Elven Queen
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tbd.
Elf
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Post by Luiniel Ashwin on Dec 20, 2017 12:55:10 GMT
Luiniel left before her handmaidens could find her. The sun had not yet crested the horizon to bring light to the forest in it's entirety. Yet she rose before the rest of the castle and slipped into her leather armor. Throwing a plain grey cloak over top of that, she drew the hood tight about her and slipped out. She avoided the guard and people milling about in the morning with practiced grace until she was eventually out of sight of the castle. Bounding down the road, she slipped into the stables and slid atop her mount. Unlike others who chose to ride a horse, she herself rode upon the back of one of the forest creatures she rescued. A large reddish brown Elk went soaring over a short wall, his size uncommon among the species. If anyone had seen the creature they would know it to be her.
She rode deeper into the forest, carrying upon her a bow and her sword. No longer did she consider the realm of Dryhtwood to be a safe haven. Ever since the plant had invaded their kingdom she was on edge but would not be stopped from this excursions. Once she felt that she was far enough away from Aelfmann the sprint became a canter and eventually they stopped. Climbing down from the large beasts back, she gave it a gentle nudge and it wandered off on it's own.
This clearing used to be her favorite spot. It was where she had first decided on her feelings about the man who would give her Cyril and Eolande. Now it offered quiet reflection as she tried to work through the issues facing the world about them. In the middle of the clearing sat a small pond with several old trees felled beside it. Slowly she moved toward them, careful not to trip on the vines surrounding them. Luiniel had come her hundreds of times but this time was a first - someone else had followed her out this far.
The sound of movement sent her into action - should another beast arise she would not be caught flat footed. Whirling about, she drew her bow, notched an arrow and released in the direction of the sound. She waited for no visual, if she shot now she could worry about what it was after. No one could have followed her here she thought; who else would have seen her leave? Either way the shot would be aimed low - not fatal so that she might question her pursuer.
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Royal Bastard
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Single.
Elf
Authored by Rook.
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Post by Morighan Ashwin on Dec 20, 2017 22:29:32 GMT
Morighan had never been close to the woman his father had married. The woman who was his queen. She had never been outwardly cruel toward him. He knew she was too kind of a woman for that. But there was a distinct difference in how she treated her own children and her husband's son from a tryst with a dark skinned beauty. Their interactions were lacking any true feeling. She could smile and act like his very presence didn't bother her but he was well aware it did. Not that he really blamed her or it. Few had welcomed him with open arms when he had been brought to the castle as a young lad whose mother was on her death bed. Cyril had been his one true connection here, and even he had been stolen away. Never to be the same again. Perhaps the loss of his brother had been the straw that broke the camels back and turned a boy who had previously only had dark inklings into the man he was today.
A man no mother would be proud of.
Mori had been returning to the castle when the queen could be seen beating a quick escape. Even hooded and moving in a way meant to not draw attention he had easily picked her out from the others. She often left the castle and on occasion, he had seen his red eyed crow to spy on her. Sadly she did little of interest. Just going to some clearing time and time again. Morighan hesitated as he watched her go. Lingering in the shadows as found her mount and beat a good pace. He sent his crow to follow her with little more than a glance. He had a connection with the beast which was more than just a simple bird. Some called the thing a demon, not of this world. Others liked to gossip that Mori had trapped someone's soul in that poor bird and now it served him for eternity. But for the most part, Mori was known to be an asshole, disliked, but not actual trouble. He had to be careful and stay under the radar to accomplish what he needed to. He should have just let the queen leave without following. It would have been the more sensible thing to do.
But today something pushed him to follow, and thus he did. He grabbed a horse that was already tacked and tossed one of his long legs over the saddle. Turning it he waited for several moments and then followed. His crow giving him information all the while. Eventually, he neared the meadow and after tying his steed he would carefully begin to move through the thick foliage. His pale eyes peering around as he watched for Luiniel. There was a sudden startled sound from his crow overhead and Mori looked up to see the bird fluttering frantically before turning into a puff of black smoke. The warning came a moment too late because as soon as Mori's chin dropped back down and arrow would carve a path through his leg. It was a glancing blow, a graze. With an arrow it left quite the gash. Morighan cried out with surprise and clamped a hand over the outer part of his thigh that had been left with a little valley that was quickly filling with crimson. "Fuck!" He growled and pressed both hands over the wound to try to staunch the flow. It wasn't very deep but the location and length of the wound made it bleed rather well.
Mori didn't wear armor. Very rarely did he even wear the lightweight leather. Today his wore his long jacket with black slacks and a drab olive green shirt that hung low on his chest. He always wore an assortment of rings on his fingers, it was a bit of a weakness for him. Anything silky and anything gold. He was a bit like a dragon in that way.
