#cledwyn

[pailiky]

more sketchpages while i try to figure wtf my characters look like x

[ranger-melany]

Day 11 - Dance

No Gathering was complete with some songs in the evening after dinner time. Traditionally, their anthem, Cabin in the trees, was only sung at the beginning and the end of the Gathering. But any other songs could and would be played. Sometimes the Rangers requested one, but most of the time they let it up to the musicians to decide on that.

The ones gifted enough to play some instruments had grown over time. While it started with Berrigan and his guitarra, he passed his passion for music to his own apprentice, Cledwyn. He had learnt to play the guitarra, but his heart had then been sold to a lute. Berrigan had gifted him one as a graduation gift. Cledwyn on his turn passed the love for music to his apprentice, Merrick, who took a liking in playing the violin. For a young man so energetic and mischievous, it was marvellous to see how fine and calming he played his instrument.

Then there was Will, who had learnt to play the mandola during his apprenticeship. Even years later, Halt still managed to piss him off by referring to his instrument as a ‘lute’. Will once had brought Cledwyn with him as well as his lute, but his former mentor had just shrugged, saying that he had no understanding in the fine details about the instruments.

The latest addition came when Melany, Crowley’s apprentice, joined them. The young woman had a gift for playing multiple instruments. She had first picked up the Hibernian flute, followed by the mandola and lastly the Hibernian violin.

Maddie listened as Melany and Merrick joined the other three men. The Hibernian violin had a higher tone, overtaking the other violin. Merrick compensated that by playing quite low. The two instruments formed a lovely sound. Sometimes, it felt like they could enchant you with their music.

When their duet was done, Merrick continued playing his violin while Melany slowly retreated to the background. She stored away her instrument and got up to bring it to her tent. That’s when she noticed the girl sitting on the log. Melany changed her plans and headed her way.

“Mind if I join you?” the Ranger asked when she was standing next to Maddie.

Maddie indicated she could sit down and moved a bit to give Melany some space.

The two women sat in some silence for a moment before Maddie spoke up.

“You played really well,” she said, looking at the woman. “You should play at the court as well from time to time.”

Melany smiled, stretching her legs in front of her.

“And be the centre of the attention? No thanks.” She waited a moment, then added, “But if you’re home, you can come visit me once in a while. You know the way to my cabin.”

The Ranger side eyed the young woman next to her for a moment. It was interesting to see how much of a show she put on when at home, yet here she was a completely different person.

“You did very well last year,” Melany said after a while. “Gilan told me all about it once I returned from my trip to Hibernia.”

The apprentice shrugged, digging her heel into the soil.

“I had help,” Maddie replied, avoiding the woman’s gaze. “It’s not like I saved everyone on my own.”

The way she spoke made Melany wonder what was going on with the girl. She had been avoiding the topic and whenever the name Dimon fell, her face hardened. Yet at the same time, there always was a slight colour on her cheeks. As if she was ashamed.

They looked up when the music fell silent. Berrigan, Cledwyn, Will and Merrick took a moment before they’d continue. Being around them for some years already, Melany knew what was about to come.

“Seems like they’ll soon start with the dancing,” the Ranger said, a smile on her face. She had come to love dancing, especially on the songs they played at the Gathering.

“Rather them than I,” Maddie said, grinning weakly. “My dancing days are over.”

Melany turned her face to her in surprise.

“A Princess who doesn’t dance? That’s unlikely.”

The apprentice tapped her right hip, grimacing.

“Well, I used to dance, a lot even. Mum and dad taught me from a young age on. But ever since that injury I can’t dance anymore. Swaying around hurts too much and if I’m being honest, the nobles who do ask me for a dance aren’t the best.” Maddie softly chuckled when she remembered some of them.

“Ah, yes, men and their ability to stomp your feet rather than avoid them,” Melany said. She shook her head. “Our toes pay a high price for it.”

Her remark made Maddie snort and that made Melany laugh. For a little while, they shared stories of men standing on their toes during dancing. One story was more absurd than the other, but eventually, Melany had to give Maddie credits for the most original one.

In the distance, Merrick started to play a tune. It didn’t take long before a group of Rangers got up to form pairs. They then stood opposite of each other, forming two long rows. The ones on the right held up their hands while their dance partner placed their hand in it. They followed the rhythm of the music and soon they were moving around the Gathering Grounds.

Maddie looked with a mixture of awe and jealousy at them. She wanted to join in the fun, but by the way they moved, she already knew her hip wouldn’t be able to endure that.

“There’s another dance to this music.” Melany had seen her looking and had been thinking of a solution. “One that doesn’t require a lot of moving around nor swaying too much.”

Maddie turned her head to look at the woman next to her.

“Wouldn’t it require a man for it?” So far, all the dances she had been taught were for a couple consisting of a man and a woman. To think that there were more options hadn’t even crossed her mind.

“Not this one, since it’s been adjusted for two women,” Melany replied.

“Two women?” Maddie said, frowning. “Why would anyone – ” A bit ashamed that she remembered too late, she turned her head away.

Melany laughed, then got onto her feet. She stretched out her left hand, her hand palm upwards.

