The Day Time Stood Still [Thurion]

[Coci Heavenshield]

Midvinter​

​

The Coming of the Dawn​

​

​

​

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

Three years to the day, time stood still. And Eternity began.​

It is the day of their wedding anniversary and so Thurion and Coci travel back to Midvinter to celebrate this day once more. The Oathkeeper cut through the atmosphere and descended to a location secret to Coci. She had asked Thurion to remain in their quarters until they arrived, simply so she could surprise him with her gift. Curious as he was, he humoured her but she could sense his impatience, and she smiled. "T2 over there", she pointed not that the droid could see the direction, but she is excited and yet nervous.

The droid, along with her skill as pilot, landed the ship in the grass laden dale only five hundred meters from the gift. Coci had named the gift in accordance with Valkyri tradition, Himmel for Heaven and dal, old Runian for dale. She could not think of a more fitting name for the place, for their home in heaven.

The engines cut and began the cool down cycle, and Coci arose from the pilot seat. She walked the corridor to their personal quarters and entered. "We have arrived", she said to her love with a smile. Thurion is aware they travel to Midvinter, and is expecting to see the outskirts of Tháinbroek lay before his eyes when disembarking the ship, but what awaits him is nothing short of pure splendor. A vast mountain range stretching as far as the eye can see, snowed capped and the air crisp. It is spring once more, and the white flowers that adorned Coci's hair on this joyous day carpet the dal.

Coci embraced him, placing a kiss upon his lips before taking his hand. "Come on I want to show you something".

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion had humoured his wife when she'd asked him to remain in their private quarters while she brought them to this hidden location of hers. The rest of the family - Nina, Théo and Mysa - stayed behind in Tháinbroek with their grandfather. He was more than happy to care for his grandchildren and practically jumped at every opportunity. While awaiting their arrival, Thurion took some time to relax and tend to some minor wounds he'd sustained during the Battle of Ziost where he'd held the line against none other than Kaine Zambrano - the man who killed both Asha and Iella. He was conflicted about how to handle the situation; was he a coward for not trying to kill him when he had the chance? Does one life pay for another? Had he betrayed the memory of those dead by Kaine's hand by letting him go?

After some time spent meditating, he decided that he'd acted according to his Jedi beliefs. Had he struck Kaine down it would've been out of revenge, not justice. He went over to the sink and washed his face, then caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He froze when he noticed the face of Asha in the mirror, appearing behind him. About to say something, he was interrupted by the knock on the door. "Just a second," he told Coci before turning back to the mirror. Asha was gone.

He opened the door and was met by the smile of the woman he loved, and suddenly all was forgotten - the fears of failure swept away. Thurion took her by the hand and was led down the ramp into the cold of Midvinter, but the scenery was not at all what he had expected. Instead of the towering walls of the Valkyri capital there were mountains and patches of green where little white flowers grew. It's a pity spring does not last long on Midvinter. He looked over at Coci and smiled. "Beautiful..." he said, more so aimed at her than the stunning view. The two embraced and kissed each other, sharing some of their body heat in the process. "Lead the way," he told her.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

​

"Indeed, beautiful", but she too was not looking at the surroundings and reluctantly she pulled away from their embrace. "Just over that hill", she pointed with her free hand and lead Thurion up through the long grass and flowers.

There is a purity to Midvinter, like none she has ever experienced or seen in the galaxy. It is a place to heal the soul and get back to what it means to simply be sentient beings and not Jedi. The tickle of a soft breeze danced around them as they walked, the long grasses around them swaying with the currents and moved as if a giant hand gently brushed against the grass. The white flowers, enjoyed the moving air as nature intended, setting their pollen free to fill the landscape with aroma. Coci remembered the scent from her wedding day as the Elder placed the flowers in her hair before she left to walk toward her Thurion. All she could do, as they walked along in silence, was smile.

But there is a distance between them, she could sense it. The effects of war lingering within their souls and only time would help them both cope coupled with their love and care for one another. This day was not only for them to celebrate a day that will stay with them for eternity but to take stock and revisit their love. A love that will stand against the test of time and provide sucker for them when they are at their lowest. There is always one that is stronger than the other in a relationship, stronger to be able to withstand the rigors of life, and provide support to their loved ones, but even the strong, the strongest need a shoulder to rest their heads upon when they crumble.

Coci and Thurion are equal in this regard, in differing measure but each holds the other in protection, not only of their mind, body and spirit or love and caring but to simply be. Sometimes in the silence .. there is strength.

