Private A moment in Heaven

[Caltin Vanagor]

LOCATION: Midvinter - Heavenheim | OBJECTIVE: Checking in on “Family” | POST #: 1
TAG (ALLIES) : Thurion Heavenshield
TAG (FOES) : @

Midvinter

The beautiful, mountainous planet, home to the The Aelvar, The Valkyri, and most notably, the capital of Heavenheim. Caltin had always been a fan of the “The Four Marks”, and “The Heartlands” themselves, he remembered fondly several “family barbecues” having been spent there. However, the big man, nor his wife were there to reminisce, well they were but not in sightseeing.

Flying over “The College of Enlightenment” brought a sense of pride to the both of them. This was where Connel had gotten some of his education, teaching him an outlook that he would need out in the galaxy to this day. It was when they had passed by “The Fortress of Dawn” that there was more information on “gossip.net” about what was going on in the capital city. It was then that the both of them had realized that it had been too long.

You don’t have to be “blood” to be “family”.

Landing on the same pad that they had done so many times, the landing pad that they had touched down on the very first time that they had come to the planet, the two had stepped out. Holding hands as they walked up the accessway, Chrysa’s other hand was holding some kind of case. It was carrying a gift for the Lion King, but if Thurion would not accept (or more appropriately, Bub) there would be no ill will and they could simply take her home.

It was funny, the walk towards the center of the city was a trip back in time, or so it seemed, it was a beautiful scene. Simple, yet elegant, expansive yet quaint. It made the big man wonder how the galaxy had gotten so ridiculous. They could have walked up to the castle, but that was not the way, it was not respectful to the friend and brother that Thurion had turned out to be.

It’s been too long since we were last here.
The somber tone in his voice pulled Chrysa’s hand out of his and onto his back for a comforting rub.

​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Midvinter
City of Heavenheim
The King's Glade​

In a secluded part of the capital, connected to the royal keep known as the Lion's Den, can be found a sacred glade populated by rare white trees bearing blood-red leaves regardless of season. This is the King's Glade, considered hallowed grounds by the locals and a place of quiet contemplation and meditation. It is also said to be frequently visited by the departed spirits of loved ones given its proximity to the divine.

The Lion is found sat upon a large root by an undisturbed pond, alone with nought but woodland critters for company. There he sits, the sword Anarion upon his knee as he dips a cloth in the pond and runs it down the length of the Sunlight Blade. A meandering ritual between master and retainer, undergone out of respect more so than out of necessity, for the elven craftmanship remained as sharp as the night it was forged.

Most crucially, it kept him busy. Too busy to feel, but not too busy to hear.

A woman's laughter, faint and distant, stayed his hand. Just when he thought it a mere trick of the mind, the laughter returned, closer than before. He stood with sword in hand, looking around him. Nothing but the white trees in every direction. "Silence," he muttered. Another bout of laughter coming from behind. He spun around, double-edged blade brought about in a wide arc, cleaving nought but falling snow. The briefest glimpse of the blackest hair disappearing into the wood made him give pursuit.

He ran, following the imaginary visions of raven hair dancing in the wind and the sound of familiar laughter offering false promises. He weaved through the glade, between tree and over stone, increasingly angered by the futile chase. "Silence!" He needed the voices silenced, the reminders undone. The Lion roared his frustrations and buried grief, turning the corner in time to greet his brother and sister-in-law with a blade raised in anger.

Thurion held the pose, panting heavily as fought to assure himself these were no spirits looking to further haunt him. His golden hair had become messy and unkempt, and there was a hint of madness in his otherwise kind eyes.

The King lowered his weapon, its impossibly light steel feeling heavier than ever.

"Caltin," he uttered his brother's name, staggering as he regained his senses. "Chrysa..."

Caltin Vanagor

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

LOCATION: Midvinter - Heavenheim | OBJECTIVE: Checking in on “Family” | POST #: 2
TAG (ALLIES) : Thurion Heavenshield
TAG (FOES) : @

The talk from the locals was of the normally jovial, not to mention social king was more and more closed off. This was a sad affair, he was taking the rumored situation regarding his wonderful wife Coci hard. There was a possibility that she was missing, but there was also a strong possibility that she was one with the Force.

