courage and honor

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." Theon Sorcha • 2985 • King of Hodia My blessing is my good fortune, my curse that I remember everything.

[theonofhodia]

Defy and Define // Theon & Gale

[galesorcha]

Gale had spent most of the Party refusing to go near the sirens. He had left his weapons behind, as instructed, but the by doubted he’d fail to use his fists if those foul creatures crossed his path. So, encircled by knights and soldiers and elves, the prince refused to join in with his parents as they talked to the other king, staying behind to avoid confrontation. That was how he had gone through the celebration, by staying behind and drinking copious amounts of wine, clinging on to Joran for moral support and to have someone anchoring him, someone who he knew would not react the way his parents surely would if they knew he thought that the party was a joke. Somehow, his plan had worked, and despite the blatant distaste shown on his face, Gale Sorcha had not gotten into any fights, had not broken any noses nor had he attacked any sirens.

Thankfully the wine had left him too groggy altogether to do much but follow the rest of his companions back to Hodia by the end of it. Without so much as a goodbye to the nymphs, a very drunk prince returned home to crash on his bed until the next afternoon. It wasn’t his proudest moment – not even close – but some part of his brain knew that it was for the best. Disappearing seemed like a good enough alternative to disappointing everyone with crude remarks and an awful behavior, something the prejudiced son of an open-minded queen would not fail to do. Besides, he had made it through the entire evening with no more than a few scornful glances towards the merpeople, and some witty remarks that only Joran had heard, so he saw really no motive for worries.

Which if why he was startled when the sound of heavy knocks on his door awoke him. It was too early – well, too early for him – and the taste of rotten wood in his mouth only confirmed the fact that he had drank too much the evening before. With his head pounding, Gale got up slowly and, pulling the sheets around him, walked over to the door. His father’s voice invaded his ears, and he knew he should feel as though something was wrong, but his thoughts were still jumbled and, amidst the morning-after haze, the prince thought nothing of it. Opening the door in one swift movement, he looked at Theon’s fully dressed figure in a manner that could only be described as comic, trying to decide whether he was dreaming or if his mind was still too asleep to make sense of it.

“Dad?” His tone was almost childish, and Gale used a term he hadn’t in years. Coughing, something in his brain clicked and he got out of the way. “I mean, father, come in.”

[theonofhodia]

Theon felt a scornful expression quickly spread across his features when his son opened the door. It was already afternoon, yet it seemed that the unexpected knocking had awoken the prince. His usually cheerfully blue eyes seemed red and he was wrapped his sheets instead of real clothing. A sorry sight, Theon thought, to see the future king in such a disorderly state. Sometimes he had to remind himself that Gale was still only a boy and perhaps his expectations of him were a bit too high. After all, it would be a lie to say that Theon had always come off so majestic. "Was it so late that you went to bed that you do lie so late?" He asked, his voice almost aggrieved. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

Assuming the answer was no or don't tell me, he accepted his offer and came inside his room. The room was tidier than was to be expected of a boy Gale's age, but then, he had maids to clean up after him. If he didn't, Theon could only imagine what sights his senses would be affronted by when he came through the door. He didn't scold or accuse him for taking such a childish tone with him, but also didn't say anything of the moment of warmth it caused his heart to hear his son call him dad after he had all but outgrown it. In some ways, he missed when they were both younger and so full of potential. He regretted what their relationship had become, but he held on hope that he could restore it. He just wasn't sure how.

"Perhaps you know what I've come here to say." He said, turning back to his son and giving a nod. "Unless that wine has muddied your thoughts. It is the reason for your lack of sleep, is it not?" He sighed softly and tried to continue without losing his temper or saying something he would regret. "I had been wondering where you had gone off to during the Party of Lights, but I have a feeling I know that now. I had hoped you would be a little less reclusive, given the importance of the gathering." He paused to consider if Gale understood the importance of it now, or if he ever had. "As I'm sure I have told you, this was the first time the Party of Lights had been held since the war."

[aurora-sorcha]

Night Terrors || Aurora & Theon

There were countless ways in which Aurora was blessed. She had a wonderful husband whom she loved dearly along with a strong and healthy, albeit rather disobedient, son. She was the reigning queen of a grand kingdom and thus never had to fear for lack of funds or sustenance. And though her family had been lost to the war, she had been spared from many of its horrors. Even a millennium later she retained her good health. For all of these reasons and more, she was incredibly fortunate. But there was another way in which the queen was lucky – one that many would likely overlook. This was, quite simply, that she found peaceful slumber without difficulty. It was an easy thing to look past when an outsider considered the wealth and power a monarch held, but Aurora herself was frequently reminded of that particular blessing.

On that night the queen had joined her husband in bed, curling up close to him as she had always done. It might not have been very regal behavior, but Theon was the one person she allowed to see her in such a light. The two had conversed for a short while in hushed voices until Aurora felt her eyelids become heavy. With that, she had whispered a few affectionate words and fell fast asleep. What happened next, and even in the hours that followed, was a mystery to her. She was far too engrossed in her own tranquil dream world. That is, until her companion began to toss and turn in bed beside her.

On nights when Theon’s sleep was peaceful, the queen would often find herself in very nearly the same position beside her husband that she had fallen asleep in. However, on nights such as this, his movement was violent, and her subconscious mind would push her body to move further and further away from him. Therefore, whenever he tossed to one side just a little too violently, shaking Aurora from her sleep, she was close to the edge of the bed. Her body was faced away from him, and for a few moments she remained dazed and motionless. Slowly her light eyes cracked open to see the vague, dark shapes of their bedroom. It was only when she heard a soft half-growl, half whine fill the air that she realized what had woken her up.

It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, but no matter how many times she had woken up to find her beloved in such a state, she was never quite prepared. Nevertheless, Aurora quickly pushed herself up so that she was sitting in the bed. Her hands came up to gently rub the sleep from her eyes before she looked down to see Theon’s silhouette beside her. There was an expression of anguish on his face and his entire body seemed tense. The sight caused her heart to heave. Fear and worry etched into the queen’s features. Without hesitation she reached out to rest her hand on her husband’s shoulder and gently shake him. “Theon,” she whispered quietly, leaning down a little closer to him, “Theon, my dear, wake up. It’s only a bad dream. Theon?” She continued to whisper his name and urged him to wake up. But with each word that fell from her lips, her voice became louder and her tone more anxious and concerned.

[theonofhodia]

Sleep seldom came easily for Theon, even a thousand years after the war. There were too many memories lurking just out of reach, waiting to attack him in his most vulnerable hour, smothering him with their sickening sights and sounds that played in his mind as though they were the that which he saw before him. What is done cannot be undone, his father used to warn, and so it was so. It seemed he would never be forgiven of his past sins by the person who's forgiveness was most important of all - himself. Try as his may, there was no mistaking what he had done, nor was there any chance of forgetting it. Such horrors would always haunt him and they would never go away, a dark truth that he had come to realize over the last thousand years of night terrors.

The evening was a pleasant one. Clear skies made for optimal stargazing and the distant chirp of crickets could be heard from the bedroom window that had been left ajar. A light breeze blew through the trees, making them sway and dance as if they could speak to one another without a sound. All was well, and with his wife curled up beside him, he felt safe and at ease. The past was far behind him, worlds away it seemed, and he was able to drift off into a comfortable sleep. That was when the nightmares claimed him. As if a hooded figure came and stole thence the peaceful tranquility of the room, he was plunged into darkness. His beloved Aurora was torn from him, and he dreamt instead of the war.

