When The Moon Got In My Eyes [Thurion]

[Coci Heavenshield]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcx763T22wQ&list=PLBehDmr7eAaFVT9Ppu-zNeQTaOx-EBgCj​

​

Midvinter
Fridheim

4.00am - Blood Moon

There was nothing in this galaxy that was more beautiful an the early morning mists that rose up from the lake, shrouding the city in its cool layer and the damp settled on all the trees, grasses and the houses. Fridheim was awake tonight, no one was abed as the coming of the blood moon was something that they had not seen in generations, even the elders were sitting in a prime position on top of the cliffs to see it, they had only ever heard their parents speak of this event. Children ran the streets, excited to be awake at this hour, and some did not even care as to why, there was a festive mood tonight and it was easy to get caught up in it.

Coci and Thurion had returned to Fridheim after the Great Ruinous Battle, still very much fatigued by the ordeal and Thurion was still mending from his wounds. But there was nothing like this, to heighten the spirits and allow them both to take their minds of the horror for a while. The coming of the blood moon was a welcomed relief.

Coci carried a basket filled with food and warm drinks at least for herself, but Thurion was not forgot, he would find a flask of blue milk among the fare. He had the bundle of furs packed under his arms and soon the pair would find their place among the crowd to witness the celestial event. She yawned as they walked and giggle after it, not used to being up this late and of course they are both reaching the phase in their lives in which they are older, and hopefully wiser for it.

"When we get back home, I am so sleeping in". She said linking her arm through his as they walked. At that moment shadows passed over the light of the moon, and Coci raised her gaze upward to see the silhouette outlines of the gryphons delighting in all the fuss and enjoying to full moon which provide much light this night. Skywalker and Cloudancer among them, along with all their family .. all grown up now.

She snuggled into his side as they walked, seeking comfort and warmth and simply enjoying their time together, something that had long been lacking of late. "I love you, you know", she whispered as they entered the softly lit streets.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

It was good to be home.

Following the funeral feast in Averlorn and subsequent ascension of their beloved father, everyone went their separate ways; Thyrian led his men back to Tháinbroek where his queen and their children anxiously awaited his return, yet his firstborn did not join him, preferring to remain among the elves and the Princess Ióunn for the time being. Théodred journeyed north at his king's request, having asked to become more involved in serving his people. There would be much for the two to discuss, as Midvinter needed to prepare for the inevitable return of the Ruinous Host. Nina, who had recovered from her injuries after a full day's rest, and her littlest brother Thirdas, who had snuck aboard the train of carts heading for the capital when the call to arms had been made, were both transported to Fridheim to await their parents' arrival.

It was only days since the battle took place, and Thurion found himself struggling with knowing what to do with himself. There had been many casualties, and those who had made it back home alive were in dire need of medical attention. But he found it difficult to perform his work as a healer; his own wounds were still not fully mended, and the loss of his eye meant he'd lost much of the precision required. Moreover, he was just tired. His defeat at the hands of the Crone had not only left its marks upon his body, but also wounded a pride he did not know he had until now. All of these combined had paved the way for depression to take root and fester inside him.

Despite all this however, Thurion was truly happy to be home again, and that all his loved ones were safe and sound. It was they who kept him cheerful, albeit perhaps not with the same enthusiasm as he used to possess. "Speak for yourself," he replied with a soft smile as they strolled arm-in-arm. "I'm half-asleep already. But a blood moon only comes around every couple hundred years or so - if we miss it now we'll never get another chance." Clutching the bundle of furs under his left arm, they made for the nearby lake where people were gathering for a very late-night picnic... or perhaps a very early breakfast?

"No more than I love you," he held her tighter to him as they wandered, placing his lips upon her forehead for a gentle kiss. As the family of gryphons soared overhead, he let out a chuckle. "Their young are getting ready to leave the nest," he told her. "They will head out in search of others of their kind, to every corner of Midvinter. Allowing Skywalker and Cloudancer room to give birth to another litter of cubs." It would seem their kind would survive extinction after all, gods be good.

The two found a spot by the lakeside and laid their furs out on the ground, and Thurion wasted no time collapsing in its warmth. Before Coci could even start unpacking her basket he grabbed hold of her to lay on top of him for a snuggle. It was dark and cold outside, the only light coming from the red moon glowing bright in the night sky. Despite the festivity of the occasion, Thurion's face turned solemn as he looked up into her eyes. "I just need to hold you for a while," he said. "To make sure you won't go away..." He still struggled to maintain eye contact with her, or people in general, since his injury. It was akin to a child shying away in embarrassment or out of plain shyness.

