Private She Ain't Heavy, She's My Sister

[Tulan Heavenshield]

Heavenheim
Midvinter​

"And then you hold it between your palms like so, and..." Grandpa demonstrated with a blade of grass, pressing it to his lips. A sharp, high-pitched honking noise erupted from the improvised instrument, catching the pink cub unawares. He laughed hard at the strange, unexpected sound, and Grandpa giggled. A second blow caused another bout of laughter, ringing so wonderfully across the fields of gold. When the lad tried to mimic the old man, he blew and blew but not a peep was heard. Disappointed, Tulan threw the blade of grass and pouted, climbing into the gentle giant's lap. Grandpa cradled his grandchild for a bit, then cheered him up by tickling him all over.

As a third bout of laughter rang out, they stopped suddenly at the sound of loud crying. Thurion's heart soared, celebrating the moment with a kiss upon Tulan's rosy cheek. Tulan didn't quite know what the crying entailed — he only knew that before the day was done, he would be welcoming a baby sister. The cries died down after a while, and a minute later or so his father appeared on the porch, wiping his hands on a rag.

Kneeling before his boy, Thirdas adjusted the oversized bandana tied around his head. "Tulan... You're a brother now. You have a beautiful sister." The cub was curious above all else, not fully understand the ramifications of another child entering the picture. He couldn't wait to step inside and take a look for himself, and indicated as such. "Yeah sure, you can see her, go on," his father encouraged, stepping aside to let him in. Thurion shared a proud look with his youngest, the pair giving the little a chance to see his mother and baby sister before joining them.

"Mama?" Tulan carefully stepped around his parents' bed to find a weary Nida Heavenshield cradling a swaddled... something. He was just tall enough to spot a tiny pink creature amidst the blankets. A nose, two slits for eyes, and a small mouth. Unsure, he burrowed his face into his mother's arm, at times peeking at the creature.

"Is that — is that a goblin," he whispered so that it would not hear.

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida couldn't help her own soft laughter. She readjusted the bundle to sit in the nook of one arm, then slipped her free hand over Tulan's back to rub in soothing little circles. Her voice was still a bit raw from the strain of giving birth, but this labor had been quicker than that of her firstborn.

"She is not a goblin, no," Nida said. The hand at her son's back rose to stroke his fair hair, golden like that of his father and his father before him. "Tulan, this is your sister. Her name is Theya."

The swaddled newborn wrinkled her nose. She opened her little mouth wide in a yawn. Nida smiled, fatigued as she was, and looked to Thirdas. They'd often talked of the family that they would one day build, and the galaxy has been kind to them since they'd wed. Her gaze passed to Thurion - ever the willing grandfather and guide.

Nida cast her eyes back down to the pink face of her son, his nose and one eye buried into her sleeve.

"Would you like to come up here and say hello to her?"

Tulan Heavenshield

 

[Tulan Heavenshield]

"Theya..." he gave the name a try, finding it strange to utter just like any new word. His mother's assurances were enough to climb up the side of the bed and cuddle up against her, eyes trained on the tiny one the entire time. Getting a closer look at her though, he could better make out the distinct features of not some creature, but a person. A very little, pink person. It was then, and only then, that he truly grasped that this, this was his baby sister.

His curiosity then turned to timidity, suddenly shy in the babe's presence, as if being struck by the newfound responsibility of taking care of her. The moment he'd noticed the bump of Mother's tummy, his father had instructed him often in the role he'd need to play in being a brother.

"H-hello," he whispered, inching closer to the bundle. "Hello, Theya."

The bed creaked as Thirdas lay down beside his wife, putting his arm around her like the proud husband and father he was. His mechanical thumb caressed Theya's cheek, causing enough of a stir that her tiny hand shot out from the swaddles and grabbed on to him.

"Look what we've made, Nida."

Towering above them all was the long shadow of the proud Grandpa, who was perhaps the most emotional in the room. He remained on the threshold, just so overwhelmed to see not only the most recent addition to their steadily growing family, but to see everything his little boy had achieved through sheer perseverence. He was so incredibly happy for their sake... and so devastated that the one he wished to share this joy with could not be there to witness it.

Each child born a Heavenshield carried a little piece of Coci with them. Knowing that made it all the more difficult to retain composure.

Nida Heavenshield

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

"That's it now," Nida murmured her encouragement as Tulan tentatively approached his new baby sister. He'd always been a shy boy, perhaps inheriting his quiet nature from her, but he was gentle and kind, two traits he'd doubtlessly display to their new addition.

