Like Fathers of Time [Papa]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Tháinbroek​

Outside the city walls​

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Ancient Valkyri Stone Circle​

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

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They stand just outside the city walls, odd shaped stones set in a circle and for what purpose Théo did not know. And yet they intrigued him. He had seen them before, passed them on the way to Tháinbroek as the family had entered the capital on foot, but he had not asked about them. Today since he had nothing to do, which is something his parents should be mindful of, they should never leave Théo to his own thoughts, think they would have learned that by now, he decided to go and have a closer look.

As he approached, the snow reflecting what little sun was beaming down on his cold morning, stung his eyes somewhat. A light coating of snow sat upon the stones and carpeted the inner circle. No foot print of anything, Valkyri or animal spoiled the inner circle, pristine it is and something in Théo told him not to disturb it. Yet he walked around it.

He dared to move closer to one of the larger stones, and brushed away the soft layer of settle snow, to reveal runes carved on the surface, he did not understand them, or would try and decipher but his finger traced the marking. Curious ...

His rosy lips turned in a smile as he sensed his father's approach, a man of his blood, one he loves more than life. "Come look what I found!", he called out to him as he turned to smile to his father.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

That his son would cause some sort of trouble during their trip to Midvinter went without saying. The boy could hardly sit still and was easily bored. Truly a free spirit, little Théo. He meant nothing by it, though - this was no child rebelling against his parents. It was simply in his nature to seek adventure with a mix of his father's Valkyri blood and his mother's determined personality. Despite all his antics, his parents found him endearing, and even entertaining. They both loved him dearly.

Midvinter had proven the perfect opportunity for [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] to explore every nook and cranny of his ancestral homeworld. The little warrior had snuck off on more than one occasion during their so-far brief stay, but not this time. Today father and son would spend the day together, with Coci and the girls doing their own thing. He'd invited Thrand to join them, but understandably he had a kingdom to run.

Stood just outside the gates of Tháinbroek, the lad had taken a liking to the ancient and sacred Standing Stones. The day they arrived the weather made it seem they were miles away, but this was not the case. "Wow, nice find! You think they'll fit on the ship?" he feigned ignorance and grinned. Then in a swift motion he'd scooped his son off the ground and placed him atop one of the smaller stones, putting Théo on the same height as him. "You be careful now. These stones are sacred to the Valkyri. They say the god Teign fashioned these from the mountains and had the goddess Runa plant them around the world, and they grew into what we have here today."

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Théo took hold of his father's shoulders for support as he was placed atop one of the stones. Not sure if even that was allowed, he looked down at the stone as if it might come alive protesting his weight and presence. But his father would never do something that would place him in danger, and so Théo relaxed. As is his habit Théo reached up to his father's face and stroked his beard before placing a kiss on his cheek. One day Théo will grow out of this, become a man and as the child would depart, so too his ways. It is the progress of life, and so Théo, will cherish these moments.

"Why would they do that?", he looked into his father's eyes the same as his. His face full of questioning. "The Gods, I mean. And what are these markings?". He looked around him over his shoulder and into the circle, "Do you believe in the Gods?".

And in typical Théo fashion, "What do you think would happen if we walked in there?", he said in a whisper so the Gods would not here, but the devil has a twinkle in his eye. But for now he wanted answers to all his questions. And there is plenty of them and no doubt more to come. But without warning, Théo threw his arms around his father's neck, and hugged him tight. "I love you, Papa".



[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion chuckled as Théo leaned in to stroke his beard and kiss his cheek. He would never do this in front of his sisters, but whenever alone with his father he showed every sign of love there was. These were but some of the endearing traits his son possesses; strength and confidence coupled with a caring, gentle nature. Not unlike himself, he supposed, or his father Thrand. That man had a heart big enough to fit the entirety of Midvinter. No wonder why the people loves him so.

"Well--" he was about to answer Théo's relentless assault of questions, when suddenly the boy reached around his neck and hugged him. "I love you too, son. More than you'll ever know." He then grabbed hold of Théo and raised him over his head to place him atop his broad shoulders. "I do believe in the Gods. I also believe in the Force. To me there are no limits to the amount of higher powers one may pray to. I will always be a Jedi, and I will always have Valkyri blood in my veins. Thus, I belong to both," he explained as he slowly circled the standing stones, close enough for the boy to reach out and touch them should he wish to.

"As for what these markings are, I couldn't tell you. They look far older than any Runian I have ever come across. Maybe it is a message from the Gods themselves." There was no limit to the speculations surrounding these stones, but there was an unmistakable sense of divinity eminating from them. No mere mortals could have ever carved these. He reached out to one of them and scrounged up some snow in his palm which he then proceeded to playfully toss up into Théo's face. "Haha, got you!"

