Sunflower

Set Me Free {Love Dove&Sunflower}

Wonderful post!

I've been good and you?

Their Younger Years (Magic&Sunflower)

“Yeah we’ll be safe, Uncle!” Fili said after finishing his mouthful of pastry, it was well known that Thorin had to answer to his sister when it came to the safety of his nephews. But the boys had promised their mother that they would be safe, that they’d always come back to her. Fili loved his mother and would never go back on his promise but he wanted to go on an adventure, one that would test his skills and craft him into someone like his uncle. Fili looked up to his uncle greatly, Thorin was someone that he wanted to be like…although…not so much in the moody department, Fili was much more talkative than his uncle.

Dis watched her boys from across the table where she sat with her brother. Both boys were excited, they always looked forward to hunting with their uncle, or just when Thorin would take them to do something. She smiled as she ate quietly. It was a joy when her boys looked so happy. “Don’t eat too fast,” she warned, “or you’ll choke on your food.” She always worried that her boys would choke. Fili was on his third pastry by the time his mother decided to pack a lunch for the three of them. She packed a few pastries, one for each of them, a few biscuits, some cheese, dried meat and apples. It was quick, simple and easy for when they were hunting.

She packed the food into a soft leather bag before setting it aside and heading back into the kitchen. She kissed the tops of her sons’ heads. “I have to run a few errands, if you decide to leave before I get back please clean the kitchen.” She asked her brother before slipping on her boots and tugging a shawl around her shoulders before leaving with an empty woven basket in hand.

Fili wiped his mouth on one of the cloth napkins that had been laid out on the table. “So uncle, were will be we going?” he asked curiously. They had been to many places in the forest and he was hoping that they would go to somewhere new. He liked the old hunting spots but Fili was just as adventurous as his brother Kili, and almost as reckless but being the older brother meant he couldn’t just charge head on into things like Kili could. He needed to keep his brother safe after all.

Star Crossed (Sunflower and Tsubasa)

Kalon and Loria looked at each other before nodding. They would allow the Princess to lead a semi-normal life but war did not discriminate and at the earliest signs that the invading army was drawing near, they would leave. For now the gardens were a safe place. Loria’s eyes focused on the Graceling made and she smiled, bowing ever so slightly. She had never spoken to the maid but she often asked of her, hardly anyone knew anything about the maid graced with speed. Perhaps later Loria and Kalon could talk with the maid, if she was indeed graced with speed then she would be more than able to help protect the Princess. “Alright Princess,” Kalon said they had stayed close to the doors. Kalon removed his hand from his sword, as it had become a habit over the years, before turning on his heel and leaving the room with his sister following behind.

“Have you had any visions today?” He asked her, she would need to report to the King soon enough but Kalon would have liked to been informed of any visions. Loria shook her head, “Sorry brother but it doesn’t work like that.”

He would never understand that she could not call a vision nor could she control when they came. They were unpredictable and showed many different things. Last week she had seen a marriage proposal for one of the Princes of Lenid, the island kingdom to the west. The week before that she had witnessed a soon to be born baby that would grow sick within its first month of life. Her visions did not stop at the borders of Wester. In every kingdom there were things and she could see them. Loria was the first to not be driven insane by the visions. Others like her, graced with the same gift, had a horrible knack for getting visions of death almost every day and those were the ones that had taken their own lives. She knew that eventually she could meet the same fate as they did, it never left her mind.

It had been a long road to where they were now. Kalon’s training had been started when he was a young boy, barely eight years old. His sister had been under the care of the king since she was but a baby, so the two never grew up with each other as their childhoods were almost non-existent but that didn’t stop them from getting to know each other. Now as adults they were as close as they could be which in all honesty wasn’t that much. They did talk frequently and they would often make time just for talking to one another but they did not talk of their childhoods nor did they talk about their dreams for the future. Knights could have wives and children but it was frowned upon because they were often out at war. Gracelings were another game entirely, they were feared and hated.

They walked behind the Princess quietly. Kalon kept an eye out for any signs of things that would go wrong and his sister hummed lightly to herself.

(My next post will be longer)

Set Me Free {Love Dove&Sunflower}

Okay :3

Set Me Free {Love Dove&Sunflower}

Alright :)
The guards being changed could be because the King and Queen have caught word that the current guard is friendly with the werewolf.

Set Me Free {Love Dove&Sunflower}

So sorry it took so long. This post is really short because I was beginning to blank.