Chrysa was being optimistic to be supportive, Caltin was doing his best to be strong for her, and for the entire story. The problem is, this was making him think about what he would experience if he were in the same position. That was an experience he could not dwell on right now, for multiple reasons. So he would not block it out, especially once they were close the King’s Glade and they all (Caltin, Chrysa, their escorts) could hear the familiar, yet somehow different voice of Heavenshield as he charged out of the sacred area…

… Sun Blade raised and ready…

Jumping in front of his wife and the escorts, Caltin fought his instinct, hard to draw Conservator, all he did was put himself between his brother and his wife.

Mere moments seemed to last an eternity before things seemed to calm down. Caltin rushed to Thurion’s side and slipped an arm under his and around his back to help him stay up. Chrysa immediately ran up to him, cupping his face with her hands and looking into his eyes.

Got you, brother. Let’s get you inside.

There would be no questions, no judgment, merely concern. The man needed help, a lot of it and that meant that neither Vanagor were going anywhere for a while.

Family does not turn their back on family.

​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Willing his legs to operate as they should, Thurion appreciated the help getting back to the Lion's Den. He looked ragged and dishevelled compared to when last they saw each other; there were dark rings under his eyes, his flowing hair was unkempt — the very luster of his golden mane seemingly diminished into a muddy brown and grey. There was little of that familiar, glorious majesty in this moment of weakness, the High King reduced in the company of his few remaining equals in this life.

The side entrance to the keep was thankfully idle at the moment, as the last thing he would have wanted was to stir up worries and rumours among the populace. So much rested on him, and he could afford to appear weak.

"Sit. I need to sit," he told Caltin, squirming out his brother's grasp to sit upon the steps leading up to his throne. There, upon a cushion, resided the crown itself, its perfect polish gleaming ominously. He lay back, catching his breath and dropping his sword on the floor. A few drops of blood from a tiny cut on his cheek sustained while chasing ghosts in the woods had stained his beard and collar red, making it appear far worse than it was.

Thurion propped himself up on his elbows, ashamed to look either of them in the eye.

"Forgive me, my brother, my sister," he said, noticably weary in his voice. "I thought I heard... I thought I saw..."

His mood grew dark as he sat up straighter, idly picking at his thumbnail. He shook his head softly, and his words were quiet. "I cannot see her, Cal. I haven't for a long time. She's strayed too far from my sight." His parched throat clicked as he swallowed hard, then looked up at Caltin and Chrysa both. It hurt to look at them. They still had each other.

"I am helpless to feel my soul break itself into pieces. I feel... thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread." He drew a circle around his heart. "I am a husk; hollow inside."

Caltin Vanagor

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

LOCATION: Midvinter - Heavenheim | OBJECTIVE: Checking in on “Family” | POST #: 1
TAG (ALLIES) : Thurion Heavenshield
TAG (FOES) : @

When Thurion had said that he needed to sit, Caltin, by all means let go and let him sit. He also sat right next to him, maybe a step lower as he was still “King” and should sit above all. He did not touch the sword, it was not his, and it was meant for the King to wield (that is what he assumed from some of the lore he had been told over time). Chrysa was busy talking with staff, making arrangements to help Heavenshield, they did not need to know “the why” they willingly did their jobs and went about their business.

Caltin stayed with his friend and brother. Thurion may not be able to look him in the eye, but his gaze would be there to be met when ready.

Okay, you have nothing to apologize for, nothing. We did not come here because we love the scenery, which we do, or the culture, which we do, or even the people, which we do. No, we came here for you.

The moment he swallowed, Chrysa went to get him some Elba Water, or something that was wet. She cared deeply for him, for Coci, Thirdas, all of them and to see him like this was difficult, to say the very least..

Caltin could feel for what the Lion King was saying, his current appearance meant little to the big man, he was still the good man that Caltin had fought alongside so many times. He was still the man, rooted in what is “good” in the galaxy, and “right” for existence. This bump in his journey was a big obstacle, to be fair, that was why Vanagor, neither of them, were going anywhere. They did not even need to speak about this, they were on the same page.