Knee-deep in siren blood, the stench of blood and sweat struck him and overpowered his senses, making him feel dizzy and sick. Around him, men were dying, good men, and he was helpless to prevent it. He heard cries of pain, cries for help and the cries of women. It all felt so real as if the sheer shock from it was what kept him from shaking his sleep. Overcome by the horrors what surrounded him, he fell to his knees, and in front of him he beheld the most terrible sight of all. A body lie before him, barely recognizable past the hideously scarred tissue and gory locks. Marred flesh and muscle clung to a pale skeleton, one which was indicative of a young elven soldier. The eyes were wide open, looking out without seeing, and Theon at last recognized the young man past his wounds. Gale. His only son, his beautiful boy, gruesomely scarred and mutilated by the hacking of a thousand swords. He was overcome by terror and guilt.

He had done this.

Letting out a sob that fell on the deaf ears of those shadowy faces in his nightmare, he was shaken from his frightful sleep by the concerned voice of his wife. The demonic shadows slipped away and he awoke in a cold sweat, his face blanched with telltale fear. "My son!" He gasped, bolting upright in his bed. His hands trembled as he covered his eyes and fought to catch his breath. "Gale! Is he alright?" He shook his head and combed a hand back through his hair, his mutterings inward and almost incoherent  "The war... the war is over. But I was there, and so was he." Turning to her, he looked almost guilty, though fear remained the most prevalent emotion written on his tired face. "Did I wake you, my love?" He asked, trying to sound calm, although his still trembling hands gave him away.

[amber-wruns]

Two Hearts Long Forgotten || {Theon and Vidar}

[amber-wruns]

My friend. That was a phrase that had not reached Vidar’s ears in decades. The sentiment behind the endearment warmed his heart, biting down at the endless ache in his chest. The dull ache was now a manageable thing; background to the world around him. Focus and routine were all that were left in his life, and Vidar did what he could to use those as distractions from the pain of his day to day life. Life would become far easier if the broken man actually let someone in again. Yet his aggressive behavior scared away all.

Looking at the now stranger standing a few feet from him, Vidar could see the difference in his old friend’s demeanor. Maybe it was the stress of the kingdom or the regality he now carried, however, whatever the change was, Vidar couldn’t help but worry for the king. They had been friends, dear friends; something Vidar knew he still wished was the case. To have someone to confide in and share the burden of the world with would be a marvelous thing indeed. The experience of opening up once more was a craving that Vidar had yet to recognize within himself, yet it was their as clear as day.

“Far too long indeed,” he muttered, his eyes wandering down to the ground. He missed the king, a fact that made itself known from time to time. Yet, Vidar had not yet allowed himself to show Theon that he longed for a return to their friendship. He missed the witty banter that once conversed between them over simple things. Even the late night conversations during the war, as the fire raged in the pit they encircled. Back then, life hadn’t been easy, but Vidar at least understood where his life was and cherished the people he shared it with.

Smirking at the elven king, Vidar glanced at the dummy to the right of him before moving his eyes back to Theon’s. Vidar chuckled lightly, his eyes crinkling slightly. For once, humor lightened his heart in the slightest amount. He was confused suddenly just how the laughter had came about so easily. It had been years since the sound of a genuine laugh had passed his lips; he could only admit that it felt good. “Well, sire, I take it you brought a sword with you. How does a little competition sound to you? A sort of practice duel…” Vidar unsheathed his sword, watching as it glinted in his hands. “It’s been years since I’ve had a real partner to train with.” Vidar waited patiently for Theon to prepare his sword before taking his stance. “It’ll be nice to see if my sword fighting skills have finally matched my commander,” Vidar remarked in an aggressive yet slightly light in tone.

[theonofhodia]

Far too long indeed echoed in Theon's mind as he pondered the meaning of it. How long had it been? Hundreds of years since the two were close, and more since the war. Of all the good to come from peace and from the long-awaited end of the war, he regretted losing the friendship of his fellow soldiers who served under him when he had been a general for the army. Vidar had been one of those men, one of the best soldiers he had seen, with skill to match his ferocity. He had loved and lost, as most fighting in the war had, and it seemed at times that the two men bonded over their losses, though they only ever spoke of the future. Tomorrow will be better or next time we will be victorious, even when Theon began to doubt each sentiment more than the last.

Drawn out of his thoughts by the glint of a sword, he smiled at his friend's tenacity, a flame in his eyes that apparently had not diminished with time. "Fie! It has been a great many years since I had such a worthy opponent." He answered with a soft chuckle, drawing his own sword from its sheath. It gleamed in the dull light of the day, a giveaway that the soldier who had been crowned king still could not bring himself to allow his sword to rust. He approached Vidar as he carried his sword with the same practiced patience that he had all those years ago. "I fear my skill may have dulled with time." He admitted. "As I've said, it has been far too long since I was last here. I don't suppose you would take it easy on an old elf?"

But he knew he wouldn't, and that was one of the things that Theon most enjoyed about him. He knew when to be gentle and when to relent, a skill not easily taught to most soldiers. Simply thinking so set thoughts of Gale running through his mind. His prejudice and overwhelming desire to come out of any fight a victor would make him a poor soldier, if he ever had to fight at all outside of tournaments and training. He had a tutor, yes, but he doubted even a teacher as skilled as Joran could teach such an rash boy the importance of peace. Casting such unpleasant thoughts aside, he lifted his sword. "Shall we begin?" He asked, the glimmer in his eye similar to an elf half his age without the burdens which he carried.

[theonofhodia]

Defy and Define // Theon & Gale

When Theon and his wife had been invited to the Party of Lights, he wasn’t sure how to feel. For the days leading up to the event, his stomach was constantly tied in knots and he reeked of nervous trepidation. Peace was such a fragile thing, so easily broken and so difficult to repair, that he was sure no amount of caution would be enough. Despite his uneasiness when the nymphs of Clearing insisted that he leave any and all weaponry behind, he had done so. He quietly observed, acting as a diplomat to the royalties of foreign kingdoms and a fellow to other partygoers, though he let a scornful eye wander, lest he see anything out of the ordinary.

But everything had gone according to plan. There was merrymaking and joy and not a single threat or hostility to be heard. Still, something did not feel right, and it wasn't until Theon had returned to Hodia that he realized what it had been. Gale had been mysteriously silent. The prince of Hodia was never one to keep his opinions to himself, no more than he was one to keep an open mind once he had already made his up. Yet all evening he had been quiet, keeping to himself and a trusted few it seemed. True that he had expected Gale to start a fight or make his low opinion of the sirens so blatantly clear that someone else would start the fight for him. However, his absence during such an important event caused Theon to question what kind of a king his son would someday make.

Thus the knock on the heavy wooden door of Gale's chambers. Fatherly talks like these seldom ended well for either party, and yet he kept trying in hopes that someday they would have the same bond that Theon once had with his own father. A more pragmatic part of him knew this was unlikely, that he and his son were just too unalike, but the optimistic to a fault part of him warded the thought away with memories from his youth and hope for the future. Someday, he thought with a wry grin, but he was certain that soon these hopes would meet a grim end. "Gale?" He called at the door. "Are you in there, son? I must have words with you."

