Happiness Is Real When Shared [Ylva & Thurion]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Fridheim​

​

And there was nothing that made Théo most happy than tasting a good brew from the barrels of the Howlin' Wolf. The master brewer had found a small cave in the near by mountains around Fridheim and tapped into the underground springs, water so pure and clear it was the best for the mead. The taste different from that which is brewed in Thainbroek, it did not have the harder bite that the capital possessed, not that it was bad there, just different and the colour of the mead and the ales more transparent. Where the Valkyri ready for bubbles? In due course. Things move slow around here.

There was a bit of a clip in Théo's step, as he left the Inn to wander down the street to the local Smör factory with the full intention of trading a flagon of mead to get his mother a tub of the best ices on the planet and father was very fond of them too, and as he approached he noticed a sign out the front, a for sale sign which peaked his interest. Eva and 'arold can't be leaving?! Father would be so sad to hear that, he was very fond of Eva.

Théo had left Ylva in bed at the Inn, they had traveled considerably over the last few weeks from the Falls of Crystals, to home and now to the Westmark and there was an intention in this of course, they both had news to share. Happy news. And soon enough they would head for the house along the banks of the lake just outside the city. The city had grown very large over the years, Théo believed it was as big as Thainbroek, if not bigger and one day he hope the Northmark could boost the same.

"Good morning Eva", he chirped up as he entered the factory. "Noticed you have a for sale up, you can't be leaving father will not hear of it". Grinned from ear to ear.

"Aaarr its the little lord", Eva bellowed loud enough the shake the rafters. " 'arold! come quick its the little lord, Théo 'eavenshield". Little lord 'eavenshield the owner of the Inn in which 'arold spends a lot of time, and Théo could only make out a shadow vanishing into the back rooms. " 'es gone off to tend the cows, 'e likes 'hem cows. What can I do for ya little lord?". It was quite obvious why father likes coming here so much.

"I'll have a tub of me mum's favourite", its infectious. And promptly a tub of ice cream berries was placed on the counter, "nothin' for ya papa?, I know 'e likes me melons ..", she gave Théo a wink, " 'ere, 'eres a tub just for 'im. I 'ope 'e is well? you tell 'im from me that I think 'e looks mighty 'andsome with that scar on 'is face .. if I where ten years youn... ", all of a sudden Eva ran off swatting a fly who had so boldly come into the factory. " 'orrid things they turn the milk they do".

"Will leave the mead on the counter Eva, best of luck with the sale", .. and the fly, Théo was quick to exit with a laugh, yet his mind turned to the prospect of buying the business. But firstly to pick up Ylva and head home to see his parents.

​

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Fridheim, it had been good to return there after such a journey. Ylva wasn't often one to prefer 'civilization' over the sounds and beauty of the wilds, yet there were some benefits that any girl would miss; such as a cozy warm bed to sleep away the hours of the early morn' in the least flattering position imaginable. Covered by a simple sheet, she'd still be out cold in her slumber by the time [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] would return, arms and legs sprawled out like a starfish while her mouth agape. Fortunately she wasn't one to snore, least she complete the image of a woman more at home with the animals of Midvinter. Good thing she and Théo preferred their own company, for any maid or other such wandering nuisances to enter their bedchamber would be most startling and probably have a blade drawn upon them.

The previous week had been eventful to say the least, and most certainly unexpected. Théodred had proposed to her back at the Falls of Crystals. Before he had asked for her hand, the prospect of being wed to another hadn't crossed her mind, not even once. As hard as that might be to imagine of most women, the upbringing Ylva had been given was nothing if not isolating, teaching a much younger Ylva not just how to survive without others, but how to prosper outside of societies laws or boundaries...-But so much has changed so drastically since her life on Nirauan that there were times lately that she barely recognized herself.

With their marriage, she would take on Théo's surname and probably the expectations or reputation that came with it. Problem was that his Mother and Father were often talked about by the Valkyri in such a positive light, even Théodred being treated as a warrior of great honor, while Ylva was born of the Clan Solveig. The Solveig's had long ago turned coat from Midvinter and fled during the turn of the last King, or so the story had been told from her recollection. Ylva herself had been too young to recall such things, though in her returning to Midvinter with Théodred, she had learned just how truly complicated her family history was. No doubt he had kept it from his parents that she were a patricide.

Her love for their Son was real. More real than any other family or Clan she had known in the past, and she wasn't the same person she had been taught to be so many years ago now. Ylva could only hope such things didn't come to light, and that she didn't have to explain her past to people of such prestige. Her worries of being found undeserving of their Son had been enough to quieten her mood of late, though she had been doing her best to hide it even from her man. There was nothing more that she wanted than to bring greater pleasure to his life, for he had literally changed the path of which she had walked to something far greater than she could have believed possible...

