.

"No I don't want to go to my mama, I want to stay with you", she whispered very content to remain sitting next the Thrand and growing more brave by the second. "I shall be like you, I shall not be afraid of our home", he was right why would, why should they be frightened of their homeland. She suddenly remembered Thrand speaking of his uncle and auntie living in the west. "What is west of here? what does your auntie and uncle do?". Her curious nature coming back she wanted to know everything all at once. Her bravery returning now safely with him. She pulled back enough to turn her face to look into his pretty emerald eyes, hers sparkling once more with intrigue of this whole adventure.

She smiled at him before standing and taking his hand in hers once more now brave to look west once more so he could tell her all about it, all about the family he has across the snow and ice and mountains and the vast sky that domed Midvinter. "So much sky", she could not believe some much could have ever existed. "One day I will see it all, just like you", she turned to him, "Will you take me to see it?". Suddenly Iounn could not imagine anything else but to see it all, all of Midvinter, with Thrand. There would be no other to show her.

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[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

"It's a deal," Thrand happily replied with a big grin.

He then thought for a bit, chewing his lower lip. "Uncle Thurion founded a city there with Auntie Coci, they call it Fridheim - it means 'Peaceful Homestead'. No-one's ever founded a real city before, other than Tháinbroek, but they are the Heavenshields, after all; they can do anything," he said with much enthusiasm and obvious admiration for the pair. He rose from where they sat, holding out his hand for her to grab onto. Once on their feet he climped up the rampart to sit on the very edge of the snowy stone as he had done many times when Papa wasn't looking.

"I only know a little of them. Papa says they are better people than he could ever be, but I don't think that's true at all - he's the best person I know. I don't think he likes himself very much, or something he did long ago..." His head turned to look towards the Great Hall where lights fluttered from within the painted windows, before turning back to Ióunn. "Thurion and Coci are Jedi," he then whispered to her as if it were a secret. "They help people all over the galaxy and fight bad guys - up there," he pointed towards the skies. "You know at night, when the stars are out - they've visited them all, father says. So has he, but Papa's not a Jedi. He doesn't like to talk about the things he did before he came to Midvinter."

"Jedi have these cool swords that can cut through anything! They call them 'lightsabers', and they have many different colours. Papa has one too, a red one. I think Mama has one too, but I've never seen her use it. Maybe they got them as gifts?" The lad truly had no idea about his parents' past prior to their settling on Midvinter, back when Grandpapa was still High King. It was a puzzle he was most eager to put together, but whenever the subject came up his father would not answer, telling him he'll answer them when he's older.

"Uncle Thurion is Warden of the West, so he's almost as important as Papa to the Valkyri. Some would say equally, or even more so, because before Papa came to Midvinter Thurion was the first in line to be king. But Papa is the older brother so he was chosen by Grandpapa as is custom, and as I understand it Uncle didn't want the throne anyway. He was an important Jedi at the time so he had other duties than to just Midvinter. Now he and Auntie Coci are retired so they can spend all their time here with their people."

Thrand looked over at the Princess with her pretty dress and long, red hair. "I hope I'm not boring you?"

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

She leaned forward looking down over the wall to the snowy ground below as Thrand climbed up to sit on the edge of the wall. It did not really seem that high and having climb nearly all the tall trees of Averlorn, she was not afraid of heights by any means. So Iounn scrambled up as best she could in her formal dress to sit beside him with legs dangling free in the air as she started to kick them outwardly. "Founded a city!, you mean from the very start?", she was amazed anyone could do that. "Your Uncle must be just as strong as your Papa, I mean to build an entire city". Although she knew he no doubt had help, but there was no romance in thinking otherwise. "Maybe that is where you could take me first".

But when he spoke of Jedi and the stars his aunt and uncle visit, she looked at him with doubt in her blue eyes. Is he telling her stories? "How .. how do they get up there?", she asked not quite sure if he was joking with her and he was playing her. Although he did not seem the type to do that to her and so she looked up into the blue sky knowing she could not see the star just yet even though she knew the night sky very well, it was still hard to imagine visiting them all.

"I will have a sword one day", but most likely not a lightsaber, that was simply something she did not understand. "But mine will be silver or gold colour .. will you have one?". He was not boring her nor boring to her. "No .. I could listen to you for hours Thrand. I like you". She turned to face him pressing her cheek into her own shoulder as she smiled.