Nida stroked her son's hair before leaning down to place a kiss at the crown of his head. "What do you think of her?"

As Thirdas lays beside her, Nida rested her head back against his chest. She was tired - so tired - but her heart was full. What more could she want over a loving husband, a supportive father in-law and two perfect children?

She laughed softly as little pink fingers wrapped around the metallic digit. "It seems as though we have a little warrior on our hands. Like her father."

Nida bounced the babe softly, watching the shapes her little mouth made as she squeezed her father's finger. Her loving gaze drifted from Theya's face over to where Thurion stood, lingering on the precipice.

"Thurion," she called softly. "Would you like to meet your newest granddaughter?"

Tulan Heavenshield

 

[Tulan Heavenshield]

Tulan did feel more comfortable around the little one the longer he stared at her, especially how Theya's tiny hand grabbed on to his father's thumb and he could make out five pink fingers, no different from his own. He waited for her to open her eyes, but she was sleeping and wouldn't for some time.

"She's so little," he whispered, resting against his mother's chest. He glanced down to the large bump of her belly. He understood Theya had lived in there for many months, but he was confused as to why it hadn't disappeared. "Are there more babies in there?"

Thirdas had to look away and suppress his laughter for fear of waking their daughter. After the fit ended, he turned to Tulan with held back laughter still visible on his face. "No — ahem — No, Tulan, no more babies. It just takes a while for mommy's tummy to go back to normal, is all."

At Nida's bidding did Thurion draw near, shambling and shuffling like an old man until he reached the bed. He very carefully sat down at the end, the bedframe creaking from the added weight. Grandpa held out his hands — steady, nurturing hands that had held and cradled each and every newborn bearing his name. He lived for moments like these; welcoming a new life into being. The great general, the mighty slayer — how he loathed these aspects of himself.

With Nida's permission did he accept the bundle of joy into his care, the babe's weight barely registering in his wide palms. Cradling her, Thurion looked down at Theya's slumbering features. He smiled, even as tears rolled down his cheeks. "She's perfect," he confirmed warmly, looking to the proud parents.

"Welcome, Theya of House Heavenshield," he told her. "Welcome, little lion cub."

Nida Heavenshield

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Some months later…

Sat in her high chair at the family table, Theya squealed happily as her mother placed a bowl of mashed fruits and vegetables in front of her. Little pink arms and legs flailed in excitement.

The youngest of the pair of lion cubs was quickly proving to be the most energetic. Though she inherited her rosy cheeks and violet hair from her mother, her dark eyes and boundless spirit clearly came from her father.

Nida stepped away to wash dishes. Theya was old enough now that she could begin to feed herself, and at times even refused to be spoon fed by her parents, opting to handle that task on her own. Though it often ended with more of her meal on the ground and smeared across her face and clothes rather than in her belly, it was good to let her try.

Theya’s large, dark eyes peered down at her older brother. Tulan was old enough to have a regular seat at the dinner table, albeit one that was boosted.

Theya scooped up some of the puree in her hand. The texture was cool and squishy, seeping through her fingers and dripping onto the tray of her high chair. With a happy shriek, she launched her handful of goop at Tulan.

Tulan Heavenshield

 

[Tulan Heavenshield]

Tulan helped himself to the food on his plate, scooping careful spoonfuls into his mouth. Having recently learnt how to eat on his own, he took great pride in being able to keep his side of the table as clean as possible, sometimes to his detriment as any spill hinders him from the task of eating, instead feeling compelled to clean up each time. He could not say the same for his baby sister, whose increasingly rowdy nature was testing the limits of his patience as the older sibling. She was still just as adorable to look at, just... really annoying. There was no control to her movements, no control behind her actions. It was starting to get on his nerves.

Especially when it came to food given wings. He'd gotten pretty good at dodging it, though; she wasn't a very good shot.

"Theeyaa," he complained aloud, hoping mommy would hear.

His father stepped through the front door, kicking his boots off after a long day out in the field, working tirelessly alongside fellow farmers of their community to bring in the harvest before the long winter begins. It was hard, back-breaking labour, but it was an honest, peaceful existence.

Thirdas stopped by to kiss his two darlings, receiving one from Tulan in return as well as a taste of baby food from Theya's goopy cheek. He rested his hand upon Tulan's blonde head of hair, the boy leaning into his father's caress before he could disappear into the kitchen. There he snuck up behind Nida doing dishes, putting his arms around her and kissing her shoulder.