Set Me Free {Love Dove&Sunflower}

He did not know her name, or who she was for that matter but Isard had a faint idea that she was the Princess. He watched her pass and faintly he remembered a curious child who had ventured too close to his cage for the comfort of the Queen. There was little joy to be found when one’s life was spent wasting in a cage but that child had shown Isard that not all were like the King and Queen—some simply did not know the dangers that many had labeled him with. True Isard would gladly kill any human that got too close to his cage but there were some like the guard sitting before his cage that he could come to find saint like and without prejudice. The man knew that Isard could harm him but he chose to lean with his back against the cage like there was nothing going to harm him.

”That was the Princess,” the guard said to him, ”I wonder why she always looks at your cage? What does she see, do you think she’s like her parents and sees nothing in this cage?” His comment made Isard’s eye twitch but he knew that he meant well. Usually it was the guard doing all of the talking, rarely did Isard ever speak.

”You tell me.” Isard’s voice was deep and rumbling, much like one would expect of him.

The guard looked over his shoulder with a slight grin, “I dunno…she might see differently than her parents.” If the guard were to be caught speaking ill of the King and Queen it spelled death, no matter what. Isard knew at least one other guard had met his fate like that. ”I don’t see an empty cage. I just see someone who wants to go home…” he admitted.

There was a snort of bitter laughter, ”I have no home. This damned cage has been my prison for thirty years.”
The guard’s eyes widened, he didn’t know that Isard had een there for that long. ”How old are you then?” He had never been able to get Isard to speak this much before and he had so many questions to ask and—

”Fifty-one.”

Fifty-one? He looked just a few years older than the guard so how?

”I age differently than you do. By your standards I am somewhere in my twenties.” he shrugged, ”I’ve been about that age…in your human years, for quite a long time.” Isard fell quiet, he had spoken too much but he didn’t feel as guilty about it. The simple guard seemed curious and it was refreshing to the man in the cage. He had grown used to harsh scowls, slurs and even beatings on the bars of his cage or injections at random times.

The guard unleashed many other questions, Isard answered only a few of them but the guard seemed to be enjoying their semi-one sided conversation.

Star Crossed (Sunflower and Tsubasa)

Kalon had dozed off during the night for when he woke in the morning his sister was laughing as she pointed out his hair that was partially plastered to his skull. “You seem well,” he commented as he ran a hand through his hair. She did look better; the blood had been cleaned from her face and she was bandaged. Peeking from the top of her tunic he could see white bandages. The knight had wondered what happened to her, “Did the King—“

She stopped him, “Yes, the King asked of my whereabouts and what happened. They are coming, brother, they draw closer each day. I had a head start on them—they will be here soon. Go to the Princess and protect her.” Coming from a family of noble birth her brother had always been taught to serve the royals. But their family was so far removed from the royal line that they were almost peasants, well Loria was no longer thought of as family aside from her brother. They were close, Kalon and Loria, well as close as the two could be anyways. She belonged to the King, she was a Graceling and he was a knight, one that was sworn to protect the royal family and so far he had proven his worth in battle. Kalon by no means was just a simple knight, he served the king on a more personal matter—guarding the meeting chambers for the regular guards were not trusted nor skilled enough. He knew much about the kingdom, perhaps more than he led on. Loria was a possession, as simple as that, she could be replaced…well not her ability. There had been others like her, those gifted or rather cursed with foresight; she could see things moments, months or even years before they would happen and most of the time she was totally powerless to stop them from happening. Needless to say not many with her gifts lasted long. There was always a catch to great power—those gifted the foresight often met young deaths by their own hands. That was the only way to stop the visions, to stop the helpless feeling.

Kalon had promised his sister that he would not allow that to happen to her.

“No you have to stay—“

“I’m not made of glass, brother, I can get up.” Loria hissed as she stood, her brother was too protective over her. It was something that the King had seen as a nuisance and a distraction. If Kalon was worried about Loria’s health how could he do his job properly? “Let us go to the Princess,” she said. Not many servants of the castle seemed to like the Princess, she was nice but beyond that…there was nothing. Loria had insisted that none ever took the time to try to get to know her, well what did she know? Loria had visions in the past of the Princess; she had predicted her birth as well.

Kalon was one of the many who seemed to notice that the Princess was spoiled, and that for the most part she was one that he would not want to know…unless she gave him reasons otherwise. He didn’t like to rush into knowing people like his sister did. Unlike her, Kalon was not so trusting. He gave into his sister eventually, but first they needed to see the King.

