the Rift


[OPEN] We Were Young and Carefree Once

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#1

The dark deer bounded along, his steps light and heart high as the sky. They were headed somewhere new today, and he could already smell the salt in the air. At the first dune he practically bolted away. The gold watched him go. In Haldir’s mind, the gold had given in to the deer’s request that they go do things other than storm castles and annoy the locals. In actual fact it was a bit more selfish. If they went somewhere more exciting, the deer might actually leave him alone for a second. Ever since the spar with Tingal and his other numerous close calls, the deer had become more of a nanny than companion. And he was close to being told off for it. So in a rare move to actually keep the peace, here they were. Besides, it had been a while since he’d had a good swim (the splash after jumping of World’s Edge’s cliffs didn’t count).

Haldir bounded over the dunes, letting his young legs spring him over the tall grasses. The gold caught only glimpses as he crested the dunes as well. When at last he crossed over the last one, Haldir was already crashing along the waterline. Thranduil only snorted and shook his head. At the last clump of grasses the gold paused and let his satchel and golden cloak slide from his back, then covered them with the prized black invisibility cloak. A drug hoof line marked the spot. Smug with his trick the golden moved off again. Life as an outcast again had reminded him of many privileges he had taken advantage of in the past.

Haldir was already soaking wet, and was daring to go deeper and deeper into the cool waters. With his dark coat the sun had been punishingly hot, and as the wave crashed over his back his whole being trembled with the chill. The gold watched for a moment in some strange mixture of annoyance and contentedness. The strange relationship between he and the deer never ceased to be full of contradictions. If anything, as the stag grew they found only more odd moments  that joined them or tore them apart. Yet there was, unlike with any other living thing and the gold, some understanding beyond pity, or sadness. There was something unnamable that was completely understood by between them. And acts had past which none other could do for either. No one ever sought to protect the gold before, not since…..

Crowned head shook vigorously. Those thoughts had plagued his mind far too much lately. This day about escaping those (and to please the stag, to escape them without terrorizing the villagers) about putting of some mask of normality, even if it was lie to themselves. The leafen star head tossed up in defiance, and roared out a mighty bellow. Haldir slides to a halt and echoes it, with decidedly more joy and excitement. Charging up the sands the gold let roll his full heritage. His neck curled, and legs lifted high, kicking sand to the heavens. His head shook with a surge of momentum and the now usual rebellious carefree air. As he crashed into the waves the deer happily followed. If you didn’t know about the ghosts wandering in the gold’s head, or the rebellious nature of the gold lately, it might look like a pleasant family moment. Pity it was a lie.

OOC:: Open to all...even Jen <3. XD 

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men

[Image: 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.

Zyanya Posts: 70
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 14.1 hh :: VI
Tai
#2
Zyanya
The new life promised by Helovia created a thirst in Zyanya's spirit unlike any she had previously felt.  The mare once contented to live out her days as a quiet flower on the wall changed drastically in the past weeks.  From the tumultuous shift of her life's path to the troublesome self-doubt introduced by meeting others much more capable than she, Zya opened her heart to the idea that she wanted more.  More than the dull life of a lady in waiting, more than the adoration of her parents, more than chasing the image of perfection sought by ladies, more than mourning the loss of a younger sister in silence.
She wanted a life, whatever that meant, entirely her own.

On her second journey from the Aurora Basin since her arrival, the girl decided to venture further than her previous trip.  Since the magical fields high above the ground brought her such a pleasant experience, viewing the blossoms smiling at the sun and the opalescent figure of Seanan, the expanse of this realm must carry more surprises and beauty.  Perhaps, were she lucky enough, the land might teach her more of what her life's purpose would be.  Surely, if she searched hard enough, a path would appear beneath her hooves, allowing her to walk confidently in that direction.  For the moment, Zya settled on ambling uncertainly through the western lands.  Her travel past the cloud-covered peaks of the Heavenly Fields went swiftly, her cerulean hooves crossing familiar paths with ease.

When she met the soft grasses of meadows, the pace slowed, finding her direction turning softly west after a time.  Days had passed quietly since she left the Aurora Basin under the painted night skies; having seen nothing but common fauna thus far, the girl began to wonder how many inhabited this grand land.  A stroke of luck had granted her the ability to travel with ease in the new land, not meeting any of the more troublesome residents, but Zyanya had no way of knowing this.  Still, the landscapes passing slowly by captured her heart one by one.  The land of Helovia was, in fact, quite beautiful.  Nothing compared to the field of floral dreams and sunlight, but what could?

Slowly, the trees began to grow sparce.  Salt began to mix easily with the crisp spring air, something Zyanya had never experienced.  The sensation flooded her mind with questions, not sure what to expect, but she increased her pace.  Patches of grass give way to sand, shining like small diamonds under the sun.  More and more sand, less and less grass.  Dunes formed by winds shape the outer rim of the beach like a temporary fortrees, ever-changing.  Unknowingly, her hooves step delicately over a cloth object, invisible to the eye, her own lilac eyes oblivious to the line in the sand.

Instead, they focus on the largest expanse of water she had ever seen.

Miles and miles from left to right, the sand of the beach meets with blue waters.  The sun glitters on the waves, and before her, as far as she can see - blue.  From the blue of the water to the blue of the sky, the line where both horizons meet merely a glimmer of the sparkling waves.  More than the metal statue at the entrance of the Basin, this ocean makes her feel pathetically small.  A gust of wind draws her long mane and tail to fly like a banner mirroring the waves as she halts, standing atop a dune, taking in the ocean for the first time in her life.  "Wow," she whispers, hardly audible even to her own ears.

The movement by the shoreline catches her attention next, the wind wrapping around her ears and distorting any noises they might be making.  A golden stallion with two horns instead of one, markings on his back reminding her of those which decorated Rexanna's face.  Much like Frost Fyre, this unicorn kept the company of a deer.  Zya wondered yet again how many in this realm kept the company of strange creatures... it seemed quite common.  Bringing her legs to move again, Zyanya carefully walks down the edge of the dune.  The sand is quite a strange substance, for it swallows her hooves, requiring more force to tug them free to keep moving.  Her normally graceful movements are marred by the terrain.