"Mmh," he released a long, blissful sigh. He reeked of sweat and toil, and his limbs ached. But he was happy. "Just finished loading the last cart, it's done. Ragnar's taking it to market first thing in the morning." Thirdas washed his hands and face, invigorated by the cold water. "Three years of hard work, and we're finally being rewarded for our efforts. Tomorrow I'm taking you and the kids out to celebrate," he declared exitedly.

Suddenly, the sound of a wooden bowl clattering against the floor followed by a high-pitched giggle alerted them to what was transpiring at the dinner table. "Mo-om," Tulan cried out, finally fed up with his sister's behaviour.

Nida Heavenshield

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida thwaped Thirdas with a dishrag as placed a kiss at her shoulder. Then she giggled, cradling the side of his face with one hand as she leaned back to press her lips to his cheek. "You've been working so hard to make sure that everything has been harvested on schedule, are you certain that you don't wish to take tomorrow to rest?"

With the way her husband's excitement was on display, she knew the answer. In turn, he would expect her gentle chiding. Nida couldn't help but take a moment to watch her husband splash his face with cold water, convinced that the years had only made him grow more handsome.

Tulan's complaint broke through that reprieve. Nida sighed and shook her head. "Be sure to grab yourself some vegetables with your roast," she insisted to Thirdas while moving over to the table. The Heavenshield home had become a happier – and louder – place since little Theya had been born. Already, she was beginning to show the boundless energy of her father. Tulan, on the other hand, had inherited her own gentle, cautious nature.

"She's only little, Tulan," Nida reminded him as she knelt to retrieve the bowl. The mush on the floor was quickly scooped up by the dishrag, which now lay bundled on the table.

As she rose, Nida brushed some of Tulan's hair back. "Theya doesn't quite understand table manners yet. Remember how we talked about patience?"

As if to highlight her mother's point, Theya began flailing her chubby limbs and blowing raspberries at her elder brother.

Tulan Heavenshield

 

[Tulan Heavenshield]

Tulan sat pouting by the time mother appeared, greatly annoyed at Theya's chaotic behaviour. It had only gotten worse the more animated she became — soon enough he'd be dodging knives and forks flung his direction. But Nida gently comforted her baby boy, and though it did not remove the pout from his lips, Tulan felt a tad more at ease with her and Papa at the dinner table, knowing he could rely on them to intervene on his behalf. "Okay, Momma," he relented, leaning into her touch.

Dad entered the scene with his plate filled to the brim with the delicious roast, leaving only a small corner for veggies. As he stepped around Tulan to grab his seat, Thirdas rested his free hand atop his son's head, just letting it sit there. Tulan looked up at him as father and son shared a long, loving look. Papa was a giant, just like Grandpa, but they were nice giants. Always kind and gentle with him. He wondered about his metal arm and leg, but they did not frighten him. It frightened him more to see him without the pair of limbs, truth be told.

"No one's a saint at three months old," he assured the lad whilst sitting down between him and his sister, opposite of Nida. The family of four. "She'll grow out of it. You had your moments at her age too, you know." Dad gave him a playful nudge just as Theya began flailing and blowing raspberries. He reached out and plucked her out of her seat, resting her against his shoulder with his hand secured around her, cradling her whilst grabbing a bite to eat. "Uh-oh, looks like someone's finished dinner early."

There was an undeniable pang of jealousy having to watch someone but him being cradled the way he had been, but it was getting easier to swallow.

"A-are we going into town tomorrow," Tulan asked timidly, having overheard bits of his parents' conversation earlier. "Can we see Grandpa, a-and get ice cream?"

Nida Heavenshield

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Theya squealed as she was picked up by her father, arms and legs flailing with excitement. One little hand fisted itself into blonde locks, tugging on them experimentally.

The lines of Nida's face creased with warmth. Life had been busy since the birth of their children, but every now and again she found herself taking in these little moments. How blessed had both her and Thirdas been to find one another again, and to raise a family together on a quiet homestead? Some days she still couldn't quite believe it. Then would come the surge of panicked worry, striking as though it were lightning. It told her that this really was a dream, and she would awake soon in a room draped in red and black, with Carnifex's hand around her throat.

When those moments came, Thirdas would hold her. Sometimes they took minutes to pass, sometimes hours. Then, they would return to the quiet bliss they'd built.