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Unsteady at first, Théo settle secure on his father's shoulders. He hung on every word his father spoke of Gods, Valkyri blood and language. A language Théo knows little of. "I believe in them too", he said as he stretched out a hand to caress the standing stones as they passed each one. Some of the light fall of snow descending to the ground as his small fingers touch them. Sacred ground is never to be trifled with and although curiosity is strong in this one, he would never enter the circle unless his father permitted it.

"Hey! not fair", he yelled out as his face now covered in snow, and laughed. Théo wiped away the cold ice from his eyes and naturally his mind began to work on retaliation, "I will get you for that", he said with further laughter, but atop his father's shoulders, he is cornered. So Théo will bide his time for that, and get his 'revenge'.

"Will you teach me Runian?", he asked in hope. But Théo's mind returned to an event, something he did not understand and he knew his father would have the answers. "Father?", he began trying to find the words to explain. "When you and mother were away, I .. I met an Elder, he was training young men in the art of the sword, I .. I kind of watched before they discovered me and the Elder asked if I wanted to learn. So I join in for little bit. But .. I heard something, it was like a whisper .. of .. of a song.. and I did not hear all the words, but .. there was no one there, I could not find the person singing them. And it seemed none of the others heard the words. It was like ... someone had only sang the song to me".

Théo placed a hand on top of his father's head, without thought, but played with his golden hair. "Do you think .. it was the Gods?".

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"I'm sure you will," he teased, laughing as he did. When Théo then began to tell his tale, Thurion turned and tilted his head to catch a glimpse of his son atop his shoulders. Their boy was such a beautiful child, full of curiosity and dreams like all children are prone to be. The mention of his son hearing a song seemingly meant for his ears only made him think of the songs Asha would sing for him. That was their special time together, when they were not master and apprentice but mother and son. He never learnt what the songs meant in her native language, but he didn't need to know. Their melodies were soothing yet haunting at the same time.

"I don't know," he finally said. "Who knows what powers the Gods possess? It might've been Éar or Runa calling to you." In truth, he had no idea of knowing what his son heard, or thought he heard, but he wanted to at least sate Théo's curiosity with what little he could. He then stopped and raised his son above his head and lowered him onto the snowy ground. "Théo, I want you to promise me something. I would never ask that you remain indoors - I know you better than that. But I want you to promise that when you do decide to go outside on your own, please try and stay out of trouble? For me?" He leaned down to look into his eyes, same as his own.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He had hung on his father's every word, and when he finished his thoughts on who had sang the haunting song to Théo, Théo supposed him right. It sort of made sense, but why would the Gods single him out? And what were they trying to tell me? For the moment, Théo sat upon his father's shoulders trying to recall the words, the melody of the song, but like a dream one tries to remember, images and words had become vague, a silhouette of the whole. He was still in thought when his father lifted him up and over his head, placing Théo on the ground before him.

Théo fixed on his eyes deep within the gaze of his father's as he spoke, asking for a promise to stay out of trouble. He always could see a lot in his father's eye, but today there was nothing but love and caring for him, and the same would be reflected through the mirrors to the soul, in his son's eyes.

"I will promise you this Papa, if you do the same", he spoke as seriously as his father. The thought of anything bad happening to his father was, unthinkable. His hand reached forward taking hold of his father's pelt as if to never let go, to stop him from going anywhere that would lead to danger. "I promise", he said .. "I will try". His promise made with sincerity and truth, but both will promise something, impossible. Trouble abounds much within their world, within the galaxy and it is always there lurking to find them.

He leaned in and placed his forehead upon his father's, closing his eyes to share a moment of love, son to father, father to son.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

To hear his only son request that he stay safe was heart-warming to say the least. While at first glance the boy had chiefly inherited his mother's confidence and determination, there was much of himself in him as well. You just had to look deeper, is all. "I promise," he told Théo with a smile. When Théo did the same, Thurion settled a hand in the boy's hair and gave it a quick ruffle. He then pulled his son into loving embrace, stood up with Théo in his arms and walked through the open gates, leaving the standing stones to their divine purpose.

Within, the city was busy as always. With the weather being kind to them this day, Thurion wished to walk amongst the tall and proud people. His people. Still carrying Théo, father and son soon stumbled upon a large lumber mill where large men worked tirelessly to supply the city with firewood to warm their homes with. Connected to the lumber mill was a carpenter's hut, where they fashioned the most exquisite items from the leftovers. Some had practical purposes, like wooden cutlery, mugs and dinner plates. Non-practical objects included wooden sculptures and miniatures, totems depicting the Gods, and even toys.