"Hello!" Zyanya calls out over the wind toward the pair dancing about in the water.  The loud roar of the water drummed in time with the spring breezes, making the tiny voice of the girl strain to be heard.  Normally, she never would consider yelling at a stranger.  However, the circumstances barred her polite and timid voice from being of use.  She settled for simply pleasant words, even if the tone of her voice might be off.  "Is the water warm?"

Uncertainty causes her to pause at the shore where the water met the sand, watching the ebb and flow of the waves as they crashed back on the earth.  

""
YOU ARE THE BLUEST LIGHT.
image credit to Steve Corey on flickr.com


@Thranduil

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#3

Charging down the beach, with mane pulled aside by the wind and sand kicking up in a grand display, the gold came crashing into the surf. Haldir dashed and skirted from the way, his high head of antlers shaking and tossing with some inner wildness of youth still buried deep. The gold though ran on straight, as waves crashed over he broke through, letting his cloven hooves dig in the sand for grip. When a larger wave came, the stag had to shrink back, but the gold collected himself and leapt up over it with the fine style. It was pity he didn’t quite land that way. The force of the wave knocked him off and he came with a most ungraceful crash back into the sea where the wave rolled over him once more, dousing his head in saltwater. When hooves kicked below to stand, they found nothing, as the tide had pulled him out. Snorting out the saltwater, the gold let it the water pull. His hooves kicking into a rhythm swim.

Haldir seeing the horns just over the waves calls, but the gold does not answer. The stag tilted his head and moved to go out further (threatening is how grip of the sandy bottom) when a voice called from shore. The dark stag jumped. He usually heard all before they came, so being snuck up on was a rare sensation (and one he didn’t enjoy). But the roar of the waves had stolen that ability. Moon eyes turns back to the dunes to see a femme graceful and light coming towards them. Large ears fall back and then turn forwards towards the gold out in the water.

”Tolpen” [Someone comes] The deer could feel the gold’s groan in his own throat. Still the stag thought it for the best, the gold was getting further and further out. The gold head was seen now turning back and the deer’s face returned to his light grin as he looked back to the coming creature. She was small and young, with her extremities dipped in light blue. Her walk though was easy, and her manners seemingly kept well. The dark tail of the deer began to wag.

As cloven hooves finally gripped sand again, and the waves crashed over his back as he came in the gold finally turned his attention to the femme. Her voice cuts through the low roar of the surf, loud enough, but still soft and gentle. Her hesitations then cause him to pause, his mind cranking awake. Haldir looked back to the gold, slightly regretting being grateful he had come back in. “Slightly.” A grin awakes on his face and now it’s the dark stag’s turn to want to groan.

A tremble of cool runs down the gold’s back causing him to shake for, mane letting water fly all about, then clinging back to his neck. It had grown long in the past few years and now reached the bottom of his chest. Haldir broke away from his ill growing feelings by stepping from the waters towards the cream girl. His dark but bright face inviting her in. Thranduil may return to his malicious ways, the deer’s mood was not to grow sullen again. This was the first creature in a long time they had met who actually seemed shy, and nice. The deer didn’t want to ruin it.  

As the deer stops the gold looks back. She at least wasn’t a terrible thing to look at, though mellow in features, yet he had never seen her before. It wasn’t the rarest of occurrences, but he usually knew most. “What brings you here on so fine a day?” His sweet voice rolled, with the growing grin, playing some nice kindly gentleman for now. Once he gained a little information, that grin was always likely to turn to a smirk. He at last noticed her hesitation and already one side of his lips began to curl. “Come on in, there’s no monsters.” Liar.


OOC:: <3

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men


@Zyanya

[Image: 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.

Zyanya Posts: 70
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 14.1 hh :: VI
Tai
#4
Zyanya
As the golden head disappears under the waves, leaving the dual set of horns poking out, an uneasy feeling overtakes Zyanya, wanting to rush in and aid him.  The panic dies in her throat as his head pops back up, rivulets of water gushing from his features.  For now, the approach of the deer catches her immediate attention.  While he would not be the first she had encountered, she definitely felt less than comfortable with the company of deer in general.  The stance of the creature sets her heart at ease, for some reason, thinking the buck more suited to golden tones than his companion.  A friendly wave of his small tail suggests that her presence is welcomed here; she is grateful to see it.

The expression of the golden stallion's face contorts mischievously, yet Zyanya remains clueless.  Either the distance or her naivety affords him the opportunity to appear a regular gentleman.  "Slightly," he offers in response to her question.  One delicate ear cocks back, the uncertainty showed by her hesitation at the water's edge amplified by the easy-to-read expression of anxiety across her face.  If the water was only slightly warm, would it be okay to enter?  Whatever the case, it could not be colder than the icy air of the Basin; still, she wavers.

The small figure of the deer continues to cut from the water toward her, and despite her hesitations with strange creatures, the shy girl finds herself smiling softly at the small, dark face.  Something within his eyes held a kindness, exuded from his movements, setting her heart at ease.  Thinking back, Altair had also tried to make her comfortable when they met in the forest, adopting a shorter stance and nonthreatening pose.  She takes a few small steps to close the gap between them, muzzle extending slowly toward the charcoal face.  The salt in the air distorts the scent of his fur, but Zyanya thinks it more a greeting for a creature who cannot speak her tongue.

As the golden stallion's voice rises again, Zya jerks her head upward, lilac eyes finding him still amid the water.  His voice is kindly over the waves, and the grin on his face looks welcoming enough to her.  Without much thought, the girl foolishly steps along to the pace of this stallion.  "I recently came to this place - Helovia," she says, her head motioning gracefully backward, to the meadows from which she came to this beach.  "I am still sight-seeing, I guess you could say."  Her gaze falls back into his direction, an easy smile decorating her pastel lips.

Come on in, there's no monsters here.  His invitation rings uneasily in her ears, but Zya ignores the warning.  Instead, her face tilts toward the deer, as if to invite him to follow her back toward the water.  "I have never seen a lake this large before," her small voice is tinted with wonder, and, had she know the proper word for "ocean", she might have blushed with embarrassment at the statement.  She did not, having come from a land of meadows, valleys, and mountains.  Oceans did not exist even in their legends - only lakes, rivers, and streams.