All of a sudden, far below their dangling feet, the gates of the western wall opened and out of it streamed a row of wooden carts pulled by horses and bullock alike and atop them all sat very big Valkyri both men and women. Some of the carts empty having sold all their wares at the market, others laden with who knew what headed for the far horizon. Iounn nearly all but fell from the wall having leaned over to see more, which gave her a start and she reached to grip onto Thrand's arm, which caused them both to loose balance and fall backward onto the wooden platform around the top of the wall. It hurt, she bit hard on her lip not wanting to cry in front of him. "Sorry", she said through trembling voice. "Are you alright?".

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[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

"You've never seen a starship before?" His eyes widened at the thought, as he was at least familiar with them from having looked on whenever one would descend upon Tháinbroek. He was even born on one, he'd been told. "They don't have them here on Midvinter, but there are other people out there who sometimes come here. They're like big boats that sail in the air, and they're really fast too." That was about the extent of his knowledge, young as he was. "I don't know how they work, but out there people have used them since forever. It's how they get from one star to another."

He giggled when she talked about the colour of her future sword, only to gaze out towards the horizon yet again. "I already have one waiting for me," he said on the subject, referring to his grandfather's sword currently resting upon the wall of his bedchambers. One day he would claim it for himself, soon as he was big enough to wield it. It was a very big sword, after all.

Then suddenly Ióunn lost her balance, and the next moment they had both fallen backwards despite Thrand's attempts at steadying them. "I'm okay," he replied while rubbing a bruise on his arm, only to notice her quivering lip. "It's okay to cry, Ióunn. It's good to cry when it hurts, Mama says." He gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a hug, careful not to cause her any more harm by holding too tight. "Don't be sad, Ióunn. It wasn't your fault."

Once comforted by each other Thrand got up on his feet and held out his hand. "Come on, let's head inside and see what our parents are doing."

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

With each word he spoke Iounn allowed her tears to tumble down her cheeks, the pain from the fall still hurting her sides and even more from the fact he had hurt from it as well. She never wanted to do that to him, and she reached out to rub the bruise on his arm trying her best to wipe it away and take some of the hurting away for him. But soon they stood looking over the top of the wall and she imagined these strange sky boats he spoke of. She had not even seen one that ride the waves of the Great Maw, that only she had only heard stories of and had not even seen a beach. So it was very hard for her to imagine such things. But starships sounded so very amazing and even their name was enticing to her. There was so much to see and so much to do .. all she wanted to do, was see it all at once.

And so the disappointment showed on her face when he suggested they go find their parents, so boring to her was that idea, but if he wanted to go she would. Maybe there would be something to see there as well. After all she had not yet entered the Grand Hall! Maybe the Grand Hall is grand! "If you wish to go I shall come", she said taking his hand once more and allowed herself to smile again.

Just as they were about to turn and climb back down the steps of the Wall, Iounn noticed a small speck that had just broke through the tree line of the forest that surrounded Thainbroek. She stopped and watched, her keen eyes taking in the visitor coming on horse back, and as the rider neared the gates coming along the same path they had rode, she burst into a smile so wide it hurt her face. "Papa!", she yelled out and waved excitedly. "Thrand that is my Papa come and see".

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[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The journey from the North had taken a toll on Eregon, he was tired and cold but his mind was set on seeing his family once more. After the encounter with the Vinterbound small pockets of them still lurking in the forests they had all but destroyed with their sickening presence and evil touch, he turned his horses head for Thainbroek knowing his wife and child were there to meet with the King of Men. The Aelvar Rangers remained behind, continuing their work to restore the forest to it's former glory, to bring life back to the death. It would take countless years to rid the trees of the evil touch, and no doubt the generations to come would continue that work and now with the union of Men and Aelvar, this would become a reality as they will work together. This thought warmed his heart, although there would be much building of relations before they would get to this point.

He would be here to help his wife do just that.

As Eregon neared the gates of this great city centered in the middle of Midvinter, his gaze lifted to the walls. He had not heard his daughters cry out to him, but her presences was strong to him, the Frostvatn so strong in her and the bond between father and daughter so unshakable she was his beacon of light in any dark hour. As he approached, he could see her now, standing along side her friend he knew to be the young man in Thrand, the Prince. The boy was kind and gentle of heart that much he had learned when the young lad broke the enchantment of the mists and had worked his own form of 'magic' to bring the two races of Midvinter together. Was it a joyous happenstance? in part yes, but Eregon believed the power of the Frostvatn had a large part to play in that meeting.

The young Prince Hearthfire would be a great warrior one day, as would his daughter .. and who knew what the furture of that would be.