He raised a hand to her face, letting his fingertips graze her skin from her cheek to her lips and down to her chin. "You have made me happy for so many years, my Coci. I can't afford losing you."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

They had lost so many in the war, the Westmark had not come away from it lightly and many of the Dawnguard had given the ultimate sacrifice in defense and service to Midvinter. Nothing was lost to them, the Heavenshield had seen this devotion to duty for many many years, not only here but with the Silver Jedi and not one death ever goes forgotten. She too suffered for this, and kept it to herself but Coci was able to help out and Eirin's Reach is stretched to its limits. Every bed was full, and the green house struggled to keep up with demand. Thurion did what he could, so did she, but they had to reply on others and their ability to help those in need of healing. Coci ability was good, and could assist in the less injuries, but anything outside her capacity, it was Thurion that would step in. But not these days and she knew so well, to know why.

Foregoing the unpacking of the food, Thurion soon had her right where he wanted her and she could never deny this man she loves so tenderly. As he held her close, "If we go, we go together", she said of fate and it cruel hand. Coci leaned down and kiss him tenderly, her love never far from her heart and through her lips upon their touch she poured all her caring and love. The gathering crowd around them, busy with their own activities, paid the two little attention, because the knew the Heavenshields had been through an ordeal, and needed time to recover and to themselves. Although some of the children could not keep back curiosity but their parents soon shooed them away.

His state of mind was more of a concern to her, she could sense his disquiet through their bond and that worried her more. Thurion was facing a new phase in his life, he had to try and discover a new way in which he could useful again and although she could help, she has the ability to do so, Coci knew that it would be best to come from another. Lord knows that any time they tried to train it would turn into something more .. personal.

"You know .. there is another way", she looked down into his eyes as she turned his face back to meet her gaze, "Don't .. don't shy away from me", she spoke gently. The scars of the hag still raw to the skin and his eye lost in a cloud of white, but regardless of this he was still her handsome husband. "There is someone we both know, that has the answer for you. Someone that has trained in 'seeing', beyond the capacity of the use of the physical, he trained in it from a very early age and is now so strong it is frightening". She looked at him with mock sense of awe, although her intent most serious.

"Maybe it is time for you to journey once your strength has returned to do so, and the answers you will find .. are in the Northmark". She smiled but her words deliberate referring to Théo, who has the ability through the force to use it to see everything, it is a much truer sight than the physical which can be deceived. "Thirdas, Nina and myself will be fine if you wish to go visit our son", and the Gods know he could probably do with a distraction himself. For he too, still suffers. "Think about it".

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion was hesitant to meet her gaze at first, but didn't take long to feel reassured by her tender words. She always knew exactly what to tell him during his moments of doubt, of which there had been numerous since the day they got married, and he thanked the Force and the gods every day for her existence. When she kissed him he returned it two-fold; although they had spent virtually all their time together since their recovery in Averlorn, Thurion could not shake the imagery he experienced during his long hours of unconsciousness. He'd been alone and trapped in a hellscape, no doubt a vision implanted by the Hag Goddess as she ripped into his flesh. It was truly terrifying and not of this world. Now that he was alive and awake, he found that only Coci's presence was able to soothe him. But the memory would never leave him.

"You are my strength, Coci. My greatest love, and my dearest friend," he whispered for her ears only, meaning every word. He then nodded softly and mustered a gentle smile. "I'll think about it. For now, though..." he stole a kiss from her warm lips just as a low rumble could be heard between their bodies. "...I think we better keep the beast sated." He gave her wink with his left eye - a gesture he'd been forced to learn recently. Closing his right eye would render him blind, if only for that brief moment, and he did not wish to miss a single moment of her.

Helping his wife with the plates and food, he immediately laid eyes on the bottle of blue milk intended just for him. This did much to brighten his mood and he crawled over on all fours to place a big kiss on her cheek as thanks. Uncorking it he then proceeded to take a few gulps straight from the bottle, ending with a loud "aah" followed by a chuckle. Overhead the family of gryphons soared, and with a few last cries the young would depart one by one, heading off in different directions until there were only Skywalker and Cloudancer left. "It's going to be a lot quieter up in the eyrie for a while," he said, half-glad and half-sad of the fact. Himself and Coci had of course experienced the same feeling when Théo had become self-sufficient, before Thirdas entered the picture. It is hard for a parent to let go of the people you spend the best years of your life caring for.

