The Unicorn Lord

I am the last Labelle. When unicorns enter battle, they do not cease until their enemies lie dead. This is my promise, and this is my warning. Elder Scrolls rp blog. Mod is 18+. May contain some NSFW content. No crossovers, please.

[flowersofthetemple]

“Yes, dearest, we’re in a carriage, not out walking or open to prying eyes….” Her lips brush against his skin and she presses herself closer, body flush to his own, “I can always stop if you want me to. Just say the word.” 

But until he indicated otherwise, her hand roamed southward, gripping at the fabric of his clothing occasionally before finding itself home near his groin. “How would you feel about making love, here? In the carriage? Someone could peer in, but they probably won’t, even if there’s a risk… it’s a little dangerous… and you would have to keep me quiet…”

[florianlabelle-blog]

How does he feel about it?  He isn’t sure.  His body wants him to say yes, his hips shifting beneath her hand.  His eyelids flutter, but he doesn’t want to lose himself to this.  He has his reputation to think about, and also hers.  He doesn’t want them to start any rumors, but who’s going to see them? 

“It’d be bumpy,”  He murmurs, stubbornly refusing to both encourage her on and also stop her.  “And probably uncomfortable.  Carriages aren’t made for sex.”

[flowersofthetemple]

Nothing could stop her from pouting about it, but she understood. “I know. I’m aware. I’m glad you’re taking the time to infuse some enjoyment into your life aside from sleeping…” It was definitely a hint that he should not fall asleep. That, and the hand she broke free and ran across his chest was another demonstration. So many layers. If they were inside she could undo these clasps and fastenings to get to his chest, but it was chilly and perhaps a bit more discretion was due in the carriage…

It didn’t at all stop her from moving forward to kiss his neck, however. She was going to do that, planting affection on what ever skin she could find. “Have you planned dinner, yet?” She murmured between continuing kisses.

[florianlabelle-blog]

He realizes what is happening too late to do much of anything about it.  His eyelids flutter as she strokes along his chest, and he exhales slowly and deeply.  Her hands feel good.  Too good.  He lightly catches her hand in one hand, and touches her cheek with his other.

“Eponis,”  He protests softly,  “We’re in the carriage.  What are you doing?”

[flowersofthetemple]

“You worry too much?” Eponis laughs and smiles, broadly, with a little shake of her head. “I worry. I worry a lot. Do try not to worry me so much, you do work too hard and you know it.”

She knew her own hands were probably cold out of stress. Whenever it was the case, her hands and feet got cold, and nothing seemed to warm them. Still, she rested her cheek against his shoulder, and spoke softly; “Feel free to warm them.”

[florianlabelle-blog]

He chuckled softly as he took both of her hands into his own and rubbed them slowly.  He wrapped them in the blanket spread across his lap, but only after placing a chaste kiss across the back of both hands.

“I have to work hard.  We wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t.  I don’t enjoy it, always,”  He admits,  “But that doesn’t matter.  My enjoyment isn’t necessary.  It needs to be done.”

[flowersofthetemple]

Although cozy and warm his cloak, (she pulled it around herself because she was chilly to start), sat next to Florian, she puzzled out that something was wrong. Or, not wrong, but amiss. Was he feeling ill, or tired? She ran a hand across his jaw gently, stroking along the curve, then brought her thumb to run across his cheekbone. He was handsome as always, but…

“I should be asking you the same thing, but it seems like you’re ready to fall asleep. Have you been working yourself into the grave, again?” Her position shifted slightly, onto the hip nearest him, so that she could ‘face’ him. He felt so slack. The horses had already begun their way forth as she asked him this.

[florianlabelle-blog]

“Just tired.”  He takes a deep breath, and forces his eyes open.  He doesn’t want to fall asleep, as tempting as the offer is.  He’s glad to have some time with Eponis away from prying eyes, even if it is just a calming ride along Solitude’s coastline.

“The work itself isn’t the problem,”  He insists.  “I worry too much.  Don’t mind me,”  He insists.  “I’ll be just fine.”  He pats the hand against his face, meaning to comfort her.  His fingertips stroke down her fingers and along her knuckles.  “Your hands are cold.”