[amber-wruns]

Two Hearts Long Forgotten || {Theon and Vidar}

The repetitive movements of an ancient sword began the dance of destruction against a helpless wooden dummy. Smack, split, crack. The motions of an ancient man continued to wear down the dummy as if the man himself were a juggernaut. Perhaps he was; the way his sword moved seemed to be a second way of breathing. With the soldier’s hands wrapped around the handle of the old elven sword, he swung low, spun around, then swung high.

The last blow was strong enough to leave the sword permanently in the dummy; yet Vidar dislodged it and continued on with his self training. His dirty brow dropped of sweat and the soldier could almost smell the stench of blood ringing around him just as it had in times of old. Today, unsurprisingly, was another day spent in solitude inside of the training room. The loneliness was not something that bothered Vidar, nor was it a reminder of what he no longer had. It was his own form of peace and salvation.

With another blow to the dummy, A chunk of wood fell off, causing the soldier to stop his movements and examine the damage done. Sheathing his sword, his knelt down and took a glance at the dislodged piece. It was ragged; splinters of wood so desperately trying to escape from the chunk. Much like the chunk, Vidar was broken and incomplete; lost to the world around him and friendless. The elf had friends once; many friends. Some he believed had been far to great of people for him to deserve in his life; he cherished them the most. However, after the war, those friends and even acquaintances were lost to him. The fault falling on Vidar, not them. His change of personality from joy and friendliness to coldness and frustration had been to much for most to handle.

Picking up the wood, Vidar let out a broken yell and threw it across the room. He was frustrated beyond belief; confused about why his life had taken such a horrible turn for the worst so many years ago. Even now, life was merely a point of existing. Existing in hope that maybe someday things would get better; that someone would come along and melt the block of ice that was once a warm loving heart of gold.

Hearing a throat clear at the other side of the room, Vidar turned around to face one of his fellow soldiers; prepared to apologize for his sudden outburst. However, who he saw was the last person he expected to see. King Theon. Once a long time ago, they had been friends. Vidar was a soldier under him when the king served as the Hodian general during the war. Yet after the war, they began to drift apart slowly.

However, it was Prince Gale and his hatred for the sirens, that drew Vidar to separating from the King further. The idea that a prince, who had not even seen the war not fought in it, could have so much hate and act so immaturely on it angered Vidar to the point of hatred. So he stopped attempting to speak with the king, and continued his life in a hopeless pattern filled with pain and emptiness. Looking at King Theon, Vidar bowed low, and kept his face in the most pleasant expression he could muster. “Good evening, your majesty,” he said coldly, his voice a projection of his heart towards all. “It’s been quite some time since I have seen you here.”

[theonofhodia]

The training room was not someplace that Theon ofttimes frequented in recent years. Times had changed, and the man who used to be a soldier was now a king, one who's people depended on him to be peaceful and fair. No more could he make play that he was a good and hardy warrior, fighting for the freedom of his kind against a brutal enemy. He had put those days behind him when the war ended. The treaty had ushered in a new era of peace that had lasted a thousand years, and with any luck would last a thousand more. That is, if Theon could teach his impetuous son the value of peace, something that he had thus far failed in doing.

Nevertheless, he saw a need to keep his skill with a sword sharp, rather than let them rust with time. Just in case, he would think, but was never quite sure how to end such a thought. Just in case what? The thought of another war was indeed too much for him to bear, yet it lingered in his mind like a persistent fog that hovered above the ground, a lurking fear that would not quit his sights. At times where such thoughts came to the front of his mind instead of remaining in the background where he hid them all this time, he would make a visit to the training room in the castle, a place that had been his home so many years ago.

But on this day, he was not alone. The room was already occupied by one whom the elven king used to call a friend. A sad smile settled on his lips as he watched the man train. Vidar Allaway was a good man, a strong soldier, but now he was angry and hollow, just as Theon once was. May Pan remove the means that makes us strangers, he thought. Clearing his throat, he finally caught the eye of his former friend, but his gaze felt heavy and he could feel a thick tension in the air which was broken by the soldier's words.

"Alas, my friend, it has been too long since I have been here." He paused and grimaced at his own utterance. My friend. Yes, they had been friends, good friends at that, yet he spoke to him now as strangers did. There was so much he wanted to say, but the words stuck in his throat. What was there to say? Seeing Vidar reminded him so much of the Great War, but also of the good to come out of it, of the strength that had survived and the people that were saved. "Might I join you?" He asked, eyebrows raising inquisitively as his gaze went from Vidar to the splintered dummy before him. "It seems to me that you could ask for better company." He added teasingly, a small smile finding its way onto his mouth.

[firstaidsprays]

[darklands-rp]

THEON SORCHA ❖ TAKEN

2985 years of age

Elf – Hodia

King of Hodia

FC: Tom Hiddleston

Theon Villidon was born to a family of army members, honorable representatives of Hodian forces and the kingdom’s protectors. His father, a skilled swordsman, was one of the generals of the King, and his mother was a highly able archer, with a penchant for healing spells. Together they had three children, amongst whom Theon was the youngest. He was also, however, the only one to inherit their father’s abilities with the sword, while his brothers followed in their mother’s footsteps. They were all sent away in an early age to train and harness their abilities until they proved themselves worthy of joining the army of the kingdom.

When war came, the Villidons were all highly respected members of the military already. Though they were all sent to the battles, only one of them came back. Theon, hopeless and seemingly alone, was the only Villidon to survive the battles, and even then it was just barely so. He had already met Aurora, but the fact that she was queen made it seem impossible for them to ever have something, and slowly the man fell into a hole of self-despair and guilt. It was only when the queen confessed that she returned his affections that he started to see light again. Arurora became his rock, his lifeline and the one person in Theon’s life who actually gave him hope for a better future.

Gale was born some time after they were married, and he is, without a doubt, one of the greatest joys in the king’s life. However, he is also one of the greatest headaches. Like his wife, the king is constantly worried about his and the kingdom’s wellbeing, and is afraid that Gale proves to be a threat to the peace they fought hard to achieve. Because of that, Theon and his son are often arguing, as the king tries to teach his reckless child the value of peace. Though he wishes for nothing other than Gale’s happiness, he’s also afraid that his son will be the one to put them back in that dark place. So, he supports Aurora’s decision to try and find him a suitable wife that can soothe and control him, make him see light like the queen did for Theon.

+ industrious, cooperative, brave

- troubled, nervous, guilty

[theonofhodia]

Know Thyself // Theon & Richard

[richard-frey]

Richard raised his eyebrows and nodded, taking the hint well enough. “Understood, Your Highness,” he said after Theon had at least granted a small explanation. He felt that he had no reason to apologize for his curiosity, as he considered it one of his stronger points. He was sure that he could ask Melody more about the relation between elves and sirens at a later date. Truth be told, Richard was quite off put by the king’s snide remark. The man was a king, though, so he could really say whatever he wanted. The knight would have preferred something a little more forward than backhanded.