The spring waves jet across the sand, rushing first over her azure hooves, then her fetlocks.  The cool liquid is not cold, perse, and the mare confidently takes steps forward.  Under the beaming sun, rising high above their heads, the water is invigorating.  Heavily, her tail drags against the ocean floor, water-logging the locks as she steps further in.  Quickening her pace to an easy trot to distract from the disorienting increase of weight on her backside, Zyanya tries to get closer to the golden stallion amid the waves.  She halts about knee deep, though, lavender eyes still watching the incoming waves with a measure of distrust unusual for the dainty femme.

Being closer, the roar of crashing waves on the shore should not impede their conversation as much, and the gentle mare lowers her voice to a more natural level.  "I am Zyanya of the Aurora Basin," her introduction proudly states her new homeland, feeling glad as the name rolls off her tongue.  After all, she decided to seek out a new life, and this home was the beginning of it all.  Her lavender eyes watch the golden stranger's face with expectation, hoping to gather a name for her memories.   

""

ooc:  Poor Zya.  So oblivious.
YOU ARE THE BLUEST LIGHT.
image credit to Steve Corey on flickr.com


@Thranduil

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#5

Thranduil may have been up to his usual tricks but Haldir was having none of it. The dark stag was delighted to be given attention as was so rare from the gold (even when they were as alone as they had been the past few weeks). When she smiled at him his light spirit bounced higher than it had in weeks. As she steps forward he does as well, and lets her own warm breath blow into his in greeting. It gained her another dark wag of the tail. As she moved back the stag playfully shook his head and leapt back into the water with a splash. An invitation if there ever was one.

The gold only glanced to his bubbling deer. He had thought they were over the infernal dancing and childish displays, or at least thought the deer knew when they were not appropriate. Yet given how he noticed the stag’s mood caused the girl to let down her guard he only joined her in smiling after his companion, though it should be noted, with a slight irritated flick of his tail above the waves.

The girl speaks up though, and it draws the attention back to herself, the deer waiting patiently in the shallows. The gold looks on with the same warm smile, following her gaze and nodding in understanding. “The meadows are the Thistle Meadows, and this is the Endless Blue.” The unusual kindness of the gold made even the stag look back quizzically. Yet at seeing nothing cracking he snorts and looks back to his new found friend.

The gold waits, with patient earthen eyes as the elegant creature hesitated on the shore. He was playing nice, but not nice enough to give her actual reassurances beyond his tease. Still it looked like Haldir was unknowingly playing that part for him. The deer tossed his head as she stepped forward, even as she spoke with such caution. He high stepped deeper to his knees, still look back to gleam at her. When she was further in the stag snorted and dashed off to the side kicking up the water and spray as he continued his fun. The golden steps forward more, to meet her in the shallows where the waves did not barrel them over. He made no move to correct her mistake, he’d let someone else take care of that education.

He watches her with a seeming grace and reserve, though in reality he was paying much closer attention. She was a fine looking thing, though she had not a scratch on her. Some princess perhaps? A doll kept safe all these years? That would explain her ignorance and hesitation. She strikes up the conversation again and the gold harks lift without expecting to hear much, but boy was he wrong. The name Aurora Basin drops like a thud in his ears. His face never changes, but even Haldir a ways down the shore stops and turns back.

Ever since he left those god forsaken mountains the gold had taken care to avoid members of that land. He wanted no inquiries, comments, or charges as to why he simply left. With bitterness he thought that his most annoying discovery would be they hadn’t missed him at all. It was probably more likely the case though. As his mind pulled back the memories he had been trying to forget he remembered he wasn’t exactly a popular fellow when he left. Still, what had Hotaru told them when she showed up bloody on the doorstep…Haldir came walking back to the two, his dark coat dripping wet, but his light smile still looking to the girl. He saw the quite extend past due and he prompted the gold through their bond.

It worked, and the gold shifts letting his crowned head dip. “I am Thranduil the Laurelin, and this is Haldir.” It was still in that nicer gentleman’s voice, but rang slightly more hollow than before. He had never seen this creature in his prison territory, so she must be new. What news did she have he wandered. He was glad he had not revealed himself too soon now. “Tell me Zyanya, I have some old friends in the Basin. How fares the north?” Who greeted her? Was it Deimos? A shudder ran through his tail, but a smile grew on his lips. That old sentinel would ever be there. Even as ghost he’d haunt the Arch. Some unmovable feature who stepped up to all and asked ‘who are you’ wanting to know more than a name. His shoulder twitched a bit. Could it be he actually missed the Reaper? Then he thought of Rexanna, sweet thing, perhaps….even Johnny….and Ashamin- No he didn’t miss them. With earth eyes clearing he looked back to his company, still curious to see if it had yet to burn to the ground or freeze solid.


OOC:: Sorry he's weird XP

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men


@Zyanya

[Image: 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.

Zyanya Posts: 70
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 14.1 hh :: VI
Tai
#6
Zyanya
The joyous leap of the deer forges a new sense of appreciation for the strange company kept by many here in Zyanya.  For, should she encounter a creature like this, with a spirit light as the sun, maybe she'd be tempted to keep them for her own.  Her lilac eyes follow the bounding buck, a smile dancing on their surface.  Were she not so blatantly out of her element, the girl may have joined in the playful dance.  Like a fish out of water in the water, Zya remained more reserved, cautious, but thankful for the bright spirit of the deer.

The gold stallion fills in names for the newcomer, something unexpected yet no less appreciated.  A beam of a smile answers his kindly explanation, storing the names for future use.  Endless Blue felt particularly apt for this beach.  From the vast expanse of water to the endless sky, other than the silver sands which clung to her legs, all she could see was blue.  "Endless Blue," she whispers more to herself than to those around her, eyes scanning the horizon briefly.

As her hooves sink below the water, the dark colored stag snorts and kicks up a flurry of ocean spray, the water dancing in the air.  Carried by the spring breeze, the splash travels to rain down upon Zya's pale figure, the mist welcomed under the warm sun.  A laugh might have easily escaped her lips any other day, but nervous in a new place in front of a stranger, she kept it within the expanse of lavender eyes and nowhere else.

