#Looking at you Elyia

[atleion]

It took me a while to finish this up, because it’s looooong~ But, here is part 2, the continuation of THIS STORY HERE .  I was going to do a header for this one, but I spent all day writing and I’m too excited to wait until I finish drawing and coloring the header image. XD So, until then, it’s all text, baby. I’ll post what was the header image for this when I finish it up, though.  So, uhm... For the curious who have been following these. Or to the aether. I’ll throw it out to either, because, AH. I love writing this stuff.

"Where have you two been?"

Like urgent fire, the words found Atleion and Elyia as they emerged from the thick brush of the forest. The sun had nearly fallen, painting the sky a wide array of pastel tones that nearly sang. The soft breeze of the day was crisp, and the symphony of the coming evening sang throughout the air.

Standing before the two Aurin children was another boy. Broad of shoulder and face, he glowered at them with piercing amber eyes. His thick jaw set with an accusatory sneer. Bathed in the light of the setting sun, his red hair shone like wildfire.

The red-headed boy grabbed hold of each of them, tugging them behind the trunk of a nearby tree. His small, pointed ears dropped down flat against his head.

Atleion and Elyia staggered as they were pulled forward. Each of them tripped over their feet, tails lashing and eyes wide. They shared a look with one another, and Atleion set his eyes on the ground.

"Don't be like that, Firethorn. We made it back in time." Elyia huffed. She nudged him away with each of her hands, then straightened her simple tunic.

Atleion's fingers curled about the base of his blue poncho, feeling the fringes and the texture of the woven garment. His tall ears drooped down, briefly bumping into the flowers left braided within his hair.

"Whatever." The red-headed boy, Firethorn, rolled his eyes. He peered around the base of the tree, taking in the surroundings with a keen precision. "Everyone's already gathering by the Olders burrow. If we go around, I think we can get by unseen."

He crouched down low to the ground. His ears pricked up, one flickering to the slightest noise of a cracking twig. "You owe me big time, Elyia."

A soft smile dawned upon Elyia's face. She brushed a few strands of her snowy white hair from her face and crouched low to the ground herself, settling next to Firethorn. Her long tail swayed over the soft grasses of the forest floor. "When we're all hunters, I'll let you take the first game. How is that?"

She turned her head briefly, motioning for Atleion to crouch down with each of them. He did, settling between them. His long, wavy hair swayed out with the motion, but the flowers held firm. He was smaller than each of his companions, delicate and soft. His wide eyes, a deep shade of charcoal, stared out from their hiding space at the village grounds before them.

"Flowers. Really?" Firethorn quirked his brows. He gave a shake of his head and a sigh. Before he even thought to say another word, Elyia's bestial glare set him right and he bristled. "W-what?" He asked of her.

Elyia left her gaze on him until she felt her thoughts were suitability conveyed. Without a word to the red-headed boy, she reached over to grasp one of Atleion's hands and give it a tight squeeze. "You look fine. Ready to run?"

Atleion's face painted red, washing out the array of freckles dappled from his cheeks to his nose. He held Elyia's hand tightly within his hand and gave a silent nod, tight-lipped as he'd been since their return to the village's outer perimeter. He had not even been able to bring himself to protest Firethorn's jostling and scowling face.

"I'll go first and signal. Just be careful. Olders are still around." Firethorn held a hand up before dashing from their hiding space. He moved with all the certainty and force of a raging bull, barreling from the security of the tree trunk 's shade to a nearby hedge. A short while after he entered the distant overgrowth, he was motioning for the other two children to follow his steps.

"You'll do great, Rainsong. I promise." Elyia gave her small, purple-haired companion another reassuring squeeze of the hand. Without another word, she tugged him along, bounding through the thick grass that led from the tree trunk to the dense foliage across the way. Every motion was smooth and practiced; her nimble feet stepped over twigs and pebbles, and as she entered the brush, she did so without hesitation or struggle.

Atleion followed after the graceful girl. His bare feet dug into the soft dirt beneath his toes. The feeling of old pine, grass, and earth flooded his senses each brief moment his feet collided with the ground. He ran as swiftly as he could, tripping and stumbling through the tall grass with all the grace of a wounded gazelle. By the time he reached the brush, he tumbled forward, crashing into Elyia.

She caught him quickly, brushing foliage from his soft poncho, and then the trek throughout their village, the Sea of Stars as it was often called, continued in necessitated silence.

For one who had never set foot within their quiet home, navigating their way through was an arduous task. The trees of the forest blended with those roaming throughout the village, and the grass grew tall, untamed as the wilds beyond its borders. To the undiscerning eye, there was no village to be found amidst the verdant green wood. Yet, to those who knew where to look, signs remained everywhere.

Nestled close to the trunks of several trees were holes that burrowed down beneath the roots. They followed at an angle, creating runs for those would-be settlers to travel in or out. Resting over each was a colorful awning propped up on sticks, each burrow marked by a different color, and each burrow neatly adorned.

Fortunately, the three children knew their way around such a hidden locale. The sound of wooden wind chimes filled the air as they passed from tree to tree, bush to bush, watching the procession of colorful awnings and burrow runs with an alert care. All three of them paused at every subtle sound too close to a footstep. Their ears, thickly furred, stood tall as they could; they were alert, like small animals treading cautiously into an open meadow.

One final run bore them to their destination on the far side of the burrow run, where the trees began to grow close to one another and vast. Their trunks were as the legs of mountains, with dark wood that spread out for what felt a great distance to small Aurin. Moss and vines worked their way up the tree bodies, and the grasses filled to the brim with radiant flora.

As Atleion moved through the ocean of grass, it tickled his face. It combed through his hair, laying gentle stalks over the waves of purple and lavender, dappled with the ornate white flowers that made the boy their home for the time. He released Elyia's hand, peering at the tall blossoms of white, and yellow, and blue all about them. His heart was pattering so quickly that he thought it might burst from his chest and bathe the plants in his life.

When he turned his head to his companions once more, they had arrived. The Olders' tree stood before them, distinct from all those throughout their forest. Flowers crawled up its trunk, all the way to its spire-like top, evergreen and ancient. It stretched higher into the sky than any before it, and, as such, cast a blanket of shadow down over the ground below.

Gathered in front of the tree, before the tall, soft white awning adorned in feathers, bone, and flowers that dangled from thin twine, were dozens upon dozens of Aurin. The crowd was neatly segmented, with older adults crowding about the back of the cluster, chattering amongst themselves with jovial whispers. More than one turned their gaze to the three children slipping from the grass to join the gathering, greeting them with smiles and the gentle stroking of their hair.

Towards the front of the mass of Aurin sat the youngest. Small before the mighty giant of the Olders' tree, they barely registered. There were not many of them, perhaps no more than thirteen of a similar age, with much younger children crowded about in front of the adults. Only those twelve or so moons of age sat separated from the pack of Aurin, directly in front of the burrow... And before them, standing vigilant sentry, was a fierce man.

His silver eyes firmly planted upon Firethorn, Atleion, and Elyia as they drifted to the segmented off group of twelve-moon old children to take a seat in the back. He furrowed his brows at them, bushy, thick, and unyielding. Amidst the shadows of the great tree, he was barely visible with his dark blue skin, only the white speckles that lined it glimmering when they caught the light of the falling sun.

Atleion shrank beneath the harsh gaze. He bunched the base of his poncho into his hands, grasping it tight enough the claws of his fingertips worked between the knitted fabric.

Elyia sat beside him, calmly wrapping her tail about the two of them. She kept her eyes forward, her face glimmering with a building excitement.

Firethorn, or Olyro, as he was often called, joined each of them, returning the gesture in turn as his tail too wrapped about the smallest of their group. It was a sign of silent solidarity, for this night ... Was the night their lives would change forever.

"Friends!"

The man standing next to the burrow stepped forward. Thick furs dangled from his body, covering him in a robe of beasts great and small, dark and light. He spread his arms out wide and shook his head to dispatch the long, straight hair within his face.

"Another year, another moon and season, has come and gone." He began. His voice was deep like a canyon, tender like the spring air to surround them.

"We have seen much. From the quelling of the angry Bark Bears, to the harsh cold of the snows. But as the spring does thaw the ice of winter, so too did we persevere, as our Olders before us, and theirs before theirs, and the great Old Ones before us all."

The man turned his head to the group of children separated from the crowd. With the motion, glittering stones attached to thin twine jingled, clattering with one another about his neck.

"Before us sit seeds within the soil long yet sown."

He placed his eyes on Atleion, and the boy squeaked, quickly hiding his gaze. As such was done, the blue skin man's face softened. He inhaled a deep breath, once more looking to the gathered crowd of Aurin, a sea of faces in near every color.

"As too does the year pass, so shall we one day join those before us in the Weave, in all that is life, here and gone. These kits, though small, are our futures."

He closed his eyes. "The Old One's flowers stir this night that they might bloom when the moon is high, and as they shall, so too may these seeds before us begin to grow under their guidance."