“Your majesty,” they said together as they bowed deeply. Loria’s head spun and Kalon had to grab her but they presented themselves as best as they could in front of the King. The King…he was different, that was safe to say. The relationship that he had with the Graceling was one that had many people wondering if she was being used as his personal whore. Loria always declined to answer those questions, it was not her place. The King would need to be addressed, and then they would understand. Kalon looked at the King with wary gray eyes. “My sister desires to aid me in protecting your daughter.” He announced.
Loria looked at her brother but nodded, knowing that his was a way to ensure that not only would his job be done but he could protect one so dear to him…and possibly help him endure the Princess. “Loria’s gift if valuable—the others took their lives too young, long before they could have been of use but she…she has not even tried, your majesty. Think of it. I will have help in defending your daughter and heir to the throne but that somebody could foresee if your daughter were to be attacked.”

Kalon stood straighter as the King gave his decision. “I will allow Loria to accompany you but she is to report to me every day.” He said. Kalon nodded and thanked the King before turning away.

“Kalon…”The King said suddenly, “The war is upon us…my daughter may not be safe here…but we…my counsel and I,” he avoided looking at Loria, “have decided that once the army is seen on the horizon or the city is attacked she is to be sent away…somewhere safe.”

“Understood, sir.”

Kalon and his sister quickly walked from the throne room where the King had been awaiting his advisors. They headed to the chambers of the Princess.

“Your highness,” Kalon bowed, “We have orders from your father to guard you.”

One could tell that they were related; their hair color was shared between them although Kalon’s was a bit darker and the shapes of their eyes were similar, and of course their coloring would be different.

Loria hung back behind her brother, unsure if the Princess was willing to have a Graceling in her presence. Though her father didn’t seem to mind much.

Their Younger Years (Magic&Sunflower)

If there was one thing that Fili hated the most it was knowing that his brother had been crying. He was always so protective over his brother and when Kili had been but a baby he had taken to carrying him around everywhere throughout their home, never mind the fact that Kili had been half of Fili’s size at the time. “Kee…”he said softly as he pulled his little brother into a hug. They were getting older and as such they thought that they needed to be a lot like their Uncle and crying was a sign of weakness. “Come on, let’s go get some breakfast.” He didn’t want to ask his brother about the nightmare, not now.

Fili walked into the kitchen and grinned at the food sitting on the table already. There was a large plate of warm fruit filled pastries with sweet cream, eggs were already on their plates, there were thin slices of meat, potatoes and other goods but what Fili wanted more than anything else were some of the pastries. His mother always made the best pastries and they were real treats because the berries only came at certain times of the year.

“Fili no,” Dis said as she lightly slapped his hand away from the plate of pastries. He pouted and looked at her with watery blue eyes, “But Amad I’m going to waste away to nothing!”

Dis rolled her eyes, “Go get the milk first.” She ordered her son.

Fili grumbled but did as he was told and came back with the milk, his mother poured their glasses and she took a pastry for herself before Fili took one (since dis had scowled at him when he had tried to take two). He swore that he could eat his weight in the pastries that his mother made. “So Uncle are we going to stay out all day?” he asked Thorin.

Star Crossed (Sunflower and Tsubasa)

Ah Wester, what a beautiful kingdom. Lying flat with few gentle rolling hills, well they were much more like tiny bumps hardly worth calling hills; the land was perfect for farming and raising livestock. Long grasses and low-lying shrubs dominated the landscape between the farms and towns. It was spring and with spring came frequent showers that kept the earth smelling of water and new flowers that sprung up with the grasses but even with this seemingly peaceful atmosphere there was something festering. The quiet of the gentle landscape was almost too quiet; there were no sounds of the birds that lived within the grasses, shrubs and the occasional tree. Even the cattle were quiet.

The towns and the villages that dotted the landscape were silent, none wandered the streets and those that did were bloodied or injured. War was upon the land and it was quickly heading to the last stronghold of Wester—the capital, Naif City. Named for King Naif, well the name that had been given to him by his people; it was in informal name as the King was almost unknown to his people. He was a fair ruler but many felt that he had left them too vulnerable. The peaceful nature of Wester had allowed the King of Nander to build his forces and invade their neighbor to the west. Wandering the vast flatlands between Naif City and the last village to fall, a woman wandered with a wound to her head and dried blood caked to her face. Shallow breathing broke the silence as she stopped to rest in the long grasses. With a day’s march a head of the soldiers, she would be able to make it back to the castle, to the King with a few precious moments to spare.