Thankfully, the golden stallion aids in closing the gap between them, joining the hesitant girl in the shallow water.  Much like everyone else she has met in this realm, Zya dwarfs by comparison.  Her height minimized more by the large stature of the stallion, and her thin frame breakable compared to the well-earned muscles of his own body.  Outwardly, the gilded stallion shows no sign or interest in her introduction, his face impassive as ever.  Silence filled the air uncomfortably, though, making the hair on Zyanya's neck bristle with worry.  Had she offended him?  Her lavender eyes dart across the handsome features of his face, trying to find some recognition in the warm honey and chocolate eyes, but seeing the mist of thought rolling across.

A much needed reprieve comes in the form of splashes from the buck's approach, coming back from his excursion down the beach.  She smiles at the deer, finding his presence reassuring where the silence of his companion bode ill.  As if the deer broke some curse, the stallion shakes the fog from his mind and springs back into life, his voice carrying the same tone... like nothing happened.  The pale girl pauses uncertainly herself, not entirely sure if her imagination had run away with her.  Thranduil the Laurelin and Haldir he introduces them both.  A title seemed worthy of a king, yet he made no mention of a home as she did.

"A true pleasure to meet you both," her voice rises with sincerity, a smile to accompany it.  The hollow tone goes by unnoticed by Zya, for her worries had been assuaged when his voice returned at all.  Much to her surprise, Thranduil claims to know others from the Basin.  Her heart beats rapidly, hoping that she can answer his questions thoroughly.  For, though she called the Aurora Basin her home, she hardly knew many who resided within the borders.  Thankfully, he asks after no one specific, so her posture remains relaxed.  Instead, the tiny face grows thoughtful, glancing back through her memories of the magical land in the North.

Gaining focus back in her soft, lavender eyes, she looks toward the golden stallion, missing entirely the anxiety building behind his mask of courtesy.  "All seems well," she says honestly, for as far as she could tell, it was.  "Rexanna recently had twins; they greeted me on the borders beside the Sentinels."  Deciding to entrust some of her own worries to this new acquaintance, Zya speaks more shyly now than ever.

"She asked me to choose a job, but I am not really sure what it means."  Her eyes drop toward the water, seeking peace in the soft foam of the waves.  Would he know?  She wonders.  "I am quite useless, though I would like to learn something of value."

Something to be worthy of my home.

""

ooc:  Weird is more fun.  :D
YOU ARE THE BLUEST LIGHT.
image credit to Steve Corey on flickr.com


@Thranduil

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#7


He was being…pleasant? Haldir looked to the gold as he came slowly back to the pair. He was not as trained as the gold in masking his face, so his light smile paused a moment to look upon his bonded. What was this ploy the golden had up his sleeve? Though the deer felt through the bond he found no ill will waiting. The mind of the gold was far away…

The gold couldn’t quite place it either. Not that he was trying, and perhaps that was the stranger story. Yet, this wasn’t the first time he’d found himself without malicious intent. Those who always spoke walked softly, and spoke to gently…The dark bay and blue mare that night on the heavens flirted past his mind. A white and black image even flirts past his eyes….

But then she speaks, and he is brought back. The gold looks back to his cream company with a tiring gaze. Perhaps it was the same as before…perhaps not. He catches the gossip with interest. He wondered slightly if who she had had twins with. That would be the juicer bit of information, but he doubted the thief (if that she still was) would tell all. He also a miss to find her greeting was not as he thought, given by Deimos. With some inner chuckle he thought it might be for the better. Even he hesitated a bit before the Reaper, porcelain dolls might break. Her information comes to a quick close, but the golden seems to hang on, expecting more. What was he waiting for?

Haldir knew. ”Iqisya-“ [Ask about-] But growing block in their bond, and thwack of the tasseled tail on gold flanks silenced the suggestion. She was a foolish newcomer, she wouldn’t know. If she did she would be naïve enough to say it before. They were excuses, spat by his mind overcoming some inner questions within himself. At that waking up, the gold’s priorities seemed to right themselves. Unfortunately for Haldir’s new friend, it meant no more helpful answers. The stag shook his head and only smiled back at the cream girl in some small effort at reassurances.

It was a shame…because of course the golden knew. She had not a scratch on her, a porcelain doll indeed, so there goes her chances at a warrior. She also didn’t seem to have any sense that he wasn’t all he was, or realize the value of information, so there goes her chances of a thief. Perhaps she could make a lovely devout, but with her timidness, he doubted it (though Ashamin had been a surprise). Which left crafting and healing. If they still reined, Lena and Johnny would make fine teachers, with more patience than he had at this game.  Sweet thing and….the literal sweet would educate the poor duck. The gold on the other hand…was tired of playing nice. With rising memories of the Basin came old agitations.

Another second ticked by and he hadn’t answered as the girl looked to the waves washing around her hooves. Though he had brought them to this topic, he now wanted to quickly leave it. He wasn’t good at pep talks. He was usually better at the other thing. Yet she had spoken softer, and with her head down, something of an embarrassment at this effort to seek advice? The gold shifted, some rare form of pity rose in him. “You worry too much darling.” A humor rose in his voice that hadn’t been there before. She had only shown worry about twice, both about things she needn’t, but even that was enough.  

And then his mind really did wake up. A side of his lips curled slightly as some plan began to build. Haldir broke his happy gaze to look back to his bonded in some small but already admitted useless pleading against…whatever it was. The gold stepped back, his head rising. “This world is not forgiving of…hesitations.” And worrying too much about rosen ghosts, and lost days will slowly kill you in the end. It was a warning, but spoken in so candid a way the lines almost needed repeating to catch it. Stepping back again he looks over the water behind him. “Might as well jump in the deep end doll.” A wave washed over his back but the gold was already turning out to sea. Haldir watched him go, and looked to the cream girl, his moon eyes blank, but his antlered head nodded. Strange as it may have been, the advice from both sides of the bond were the same. The gold looks back as his cloven hooves barely held him above the water. Now….there might be monsters out here.


OOC::

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men


@Zyanya

[Image: 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.

Zyanya Posts: 70
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 14.1 hh :: VI
Tai
#8
Zyanya
For the briefest of moments, Zya can feel the gold-flecked eyes hesitating on her skin, as if waiting for more information of the North to drift from her lips. Unfortunately for the golden boy, she had not yet come to know her herdmates well enough to comment on the general state of the Aurora Basin much more. Perhaps, mentioning that Lena and she had aided a dirty and downtrodded little lady at their borders. Somehow, Zyanya doubted Thranduil would care much for that knowledge.