The man cleared his throat. He stepped to the side of the awning and burrow, peering at the shadowy blackness leading down, far beneath the ground.

"Before the Oldest of those yet living. Before the Ancestors long since gone on this hallowed evening. May they speak their promises unto the Weave that their paths be marked, their callings known, and their journeys begun."

Hushed whispers filled the crowd, only to soon fall silent. A hundred eyes bore down upon the children, watching them with equally as many emotions. Pride, wistfulness, love, even disdain found them within their space before the great tree.

"My Kits." The man's tone softened as he turned to the children to speak. His eyes grew easy, and his tall ears pointed forward attentively. He looked to each of them in fond hope. "Who among you would speak first?"

The small group of children huddled close together. Each of their eyes sat wide, staring up at the fur adorned man with a mixture of fear and awe. Not one stirred from their place upon the ground.

All about them, the world seemed to condense. Atleion could feel the myriad of emotions permeating the air. His heart roared. The fur upon his ears and tail rose to their very tips, and he breathed a stilted breath, certain the answer to the man, Shaderoot's, question was not he.

Amidst the silence, a pressure in his shoulder captured his attention. He turned his head towards it, only to see Olyro, Firethorn as he was sometimes called, using him to leverage rising to his feet.

The red-headed boy straightened his back as he stepped around the huddled group of children, walking to the very front. His tail flicked back, the sharp white tip snapping as if to punctuate a silent answer.

The man in furs, Shaderoot, set one hand upon the boy's shoulder, urging him towards the run that would lead into the deep burrow.

"Then so it is... Firethorn. Go. They await you before the Matria's council."

Olyro did not look back at his friends. He took slow steps, breathing in and out equally as slow, until he came to the run. Quickly, he slid down and disappeared from view.

The crowd stood in utter silence. Only the howl of the breeze, the call of far off beasts, and the tender tone of wooden wind chimes filled the air about the village of Aurin.

"It'll be okay. I'm here." Elyia whispered. She leaned against Atleion, wrapping her arm defensively into his. She did not look to him, however, focused intently on the burrow's entrance.

Atleion swallowed a lump in his throat. He had not realized he were trembling until Elyia's arm steadied his own.

The silence continued as the sun passed below the horizon, birthing the night. Stars twinkled high within the blue and black sky, and the moons of Arboria showered them all in their pale beauty.

It was that moment Olyro emerged from the burrow. He paused next to Shaderoot at the entryway, grasping something firmly within his hand. It was a knife of polished bone, its handle fine wood wrapped in neatly tanned leather. He held it high, a smile on his face. His eyes lit up with prideful fire as the gathered crowd cheered and cooed, for this day, and this knife, marked his journey to becoming a hunter.

With the cheers still in the air, Olyro took his place with the standing crowd, soaking in the hugs, pets, and ruffled hair that came as he surrounded himself with the village's grown Aurin. The younger children, not part of this ceremony, clamoured to crowd him, tails earnestly swaying and voices mewling.

With the excitement in the air, those children on the ground, awaiting their turn, began to clamour over one another. One after the other, they would descend into the burrow, only to re-emerged to the sound of cheers and praise. Some carried knives like Olyro's, others carried small sticks adorned in leaves, holding them high above their heads when they emerged as if to declare something to those all around them. Each was met with the same, cooing, hugs, kisses, ruffles. Hands fell over them, or lifted them up, engulfing them in a sea of affection and pride.

Soon... Only two children remained in the former, separated pile of twelve-moon old youth. Elyia and Atleion.

Elyia held onto Atleion's arm. Her tall ears, slender and rabbit-like, pointed towards Shaderoot as if she dared to challenge he make her move before she was ready.

Shaderoot stared back at her. His eyes drifted between the two of them, waiting, watching each move.

"You'll do great."

Elyia whispered. She gradually released Atleion's arm. Her fingers stroked his hair, carefully dodging the flowers she'd braided into its length. A smile fell upon her face as she rose to her feet, for it was her time.

She left him there, passing Shaderoot on her way to the burrow run. Calm and graceful as the wind itself could be, she descended ... And Atleion was alone.

Atleion instinctively reached to hold the edge of his poncho. His doeish eyes were wide with terror, and he felt the weight of a hundred or more eyes upon him. He did not dare look to the crowd of his gathered village, trembling from his seat upon the ground. His woolen ears drooped down far as they could, and he felt tears welling up in his eyes as he dwelt on the pressure that was soon to come on this night ...

Elyia emerged from the burrow. Her genial features were sweet like the flowers of spring as she held a polished bone knife up over her head. Her long white hair caught in the wind, fanning out. Like those before her, she joined the crowd, tail eagerly swaying and laughter ringing. She turned her eyes to Atleion and pressed her hand to her heart. There was no more she could do for him this night.

Atleion hunched into his clothing in an attempt to make himself as small as he possibly could. He could hear quiet whispers on the breeze, only for them to cease when a shadow fell over him. His head turned up, and his gaze met with that of Shaderoot's. Try as he did not to stare, Atleion gaped at the silver eyes, familiar to him, but not in such a state. He could not read them as the man knelt down before him, setting his hands on his shoulders.

Shaderoot leaned forward, setting his face near Atleion's ears before he whispered something inaudible to those around them.

But Atleion heard it, clear as he could hear anything.

Listen, and you will know what to say.

Atleion swallowed a lump in his throat. He rose to his feet; his legs buckled beneath him, trembling like a newborn fawn taking their first steps through the forest. He did not loosen the grip on his poncho as he walked towards the pale white awning. The wooden wind chimes caught in his ears, and the world seemed to fall away from him. His eyes were fixated on the hole in the ground, padded down with dried grass and soft leaves to line the slope leading inward. He could see tiny golden lights, like fireflies, filling the night air around him, around the Olders' great and sturdy tree...

Atleion held his breath. He placed one foot in front of the other, crouching down near the burrow's entry way. Slow and anxious, he scooted down it, sliding through the brush until he no longer could hear or see the world outside of the dark underground.

It was nearly black, and the heady smell of earth filled his lungs. Still the fireflies danced, all along the tunnel, to the very base where it opened to a grand room supported by the roots of the tree itself. Vines hung from the ceiling of the burrow, each holding an array of adornments. Animal bones, dried blossoms, carved wood, and leaves, all mingled as one, dangling from their twine as the fireflies danced about the cavernous space.

Atleion hunched down as he passed beneath them. His toes curled into the dirt, only to find there was not dirt. Piles of warm furs stretched out over the ground. Every step he took was like walking upon a woolen beast's back. It was warm, almost comforting, until he set his eyes upon those few souls who named this burrow theirs.

There were four of them. Old, grey, and weary, they sat against the far wall of the burrow. The fragrant scent of tea, and herb, swirled about them, rising to the very height of the cavernous burrow. There were three women, and a single man, each with thickly furred ears and tails, and each covered in warming furs as Shaderoot himself had been. Glittering stones, or bones, sat about their necks on twine. Some held long sticks upon their laps, unused canes, and others still held hollow, thin bowls filled with tea.

Before them sat two baskets, a polished bone knife in one, a stick decorated with leaves and blossoms in the other.

Atleion paused within the center of the room, keeping his distance. Not a word left him as he shivered in his spot.

"Ah. Little Rainsong. You've grown bigger, haven't you?" One of the women, thin, lithe, and bony cooed. She shifted upon her seat, leaning forward as if to take a closer look at him.

"How would you know, you old coot! You're blind as a newborn Moss Mole!" Another of the old women howled with laughter, plump and round of face. She patted her knees with her hand and waved once through the air.

"Hush, the both of you." The old man seated with them spoke with a voice sharp as a spear. His face was obscured by the mass of white hair atop his head, stretching far to the ground. His patchy tail, grey and partially missing, curled about him.

The final woman, with hair neatly braided, and rosy red cheeks, rose to her feet. She balanced against her walking stick, and her very joints seemed to struggle with the motion of standing. More than one bone creaked as she rose.

"Come closer, my child. Closer." She gestured with her bony hands, beckoning him nearer to them. "Let me see you, now. My. You have grown taller, and your ears no longer fall."

Atleion remained rooted in place, staring forward with wider eyes than before. His lip quivered.

"Bah! There's always one, I tell you. Like a little leaf. The wind will just carry him away." The old man huffed. The statement triggered a cough, and, soon, he were doubling over, seeking his shallow bowl of tea.

The bony woman who beckoned Atleion hummed softly. She took one step, then another, the beautiful stones about her neck shining in the light of the fireflies and sparsely placed, thin-leather lanterns.

"Hush, Whisperfoot." She spoke firmly. Her eyes, blue as a clear day, settled upon Atleion as she drew closer.

"My little Rainsong. Have you your words to speak?"

Atleion stared at the old woman. He nearly tore his poncho with the force of his grip. His mouth opened, then shut. His lips drew into a thin line.