Or, well, quiet wasn't necessary the right word anymore. Theya smushed her face to Thirdas' shoulder and blew a raspberry there, too.

Nida stifled a giggle as she returned to the table with her own plate, stopping to place a kiss on Tulan's forehead, and then on the back of her daughter's head. A bath would certainly be in order after dinner.

"I think she's wearing more than she's eaten," the mother chuckled. With Theya gaining more and more control over her own limbs, it was becoming a common occurrence. To Tulan's question, Nida glanced to her husband. A conversation could be had between parents with just a look.

"I don't see why we can't see Grandpa and get ice cream tomorrow. A good way to celebrate the end of the harvest, don't you think?"

Thirdas Heavenshield

 

[Tulan Heavenshield]

One year later...

Sitting in his grandfather's lap, Tulan watched with great interest at the motions of the elder's hands as they broke sealed messages, unrolled scrolls, and wrote replies. He loved to place his hands upon Grandpa's as he worked, pretending to guide him through the process. Mostly he just enjoyed the feel of those great, strong hands, and would trace the many scars and lines embedded into his skin. Grandpa didn't mind, and would often pause and hold his small hands.

The best part was the pouring of hot wax and Tulan getting to stamp the royal seal. He'd gotten pretty good at it too, taking ever greater care to fit the entire sigil. The crowned lion, reared up on its hind legs, always so brave and noble. There was something scary about it too; something wild. But Grandpa wasn't scary at all, but kind and gentle and funny.

It was nice and quiet in Grandpa's office. Quiet enough that Theya was able to fall asleep in her cradle — and far more crucially, stay asleep. Momma and Dadda were having a "grown-up day" to themselves, leaving the two of them in the always willing care of their beloved grandfather.

"Very good," Thurion whispered, kissing him on the cheek, his beard tickling wonderfully against smooth skin. "Soon enough, you'll be old enough to learn how to read and write yourself." Tulan twised his head to look up at Grandpa. "And then we can write each other every day?" The old man chuckled fondly. "Of course we can, Little Snowball."

Thurion caught the sudden kicking of chubby legs in the corner of his eye before the mumblings of a newly awake Theya were uttered, and with the subtle motion of his hand the cradle began to rock side to side. He kissed Tulan on the forehead before getting out of his chair and placing the boy in his stead, then stepped towards the cradle.

"Good morning, Little Snowflake," he bent over to pick her up, as it became clear she wasn't going back to sleep. He cradled her in his arms whilst she opened her eyes, and he found himself yet again stunned by the infinite pools of black staring up at him.

They were her grandmother's eyes.

Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Cradled in Thurion's arms, Theya squealed happily. She'd taken a long nap and now had energy to spare.

"Gampaaaa!"

She was quick to wriggle her way into a position where she could throw her chubby little arms around his neck. Grandpa was big like Dada. Mama was big too, but not as big as they were. Mama was also pink like her and Tulan. Grandpa and Dada were the color of a newborn fawn, the same one from her picture book. They had hair like the sun.

"Gampa," Theya repeated. She pulled back a little and poked at his skin. "No pink?"

Grandpa was smart. He knew lots of stories and almost everything about Midvinter and the galaxy beyond. Though Theya had never traveled offworld, she'd heard him discussing other places with Mama and Dada. Coruscant, Kashyyyk, and Zeltros. Zeltros was where Gramma Joza lived; she was pink, too. Mama said that they would visit her someday soon.

Those large, dark eyes inherited from a woman she'd not met blinked up at Thurion.

"No?" she repeated in the high pitch of her curious little voice.

Tulan Heavenshield

 

[Tulan Heavenshield]

Grandpa laughed, as he was wont to do around his grandchildren. "That's because — because mommy's from space," Tulan chirped up with the little knowledge he had on the subject, idly chewing on his sleeve. "Mommy's from space and — and daddy's from here, so he's not pink." Grandpa smiled and sat down by the fireplace, Theya on his lap and Tulan quick to nuzzle into his side. The fur rug was soft and warm, not hard and cold like the wooden floorboards. As grandpa kicked off his boots, so did he.

"Well, you see," the elder started, choosing his words carefully that they would maybe understand. "This world we live on is just one of hundreds or thousands of worlds. Lots of them have people living there, but they don't all look the same. Some will look like me and daddy, but others will be blue, or green, or pink like you guys. Your mommy is from Zeltros, and most people born there have pink skin."