More accurately, she selfishly had her own intents in this conversation. Ever the sobbing child, looking for someone stronger to take her burdens or at least empathize. As her lavender pools dance underneath silver eyelashes, Zya notices the distance in the gold's face once more.

What am I doing? she thinks.

Tilting her head backward, to gaze back at the silver shore. Her heart sinks as the seconds run in silence, hoping the gold would show some of the wisdom he kept guarded. The delicate face of the pale colored femme contorts more in worry, in self-deprecation. Her life, short and soft, taught her little until recently. A humorous voice answers finally. Surprise fills the translucent expanse of her face, eyes widening as she turns back to view his face. A smile unfurls on his face, though the intent of the smile is questionable at best - to any aside from Zyanya.

She returns a smile, thankful for the proffered attempt to soothe the aches of her spirit. Worrying too much? Had she really become such a creature? She lived worry free for years until her sister's murder, and now that had shifted. "Oh," is all she can muster, a tiny sound, losing its identity amid the crashing of the waves.

Petite ears flush forward, intent to capture the words Thranduil offers freely. After he speaks, Zya pauses, rereading the words over in her mind, as if to stupidly begin to deny the words just spoken. Hesitation kept you safe from many things - heartbreak, pain, fear... but also love, strength, and adventure. A frown, not of sadness, makes a thick crease on an otherwise airy face. She reached an impasse within herself. Could she start anew, without being willing to take chances and experience great things?

When her lilac eyes grow focuses again, the gold is already disappearing into the waves, almost silently, much to her surprise. As the smaller waves bounces against her shoulder they lap and tug, creating discordant noises at the base. She turns her head to Haldir, only to meet gentle eyes and a firm nod, as if to agree with the gold. Shifting her weight uneasily on her small hooves, she watches the gold slip deeper and deeper into the water. Then, all at once, a graceful lope breaks her from the trance in the shallows, a wave of her own making gliding over the surface of the ocean. The deeper she gets, the colder the water feels, almost making her dream of turning back; the determined girl would not turn back now.

She attempts her best to close the distance between herself and Thranduil, but finds her height cannot match his, nor her depth, unless she were to loose her cerulean hooves from sand below. "Thank you," she calls out to him, a girlish smile of delight painted where worry was. "You are kind, Thranduil." Had she been able to stand as deep as he, the girl might have offered a friendly nudge of her muzzle. Instead, she made due with the expressions so vivid on her young face.

Then, a wave splashes over her face, causing her eyes to shut and her muscles to tense against the force. The rush of the water washes away the hesitation of her body on the shore, but she lets the wave roll her with its strength - first up, then back down, slightly further out. As the air clears about her head, she shakes her neck uselessly - most of it covered completely by the water - to rid her eyes of the sopping mess of her forelock. The allure of the ocean physically manifesting itself in the waves, drawing you deeper and deeper into the sea. Instead of allowing certain death, for she could not swim of her knowledge, the girl makes a run back toward Haldir, his dark body easy to spot against the silver sands.

This time, instead of carefully planned steps, the girl's gait is rather haphazard, though amazingly still retaining the poise natural to her as breathing. Legs lift large swaths of water from the sea, tossing them toward the deer in a playful manner as she laughs, no longer feeling the chill.

Whether or not his intention, Thranduil helped her.

""
YOU ARE THE BLUEST LIGHT.
image credit to Steve Corey on flickr.com


@Thranduil

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#9

With earth eyes sparking with gold and deviousness, the crowned head turns back to watch the girl hesitate for a moment. His smile creeps on his lips, typical. But then she did something, not typical. Harks leap forward as she charged into the waves. He stands barely on his hooves as she kicks herself further out, but never to his depths. One hark of the gold fell back, though he said nothing to her as she offered thanks. It hadn’t been what he had expected. He wanted her to swim deep and find herself in trouble, or better still be too scared to come out all. Then he would continue to taunt and warn, and probe into her psyche. He had thought she wouldn’t be made of the stronger stuff. That her porcelain skin would tremble at thoughts unknown. But he had been wrong. Yet even stranger still, he wasn’t mad for it.

Haldir watched the girl come rolling back, his face bright and excited to see this calm creature playful. It was a mood that matched his own. So he shakes his antlers in play as she comes playfully back, and barks at her in invitation. Yet as he tosses his head to look to her, his sees as well the gold’s head, slowly rising, reluctantly from the depths, and he pauses a moment, looking from one to the other. His mind reaches out to explore the thoughts of the other before asking. ”Did you just hel-“ ”Shut up” The gold barks back. He might not be mad over the surprising change in plans, but he would have no mark of it stain his reputation. Her saying he was kind was irksome enough. Though his vanity tried to slide it off as a compliment to his skill in deception, it didn’t quite pass.

Haldir only snickered, he was still quite happy for the change in events, and for the lighter acts of the gold, whether intended or not. A large splash of sea water over his face disrupts his thoughts and he turns with a wild look back to the instigator. He calls back, tossing his head in some false answer to her challenge, and rears up on his hinds. Fores comes crashing back down in the water trying to return the attack, but his limbs are so much more slender than hers that it only sends the small breath of salt water. Shaking his head and filling with the excitement and her energy he continued to rock forward, kicking his hinds up, then taking off back onto the beach.

The gold watched from the deeper waters as waves roll over his back. Yet he hesitates, and lingers in the waters. His mind still shifting through its lazy circles, and watching the doll. Haldir takes no more notice of his bonded and instead spins once he reaches the beach, sending sand flying. He looks to his new playmate and then his head tilts back, issuing a bellowing call of claiming the beach. Legs spread wide and head lowers to ‘protect’ his claim. The gold only watches silently, neither no longer annoyed nor wanting to be a part. He regretted leaving his beloved black cloak on the beach dune, as he wanted nothing more than to vanish. He couldn’t quite admit it, but he wasn’t enough of a monster to ruin what had been done. So he hung back in the waters, watching (with the slightest tinge of pride) at the stag declare so pridefully his claim of the beach.



OOC:: Thran's just in a really weird funk, I'm sorry.

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men


@Zyanya

[Image: 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.

