Westgate Pass [Ylva]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

It was cold up here, the air thin and the snow thick. Although it was a clear day, visibility as far as the eye could see, it was an arduous journey especially for the horses. Theo and Ylva would stop more frequently to rest them before plowing onward through the Pass, the Gate to the West of Midvinter. All of this land was new to him as much as it was for her, the danger here ever present and that was just the weather, there was other dangers of course but for now their trip had been uneventful in this sense. Ylva was still trying to come to terms with her knowledge that she was attuned to the force and Theo had given her much solace in silence as they traveled, leaving her to her thoughts for the most part, but he was there for her if she needed answers.

What lay beyond the Pass was Odiirland, to the north of it was Fridheim where his parents lived but even as the crow flies that was a good distance away. They were close to the Dawnguard Temple however, so if things went pear shaped they could find refuge there, although the climb would be near impossible from this point.

His mount blew heavy through flared nostrils, the cold mist issued from his nose as the sound pushed from his lungs, it was time to stop once more as Theo leaned forward to give a reassuring pat to the steads neck, although they must get through the Pass before night fall. He turned to find Ylva's beautiful face, so rosy her cheeks with the cold and her fire hair standing out against the back drop of the white, fleck with soft snow lazily falling but no threat to them just yet.

There was nothing more beautiful in this land or the galaxy for that matter, than Ylva.

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

​

Westgate Pass
Midvinter

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

The first few days upon Midvinter had been colder than any other climate she had ever felt in her life, [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] having taken her to his home that she might experience and come to know the world of his people and of his family, to understand the beauty it held and why it meant so very much to him; now however the Westgate Pass put her first week on this world to shame, the winds whistling around them as it sped passed, the pair upon horse back battling their way through the thick snow. What path had been known of this place barely existed to the eyes sight with how much snow had covered the land in the violent winds, having to trust completely upon Théo's sense of direction more so than anything else; she could survive on her own but no one could last forever out in such a place. He hadn't been kidding when he had told her this world was a hostile and dangerous one, a world that seemed to behave with a mind and soul of its own, challenging those whom walked upon her grounds and gifting them with the strength and pride that Ylva had come to recognize in the Valkyri...

Despite the pair of them and their troubles, the Great Ice Wolf Bjomolf seemed to be having the time of his life. Ylva had watched the great beast as he launched himself across the mountain side as they rode some distance from him, not to spook the horses. At times the massive wolf would dive into the ground with a purposeful clumsiness, kicking up the snow and rolling over amongst it to cover himself, lay there for but a second and then suddenly kick off running again to ensure he never once fell behind the two of them. There were times where she had to ask herself what was best for the faithful wolf, forever at her side, a companion and protector of the Huntress. Théodred had brought her here with no real plans or intentions to keep encourage her to stay were it against her will, yet watching the Goliath hound and getting to know the people that she had come to admire and almost look upon with a sense of pride in her own way had grown on her. It was both shocking and yet exhilarating to feel the land become so attuned and alive with her life, that the people might actually hold true against her expectations and most significantly, she look to anyone but Théodred with respect as she did the Valkyri. Whether or not her lover had picked up on her new found desire for the world of Midvinter, she couldn't tell though he could see things in her that most people could not and part of her questioned whether or not it had prompted him to show her this new...-Or apparently not so new connection that she had to the Force, knowing that she was there to stay.

Looking ahead, she noticed that her partner had began to slow; not likely by his choosing but his great mount, horses upon Midvinter like none other she'd heard nor seen before; she soon glanced down to look to her own, placing her left hand against her neck and giving it a comforting rub. She felt that her girl had more to give yet out here in such places with the weather so threatening and unpredictable, Théo was right to slow and find a place secluded against the cover of the mountain rocks for shade against the rapid winds that curved around the great mountain pass and threatened to sweep anything not firmly attached to the ground floor off away back the way they had come from. Pulling upon the reigns, she soon brought her mount in within the shelter before swinging one leg over towards the other and dropping down lightly into the snow that buried her boots and climbed passed her ankles. A grunt came from her girl, the horse giving it's discomfort around the uneasy movements yet Ylva turned to give her a few more pats and talk quietly under her breath in attempt to calm her.

With her Horse eventually secured and tied down somewhere nearby, she finally turned to find Théodred staring back at her that same way he often did when he thought she wasn't paying attention. Truthfully, he still did it even when she was, half the time. For a brief moment her eyes widened a little, those blue hues of hers locking upon the man and her lips curving into a slightly cocky smirk, head tilting that the fire in her hair fell to one side, brushing the right back behind her shoulder so that it wouldn't deter the look of silent banter that she threw back at him for his admiration of her.

