.svg/2000px-Google_Chrome_icon_(2011).svg.png){kind=icon}
Summary at the bottom because of my guilt at this word count. Illynx requested to read the first part.
Damn ice. Cloven hooves slipped for the fourth time on the icey crevices that crisscrossed the floor of the arch. It had been a month or so, since the golden son had slipped from the cold shouldered mountains to seek some spring warmth in the lands below. That day had not been exactly pleasant but at every thought of it a smirk grew upon Thranduil’s lips. He had cleared himself of two negative reports through the good graces of his lady. Yet, having found the cold wind and moods too chilly for even him, the golden had sought to stay low, by going low and discovering more of Helovia. Besides, he wasn’t exactly a home body. Nope, no merry house wife here. Hooves stepped more carefully as at last the opening of the arch. With summer now arriving in the rest of the land some hinting of a thaw blew in to this ice cap. Wind did not bite, and ice did not kill. Even the mountains seemed slightly dormant from their previous death threats. Perhaps they took their cues from their lord. Oh yes, the golden had explored and heard many things. But only rumors, and little at that honestly. Still he had come to realize there were four herds, and four gods. None of which he intended to respect or worship. A low chuckle echoed on the walls.
Returned he had though, the Aurora Basin. True, it was not the sand and heat he had once thrived in, but there was a twisted welcoming to it that was gaining on him. Not to mention the pride that swelled his breast when he thought of how he had stolen it from those which sought to keep him from it. That pride though bended to the golden blade lady who thought so much as he. It was for her that he returned, keeping his earlier promise to do so when the temperature rose. Still as the golden mused, it was not a sense of duty which called him back. More of, a curiosity to know what the gold dusted lady was planning, and why she had seen fit to save one so far lost by that dark demon which ruled by her side. The twin horned sought to know what purposes she had for him if any, and where he might please her. Again, not in duty or loyalty, though he did fell he owed her a kindness, nah, to only gain her trust. To build it, solidify it if possible. It would be a pleasant place to watch a few small fires burn.
-----
At last stepping onto the permafrost and at last out of the shadows of the arch the golden inhaled the crisp clean mountainous air. Resolving himself to find his lady the golden began to make his way into the valley when an eerily familiar call rang out among the rocks. Deimos. A snort released as the tasseled tail began to lash. The call had been for the herd as a whole, but the golden did not feel so inclined. Thranduil did not keep much peace in his breast for that dark lord as he did for his lady. However, his gold bladed lady would also have to answer the call. Mind mused as smile regained his place on his lips. If the whole herd was to answer this call, then he would be able to take stock of what lambs the sheep dogs guarded. What lambs were waiting for a little trouble to come their way. Now true, he would lie low but that wouldn’t keep him from looking. With grin falling away to a face of dutiful ease the golden body moved into a swinging jog to the gathering.
This was not a small band. Coming up to the multitude the golden halted at its edge, leaving a good distance between himself and the last unicorn. No need to give the illusion of desiring conversation. Not with so many wonderful interactions and toys to explore. The swan he immediately recognized and watched as she moved through the crowd, with two followers. Two children. Perhaps that was her secret the beast sought in the Threshold. Perhaps they were what she protected. If so she was not doing a very good job of it. Already some scars etched themselves onto their new coats. Some mother. Still mind began to ache with repressed thoughts as he stared at the two young ones too long. So earth eyes glanced to the one she greeted. An antelope horned lass, stripped across her back. That lass had also seen better days, but it looked as if it could be remedied. The swan greeted her like a lost relation. There was much that white swan was hiding away.
There were other small moving bodies about though. His lady’s child, slipped from her side to join the crowds and cross over to another colt. Both though stood high and slightly proud. The black one glancing up with pride to the lord. Could the bringing of death have son? A chuckle moved in his chest but he kept it repressed. Again, looking too long on bodies so small did not suit the golden. There were others about anyway, all of them though, with horns. He took them in each in turn, before the dark lord spoke.
This bringing of death was not like the golden blade beside him. Now that he spoke more than three words the golden could tell why he did not engage in conversation. It was not his strong suit. There was news to be heard though. An alliance with the Edge. Mind paused on Kahula, thinking of their meeting at the Rotunda. But another land, the Falls had declined. Apparently the rulers of the Hidden Falls had some balls. Mind remembered back to the forest he had passed on his first journey to this ice land, and the darkness and unease it carried under its beauty. Perhaps the Falls was just not in its right mind. The golden wondered if this meant they were potential targets, or if he was to still court affections of their kinds. A smirk rose at the thought of the painted glass wearer, Abishia.
Promotions were in order though. This was only of interest to put names to faces. Lena was a healer, making herself known with a nod, a bay mare with lovely dark thick tassels and kind face. D’Artagnan seemed less of a friendly face, with a half broken glass horn and scars of old. Roland was a lean creature with a copper gleaming coat which reminded the golden a little too much of those which had passed on. Zikrar-Sin, the odd name matching the horse, was a curious creature, who seemed to have some third worldness about him. All this was lovely and utterly boring. The mention of lessons made the golden shift with boredom on his hinds. Advancements were slightly more promising. The Gods bless however which ever unfortunate soul got landed with him. Help was solicited, and refused by the golden. Though two new names were added to his growing list. He was a crafty type, but manual labor was well…not his style.
At last the golden lady beside this dark lord spoke. Her tone made the golden son’s twisted grin grow slightly. Yes he much preferred this lady to the one which stood beside her. Though her speech was more flowery than his, it held much more of interest. A festival, a dance, celebration, and communion. Head rose, now this sounded fun. It held little interest to him for a chance to honor the God they worhsipped, or to celebrate the blessing of a horn, rather he saw a chance for meeting those new game pieces on the board, and slipping into his act as a loyal and all together acceptable herd member, when he was anything but. She called for aid, and named a few others of interest. Various voices murmured excitement and willingness at her announcement, and its conclusion.
So this is what a herd meeting was? Seemed all rather common place to the golden son. It would be much more exciting with a war or two going on, but then peace lended itself more to easy pickings for him. Still, the golden was not much of a historian or crafter, so the call for aid was not answered by him. Besides he would seek his lady out after the bustle of the meeting, and then he might offer her his services, and let her qualify them. The golden’s boldness was being curved by his inability to gauge so many at once. He was learning his caution quickly. Still, before moving off to some quieter area to await his lady, curiosity of the meeting’s continued developments held him. He kept well the back, and avoided the look of others, but took in all that he saw. A ball though did sound rather his style. With a grin he thought, perhaps it would be a masquerade.
OOC ::
Summary :: Thranduil returns from wandering Helovia the rest of spring and upon entering hears Deimos. He joins, staying at the back away from most, but notices Arah's daughters, and Erebos and Rikyn. He is not interested in most of the meeting until the possible festival but does not volunteer help, and sees it as a chance to have his own version of fun. Keeping silent he waits until he might meet Illynx alone, as she promised him before he left. (I'll make another thread for this meeting later.)
"speech"
Back to the Cold Mountains he goes,
With all standing around in repose,
He sees so much to possibly dispose,
Like ice does to a rose.
With all standing around in repose,
He sees so much to possibly dispose,
Like ice does to a rose.
![[Image: 5381546acbe33]](http://images.helovia.net/index.php/view/5381546acbe33)
Feel free to use any force/magic on Thranduil, short of killing him.
Please tag in every post.
Ask Thranduil any question in the world, he'll be forced to answer on his profile. PM with your question.