Grandpa held out his hand, weathered and scarred, resting Theya tiny pink one on top of it. "See? We're the same, only you're much prettier." Tulan too placed his hand on Grandpa's, measuring his against his baby sister's.

Thurion leaned down and kissed the top of Theya's head, then reached across to grab the old toy box — same one used by their father. Tulan crawled over and opened the lid, taking out a bunch of worn-out building blocks. Together, the three of them started building and playing, with the littlest one mostly smashing two together or chewing on them. Too big to fit inside her mouth, thankfully.

By the end, with toys strewn about the office, Grandpa was lying on the floor as happy as could be with both cubs curled up on top of him. Tulan traced one of his many scars with his fingertips. Grandpa nodded off, snoring lightly, making Tulan giggle.

Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Theya craned her little neck so that she could see Tulan. Whenever he spoke, she'd drop whatever she was doing - whether that be a toy or a spoonful of food - and snap her attention toward big brother.

Tulan was practically a grown up. He could use a fork and spoon by himself, and even drink out of a cup unassisted. Where Theya could toddle, Tulan could run.

"Sh…spaaaay-sss!" Sounding out the word space, Theya sought to repeat part of her brother's explanation.

Grandpa settled down onto the rug and began with his explanation. Large, dark eyes would remained fixed to Thurion's face as if his words held the key to a galactic mystery that had been unsolvable for many generations.

Theya liked it when grandpa talked. He had a calming voice and gentle disposition.

Were there really blue and green people out there? It seemed so strange to her, but that thought disappeared when Thurion placed her chubby pink hand atop his own. For a few moments, she went quiet in fascination as her other hand moved to sloppily trace his scars.

Did grandpa get hurt a lot?

Then Tulan put his hand on top of hers and she giggled. "Petty!" she cheered. Theya didn't know what pretty meant, but she'd gathered that it was something good. After all, papa said that word to mama a lot.

The attention of a toddler was a fickle thing. Once Tulan opened the toy box, the littlest Heavenshield was quick to wriggle off of her grandfathers lap towards the hand-carved blocks.

Eventually, playtime had worn grandpa out. Theya looked to Tulan, her cherubic face alight with laughter. Crawling her way onto the sleeping giant's chest, she retrieved a block, and haphazardly shoved it into the High King's mouth.

Tulan Heavenshield

 

[Tulan Heavenshield]

Grandpa shot up, knocking over the older sibling whilst coughing and gagging, spitting out the toy block Theya had so haphazardly inserted into his snoring gob. Instinctively, Thurion clutched the littlest cub to his chest as he shot up from his nap, catching his breath from the rude awakening. Tulan wasn't hurt, although he did feel embarrassed by his baby sister's prank and shot a disapproving glance at her.

Grandpa wasn't mad, however, and would simply hold Theya up to his face with an incredulous look. "Did you really just do that," he asked, soon charmed by her toddler ways. "Grandpa, you snored," giggled Tulan once he'd had time to process the hilarity of the situation, and he hugged the old man's thick arm.

The King looked back to Theya and nodded to himself. "Fair enough." With an effortless pull did he wrap the small boy around both shoulders before getting off the floor with Theya cradled against his chest, the older sibling laughing at silly grandpa. He was always funny to be around; though he loved his mother and father greatly, neither were as playful as his dear old grandfather, who was utterly merciless with himself in entertaining the little ones.

"It think we've all had enough of this stuffy old office, huh."

Tulan dangled his legs where he lay across his grandfather's broad shoulders, clinging to whatever he could get his hands on as Thurion carried them out of the royal chambers out into the vast throne room. The impossibly high ceiling with its rafters going in every which direction, from which were hung banners of every colour, each depicting an animal or crossed weapons or some such. Tulan didn't recognise most of them, but of course he instantly recognised the crowned lion displayed on the wall behind the throne.

Grandpa let out a sigh as he claimed it, allowing Tulan the chance to climb down to settle on his lap beside Theya.

"Oh, my dear children," he leaned back and stretched his legs. "You do make grandpa so very happy, you know that?" Thurion's tired smile widened at the sight of the littlest additions to his house settling on his lap. He looked to his right, finding the little podium upon which the crown rested on a cushion. Plucking it from its resting place, he jokingly placed the crown atop Tulan's head; much too small a fit, it would simply slide down to his shoulders where it resembled more a very jagged necklace.