"Is that so?" Said the plump woman in the back of the room. She laughed once more, wheezing and chortling. "A man of words he will be, I am sure!"

Atleion's tail curled between his legs, wrapping about his ankle. He inhaled a deep breath. "I... I... I'm... I want to... I..."

He stammered every part of his statement.

The bony woman reached over with one hand, pressing it to his freckled cheek. She held his face firm, setting her eyes on his even as he tried to shift them away. When she release him, she looked back to her three companions and smiled gingerly.

"If you would be so kind..." Her ears, shaggy and tall, leaned forward towards them.

The three stared back at her, then shared a look with one another.

"Of course, Softleaf." The plump woman said as she rose to her feet, assisting her companions. Their bodies ached and groaned as they moved, passing by Atleion and the bony old woman. As each of the old Aurin passed, they brushed their hands over the small boy's hair with a tender sweetness, even the gruff old man with his partially missing tail.

The bony woman, Softleaf, returned her focus to Atleion. "Thank you, my friends... Enjoy the flowers above."

She smiled, waiting patiently until the three old Aurin left the burrow. She stood alone with Atleion, amidst the cavernous burrow, and the soft warm glow of the thin-leather lanterns.

"What troubles you, my little one?" Softleaf grasped her walking stick, weakly drawing herself close to the ground. Her long tail, bushy and covered in fur so thick it sagged, curled about her feet. "Your eyes sing of fear."

Atleion released his hold on the edge of his poncho. The fringed garment dropped down, over sized and large upon him. He folded his arms around himself as if to hold himself tightly, only for the old woman to pull him close and wrap hers about him.

"There is nothing to fear." Softleaf cooed, stroking his long hair. She placed a soft kiss atop his head. "Tell me. Why do you hesitate so?"

Atleion unfolded his arms, sinking into the hug. He grabbed hold of the thick furs over the old woman, burying his face into them. "I don't know what to say."

His shoulders shook and he sobbed. His little body tensed up. "If I say something wrong, then... Then..."

The old woman smiled. She ran her fingers through his hair once more, mindful of the flowers braided within. "There is no right or wrong path to take, or promise to make. Listen. And you will know what to say."

She held him, cradling the small boy as the fireflies gathered around.

In a hushed whisper, Atleion spoke. His voice rested, muffled against the furs he pressed his face into. "I can't."

Softleaf hummed. She pulled one small flower from his hair, holding it within her shaky hand. It tumbled to the floor, sitting among the animal furs.

"Is that so?" She asked him sweetly. She leaned back, seating herself upon the ground in front of him. A tiny laugh erupted from her throat, and she pulled him down to sit with her.

She listened to the empty sound of the room, humming quietly as she continued to pluck flowers from his hair. Each flower she plucked, she gently placed upon the floor around them.

"Tell me, my sweet boy. What shall we do about that?" She tipped his head upward to meet her eyes.

Atleion's own eyes filled with tears. They wandered frantically, unsure of what to say. Barely audible, he spoke. "I don't know."

She chuckled warmly, placing another flower on the ground. "Mm. So it would seem you do not know a great deal." She paused, tracing her fingers upon the petals. "Beautiful, are they not? That you might wander so far to find them, these little blossoms. Many are afraid of the forest."

Atleion rested his head against the old woman, still holding onto the furs. "I like it..."

The old woman plucked another flower, placing this one upon Atleion's tail. She hummed once more. "It is both dangerous and kind to those who might follow it." She closed her blue eyes and her tall ears drooped forward beneath their own weight. "I like it as well. Its songs, and voice..."

Atleion's tense posture eased. He uncurled his hands from the furs over the old woman. "I do too."

Softleaf paused. Her eyes thoughtfully sat upon the young boy nestled on the ground with her. Her tail wrapped about the two of them and she set her walking stick on the hard ground. Without a word, she reached to the back of her neck, pulling one of the twine string necklaces up over her head. Dangling from it, neatly tied, was a stone clear as glass, reflecting everything that stood before it in fragments.

She leaned forward, setting the necklace over Atleion's head. She worked it over his curly mass of hair, settling it calmly around his neck. Once placed, she straightened it, and her quaint smile only grew. Her blue eyes twinkled with fondness and certitude.

"Repeat after me, little one."

Atleion looked up at her. His ears drooped down. His fingers grasped the stone, and he turned his gaze to it, catching sight of his own reflection within it.

"Guide my hand, winds of old." Softleaf began. Her voice remained a hushed whisper. "Fill my heart as the rivers. Clear my mind as the skies. Shine light that I might see."

She reached over with each of her hands, cupping Atleion's cheeks as he spoke, repeating her words after each phrase with confusion. "That I might walk among a sea of stars... And know the way."

Atleion exhaled as he said the last word. He could feel a chill creeping across his skin, reaching down to the very bones within his body. His ears leaned up tall and he murmured something yet indistinguishable. He wasn't sure what the word meant, but as he uttered it, Softleaf placed a kiss upon his forehead.

She patted him on the back. "Go now. Before you miss this year's bloom. I am sure your friends are waiting, my little one."

Atleion blinked. He stood up, hands still clutching the stone attached to the necklace around his neck. "But I didn't choose---"

The old woman raised a single hand. Her eyes shone with a knowing fondness. "Your words are spoken, and they are known."

She reached for her walking stick, settling it over her lap.

Atleion did not understand. One ear raised higher than the other. He turned to head back up the burrow run, pausing at the base of it to look back. As Softleaf smiled at him, he too smiled, hurrying up the run to join his village at long last.

He emerged from the burrow hole, the crowd still gathered, even the three old Aurin who lived within the burrow with Softleaf. They all waited, a hundred eyes upon him, expecting something... That never came.

Atleion did not let go of the necklace around his neck, staring at the group with wide eyes. A few quiet murmurs caused his ears to flicker.

From the crowd, Elyia looked to him. She held her hand above her head shortly, mouthing something to him.

Atleion hesitated. He did not have a knife, or a stick, to hold over his head. He had nothing.

... Or did he?

He inhaled a deep breath. Nervously, he pulled the necklace over his head, holding it up where the crowd of Aurin could see.

He was not met with cheers or joyous coos. There was no clapping, or clamoring. There was only forward ears, soft whispers, and the sound of wooden wind chimes on the evening breeze.

Atleion looked to Elyia, who smiled. She tucked her hands behind her back and her tail began to sway.

As Atleion stood still, the weight of a hand on his back caught his attention. He turned his gaze upward, peering at a dark blue face, dappled in white specks, and home to silver eyes. They met his own, and for a moment, Atleion was unsure if he may have done something wrong.

Then it came. The little crowd of Aurin erupted into cheers and coos. They didn't wait for him to come to them. Rather, they crowded around, ruffling his hair, pulling him close. Atleion squirmed within the grasp of adults and peers, smothered in a sea of praise and fondness, until he felt Elyia nearly tackle him into the ground.

"What is it?" She asked him, laughing and hooting.

Atleion's ears fell flat. He held the necklace close to his heart.

"I don't... I don't know."

[juliaswickcrs]

babe you’re doing amazing with these posters!! can you give me some fun facts about ur newest bean?

Sure! I don't know much about her but I'll try my best!

Her family was very high in status before the King was usurped (potentially next in line or something like that but that's prone to change) and Pharazon resented how close her family was with the Elves.

She's 100% a horse girl, like she breeds, looks after, and cares for most of the horses in Numenor.

Elyia eventually becomes the first Queen of Rohan or is the progenitor of the Rohirrim.

She's almost like Lexa from the 100 in a way because her natural leadership and skill at strategy and politics draws people toward her and eventually gets her "elected" as a monarch.

Where Galadriel is actively seeking out a war with Sauron, Elyia focuses more on survival in general and will only enter the battlefield if necessary

Elyia is a scholar through and through. She didn't have access to much, so she spent most of her time in the Hall of Lore with Elendil.

She and Halbrand are the loves of my life.

[luxmaeastra]

Feyre didn't like this but what could she say? Lark had been kind enough to take her in, to give her work when she fled Night. Alis deserved better but she was not High Lady here, she barely qualified as anything more than a servant.

It still stung that Alis kept her distance. The voices that floated to her were somewhat recognizable. She crept closer, her broom in hand.

Tamlin had stepped back from Lark as she addressed the fae at her door. Feyre heard a groan.

"Tamlin must you have Lark speak for you?"

There was a snort.

"I forget you know Lark Cassius."

"Yes she always was a terror whenever she came over. Of course mother adores her so I was never believed."

"And you wouldn't be now would you Cassius? Why are you here, this isn't Summer."

That earned a chuckle from everyone. Feyre felt her heart twist. Tamlin even smiled, his eyes softened as he met Lark's eyes and kissed her.