“Would you like to give it a try, Madelyn?”

Even later, Maddie still couldn’t exactly tell what made her stand up. But she did and placed her hand in Melany’s. A bit surprised, she could feel a wedding band around Melany’s ring finger while the two of them walked closer to the others.

Merrick saw it too and with just two glances he switched his spot with Cledwyn who played another tone after Merrick finished playing. Some Rangers around them took a rest, but others continued. Next to them, Berwyn and Merrick appeared, each a grin on their face.

“You always know how to convince people,” Berwyn said. “Don’t swing her around too much.”

Melany gave him a poke in his side to which he and Merrick then moved a bit away to give the women some pace.

“This isn’t a very difficult dance,” Melany said. She took Maddie’s other hand and held it in hers. “Just follow my lead and you’ll be alright.”

They waited for the music to start and when it was time for the first move, Melany gave a slight nod. Instantly, Maddie followed her, taking a step forward and then sideways. The steps were small and if she was to turn, Melany made sure to have her do that on her healthy leg. Although the rhythm of the music was rather quick, the women danced in a slower pace. The Ranger kept a close eye on the apprentice, making sure she was alright.

Maddie on her turn was delighted to finally be able to dance again. For the past years, she had skipped it all, too afraid that her injury would be discovered and that people would link the girl apprentice from Redmont with her. But here, among her friends and colleagues, she didn’t have to be afraid.

From time to time, their eyes met and Melany could see a sparkle in Maddie’s. She had seen the pain in the girl’s eyes whenever there had been an opportunity to dance yet she couldn’t participate. Perhaps I should teach Horace these as well, Melany thought. Then they could dance together once again.

Maddie was almost disappointed when the music slowly stopped, indicating it was time for bed. Now that she had been given a way to dance, she didn’t want to stop.

“Perhaps we too should head to bed,” Melany said as she looked around. The big fire was still burning, a few Rangers sitting around it to keep an eye on it.

“Can’t we dance a little longer?” Maddie pleaded, her hands still in Melany’s.

The Ranger laughed, the sound echoing over the area.

“Alright then, but once that fire dies out, you’ll go to sleep. I don’t fancy to anger Will.”

They continued dancing until the stars and moon light illuminated the Gathering Grounds. The fire had died long ago, but neither of them seemed to notice. Another fire was lit in her heart, one that she feared to be gone forever. Maddie could only focus on the woman, following her lead as she guided the girl over the grass. Now that she could dance, she didn’t want to stop.

[the-kingshound]

Q&A - PART ONE

Adrei, Saraah and Cledwyn

ADREI

Adrei our most beloved sister, who is your favorite sibling?

She lets out a raspy, if very short, laugh. “I’m not going to answer that.”

Adrei, what do you do for fun? Anything outside of working all the time?

“I don’t-“ she halts, dropping the rest of the sentence. After a brief pause to think about it, her gaze marginally softens. “I forge. Not often, and I am only able to work on simple objects. I find blacksmithing quite relaxing, maybe because I have the strength and endurance for it.”

Do you ever wish that things are different or better? A better family? A better or different environment for your siblings and yourself? Or more?

Adre seems suddenly older, she shrugs her shoulders as if uncomfortable with an added heavy weight. “For myself? No. I cannot imagine a different life from this. But… there are some things I regret, some things I wish would have been easier on-“ she clears her throat. “- on you. On Saraah, on Emyr. I didn’t do anything to change that, though, and that’s on me. If there is something I wish was different, is for my siblings to have been happier growing up.”

SARAAH

For Saraah and Adrei both, what do you think of each other? How's your relationship?

Adrei immediately answers. “Saraah is like an unruly horse. Volatile, rebellious. Sometimes, incredibly sweet.”

A genuine smile lights up Saraah’s face. “Aw, that was one of the nicest things someone said to me.”

“Adrei is tough, reliable. She may have pushed us too hard at times but at least she’s aware of that. I care about her,” at this, Saraah meets his sister’s stony gaze, “that’s why we keep in contact.”

Adrei nods. “We do. Not too often, but enough to know if the other is doing alright.”

For Saraah and Adrei. How do you really feel about your parents? Do you love them, feel distant from them, resent them, ooooorrrrrr? And Adrei I don't want some duty bound eldest child answer I mean your FEELINGS from your HEART

Saraah hums. “You know the feeling you have for something you once adored but as time goes on you begin to see the cracks and imperfection in it, and now you can’t unsee them? For me it’s something like that. I resented them a while back. Sometimes I still do. I don’t hate my parents, though, I simply live a lot better without them in the picture.”

Adrei looks to the side. “They are good parents. Not the best, not the worst. They taught us all valuable lessons, though their methods were sometimes harsh. I do not resent them for that. They are my parents and I… love them. I care about them as they care about me.”

Saraah turn to the side and aggressively pokes his sister. “Oh, come on! Those are not the feelings from your heart.”