Just before Coci and Thurion reached the peak of the hill, she stopped and turned to face him. For a moment she regarded him, taking in all his features as if looking at him for the first time. She noticed a few more lines etched across his brow, the result of the demands of duty, not only of a Jedi but a Grand Master. The results of losses personal and for those lives lost to war or darkness. The constant vigilance against those that wish to harm not only the Silver Jedi, their extended family, but to them as well. The worry of their children as they grow up in a galaxy wrought with dangers, targeted because they are theirs. No doubt he would see the same in Coci's face. But even though time is marching across them, writing their story like a map on their skin, he is more handsome and beautiful than the day she first met him.

"I have a gift for you", she began softly as she moved closer to him. "Just over the other side of this hill, is a place for you, for us to come when we wish to escape". Yes they had Tabaqui, a place Coci loves equally but here on Midvinter, the blood joins the earth of the planet for the Valkyri and Thurion is one. This place is for him to come and be what he is, a warrior of ages. "I love you, now and beyond this life". Her hand reached up and caresses his cheek, playing with his beard and teasing the ends of his golden hair, she smiled as he watched her fingers play before returning her gaze to his eyes. Through her eyes, love issued.

She dropped her gaze and turned to walk hand in hand with Thurion to the peak, below them is the Dal and nestled there is Himmeldal.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The sight of their Midvinter retreat had him stop in his tracks in pure awe. He'd seen Valkyri architecture many times, and even tried to recreate it when building their home on Tabaqui. His imitation was nowhere close to the real deal, however. The walls and doors were thick of Midvinter wood, as well as insulated to keep the cold out and the heat from seeping out. A large observation tower accompanied the back of the house where one could stay for hours and marvel at the stunning view. Balconies, a basement, an attic... They'd thought of everything.

"Coci, this is... It's amazing!" He turned to his wife and grabbed hold of her, wasting no time in kissing her. "You are amazing..." he marvelled as he gazed into her loving eyes. "I suspect our father had a hand in this?" he added, knowing the answer. Thrand was not the sort to refuse his loved ones, after all. "I love you, now and beyond this life", he echoed her wedding vows.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

​

She could have stood atop the hill forever. Just the two of them standing alone with nothing around them to displace their minds, she only had him in her thoughts, "I am pleased you like it", she said softly enough for the dancing wind to take her words. Coci moved into him, and wrapped her arms around his waist before laying her head on his chest. Her eyes looking at the home, and she could them. All the children running around the house playing, Thurion dressed in fur, sitting watching them, laughing as they delight in the peace.

"I designed it, but your father helped with everything else. I am not the carpenter you are", she lifted her gaze to his and smiled. Suddenly she pulled away, her smile beaming and she pulled his hand to come.

"Come on, let me show you inside", pulling him along and with the slope of the hill, the two began to run with a sense of freedom only lovers know. This moment was joyous.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

His arms found their way around her back as they embraced each other. "I love it," he whispered into her ear. "And I love you. Thank you for this, Coci." Resting his chin atop her head while they both gazed towards their Midvinter home, Thurion relished this moment of complete peace. They were needed after having fought wars, to mend the soul from tearing itself apart. His love for his family was what kept him in check during these times. His love for Coci who had been there for him since their first night together.

She led him closer to the abode, but before they entered Thurion stopped and held her once more, this time scooping her off the snowy ground and into his arms. "I never got to carry you over the threshold on our wedding night," he told her while nuzzling his nose into her neck, moments before his lips found hers. Kissing his wife, he proceeded to step inside the Valkyri home, but misjudged the height of the threshold itself. He tripped, landing with his back against the hardwood floor, Coci still in his arms. At first there was a look of shock on his face, not having really realised what had just happened. Then he began to laugh.

"I guess now we know why I shouldn't," he said once the initial wave of laughter had died down.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The moment of rapture was only replaced with another as she lay on top of him. Coci had not expected him to scoop her up, nor the result of it, but she too laughed .. "Have I grown that heavy?", she smiled down into his face, knowing she had not, but it seemed fitting somehow, that the two stumble through life together. Always, they find the means to see the best of a situation, even in darkness, when it descends upon them, around them. They always draw on their love for one another, to bring them back to peace within each other's company.

"Are you alright?", she suddenly asked now worried Thurion had hurt himself. Looking down into his face, only inches away from him her hand reached out to touch him caressing his cheek above the beard line and she lowered to place her lips to his. Although she wanted nothing more than to remain, the house was cold inside and needed their action of warm it. "Come lets light the fires", she said in a whisper. "Our home needs to be filled with love and warmth and will remain that way forever".