What other questions did he have for King Theon? Far too many to cover in one night. But what could he possibly ask him that would not offend the king? Was he the sensitive type, one who wished only to discuss the positive parts of his kingdom, or his personal successes? Richard was particularly interested in aspects of war, but seeing as how this was now off the table…

“You are very kind, Your Highness, to humor me like this. Actually, something about Ao Qevir that I often wonder about is the current state of safety towards humans. You see, part of my job is in keeping humans out of the forest. It is incredibly dangerous for ordinary civilians, and this is particularly troubling to me. Why do you think that it is so dangerous? Are there enough safe havens for humans looking to travel into Ao Qevir?”

[theonofhodia]

Theon, no matter how displeased with the topic, couldn't help but be impressed by the man's sentiment. His question showed a great care for his people, something which he and the elven king had in common. No matter what else separated them, whether it be distance or differences, they both cared a great deal for their kind. It seemed both the king and the knight were willing to devote their lives to the good of their people, and no matter how Theon felt about Richard or the race of men in general, it was hard not to respect that. Maybe they weren't so different as he had first believed, but they were also not the same, lest that be forgotten by either party.

"I disagree with the notion that Ao Qevir is dangerous at all." He told him, turning back to him, the look in his eyes less judging than before, though his words could very well be interpreted as harsh. "I think what men fear is the unknown, and much of this land is still unknown to your people, therefore they fear it." He raised his eyebrows. "As for safe havens, I would say there is no need for them. Most creatures of Ao Qevir are not inhospitable toward men, though I would not go as far as to say that I encourage travel here by those of the human realms. Being a knight of Cardoniel, you must understand that there is a border between our lands for a reason."

Though he hadn't meant for it to, even he could hear how elitist his last comment had sounded. He sighed, reminded once again that his wife was the true diplomat and deep down, he was still the soldier. "What I have given you is not kindness. It is patience and diplomacy." He told him, his eyes going up to meet those of his companion. They were blue and in them he could almost see the determined flame that most men seemed to possess. Had it not been for the destructiveness men's determination had been known to cause, Theon might have admired it. "I have no quarrel with you, nor any of your kind. I simply do not trust you, just as I am sure you do not trust me."

[isoldeagorn-deactivated20130411]

A Night Under the Stars || Isolde and Theon

[isoldeagorn-deactivated20130411]

“On the contrary, Theon,” Isolde said with a sigh. “I am far more fragile than you might believe… I may not have lost a lot during the war, but I would never be able to survive watching you and Vidar, and all that we as rulers have worked for, crumble to pieces…” Isolde looked over up at the sky for a moment, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill out of her eyes. Once she heard him trail off, Isolde’s eyes darted back to Theon’s. She knew exactly what he was going to say before he cut himself off. …If such conflict arose again, I would not survive. The look on his face finished the sentence though his words did not. A tear slipped from her eye, because even though she had stated that she knew it would be next to impossible for all of them to live through the war, a second time, the mere confession from Theon broke her heart. He always had been scarred, she knew that. But it still hurt to see him relive his nightmares right before her.

At the change of subject, Isolde let out a sigh of relief. The previous subject had her pretty worked up, and she knew she couldn’t stand another minute of the talk of death and war. The fact of the matter was, it couldn’t and wouldn’t happen again. Everyone had lost far too much to go through the pain again. Looking into Theon’s eyes, Isolde gave him a weak feeble smile. “I’m sure Vidar will speak with you soon. He rarely misses a chance to speak with you, I know that.” It was true, Vidar often spoke fondly of Theon, as did Isolde. They both enjoyed the Hodian King’s company. Isolde laughed quietly at Theon’s words, then sigh. “It’s not business, just friendly banter… You know very well, Theon, that if my husband was discussing business, you would be there right by his side.” Isolde gave Theon a soft reassuring smile, before falling silent to listen to him again. The music changed, but Isolde did not notice. She had all of her focus on Theon. His words and their movements were all she was duly aware of. Isolde made note that Theon was a much better dancer than he had let off to be. Even as they twirled and spun around the dance area, she barely took notice to her movements anymore. Theon had the perfect lead.

Looking up at his perfect chiseled features, Isolde let out a sigh of contentment and joy. Dancing with him definitely had been the highlight of her night thus far, and she prayed that it would not end any time soon. She was enjoying herself far too much to separate herself from him now. At the mention of Aurora, Isolde gave Theon a mischievous smile. “I have yet to run into her, but when I do, the stars will collide.” Isolde had something brilliant and childish planned for her and Aurora to do at the party. As always, she was beyond prepared to enjoy a simple party with her best friend. The outcome, however, never turned out quite as well as they wished. Often enough the two Queens ended up embarrassing their husbands in some way, shape, or form; but they were monarchs, making that the best part of the plan.

Isolde watched as Theon’s eyes moved to look at their hands, and found her eyes following soon after. “Theon,” Isolde said, watching his eyes move back to her own. “I see you as one of my dearest friends as well… One of my dearest and certainly most trusted.” Isolde didn’t know what it was, but something about the way they were looking at each other seemed right. In truth, their friendship had grown to dramatic heights over the years, and Isolde often found her mind wandering to the thought of Theon; how he was doing, what he had been up to. She was a curious elf though, and regardless of whatever drove her thoughts to him, she found herself blaming her childlike curiosity. Even now, as she wondered what exactly the king was thinking about, she pushed the thoughts away, and sighed. At Theon’s words, Isolde laughed inwardly. She been known to be the type of person to heal emotional wounds or help remove the scars that remained. “Well, dear Theon,” she said with a flirtatious smile in return. “Those were my intentions…” Her smile faded before she added something else, at a quieter but more serious level. “I must admit… I was having a hard time watching pain and sorrow in your eyes… I needed to help in some way…”

[theonofhodia]

It took Theon a moment to realize that his grip around Isolde's small hand had gotten tighter. She spoke so dearly of him that he wondered for a moment if he deserved that level of admiration from her before dismissing the idea as unpleasant and unnecessary to think about on such a joyous occasion. But joyous or not, it seemed that the Party of Lights had stirred the kinds of memories and feelings that he had spent a thousand years trying to forget. As different creatures from across Ao Qevir mixed and mingled, he found himself anxiously waiting for something to give. He would not have been at all surprised if his son, or others like him, were off causing trouble at that very minute. So much was still misunderstood about the Great War, about the conflicts between the different races, where they had come from and how they had been resolved. He feared there were more like Gale, too eager to join in a battle that was not theirs to fight. With the treaty in place, it was no one's to fight, but that too was easily misunderstood.

Being with Isolde may not have made him completely forget his troubles, it kept them at bay, and was that not better? He preferred to remain sharp, and besides which, the last thing he wanted to do was forget what had happened all those years ago. Painful as they were to remember, those memories and experiences were part of him, and they played a decent part in what made him such a wise and just king of the Hodian people. He felt the urge to pull the elf queen in and hold her close, but kept her respectfully at a distance as they danced merrily onward. "And help you have." He pointed out with a small smile in a feeble attempt to cheer her up after she had seemed so sad moments ago. "All this talk of the Great War and old conflicts is dreadful." He said despairingly, with a shake of his head. "I wish I could put the past behind me, but it seems it is on my mind tonight more than ever. I seem to think it is not something that should be, or can ever really be, forgotten." His eyes darted down before coming back to hers, once again swimming with the sadness he had tried to avoid. "I fear for my people, Isolde." He told her, softly. "I fear what might happen to the entire Ao Qevir if the war and all the terrible things that came with it are forgotten. I cannot bear the thought of those mistakes being repeated. I can't..." But he didn't have the heart to finish his sentence.