[flowersofthetemple]

“I’m willing to get out of here for a little while, go on an adventure,” She put her hands on her hips in thought. Her lips pursed. She did love walks in the rain, but she knew just how much he didn’t like it. If his desire to go out meant he’d take a carriage to avoid the indignity of that hair of his happening, then by all means, she’d take the carriage with him. 

“Let’s take a carriage.” She had a few ideas, “We haven’t taken it for a while, the weather’s been too nice. Now we have an excuse… even if it doesn’t really rain at all, better safe than sorry.”

[florianlabelle-blog]

“Carriage it is.  I’ll make the arrangements.” 

It doesn’t take long before they are ready to depart.  Florian does don a heavier, softer cloak for the ride.  The carriage will keep them dry, but the weather is still chilly.  If nothing else, he can use it as a shared blanket if she gets cold as well.  The horses stomp impatiently as they enter the carriage, and Florian shuts his eyes almost the very moment the horses start off.  Why is it he suddenly feels terribly exhausted?  He’s barely been up.

“I’m sorry,”  He began after a moment, eyes still shut.  “I didn’t ask.  Are you warm enough?  Comfortable?”

[flowersofthetemple]

“Shhh.”

She placed two fingers over his lips with her free hand. “I’m aware that you can make your own decisions. I don’t think you were being inappropriate either, love, but you also are judging from the standard of a virile young man rather than a proper older lady.” And without hesitation, the fingers that were on his lips ran to his jawline, which she stroked with the pad of her thumb. Her gaze was warm, fond.

“I have all the time in the world.”

[florianlabelle-blog]

He lifted his hand to cup the back of hers, and sighed heavily through his nose.  His fingers tapped out a rhythm on her knuckles before he let his hand drop back to his side.  “I was hoping to go for a walk, but it looks as though there might be rain.  Do you want to risk it?  Or should I have some horses harnessed for a drive?”

[florianlabelle-blog]

The Questionable Legacy of Gratien Labelle

Unkindly referred to as “The Seahorse” by those outside of his social circle (both a jab at the family crest and praise for his ability to produce countless children), Gratien Labelle’s life has been steeped in controversy. 

The sole inheritor of the Labelle fortune, Gratien Labelle was wed at the age of twenty to Chantal Brodeur, his childhood love.  The daughter of a prolific merchant prince, their marriage had been arranged and neither participant protested.  Both good friends and passionate lovers, the beginnings of their marriage were promising and both Gratien and Chantal were well-received and well-loved by the people living in and near Castle Marseden.

Their marriage began to deteriorate as Gratien became far more interested in taking on lovers than he was in spending time in his life.  He’d already sired a brood of bastard children by the time his wife conceived their first child at the age of twenty-eight.

Comfortable in both the fortune left to him by his parents and the fortune amassed by his marriage to Chantal, Gratien became known for his lavish spending habits.  While he did fund housing for the poor in the surrounding lands and also set aside money to create food banks, Gratien also commissioned countless paintings and statues (often of himself), bought an entire stable full of papered coursers from Hammerfell, and frequented the local Bordello so often it was rumored he owned his own suite of rooms within the establishment.

He sired two legitimate children before his wife passed away quite unexpectedly.  Gratien fell into a depression and left the care of his sons mostly to their nannies up until the time when they were teenagers.  Determined not to allow his sons to walk the same path he chose, Gratien was fiercely intolerant of dalliances of any kind, and caused quite a stir when he exiled his youngest son, Garan, for fraternizing with an older knight and visiting the same establishments Gratien had so often patronized.

His health began to fail when he reached his early forties when he became prone to hallucinations and lapses of memory.  He now lives a life confined to his bed, and is totally reliant on his oldest son, Florian, for care.

[flowersofthetemple]

Eponis tossed her head back in a laugh, more motion than sound, then pressed a kiss to his jawline, leaving a little flush of red behind. “I know. Trust me, she regaled me all morning. And also, the morning before that. She’s filled me in.”

She took his hand in hers. “She says that in order to touch me so openly as you do – ‘brazenly,’ I believe she said – we should be married first. Marriage, and then heavy petting is now allowed and no longer will the Gods weep over our sinful existences. Or, maybe it’s simply a little embarrassing for her to see.”