Brother, I am so sorry that you are experiencing this lack of feeling. Slowly putting a hand on his shoulder, he was reminded of the day he crashed on Rhen Var. Having been ambushed by over a dozen “Supa Fighters” he was there in reaction to her distress message asking his help. She was put in stasis, he only knew this after they had found each other again over eight hundred sixty years later. He could not feel her when he was searching. We will get through this.

Slipping to his feet and dropping down a couple of steps to meet Thurion’s gaze. No matter how long it takes, we will get through this. Chrysa, back with the water, offering it, sat down next to him.

Family does not turn their back on family.

​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Feeling the hand on his shoulder, Thurion's face contorted with a pang of grief as a fresh onslaught on tears fell upon the steps of his throne. He leaned into Caltin's hand before reaching over to clasp the back of his brother's neck, bowing their heads as their foreheads met. A quiet gesture of heartfelt appreciation for a brother with whom he had pledged eternal fellowship — a bond bound not by shared blood nor shared name, but by shared experiences. They were comrades-in-arms across many campaigns, and their oath of brotherhood would outlast time itself.

At Chrysa's gentle urging and their embrace completed, Thurion gratefully accepted the drink of water, gulping it down all at once. He coughed upon having emptied the cup, soothing his choked-up throat. Thank you. He didn't say the words, but she would know them all the same by the way he squeezed Chrysa's hand.

"You would think I'd be used to it," he said, a mirthless chuckle escaping his lips. "Lost my mother in childbirth, then my father abandoned my brother and I out of grief. Then, I lost my brother as well. My master — the woman who raised me — fell when I was but a teen, slain by Kaine Zambrano. Later, after through some miracle having been reunited with not just my father, but also my resurrected brother, I lose them all over again in defence of this world. That's not counting dozens upon dozens of friends and comrades."

He turned to Caltin, his face darkened with grief.

"But Coci, she... She was always with me, Cal. No matter how far apart, I could always close my eyes and feel her touch, her breath, her very essence. And it terrifies me that I can do so no longer. I go to sleep wishing never to wake, sometimes too terrified to open my eyes in the morning because I know she won't be there."

Staring at the sword at his feet, the lost king leaned forward to grasp it by the pommel and pull it off the floor. He sat back to admire its craftmanship, but there was no hint of pride on his face. Instead, he caught his own reflection in the brilliant blade, seeing for himself his ruination. By outward appearance, he looked decades older, devoid of warrior's vigour. His fingers traced the elven inscription running down the fuller of the blade.

"Who am I, now that I am but half a person?"

Caltin Vanagor

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

LOCATION: Midvinter - Heavenheim | OBJECTIVE: Checking in on “Family” | POST #: 4
TAG (ALLIES) : Thurion Heavenshield
TAG (FOES) : @

Caltin stayed where he was, squatting in front of the Lion King, watching him over, searching his face, scouring the landscape for any semblance of the brother in arms he had known for so long. He was there, but deep in grief, there were no judgments, and there would never be any. The bond they had did not allow even a remote semblance of one.

Did I ever tell you about how I survived the Purge, and Inquisition so long ago? While other Jedi hid, which I don’t blame them for, I… couldn’t… after the day… “he” led the attack on the Temple, and we fought and fought. I watched friends die but I survived. I owed it to them to live.

I lived by standing up for those who could not. It was difficult, but I stayed below the radar of the Inquisitors but still managed to take it to the low level crime lords. I kept on the move, never settled down, until on Corellia I met the mother of my daughter Alyscia.

Chrysa knew the story well, Alyksandra had destroyed him emotionally but that was a long time ago. She decided it was time to talk to the staff, and work to get some semblance of normalcy for Thurion, and give the brothers their moment. Getting up and planting a kiss on Caltin’s forehead, he gave her an apologetic smile as she gave him a reassuring one and then walked over to the staff to make arrangements for Thurion to eat something.

... she told me to “stay away”, that she did not love me and never did… and that she had contacted Corsec and the Imperial Garrison and they were on their way. He shook his head. I ran to Tatooine having lost a woman I thought I loved, not even knowing that she was carrying my daughter. Then on Tatooine is where I met the love of my life. He glanced over at Chrysa with an appreciative smile.