Zyanya Posts: 70
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 14.1 hh :: VI
Tai
#10
Zyanya
Delight fills the tiny gold tinted face of the pale maiden, her lips tugged into a smile free of doubt for the first time since her arrival here.  A beacon of light and joy for the moment, Zyanya dashes in the water, toward the bright chocolate figure of Haldir.  Thranduil's presence momentarily forgotten, with his companion quickly falling in time with the mare's playful mood.  How the spirit soars when a heavy weight has been lifted and placed onto sturdier shoulders.
Or, at least, she hoped the gold's shoulders were strong enough to bear her own worries for now.

Water dancing in the air and falls upon the buck's face, causing his eyes to grow with wild excitement in exchange.  Zya laughs openly, her own body veering off in a sidestep.  Despite how tiny the girl was in size, the lithe shape of her limbs and body allow for swift and agile movements.  The small splashes from the delicate limbs of the deer manage to reach her shoulder, dappling the creamy gold coat.   Legs move restlessly in the waters as she watches the deer stride off to the beach, his back legs kicking in the air and sending a small cascade of water to fall behind him.

Glancing over her shoulder at the dual horns peeking from the deep end of the water, lavender eyes glimmer against the sunlight playfully.  A silent invitation, but one that Zyanya felt quite certain Thranduil would not take.  Legs instead set her back in motion forward, loping toward the shore only to find the stag standing in defiance on the sands.  His small figure stands like a statue guarding the land, which makes the mare's gait slow as she nears the beach.  His bellow impressively loud for the a body smaller than her own, causing a smile to bubble back to the surface with a joyous laugh.

How long had it been since Zyanya played so freely?  Iktan remained a serious boy throughout much of his childhood, so the only possibility would have been with Surem or Indajani.  Surem, the eldest, never cared much for Zya.  Jani.  For the first time in a long while, the thought of her sister's face brings not sorrow but joy, thinking of their times spent frolicking about in the valleys of their home.

Beginning a strange sidestep, Zya's mind begins wheeling through possible solutions.  The buck's antlers point outward in a defensive stance.  Halting her body, letting her front end rock up in a weak rear, her hooves dip back into water gracefully before a cunning smirk - something rare on the features of the innocent little girl - tugs at the corner of her lips.  Rocketing her body forward, she races down the shoreline and attempts to swerve quickly onto the sands, being careful to keep the sharp point of her horn toward the empty waters instead of in the direction of Haldir.

""



ooc -- It's okay because Zya's new BFFL is now Haldir.
YOU ARE THE BLUEST LIGHT.
image credit to Steve Corey on flickr.com


@Thranduil
even if you're lost you can't lose the love because
it's in your heart

Magic & Force allowed, barring permanent changes or death.

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#11

He was given only one last glance, over the shoulder, and he is forgotten. The gold watched without a word nor smile. He wished he could simply sink into the sea and swim further down shore where it was quiet and still. Yet as the soaring heights of Haldir’s mood infected him, the gold could not bring himself to loathe the current situation, only to be slightly annoyed at it.

Haldir, for his part, felt none of the gold’s reservations. His bugle left his throat with flare and all the pomp and circumstance of his ancestors, but his eyes were wide like a child’s ready and sparking with energy. He hadn’t felt this way in many an age. For so long now, even when they had left the Basin, the dark weight of Thranduil had pressed heavily on his chest. And he had born it well, with all the understand and compassion his large heart could manage for this selfish, possible insane creature. Though the gold would never name it, the deer already had. He loved his bonded, and was set against protecting him, even from his own golden blades.

But he had born it so long, and it had been so heavy, that his youth, though naturally ending, was stolen from under his feet. And he missed it dearly. He missed dashing through the snow and trotting through the wilds of the north taking in the bracing mountain wind. He missed seeing the creatures enjoy life, and see, as he, the good in it. He missed having souls to soar high with. And so in this moment he found a piece of himself again, and he remembered how much he missed it.

The mare snorts at him, accepting the challenging perhaps and the deer’s cloven hoof paws at the sand, kicking it up and sending it flying. Yet just as he sets himself ready, shoulder rolling, she half rears and dances sideways. With a bark he calls after her, head tossing up in surprise. Yet he wasn’t far behind. The small dark stag takes off, running parallel to her line, shaking his head at her.

When she darted up the sand he slid to a halt, haunches sinking low, and sand flying up from the beach. Antlers, though playfully threatened, knew their danger, and rise up with his head, away from her soft skin. He would not hurt his fine new friend. Yet he would challenge her. As she rushed on the beach he spun himself. Sand flying everywhere, and turning his wet coat gold as it stuck. He tore back from where he had come, hooves kicking up all the while, and sand flying. A game of chicken now turned to chase.

The gold had watched for a moment, but as they had moved down shore he had come up, his gold coat dripping with the salt water. He paused out of the reach of the waves and looked back down the beach at the two just as Haldir spun round. Snorting his continued denial of joining or showing any interest in the game, he shook his head and moved on. The spring breeze was blowing cold upon his coat, and his desires still turned to the black cloak by the dunes. As Haldir took off, he was already walking towards his hidden stash as if no one or nothing were on the beach at all.



OOC:: Yeah! Haldir has a BFFL! =D He needs more of those

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men


@Zyanya

[Image: 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.

Zyanya Posts: 70
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 14.1 hh :: VI
Tai
#12
Zyanya
Sand stirs to life underneath the cloven hooves of Haldir, filling the scene with additional movement and excitement.  As Zya's tiny body jets into action, the deer lets loose a bark from his lips, perhaps in surprise or delight, and the girl's features tug into an easy smile.  The soft lilac eyes gleam in delight, her heart beating wildly in her chest with excitement.  To have a playmate, after feeling so alone at times in Helovia, was a wonderous thing.  Who cares if it happened to be an enchanted stag?

As her hooves dig into the sand at the beach Haldir's own flips sand madly about, the granules pelting their way onto her golden frame.  She laughs, a bubbly sound, as the rain of wet earth comes down upon her.  The corners of her eyes crinkle with joy, revealing quite slyly that she is no longer a filly - something she forgets at times.  Her own hooves begin to churn up some of the silver sand, launching it into the air, and she makes a small cowkick away from the body of her new friend.  Her head tilts backward, trying to see how close behind the little buck has come, when a glimmer of gold catches her attention.