[florianlabelle-blog]

“Maude doesn’t get to decide what I do,”  He muttered.  “Not anymore, anyway.  But if it makes her uncomfortable, I suppose I can tone it down when she’s around.  I didn’t think I was being inappropriate, however.  I was hardly--”  He stopped himself short

“..Let’s talk about something else,”  He suggested.  “Did you have plans for the day?  I’ve made time.”

[flowersofthetemple]

“I would love to practice with you, Florian.” Her tone was smooth and even, clearly either not noticing or ignoring the awkward tension unfolding around her. Gently, her hand set upon Maude’s shoulder, “Thank you so much for this gift, Maude. It means the world to me. I should like to properly thank you sooner, but I do have to have a word in private with the young master. Is that alright?”

“Quite, my lady,” Maude nodded, but cast Florian another look that said all sorts of things, “You are most welcome. I’ll have some tea made when you’re ready.” With a quick and rather informal bow, she saw herself out.

Eponis knew when she had left. She tilted her head. “’A partner to practice language, obviously’?”

[florianlabelle-blog]

Florian grimaced when Maude left the room.  He sighed sharply when Eponis spoke.  “She was my nanny,”  He reminded her, voice a grumble.  “She makes me nervous.  Once someone’s seen you in messed diapers, it rather changes your relationship with them.”  He took a deep breath, and then strode in close to her.  With Maude gone, it felt safer to bend and press a kiss against her cheek.

“You look beautiful,”  He lowered his voice, smiled against her skin.  “No surprise there.”

[flowersofthetemple]

Definitely on purpose, Maude leaned in between them to puff up one of the sleeves. No touching, her gaze said everything for her. Especially not so out in the open. Don’t be your father.

“I have been practicing in private for quite some time, now. I had hoped there would be a grander or more interesting time to break the news, but now is as good a time as any. I’m pleased you like it.” She couldn’t help but be amused at Maude’s old-fashioned ideas of publicly displaying affection, but also knew… these were Bretons…

[florianlabelle-blog]

Florian frowned sharply at his former nanny, but he obeyed her silent command and took a respectful step back from Eponis.  He clasped his hands behind his back and stood a bit straighter, a warm flush coloring his cheeks.  He cleared his throat again, his gaze shifting from Maude, and then to Eponis.

“I can help you practice, if you’d like.  I’m learning a bit of Nordic myself.  If you’re interested in languages, we might practice together.  It’d be nice to have a partner.  To practice language,”  He added quickly.  “Obviously.”

[flowersofthetemple]

Maude said nothing, but instead addressed Florian with her matronly gaze. Eponis practically felt it. “Nothing negative, at least.” She spoke in Bretic with ease, wondering why he was enunciating so much, “The house was kind enough to give me this gift. Do you think that it suits me?”

Her fingers pinched at the fabric of her skirts, lifting them only slightly to show him the fullness of it all – Maude helped, straightening out her hair where necessary, and pulling the necklace into place.

[florianlabelle-blog]

He cleared his throat when she spoke again.  Part of him felt slightly embarrassed that he had slowed his speech to accommodate her;  It was quite clear that she didn’t need his help.  On the other hand, her grasp on the language was impressive, especially considering he was certain she hadn’t been studying it for very long.  Or had she?  He narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“How long have you been working at that?”  He asked, switching to Common.  “You’re quite good.”  He approached, and, after a sidelong glance at Maude, cleared his throat and touched her upper arms.  “You look lovely.  The dress is very flattering.   It was well given.”

[flowersofthetemple]

Eponis quietly addressed a servant while preparing for the day, indicating to her in Bretic that the dress was beautiful and she very much enjoyed such a gift from the household. Even if she couldn’t see it, she could feel it, and her hands were not unskilled with determining the quality of an item. How they got her measurements, however, was up for debate. She wouldn’t ask. Just as softly, and graciously, the servant was dismissed so Eponis could braid her hair. Today was nothing special, not really, but it never hurt to dress up just because every once in a while.

[florianlabelle-blog]

He wasn’t usually around in the morning.  When his mornings weren’t occupied with meetings or other business, he tried to get some sleep.  But when his first meeting of the morning had been canceled, it’d seemed like a fine time to actually get out and stretch his legs.  The morning was brisk, and his face was pink as he’d strode inside their rented manse. 