How did he know? After everything he put her through why did he get the happy ending? She was the Curse Breaker! She deserved to be happy not be used by everyone! She'd stopped wondering about her sisters. Elaine had left with Elyias to Winter, to apparently join some backwards Children of The Blessed coven there. And Nesta...Nesta had dissapeared after their ultimatum and hadn't been seen in more than a year.

Gods had all that been only a year and a half ago?

"You confuse me with Trolius Lark. I assure you as my right hand he did accompany me from Rask. Maybe he slipped away when Romulus and I came here. Shall I?"

Lark sighed and opened the door, her eyes fixed in Romulus.

"You can stay right there. Actually step off my steps Romulus."

She couldn't see Romulus but she'd remembered his stare. How he'd watched her incessantly at every meeting he'd attended with Rhysand. How he'd found any excuse to toy with her over and over again. How he'd broken her down for his own amusement it had seemed. She had once assumed Rhysand hadn't noticed, hadn't cared. Then she'd heard them speak, call her a distraction for him. A toy to play with for his own amusement. That's when the memories had begun to grow hazy and intermittent. Like when she'd been Under The Mountain but she saw marks, felt no change in her body - what had they done to her? Why had Jurian given her that dagger if Romulus and Rhysand insisted they'd never messed with her memories?

She shook herself, Cassius had walked into Rosehall. He had the Night dark hair and violet eyes but that's where the resemble to Romulus or Rhysand ended. His features were soft, his who body radiated an easy warmth and charm. Feyre would have thought it magic had she not seen even Tamlin crack a smile before he rang a bell. Feyre jumped being shoved forward as the other maids poured into the room. All at once it clicked - a Viewing.

Cassius had come here to see it any of the Lesser Fae would become his wife or mate. It made her nauseous to even think any would want such a thing. She stiffened as Lark gripped her wrist tugging her from the line. She flicked her hand silently ordering her to step back into a shadowy corner. She felt Cassius eyes on her, she expected some quip or jeer. But he only seemed to nod to himself and turn to the line.

Lark moved down the line whispering something to some, straightening clothes or hair in others. Feyre couldn't hear beyond the roar in her eyes. As she stepped away Feyre finally registered how still Alis had gone, how pale.

No, no, no. By Cauldron anyone but -

"Well Cassius have any revelations to -"

Cassius strode toward her finally stopping as Lark hadn't moved. It seemed to take Cassius a huge amount of concentration to look at her.

"The female behind you, what's her name?"

Feyre closed eyes, trying to stop the tears. Of all of them why had it been Alis he had latched onto?

//For Lark!?//

Call her kind, but maybe she just wanted a peaceful life. To spurn the once human who had been wronged by Spring in the eyes of some was not something she was willing to risk, not when they had come so far in restoring the court to his appropriate glory. Had they all not been through enough? Why risk further bad blood and opinion because they were not kind?

As it was, even if she was well beloved and see favorably, she knew the damage done on to her family. She knew the webs spun and the hurt it caused, it still pained her what her siblings had gone through, but she could not blame Spring for that. Spring had been manipulated, just as many had been.

Her attention turned when she heard Cassius approach, it seemed his response to her question was clear. Had he found the one he was looking for? She would lie if she said she wasn’t surprised, her gaze flickered to the female behind her as she regarded who it was. Alis, summer born. She moved aside.

“She can speak freely and share her name if she wishes.” It was one of the main rules she made sure was set in place, she would not treat anyone was lesser. She would not make them feel they had to do what was commanded.

[fii-nixx]

Where the Oceans Meet

Chapter 3: Where the Past meets the Present.

The morning sun crested over the tree line, and seeped through the leaves. The warm light caressed the scenery, only to be broken by the groans of an Elven hunter who is now lying prone on the hard ground. “Now what did we learn today?” I laughed at his misfortune. “Don’t question you when you say you can handle yourself.” “Don’t question me period. Come on, you just learned this?” I leaned down over him, smiling. “Glad to see you’re in such a good mood now. I was getting tired of your moaning the whole trip.”  I helped him up off the ground and grabbed our bags as he dusted himself off. “It’s always nice to get some of the frustrations of the road out in a healthy manner! I mean, it’s not like you’ll actually let me hurt you. You just didn’t know what you were getting yourself into.” Thendril laughed, “And that’s how you got the jump on me. You can’t say that you wouldn’t second guess your abilities, if you were in my position. You never had any formal training like I have, so how was I to know that you could kick my ass into the ground.” We laughed as we began our journey once again. 

The road began to get clearer, and more traveled as we got deeper into the forest. After a few more minutes, we began to come across more and more travelers. Their clothes became more fine and more earth tones the closer to the citadel we traveled. Thendril silently pulled me closer, going so far as to wrap an arm around my shoulders as if he was comforting me or shielding me. Bending his face down to mine, he spoke. “Please don’t fight me right now. We have eyes on us. They are watching us closely.” He has gone into Hunter mode now, his quarry now being threatened. He started to walk us faster through the square, voices shouting behind us, heralding the Prince’s return home with his presumed bride. The sounds of the Elven language harkened in a song that was hypnotic almost like that of a siren’s. 

Here he comes, back from war. The love he has beside him, beauty prevails on his line. Hail thine the Goddess bless, Thendril Starblessed, with his Elyia of the sea and sky. His life force strong as his heart beats undeterred, to make them two in Time’s eye.

“Fuck. Come on Illia, we must go.” He urges me through the doors as we enter what looks like a kitchen. “They don’t know how to keep their big mouths shut, I swear. Look at me. Look at me, Illia!” My eyes snap to his, wide and disoriented. “Oh what have they done to you?” His hand caresses my cheek as I lean into his touch. “I don’t know how I feel this way, Thendril. What did they do? What spell has been cast? I feel as I did before my sire betrayed me.” He sighs, running a hand over his face and through his hair. “It was a blessing from the priests. They’ve always assumed that I would become involved with a siren, like my father was alleged to be. That particular blessing would only have an effect on any with siren blood in them. To anyone else, it would just be random gibberish that sounds sweet.” “Why did they call me Elyia?” Thendril stops. “It means loved one, in my language. Usually reserved for family members, or close friends, or lovers. Why do you ask?” I shake myself out of this confusion, “That’s what your father called my mother in my dream.” The silence around us was deafening, as the reality of what was said bounced around our minds. While our senses were clouded by the effects of the blessing and the knowledge that was shared, we almost missed the soft clacking of heels on the stone floors, of them moving closer to us. In one fell swoop, Thendril pulled me behind him, shielding me further from the intruder. “So you have decided to return home, Brother. How unfortunate.” The stranger spoke with a scowl, disdain evident on their face. “Avaline. How have you been since I’ve been gone. I hope father hasn’t given you too much of a bad time, trying to have you fill in for my duties.” Thendril’s voice dripped with sarcasm, obviously he was not fond of his brother. “What are you doing here anyways, aren’t you supposed to be searching for that little inbreed of father’s? Wasn’t that the whole point of your little adventure? To find them, so father would love you again after all your mistakes, and not send you off to the Badlands.” This Avaline seems so full of hatred and anger. I couldn’t help but want to punch them in the face, which I would have done if Thendril didn’t have such a good hold on me. As if sensing my actions, his grip tightened. “If you must know brother, that was never the reason why I was sent, instead of you. Father knew that I could handle the situation delicately, unlike you and your kidnappings that almost tore the land apart. You had your chance and you blew it. Don’t take that hatred out on me.” He pushed past his brother, pulling me alongside him, still holding me in such a way that I was left clinging to him as we walked. “What was that all about?”, I asked after a while. “That, insignificant pill bug of a man, is my brother. Well, my half brother. He was my mother’s child before she married my father. It’s a long story.” He rushed through his words, as if to tell me not to push it.  My mind rushed, as memories flashed behind my eyes of beautiful women dancing through halls of stone. My head ached, as though these memories were being ripped through the deep recesses of my mind. As if I was never meant to see them. Spotted vision of dark ambers and blinding crismon, cloud my every thought as Thendril rushed me through the citadel. The color of my cerulean irises drained to black, the wisps of hair not tied back under the hood floating as if held under water. High above the city, a storm brewed and lightning struck the many parapets around the city.

All of this went by Thendril’s notice. It was until the sounds of thunder rolled through the halls, and the winds picked up their speed enough to knock the hood off my head, that he finally noticed that something was amiss. As he turned toward me, he was left speechless. I could only imagine what exactly it was that he saw to leave him in such a state. “Illia, is everything alright? You look different?” I blinked, and just like that, it was as if nothing had happened. Color rushed back into my vision, my hair stopping its gravity defying attributes. “I-I don’t actually know. I wasn’t myself for a moment there. What happened? My head feels like it’s been split in two.”  Thendril grabbed my face, not too gently I might add. He looked deep into my eyes, as if to see some sort of window that showed what was ailing me. Turning my head this way and that, even going so far as to tilt my head so he might see the back of my head to look for a bump. “You didn't hit your head and didn’t tell me did you?” His unexpected humor has me worried, as I had never heard him crack more than a scathing remark in my direction. “Are you sure that you’re okay Then? I’ve never seen you this worried over anything, not even when that crow stole the map.” I took his hands in mine, gently taking them off my face. I also took this moment to lightly butt heads with him, knocking him out of his reverie. “I apologize. I think you had some sort of episode, your eyes changed color, you could feel the magic in the air. It was quite electrifying.”