"You just going to stare at me or are we going to set up camp, Théodred..." she spoke his full name as she often had when Ylva sought to tease and challenge him in his behavior, still uncomfortable and barely able to believe that anyone could look upon her in such a way, many aspects of her life had changed since he had come across her back on Nirauan. Back then when she wasn't truly living, but simply getting through each day by day, knowing nothing of the pleasures or happiness that she knew with him now, but simply surviving with no great future in sight. Everything that he had changed, that he had showed her and helped her to learn had come so unexpectedly...-She still found herself doubting any of it was real some days where she had a moment to herself, to think on such things.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He dismounted, booted feet digging into the deep snow as he landed. Théo tugged at the straps on the pack on the back of his horse and removed the leather bag filled with rations for the journey. They would not be staying long, just enough for their horses to rest before they start down the Pass and into the valley below. This place was too dangerous to stay in for long, he cast his eyes to the high rock cliff face reaching for the peak. I was laden with a heavy blanket of snow and ice and it would not take much for it to come tumbling down on top of them.

"Just admiring the view", he said with a grin as he turned away from the cliff to her face. "We won't stay long Ylva", he nodded his head upward for her to note the potential danger.

There was no place for them to sit that did not have snow on is and thick too, so he placed one of the furs on the ground for them to use, to keep the cold away from their bodies and set up the food. They would feed their mounts when into the valley and give them their heads for the night. Even up here, in this remote place, it is cold even for Valkyri blood. But regardless of this, Théo was enjoying the journey, to be able to venture into new lands, for him at least, and explore the vast continent and he had the best company in which to do it.

Some time has passed since she arrived with him on Midvinter, and he had not had the chance to talk with her about it, about her experiences thus far. Whether she liked his homeland and was happy here. After all he had taken her away from a place that was known to her like the back of her hand and even though she did not love it, it was a part of her. Had she had any regrets?

"Are you happy here on MIdvinter Ylva?". He passed her the bread, and she could take whatever cheeses or meats she wished.

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

The wind beat at her back yet her spirits were little dampened in the face of the look she had caught from [member="Théodred Heavenshield"], a sly smirk taking to her lips as she shook her head slightly in amusement and pride for her lover; "So long as it's my view you're admiring, pretty boy" she slung the remark with no hint of sarcasm, warmth behind the lash of her tongue that she sought to tease him with before turning back to her mount and relieving the beautiful animal of it's stifling saddle and carry-bags. The two fell upon the snow covered floor and sank a good few inches upon impact, a sigh escaping her lips as she kept her eyes upon the gentle creature whom had carried her through such white-bound weather, her left hand rubbing against the steed's neck soothingly before turning to leave him be, collecting her belongings and moving to join her Lad.

"The crest here doesn't offer much" she agreed as she turned to gesture to the path that followed around the peak of the great mountain-range, there wasn't much more that needed to be said. He could see the need for them to keep on the move and once their horses would have rested, they would set off again. His instincts out here in the wilds were well in tune with the world of Midvinter and it was a part of Théodred that she found deeply admirable despite the wealth and prestige of his family lineage; or at the least, what she'd been led to believe from the stories they had shared thus far.

Dropping down atop the fur skin beside Théo, she crossed her legs and hunched forward a little to find a considerable portion of food to pick away at, soon leaning into his side to keep warm while too enjoying the intimacy; something even this weather couldn't ruin for the pair. When he posed the question to her regarding her feelings for Midvinter however, Ylva paused, mouthful though physically seeming to stop what she was doing and turned to glance at him in surprise. There were very few times where he had managed to shock her or leave her taken back like she was. It wasn't so long ago that she'd been dwelling on her growing feelings for his home-world and coming to terms with her own attachments and strengthening pride and protection for her lands. After a moment, chewing slowly what she had bitten from the leg of one of their avian kills, she concluded that the question was an inevitable one given his care for her and his love for Midvinter.

"...I have no regrets about coming here, Théodred" she spoke, having first cleared her throat to offer him a genuine display of her feelings for both himself and the world that they shared, the home that she had come to think of as her own. She glanced down to the bread that he passed, and took it happily, smiling faintly in appreciation and leaning back into him with a slightly playful bump against his side; "I feel connected here..." She continued, her gaze wandering away from the pair and looking over the mountain they sat upon; "With you, there's purpose in my days. Midvinter...-Feels like it could be my home" she turned in to glance up at him soon afterwards, wondering how he would take to the remark or whether the sentiment was out of line with what he might want.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

As they both settled to eat some lunch before moving on once more, Théo grinned at her words, he was so happy for her that she was away from a life of terrible circumstance and here with her now. An arm reached around her waist as she bumped into him and he pulled her closer turning his head to kiss her on her cheek, his lips remaining in place for longer than necessary. He was even more pleased that being here with him gave her purpose in life, although he did not wish for her to be totally reliant on him for this purpose, but he was honoured that she wanted him in her life. Never as much as he wanted her.