As his horse bared him across the threshold of the gates of Thainbroek, Eregon dismounted and awaited his daughter and her friend to come scrambling down the steps to meet him. Around him many Valkyri men and women stopped to see the new comer, not clad in any royal attire as he had not the time to change out of his ranger robes, they paid little attention to him considering him to be the lesser. This suited Eregon very well.

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[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Thrand felt a tug of his arm as suddenly Ióunn took the lead down the stone steps, waving at her father riding into town looking far less regal than those that had preceeded him. To Thrand it looked like he had journeyed far, maybe on some mission prior to coming here? It became hard not to share his friend's enthusiasm and happiness at the sight of her father, and so he too raised a hand to wave at the rider. "Hello, Ióunn's Papa!"

He reluctantly let go of her hand so that father and daughter may embrace one another, instead grabbing hold of the reigns of the Prince-Consort's horse and wanting to make himself useful. His small hand proceeded to pet the horse's muffle and blaze, feeling its warmth and damp hide which told him they had ridden long and hard. As Thrand was about to join Ióunn and her father, however, the steed would suddenly rear its head and neigh moments before the sound of large wings could be heard. Thrand was almost thrown off his feet, still holding onto the reigns.

A loud screech akin to that of a large eagle echoed above the city of Tháinbroek, followed by the blast of a distant horn announcing the arrival of the Wardens of the West. "Look, Ióunn," he reached for her hand and pointed to the skies. "Uncle Thurion and Auntie Coci!"

The great beasts carrying the two circled the city as they descended, until making their landing at the centre of it by the Dawnbringer's statue. As Skywalker found his footing he spread his wings in all his glory, letting out another piercing screech. Thrand led Ióunn through the crowd by the hand until they popped out at the front just in time to witness the Heavenshields dismount Skywalker and Cloudancer respectively. While their arrival was unexpected, the citizens of Tháinbroek certainly did not mind as Valkyri and Beorni alike kneeled before the two, leaving the Aelvar standing. The two were practically living legends at this point, and among the greatest of Midvinter's heroes.

Thrand wasted little time in pouncing his uncle as soon as possible, caring not for the two huge mythical creatures looking menacing. "Uncle! Uncle!" he happily shouted as Thurion lifted him up into a warm embrace with a chuckle. "Hello there, little Snowball! Goodness, you grow fast!" Thrand turned his head as he held onto his uncle, looking down at Ióunn and Thurion followed his gaze. "Now, who might this pretty little girl be," he put Thrand back down while also kneeling down to her level. Before either of them could answer Thurion took her gently by the hand and placed a kind kiss upon it. "Uncle Thurion, this is Ióunn of the Aelvar. She's the daughter of the Lady of the Lake, and my best friend," Thrand proudly introduced her before turning his attention to Auntie Coci, wrapping his arms around her legs for a hug.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Ióunn Ar-Olwa]

"It is good to see you again young prince", Eregon said as he dismounted while the young man held his horses head. Eregon stood tall looking down on Thrand with his twitching smile before offering him a bow of thanks and more over the young lad was of the royal family after all. "Ah here she is!", his smile grow large as his daughter leaped into his arms and snuggled into his neck, her arms tightly wrapped around his shoulders. "I have missed you so, Papa!", she kissed his cheek. Ióunn was about to ask him so many question about his journey north, she wanted to know everything! But suddenly ...

The horns blared, and Thrand pointed skyward, both Eregon and Ióunn turned to see the most amazing sight as two large winged creatures the likes of which she had never seen before descend from the heavens. The loud screech pierced her pointed ears, causing her to let go of her father's shoulders to cover them, her father too, felt the discomfort of the noise as the hearing of the Aelvar is acute. She briefly looked to her father for reassurance, only to see a soft countenance there as it had been far too long since the Gryphon had graced the skies. Eregon put Ióunn to the ground once more to race off with her friend, before he told her he would go find her mother in the grand hall as he assumed he would meet the Heavenshields shortly.

There is another 'biggest of the all', she thought as she watched Thrand's uncle jump off the wonderful creature. She did not know where to look, two of the most wonderous creatures she had ever seen, or the Heavenshields Thrand has only just told her of. The Wardens of the West. All the people around them bowed which seemed to bother them, this she did not understand so used to this happening at home to her as well. But Ióunn felt a little intimidated as they approached but soon lost that when Thrand introduced her to his uncle and aunt but she could not help blush at this words calling her pretty and all. Her face burned when he kissed her hand matching the colour of her hair. "Pleased .. pleased to meet you Lord Heavenshield", she curtsied while he held her hand.