It felt as though his whole world was spinning out of control for a moment, but when things came back into focus and his disorientation has subsided, all he saw was Isolde, staring at him with a worried expression. He laughed breathily at himself, then looked back at her with a miserable smile he failed to disguise. "But a king does not fear such things." He digressed, his blue eyes showing a myriad of conflicting emotions. In that moment, it was harder than ever to tell what he was thinking. A sad, small smile was on his lips as he spoke, his eyes far off as if he was looking at her, but not seeing her. "A king must be brave, not only for himself, but for his people. A king should be more than his own fears. A king..." His eyes came back to hers, his eyebrows drawn together as he went on. "A king must be strong for those he loves." He smiled again, this one a a bit happier than the first and the look in his eye had changed. Whatever he had been thinking of was out of his head, and he seemed less burdened than before, but not entirely. "As I'm sure you know, as well as Vidar. You two done nothing but good for the people for Fendil. I respect you both a great deal for that." He nodded. "You especially, Queen Isolde. You are a brave woman. You mustn't think any less of yourself."

[theonofhodia]

Building a Mystery // Theon & Margot

[margot-silverein-blog]

Like any other normal day, Margot woke up bright and early in order to spend a little extra time with Iridium before everyone else woke up. With children and other elves running about, things usually got hectic very quickly. Quietly, Margot made her way towards where she left Iridium last night. She noted the peace in the air this morning and smiled to herself. When the Great War was happening, there was a period of time when she thought that she would never experience serenity; there was a time when the war was at its highest point when Margot thought that the bloodshed would never end. Even when she joined the other elves to escape the war, she could still hear the painful cries of the war whenever she stood near the border of the Wild Lands and Hodia. Despite the warm sun high in the sky this morning, Margot shivered at the thought of another war breaking out among the species again.

Were the species really satisfied with the current peace treaty they had with one another or did they just stop fighting because they were tired of losing men? The thought couldn’t escape Margot’s mind, for she constantly wondered whether the species would break out into another Great War the moment something triggered the buried hatred. Was it easy to forget about the past? How did the leaders currently feel about each other? Have they completely forgotten about the sole reason the Great War started or is there still some animosity involved? There were so many questions that troubled her aged mind, but she chose to push them away, reminding herself that the situations outside the borders of the Wild Lands were beyond her worries. Margot sighed loudly, inevitably waking up her dragon from his sweet dreams. Swiftly, the elf mounted her dragon and he took off into the air, soaring miles above Ao Qevir.

As her golden colored hair flowed behind her, she glanced down at the lands beneath her and examined the view. From the Wild Lands’ border with Hodia to Fendil, the route was so familiar to her, for she had patrolled those areas before. She could point out the places in the woods where she used to spend most of her free time with the other female elves. Iridium seemed to understand her nostalgia towards these particular spots since he seemed to purposely circle around these areas before heading off to a different direction. A small smile tugged at her lips; she couldn’t possibly imagine her life without Iridium, her ultimate protector and friend. Whenever she felt like she was in danger, her dragon seemed to always be able to find her, no matter where she was. Margot felt fearless, invincible even, when Iridium was with her.

As Iridium was heading back to the center of their village in the mountains of the Wild Lands, something peculiar caught Margot’s elf eyes. She frowned as she looked down at what looked like a group of horsemen. What were they out here, so far from their palace? A bit annoyed that they had ventured out so far and so close to her home, she directed Iridium to land in a safe spot. As she slid off, she gave him a pat of comfort before raising her index finger to her lips. She silently walked closer towards the group of men and watched as their leader ordered them to return to Hodia. Elves. She scowled at the sight and her eyes narrowed at the lonely leader. She cocked her head to the side and examined his actions, immediately understanding that he knew he wasn’t alone in the woods. Before he could place his arrow on his bow, she revealed herself from behind the tree. Gracefully, she slipped out to show she didn’t mean to harm him if he would just leave those in the Wild Lands in peace. “Sending your men to Hodia, but staying behind. You display great bravery.”

[theonofhodia]

Theon felt his chest rise and fall as he struggled to catch his breath, but he refused to show how winded he felt. He wanted to appear as tall and proud, capable of protecting his land and people if necessary. The hand-carved bow in his hand helped, too. It was of elven craft, the best of all when it came to bows and arrows. He carried it with him on hunting trips such as these, though his skill was truly with the sword. However, he hadn't expected to come across trouble, so he hadn't thought to bring one. Generally speaking, he didn't like violence unless it was absolutely necessary or part of training, but if she truly was one of the wild elves who roamed these parts, she was a force to be reckoned with. He had heard of the bond they had formed with dragons, the most formidable and fearsome creatures in Ao Qevir, and of the ancient power that the gods had supposedly bestowed on them after they fled their homelands during the war. In Theon's eyes, they had been rewarded for being traitors and cowards, but he didn't take it up with the woman before him... at least not at first.

"They ended up here by no fault of their own." He said, keeping a comfortable few feet between himself and the mysterious elf who had emerged from the woods. She didn't appear to carry any weapons, but that was of little reassurance to the elven king. "I am the one who led them here. I am responsible for their safety as the leader of their party and as their king." As unlike him as it was to use his status to intentionally intimidate others, he felt he should make it clear who she was hurting if she saw his as a threat and decided to take action. "I am Theon, king of Hodia, northern of the elven realms. I am no threat to you, and I assure you that my presence here is entirely accidental." He put the bow back in the quiver strapped to his back, thinking that it might make his claims more believable if he wasn't ready to shoot at the first sign of trouble, though it would be easy enough to get another if things went south. His shoulders were tense, his chest tight. "I have no wish to linger here, lest I cause you any more trouble."

He took a moment to take a better look at her, but he found no more answers once he did. She didn't look much different from him or his own men. She was no monster or beast, had no markings or scars to indicate that she was dangerous. For a moment he almost regretted his fear of her, but then he remembered the stories he had heard of the wild elves that dwelled in the Wild Lands and his fear was back. If she or her kind truly harnessed the knowledge and power that elvish folklore said they did, they were not a force to be questioned. He wondered in passing if she had arrived on a dragon and if it was anywhere nearby, but he didn't ask, for fear of what her answer might be. "Are you one of them?" He asked with some hesitance. "Are you one of the Draconae?" He didn't see how the answer could be no, but he thought he would ask just in case. He heard his horse shuffle it's hooves anxiously, but it did not abandon him. Suddenly it seemed like a good idea to bring his best steed on a simple hunting trip. "Have you come to kill me or to see me off?"

[ilovelokigodofmischief]

[theonofhodia]

Great Expectations // Theon & Eowyn

[wrenaf-blog]

For Eowyn, the party was perfectly marvellous! Never before had she felt so welcome or confident in her own skin. Perhaps it was the fact that everyone around her, though they were widely varying species, seemed to be getting along happily. Each little creature seemed to be laughing, dancing and celebrating all around her, trapping her inside all the delight - but she had no problem with that. Honestly, the fragile elf wasn’t expecting much from this lights festival, nothing more than a small little get together where she would eventually branch off finding peace in solitude. But, she was taken by surprise by the size and excitement of it all. She would be lying if she said she didn’t get a little lost at one point, but that was just fine with her. After a light snack of grapes and cheeses, Eowyn found herself on the center floor, dancing merrily with nymphs, fae and elves alike. Truthfully, she would have never imagined herself to be taking part of all of the festivities at such a party, but this was a celebration of peace after all. 