"Midvinter is your home if you wish it.. so is Himmeldal .. with me". Now he was testing the waters. Although in the near future their lives would change once more. He pulled up a leg to rest his elbow on as he ate, ripping into the bread with gusto. The cold weather and long journey does make one hunger, and it was very peaceful here in the Pass, there was something soothing here and he had to wonder if it was the close presence of the Temple that spilled this sensation outward to who ever could sense it.

Although he was pondering on why she did feel so connected to this place, this planet besides his presence here of course. And with these thoughts he turned to look at her viewing her profile and noticing the features as if seeing them for the first time. The line of her jaw, sharp and strong, her eyes focused and brilliant, her body wonderful to him but built of the stuff of Shieldmaidens he had seen on the battlefield as a boy.

He knew this new question would bring hard memories to her, but .. "Ylva. Your parents. Where did they come from?".

Ylva had never really spoke much of her past, even less of her parents and that may simply be because she does not know. But anything, any piece of information might provide a clue to her heritage.

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"] seemed determined to put her on the spot, and in most cases she didn't mind rising to a challenge yet his next question was somewhat more provocative of her, causing her to pause mid-mouthful of some poor creatures leg, though delightfully tasting as it were; turning to glance back at him as if she had not heard his query into her past. The glance that she found staring back at her only confirmed his interest in her parents, her origins, an aspect of her life that while to many was something hugely significant to identifying themselves as an individual, to Ylva she simply didn't have the answers he sought.

"I can't even recall what my parents looked like, let alone tell you where they came from, Théo..." she spoke rather more genuinely than she had before, swallowing the last of her food first, before elaborating so not to sound condescending or defensive at all. She truly didn't mind so much, discussing something like this with him, she didn't exactly think of it as a personal issue so much as it were simply the hand she'd been dealt in life. "I know they didn't come to Nirauan by choice, they were shot down and then killed by the Clan..." the Clan Solveig she referred to. "They would remind me in my younger days. They thought it would 'make me hard' and encouraged me to hate them for it so that I wouldn't be just another helpless woman like my Mother apparently had been...". These stories of course, she had chosen not to believe. The words of liars, thieves and murderers weren't much to take confidence in and in the end of all things, Ylva had done as they had encouraged; she had killed them all and avenged her families slaughter.

"Nirauan and Clan Solveig is all that I'd known, before you..." She turned back to meet his gaze, her eyes however holding a sense of defiance and stubbornness, a vulnerability in them yet her need to battle it and show her man that she weren't to be considered weak for how it all affected her. "Himmeldal is my home now...-You are mine. I do not need anything more" she sought to remind him, the past didn't matter so much as their future did to her; she could fight and kill for all the right or wrong reasons and try to make up for the life that had been forced upon her, the things that she had been forced to do in order to survive, but in all honesty those things had in fact made her far stronger and she had learned to rely solely on herself to get by. Nowadays, it wasn't that she needed to rely on Théodred so much as it was that she felt she could; that was something that she had never had before and in Théo, she had come to find a compassion and longing not only for him but for her own place in the world of Midvinter and life in general...-He made her feel whole.

"Why are you so curious about these things all of a sudden..." She squinted at him, a slight smirk taking to the corner of her mouth as she silently teased him for his sudden sensitivity and sentimentality.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Naturally there were several reasons for him wanting to know are her, the first one being that he loved her and wanted to know everything about her. However, some of the pieces of the puzzle were starting to click into place with the words she spoke of her parents. Théo knew of the history of his family, and the connection between that and the Valkyri that had venture as far as Olstyn that had come under the now disbanded Iron Empire space. A small band of Valkyri given a mission to find his grandpapa and kill him, effectively removing any chance of his return to Midvinter to re-claim the throne. Providence said otherwise. But could another ship had left Midvinter? it was possible, after all, but whether they were part of the death mission would be unclear.

"I would doubt that your mother was weak or helpless, considering the woman you are, that comes from strength of character of more than one side. What you say tells me that your family had been outnumber and killed by people of a more dishonourable nature", the history of Midvinter had seen the likes of the Usurper taken the throne that was not rightfully his, and had ruled the planet with a very firm hand to say the least. The men loyal to him had executed his orders without remorse or mercy and many died if they did not bow their heads to the yoke.