The walled city laid stretched across the horizon in a light, misty gray color. She was close enough now to nap for a few minutes. Sleep found the exhausted woman easily. She had been running for a while, having been ambushed on her way to the northern border where the King had assigned a few small groups of scouts and archers. She was a Graceling, one to be feared by those of the normal population. Her gift had been foresight, and through her gift she had seen the downfall of each and every one of the scouts and archers and she had been right. There was nothing left of the small outpost. That journey had been two days ago. It took three on horseback to get to Naif City.

She had slept longer than she had thought, by the time she woke the sun was beginning to cast orange and gold across the sky. Her head was throbbing as she sat up quickly, her vision spun with black before things came into focus. Her dreams had been of her brother, Kalon. Both had been born into lower nobility but she had been given to the King when it was learned that her eyes had changed. Like her brother she had slate gray eyes at birth but gradually over the days and weeks one darkened slowly and soon her parents had realized that she was a Graceling. It had been Kalon who had noticed the color change of her right eye. It turned into the color of their mother’s favorite flowers—magenta. Sleep had done her some good; she felt energetic, a feeling that she had been lacking for several days.

Walking towards the walled, light gray city in the distance she paced herself. The army of Nander would not walk at night, no one would. She was safe under the cover of the thick dark blanket that had replaced the gold and orange tones of the setting sky. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself to fend off the cold that blew from the sea, the woman’s torn clothes did little to aid her in keeping warm.

Hours later when the moon was high in the sky she finally reached the gates to the walled city. Guards kept it closed. The entire kingdom knew of the war, they didn’t realize just how close it was coming to their doorsteps. “Halt!” The guards that sat perched on the wall above the massive gate could never be too trusting. One climbed down a simple rope ladder that could be pulled up onto the top of the wall. “Who are you?” his dull green eyes scanned her, “She’s a Graceling!” He spat. Even if she worked for the King they still thought less of her. He brought the torch he had been holding closer to her face to get a better look at the colors of her eyes; Gray and magenta, marking her as the King’s. All Gracelings belonged to the king if they had a use, if they had something useless as a skill then they were sent back home where their families were forced to find work for them. “Name?” he asked none too politely.

“Loria.” There was no need for surnames if you were nothing more than a possession.

They opened the gates enough to allow her to slip inside, one guard climbed down the other side of the wall to escort her to the castle. She did not touch him even though her head was spinning and she needed to grab a hold of something to keep her balance as they made their way through the empty and dimly lit streets. The castle came into view soon enough. Located in the heart of the city it was also walled and kept heavily guarded. Knights guarded the interior and in addition to being soldiers they were key in keeping the peace in the sprawling city. Her brother would be in bed no doubt, as many were. Following the man into the castle she pressed a hand against the wall to steady herself as word was sent for the King. Loria, as she was called, was one that the King kept close to his side. Her ability was priceless even if it was something that she could not control. A short time later a man came running down one of the corridors that led to the private chambers of the royal family. His graying hair was kept short and it was messy from sleep. He was a handsome man, middle aged with eyes full of wisdom. “Your highness,” she bowed when he finally stopped before her. Loria’s vision went dark and she felt herself rushing for the floor.

“KALON!” The King roared for the blond knight had had accompanied him, “Help me carry her.”

Together they carried Loria to the healing wing of the castle that had been set up for the knights. Kalon’s anger flared at seeing the blood on his sister’s face. The knight quietly left his sister in the hands of the healers to follow the King. He had gotten the news that the King had appointed Kalon to keep his daughter safe. The Princess was very dear to the King and he had often given the Princess her way, making her spoiled in the eyes of many. Loria had left without the consent of the King some time ago and this was how she was returned? Bloodied and as if she had seen—

The King paused in mid-step as he glanced back to Kalon. “Do you think?” he asked, unable to ask the rest of his question.

Kalon nodded, “My sister had been attacked. Perhaps they are closer than we think,” he said to the King. None but Loria knew the answer to that question and they would have to wait until she was awake to get that answer.

It was common knowledge that Gracelings were often targeted for acts of violence and sometimes even murder. This did not seem like one of those occasions. Kalon ran a hand through his straw colored hair as he waited for the King to speak once more. “Get some rest, Kalon.” The King said, “Tomorrow you will be guarding my daughter, you’ll need your rest.”

The King bid farewell before heading into one of the many rooms that Kalon knew as one of the meeting rooms. With nothing left to do he headed back to the healing wing where he sat silently as his sister slept.