“Oh.” I glanced to the side. “Oh?” I shifted a little bit, in my position against the wall. “It happens sometimes, when I remember things from the past.” I refused to make eye contact, “I think it was another mom flashback. I think something bad happened here to her, something that made her want to leave in the end. I don’t think it was my sire that had her leave, I think them meeting here was an effect, not a cause. I don’t usually have these episodes while I’m awake, they normally happen when I’m sleeping. Sorry, I’m rambling, my head hurts so bad.” As I spoke, my voice got softer and softer, until eventually I grew silent as I lost consciousness.

The room I woke in was cold, colder than the bottom of the lakes I would swim in. Was it the room, or was it just myself that was cold, I wouldn’t know. It was then that I realized that I wasn’t in a room. I was in a fish tank, one that took up the entirety of the walls of the tower. I was floating lightly, at the bottom of this tank among the ferns and kelp that reminded me so much of my mother’s home. Glancing down, I noticed my fins were a much duller shade of my usual colors. The bright reds and greens, now a sickly grey. The only color that seemed to not be affected, was the black accents around the edges of my tail. I sigh, feeling the water fill my lungs and exit the gills on my throat. It’s been so long since I phased. I almost forgot that I could. Must have lost control again for it to be this bad. Slowly, I run my hands down my scales, wincing everytime I nick a loose one. I lost track of time as I went about cleaning my scales and putting order to my tail and fins once again. The color slowly returned as old and rotten scales were removed making way for the newer scales that were waiting to see the light. 

“You need to take better care of yourself Elyia. You never used to let a scale get out of place let alone lose their shine as you have. I hope you don’t mind, I’ve taken the liberty of having you rest in your old room. It seems it’s been a while since you have transformed into your true form, dear. You should know how important it is for you to be in water at least a few times a century, lest you forget how to swim!” This new voice joked and scolded me, as if I was an old friend. In a way I guess I was. “Oh, I forgot how beautiful you were in your youth Elyia. The change of shape may hide your memories of us, and has given you new features, but I would know the feel of your magic anywhere.” Poking my head out from the kelp and other deep sea greenery, I saw who was addressing me for the first time. “Hello, you must forgive me, but my access to my mother’s memories is limited. Can you please remind me of who you are?” His silver-grey eyes lit up in remembrance, his now long grey hair fell over his face as he bowed. “Of course, my dear. You may have remembered me as Jay, but my given name is Aldere Jaynearys.” I grimaced at this. Jay laughed, “Yes, your mother hated it too. Thought it was too much of a mouthful to say behind closed doors, so she took it upon herself to give me a nickname. Much like I hear you’ve done for my son.”  I hid my face with my hands, groaning. “Of course he would tell you that.” Once again, Jay laughed. “Don’t be too hard on my son. He only told me what he felt was necessary from his journey. And yes this included all of your whining, as well as the little episode you had that caused that storm we experienced. Before you worry, nobody was hurt from your little temper tantrum over the memories you saw.” I flipped over onto my back, wincing as I forgot the fins on my arms existed and caught them on the rocks around me. “When was the last time you were in that form Elyia? It seems as if you’ve forgotten what you have and don’t have.”

“That would be because I have forgotten. It’s been too long, I didn’t have half these spines the last time I shifted. In fact I think I missed some when I was freshening up. Is there someone who can help me get the scales on my back, it's very uncomfortable.” Jay thought for a moment. “Of course Elyia, you are after all a very important guest of mine. Your every need will be attended to for as long as you are with us. I will be certain to tell my son his attention is needed here. I am glad that you are back home where you belong, Illia, my promise to your mother is fulfilled.” With that, the lord brushed out of the room, deaf to my protests of having Thendril help with such an intimate area. Well kelp bits. That wasn’t what I was expecting at all.

[smolpocketmonstercoffee]

My Canon DAI OCs

Now that DAI is working on my laptop, I’m gonna show you the characters that I have! I’ll do proper bios for them later, but let’s start off with!!!!

Aetherius Lavellan (née Alerion)

Previously a member of the Alerion clan, the Lavellan clan healer, and most recent development is Herald of Andraste.

Don’t let his surly looks fool you, he’s a total softy.

More under the cut

Suledin Lavellan

Hunter for the Lavellan clan and self-appointed bodyguard to Aetherius.

Don’t let her innocent looks fool you, she has no problem turning anyone into a pincushion for saying a single wrong word.

Elyia “Whistler” Amell

One of Ferelden’s rebel circle mages.

Soft spoken and shy, she wishes nothing more than for a peaceful life.

Shanedan

Vashoth Ex-Mercenary, turned to a more honorable job of being a city guard, decently ranked despite being a Qunari, before the destruction of the Conclave caught the attention off all southern Thedas.

Calm and serious, this Vashoth holds onto both fear and hope in equal measure.

Assan

Shanedan’s younger sister, she does almost everything Shanedan does abide with a bit less professionalism. She barely maintained a low rank in the city guard before the Conclave’s destruction.

Wild as horses and strong as one too!

Erik Hoffka

A bounty hunter who was once raised as a Disciple of Andraste before the Blight. He’s rarely found very far from his four mabari, two wolves, and one hart.

There’s a lot of things Erik’s done in his life and still a lot more he’s willing to try.

Asaarande Adaar

Archivist and Scholar, Tal-Vashoth and now a loyal member of the Orlesian Circle who wishes for nothing more than order and organization.

Silver-tongued and sharp-witted, this imposing woman never hesitates to speak her mind, however, duty always comes first.

[nurelyiaa]

Fuhh.. fuhh.. (blowing the dust off). wow! 2020! it's been a half-decade since i updated my tumblr. the last post was on 2017 if i'm not mistaken, right? i'm not really sure, but yaaa! Hi guys! I'm finally back! 😆 i almost forgot that ive tumblr. i thought i lost it because i haven't active for like yearsssss. Alhamdulillah i got em back! And i was a bit surprised scrolling back my feeds that i used to share my sentimental feelings here. I was like, "wow elyia, you're soooo good with words! I thought i was reading a Lang Leav's book". So shocked, and cringed at the same time 🤣 it's so nice of the old me sharing all her feelings here like her diary. can i say it's actually a great 'TALENT'? not everyone could do that. so, i'm gonna continue the talent back, after so long. and i'm sorry if my words doesn't really good now bcs i've been stopped doing this kind of things for like almost a decade. bear with me okay! ❤️

Now, look at that pic! the new me, new life, new ways of thinking, new look of me, with braces, looks like a nerd, right? anyway, there are gazillion of my life updates that are so interesting i wanna share with you, which may be related to my study, my love story, my downtime, my achievements, my inner peace, and a lot more. i will (not really a promise hehe 🙊) definitely share with you guys about 'em if i have time okay! now i have to do some stuffs, so i'll back in time! Catch with you up soon! 💋 - ELYIA

[siderealxmelody]

He blinked in confusion. This didn't feel like one of his confusing dreams. He didn't remember speaking in those.

"E - Elyias. I - where am I?"

The more he looked at her though, the more he felt something in him loosen. It didn't make sense but he felt safe here.

"Do - do I know you? Have - have we met?"

He tried to sit up coughing his eyes searching for a glass of water.

He supposed he should be dead. Maybe the fae were crueler than he'd realized. The stories his mother used to tell of their benevolence, felt like another glamour.

His fingers twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. He wasn't in the healing hunt of the Children of The Blessed. The room was warm, almost stifling so. He blinked, his vision spinning before he found an anchor point.

He looked to the female.

"Who are you?"

//post ACOWAR? OR SF? who knows maybe Eli was in a coma for a year? Shared vision between them?//

🤷‍♀️ @an-endless-saga

Elain jumped at the sudden voice, she hadn't noticed her patient awakening, since she had been so wrapped up in her book, but looking over at him, the man she had seen in so many visions not only during the war but also in the year since. Elain managed a small smile.

"Oh good, you're awake," she said softly, laying her book aside.

"I'm Elain."

[sribanter]

All the rest

Kandy to Nuru Elyia

Bus station

Travelled by bus at the front with all the bags

Arrived and taken to a home stay in mountains ‘highest village. Very sweet family thirsty for our money.

Played cricket in the streets

Waterfall trek and strawberry farm

Amazing home cooked meal

Nuru Elyia to Ginigathena

Trains still not working so decide to change plan and head a day early to the tree house. Not getting another bus so get a taxi.

Stop at tea train and meet Ian.

Lots of waterfalls

Town and beer shop.