One more piece of the puzzle might give Théo and Ylva a vision into her past, her birthright. "So Solveig is not your birth name", he said out loud this thoughts, a statement rather than a question. "What is?", he turned to her hoping she would have that memory. He had no doubt that the leader of the Clan would have thrown that mud in her face at every opportunity possible.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"No....-It's not" Ylva responded to him rather conclusively. [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] had only been told so much despite the intimacy and trust that had come to form between the two; she had sought to spare him of her life story partially because of the discomfort in recalling upon it all but so too that she feared it might dissuade his opinion of her. While she hadn't needed his approval in the beginning, she had certainly come to want it over the recent months and in having fallen in love with the man, it had become something she guarded closely, seeking never to lose. Now that he was asking her however...-She knew that it would be wrong to keep such things from him. Ylva wanted nothing between them to be kept in the dark, for she wanted to feel with him like no other, that she needed not hide anything of herself to the young Son of Heavenshield.

"Solveig is the name of the Clan for whom I was taken by as a Child. Akron Solveig was the leader, a self proclaimed chieftain if you will and my..." She didn't quite know how to describe Akron in truth. He had raised her, taught her how to fight, acted like a father and yet had grown extremely possessive and in her later years Ylva had to physically fight him in order to keep his attempts at her, at bay. "He raised me, taught me how to hunt, how to fight...-Or atleast, he did in the beginning". There were things that the Clan had done that went beyond the slaying of her family; things that would likely anger Théodred and Ylva felt were better left unsaid.

At times she showed a mean streak, most notably in conflict where she held little back, a spark of merciless regard for others that had been encouraged through her early life of degradation and violence upbringing. Théo made her want to better herself; he was a good man and he deserved a good woman, something that Ylva didn't believe in herself yet wanted to give to him for all that she had come to feel for the man. "Ylva Havardr...-That's my birth given name. Raoul Havardr was my father's name..." He voice faded, eyes glancing slightly away from her love for a moment, her brows furrowing a little as she added, "I don't remember my Ma...-I can't even recall their face's".

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

There was a undertone in her words as she told the story of her life that Théo sensed held more to it, and it hurt her to even revisit it now. He loves her too much to place her in a situation forced to tell more, so it would be the end of it. The future is all that mattered to him, the present in this moment in the Pass sitting together with her was all that he wanted in life. He pulled her closer still, his arm firmly around her waist and he placed his forehead to the side of her head, taking in the scent of her fire hair. This self proclaimed clan leader sounded like so many past chieftain that lead with a heavy fist, which was no longer tolerated on Midvinter as far back as when Thrand Dawnbringer sat the throne, and his sons and their sons would continue this.

"Raoul Havardr", he spoke the name as if in thought again, the name was familiar to him. His mind returned to when he was a child, growing up in the Grand Hall in Thainbroek and looking at all the Standards that hung from the high rafters beams in the throne room. He had asked his grandpapa who they were what they all meant, which he was happy to provide his grandson with the time and informed of each and every one of them. "Ylva Havardr".

Then he remembered. The wolf clan in the south west of Midvinter. Their banner one of many that adorned the Hall, he could not recall their colours but, the wolf as fearsome a sight to anyone that would see them coming flying their Standard. Raoul Havardr was the first born of their Chieftain and set to take leadership of the Clan once Ylva's grandfather had entered the Great Halls of Beornskald. His beloved Ylva was high born. And a growing smirk parted his lips.

Théo suddenly got up and started gathering all their belongings getting them ready to depart once more. The horses would be rested enough by now and time was pressing them to get out of the Pass, it was too dangerous to remain. "Ylva Havardr, we must make haste and get into the valley before nightfall. There is something I want you to see".

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Ylva turned to stare up at [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] as he shifted, apparently set on making a move all of a sudden where his hold around her had been rather more comforting; "Now?!" she more our less blurted out the response in surprise, no small amount of skepticism coming out to play upon her tongue as she pushed herself back up to her feet and sought to follow him, collecting their belongings on the way back to their Horses; "Théodred..." she spoke his name with apprehension, not entirely certain she would be comfortable with where this was all leading them.

She hadn't spoken of her birthright to anyone before him, Clan Solveig had taught her that the name was nothing but a reminder of her families murder. She had settled things in the end by killing Akron and his companions yet that had been nearly two decades later; whatever could have been her life before had never been a luxury she could afford to dream upon.

She had learned early on in their coming to know one another that, alike she herself, Théodred was a man of action once he had gotten something into his head with enough justification to forget all else. The break had been short-lived. Climbing up to sweep one leg over her mount, she free'd the reigns from the branch and turned her to follow in the direction he would soon be leading them. "You're delusional, even for a high born if you're thinking what I'm guessing you are...-There is no chance, Théodred...".

"You've already got me here on Midvinter...-I'm here to stay. My Past means nothing; it's never brought me any good..." She gave her mount a gentle tap of her heel that it might catch up to ride alongside her love, her gaze turning to seek out Théodred's own; "Just let it be, Théo".

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

As he untied his mount and threw himself back in the saddle, Théo laughed at her words. And for once she had no idea what he was thinking, as much as she believed her in her talent for this. "I'll drop it", he said but failed to mention 'for now'.