Usually, on a clear night like this, Eowyn would most likely be found in her chambers, reading or practicing some magic on her own; the only other elf that would probably wish to practice with her would be the Queen herself, Aurora, and she wouldn’t bother her with her silly little wishes. In fact, she found herself a little closed off from everyone on a regular basis, especially since she caught wind of the King and Queen’s wishes, as well as her parents, for her to wed Gale, their son and the soon to be King of Hodia. The thought made her grimace, not that she despised Gale, she hardly knew him, rather because she despised the idea of being known as a “princess” rather than by her works. Aside from that, here she was chatting and giggling along with  other and she felt completely natural. In fact, Eowyn hadn’t even thought of any of that royal business - well, not until she saw the king himself, Theon Sorcha. Immediately, she gave him a warm grin and a small curtsy before excusing herself politely.

“Oh, but of course, your majesty,” she smiled nervously, while remaining respectful. Ruefully, Eowyn was almost certain of what he wished to talk about, and that was most likely the ineviatble engagement that couldn’t be too far away now. She didn’t let that show on her face, as far as anyone else knew, she couldn’t be happier to be wed to the Prince of Hodia. Picking up the hem of her dress as she walked, keeping a charming smile on her naturally beautiful face as they went. Eowyn really tried not to be stiff beside him, but after all it was the King and he seemed to carry an air of importance wherever he went - who wouldn’t be slightly nervous? Well, you ought to get rid of that now, Eowyn. It seems as if you will be spending a great deal of time with this man in the future, she reminded herself. Once they were secluded and separated from everyone else enough to engage in a private conversation, the little blonde looked him in the eye, still smiling. “Oh, how are you tonight? I do hope you are enjoying yourself,” she remarked, eyes twinkling.

[theonofhodia]

Theon both liked and respected the way Eowyn conducted herself with such grace. He saw so much of his wife in her, which made him much more comfortable with the idea that she would one day be queen. It might not have made him feel much better about the idea of Gale being king someday, but it was a start. He still clung to the hope that Eowyn could make a man out of him after their marriage, but it seemed that Gale was dispassionate about the engagement at best. He might not have opposed it, but Theon had noticed his lack of enthusiasm over it. He simply had not acted on it because he steadfastly believed it was not only best for Gale, but best for the kingdom he would one day rule. As king, Gale would have to put the good of his homeland above all, just as his father had. Theon doubted Gale understood that, but hoped he would, in time.

"I am doing quite well, your grace. Thank you." He answered, quickly deciding not to mention his underlying stress about tonight's gathering. He had been anxious about it all day, which was part of why he had busied himself talking with friends and making new acquaintances. It helped take his mind off things, if only for a short time. Then he wondered for a moment if she would take notice that he had addressed her properly as a duchess, but brushed past it before she could comment on it. "It seems that the Party of Lights has been a success thus far. I hope you have enjoyed yourself." He turned to her, his eyes attentive, but not judgmental. His hope was not to evaluate her, though he hoped to get to know her better. "As the someday queen of Hodia, I trust you know the importance of keeping good relations between yourself and the other realms."

He regretted that he had made such a heavy thing his first topic of conversation, so he tried to make up for it. He didn't want to seem unapproachable, even if he was a king, for she was not many ranks beneath him. And even if she were, he was not any better than her, despite the crown of leaves atop his head. Though he was grateful for his kingship and the duties that came with it, he hated the idea of anyone bowing at his feet. He had not always been a royalty, lest he forget that. "If it's all the same to you, I think I would rather you call me Theon." He told her with a kindly smile. "If you are to marry my son, a decision which I could not be more happy with, I had hoped that I might get you know you better." He gestured before himself, then looked back at her. "Would you care to join me for a walk? I promise I will not take too much of your time. You will be able to rejoin the party soon enough."

[theonofhodia]

Know Thyself // Theon & Richard

[richard-frey]

Richard cocked his head to the side, finding the king’s reaction to be quite curious. Richard only knew as much as the history books had told him about the war, but even then the full extent of the resentment between sirens and elves had escaped him. Much of the emotional and cultural strife had been filtered through his learnings. But the human realms were never too keen on accurate depictions of the Dark Lands.

His comment had not gone unnoticed, though the king was quick to change the subject. Richard recalled his first encounter with a siren, and how paranoid it had made him of their presence. He had always been weary of the beings of Ao Qevir, and this made him wonder if attacks upon Cardoniel were going to be a consistent threat. He went in search of someone to speak with, anyone in Silvervale, with knowledge of sirens. Then he saw Melody swimming in the water. She calmed his conscious about the breach in Cardoniel’s defense, made him actively curious about other species of Ao Qevir. Richard still remembered his confusion when Melody told him that sirens had to feed on humans to live.

“Yes Your Highness, but I have only been in the nearby woods of Ao Qevir. Part of my… patrol duty.” He almost said that he was charged with keeping hostiles out of Cardoniel, but he thought this too abrasive for the conversation at hand. “This is the farthest I’ve ventured inland. It’s a wonderful place,” Richard said as he nodded his head. “Though, I’m not too sure how welcome I’d be on any other occasion. Perhaps you should visit my realm sometime.”

But he did not want to let the subject of sirens go, not yet at least. Richard was always the persistent type. “If you don’t mind me asking, Your Highness, do you do much business with King Sebastian and the sirens? I admit, I am curious to learn more about Ao Qevir and its inhabitants.”

[theonofhodia]

Theon felt his lip twitch with a sudden influx anger, but he managed to keep whatever angry words threatened to bubble out to himself with some effort. The Party of Lights had put him on edge, but he managed to keep his stony exterior while his mind went back to the years of the Great War. The knight's question echoed inside his mind, and slowly he began to remember the answer, hard as he tried to keep his mind off of it. He wasn't sure if killing each other in slews was regarded by men as business, but he and the elven people had once done plenty of that with the sirens during. He wondered in passing how much Richard knew about the Party of Lights, but didn't ask. Even if he knew the meaning of it, he could never understand it's significance.

"I believe your people have a saying about curiosity." He began, directing his gaze from his wine glass to the man beside him. He stood proudly among the inhuman creatures that surrounded him on all sides, and Theon wasn't sure whether to think him brave or arrogant for it. "It has been awhile since I heard it, however, as it has been some time since I had dealings with men such as yourself." He nodded stiffly, then continued. "I believe it goes something like 'curiosity killed the cat' or so." He sipped from his glass. "I'm not sure whether you would call that a proverb or a piece of advice, though in this case, I suppose you could call it both." He raised his eyebrows. He had likely caught on, so he didn't elaborate. Men may have been many things, but they were not dull.

When Theon remembered that the knight had been nothing but polite to him, had even extended an invitation to his homeland, he thought it rude to brush off his questions about his dealings with the sirens. If nothing else, Richard had been gracious enough to ask rather than make ignorant assumptions of his own, and that in itself should have been rewarded, so that's what the elven king did. "But if what you say is true and you are truly interested in learning more about Ao Qevir, I will tell you." He answered, part of him hoping he hadn't offended the knight with his first answer. "Hodia has had few dealings with the sirens of Glaeria since the war ended. The treaty entails that we stay out of each other's hair, and so we have." His eyebrows drew together, as he was now curious to know more about the knight. "What other questions do you have?"