Tree house accommodation

Another amazing dinner (rubbish family run place)

Abigail’s birthday

Jungle trek, leeches and river chill

Caught in rain

Lunch at restaurant > chill > used ‘massage oils’

Ice cream kick

Dinner back to same restaurant

Gekkos!!!

To berewula

Train or Bus or Taxi or Tuk-Tuk? Train delayed, bus too uncomfortable, taxi too expensive. So 6 hours in a tuk tuk it was.

Said goodbye to family

Driver Tried to chief us - again

Rain

Fancy accommodation

Amazing seafood dinner (tsunami)

Berawula to Negombo

Stealing coconuts

Massage

To complete our circle and meet Ezra

Back and forth on train

Finally arrived after 6 hours; almost lost toe.

Met Ezra

Bye Abigail hello Banta

dropped Abigail at airport

Now what to do?

Local lunch after failed mission to get ‘infamous’ egg hoppers.

Bastard tried his luck

Pool and research

To the airport to get Brian and mike

To not waste any time taxi straight to kandy - only stop to finally try an egg hoppers. Ate it before the curry came.

Arrived at hostel, welcome to the dorm life.

Dinner back at Dosi place and beers at pub.

Train to Ella

Not ready for the onslaught that was getting on the train and finding a seat. Aaron passed bags through the window to a stranger. After 2 hours ez and Brian finally got seats (only 6 hours to go).

Ez befriended mans not hot.

Brian and mike almost lost toes

Tasted the local Tobacco (leaf, root and paste).

Train ride was beautiful!

Arrived with no accommodation. Missions.

Whisky, cards and dinner vs no dinner.

24hour shack.

Aaron sleeps!

Mini adams peak

Left from our guest house and started getting lost on our way to mini Adams peak, taking a slight detour to check out the 9 arch bridge. Quickly becoming apparent that sign posting is not something the Sri Lankan’s see value in.

360 degree views from the top were breath taking. Stopped at a green tea plantation on way down.

Ella was a place of biggest and largest and mostests (mainly for mike) - who claimed he was hungriest he’d ever been, before consuming the largest meal he’d ever eaten, and then taking the largest dump he’d ever shat.

Checked out a local temple and waterfall. Witnessed a Monkey Rape.

Back in Ella we chilled and continued our what-would-become epic crazy-eights (to-be-renamed hateful-eights) card game over a few cheap cans on lions beer.

Then to chill bar where service was so bad that Ezra had the nerve to complain and half the mandatory service charge. Resulted in a ban for life which we were happy to absorb. So back to the 24 hour shack - where Aaron resumed his sleeping habit.

Brian chucked Aaron’s flip flop

Ella’s rock

Last day in Ella, we decided you challenge ourselves once more and climb Ella’s rock - apparently even more breath taking and challenging than mini Adams peak. Again no signage meant we got lost.. but walking along train tracks, through lush Forrest and small homesteads and farms wasn’t the worst place to be lost.

I final steep stretch made us work to get to the top, but the beautiful views of velvet green mountains and cascading waterfalls was worth it. Maybe it was the alcohol in our system but we seemed to find the climb harder than the average young girl in flip flops around us. One of the most memorable views on reaching the top was seeing this kids and middle aged women without a bead of sweat and then seeing mike, completely see through, drenched in his own sweat, looking like a drowned rat.

On descending, it was a quick stop at the bottle store before hitting the road to Udawalawe to see some elephants.

Udawalawe National Park > Tangalle

On arriving we all stared to realise for the first time that we hadn’t quite gotten our head around the Monopoly money that is foreign currency. We had been using 5000rupee notes as 50 and 500 notes and mike had even managed to mistakenly use a US$50 and €50 bill instead of a 50 rupee bill.

Our earliest start yet was met with mental and physical resistance. Despite a very enthusiastic guide and some very close encounters with elephants the safari was largely lost on us lads as we couldn’t even look an elephant square on, down his trunk, from 5m away without drifting off to sleep.

Quality buffet breakfast!!!

Off we set in the rain to finally reach the coast, Tangalle, still shcleeping the crate of beers from the liquor store in Ella.

Beautiful sea side fishing village. Played cards in the rain and befriended 2x Dutch ‘lesbians’.

Puti the Mafiosa manager at our hostel. Always topless, giving ordered from seated position, getting pissed! Medallion around his neck and a ‘don’t fuck with me’ attitude.

Got pissed playing card games, watched some Sri Lankan’s watching other sri Lankens playing cricket in Sri Lanka, chilled on the beach

Tangalle Town

Following a very jam-packed first few days, we finally took a day off to do nothing and chill. We spent the day exploring the town and tasting local food (except mike who went for toasties and milkshakes - and was then gobsmacked when they were below his western expectations). Although at this point we did start validating an ever clearer pattern that service in Sri Lanka is TERRIBLE! slowness is one thing but it’s plain incompetence.

That night Puti put on a fish braai for us which was world class! He also somehow persuaded us to try these raw local chillies... what pursued provided endless entertainment for him and his friends. They did however return the entertainment by drunkenly serenading us until the early morning.

[atleion]

(( Now that I’ve done my mourning for Wildstar and feel productive again: I’m still quietly working on finishing these memory sequences about Atleion’s childhood leading up to the Ravaging of Arboria, because I am still a nerd, and I like exploring his upbringing. This is Story #3, and part 1 of 2 of a particular story. The next one coming up continues directly off of this one, for anyone who likes to read these~ I’ve been writing relevant memories in order. It’s a loose narrative structure, I know, but they all connect. C’:

I’ll finish a picture someday ... Someday. *wistfully looks into the distance of sketches and lined pictures yet uncolored*. In the meantime, a quick sketch of Atleion when he wasn’t an incredibly troubled boy putting himself in too many dangerous situations. I’ll save the proper story header for next time~ ))

The gentle tickle of grass against his skin was like a warm embrace. He could feel each tiny gust of wind drifting through the forest. Like some great beast's breath, it washed over him in steady waves, always carrying the fragrant scent of the woods.

Atleion could have laid upon the ground forever, basking in the glow of the sun peaking through the branches. It was calm, quiet, as the forest often was. The serenade of distant animal calls, and the dabble of the river rushing from the far off mountains, lulled him to a drowsy near-slumber.

He may well have fallen asleep had it not been for a sudden weight dropped onto his small body. It knocked the breath from his lungs, eliciting a sharp wheeze.

"Come on, lazy! If we don't keep moving, we're never going to get back before Shaderoot notices."

Atleion's eyes, dark as soot, opened up wide. The world around him was a brightened blur of spire-like trees stretching up into a patchwork canopy. However, placed squarely within his view, was something quite different from a tree.

It was Elyia, adorned in her snowy white shawl, and her finely knit tunic. Her dusky skin caught the shadows of the branches, and her silvery gaze twinkled with the light of adventure.

The weight upon his stomach returned, more forceful and insistent, as Elyia shook him with her foot. She waved a hand above his face for good measure, then took a step back. Like a clock's pendulum, her woolen white tail swayed to a steady, unheard beat.

"It's not much further. Promise!" She beamed. Without another word, she spun on her heels and disappeared from his field of view.

Atleion caught his breath. With a smile spread over his face, he sat up and adjusted his thick poncho over his small frame. Blue, white, and elaborate, it carried the swirling patterns of old decorative symbols common to his people.

"It was only a minute!", Atleion called out. On his feet, he dusted grass off of his knees. He shook his head, sending the unruly mop of curls upon it into a frenzy. His lush purple hair tangled up, right to the tip of his ponytail. With one forceful swing, his tail dislodged the rest of the loose grass clinging to his fur, and he scampered off after his companion.

"A minute! You almost fell asleep." Elyia protested. She paused by the edge of the slow moving river in front of them. Her bare toes touched the water, curling against the soft dirt.

Though Atleion opened his mouth to protest such an assertion, he knew her to be right. It was all he could do to offer her a sheepish smile when she looked back to him, for he had delayed their journey long enough.

"Got you~" Elyia chirped. Her voice carried like a lofty bird's.

Without further warning, she grasped his hand within her own and set off once more. Her feet nimbly touched the large stones protruding from the river's currents. One after the other, she hopped along them, tugging Atleion in tow, until they safely reached the banks of the other side. Even as Atleion stumbled, sliding into the water, she never once relinquished him to the currents.

His fingers wrapped about Elyia's hand, holding it tightly. He could feel the racing of his heart within his chest. It rose like a leaf on the wind, carried higher the faster the two of them moved through the forest's dense depths.

Before long, the two young Aurin came to a stop. Each of their ears rose high, pointed forward at the silence to surround them. Not even the call of beasts rang within this part of the forest, nor the howl of the wind. It was as if the world had frozen in time.

Stretched before them was a tunnel of foliage and stone. The thicket appeared to go on forever, shadowy, dark, and foreboding. The branches of the brush reached down like monstrous teeth, gnashing at the moss ridden boulders to crowd their roots.