The sunshine sparkles on the back of Thranduil, giving away his escape attempt where the silent movement of his body would not.  Mischeviously, Zyanya's smile dapples her features again, with a new light, and she gestures her head back down the beach in hopes Haldir would catch onto her silent plot.  She makes a large arch, her speed allowing her hooves to just barely be gripped by the sand before her body drifts forward.

Despite the small length of her legs, the build of her body is one made for speed.  With all serious effort, her frame is propelled back in the direction of Thranduil, with small pauses given to loose dirt in Haldir's direction playfully.  When the gap between the golden stallion and herself closes, Zyanya tilts her body and skids to an unceremonious halt, a wave of sand rushing forth from the petite legs - aimed directly at Thranduil's body.  A bright laugh rips from her lips as she eyes sparkle in his direction, unable to read his annoyance as anything other than a reason to try harder.

"Were you thinking you could escape without being seen?" her voice carries over a laugh, not knowing that the Laurelin is in fact a rather accomplished sneak.    Luck had been on her side to allow sight of him slowly coming ashore, otherwise he likely would have made it to the cloak without opposition and slipped away from their little game.  "Did you have another engagement?"

At least, I would like to properly say goodbye, Zyanya thinks, looking at the gold with a strange expression of concern just rising above the playful air.

""
YOU ARE THE BLUEST LIGHT.
image credit to Steve Corey on flickr.com


@Thranduil
even if you're lost you can't lose the love because
it's in your heart

Magic & Force allowed, barring permanent changes or death.

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#13

The small dark stag was ever the mare’s shadow. As careful as she watched her kicks, so too did he keep his antler tips pulled away. He rears and bucks taunting and teasing all the same. His heart was racing now in his chest and lungs beginning to burn with the exertion. Oh but he wouldn’t trade it for anything for it. He was young and carefree. His strengths were endlessly reaching and striving, the world in this moment at this place, a warm sunny eden of play. But those moments never last long.

The attention of the girl is stolen for a moment and the young stag follows her gaze to the gold down the beach, just coming up onto the sands. His large ears lean forward, but moon eyes turn back to her, ready to continue their game and forget the gold. Yet instead he sees her gaze linger, before tossing at him in invitation. Large ears fall back for a moment, hesitating, questioning, what was this an invitation for? When she takes off though his smile continues and he chases after her, tearing up the sands beside her.

A gold hark lifts in their direction to hear the oncoming skittering of sands. His head turns slightly to see them coming in a rounded way back to this part of the beach. The gold snorts, and looks away. He wanted to slip away, or at least hide under his cloak so he could lay in the sand and be still and quiet. The playful games of the other two were no interest. “Keep to the other side” His hisses in some exhausted breath to his bonded. He didn’t want to be pulled in. His mind was now too heavy for that, weighed down by memories and disgruntled notions that he had helped someone be happy. Grauwh, terrible.

Haldir slowed slightly at the voice and he calls to his friend as he turned slightly to the side to try and convince her as well. But her longer legs had carried her farther and beyond his call, and one of her playful kicks of sand flies well in his direction…and face.

The gold hears the noise continuing closer and pauses, looking up just in time to see the flash of the doll’s petite frame come sliding in. Sand flew up from her halt and comes showering on the gold’s back and neck. When it settles he is seen ears pinned, eyes shut, with tasseled tail flicking and switching. Haldir comes trotting up slowly as the girl’s laughter echoes, his joyful merriment halted for a moment. Moon eyes wide, and even mouth open slightly in amazement at what had happened, and a shiver for what was to come.

If she wanted annoyance, she got a little more than she bargained for. A growl rumbled somewhere deep in his throat as his dark earth eyes opened. With the slow movements of arresting anger he turned to look at the girl, his contented mood gone in complete irritation. She begins to speak but he isn’t listening. Instead he snorts, and crowned head begins and shakes his body, sending sand scattering in a cloud. Yet still the sand clung to his wet body, and he hated that feeling. It felt like he had just rolled in mud, and it felt dirty from hoof to hark. Never mind that it being sand and not dirt, it actually made his coat glimmer a little more, he didn’t care. He was the vain and proud golden, and even on his low and mellow days, his appearance was carefully kept and guarded.

Haldir, his head hanging low at the obvious irritable signs of the gold comes quietly to heel. He stands by the light doll, but with a much more guilty face. He can feel the string of curses and harsh truths lining up to lash out at the girl, as she questions him on where he was going. The stag, was not the gold though, nor was he ever completely swayed to his side. So he stood beside the girl and his little heart races with a coming decision.

Teeth chew, ready to spit out at her some dark insult, when the dark stag barks from beside the doll. “Leave her alone” Angered head snaps to the stag and the war between the two began. “She is a foolish child who learned not.” ”You have no right to teach her that.” “Who are you to say she should not learn that all is not as it appears?” “Who are you to yell? She is innocent, it was in play.” “She is a blind idiot. The Basin will destroy her.” “It will not, nor will you.” Teeth bare at the stag but his head tucks slightly in masked threat. Snorting again, the gold turns away. Even he who was about to lay the doll low could not lash out openly at the stag in front of her. Too messy. Too  tiring. Besides it would invite a lot more questions than he wanted to answer. So instead, with ears still pinned and head set low in annoyance, he glances to the girl (in one last thought of telling her off) before he begins to walk off, hoping the girl would simply take the hint and leave him be.

The stag watches with heightened intensity, his chest bulging out and head high. Yet when the gold steps forwards and away he lets out a sigh ( relief? Sadness?) and looks up to the doll beside him. His face was no longer pure light and play, but lined with the tension of the moment. Each on their side had hurled with the words imagines of memories, and the deer had been just as harsh as the gold. Still he tries to assure his new friend, not wanting her to think this tense and possibly awkward moment was…what it was. So instead he paints a pleasant fake smile upon his lips as he looks to her. Only his skills were not as good as the gold’s and his moon eyes give way the changed mood.




OOC:: Feel free to do what ever, kick him, throw more sand, chase him, or let him go. =]

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men


@Zyanya

[Image: 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.

Zyanya Posts: 70
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 14.1 hh :: VI
Tai
#14
Zyanya
Concern turns to fear, an expression familiar to Zyanya's face. The happy skipping of her heart intensifies into something darker. Perhaps, had she paid more heed to her friend, then the current events would not be unfolding.