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"What were our losses?" He always hesitated to ask the question, knowing the answer was never what he wanted to hear. "We suffered a dozen or so casualties, mostly injured. Vhaan and Bore didn't make it..." The leader of the war party could not maintain eye contact as his gaze hit the floor. "My lord, we cleansed that godsforsaken hole of their ilk, root and stem," one of the warriors spoke up. "They could not withstand us." Thurion stood, leaning over the table with palm pressed against its wooden surface.

"Vhaan and Bore would still be with us had you men not been so fired up over this whole business. Did you not see what everyone else saw the last time we fought together? The Vinterbound are no longer the enemy!" His voice filled the large hall. "Their actions are no longer fueled by hatred against the living. They are leaderless, with no-one to organise them. Any attacks by them are purely incidental at this point, no more evil than those of wild animals. For all intents and purposes, they are a whole new species trying to survive like the rest of us. And we have driven them to near-extinction, out of sport!" His fist struck the table, knocking over his emptied cup. He let it ring out before sitting down once more.

"From now on, as long as I hold the office of Warden, there will be no more attacks, raids or otherwise against the Vinterbound in the Westmark. If someone is forced to defend themselves then so be it, but I will not have the eradication of an entire species on my conscience, nor stain our kind for history to witness. It almost happened once before, with the Beorni." With a deep sigh Thurion was able to calm himself, and with a wave of his hand the returning war party was dismissed. "Now please, return to your families." A few of the men watched as quill and inkwell slid across the table on their own towards their lord. "I have letters to write."

He was admittedly a slow writer, just as he was a slow reader. He knew what he wanted to say, which words to use, but some of them he had no idea how they were spelled and often relied on those around him to correct him. "Let's see, 'condolences'... 'Kondolenses'? No, that can't be right..." A nearby member of the Lionguard leaned closer. "C, my lord. C, C, and then S at the end." Thurion glanced over at her, feeling a little embarrassed. "Thank you, Jylla. That should do it..." Finishing with his signature and the seal of the Lion, he rolled the two letters up and gave them to her. "Here, have a raven sent to Talltree and Rook respectively. The families will want to know why their sons won't be coming home."

He sat in silence for a bit, drumming his fingers against the armrest of his chair. If clocks were a thing on Midvinter, he'd be stuck watching the seconds tick by. "Pardon me, my lord," the front door swung open, revealing another Lionguard. "Lord Théodred has arrived in the city. He was last seen entering the smör factory." The mention of smör had him wince, Eva's shrill voice invading his mind, but immediately after he lit up hearing about his son coming to visit. He shot up from his seat and grabbed his fur cloak to drape over his shoulders before making for the exit. "Thanks, I'm off!" Like a child rushing off the moment school's out.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

The morning sun cast it's long shadows along the streets of Fridheim, Théo noted the time and quickly made his way back to the Howlin' Wolf to find Ylva. Upon entering the Inn he placed the ices on the bar and asked the keep to put them in the chiller before they are to be taken to his mother. He was expecting Ylva to be up and doing already, she always rises with the larks long before Théo is stirring, but not this morning. He looked up to the ceiling as if his eyes could pierce the wood and see her in the room but at that moment the keep informed him Lord Heavenshield, his father, was attending a meeting at the Grand Hall of Fridheim.

"Father got his hands full with Clan disputes?", he asked inquiringly, as it was the most probably reason for the meeting and he had hoped there was no problems coming out of Clan Havardr in the south of the Westmark. "Nay, something to do with a band of Vinterbound", the keep looked sideways at Théo, his mind and body spoke of uncertainty at this news for the keep had been part of the people that moved to Fridheim after the attack of the Sith and had heard how it was because of their influence that the Vinterwound now walked the snow plains of Midvinter.

The very mention of the Vinterbound sent a chill down Théo's spine and his mood changed for the moment. Although he was a young boy at the time, he still vividly the destruction they caused the families of Midvinter, including his own. Théo had no love for them. If his father was meeting to discuss them, the Vinterbound must have entered the Westmark, at least there was very few of them left.

He pushed back from the bar and headed up to sleeping quarters to find Ylva. Upon entering the room he found a most comforting sight and he could not help but smile at her 'comfort' on the bed. It had taken some time for Ylva to get used to beds, in the year days she much preferred the floor to sleep on. Quietly he moved over to her, leaned over her splayed form and whispered in her ear. "You're growing soft", he could not resist the tease knowing how something like that would rankle her. And a part of him prepared for the retribution. His hand rested on her back and slowly moved down her body, his eyes taking in her form. "Hmm very soft". That meant something else however.