[isoldeagorn-deactivated20130411]

A Night Under the Stars || Isolde and Theon

[isoldeagorn-deactivated20130411]

As the dancing began, Isolde couldn’t help but feel comfort and joy wash over her. Theon was a remarkable dancer, and she was extremely happy that he was her partner. The music, a sweet, gentle symphony of delectable instruments, carried them gracefully around the space. Each step came fluently and steadily, just as it had for Isolde since she learned how to dance all those years ago from her father. Thinking back to the years of the war, when her father and mother, on rare occasion, returned home in a more joyous mood, rather than sulking defeat. In moments like those, she recalled her father running in and sweeping her off of her feet with a huge grin spread across his face, elated to see his daughter. Dancing with Theon was different though, from both dancing with her father and husband. Their footing seemed to be lighter, but with a hint of stiff withdrawal, as if more could be added to the dance. Isolde noticed that Theon tended to have a different aura of him when he stepped on the dance floor. One between his usual worried self, and a calmness that she rarely if ever saw in him. 

As he spoke up, his words coming from closer to her than earlier, Isolde looked up at him smiling. As if by the Gods, a smile was spread across Theon’s face. Inwardly, she celebrated at the newfound accomplishment, but brushed it off in time to answer his question. “I’m enjoying it quite nicely,” she said with a slight smile and a giggle. “And you Theon? Are you enjoying it?” At the mention of Vidar’s name, her heart jumped out of her chest, proving, as always, that she was still, if not more intensely, madly in love with the Fendil King. “Yes, he is here,” Isolde said with a beaming smile. “Last I saw him, he was talking with Sebastian. Thankfully they are on better terms than before. I wouldn’t put it past him though to weasel out of the conversation to search for you sometime soon.”

The fact remained that Fendil and Hodia were as close as any two kingdoms in Ao Qevir could be. They seemingly worked together despite any differences, not to mention the obvious fact that the Rulers of both kingdoms tended to get along magnificently. For this, Isolde was beyond grateful. Theon, as worried of a man he was, remained far too important to Isolde for her to imagine not meeting. “Theon,” she said softly as his eyes darted away from hers. “One thing that I know that is more important than peace, is the worries of a King such as yourself. I hate to see you like this…” she trailed off for a second, almost willing his eyes back to hers before continuing. “The peace will not falter. I know this because there is no possible way that any of you kings will be able to survive another war… Nor us queens…” 

[theonofhodia]

"You may be stronger than you believe, my lady." Theon assured her with a nod as the orchestra played on and the pair continued dancing. His eyes swam with sadness, but there was a small smile on his lips that he knew his friend would recognize as simply a mask there to fool those who didn't know him well enough to see through it. "Though I am inclined to agree with you there are none of us who could survive another war like the first, myself included." His eyes darted down, but soon came back up. "I was lucky to survive the first." He told her, softly. "No man, elf or siren should be so lucky twice. Something tells me that if such conflict once again arose, I would..." He swallowed the sentence that started to take shape in his throat. I would not be so lucky. I would not survive. I would not want to. Such vile thoughts plagued him, then went as quickly as they came. "I pray that you are right about the peace." He told her finally.

Circling back to their earlier, much more pleasant conversation, he nodded, his feet keeping time with the music almost unconsciously. "I think highly of King Vidar. Tell him that I would be honored by his company, if he is not too busy tonight." He looked up for a moment and scanned the crowd, then his gaze went back to her. She looked so graceful and so beautiful as she danced, it filled his heart with joy to see. She was a lovely elf and a fantastic dancer, though he sensed some of her excitement through her fingertips, which made him glad to see he wasn't the only one not fully used to being a monarch. She was truly one of the best people at lifting his spirits, whether she knew it or not. "I do wonder what business he has with King Sebastian, however." He said, his smile fading a little, his uneasiness clear. "If there is any dealings between the elf and siren peoples, I should like to be aware of it." But he quickly dropped the subject, for he trusted Vidar to make him aware of any important changes if any were made.

"Have you spoken to Aurora tonight?" He asked, feeling as though she had already answered, though he couldn't remember asking. "I'm sure she would be happy to see you. She speaks highly of you. I know she regards you as one of her closest friends. As do I." He glanced at where their hands were clasped as they danced, and suddenly he was aware of how true his statement had been. He knew how important Aurora and Isolde's friendship was to both of them, but he had underestimated the importance of his own friendship with the fair queen of Fendil. Seeing her had been the highlight of his night, the one thing that allowed him to set aside his worries and enjoy the party for what it was; a celebration of the peace in Ao Qevir. "Actually, I hadn't started to enjoy myself until recently." He told her with a flirtatious smile, more teasing than anything else, then continued more seriously. "I suppose I have you to thank for that."

[theonofhodia]

Building a Mystery // Theon & Margot

After coming across some unfamiliar sights and sounds, Theon realized that he and his hunting party were hopelessly off course. The king and a few of his men had set off that morning, and the afternoon had been spent in pursuit of a wild stag. By midday, not only had they lost the stag, but they had lost their way. They were no longer in the comfort of their own woods. Theon looked around suspiciously, encouraging his horse to go onward even when it grew anxious and tense. He had led his men on the hunting party, who had gotten quiet out of discouragement or unease. Theon said nothing, and instead about trying to find out where they were. He and his horse went carefully and steadily through the forest, looking for a sign of where they had ended up.

It was unlike Theon with his impeccable sense of direction and knowledge of the forest to get lost. He had become quite familiar with the terrain during the Great War, and his regular walks in the woods helped keep his knowledge up to date and intact. His horse, Maeglin, who was as loyal a steed as any, became nervous and eventually would go no further. Theon whispered a few reassuring words at the horse in elvish tongue, but he stubbornly refused to go any further. Just as Theon was about to go back to his men, he saw a bird land on a nearby tree and he stopped to look at it. It was a small brown thrush with a white breast and three brown spots under it's eye. Theon studied it as it sat, happily eating a berry where it perched on a low branch. He recognized the bird as a rare kind that lived only near the mountains...

And suddenly any sense of safety he had left was gone.

Pulling on Maelin's reins, he turned and rode swiftly back to his men. He not only had some idea of where they were, but he was certain. The Wild Lands. He had known it from the moment he saw the thrush, a bird who was only seen on or near mountains. There were few mountains in the rest of Ao Qevir, except for the Wild Lands, which was almost entirely mountains as well as home to the clan of wild elves known as the Draconae. The elf king knew little about them, except that they had once lived among the elves of Hodia and Fendil before breaking away during the war. Theon hated the idea that they had abandoned their own people during the war, the time when they most needed allies. He didn't trust them, and like the rest of the Dark Lands, he had even begun to fear them. They were mysterious and considered dangerous, because they would do anything to protect their own kind. Like a mother bear and her cub, he thought bitterly to himself as his heart thumped loudly in his chest.