He encouraged his horse forward, it was going to take them a good hour to get through the Pass let alone down into the valley below. The terrain was hard and unforgiving in these parts, and to add to his thoughts and his sudden need to get moving again, a loud crack echoed through the Pass from behind them. Théo turned in his saddle and in the distance high on one of the mountain peaks, a wall of ice collapsed from it's holds to the rock face and sent an avalanche of snow racing at speed to the ground.

"Come on lets move". He hastened the pace of them both which was marginal to say the least. He did not continue on with the previous topic of conversation, Ylva has a limit to her patience, not that he feared her but he did not wish to cause her any more pain of the past on their journey, she would confronted enough if this thoughts were realised on this journey. There would other emotions to this as well, but either way he would be there for her.

But there was no point in running from the truth, he had learned that a long time ago when he did something of the same after the death of his grandpapa and it was fortuitous that he had found a friend in those days that helped realise this. Although he had found peace in himself, he still had to return to Midvinter and face the hard cold truth of it all. Life goes on, moves you in different directions and what was once, now becomes the thing that informs the future.

Eventually, the slow plodding journey, began down the narrowest part of the Pass and beyond that, the valley would lay spread before them. And Théo would see a sight of Midvinter he had never seen before, the open plains to the west remarkable and wide, with far reaching forests that skirted them and beyond that, the silver shimmer of what would be the Great Maw. They were clear of any danger from above, and so he stopped to take it all in.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"I'll drop it", [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] said the words yet his expression left her feeling skeptical; He usually put up more of a fight when it came to something of importance to him. She loved him dearly, to an extent that she wouldn't embarrass herself to express out in the open. She was rather the private type unless they were within their own company and indoors; out here there were no others in sight nor sound to disturb them and yet she still had her own pride to consider. He was most accommodating to her independence and need to be her own woman, yet she felt at times that there were certain small things that might bother him, such as her take and hold on her own self expression, most specifically with him in her life.

Both Théodred and the World of Midvinter were aspects of her life that she felt she would never be graced with; it was also therefore only natural to her to want to mediate just how reliant she become upon them both. Théo was her partner, her companion and her lover. She shared herself with him and he understand and tolerated her more so than any other ever had. He never seemed to bicker about her shortcomings, her temper and how easy she was to become defensive or frustrated towards others; he always sought to support her, calm her down and tend to the source of her anger, yet never berated her for it. She had almost bloodied his nose when they first met, all because he took her knife intent on skinning her kill so that she wouldn't have to, and yet he had done so without her permission and thus she had jumped him for it. Now she found herself completely taken by him, the thought of not having him in her life had become a fear and that in itself was something that was hugely discomforting. She had gotten so close to him, she feared losing him...

Midvinter was in part, the same though it came along with Théodred himself. This was his home, his families home and she had been invited to it by her man. If by some horrible twist of fate, Théo decided that he no longer wanted her, grew bored and decided to move on then what would that do to her perspective of Midvinter. These were all emotions and anxieties that she felt, yet never sought to express. The vulnerability within her that threatened to come to the surface when one finds themselves in love with another...

"Come on lets move", his words were much firmer this time around, with a sense of urgency that she was pulled from her self-reflection to turn and gaze over her shoulder in sudden alarm. Further away from them, yet not so far that it justified their ignorance, the mountain side began to shift, slowly gaining momentum as the snow began to fall in what looked like a great wave or cloud of white powder, heavy, swallowing every tree on it's way down.

"Hgyaah!" Ylva shouted as she sent both heels into the side of her stead and the great mount kicked forward, she having to duck her head and fasten her legs against it's side to keep astride of her horse sending it into a gallop down the path keeping up with Théo. The following twenty minutes would pass them by swiftly, the trek down the mountain path considerably more dangerous in their speedy descent though with the distance ahead of the Avalanche they managed to keep ahead while veering to the far side and out of harms way. Fortunate for them the fall was meager in comparison to some of the major collapses they'd passed over the last two weeks.

In line behind Théodred, she guided her horse to follow him out through the narrow corridor of the mountain crevasse and out into the open sprawling plains of Midvinter once more. A smile creeping over her as she took in the sight ahead of them, meadows sprinkled with white yet not as heavy so to hide the green life ahead of them.

"Ah...-Now this is more like it...".

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He was seeing this sight for the first time too. No matter where Théo goes on Midvinter it never fails to surprise him just how beautiful it is, and today it meant more to him than ever. He was with the girl he loved with all his heart and just possibly, this place would come to mean more to her then she thought possible. It was still only a hunch he had, even though pieces were falling into place. He stopped as well, shifted in his saddle to gain a more comfortable seat but also to lift up to see more and he understood why mother and father had decided to live in the west.