As the pair dug into their picnic meal, they were soon joined by their respective animal companions who swooped in at their sides, prompting the people closest to give them some space. But these were not the same proud gryphons the people were used to; their shoulders were slumped and their heads held low, and there were no shrieks to announce their presence. Instead Skywalker and Cloudancer just lay down beside him and Coci, placing their large, feather-covered heads in their laps, along with a mournful purr. "Aww, buddy," he petted between Skywalker's ears and under his chin where he liked it the most. "They'll be alright. And so will you."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She bit on a piece of cheese from the local Smör factory, one of her most favourite places on Midvinter, she had spent much longer there than usual simply because Eva had wanted for all the news of what had happened over in the Crownlands, and Thurion. She had a thing for Thurion. But her cheese was to die for, so smooth and rich and it went well with anything.

As the thud of the two gryphons sounded beside them both, Cloudancer looked at her questioningly eyes flicking to the cheese. “Here you go”, Coci threw is in the air for her to catch in her large peak. Skywalker was sad, his cubs all grown up now and venture alone into the world of Midvinter. Coci hoped as well, that they would find others and perpetuate the breed. But there was a look in Cloudancer’s eyes that told her it would not be long before a new litter of cubs would keep them all busy.

“Hmm, I am not so sure about that”, something told her, her companion was brooding again, she ruffled the feather fur of Cloudancers neck as she delighted in her piece of cheese. An eruption of excite burst outward as the crowd around them pointed to the sky, toward the moon. The eclipse had begun, as Midvinter passed between the moon and Sun.

Coci moved over to Thurion and rested her head on his shoulder, and placed her arm about his waist and sat enjoying the event. For a moment they just sat in silence, as the eclipse progressed. However, something was eating at her, she knew Thurion was keeping something from her. “You have a troubled mind Thurion”, she took her gaze away from the moon to look at her husband. “What is it? What do you see”.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] ​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion joined the others in gazing upwards as the crimson eclipse had begun, and for a brief moment shared in their awe. But he soon lowered it once more, still caressing Skywalker's head in his lap. Instead he stared straight ahead at nothing at particular, an unfocused gaze as a plethora of thoughts had him preoccupied even as his wife tried to get through to him. "Coci, I..." he tried to speak, looking down at his right hand trembling like it had back in Averlorn, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. It came and went as it pleased. Only now did he turn his head to meet her gaze, his eyes filling with tears. "I feel... broken," he told her with a look of utter despair and confusion.

By now Skywalker had repositioned himself to lay beside his mate, allowing Thurion to bury his face in her shoulder as he sobbed. "I'm sorry," he said repeatedly, trying again and again to staunch the flow of tears. "I don't know what's wrong with me..." His arms clinged to her, grabbing hold of her and never wanting to let go. Wiping his face against the fabrics of her shoulder he managed to regain some composure, but still he held onto her for dear life.

"Where is everyone?" he then whispered past her ear. "Where's Iella, or Maya, or... or Connor? Where is anyone?" Suddenly he was filled with such longing for a time long gone, and the faces gone along with it. All their friends and colleagues either dead or lost, with just the two of them remaining. It struck him that all he had left was his family, and chief among them was the woman he held so tightly. A few remaining tears crawled their way down his cheek and wetted his beard. "I'm sorry," he said once more. "I didn't want to sour the festivities. I'll go."

But he found it impossible to go anywhere, for Coci would not let him.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

For as long as she could remember, for countless years, both Thurion and herself had fought against the injustices of the galaxy in which ever capacity they held and eventually all that takes a toll. To witness constant death and destruction on world after world, eats at the soul and the demand that places on it, will one day collapse under the weight of it. Today was that day for Thurion, she realised this as she turned to her husband with growing concerning as the force bond swelled with emotion of desperation.

She listened to him, her arms finding their way around him to pull him closer to her, but she remained silent for now, letting him vent and cry in her arms. Words did not seem adequate in a time like this, there would be, nor could there be, weight to them. Coci would not allow him to leave, not alone anyway and she cared little for what was happening around her, the only thing that mattered, and always did, was Thurion.