Meanwhile ..

Coci leaned down and took her nephew into a warm embrace as he came for her, she kissed his forehead with a smile before leaning back to look at him from head to toe. "You have indeed grown up so big and strong young man .. just like your Papa and Grandpapa", she reached into her jacket and pulled out a small box. "I have something for you. And you can share them with your friend there". Inside Thrand would find the most delicious and sweetest short cakes fresh from Eva's husband's bakery.

​

[member="Thrand Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Thrand graciously accepted his auntie's gift of short cake and offered her a boyish grin, knowing he would be nomming on those once in a quiet place with Ióunn. He hugged her once more as thanks for the gift before returning to Ióunn's side. When Thurion met his sweet gaze he could not help but take notice of his brilliant-green eyes. Not since he was but a small child had he witnessed such a pair of emeralds; they had belonged to his brother, long before they were replaced by flickering fire and smoldering brimstone. From the picture he's kept of his birth mother, Thyrian had been blessed with her eyes. And now young Thrand had been passed on the same blessing.

He also noticed how his nephew instinctively sought Ióunn's hand to hold, and offered the two a knowing smile. "Are you here to see my Papa too?" the lad asked, referring to the Lady of the Aelvar already in talks with the High King. "That we are," Thurion replied while rising to his feet, taking a look around at these Aelvar as they intermingled with the much taller and burlier Valkyri. Some of the interactions seemed stale and awkward, while others appeared high-spirited and rather joyous in this initial union of their two peoples. The towering Beorni, though few in number, stood out as they more or less watched in stoic silence as the younger races mingled.

One of these elvenkind caught his eye as he stepped out of the crowd, appearing at Ióunn's side. There was something about the man that commanded respect, the same regal quality he had recognised in his father, and later in his brother. "Your Grace," he bowed his head before the man could even introduce himself as such. "We are greatly honoured by your visit," he said, unknowingly repeating his older brother's words.

All the while Skywalker plodded about the immediate area, head cocking and twitching as he took in the overwhelming amount of strange beings surrounding him. Some even braved reaching out to him in spite of his menacing appearance, but none caught his attention like when a Beorni stepped forth. To them, seeing a live gryphon was like seeing old friends again, for their kin had been present when gryphons ruled the skies while the Beorni ruled the land as unopposed sentients. Likewise, Skywalker's proud stance softened at eyeing the fur-covered bear man, and as the Beorni held out his hand he gently nuzzled his palm akin to a domesticated house cat.

[member="Ióunn Wuduælfen"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

“Lord Heavenshield, please save the ‘your graces’ for my wife”, Eregon bow his head in respect as a slight smile graced his lips. This to the man he knew of. Countless years of venturing into the wilds of Midvinter as Ranger gave Eregon proven knowledge of the Heavenshields and their victories and losses. Both wife and husband .. and son, Théodred.

“It is my honour to meet you and your wife under such auspicious circumstances”, his eyes turned to the Beorni who had approached the gryphons. Even in his time, and the time before that, only rumours of this incredible race lived in tales, although his ancestors may have knew of them, that was long days gone, it truly was auspicious this day. Eregon did not concern himself with the rank of this Beorni, they do not require it and so he bowed deeply from the waist to give reverence to the nobles of Midvinter, fathers and mothers to all that call this majestic planet home.

Eregon too, noticed the children standing nearby, side by side and the future of things to come for Midvinter. As a father it worried him, as the future is uncertain but even the realm of the mist life is uncertain. Although the enchanted mist remains, and will so forevermore to protect the Aelvar, it will allow friend to pass through its veil. “We should find your brother the King, my Lord, ,my Lady Heavenshield, for we have much to speak on”.

Eregon was as interested and impressed as his daughter with the atmosphere of the Tháinbroek, the joy of things once deemed lost had returned, and none more impressive then the gryphons. “Tell me Thurion, did you find them? Or did they find you”. For nothing that happens on Midvinter is by chance.

A story for another time perhaps, as everyone made their way to the steps of the Grand Hall to meet the King, and the Queen of the Aelvar. Ióunn turned to Thrand with a smile, so happy that this day had turned out beyond anything she had expected, so much to do and see and so little time for a child. Her heart filled with the love of this place, for Midvinter beyond the veil, and as time would pass she would come to know it all. But for her the most exciting part of it all was that she would do all this with her best friend who now held her hand and so, Ióunn leaned in close to him and stole a quick kiss from Thrand’s cheek.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

The End.​