Théo turned to Ylva with a smile, he was enjoying their time together, he always does and he never felt so at peace than in her company. "Come on lets get down among it", he encouraged his mount forward and soon they descended the slope and entered the scattered forest. The cold bit in the air was invigorating to the body and the soul, fresh and crisp. And eventually they found the edge of a small river and it would be a perfect place to camp for the night. After all what Théo had wanted to show Ylva was still a good half days ride from him, at least by his reckoning of the map.

As they slowed their pace, Théo dismounted only to walk leading his mount behind him, to give him a rest from his weight on his back. Besides they were in no hurry now, the danger of the Pass behind them. He cast his gaze into the crystal waters of the river, so clear you could see the bottom without any impediment to dull the waters, life lived in it, from small to good size fish that paid them little attention as they pass them. There was a shrill of a cry for an avian on the wing, this time much closer to them, as if the bird was curious about these creatures that entered it's territory.

"You are right, this is more like it", he turned to smile at her.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"What do they call this land, again?"

Ylva turned to look back to [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] briefly, almost as if to remind them both that despite how connected to the world of Midvinter that she felt, she was still new and coming to learn of the lands and their titles, let alone those whom lived upon them. Turning back to look across the land, outstretched before them the tree's enveloped the hills, giving definition to the heights and depressions in the land where the clouds of mist hung low over the valley. The hills far off across the horizon surrounded them, much like the pass in which they had come through and likely gave ample protection against the harsher of winds that typically rocked the coastal regions.

Sweeping her right leg back over the rear of her horse, Ylva soon slid down to dismount and land within the soft snow that rose to ankle height against her weight. Her sturdy mare grunting and pulling back in response, soon soothed by the firm hand of the woman rubbing against it's neck and offering it a comforting voice as she urged her to settle before taking the reigns and leading in their continued stride alongside her man and his own. "No sign of Villages nearby....No settlements?" She questioned further, looking to the farplane and seeing neither smoke that would usually accompany homesteads and hearths for such climates, let alone the absence of sound that echoed something more than the natural life of the woodland terrain.

Not to far off from them but only a little ways ahead, Bjomolf gave a healthy bellow, his bark echoing across the land in a brief expression of excitement as the great beast trumpled across the snow in a heavy paced dash for the tree-line ahead. The general awkwardness of seeing such a monstrous Wolf so eager to play and run as he was without the sense of impending violence which was accustomed in their more feral of encounters caused Ylva Solveig to let loose a laugh at her own expense, something she didn't do so often without Théodred's encouragement.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He looked back in surprise as a healthy laugh issued from Ylva, it was the first time he had heard such a thing from her and he could not hold back a smile and eventually it became too much and he joined her in her mirth. Bjomolf did look funny frolicking in the snow and the sensation of fun and freedom from the large wolf was a genuine pleasure to feel through the force. The freedom of being wild. It gave Théo a sense of envy.

"This land, as far as the eye can see and beyond the mountains is Odiirland in the south part of the Westmark, this valley before us is home to Clan Havardr and from my childhood memory their sigil is the wolf". That was pretty much all he could remember of the tales told to him as a young boy. And he noted the lack of any signs of settlement, but this was a very long and large valley, as most are on Midvinter so the Clan could be located further south of here. Which was most probable.

He walked up beside her, his hand seeking her cheek as he caressed it with the back of his hand. "You know you should do more of that", he referred to her laughter, it was music to his ears, she has the most beautiful laugh.

Yet the afternoon was growing long, the Sun was all but gone over the far horizon behind them, out of sight hidden behind the mountain range they had just passed through. The light was dimming and soon night would fall and so they would be best to find camp soon, if they did not come across any small village or settlement in the mean time. "It will snow tonight", he grinned at her, it always does. "We best find somewhere to rest for the night", the idea of this becoming more and more appealing as the day wore on and beside no matter where they would rest, it would be in each other's arms .. and that above all was the most appealing idea.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Clan Havardr, recognized by the symbol or sigil as [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] had put it. The Heavenshields themselves, as far as Ylva could tell, were represented by the Lion though she knew not why these families or clans of people needed to depict themselves as animals given that man tended to be the most violent among the natural world. Still, watching Bjomolf moving about the snow, the great ice wolf seemed to strike her with a sense of irony given how at home he seemed to be feeling. "What happened to them, are they not still around?" Ylva asked, having noticed the lack of present day mention surrounding these people.