He stood straight, grinning from ear to ear, but he knew father would be looking for them. "Come, my father will find us soon enough".

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[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"Mmh" Ylva murmured under her breath, her back arching a little by the shiver that followed her pleasure in feeling his touch; "You should not complain, that your Woman has grown so comfortable in your bed, to allow you to take advantage..." She replied softly, eyes still closed though her head lifting some as she felt [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]'s breath against her ear. He was teasing her, she realized as Théo rose back to his feet and left her to wince a little as her eyes opened and were forced to adjust to the light of day, his silhouette blurred initially though soon came right; "If it makes you feel any better, I still sleep with a knife beneath the mattress" she added, taking a moment to brush her hair back away from her face, soon propping herself up a little against her elbows, arms pressed into the bed and holding her there as she followed him with a somewhat dazed look about her.

"What's this about your old-man?" she would ask, blinking a couple times to try to keep her sight in check and resigning herself to sit up properly, pulling the sheets around her body. She needn't cover herself in-front of Théodred of course, though it was more for her comfort than anything else. Ylva wasn't overly fond of sleeping the day away, however they'd been doing a great deal of trekking since the battle that had threatened the peace over Midvinter, leading her to question the existence of the very Gods themselves, something she would never have seen herself doing before having witnessed such unbelievable sights that day standing upon such a battle-field. It had made her feel most frighteningly small and insignificant in the over-all theme of things, what meaning, purpose, did her past have; With the existence of such powerful and benign beings that put even the Valkyri strength to shame.

"Is that today?" She frowned, soon rising from the side of the bed and moving to collect her leathers and under-garments. Having found her clothes, the sheet dropped from around her while her back was to her lover, her fiance of all things. "Have you told him yet?" she asked as she began to dress. The furs would be the last to wrap around her shoulders and of course, her bow and Axe's were upon the nearby table, ready and awaiting her. Ylva wasn't sure if Théodred had spoken to his parents prior, their engagement was such a shock to her that she'd never seen it coming. Hell, she'd never even considered the possibility. It simply wasn't something she expected she would find in her life.

"I've not had word from your Mother since I left the DawnGuard a fortnight back", though that in itself wasn't surprising given the precious nature of sending word back and fourth between outposts and settlements throughout Midvinter, both the weather and the wild-life could make for rather difficult long distance communication. "Is she here as well?" Ylva asked, suddenly a little reluctant, wondering if Coci expected her to be keeping up with her training while she was away. Frankly, Ylva had been a little more lost in their time alone away from everything else. She wasn't exactly the dedicated scholar type, after all...

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He leaned on the mantle of the fire place watching her fuss about and dress, his eyes taking her all in from nose to toes and she truly was a beauty to behold, so wild and filled with passion for life as well as for them. Quite frankly, Théo could not imagine life with anyone but her now .. none of the flowered girls he used to admire from afar and some up close but Ylva was so far beyond them, so high he wander just how come he got so lucky.

Théo could sense she was fretting about his mother, something that everyone that had anything to do with her would experience, well maybe not father. "No, I have not told him nor mother for that matter. This is what our visit is about, and I expect they will be waiting for us .. they do know we are coming". But what they don't know is the reason why.

He moved over to her, and helped with the last of her dress not that she needed it, he simply wanted to be close to her and when finished, Théo turned Ylva on the spot and kissed her tenderly. "Don't worry everything will be fine .. you will see", he added and in truth it was his hope as well.

Once they were both ready, Théo lead his love to the door and into the cold hard light of day and the crisp air of Fridheim. "You should have seen this place before the city was built. They started it from nothing you know and now look at it. A thriving capital of the Westmark and the people who will not forget the past can now look toward a future". If there was anything Théo was proud of his parents for it was this. Not what they achieve as Jedi or leaders of an Order, but this was what it all meant. Not warring puppets of a government.

To two lovers wandered through the market quarter of Fridheim, slowing their pace as some of the wears in the stalls caught their eye, after all they had the day to find their path to the house by the lake.

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] ​

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[Ylva Heavenshield]

Ylva smiled back at [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] as he sought to help her finish getting changed into her gear, a steadfast and mighty warrior with a heart of warmth and gentle love that she had never known another to be capable of. There was a time in her life when she had almost closed herself off to showing a care for anyone outside of her own priorities and needs, companionship was something to be used, nor admired and certainly not something she ever imagined herself not being able to live without, but in Théodred it was as though the Galaxy had opened itself up to show her a whole new life and number of possibilities her former years had proven to be naught but fairy-tales.