"Wait here," he told Théo, leaving him to browse the selection while he spoke to one of the workers. He returned soon after with a pair of wooden blocks and a set of chisels. They found a quiet spot in the corner where Thurion sat down with his son. "Here, take this." He handed him one of the wooden block, but then held up the chisel for him to look at. "This is not a toy, Théo. You could hurt yourself or someone else if you're not careful." Making sure the boy heeded his warning, Thurion handed him the chisel.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

For Théo, this was the best place to be, within the arms of his father. He could feel his physical strength as one arm held him close, the hardness of his muscles Théo marveled at and hoped that one day he would be as physically strong. He is proud of his father, and proud to be his son. Pride, it is a trait that Théo possesses, and one that will need to be reigned in. He does not consider himself or his family superior and never would, his parents had already instilled in him this, and with his developing relationships with other Jedi within the Silver Sanctum, it is not the Jedi way. A Knight he will be one day, and hopes to be the best he can be.

His pride stems from his people, his homeland, it is inherent in the Valkyri, pumps the blood and rallies the heart. Others, Offworlders would consider them lesser or uncivilised but that would be a falsehood and a lack of knowledge and understand on their part. Technology does not make a culture better than another, no advancement does. It is the way one conducts themselves, what they believe to be right and just, and consideration, compassion to others that forms the sense of civility. Not that all Valkyri have this of course, they are just like all races and have their good and bad.

Théo watched the men and women of his beloved Midvinter go about their daily chores, or conduct trade and progress through their day. This is Théo's home, and he feels it, it is where he is most comfortable. But the best thing of all, is his father's arms.

It was the smell of freshly cut wood that came to him first. The scent of the wood filled the air as the oils of the trees from which is it cut, pitted the senses, it is nice smell. When father and son entered the lumber mill, Théo looked around at all the wares crafted by the hands of the artists that are carpenters. He marveled at the detail of the pieces set on a table for purchase, turning them over to see how they are made or how they had achieved such intricate design. He did not want anything, Théo wanted for nothing. Not that he is spoiled, no, entirely the opposite in fact, as his upbringing had taught him, and it is not his nature to be avaricious.

He put a totem down gently as his father returned from out the back and guided him to a corner to sit. Curiosity filled Théo's eyes as well as his mind, as he took the block from his father's hands, for a moment looking at it before returning his gaze to his father. He gently took the chisel next, "I understand Papa", and he did. But would wait patiently for what his Papa had in mind.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion nodded, smiling. "Alright, then." He sat back up in the simple-yet-sturdy wooden chair. "Now, you'll find that you do not need to apply a lot of force when using the chisel. The wood is softer than it looks or feels. You're not carving a statue out of rock," he told him while demonstrating by letting the metal dig into the wooden surface. A swift motion later and the chisel had made its mark, carving out a small portion of the block. "It takes patience and discipline. Your mind cannot be elsewhere or you will never finish what you started." He did it again, letting the chisel work its magic on the wood.

"Now you try it. Remember: you can make it whatever you like, and it's only finished when you say it's finished." Reaching for his little hand holding the chisel, Thurion guided Théo through the motion. He did not apply any pressure, leaving his son to figure out how much force to use and what worked best for him. While carpentry does rely on its fair share of strength, the technique itself is key.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

While his father leaned back, Théo leaned forward, laying his arms on the table to watch his father's hand work the wood. As he spoke, Théo eyes flicked up into his father's face and listened with full attention before he looked at the chisel in his hand. His father's hands moved with slow and deliberate motion, gliding across the surface of the wooden block before the sharp edge of the chisel bit into the block, making a thin curling cut off, which fell to the side and on the table top. Théo picked it up and inspected it, looking at the thinness, it was like paper! And it smelt good, a smell he will forever associate with his father. But there is a look of doubt in Théo's eyes, unsure if he will be able to do the same, but his father is here and will guide him, teach him .. patience and discipline qualities Théo has yet to learn.

Again the wood curled, with each gently application of his father's hand, it was almost mesmeric to watch and in this moment, nothing else existed. The carpenter that owns this shop, all the fittings and tools, the Valkyri that are entering to trade only to leave with wares, all vanished. In this moment, only a small table, two chairs, two blocks of wood and his father, exist.

The touch of his father's hand. So many times Théo has felt that touch. A guiding hand, a strong hand, a loving hand that soothes his soul when he is sick or in need of the love of his father. There is a bond between father and son different to the one experienced with a mother, but equally as strong, just .. different. As his father guided his hand along the block wood, for a moment Théo simply watched his face, the look of concentration, focus and willingness to show Théo, everything. He loves his father deeply for this, and many more reasons, blood is strong and the connection, stronger.

Théo's eyes dropped to the wood, and he began to feel the slow motion of the hands together and as Théo applied press through the chisel, it bit and to Théo's delight .. it curled. He did not really know what he would make, that was not important. What he did want, was for this moment never to end.

~ooOOoo~​

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Father and son spent the best part of the day within the carpenters shop. As the day wore on Théo became tired as did his father and the two would return to the Grand Hall, to sup and spend the rest of the evening with the family. ​

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Sitting on the table between himself and his father who sat opposite was a small, not so well carved, figure of a man, his Papa. ​

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Théo smile as their eyes met, like father .. like son.​

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

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The End.​