Atleion's toes dug into the pine mould and dirt beneath them. The claw like nails at the ends of his toes raked the ground. His grip on Elyia's hand grew tighter, in a vain attempt to mask the tremble of his limbs.

Elyia's fingers laced with Atleion's. She offered him a warm smile. Her long white tail swung behind her, brushing into his playfully.

Her eyes bore a certitude matched only by the fluidity of her steps. She hesitated not a moment longer before beginning down the thicket encased pathway. All the while, she gently herded Atleion forward, guiding him silently into the belly of the beastly path.

Atleion's thickly furred ears pressed against his head. His tail had ceased any semblance of motion, dragging limply behind him and along the ground. One step after the other, he felt his feet sinking into the layers of old pine needles blended with cool dirt. As he looked down, he could see the trail the two of them left; it was a line of small footprints, overlapping every few beats.

"Ely, we shoul---" Atleion began.

"Shhhh."

Elyia's grasp on his hand tightened. It was faint, but situated just in front of them was a genial glow of light. She followed it as a butterfly drawn to a flower.

Though it lasted only a few minutes, Atleion thought it an eternity. He held his breath until they passed from the shadows.

At once, he was greeted with blinding brightness. His eyes squinted. He reached up to shelter them, blinking several times to adjust to the new visage.

"Isn't it pretty?"

Elyia's voice broke the silence.

Atleion lowered his hand. At a gradual pace, his ears began to rise up, right to the very hairs at their tips.

The thicket the two had traveled through had given birth to a clearing, encircled by centuries old verdune trees that stood guard. They were diligent soldiers, intent on protecting the contents of their station. Like a pond of silk, white flowers rose from the grasses. Some grew taller than others, but they all held in bloom. The sun's light brought a twinkle to them. Perhaps most stunning, however, was the rising stone within the center of the clearing. Its surface was clear as glass, reflecting the scene around it like a steady pond.

Atleion's grip on Elyia's hand loosened. His fingers fell from hers.

"Told you it was cool." Elyia leaned over to whisper in his ear. She bound forward, gently placing her feet between the flowers to avoid crushing them. With the grace of a fawn, she moved upon her toes. Once she reached the reflective stone, she spun back around. Her long white hair caught in the breeze, swaying outward. "You can thank me later."

Atleion held few words. He carefully tried to follow the trail his companion had taken, sliding his small feet into place in spaces the flowers had not taken root. He spun as he walked, twisting to catch every angle within his view.

"How'd you even find this?" Atleion laughed. His gaze whipped towards Elyia, and with it came his hair. The waves of lavender tipped purple dangled within his eyes.

Elyia giggled. She pressed a finger to her lips and winked once. "That would be a secret."

The girl turned to face the reflective stone, peering into it. Her hands touched its surface, fingertips pressed firmly to it.

"Really?" Atleion scoffed. Even as he had, a smile remained on his face. He'd reached the tall stone, and once he looked closely to it, he could see his own reflection, staring back at him with doeish eyes and soft features.

"Mmhm." Elyia made the noise passively. She pulled her hand away from the surface of the stone. "But I thought you should see it. Before tonight. It won't be this easy to sneak out here after ... You know."

Atleion looked towards the ground. His tail came to rest among the flowers, and without a word, he sank down to sit upon his heels. Their days of exploring the forest unfettered were soon to be behind them. This much he knew. They were twelve cycles old, and with that came responsibilities. Their future awaited them within their village, and that night it would be decided.

After inhaling a deep breath, Atleion reached over to touch the glassy stone. His fingers curled against its surface. "Yeah..."

"Have you thought about it?" Elyia crouched down next to him. She smoothed her tunic down before seating herself carefully among the flowers. "What you're going to say?"

Atleion shook his head. He was tight-lipped, and his brows twisted in discomfort.

Silence passed between the two children, the world populated by little more than the carefree wind rustling the flower petals and tree branches.

Atleion opened his mouth to speak, only to stop when he felt something tangling within his hair. His eyes lifted towards Elyia, who had become focused as she messed with his purple locks. Her fingers were nimbly braiding something into his hair, and it was not until she reached for another object that he realized she were braiding flowers into it.

His mouth shut and he eased, shifting as she worked a series of them along the side of his head.

Elyia leaned back and held her fingers in front of her as if to frame Atleion in her view. Her tongue stuck out from the side of her mouth. "Hm."

Her tail gently rolled through the flowers behind her. "There we go."

"What'd you do that for?" Atleion tilted his head upward. One of his ears rose high, and his eyes began searching for an answer not easily found.

She dropped her hands down and flashed a warm grin, enough to shine the sharps of her teeth. "For luck."

With her answer stated, Elyia rose to her feet. She dusted her tunic off, staring down at the small boy next to her. Her hands tucked behind her back, elbows straight. "Nothing to be scared of if the forest is with you. Right?"

Atleion stared up at her with wide eyes. His fingers gently trailed the side of his head, just beneath the flower petals worked into his hair. He smiled wide himself, offering Elyia a firm nod in response.

She coyly slapped his back with her tail, prancing off towards the thicket tunnel they had entered through. Her arms flew up and she called out, loud as she could.

"We should get back! If we're late, even the Old Ones can't save us from Shaderoot's ..." Her fingers pulled her eyelids down from her cheeks, dreary and grim. "Stare of no-fun."

Elyia dropped her hands down and dashed off into the thicket, leaving only a flash of her white hair and tail in view before she disappeared into the shadowy foliage. "Last one there has to tell him where we were!"

Try as Atleion did not to laugh, he could not contain it. His shoulders shook. His face flushed a bright red, and he howled into the quiet, scampering off after Elyia towards the thicket entrance.

His feet clumsily carried him through the flowers. More than once he fell, and his long tail, purple as his hair, with a lavender tip, whipped out to try and maintain his balance. As he reached the thicket's entrance, however, something stopped him dead within his tracks. A whisper.

He stood on his toes. His ears pricked up, twisting each direction his head looked, until he turned to glance back at the glassy stone in the clearing, and the sea of white flowers in bloom.

Nothing was there. As soon as the sensation had washed over him, it had drawn away like the rolling tide.

His ears lowered down. He shook his head... And without giving it a second thought, he bound into the thicket to continue the journey home.

[fii-nixx]

Where the Oceans Meet

Chapter 2: The Bargain of Saints

It's been nearly a month since I left the town of sailors, with the Elf hunter Thendril. A whole month of perpetual silence. The snark and attitude I’ve already attributed to his personality, washed away by the winds of the roads we traveled. For both my safety, and his, I have had to wear a form of gag and pretend to be his quarry. The men farther Inland seem to be more superstitious than those of the Sea Ports. The sight of a siren was like that of a traveling show. I was a gimmick for children to laugh and point at, not even allowed the pleasure of removing the gag at night. It was ridiculous, as the binds didn’t actually do anything to silence my voice. Should I really want to use my Voice, it wouldn’t matter if I was gagged, it would be heard by someone. Though it would be a smaller area of effect. I’m getting ahead of myself. This was the deal I struck with the devil. 