"You know she's training me now" Ylva reminded her beloved fiance, a hint of apprehension coming through in her almost stern tone. "She's probably expecting me to have learned more since we were last together...-I'm pretty sure the things we've been doing lately aren't what she had in mind when she told me to keep up with my practices..." Ylva spared their bed a glance before looking back to Théo with a playful smirk. Midvinter was an entirely different world when he wasn't in her direct company, and though she loved her home and her people dearly, she had bloody missed him.

Inclining her head to the side, she gave something of a half nod of indifference and moved to follow Théodred down and outside into the refreshing open air of Fridheim. "The villages and settlements of Midvinter are so vastly different from the other worlds we visited with the Iron Empire's Legion...I'd rather not leave her if I can help it. There's a beauty to her lands that make the wilds hold so much a deeper connection to me..." She wasn't sure if he would entirely understand what she meant, but Ylva had always been more at home out in the wilderness where survival counted on every waking moment, every action taken out of necessity and the mind to stay ahead of the natural world, least one freeze or starve to death...-And that wasn't taking into consideration the wild life that she held such a love for.

"Your Family rarely fails to live up to it's reputation, Théodred" she turned to him and gave him a small smile, genuine though the statement was meant with full intention of being taken seriously, the Heavenshields were easily admired by one and all. Even those not of the Valkyri.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion did indeed not know the nature of his son's visit, nor that he had not come alone. He'd known Théo would pay Fridheim a visit for several weeks now, and so, once word reached him that the Protector of the North had been spotted in the city, the Warden of the West would stop by his home to fetch his beloved wife, knowing she too would love to see their firstborn. While he walked the streets of the city he'd founded long ago, he could not help but marvel how much their family had grown in recent years. It seemed ages ago when it had just been him and little Nina wandering the stars together, soon followed by his fateful meeting with Coci. Once married, then Théodred was brought into the world. It was during his upbringing that he and his wife had served as heads of the Silver Jedi Order, then stationed on Voss, and with their two children growing up around Jedi it became natural for them to follow in their parents' footsteps.

It wasn't until the pair stepped down and settled on Midvinter that they decided to bring another child into the world. Thirdas was in many ways the opposite to his older brother; the spitting image of his father, yet with his mother's temperament. Then Théo surprised everyone when he chose to adopt Boo as his son, though the two were perhaps more akin to brothers. The latest addition had come in the form of Valae, who like Nina was not of his blood yet had chosen to take on the Heavenshield name. She had been his last and most successful apprentice, and their relationship had long been that of father and daughter even if they did not share name or blood. All this without taking into account his own brother and his family which also was steadily growing. It would seem the duties of a king did little to impact quality time with his queen.

"Hey, you," he leaned against the picket fence, watching with a loving smile Coci on her knees tending to their garden. "Know where I can find one Lady Heavenshield? About... yay high," he raised his hand far lower than was her actual height, "black hair, dirt on her cheeks, and the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." His smile turned into a grin as he playfully bit his lower lip, knowing she'd more than likely retaliate. "Just wanted to let her know her boy has arrived."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She clipped the last budding flower from its stem and placed it carefully in a basket before she sat back on her haunches. Coci sensed in impeding arrival of her husband even before he came into view and she was curious how his meeting went but before she could ask, his playful demeanour won out on any problems that might have happened. She just looked at him without a sign of care or emotion as he teased her. Yet, his boyish grin did not escape her, he never lost it in all the years they had been together and she doubted it would ever leave, she certainly hoped that was the case.

"You know .. it is a dangerous thing you do, taunting a women holding a pair of secateurs", she 'snip sniped' them at him, "They might be inclined to do some 'pruning'". Coci pushed off the ground and gathered her basket with the flower set to be arranged in the front room in readiness for their visit from Théo and Ylva.

"I think I shall move these flowers to another bed, they are not doing well here. Not getting enough sun. What do you think?". Now she was doing some teasing of her own as she walked toward him leaning on the fence. Her hand raised as she smiled, cupping his face so tenderly it was almost painful but the intention of was not love but to smear dirt from her hand to his cheek and he wouldn't know a thing.