His little comment towards her didn't go amiss, her blue eyes darting back over Théodred and she leaning side-ways to give him a playful bump, shoulder to shoulder with enough weight to shift him about a pace, smirking soon after. "Is it not enough that you please me?" she countered his suggestion with a dry smirk, humor showing through her eyes as she mock-glared at him. Internally however she supposed that he was right, Ylva rarely let her guard down and she had to consider whether or not her indifference to the many places they visited didn't bother him some. She were a hard woman to be around at times, even she knew this. Proud and at times could come off rather arrogant in her staunch opposition towards men beyond Théo himself. She didn't trust easily, yet he had learned that upon earning her trust, one earned her favor for life least they abuse it. "If it's gonna make you happy then I could try to act like one of those little uptight highborn girls you adore so much..." She shoved her elbow into his side with a bit of a jab though nothing at all hard not without humor of it's own kind. She so did enjoy teasing the man after all; her man.

"The woodlands here are pretty thick..." She commented, glancing back over the land before them; his mention of snowfall this eve being answered with her voiced thought on their surroundings. "Bound to be game in them too, I could tag us a solid meal if luck's on our side..." She grinned, soon pursing and wetting her lips at the thought of a juicy steak; they'd been hiking for so long now that the last few nights had been spent rationing what few hares and birds had come their way. Living off the land was like nothing else in life, yet nor was it always kind; it was however her element where Ylva's mind and body thrived most. Hunting was her way of life, not living under comfortable enclosures enveloped in silk fabrics like the rest of the Galaxy.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

As the mounts came to a gradual stop, Théo adjusted in his saddle just enough to get the blood circulating once more. "They are still here, somewhere down in there", he nodded toward the thick forest. Ylva was right in her assessment and it was most like why the pair could not see any signs of life above the trees in the form of smoke. And the atmosphere here is as thick as the trees, which prevents smoke rising high, but makes it cling to the ground.

"Everyone laughs Ylva, even you. But I must admit the laugh of the highborn girls I adore so much is very attractive", he grinned knowing full well it would rankle her, and throwing back her own words. "I would love to see you in a silk dress ...", his turn to turn toward her with a grin and a certain look in his eyes. "Just so I could tear it off you". But before she could respond he urged his horse forward once more.

Théo could sense the signs of life with the forest, there were people in there, a lot of them, but they were a far distance off so they had to get moving once more. "If luck is on our side, we should be eating a hearty cooked meal by a campfire at Clan Havardr .. come on". If they press on now they would make the distance before the blanket of the dark night would lay heavy on them.

He pulled the horses head to the right, leading them down a small path, it was man made and the force was guiding him along that way. By the look of it, it was a well worn pathway not dug in by horse or cart and as they progressed he could see more shooting off in other directions within the forest. He had never seen the like of it anywhere on Midvinter before, it was like a purpose to it, a means of getting through the thick forest with lest resistance. And territorial.

"Ylva", he spoke softly as if the trees had ears and eyes, which they did. And as he looked at her, his eyes darted to the right to tell her they had company.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Ylva scowled back at [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] with a broad smirk as he commented on his attraction to high-born women, she knew he were playing and the glare that she threw him in retaliation was true to the moment, an edge of thread laced in skepticism and amusement; "I would sooner take a crossbow bolt to the hind quarters" she muttered under her breath in response to the prospective silk dress he had somehow imagined getting on her, then subsequently off of her all in the same disillusioned theory of his.

The woodlands were thick and the natural life around them flowed in such immense strength that even with her dulled senses and lack of training, Ylva herself could feel the change in their atmosphere as the pair of them began down the path carved out through the tree's to lead their way on through. Théodred wasn't alone in his study of the thin road they walked, barely even for their Horses to trek through, they managed but there'd be no bountiful gallop in these parts were the need to arise; indeed it was all sentient designed and dug out from the soil. The path wasn't particularly fresh however, the grass and shrubs did their job to disguise it some yet it had been maintained by recent activity from what she could tell, her chest flat against her mount, head basically hanging low that her eyes can gauge any sure signs as the horse followed her Théo's own.

"Ylva" Théodred's voice caused her to freeze momentarily, her eyes lifting back up to glance ahead of them both only to find that Théodred had eased up and taken more to her right flank, there nothing but silence all around them. The Force in her lover was extremely sensitive to the activities of creatures and peoples around him, Théo's instincts had been proven time and time again; as if to add evidence to his warning, the birds and creatures of the land had all seemingly disappeared, not a single cry to song in the woods they traveled.