Coci stood, and reached out her hand for him to take so she could assist the man she loves to his feet. "After the fires are lit I can show the rest of the place. And when done I will fix you a bath and wash away your worries".

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

He chuckled as she laid atop him on the floor. "I'm alright, love." He looked up into her sparkling black diamonds for eyes and raised a hand to brush away her dark hair falling around her face. Then they kissed, removing all but her from his mind. By the Force and all the gods, did he love her!

She got up and helped him get back on his feet. Her promise of a bath sent a tingling sensation through his being, a sense of longing for what was to come. Perhaps it was a lasting trait of having grown up on Pelagon that he loved water so much, or perhaps it was as simple as him looking forward to spending time with the woman he loved. Perhaps it was a mix of the two.

Thurion stepped towards the cold fireplace and found a pile of dry, chopped wood nearby. No doubt they'd need more as time went on, but these would suffice for now. Trees were abundant in the area and on Midvinter in general, with her deep forests consisting of the tallest trees imaginable. One whole tree could sustain them for months. Getting down on his knees to set the firewood into place, he lit the fire using the simple but always effective flint and steel common to the Valkyri people.

"There we go," he told Coci and got back up, already feeling the warmth of the fire working miracles. The house took on a whole new colour as it was lit up, really putting the fine Valkyri craftmanship on display. Looking up at the ceiling there were carvings detailing the Battle of a New Dawn, in which Thrand had successfully reclaimed his birthright with the help of his son and his then-fiancée.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

As Thurion readied the hearth for fire, Coci went to the kitchen to set the fire ablaze in the open oven, the warmth of which would feed the rooms above, their bedrooms. The kitchen is appointed with all manner of wares for food preparation mostly of the style of Midvinter. A large long table graced the center of the room used for chopping or baking. The larder is packed full of smoked meats, some preserved in cloth which hung from hooks from the ceiling. There is fish laid on ice for the evening meal and baskets of fruits and vegetables from the harvest. Coci placed a large kettle over the flames to boil water for her hot drink, and for other uses if required and yet a scent of something familiar caught her attention and she turned to see a vase full of the white flowers that adorned her hair. Thrand, she thought with a smile, knowing he would have not missed this detail. And she allowed her fingers to gently caress a petal remembering that joyous day.

Returning to the main room, just in time to hear her beloved proclaim the hearth had been lit. She watched him from the door way looking up into the high ceiling, her eyes followed. Although she knew of the design set within the wood work, she had not seen it until now. Coci walked toward Thurion slowly as she marveled at the artistry equally. As she near him, her arm linked into his and she stood taking it all in.

The rooms was soon filled with warmth, the floor lined with thick furs to keep out the draft, which lay by the hearth. "It is remarkable", she said softly referring to the carvings. And she remained for a moment longer.

"Come with me", she said removing her arm only to take his hand. Coci lead Thurion through their home along a hall way, before she stood them both before a door. She turned to smile before opening the heavy door and before them is the bathing room. In the center of the room, is a large bath carved from the rock on which the house is built. Feeding the bath is hot springs issuing up from the bowels of the mountains which surround them. As soon as Coci opened the taps, steam formed around them and covered the large windows in vapour. As the bath began to fill, Coci poured lightly scented oils in the water, "Undress for me". Her eyes softened upon her husband.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The bathroom looked magnificent, with the bath itself carved from the very mountain the House stood on. As soon as she turned on the tap the room became hot and humid. No risk of ever receiving a cold shower, that's for sure. When her request - no, demand that he undress before her, Thurion did his best to look surprised. Nevertheless, he did as asked, removing his jacket and tossing it aside. When it came to removing his shirt, however, he hesitated slightly. Many of the wounds sustained from his fight with Kaine still littered his battered body.