"I'm hoping this was an accident!" He called out to her, knowing Luiniel was the only other being close. "If you were trying to kill me you need to aim a little higher."
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Elven Queen
Bisexual.
tbd.
Elf
Authored by Mercy.
Offline.
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Post by Luiniel Ashwin on Dec 22, 2017 21:55:07 GMT
It was the last voice she expected to hear on the receiving end of her arrow. Were she a darker person she might have enjoyed this but as it stood she was horrified. The circumstances of Morighan's existence were not his fault and she had to remind herself of this. Luiniel cast her bow aside and moved forward to have a look at the wound she had caused with a genuine concern. " I did not expect to be followed. I was simply probing my pursuer." she replied simply as she gestured towards one of the empty stumps. " Have a seat and I will tend to the wound." she added. She gave him a curious look, unsure why he would be the one to come after her. As far as she knew they were both under an unspoken agreement that neither really had much interest in the other. Or maybe that was something she made up in her own head to make her feel better about it all. Luiniel started to reach into her pack to remove a healing salve to aid her abilities. Luckily she carried this pouch wherever she went. " You should be wearing some sort of protection out here. Part of our kingdom or not it is dangerous out here." she warned. Child or not she still spoke to him as if he were one of hers. " ..why exactly are you following me?" she asked.
MARI @ GS!
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Royal Bastard
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Elf
Authored by Rook.
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Post by Morighan Ashwin on Dec 23, 2017 3:18:16 GMT
Luiniel came into view then and Mori cocked a brow at her answer. "And if I had been a child? Your 'probing' would have killed me." He stated matter a factly, managing to sound a little annoyed as well. As if he might actually care if some random kid found their death at the end of her arrow. Mori's blue eyes flicked to the stumps she gestured toward and he hobbled over to them. Hissing between his teeth when the movement stretched his wound. He sat down a little hard and stretched his injured leg out in front of him. He was tall and lean, his boot just peaking from beneath his pants leg.
She spoke to him in a way that felt chiding and Mori laughed softly. "To be fair, no one has shot me before you. I'm hardly anyone's top concern out here." A bit of a barb at her perhaps. He wasn't the heir so he wasn't really a good bargaining chip for anyone to try to utilize. But if he could make her feel guilty for all the years when she had lived 'around' him he would. It would have been easier to just hate her had she just been cruel. But this strange neutral detachment was somehow worse. Because he understood it.
Mori should have rolled his pants leg upward to make it easier for her, but instead, he just watched her in silence. His lips pulled into a look that could be called a hesitant smile. "Would you prefer I not?" He asked quietly, his smile dropping away although he continued to study her.
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Elven Queen
Bisexual.
tbd.
Elf
Authored by Mercy.
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Post by Luiniel Ashwin on Dec 26, 2017 6:35:58 GMT
Luiniel was not a cold blooded killer but accidents happened. " Then their parents would learn a cold lesson." she replied. Her voice only wavered for a moment as she said it. It could easily be determined that she was not entirely serious about what she said. Even if it was the truth she would have lamented the idea that she could hurt a young one. She laughed softly at the idea that he'd never been short. Somehow she could not imagine that no one would take one. Morighan could be charming when he wished but most of the time she had the desire to do what she just did. " Somehow I highly doubt no one has shot at you before.." she said. Of course it was said in jest but they both knew part of her was a wee bit serious. When he did not show her the wound right off she reached for her knife. Her knife, however, was right next to a pouch on her belt. Said pouch contained herbs that she used to heal wounds. His question caused her to hesitate for a moment. Did she not want someone to follow or did she not want him to? That was a really good question, one she did not truly have an answer to. Crouching low to have a look, Luiniel simply rolled the pant leg away herself. She did not await an invitation - she needed none. " To be honest I do not know. Sneaking would imply that I do not wish to be followed but what fun is it without the chance of being caught?" she asked. The guard would have a fit if they realized she was not in her bed chambers. " I would ask what you are doing out here but then it comes to my attention that I know nothing of what you do. I suppose that is my fault." she said. If he had not protested her looking at the wound she would apply the salve with her fingers.
MARI @ GS!
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Royal Bastard
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Single.
Elf
Authored by Rook.