His horse was nearly at a full gallop when he got back to his men, but he stopped abruptly to speak to them, his heart still pounding in his chest. "We have to go!" He called to them as they exchanged confused looks with one another. "It isn't safe here! Take your horses and head into the east! We must return to Hodia." They all seemed very alarmed, but didn't question the man who not only led their party, but was also their king and friend. The party of elves and their horses fled, all except Theon, who had stayed behind to make sure they had all gotten off safely. But before he could join them, Maeglin reared and then stopped cold in the path. He dismounted his horse and went to get the bow and arrow from his back, ready to defend himself if trouble arose. But just as he grabbed an arrow from his quiver and was about to put it in his bow, a tall blonde figure came into sight and he froze. She was not at all what he expected to find in the famed Wild Lands.

[isoldeagorn-deactivated20130411]

A Night Under the Stars || Isolde and Theon

[isoldeagorn-deactivated20130411]

“Glum? On the contrary Theon,” Isolde said with a small smile. “I think of you as strong. Though I do wish you would put the smile on your face that everyone, especially your Aurora loves much.” Queen Isolde focused her eyes on Theon’s, hoping he would comply to the simple yet hinted request she had made. Of course, since she knew Theon for quite some time, Isolde was sure that even if he did smile for her, it would be forced. Becoming King Vidar’s wife, Isolde had the blessing to meet Theon almost at the same time he had married Aurora. The time both had spent together had given Isolde the chance to know Theon more than she ever imagined she could. Knowing it worked both ways, she was also sure that he knew her just as well as she knew him. That being said, Isolde still had yet to find the exact way to cheer the worrisome King up. She tried though, whenever she could, to see the happy carefree side of the Hodian King, which she saw on rare occasion. 

In acceptance to Theon’s offer of dancing, Isolde smiled and accepted his hand. “Of course, dear Theon, I would love to dance with you.” And with that she followed him out into the space cleared for dancing. The music was beautiful; strings and percussion working together in perfect synchronization. The younger side of her wanted to rush out onto the dance area, ready and anxious to begin the dance, whereas the royal side of her reminded her of etiquette and protocol. Queen’s never rush, she reminded herself, her slow walk to the area driving her insane. In ways, Isolde still had the mind of a child, one tracked and anxious, but her wisdom outruled the other senses. 

Once they reached the space, Isolde took another look into Theon’s worried and nervous eyes before sighing. Carefully she placed her free hand on Theon’s shoulder and made a mental note to give Aurora details on Theon’s state as soon as the dance was over. “Ready?” she asked him with a slight smile, hoping that maybe a lighthearted moment would keep the King’s head more a peace for just a few minutes. Truly, Queen Isolde worried for King Theon. He was one of her dearest friends. As a Queen, she tended to have few trusted friends and many acquaintances. Those who were her friends remained dear to her heart, and she found it nearly impossible to let them suffer from anything. In Theon’s case, worry and all the emotions that came along with it. 

[theonofhodia]

Theon walked with Isolde to the area near the orchestra where the lush grass had been beaten down and other creatures had gathered to enjoy the sweet music created by the nymphs. The elf queen's words echoed in his head as he placed a hand on the small of her back and extended the other out to her. I think of you as strong. He wondered how many others thought of him that way, wondered if they were right about him and if he thought too lowly of himself. Someone who kills is not strong, he thought to himself, a flash of doubt showing in his eyes before sadness took it's place. He had lost count of how many lives he had taken during the hundreds of years of war he fought through. How many had he taken and how many were taken from him? It went on through the war like a sickening waltz between himself and fate. One, two, three. One life he took and two more were taken from him. One, two, three. Elven bodies covered the ground while siren blood soaked his hands and splashed his face. One, two, three....

"When you are." Theon answered, his mind coming back from his nightmarish past and focusing on the present. He positioned his hand on hers so that he led. All it took was a smile back at him to tell him that she was ready, and they were dancing. This waltz was so much sweeter, so much kinder and more beautiful than the one he had recalled during the war. She had been a good friend to him for a long time, and it felt good to have a dance with her amidst the anxiety that the Party of Lights had incited in him. It was a welcome distraction, one that he wasn't quite sure how to thank her for. For the next few minutes, the pair danced, their timing perfect and their postures as formal as could be expected from a king and queen. Theon smiled to himself, remembering how terrible a dancer he had been before he was made king and expected to attend party after party. He wondered if the same was true of her, but he didn't ask.

Once they had developed a rhythm and his feet seemed to move under their own will, Theon smiled (unknowingly fulfilling her request) and spoke to her intimately, but not quite in a whisper. "How are you enjoying the party?" He asked curiously, trying for a moment to put his own doubts aside and at least act like he wasn't worried. "I take it Vidar is here with you, though I have yet to see him here." His eyes scanned the party once before coming back to hers. His smile faded as his thoughts wandered, but his eyes looked most honest than before when he spoke again. "I know how hard it can be to enjoy yourself when you are burdened with worry such as I am, but I hope that has not stopped you from celebrating with the rest of them." His blue eyes looked far away again, his voice softer than before. "As you and I are well aware, there are few things more important in this forest than peace."

[theonofhodia]

Know Thyself // Theon & Richard

[richard-frey]

Richard’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but he kept his face as neutral as possible. Somehow the king’s words were continuing to grate on Richard’s nerves. Did Theon think himself better than Richard because of his royalty or because he was an elf? Honestly, Richard would have preferred the former. He had to deal with nobles higher in status than him all the time, but an elf who thought he was better than a human was insufferable.

“Yes, I am a knight of the border.” Richard tried to keep his words as simple as possible. Somehow he felt that this king had very little tolerance for excess, and the last thing he needed to do was offend a king in the territory of the Dark Lands.

“I try my best to keep up with the world outside of Cardoniel, your Highness. It would not suit my job well, to be ignorant of the ways of others. Cardoniel is filled with elves as well as humans, and on occasion word of the elven lands reaches my ears.” Richard would never admit that he was very much in the dark about most cultural matters of the Dark Lands. “I know a bit more, I suppose. My main concern has always been with politics, but I am somewhat acquainted with the world of Sirens, alongside the elves. I was indeed invited by Princess Melody Aden, after all.” Richard hoped that announcing his friendship with Melody might help in this conversation. After all, they were both royalty.

[theonofhodia]

"The sirens." Theon repeated, his surprise and disbelief on his face and in his voice. On one hand, he was surprised that the human knight was so closely acquainted with a royalty of Ao Qevir. On the other hand, he was unpleasantly surprised that the royalty he was close to was a siren of all people. Surely there was no man, including Richard, who was old enough to remember the time of war between the elves and sirens, but the man beside him must have known something about the war. After all, it was why the Party of Lights had been put together and all the species assembled in one place. But maybe he didn't, and Theon would have to try to forgive that he had brought up the sirens to a former general for the Hodian army.

"I'm not familiar with Princess Melody." He said, desperately trying to get his thoughts away from the horrible memories that the thought of the Great War had brought back to him. "My familiarity is more with her father, King Sebastian." He forced a polite and small smile, then took a glass of wine from a nymph who was milling about the floor with platters of food and drink. He didn't mention that the right way to earn his trust was not to associate with the sirens, but the thought had crossed his mind. He looked down at his glass where he twisted his restlessly in his hand. "I'm almost afraid to ask how you met her." He said softly, then shook his head.

Realizing shortly after the words had left his mouth that the knight would likely take offense to his comment if he heard it, he tried to change the subject before they could dwell too much on their evidently different opinions of the sirens. "I must admit that I am not all too familiar with the land of men, either." He said, looking back at him. "Is this your first visit to Ao Qevir, Sir Richard?"