He paused as he heard voices floating out form Eponis’s bedroom, and he paused in the hall to listen.  He recognized Maude’s voice, but he was surprised to hear Eponis joining in.  “And what are the pair of you talking about?”  He asked as he stepped into the doorway, speaking in carefully enunciated syllables.  “Not about me, I hope?”

[lordflorian]

Castle Marseden

The Labelle Family’s holdings, Castle Marseden, is one of the oldest castles in Daggerfall.  Situated on the top of a rocky cliff on the Iliac Bay, the land surrounding the castle is often lush and green, but poor for cultivation. The Labelles swear that the King granted Aristide this land on purpose, to spite him out of profitable lands.

But unicorns make clean water, as the saying goes, and the Labelles did the best with what they were given.  Their castle’s position on an inlet made it perfect place for a harbor, where ships would be sheltered from storms.  What began as a handful of boats soon became a fleet of shipping vessels and merchant boats over the years, and the Labelles soon established themselves as master traders and merchant kings.  Some of the best shipwrights  live on the lands near Castle Marseden, and make their living providing ships for the Labelle’s fleet.

By all appearances, the castle looks time-worn and dull.  The years have stained its rocks and crumbled its statues, but the inside is completely different.  Furnished with lavish carpets and paintings, furniture, mirrors, marble and glass, the inside of Castle Marseden is as luxurious as the King’s own estate.

There are endless rumors about how the Labelles have acquired such wealth:  That their castle is built over gold mines, that they are associated with criminal rings, that it’s magical and they have other enthralled beneath them.  None of it’s true.  The Labelles acquired their fortune through hard work, and years upon years of saving, planning, and maneuvering.  Castle Marseden stands as a timeless reminder that the Labelles have endured despite all odds, and will continue to do so as long as their success continues to piss off kings and make the proper nobles uncomfortable.

[lordflorian]

A Family Divided

“Family values” is evidently not something that is held in high esteem by the current generation of Labelles.

Gratien Labelle and his wife, Chantal, were married at a young age.  Gratien  had just turned twenty, and his wife was seventeen.  Chantal, formerly of the surname Brodeur, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and tailor, and one of Gustave’s (Florian’s grandfather) most important clients.  It began well enough for an arranged marriage:  Gratien and Chantal were, thankfully, friends, and got along well in the beginnings of their marriage.

Their marriage deteriorated as Gratien became more and more interested in taking on lovers, focusing on whichever youths came to court for the season.  While it is not uncommon for the wealthy in High Rock to have lovers, Chantal was displeased with her husband’s rampant infidelity.  There came a time when he hardly came to her bed at all, and the couple failed to have any children before Chantal was twenty-eight, and Gratien was already thirty (and had sired his own brood of bastard children from many different parents).

Florian, the first born, was treated like a little diplomat from the time he learned to talk.  Gratien was always firm with Florian, as he hardly expected to sire more children with his wife, and a first-born son has natural responsibilities just from his birthright alone.  By the time Garan came around, and with Chantal passed away from epidemic a few years after he was born, Gratien was much more lenient.  The loss of his wife hit him harder than anyone expected, and Garan was mostly raised by doting nannies, while his brother was mentored by tutors.

Because of this, the boys seldom got along when they were children.  Florian has always been more than a little jealous of his brother’s liberal upbringing, and feels bitter that the responsibilities of taking care of the family business seem to have fallen, rather heavily, on his shoulders alone.  By the time Garan was turned out of his family home by their father, Florian was somewhat glad to see him gone.  That isn’t to say he never feels guilty, but having Garan’s dalliances and laziness removed from his sight was something Florian was rather grateful for.

With Gratien ailing and likely on his deathbed, Florian remains the sole inheritor of the Labelle fortune.  The worry that one of his father’s bastards might come to try and claim a portion for themselves is never far from his mind.

[lordflorian]

The Legacy of Aristide Labelle

The Labelle motto has always been “By Skill, Not Force”.  In current times, that is taken to mean that the Labelles achieve their ends through diplomatic (and, more commonly, monetary) means.  And that is true:  The Labelles are infamous for being able to retreat from trouble right as it starts to brew, and for instigating disagreements between other houses and families.  The Labelles do not dirty their hands, and pride themselves on their sparkling reputation.  The Labelles have won every war they have partaken in… Partially because they have only joined in a few, and do not easily dedicate themselves to the cause of others.

This was not always the case, however.