The injuries to his physical being was nothing compared to the state of mind he was in, “There is nothing wrong with you”, there wasn’t, this reaction was normal given the circumstances, “I would be more worried if you held no reaction for what you have had to do. Not just in the battle, but over a life time”. He had always been the strong one, always there for those that suffered from the aftermath of participating in war.

It would be her turn to be there for him, to take the burden of it on her shoulders to help him. And this was going to take some time to heal, far longer that a broken bone or scar. These scars are deep cut and go right to the core. As regards to Connor and Maya, Ella and all the friends that now have gone, it was difficult to answer. Why had they lived? When so many of their good friends had not, or had begun to walk an entirely different path from which neither Coci nor Thurion could pull them back?

“They remain with us through our thoughts, even the likes of Connor .. we remember him the way he was and love that memory of him. Where they go, what they do, is not for us to determine .. they do that for themselves”. Coci suddenly let go of him and quickly packed the remaining food and gathered the fur on which they sat.

“Come on, lets get out of here. We can see the blood moon well enough from the hill”, she nodded toward the path toward the eyrie. But it was not the wanting of see the blood moon she sort, but to get him alone and away from prying eyes. And to try and help her beloved Thurion begin to find his path back to peace.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

As she spoke Thurion listened, still clinging to her like a child would his mother, and while they did soothe his mind a bit there still remained much doubt in him. Much of it was in himself. Ever since he set out on his own, leaving the Silent Temple on Teth to travel the galaxy, he'd been concerned only with the wellbeing of friend and stranger alike without ever stopping to think about himself. One can only give so much of themselves before one runs out, and with recent events he'd finally reached his limit. He felt he had nothing more to give.

But whereas he'd been the rock upon which many had leaned, Coci had always been his rock. All these years she'd supported him in whatever cause he found worthy, from becoming Grandmaster of the Silver Jedi to a lord of Midvinter. Though none of these events had been a conscious decision on his part, it would seem fate would not allow the two to ever fade into obscurity but rather keep placing them in some sort of spotlight. It was a life he'd never wished for, but his sense of duty - first to the Order and later his people - would not let him decline any honour bestowed upon him. If he could be of use to his people by leading them, then so be it.

They made it up the hill overlooking the gathering of people down by the lake, and Thurion already felt better. Like he could breathe again. But as they were not far from the eyrie, rather than lay down on the cold ground once more he now took her by the hand and led her inside the tower, up the winding stairs to where the gryphons made their home. There was hay strewn all over the place, for as their cubs had grown they also required more space. Fortunately the room was large and they were able to utilise the entire floor. There were no walls on either side, meaning they could take off whenever and however they liked.

"This seems like a good spot," he said and grabbed hold of her, swooping her off her feet only to toss her into the sea of hay, only to dive in himself. He pounced her and rolled around with her, laughing and kissing her again and again. Only once they'd finally settled in each other's arms did he speak next. "I love you, Coci. You are my one true safehaven." His nose touched hers and he gazed longingly into her eyes, still the same after all these years. "You are just as beautiful as when I saw you sat across from me in that shuttle," he told her, reminiscing about their first real meeting before they spent the night in that cave. Removing a few strands of hay caught in her hair, he leaned in for another deep kiss of passion.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

It was far from over she knew that, his state of mind would take time to heal to a point in which he would not feel the weight of duty upon his shoulders. It was the reason she had taken up the mantle of Grand Master for the Dawnguard, he had done his duty in that regard and she was happy to shoulder the burden of it. Although Thurion would always be there to help her, give her guidance whenever she needed it, it was ultimately down to her. But she could feel that even in these moments, in the walk to the eyrie he had brightened which was a good start.

She hesitated at the top of the hill, prepared to settle their things on the ground when he urged to go up into the nest, she followed him for the most part until suddenly she was swept off her feet and into his arms, this was an even better sign to her, his playfulness returning and his passion of life and loving.

Coci smiled as she let out a squeak of delight as she landed in the hay only to be set upon by Thurion, it was a moment of pure joy for the two, to be able to have a moment in which to forget everything and she kissed him hard with all her love.

“And you, my Thurion. I will love you until the end of time”, he would always be her handsome Thurion no matter what life would throw at the both, all of that did not matter, the only thing that did was that he was there next to her taking each step together. She rolled them both until he was atop her, and Coci reached for his clothing tugging at them to rid him of them.

The only witness to their display of love for each other, would be the blood moon.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​