Thurion is simply too irresistible to her, there is nothing about the man she does not love although she is not overly fond of him leaving wet towels of the bed after his shower. And with her own smile she kissed him softly and put some more dirt on his face. "How did the meeting go?". She lead him inside by the hand so both could get changed.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Théo replaced a trinket he had been admiring on the table of wares from the silversmith, "Our families reputation? to be honest I am not sure what that is exactly. Heavenshields just do what needs to be done and I guess if a reputation forms around it", he shrugged. "At least it is not a bad one". Their wanderings took them through the city to the gate of the city wall. A curtly nod to the gate keeper was returned and Théo and Ylva walked along the road to the lake passed the fishing vessels which were preparing to head out into the Golden Bay. The last time he had been here was with his sister Mysa as they ventured off for what was supposed to be a relaxing trip, which turned into anything but. It had been the first time he had encountered Velkar.

But they did not stop, rather kept walking around the lake's edge until finding the path to his parents house. It was the long way, the scenic route. "No practice huh?", he now spoke of her comments before about training with his mother, "Speaking of reputations .. she will not be happy to learn that". He hid a grin, teasing her once more.

"I remember as a child hearing about this padawan she was training that did not practice a lesson and when back in Temple for the next one, she gave them a months hard training from dawn till dusk .. that padawan did not miss practice again after mother her hands on them". A complete and utter lie, totally designed to incite the nerves and foreboding in Ylva. There was no padawan that did this, they would not be brave enough to try it.

"But don't you worry, I am sure mother will be happy to see you .. just wing it". He could not help a chuckle. If Ylva was indeed a Jedi padawan Théo's prophecy might come to fruition but Ylva is not, it is up to her to set her pace and besides Coci has mellowed in her years and become much wiser in her training methods.

Recognising the landscape around them, Théo took Ylva by the hand and around the corner of the path the house stood before them. And in the distance he could see his mother and father speaking by the fence. "Ahoy the house!", he yelled out to them and led Ylva by the hand.

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[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"Ahoy the house!".​

​

Just wing it he says, [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] seemed to be enjoying this far too much...-And part of her liked it, Théo's readiness to tease her yet somehow show her genuine compassion in the same sentence like no other could. It wasn't long after that, that Théodred had called out to his parents ahead, announcing their arrival sooner than Ylva was able to take in a deep breath, to prepare herself.

Their approach was a brisk walk, hesitating none as they were family after all and none to be feared...-Intimidating perhaps but never feared. [member="Coci Heavenshield"] had done an aweful lot for Ylva out of shear generosity, a caliber of woman that Ylva had not known in another, she was a testament to the very honor the Valkyri forever sought to show in the highest of regard.

"Good-morning!" Ylva soon spoke up in warm greeting as they had come within much more preferable proximity for conversation with her soon to be in-laws, though they still had not a clue about that one; "It's good to see the two of you in a much quieter place than the last we met" She added with a slightly apologetic tone. Ylva had spoken somewhat out of place at the last moot, the gathering of lords and ladies at the request of the King of Midvinter, in preparation for the war that was to come.

Soon looking to [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], Ylva offered Théo's Father a slight bow of her head in respect. "...-It's also nice to finally meet you in person, Thurion. Your Son speaks about you often, always in the highest esteem". It needn't be said of course, though it seemed only polite to point out that Théodred had painted a picture of great integrity out of the man that Ylva had only just now held the pleasure of meeting.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

As her hand reached for his cheek he nuzzled into her palm, unable to look away once they made eye contact. She always did have that effect on him. When she mentioned the meeting with the returning war party however, his smile faded before he leapt over the fence. "Oh, they came back full of boast and pride, having sated their lust for battle. 'Only two of us got killed'," he impersonated their leader, shaking his head. "Mere boys, the lot of them. Not much older than Thirdas." As they passed the bed of flowers Coci had mentioned, Thurion got down on one knee and gently grasped one of their leaves, tapping into the Living Force. "Aye, you're right. Won't last another season like this," he briefly strayed from the subject, feeling their life force slowly waning.

"I realise people are angry; so many were lost when we fought the legions of the Crone. They want revenge, and they'll find any excuse to start a good scrap." He stood back up and dusted off his hands. "But the Vinterbound are no longer the enemy. They scurried away into their holes years ago, and haven't surfaced since. They have no means to re-awaken the dead, and they cannot reproduce. For all intents and purposes, they are a dying race of beings without a will or purpose of their own. And these kids think themselves warriors by raiding their homes and butchering them by the dozens." He then looked down into those eyes of hers once more, and took her hands to warm in his. "Old grudges are not easily forgotten among the Valkyri. Sometimes our hearts take hold where they shouldn't." His eyebrows furrowed as he then noted the dirt on her hands and how easily it carried over to his own, and just as his eyes widened and it clicked for him what her true intent was by cupping his cheek, there was a familiar voice falling upon his ears which made him turn.