The Labelles once hosted one of the most respectable military forces in all of High Rock.  Unicorn banners usually meant one of two things for the opposing side:  Imminent withdrawal and retreat, or imminent slaughter.  Aristide swept through all of High Rock with such a force which continued to swell with numbers as it grew closer to the King.  Aristide himself was a charismatic man and a powerful speaker, and easily convinced local militias to join his cause.  Some houses will grumble that the Labelles won a “farmer’s war”, if only because the majority of his numbers were peasants and commonfolk.  But, as Aristide proved, commoners trained and armed with weapons were just as formidable as soldiers bred from the most prominent tournament and knightly bloodlines.

When the civil war was finished, Aristide’s military force dispersed as quickly as it was raised.  The farmers went home richer than they left, and retired their weapons to the role of family keepsakes and heirlooms.  In some parts of High Rock, the term “Aristidian” is used to refer to something plain, common, or treasonous.  It is not a compliment.

The Labelles do not see such slights as worth their notice.  After all, if a collection of peasants and commoners can overwhelm armies, what else can they do?  And who’s to say it won’t happen again?

[lordflorian]

The Tradition of Unicorns in High Rock

Although now rare enough to be thought of as extinct in most places, the unicorn was once a common sight in the more wooded areas of High Rock.    

Unicorns are fascinating creatures.  Plants grow more quickly where they graze, and waters run cleaner where they drink.  There’s not a wild beast alive who will hunt them, and they are as gentle as fawns when approached with empty hands and pure intentions.  But while some people remember the unicorns only for their beauty and gentleness, others remember them for their ferocity in battle.

Some Bretons remember that unicorns were, first and foremost, the guardians of the wood.  They welcomed those who would do no harm, but to those who came into their woods armed, hungry for violence, or looking to do battle, the unicorn was a fierce opponent indeed.  Unicorns charge at the first scent of bloodshed, and cannot abide the sight of an unsheathed weapon.  Impervious to magic of all kinds and quick and strong enough to overwhelm even armored opponents, a unicorn could either be a weary traveler’s saving grace or their worst nightmare.

There are still many old statues of unicorns in the older keeps and castles of High Rock.  The most popular pose for these statues is the Unicorn lying, head erect, ears forward.  Though this is now thought to represent a passive, more gentle side of the beast, anyone who has seen a unicorn can tell you that a unicorn who lies alert is watching, guarding, waiting for something to go wrong.  It is for this reason that it used to be tradition to set statues of the lodged unicorn at the entrance to a castle’s keep, with the belief that the image of the watchful beasts would frighten intruders and  ward away evil spirits.  

Castle Labelle, old as it is, is well-known for its collection of unicorn statuary.  It is for this reason, and others, that the family took the lodged unicorn as their heraldic device.

[lordlabelle]

Headcanon: The Labelles' Bloody History

Although the Labelle motto is “By Skill, Not Force”, this was not always their way.  Their ancient history is bathed in blood, beginning with Garan’s great, great, great, great, great (great great great) grandfather, Aristide Labelle.

Aristide was a man of modest means;  His family consisted of farmers.  For years, they were burdened by their noble landlord who consistently asked more of the Labelles than they could give at harvest.  One evening, while Aristide was returning him from market, he detoured through the woods… And as legend has it, it was there he stumbled upon a unicorn.

Being of gentle heart, the unicorn became fast friends with Aristide.  The young man brought the stallion home, and when the noble landlord heard, he came a-calling, demanding that the unicorn be given to him as means of debts unpaid by Aristide’s family.  When the man drew a knife, the unicorn leapt forward and plunged his horn through the noble’s heart and killed him instantly.

Aristide led a great uprising of the locals peoples against their noble landlords, and it was said that Aristide never himself carried a weapon, for the mount he rode into battle upon, his unicorn, was his greatest weapon. Aristide cut a bloody swathe through High Rock, and when he at last made his way to the king, it is said that the king himself removed his crown and gave it to Aristide Labelle to sway him from setting his army loose upon the kingdom.  Content, Aristide used the crown to buy ships and set his unicorn free.  From that time forward, the Labelles have remained the wealthiest family in HIgh Rock, second only to the royal family itself.

They breed no animals, because unicorns cannot be bred, or tamed:  Their allegiance is won only through a cause that is just.