Tulan shrugged at the discomfort, prompting grandpa to lift it off him. The boy then took it off him, sat up on his knees, and instead placed it upon his grandfather's head, thinking it fit him most excellently. Thurion did share his grandson's high opinion of himself, but went along with it for their sake.

"King Grandpa," Tulan declared proudly and hugged him.

Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

A few years later…

"Take that, Dire Wolf King!"

Despite her best efforts, Theya had not yet grown taller than her brother. Several times a year, the children would stand with their backs to the kitchen door frame as one of their parents marked their height. The littlest Heavenshield always stared intently at Tulan's latest notch, as if she could will her own legs to grow overnight. It didn't matter that mama always gushed about how much bigger she'd gotten since last time; she never caught up to her brother.

What she lacked in size, she made up for in determination.

Grasping a large stick with both hands, Theya took a wide swipe at Tulan. The unwieldy weapon had her moving slow, and much to her frustration, her attack was easily dodged.

"I said…take THAT, Dire Wolf King!"

Irritated, Theya's little pink face was already flushed. While generally good-natured, she became upset easily which often lead to outbursts. This time, she hefted the stick over her head, and brought it down upon her brother in a sweeping arc.

Again, she missed. Theya's cheeks puffed out - how was she supposed to become a warrior like papa if she couldn't fight well?

Tulan started to suggest that they take a break. He always went easy on her, and she knew it. His voice had been swallowed by the blood roaring in her ears, and with a cry of disappointment, Theya whipped the stick at him with all her might.

And it hit.

Any triumph she would've felt at finally being able to land a strike on her older brother was immediately drowned out by the sound of bark snapping against skin. There was no more Dire Wolf King, only Tulan. Horror drenched her expression and before she knew it, Theya was bolting away from the scene of the crime.

She moved as quickly as her little legs could carry her, darting into the family's barn where she clambered up the ladder and tucked herself into the furthest corner of the hayloft.

With her knees drawn into her chest, Theya wept softly, terrified that she'd not only hurt her brother beyond repair, but that she'd have to live a new life on the run.

Tulan Heavenshield

 

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

He'd felt the blow before it had even landed, dropping the reins of the plough and racing across the field at full speed, leaving his fellow farmers scratching their heads. Too late to stop it, he arrived just as Nida Heavenshield scooped their boy off the ground to cradle in her arms. Blood trickled down his pink forehead from a wound atop his skull, staining his blonde locks red. Tulan was still lucid however, if a bit concussed. He looked up at his father, unsure at what had just happened to him.

Thirdas knelt by his side, sharing a worried look with his wife whilst taking Tulan's hand. Too dazed to even register pain, he didn't cry or weep. "P-papa," he looked up at him. "W-where's Theya...?" Dad looked to Mom, assured she would see to him. Her skills at healing were second to none on the planet, save perhaps his father; there was no safer place for a child in need of medicine.

"Theya..."

He followed her little footsteps to the barn, finding her on the loft amongst bales of hay, weeping. He crawled to her on all fours so as to not frighten her into believing he came in anger, until sat before her with his arms wide. Catching her in a desperate embrace, Thirdas held her there for as long as could have asked for, letting her pour out her guilt and heartache in a flood of tears.

Dad sat with her for a long time, stroking her hair and whispering words of comfort.

"Nobody is angry with you, pup. Least of all your brother; his only worry was you." Cradling her, Thirdas leaned against a hay bale that he might rest his stiff back and stretch his legs, feeling today's hard work set in. "Tulan will be fine. A bump on the noggin, that's all. Must've been quite the epic duel, huh?"

A white lie, as Tulan likely would require a couple stitches and to wear dressing for a good while. Nothing the terrified child needed knowing at this moment. Inwardly, Thirdas mourned for her; he mourned the loss of innocence at causing another serious harm for the first time; me mourned knowing it would not be the last. Above all else, he recognised himself in her; how he'd come home with fresh bruises, knuckles bloodied from another frenzied fight with one of the bigger kids. How his own father would try but fail to understand. How his mother would console him...

Theya had experienced her first blood haze — that berserker state where the inner warrior is awoken, unable to be sated unless there is a violent outcome. Her father did understand, however. He would not leave her to figure it out for herself. He'd help her understand.

"You're a warrior, Theya," he told her, holding her in front of him and looking her in the eye. "In ways your brother is not. You may be small now, but you'll grow. When you are ready, I will be there for you; teach you to harness your strength, and channel that fury. I will make you better than me."