There strode Théo down towards their homestead, and with him walked a woman he seemed to recall seeing before but had not met. While raising a hand to wave at the pair, he also gave Coci a jab of his elbow to retaliate for the dirt on his cheek. "Who's she," he whispered out of the corner of his mouth. He supposed he would find out very shortly. "Ahoy, yourself," he greeted their boy and the lady at his side, and was surprised when said lady was first to speak. He returned her bow, bit by bit piecing together what little he remember of her at the War Council. "Ah yes, now I remember! I knew I'd seen you before. Welcome to Fridheim!"

He stepped towards her, looking over at Théo and then back to the redhead once stood before her. "You'll forgive me for getting a closer look at you, I don't have the same gift of sight as I once did." With a soft hand he lifted her chin up to face him properly, taking note of her eyes and face. "What do I call you, my lady?"

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Well...", was all that Coci had managed to say in reply to Thurion's question, there was simply no stopping him greeting his son and Ylva as he leaped over the fence. "You will find out soon enough", she finished out of his ear shot with a smile. It wasn't that Coci was keeping it secret from her husband, she just believe that is was up to Théo to bring him the good news. From where she stood her son and Ylva looked in good health which pleased her greatly especially after the battle everyone was on the mend as best they could. Events such as those tend to unify people and even more so, families when they are faced with such peril to not only them but others dear to them.

Coci used the gate, wiping her hands on her gardening attire to clean them of the dirt that was not on Thurion's face now.

While Thurion was speaking to Ylva, Coci moved toward her son with a knowing smile and embraced him as a mother would. "I hope you warned her of Thurion's hugs", she whispered in his ear for him only. "Nope", came a simply reply and a wide grin from her son.

"I love you my boy, it is good to have you home". But before she could place a kiss on his cheek, Théo handed her a tub of ice cream. "Eva sends her regards", he grinned know father would love to hear that news. "Did you know they are packing up to leave?, the factory is for sale I am thinking of buying it".

"Oh I am sad to hear that, I suppose they are getting to old to handle it now. 'arold ain't tis young as 'e use to be". And she started to think, maybe it is she that buys the butter factory beating her son to it.

But now Coci turned her attention of Ylva, she stood wait for a chance to greet her.

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] seemed apparently eager to make her acquaintance, or at the very least try to recall the last time they'd met and this time get a better look of her, an understanding of her personality that was perhaps more than he bargained for when her left hand snapped up to tightly grasp the older males wrist and pry his hand away from her chin. Despite loving the man's son, the red wolf remained ever on the defensive around those she wasn't entirely familiar with, and Thurion was unfortunately one such person taking unknown liberties that immediately triggered her into defending her personal space.

"You can look without putting hands on me!" She replied with a suddenly cold tone, her voice firm in warning. [member="Coci Heavenshield"] hadn't quite seen this side of Ylva, though [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] knew it all too well and had nearly been given a bloody nose the first time they had met, simply for taking her tanning knife without permission. None the less, Ylva forced herself to remain calm and refrain from overreacting in what would usually result in a display of vulgarities towards most of the male species, instead she released Thurions arm and took a step back to almost withdraw back into the company of her love.

Turning her gaze upon Coci herself, Ylva gave pause before greeting the woman, as if for a moment she had forgotten the relation between her Mentor and Théodred's father. Lowering her gaze, she offered a silent gesture in would-be apology, only that the Red Wolf had survived a life-time trusting none but herself until she had chased a buck directly into Théo's path. Turning to look back to Thurion, her eyes would reflect the pale blue hue over the skies overhead, as though they were glazed with midvinter ice, she exhaled slowly through her nose before resigning herself to apologize aloud, wishing not to offend her soon to be in-laws.

"...-Forgive me. I'm quick to bite" She spoke directly to the older of the two men, her eyes having found and locked with Thurion's that he found no reason to doubt the sincerity behind her words. "My name's Ylva...-Of Clan Solveig".

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Eyebrows furrowed when she batted away his hand, yet Thurion stood his ground with the fierce redhead. His eyes, though one may be blind, were fixed on hers, and like he had with so many before her he sought to find what kind of person she was. 'If one looks hard enough,' Master Asha once told him, 'a person's eyes will tell you all you need to know about them.' And in Ylva's blue eyes he saw just how wild and fiercely protective she truly was, of herself and those she cared about. Admirable traits, no doubt brought on by an unfortunate or difficult past.