“Okay, I am getting sick of this stupid mask. I’m taking it off.” I spoke into the night as we camped between towns. “You know why you can’t do that.” Thendril spoke softly, I almost missed the sound of his voice. “Oh! So he can speak! Here I thought your throat was rusted with how little you replied to my issues!” He just grunted in return, as I huffed out of annoyance. “Seriously I need one hour to make sure my jaw still works from this thing. It hurts to even think, let alone sleep in it again.” “Would you prefer your other options? I do still have the rope and bag available. Though you’d still have to keep quiet.” He smirked at the look of pure disdain I threw at him. “Absolutely not. I will not be dragged to some unknown location, without knowing how to get back on my way afterwards. Remember, I agreed to see if I was actually this savior of yours, then I’m on my way. I’m not saving anybody. I’m not a part of any oracle or prophecy or whatever you want to call it. I’m simply gaining asylum from your father against any of my sire’s descendants.” I pointed my finger at his chest, hoping to get some sort of rise out of the normally stoic elf. “Call it what you’d like princess, my father will only grant asylum to you if you fit the prophecy. If you don’t he’ll most likely cash in that bounty himself. So, you better hope you are the one I’m looking for or else you’ll be shit out of luck.” He pushed my hand away from him, as he moved past me to start setting up camp. “Wow Thendril, curse words? That’s not very becoming of a noble’s son. I think the roads have been rubbing off on you, or you’re just grumpy at the thought of all this wasted effort on your part. Imagine, we take all this time and I’m not even the one you’re looking for? What a laugh that would be!” I sat there laughing almost maniacally at the sheer thought of causing him a slight inconvenience for dragging me halfway across the country, to a land that many never return from for one reason or another. “Do you have a death wish? Cause it seems like you do. Do you really not care about what happens to you? What is wrong with you?” The tone in his voice showed anger, laced with concern. I was winning by pushing his buttons. “When you have lived your life on the run for as long as I have, you learn to live with the thought of a horrible death. In fact, if this goes south, at least I know for a fact who is going to be killing me. I can look them in the eye as they sign my death certificate, and thank them for finally letting me die. At this point, I live only out of spite.” I stretch out my bedroll, truly not caring about the facts of my life I have now disclosed.  “Is that truely how you feel?” I shrugged my shoulders, not really wanting to answer him. “What a sad existence. You can’t be more than twenty years old. You are too young to be having this kind of thought process.” I started to laugh, loudly and uncontrollably. “Is that what you think? That’s how old you think I am? Thendril, I am two hundred years old, with the collective knowledge of three millennia of those that came before me. I am tired. I have had so little existence for a siren and yet I am so vastly more mature than those like me. I have yet to live long enough to long for death and mourn my life, but I cannot wish for it either.” With that he was silent once more. “Look, it's not anything for you to worry about. I’m not about to run off and get myself killed if I can help it, my survival instincts are too strong. However, I also refuse to use the powers granted to me to prevent my death should it come. If I am slated to die, then I at least want it to be on my terms.” Thenfdril never replied, he just stared into the fire deep in thought. “What are you thinking about, Grumpy?” I crawled over and poked him in the cheek. “Don’t call me that. We are not friends, you call me by my name,” He scowled. “But it’s such a mouthful to say every time I want to get your attention.” I whined, truly bothered by how long his name really is. “Still, do not call me that. To answer your question, I am thinking of what a lonely life you must lead.  Everyone you meet, only wants something from you. Either they want your bounty, your head, or your powers. How does one live like this?” This time I am silent.  “You’re right, it is lonely. I can’t build any lasting relationships. I can’t afford to make friends, not when it’s my life on the line. It doesn’t stop me from trying to some extent though. Like with Hayworth, it wouldn’t have helped me to be rude or mean in any way. I needed a place to sleep and food to eat, and he was more than happy to lend a hand to a pretty face. That seems like the only thing that works for me. I don’t like using people for my own gain, but unfortunately I can’t survive on my own without some help. Why do you think I jumped on the chance to have government protection, for even a small amount of time? So you’re right, we are not friends. We are two near immortals who need something from each other. However, I would like for this to be enjoyable for the both of us, so you will have to forgive me for being friendly towards you. Unless, you want me to continue treating you like you’re going to kill me at any second?” I cross my arms, waiting for his answer. He shrugged, “I would rather not have you screaming and insulting me every five minutes again. We can be friendly, that is no issue. However, we are almost to my country, so as we get into the towns you will not be able to be as forward with me. There is a level of respect that must be upheld with the people.” I started to laugh. “Yeah, yeah I know. The elves treat their nobles like gods, almost. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t want to offend anyone.” He glared at me, “You joke now, but some would not hesitate to remove your head from your shoulders before I have a chance to correct anyone. There’s a reason I warn you now, instead of just letting you expirience it yourself. These aren’t sailors that want to take their aggression out on the nearest siren, they do not care what you are, they only care about how you behave to them.” I throw my hands up in surrender. “Alright, I’ll behave, on one condition.” Thendril groans at this. “And what would that be?” I smirked, “You have to let me pick out a nickname for you, before we part ways.”  “NO. Absolutely not.” He practically yelled. “Oh come on! What’s the worst that can happen, Treeman?” I grin at him, happy to bother him a bit more before I am forced into silence again. “Don’t call me that, also did you ignore me when I said that someone would definitely murder you out of spite, and there would be nothing I could do to help you?”

“And did you forget when I said, if someone wants to end my life, I’m not exactly going to stop it. Seriously, I should call you a Pickle for how sour you’re being. I’ll drop it for now, but you are getting a nickname.” Thendril groaned, “Fine, but I’m approving it before you say it anywhere in public.” I grinned, “I’ll take it! Now let’s get some sleep before we talk all night.” Throughout the night, my sleep was fitful. Dreams of my mother’s death, the call of the ocean, shadows of people I know I’ve never met in this life. The one thing I wasn’t expecting to see in my dreams on this night, was Thendril. I believe it’s only because we have been together for a month at this point. However, it was him but not. He was younger, his face less sharp. It wasn’t until he spoke that I realized, it was not him. Must be his father. I guess mom met him at some point.

Flashback

“I don’t know what you want me to say to you Jay. I love him and I’m willing to give everything up for him. Even if it means that I will no longer exist.”

“Why do you insist on causing me pain Elyia? If you leave I can’t protect you or your child, you know this!”  The man shook with anger. “Why him? Of all creatures, why the human? He will kill you if he finds out!” 

“Then I will pass on my knowledge to my child, as is custom. They will find you, it is inevitable. I don’t care what you have to do, if he kills me, you will protect my child for I am them, and they are me. It is time that I begin another life.”  

“Illia....Illia...ILLIA!” I wake with a start. Rubbing my eyes, I noticed the tears in Thendril’s emerald eyes. “What’s wrong? Did I say something in my sleep?” He takes my head in his hands, to look me in the eyes. “Um..Can I help you?” My voice is heavy with sleep. “Are you okay?” His question takes me off guard. “Um… Yeah I’m fine, I think? Why?” His head drops to my shoulder, as he wraps his arms around me as he hugs me. “I could see your dreams. I promise, it was not intentional, I think you were projecting your mind to mine. I am so sorry.” “What did you see? I don’t care that you saw, but what did you see? Was it the same as me?”

He hesitates, before finally answering. “I saw your mothers death. I could feel her pain, as well as yours. I could see your whole life, including when we met. Um...and I could hear what you were thinking.” He looks away suddenly, as if embarrassed. “Do you really like my eyes?” I groan. “Is that really the only thing you got stuck on? Yes your eyes are hauntingly beautiful, like the color of kelp or the lake when the algae is reflected in the waters. That's not the point though. You saw all of my past?” He moved away, “Yes, to an extent at least. There were some blank spots as well. What did you see?” I sigh, “I think I saw your father? He knew my mother. They had an argument before she left with my sire. He knew that she would die, and tried to stop her. She didn’t care, I think she was ready to move on. She made him promise that he would protect me. I think he loved her.” He was silent for a minute, as he rose to his feet. He sighed and scratched his head, looking away again. “There’s a good chance. Before I was born my father was known to have a woman around him in his court. She was mysterious, very few knew her name, even less knew what she did in the court. One day, she disappeared. After this, my father was married, and forbade any humans from being in the court. He almost outlawed humans entirely in his land, but too many of his people were involved with them. As much as he hated them, he couldn’t rip families apart like that. No one ever really told me why this was.” 

“That would explain the random myth of a half breed. He just wanted to make sure that I would be handed over to him eventually.” We were silent for a moment. “So, what do we do now? I don’t think we will be getting much more sleep tonight.” Thendril paused, lost in thought. “Let us pack up. You are right. We won’t be getting any more sleep tonight, dawn is already almost upon us.” We packed in silence, the dreams of the night weighing heavily on our minds. Before we started on our journey once more, Thendril stopped. “Come here for a moment Illia.” I looked at him skeptically. “Why?” He grinned, “Just come here you brat.” I walked over hesitantly, not knowing what to expect. “Close your eyes.” I stared at him, the questions I wanted to ask lay deep within my eyes as we made eye contact. “I promise, nothing bad will happen to you. You will have to trust me.”  As my eyes shut, I saw a new mask descend upon my face. It was soft, quite unlike the other one, which was made of burlap and made my face itch like crazy. It also laid perfectly over my nose and mouth, as if to hide my identity from the world. It smelled earthy, like him. I never realized how much I enjoyed the smell of the forest until I joined this little trip. “Alright, you may open your eyes now. Let me know if it needs any adjusting, I know it's not the most comfortable thing in the world but it will have to do. We will be entering my father’s lands soon, so there is no need to wear the gag. Sirens are welcome there. However, it is still dangerous for you being a half breed thus the need for the disguise.” Thendril walked up and placed a hooded cloak around my shoulders, adjusting the hood to hide my dark locks and pale skin. He pinned it in place with a clip made of what I could only assume is his family crest. “I apologize in advance, but we will have to play the parts of a carefree couple. While my father knows of my true quest, the public thinks I was on my way to find a bride. You won’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, I swear. Just hold on to me, and hide your face in the cloak if people get too close. I will take care of the rest.” I stared blankly at him. “Why must I hide my face? Doesn’t that seem a little counterintuitive?” He looks down at me as we start to walk further into the forest. “Well, in all honesty, it wouldn’t have been such a big deal. However, your eyes are quite unique, and thus people will feel more obliged to ask uncomfortable questions. The less people know about you the easier it will be to get you in and out of the castle unharmed.” This only confused me more, as I never thought my blue eyes were all that unique. Yes it was pretty rare in humans, it isn’t all that rare in Sirens. It is a mark of royalty and power in the seas. “Alright, I guess that makes some sense? Let’s get this over with.”