He knew this to be true, for she was also her mother's daughter.

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

When Tulan asked after his sister, Nida and Thirdas exchanged a look. A lot could be said without speaking. Their boy had been hurt, and yet his first instinct was to search for Theya. "Papa will find her," she soothed. Caressing her son's cheek, Nida carried him back to the house while her husband went after tiny foot prints.

"You'll be alright, my dear," she murmured whilst rubbing his back. "Let's see to that bump on your head."

Upon hearing her father's approach, Theya's head whipped upward in sheer panic. She threw herself into her father's arms and cried into his chest for so hard and so long that her tears had soaked through his tunic by the time she'd begun to calm down.

"R-really?" she squeaked, wiping her arm across her cheek. The salty tears had begun to sting her skin. "I...I didn't kill Tulan?" The littlest lion cub blinked up at her father in awe and relief. Theya still felt horrible for causing her brother harm, but at least he'd survive. Mama was good at healing her cuts and bruises, after all. "Y-you-" she hiccuped, "You a-aren't gonna make me live in the woods?"

Before her father had arrived, Theya had been juggling both the guilt of grievously wounding her brother, and the inevitable reality - to her developing mind - that her family would shun her. How would she manage without mama's cooking and papa's bedtime stories? What if she got sick? What if she was scared?

"We were playing warrior, an- and Tulan was the Dire Wolf King. I kept trying to hit him and I got so mad I couldn't hear anything…" Grateful that she wouldn't have to fend for herself in the woods, Theya snuggled back into her father's chest, clinging to his tunic. Occasionally, she'd let out a small hiccup against him. "I don't wanna feel mad," she said softly.

Papa's hands took a gentle hold of her tiny shoulders, and she looked up. There was something different in his gaze now. Still gentle, but discerning. He had the same eyes as her, dark and endless. From her grandmother Coci, he told her. She could still remember the profound sadness that overtook grandpa's face when she asked him where grandma Coci was, and why she never visited.

Theya still sniffled, but her eyes grew wide. "A...I'm a warrior?" That was all she'd ever wanted to be, really. A strong warrior like papa, who fought dangerous beasts and protected people.

Grandma Joza had gifted her a doll with pink skin and purple hair, just like her. A popular toy on Zeltros, Ella the Zeltron did not spend her time dressing in the latest fashions or going to parties. She went on arctic expeditions and used a spear – a twig – to fight monsters.

Her father's revelation put a spark into watery eyes. "Teach me to fight now!" she begged, raising her little fists. "I...I wanna fight monsters and bad guys like you, papa!"

Thirdas Heavenshield

 

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

Papa chuckled at the sudden burst of energy. What monster have we created, he thought humorously as he fit both her little pink fists in his palm and squeezed lovingly. The horror of one day sending his little girl off to fight was outdone by the pride he felt right then, watching her face light up with childhood dreams, mirroring his own at that age. He brought her fists to his lips and kissed her on the knuckles.

"One day, little cub," he tempered her expectations. "Let this moment be your first lesson. A true warrior does not fight because he can, but because he must. He fights to protect, or for their beliefs, or because it is right. The true test of a warrior is not knowing how to take a life, but when to spare them. There are plenty of madmen out there; eager for their next kill, ever on the hunt to prove themselves in front of others so they may gain a reputation. A true warrior already knows their worth and their qualities, and does not need to prove themselves to anyone but themselves."

Wisdoms he'd come to know later in life, when the thrill of the fight was long since drowned beneath a sea of blood, and the boast of an impressive kill was buried beneath a mountain of corpses whose faces he could still see as clear as day.

"One day, when you are old enough, I will teach you, my child. I will teach you how to use this," he pointed to her forehead, "then I will teach you how to use this," he clenched his metal fist. "You will grow tall as the trees, strong as the mountains, and beautiful as the sunset. And when you are ready, I will bask in the glory of your triumphs," he proudly declared, smiling wide.

"Theya Heavenshield, She-Wolf of the West," he cupped her cheek. "The greatest warrior the world has ever seen... and my precious daughter, forever in her daddy's heart." Amassing tears stung the corners of his eyes, knowing that the promise he'd made this day would set her down an irreversible path of danger and hardship. He knew it all too well.

He'd fanned the flames of her dream — now he must help her achieve it. To do anything less was unbefitting a father who loved his child.

Nida Heavenshield ​