Then as she spoke next, his mood switched entirely as he resumed his smile. "Oh, no need. It was wrong of me to lay my hand on you in the first place." He then opted not to place a kiss upon her hand, for who knew what she would do then. Instead he merely bowed his head. "Well, Lady Ylva of Clan Solveig. Fancy getting out of the cold?" He stepped back and turned, now facing Coci and Théo and giving them an awkward look with puffed cheeks, exhaling. For his son he simply gave him a pat on the shoulder, lightly bumping his forehead to his as was their custom.

Once inside he first rid Coci of her fur cloak before removing his own, then walked over the fireplace to get the heat going. "So... Clan Solveig," he mused aloud. "I must say I am unfamiliar with them. Where do you hail from, the Southmark? East?" Gods know there are far too many clans and houses to keep track of, even for a man of his own station. Was hard enough to keep track of his own Mark. "Or the Northmark, maybe?" He grabbed hold of his son's arm to help him get back on his feet. "Would explain how the two of you met."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

After greeting his father, and the suggestion that they all move into the house was a welcomed reprieve from the moment of tension between Ylva and his father, and it gave Théo time to think. He walked with Ylva into the house, holding her hand for reassurance and there was a story to be told which would be something that has the potential to cause further tension but there are no secrets in the Heavenshield house, it was always this way and always would be. Although it was difficult for Ylva to recall her past, so much of it still unclear to her and what she does know causes her much sadness and shame. But never does the sins of the fathers, sit with the sons .. or daughters in this case.

"Clan Solveig is in the Westermark, to the south. It is a small clan located in a valley between mountains", Théo began but it was obvious his mind was turning over something else, he wanted to take the burden of recalling from Ylva at least to begin with.

"We met on a planet called Nirauan, when I was with the Iron Empire and again later on Olstyn", a planet his father would know since the Dawnguard had come to represent the Valkyri that had established there years ago. The reason for them traveling such a vast distance from Midvinter was known to Thurion, and it was not a good reason. Nor was the same for Ylva's family as it turned out. The past between them was more entwined than they all knew. "Ylva was with me at the Empire for a while before we came home".

At this point, his mother returned from the kitchen with a tray of warm drinks and some blue milk which was placed on a small table between them all. She had heard the conversation from the kitchen, and could sense the emotions of concern in her son. There was more to this story it seemed and he was being clipped in his words. Coci's eyes moved toward Ylva, something about that experience in Chiss space had a tight grip on the girl, something that made her what she is today .. and no doubt would or rather could explain her ways. Coci knew Ylva is wild at heart, a spirit never to be pent up always in need of release if backed into a corner and any perceived threat dealt with immediately.

"I can't say I have hear of Nirauan, tell me about it". His mother asked before he could continue, as she stood sipping on her caf.

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] ​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] took Ylva by surprise, somehow managing to turn his behavior and subsequently her own expectations or assumptions of the man, around in an instant. Accounting for his behavior, of which most people simply blamed Ylva for being too up-tight about, he instead continued to seek her attention and conversation rather than walk away or dismiss her as would most. "I..." she began to speak up in reply though thankfully [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] cut in before she could really consider how she would explain the truth behind her Clan's background, details that were somewhat over her head given that she was brought up off-world by what she had thought were little more than rogues and thieves...

"Clan Havardr, they reside in the land just beyond the Westgate Pass...The residing leader there is a man called Orkarl. Someone who we recently met, before the last great fight over Midvinter. He knew my mentor, Akron Solveig who apparently abandoned Midvinter during the Usurpers time...-So I suppose you could say I was born a traitor to a home I never knew before finding Théodred and chancing my way here within his good company".

Gods, how her life was a complicated and sorry mess before finding her man. Théodred had brought her to Midvinter believing that she would enjoy the nature of the wild world, knowing her like for hunting as she had survived on her own for many of her later years of life upon Nirauan. Raoul Havardr, Akron Solveig...-Two men, leaders fighting for the love of a woman, She who had lost a Son and birthed a girl, Ylva, who's bloodline was questionable at best. All the while, the great battle of Valkyrie Politics muddying the waters and sweeping her life away from her rightful place in the Galaxy, knowing instead a life of little love upon a world whom offered no mercy within it's wilderness setting.

"Akron raised me, though he told me my parents had been killed. I was too young to recall much now...-But Nirauan, we didn't have much and everything we did have, we claimed from others. It wasn't an honorable life, nor were they good men, those of the last of Clan Solveig", fortunately Midvinter no longer need concern itself with their kind, as she had cut their throats in their sleep. "There's not a great deal I can offer you, other than to suggest you seek out Orkarl Havardr and question him yourself. That life is behind me now".