Here there was far too much cover to make use of her bow, they at the disadvantage should the pair come under attack for the tree's that surrounded them offered plenty defense to whatever other party awaited them; it was for this reason that her hands moved slowly alongside her horse, reaching for the War Axe upon the left flank and drawing it slowly from it's sheath, the second melee weapon remaining upon the creature's right for which she would resort to if needed. The problem was that somewhere out there, Bjomolf would no doubt have caught scent of something new and it did not take a great deal to set off her wolf companion when it came to their lives being threatened.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

His force senses alerted him to the presences of several beings, all only meters away from them but hidden very well from sight. There was a sense of curiosity and cautiousness which was understandable as two strangers had entered their forest and territory but no bad intent toward them, not unless these strangers were here it. Théo slowed his mount until coming to a stop, and removed his hand from his sword hilt and made sure his hands were visible only holding the reins. "Ylva stay on your horse", he spoke softly enough for her to hear him, before he slowly dismounted and walked a few paces ahead of them along the pathway. If things turned aggressive, at least one of them was able to get away or had advantage in the situation.

"What business do you have in these parts?", a man stepped out of the tree line by the side of Théo, tall and strong, he had his arms crossed over his chest and a look that spoke of assured awareness in his abilities as a warrior. Théo pulled his shoulders back and turned toward the man firm in his stance equally as assured of his abilities, "We are looking for Clan Havardr and their village before nightfall. We seek only a safe place in which to camp for the night". The man's eyes moved from Théo's face and looked toward Ylva, his brow narrowing upon seeing her. Théo could not help but notice a striking resemblance in the man to Ylva, and he had to wonder if that was going through his mind as well. By now others had emerged from the surrounding forest, mostly standing their ground but well within range and ear shot.

There was a long silence for a moment or two, and Théo began to grow more aware of their intrusion on their territory which might not be welcomed. "My grandpapa had told me of the great wolf clan in the west when I was a lad. He spoke of their alliance and loyalty to the crown with great admiration. Their banner still hangs in the Grand Hall at Thainbroek, along with the respect of the High King". Théo turned on the spot addressing all of the people in the area. "Your grandpapa huh? no doubt some old fool that never saw a days battle in his life". There was a splattering a laughter from his companions.

"An old fool he may have been, but his sword was forever sharp to fight for his people and he gave his life for them. His name is Thrand Dawnbringer, former high king of Midvinter and the Valkyri". The laughter suddenly stopped, the young man standing before Théo eyed him once more. "Aye, we are his bannermen and that to King Hearthfire. What name do you bear?".

"Théodred Heavenshield, son of the Warden of the West, Lord Thurion Heavenshield". Théo inclined his head in respect toward all the people standing by judging them both.

"And the girl?".

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"And the girl?" the sharp jawed mug with a head of fire not unlike her own spoke of her like some object to [member="Théodred Heavenshield"], this immediately putting heat in the glare that she threw back at him. Her hand reaching for one of her Axe's hadn't however gone unnoticed and in the distanced she could hear the drawing of something akin to a bow or perhaps a crossbow, the tightening of wire and tensing of wood. Perhaps it wasn't the sound itself she could hear but rather feel or sense, something that still seemed somewhat inexplicable to her though she felt sure of it in her heart the moment she turned to look in that direction meeting only the darkness of the tree's cover on their western flank.

"He doesn't speak for me..." She informed their entourage very bluntly as if this was a fact not to be questioned by those whom knew nothing of the pair; she loved Théodred deeply, yet before the company of others, especially those who'd not proven their intentions, her pride would not allow someone else to make a claim for her where she weren't already willing and strongly independent as a woman and a hunter of these lands...-Or at-least other lands of Midvinter not so different from these ones. "My name is Ylva, and if your people do not lower their weapons, my axe will cleave through your thick skull before theirs can reach me...". Théo, Gods love the man, was a far better public speaker than Ylva would ever be. She didn't lower herself to kiss the arse of any man but rather treated them as they would her; if someone was going to disrespect her then she'd make sure they bloody knew it and while in Théodred one might see all the honor of a true Midvinter Noble-born, in Ylva the wilds were rife and ever so apparent in just how relaxed she was in making her threat known to their would-be doormat.

From the depth of the woods, came a long and low rumble that both Théo and Ylva would be recognize instantly, a growl loud enough to cause these strange people to turn and gasp, moving to scramble back before others would intervene and try to keep the great beast at bay with their swords and stalves. Against the attitude she had shown in her voice, Ylva's actions would soon contradict that which she'd shown the male speaker, turning to call across the clearing towards Bjomolf quickly to ensure that he'd not provoke an attack and wind up getting himself hurt before they could establish a mutual ground and agreement.

"NO BJOMOLF!" Ylva shouted firmly, strength behind her voice that she sought to soar above the fear of those the great Wolf had almost come within range to maul; "Come to me boy..." she urged her animal companion before casting her gaze back towards the man almost daringly, "The Wolf is not to be harmed, he walks with me...." the way she expressed her kinship to the Wolf worded to emphasize the mutual care between them rather than he being thought of as some simple house pet. The Great Wolf would slowly, carefully maneuver beyond the reach of the clans-people to return to Ylva's back for which he would remain quite literally watching over as the beast was taller than she herself.