The gold scoffs, his coat shaking loose the silver sands in irritation, and the mischevious smile falls from her lips like a heavy weight, shattering on the sand at her hooves. Unconsciously, as the ears pin back against his crown, she takes a step back, suddenly wanting to dart down the beach and away from the Laurelin. Her eyes widen with surprise, for the expectations that she built in her head for this stallion were not the reality - something a child should even understand. Not all is what it seems. His eyes burn with fury, and as her hooves begin a quiet, slow retreat, one at a time, she braces her ears for the lashing that would certainly arise.

For, she knew, acting out of turn, upsetting your company, it all was worth a sound verbal beating back home. What would it be worth here in Helovia?
The face of her father begins to appear on that of Thranduil's, his features twisted into some ugly version of anger. The illusions begin to fade, and the air fills with a static tension.

The bark at her side causes her to jump in her skin, eyes darting down to look at Haldir's determined expression, as though he and Thranduil were in the midst of a heated argument. Uncertainly, the girls ears flicker atop her skull, wanting to flee, yet unable to move. "I..." her voice catches in her throat, feeling powerless and tired, head dizzy. Gold flaked eyes peer at her for the briefest of moments before the gold turns away, his posture disgusted. A scolded child, she glances down at her hooves for a moment, trying to gain her courage to speak.

"Thranduil," her voice, soft and timid, wavers over the crashing of the sea. "Forgive me, I did not know." Know what, exactly? That he would react badly? That he was not what he appeared to be? Somehow, even despite all the events that just occurred, Zyanya cannot bring herself to feel that he is unkind. While Haldir clearly worked his efforts to protect her against the rage which burned underneath Thranduil's eyes, something about the gold made her believe he would do whatever he wanted - Haldir's pleading aside.

A clueless girl, maybe just a tad too optimistic in the case of this strange stallion.

Turning her attention toward the brave expression of Haldir, she smiles meekly. His attempt to act natural is apparent, but fails quite miserably against the palpable tension still lingering between the retreating Thranduil and the playful pair. "Thank you," she cooed down at Haldir's smiling face, finding herself quite pleased with her chocolate colored friend - even if the gold were quite out of her reach. Her neck stretches downward to try to embrace the smaller stag, her voice quiet and calm. "Should you go with him?" she asks, her lavender eyes stealing a glance in the direction of the grumpy gold.

""



ooc -- We can keep going or you can wrap this thread up here (seems like it could be a natural stopping point), if you want. :)
YOU ARE THE BLUEST LIGHT.
image credit to Steve Corey on flickr.com


@Thranduil
even if you're lost you can't lose the love because
it's in your heart

Magic & Force allowed, barring permanent changes or death.

Thranduil the Laurelin Posts: 598
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 11 | dam: 6.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.2 hh :: Eight HP: 77 | Buff: ENDURE
Haldir :: Common Cerndyr :: Dark Mist Hawk
#15


For her apology the girl gets only a pause in the gold’s step and one turned hark. His anger still pricks at her naivety, and folly, yet as always he found it a struggle to sustain anger against innocent dolls. He should call back something, some tease or maybe in a weird turn, some comfort. Yet he, as before, wanted quiet isolation after the thoughts she had brought forth, and the images the deer had dragged up of snowy cliffs and black and white mares had made him even more worn. So he only snorts longs, and moves on, a little less annoyed, but not yielding.

The young stag watches, caught as always in the cross hairs. He looks though to the doll as she speaks, his false mask broken all the more by her attempts to apologize and her returned meek smile. She thanks him, but it is sour in his ears. A gruff comes from deep in his vocals. He wants to tell her. Oh how he wishes to speak to her. He wants to tell her it’s not her fault. That this had nothing really to do with her. That the gold was only lost. That she had nothing to fear. That she was alright. That he was here for her, not him.

Yet in the tragedy that is a companion’s fate, it comes out in only a meaningless gruff. Not for the first time he curses that which binds him to the gold.

She reaches down to him, and though careful of his tines, he leans in to her. Her warmth wraps around him, and he holds tight in it. So few and far between were even little nudges of comfort, and this embrace from something so sweet and pure was overwhelmingly wonderful. Like some child leaving home to head back to a distant land of toil and loneliness, he hangs on for as long as she will, and is brought low when she pulls back. The effort to seem normal now fully lost as she asks him about the gold.

Moon eyes turn to the disappearing form of his bonded. Not for the first time he cursed all that this bond brought upon him. Dark days come forward of a snowy cliff, and the cold touch of a bird he wrapped around came back bitter and hot. Of a dim lit cave and a gentle heart growing bold, and threatening. He resented then as he does now all the pain and dark deeds being tied with the gold seemed to involve him in. He was angered that he had to watch him lash out to those undeserving, the innocents which had nothing to do with it. He was ever saddened by the burden the gold’s own agonies put on him. Haldir should be happy, and free to go with her instead of he. Bad things should not happen to good people. He had never done anything wrong, yet was placed in this life with the gold, where even a pleasant day on the beach was ruined.

Yet fate is rarely labeled as karma, and innocents rarely escape this world unhurt. For all his curses of their bond there was still that inner core, which like steel locked them together, inseparable in body and spirit. Yes, he should go with the gold, because he had too. For while he spar bitterly at him, he also cradled his bonded’s broken views and soul. It wasn’t fair where the stag was, but neither was it fair on the gold what happened all those years ago. He couldn’t be blamed for picking up his life in the only way he could make sense of it. And he couldn’t help that its continuous reminders lately were leading him to madness. Someone had to be there to be the padded walls, the silencing doors, and safety locks. Not to keep the gold from the world, but to the keep the gold from destroying himself. And Haldir would always be there for that. He was needed, whether in light as he was today, or in the shadows, the gold needed him, so the deer needed the gold. It was not should he go, it was he needed to go. As bitter as that notion was.

So the moon eyes turn back to her and he nods slightly solemn. Yet he leans in one last time, in some effort to say all the things he wanted too. Too wish her luck and safety. Too bless her to continue this bold, light heart and high step. Then he turned and without a look back jogged after the gold.






OOC:: Thran and Haldir out. =] Wonderful threading with you love <33

"Talk?"
we live like thieves
     kings among men


@Zyanya

[Image: 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.


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