[member="Coci Heavenshield"].​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

While Théo and Ylva spoke respectively, Thurion found his favourite armchair and kicked off his boots and stretching his toes after a long day at work. No sooner had he sat down than the Corellian brother-kitties pounced into his lap for a cuddle, and he knew exactly where they liked to be petted. Still, their sudden apperance did nothing to distract him from Ylva's tale. "The Usurper..." It seemed the dishonourable actions of one man had done shaped the course of more lives than he'd imagined. Much like the scars across his face, they were wounds that would never truly heal. "I can only say I'm sorry to hear about your clan's unfortunate history. But the tyrant is long dead, his bones not even dust in the wind. When we took back Tháinbroek, we found the Usurper barricaded within the throne room of the Great Hall, old and addled. My father had Beorlund imprisoned and awaiting execution, but he was found dead the very next morning. Hung himself in his cell." His eyes found those of his wife, then back to Ylva and his son.

"It is not publically known how he died. Beorlund may have been a usurper but he still ruled as High King for decades. Despite all the pain he'd caused, my father chose to give him a proper funeral. Leaving his fate in the afterlife for the gods to decide." Even Thurion was uncertain whether he'd show him the same courtesy, were he in his father's shoes. Reaching for the only cup containing blue milk he took a sip. "You are no traitor, Ylva. I cannot say what reasons this Akron had for fleeing Midvinter, but I do know no child can ever bare the sins of their elders. I know my son trusts you, and so do I."

Reaching for Coci's hand he placed a kiss upon it, bidding her to sit against the armrest of his chair. "And I'm aware of my wife having taken you under her wing at the Fortress of Dawn. She tells me you are making good progress in understanding the Force, as well as yourself and who you are. So you see, you are not alone anymore, Ylva."

"Now, son," he then turned to Théo who had kept uncharacteristically quiet all this time. "Why don't you tell me the real reason for this visit? Something is on your mind."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

His mother's expression was less than favourable through the interaction between Ylva and her husband, even though she had more insight into the young lady's nature and for the most part, Ylva reactions was understandable but these circumstances should have been taken into account, and the people that she was here to meet. Thurion can handle himself of course, but that did not stop Coci's nature to protect those she loves from harm of any sort. She let out a long sigh to calm her temper and Ylva would see a look that would send a message of chastisement her way. But that soon waned as the mood in the house settled and a sense of remorse for her outburst was felt from the young girl which was genuine and not a result of being 'told off'.

Coci would speak to Ylva later about the next part of her training later. For now she opted to settle in a chair near Thurion and took up her cup of caf to find solace in and listen to the conversation around them.

An old snippet of history was the point of conversation and it was good that the years had passed since that day they met the Usuper and his men. It was a life time ago it seemed to her, Théo was not even born then and looking at her son now, how things have changed. Naturally he had grown up, become a man in his prime and a leader which she was so proud of. And much much more. And like most mothers her thoughts turned to the rest of her children, so proud of them all but she held a sense of regret? or was it remorse for time lost to them? The years just went by too quickly.

It wasn't until Thurion prompted Théo to tell of the real reason he had paid this visit that brought her out of the past. And she sat curiously waiting.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

The whole time Ylva and Thurion spoke he sat miles away in thought, his fingers tapping lightly on the side of his cup. In the back of his mind he heard the content, which only served to make the moment more heavy and he could feel his shoulder tense up. But Théo knew that the past was were it should be, in the past and Heavenshields are not possessed with emotion of holding grudges. Save for one which had its roots in anything to do with a certain Sith Lord.

So when his father turned his attention back to Théo, all he got in reply was a blank stare as if he had just woke up from a dream and unsure of where he was. "Oh yes .. right". Théo placed the cup on the table between and stood up, this gave him a sense of command in his stance and helped with what words would fall from his mouth. Yet he was nervous and as his arm raised slowly, his hand reaching for the back of his neck to rub he caught a glimpse of his mother, a slight grin pulling at her lips at his action. He flash a look toward his father, before dropping his hand away quickly to his side and pinned his shoulders back as if in defiance.

"Father, mother", he began and reached for Ylva's hand. "I have known Ylva for several years and over that time we .. fell in love", he turned to her with a smile which he hoped would reassure her, and give him further strength. "After the battle .. we almost lost everything and this showed me that there are things in this world that are the most important to live and fight for and on reflection the most important thing to me is Ylva". He was just going to come out with it, where these words were coming from he did not know, and he could not stop.

"A few days ago I asked Ylva to marry me, and she accepted", he finally said and as he finished he could not help but smile regardless of what would come next. He turned to his love now and kissed her cheek. "And I am the most happy I have ever been".

There it was...

[member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​