Adrei hardens her gaze. “Those are my feelings on the matter, Saraah, whether you like it or not.”

so saraah, how did u handle your siblings fighting w each other? yes im talking about osia and mc

“Well, that’s not even fighting, it’s bullying. And I hate it. Osia is vicious, she attacks unprovoked and she is mean to the bone. She probably has fun doing it. But back to the question: Osia can fuck herself. If she wants to pick on my sibling she better be prepared to fight with me as well.”

saraah, fave childhood memory with mc?

“Mhh… oh, I have it!” he exclaims. “I was fourteen and I remember it had been a horrible week. I slept very little so I was exhausted  and on top of that training that day was brutal. I was miserable and sore when the day finally ended. Then came my adorable little sib with their doe eyes who told me to follow them. They knew I liked flowers so they brought me to a sunflower field. We laid there all evening surrounded by these bright yellow sunflowers and I was so grateful I almost cried. It was peaceful, I didn’t feel pain or pressure. Sunflowers are my favourite flower to this day.”

Hey Saraah how would you react if your sibling threatened your husband that they would hurt him if he hurt you? Would you be amused?

Saraah chokes on a laugh. “Oh, I would love to see that! Cledwyn won’t stand a chance!”

I’ve missed you so much! Now, I know you’re already been gossiping about MY romantic choices, so I want to hear about you! how’s Cledwyn treating you, dearest brother? Now don’t look around like that, I already made sure they’re not nearby. And you can be honest with me, you know.

“I've missed you too but was the ambush necessary?”

Saraah gets himself comfortable on a chair. “Well, my adorable sibling, I’ll let you know that Cled is the funniest, goofiest and also smartest man I know. He also has a lot of stamina so we spend a lot of time doing-“

When he gets stopped, Saraah snorts. “Oh, come on! I thought you wanted the details! But honestly, he respects me and values my opinions. The best thing mom and dad did for me was choosing him.”

CLEDWYN

What's your favorite thing about Saraah?

The answer is immediate, Cledwyn doesn’t even think about it. “That he laughs at my jokes.”

“No, really! I knew we would get along when at our second meeting I whispered a joke and he almost choked laughing. He laughed so loud for so long that when he stopped he was in tears and basically everyone was looking as us… it was adorable.”

Have you met any of Saraah's extensive family? What are your thoughts? And what's your own family like?

“I have to admit I have not interacted in person with any of them. Saraah talks rarely about his parents and while I’m aware he keeps in contact with some of his siblings, I don’t know much more than that. Obviously, his little siblings are the exceptions. Saraah’s eyes light up when he talks about them. It’s clear he loves them."

[andsotheuniverseended]

OC Associations Meme

tagged by @floralprintshark (thank you!!)

Cledwyn

Seasoning: salt

Weather: bitterly cold but no wind or storm

Colour: dark blue/grey

Sky: completely clear blue but not sunny or warm

Magic power: Warding Bond (for those unfamiliar with dnd, basically taking half the damage dealt to someone else)

House plant: old lady cactus

Weapon: a hammer, the head of which detaches and can hit from very far away

Subject: history

Social media: social media??? willingly interacting with other people??? absolutely not

Make-up product: she doesn’t use any but. eyeliner

Candy: candied nuts

Fear: failing the world

Ice cube shape: orb

Method of long distance travel: riding next to her wife on the front of her show cart

Mythological creature: i mean she is a goblin... but actually that one greek giant that has hundreds of eyes uhhh Argus Panoptes

Piece of stationary: binder

3 emojis: 👀❄️🤖

Celestial body: Sirius (the star)

Tarot card: Ten of Wands

annnnd i’ll tag @queerical and @du-hjarta-skulblaka and whoever else sees this and wants to participate

[srinyx-wd]

Made a new blog for wolvden content, so I’m finally going to actually post some! Here’s the designs for my two starter wolves - though I do plan to take my lead wolf to the customiser as soon as I can, so this is her stripped to her bare essentials.

The first wolf is going to be my lead, with the second one being her brother. I don’t have a pack name yet, but these two are called Heuldys and Cledwyn respectively.

[nartrium]

Watch out this is quality content

Jeremy and Cledewyn : ah yes we're both against the government let's fight together

Cledwyn : *brings sign*

Jeremy : *brings gasoline and lighter*

[daysofauldlangsyne]

Cledwyn married Avrusa Sarethi and they have a really Soft marriage and they love each other deeply, albeit not passionately

[the-kingshound]

Their little sibling is happy. Happier than they've ever been at home. Saraah tries not to blame themselves too much; it was a stressful environment to grow up in.

Nevertheless, seing them genuinely smiling at their King, with their guard finally down and their kid almost on their lap, is eye opening in a bittersweet kind of way. How much did they both leave behind? Their childhood? Their innocence? Their free will?

Saraah still holds a grudge. In the same way they told themselves then, they repeat it now. It's not fair.

Nothing was ever fair growing up.

A hand comes softly upon their shoulder to interrupt their rapidly darkening thoughts.

"They seem happy."

Saraah takes a deep breath, resting their weight on the chest just behind them.

"Yeah," they agree, not losing sight of their little sibling. They look like they found their home. They look finally at peace.

As their husband wraps an arm around their abdomen, bringing him closer, Saraah thinks that after all that's quite fortunate, because in Camelot they found their home too.