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Post by Morighan Ashwin on Dec 26, 2017 7:40:37 GMT
Morighan didn't believe her harsh words for a moment and it was obvious by the look on his face that he was calling her bluff. "I'm sure those words would be very soothing for the grief riddled parents. At least you already know what you are going to say." He kept a somewhat serious look on his face as he spoke. Her next comment made his eyebrows raise. And an actual frown graced his lips is only for a beat, a moment of weakness before he pushed it away. Shoving it beneath his tough exterior. "Just because you desire me dead, Luiniel, doesn't mean its the general consensus." Of course it probably was true. He didn't try to make friends unless he had an end goal. Luiniel though, at first he had wanted to get to know her. Wanted that connection. But it wasn't to be. And now any desires he might have for the woman were much less pure.
Well...that wasn't the answer Morighan had expected. She rolled the leg of his pants upward and began to work at his wound. Mori's pale eyes studied here for a few moments before he spoke. His mind swimming with options, words that might either push her further away or by some rare chance bring her closer. "I know you wanted 'someone' to find you. Although obviously not myself. " His face tightened slightly as she observed his wound. "I'm not a fool Luiniel. Neither are you. We both have skirted around one another for many years now. I am...sorry, that I am here. It wasn't my first choice of home either. But I was a child then. There was little I could do to escape." It was a rare serious moment for the dark skinned elven man, although the sincerity of his words could be left up to debate. "Just like you now." He didn't skirt around his assumptions but made them very clear. He had little reason to sneak around them. "Because the king doesn't tend to you like he should."
One of Mori's shoulders rose in a shrug at her question turned statement. "I was following you. My crow let me know where to find you." He licked his lips and winced back a bit from the salve that she rubbed over his wound. It stung and caused a breath to hiss between his teeth. But slowly his jaw would unclench and his blue eyes would move up to the queens. "Because now maybe you feel some small fragment of what I have felt my entire life." But instead of being smug or cold, his words almost sounded hesitant, as if he were laying himself bare. "And I didn't want you to go through it alone." Could this be the real Morighan? Beneath all the rude mannerisms and cold exterior? Or was this just another tactic? Another game for him? Only he knew the truth.
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Elven Queen
Bisexual.
tbd.
Elf
Authored by Mercy.
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Post by Luiniel Ashwin on Dec 27, 2017 10:20:19 GMT
Her nose wrinkled slightly when he spoke. While she did not entirely buy what she said she felt that it was true. The world was a cruel place and the worst was more likely to happen. " It is a harsh world." she replied simply. She did not wish to debate her comment - it was out and that was all she really had to say about it. Her hands continued to work swiftly to deal with the wound she caused. " Believe it or not your death is not high on my priority list. Needless to say I doubt either of your siblings would forgive such an act." she replied. A statement that could easily be read as true if one looked into her eyes. If she wanted to kill him it would have been easy when he was a child. She never took them due to having a sense of morality and that she wanted to hurt the king not his son. He was right more or less. They had danced around one another ever since he had arrived. She tried her best not to make it seem as if he was different but he was. " The fault does not lie with you. It is your father's fault. Perhaps it is my fault too somewhere. Yet that does not make any of this easier even knowing where the blame lies." she said. Luiniel had often wondered if perhaps she had done something to drive the king away from her. Hearing it said aloud; that the king did not tend to her as you used to. That simple statement hit her like a fist. So then it was obvious to everyone else now too that something was amiss. When he likened it to the emotions he had felt as a child she felt her stomach turn. Was that what it felt like for him? To be treated differently than Cyril and then Eolande. That she could inflict such a wound upon someone horrified her. The queens trusting nature would be her own downfall. Part of her wanted to believe that despite everything he could find it in him to not resent her. Luiniel exhaled softly before channeling her magic into her left hand. The faint aura about her started to brighten around her hand as a soothing sensation moved down into the wound to speed up the wounds healing. " I have to wonder if what you say is true. After the way I have treated you.. that is the last thing I would have expected you to say." she paused for a moment. The problem with him was that he was hard to read. He seemed sincere to her but was this some sort of game? What did he want? Perhaps she was simply paranoid now for no reason at all. Luiniel wiped her hands in the dirt and then onto her armor. " If I could take back what I've done I would. I could not punish a king and so I punished you instead." she said. There was no expectation of forgiveness here. It simply was what it was. It was a strange feeling to feel something other than contempt when looking upon him. She actually felt sorry - like she owed him something. Perhaps this was all just a game to torment her. She would not risk being wrong.
MARI @ GS!
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Royal Bastard
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Single.
Elf
Authored by Rook.
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Post by Morighan Ashwin on Dec 28, 2017 8:42:34 GMT
"It is a harsh world." Mori studied her, blue eyes moving over the planes of her face before he spoke. "That it is." He laughed softly at her next comment. His lips pulling into a smirk. "Ah, but I did make the list." He said jokingly. The mention of his siblings had little effect on him. He had been close to Cy, before he changed. Eolande he had never given the time of day. Perhaps in that way it was almost an older/younger sibling relationship. Almost.