Still, he pulled his shirt over his head and let it fall to the floor. He then unbuckled his belt and removed his pants as well. Now stood totally naked before his beloved, what vigor he'd started out with had all but disappeared. His eyes looked tired and he found it hard to smile. The same happened after the battle of Midvinter; all the fatigue and realisations came crashing back. It was during these times that he truly needed Coci to be by his side.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He could not hide no more, his brave face throughout the evening only a mask to shroud what truly lay beneath, as his smile vanished. Their force bond most powerful, reveals the truth of it, he is in pain, both physically and emotionally and her heart broke. Thurion stands in front of her naked on all levels and now Coci would mend her greatest love as best she can. The war always takes a toll, those that die are lost to us forever with their physical presence torn from the galaxy, but those left behind remain to morn the loss, but it is the way war manifests that kills the soul. The ripped bodies, blood that corrupts the ground and it runs freely from those cut down and pain, much pain. War reminds us all why we exist, not only as Jedi but as beings trying to survive a galaxy constantly at odds, the war between dark and light makes any being of good conscious question their purpose, why they must rent others in pieces to bring peace or freedom or justice. Even Coci questions her processes, the Jedi and their ways. It is natural to do so, one must in order to find a way back and to fight another day.

Standing before her is the most important person in the galaxy, and he needs her. Without a word, Coci began to undress, each layer allowed to drop where she stands, until she is in nothing but her undergarments, her eyes never leaving his but her face remains soft. She knees beside the bath and places a hand within the steaming water to test for comfort. The aroma of the oils filling her senses, the minerals from the springs ready to work upon tried limbs and skin. Satisfied, she stands and walks to her beloved. It is now she allows her eyes to take in his body, from his tried face, his chest arms and legs. The wounds of the war will mend but it is his heart and soul she will attend to. As she neared him her hands reach for his, she takes them both and walks backward toward the bath.

"Enter the waters my love", she whispers. "and I will wash you", she gathers the sponge and prepares it with oil before placing it down on the edge of the bath. It is now she removes her undergarments and enters the waters beside him. Hot at first until the body adjusts, her skin reacts and turns pink but the heat, oils and minerals begin to work and she calms. Coci submerges, her long black hair floating atop the surface of the water fanning out, before she surfaces once more to stand before him waist deep, the oils of the water glistening over her body.

She reaches for the sponge and encouraging him to turn for her, Coci begins to wash his shoulders, squeezing the sponge to allow the waters to run over him. Her attention without fault, she soothes his head, his golden hair clinging to his face as water runs over the contours of his features, Coci moves until she is in front of him. One hand washing with oils, the other caress him with the touch of love. Her eyes find every wound, bruise and cut, they are followed by the gentle touch of her fingertips as the force flows through them into his body to heal.

But there is only one thing that will sooth his soul, and Coci nears him until her breasts are pressed against his chest and her warm red parted lips are placed upon his. No words are spoken, they are not needed as her love pours unbridled through her kiss.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

He could never find the words to describe his love for [member="Coci Heavenshield"], or her stunning beauty. It amazed him every time he laid eyes on her form, naked or no. Even now with his spirit broken did he marvel over just how lucky he was to have someone like her at his side. His skin crawled and tingled as he dipped his feet in the bath, getting accustomed to the hot water. It didn't take long for him to find himself at the centre of the bath, water surrounding his waistline.

Allowing his beloved to wash his battered and bruised body, Thurion followed her gentle motions with his sapphire eyes as the sponge soothed his wounds, old and new alike. Keeping silent, he embraced his wife when she pressed her lips against his. The warmth of her body did more for him than the hot bath could ever hope to accomplish. When the kiss ended he rested his chin on her shoulder, his bearded cheek caressing hers. "I don't deserve you, Coci. I look at you and I still cannot believe you are real." He pulled away from the close embrace to gaze upon her beautiful face.

"Every day I wake up next to you is the best day of my life," he told her, even managing an honest smile.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

As he rested against her, Coci held him close allowing his words to mend her soul. This is what she needs to heal, to hear his voice and each word he speaks remains in her heart to be kept there forever. They are words she recalls in times of need, when the night falls and they are apart, her mind and spirit takes her to him. Distance is of little consequence when all she has to do is close her eyes and bring his image to her mind. But now here in his arms, as they seek solace within each other, Coci drifts off to the place she loves the most, the safety of his arms.

"I am real, and I am yours. And we deserve each other, why would we not be allowed to love as strongly as we do? two souls that want for nothing save love? No Thurion you deserve as much love as I can give you, and you have all of it. Each day, and each night are the best days for us both". She turns her head to rest against his shoulder.

There was not telling how long they stood there in each others company, allowing the waters to seep through their skin and deep into their bodies. But time stood still, once more, just like the day they wed and the days that follow there after.

Eventually Thurion and Coci, left the bathing room and walked arm in arm to the central hearth, they lay each other down on the furs to dry their bodies before folding the thick dark pelts around them to spend the night as one.

fin​

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​