I started to do my “vigilante” thing again and managed to draw the ire of a couple of Hutts. I started to take them on, driving them out of several Mos’. Then Chrysa had to go for a while and the Hutts turned up their intensity. Everyone who had done anything for me were made to see the error in their ways in the most brutal way possible. It was when a doctor, who I had never met was killed, his clinic set ablaze and the patients inside defiled. I snapped. Looking into Thurion’s eyes with a sigh.
I didn’t go through with what I wanted to do. I stayed the course, and soon everything was gaining some semblance of normalcy. Then Chrysa sent me a message, she was in trouble, and though I was helping a new Enclave of Jedi, no more Empire to worry about, I dropped everything to get her out of it. Then everything went south and I was on ice for eight hundred sixty years.

His eyes now on his wife, he sighed again.

I woke up convinced everything I cared about, everyone I had cared about, everyone who meant anything to me was long gone. I woke up feeling like the fossil I was. Then I decided to live because she, they would want me to. Slowly putting his hands on Thurion’s shoulders, he looked straight into the man’s eyes one more time.

My point is, you never get used to it.

Blinking a couple of times, his resolve strengthened. The life we live, it is one that no one should want. He laughed momentarily, realizing how it may sound.

It is a life of turmoil, of stress, and of loss. However it is also a life of discovery and a life worth living. Do you know why? No matter how short lived they may be, we find those connections that make life worth living. Chrysa is one for me, Coco is one for you. She is one because she might not be here, you might not see or feel her at the moment, but I refuse to believe she is gone until I see it. Even if you feel otherwise, I will be that optimist for you. You know why? Because we.will.get.through.this.

Even if she is indeed gone. Life with her helped make you who you are. The Lion King, a royal who knows what she would be telling you right now. A king who would know what his queen would want for him. He wouldn’t try to give Thurion a mental “kick in the pants” that would be done on its own.

I can’t answer your question because you’re not alone. Family does not turn their back on family.

​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion kept staring into his reflection as his brother spoke. They were words of lamentation; words of comfort; words of motivation. The man that was the Lion felt himself transported to a time he'd only ever read about as a boy. He was there, on Coruscant, during the purge. He saw it all play out before him; the march of the 501st, and the fallen knight at the head of the host — Darth Vader. The Chosen One.

Caltin's words became drowned out by the clashing of sabers and cacophony of blasters, soon to be overshadowed by the screams of their victims until it all became too much and Thurion snapped out of it, blinking as he glanced over at his brother. He realised just how incredible it was to be in his presence at all, and that their brotherhood seemed more fated than ever.

As Caltin finished, Thurion's gaze fell upon the sword once more, and he noticed something different about his reflection. There was a hand upon his shoulder, belonging to neither Caltin nor Chrysa. Its feminine fingers bore a ring, gleaming like a star in the reflection. His instinctively reached for it, but there was nought but the cloth of his cloak, yet the hand in the reflection persisted. He recognised the ring it wore, for it matched the wedding band upon his own finger. He closed his eyes, feeling the touch of his wife's hand. Another tear pushed its way out the corner of his eye, the last to be shed.

Thurion's fingers regained their strength, tightening around the sword as the blade seemed to bathe its surroundings in ethereal gold. Slowly he rose, his full height reached and his purpose renewed. "I will not sit and cower in the dark," he finally said, tugging at the collar of his cloak. "I will not abandon my oaths," he said, sheathing his sword. "And I will not dishonour Coci's memory with inaction," he said, turning to Caltin.

He clasped his brother's forearm, then brought him in for a hug.

Caltin Vanagor

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

LOCATION: Midvinter - Heavenheim | OBJECTIVE: Checking in on “Family” | POST #: 6
TAG (ALLIES) : Thurion Heavenshield
TAG (FOES) : @​

Caltin stayed where he was, and didn’t let go for an extra moment or two. Never a doubt, never a question in my mind. Of course Chrysa came back in and was not going to allow him to get away without a hug from her as well.

It was good to see him slowly coming around, even if only for the moment, that doesn’t mean that either of them were leaving. Thurion was still alone, for the moment, and he still needed people around him.

Even if only for yourself, living is the best way to remember. Then there were staff coming in, both to help him clean up, but bringing food. Have you eaten? Caltin knew where the dining hall was and while he didn’t push Heavenshield that way, the suggestion was there.

It was really up to the Lion King.

One thing was clearly visible though.

He was back.

​

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