Morighan sighed softly as the soothing magic radiated through his leg. "I see." Was his short and simple reply to her statement about it not mattering. How having someone to blame made no difference. But it did- he wanted to say. It changed everything. A tiny smile tugged at the elf's lips then. "Maybe you don’t know me all that well, I’m sure there are many facets to you, my Queen. And not just the elegant beauty we all see." Her touch fell away and Mori reached down to pull the leg of his pants down over his leg. He looked up to see the queen dusting her hands in the dirt then against her armor. A statement on her lips that made Mori frown. "I know." He said gently. And he did. It didn't change the odd twist of emotions in his gut.
Morighan straightened his clothing, blue eyes moving to the queen in silence. He appeared to be considered something. Perhaps working a scenario out in his mind before he acted. He leaned forward from his seat on the stump. Long fingers reaching out to let his fingertips touch her chin in an attempt to pull her gaze upward to him. ”Good thing I’m a tough bastard.” A brief smile flitted on his lips before he pulled back and stood from his seat on the stump. His leg felt a little stiff but no longer hurt. He stamped his booted foot a couple times as if testing it.
”Perhaps it is about time we get to know one another.” He said offhandedly. He ran his fingers through his dark shaggy hair before turning his gaze back to the queen. ”Unless you would prefer to go on hating me. I assure you I will be fine either way.”
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Elven Queen
Bisexual.
tbd.
Elf
Authored by Mercy.
Offline.
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Post by Luiniel Ashwin on Jan 3, 2018 5:45:36 GMT
I did make the list.
For once in the presence of the kings son she laughed. Not at him, not sadly or even sarcastically - she enjoyed that joke. That was a dangerous slope for her because she did not want to like him. What a predicament she was in now as she found it harder to maintain that neutral stance. It just lent fuel to the question; was I wrong all this time? Sometimes that kept her awake at night and now it just might be more of a problem. " A Queen is the greatest liar of them all. The beauty, the dress and even the smile. None of that is me - not anymore at the very least." Her tone suggested she believed those words. It was all a mask she was forced to wear now or else she exposed a weakness. Even the elven world had those who would exploit such a thing to gain advantage. Who she was right now in this very moment, that was the closest to who she really was. When he touched her chin her first instinct was not to draw back. This surprised her more than she could put into words. That she did not make any move at all to be free spoke to her. After the shock wore off she found her tongue. " Resilience is a good trait to possess." All she could do was agree with it. He had her in a strange position. The queen shook her head at him. " No, I do believe it is time we came to understand one another." She replied as she moved to collect her bow from the ground. When she was satisfied it was not broken, she put it over her shoulder. " Walk with me? There is something I wish to check." She asked. Without waiting for a true reply she moved though at a much slower pace. She would lead him across a clearing that only took a few minutes to cross. Down through a dense patch of trees and brush. On the other side sat a small altar carved out of a dead tree stump. On it sat a small statuette of the god of light. " Are you a religious man?" A question she did not ask often.
MARI @ GS!
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Royal Bastard
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Post by Morighan Ashwin on Jan 6, 2018 6:04:29 GMT
Mori watched the queen as she spoke. Saying she was not this woman she pretended to be. "I would hardly think your beauty is something you can lie about Luiniel. Unless you can cast illusions or something of that nature and given that you just healed my leg I would consider that unlikely." But there was a frown on his lips. "Never let him take your smile. He might be king but you are our Queen, his equal in every way. You are stronger than that." His words weren't spoken gently or sweetly but like one tainted soul to another. Demanding she live up to expectation.
She gathered her things and then ask him to follow her. Taking off before he could find the words to make an amicable departure. He hesitated, considering just walking away. But he was curious about her, about the fissure in her and his father's relationship. In the end, he would follow her. His long legs eating up the distance between them quickly. Across a clearing, they went and then through some rather dense foliage that the tall lanky man had to stoop and contort his body to make it through. Eventually, they would reach the location he presumed was her goal. He eyed the small statue almost warily. I Mori did believe in a god it would not be this one.
"No." His answer was simple but certain. His mother had been one to always pay some type of homage to nature. A sweet thing she baked that she would sit in some random spot in the forest only for it to be devoured by woodland creatures. She had been more spiritual that god fearing. And Mori grew to be neither. "I believe that if there are gods then they have fucked me over enough as it is." His blue eyes shifted from the figure to Luiniel. "I imagine you must be. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here." And on the tail of those words a question. Perhaps from a pessimist or from a man who had simply never been informed of such things. "What do you get out of worshiping someone that doesn't even exist?"
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