Urominiel Family/Thalathafn Family

Thalathafn and Adine

Realms:League of Anacan, Light of Fountain, Avamar Selective, Grand Lodge of Lunaria, Lemundia, Cathay, Arcaea, Papania.
Positions:General, Banker.

A New Life

Part I

The sun was shining, birds were singing outside her window, and Adine was in a horrible mood. Not a single morning had gone by without her being unable to keep her breakfast down for two weeks now. She was irritable with everyone, she hadn't seen Thalathafn in weeks, and worst of all, she was losing her figure. Naturally she suspected poisoning, but her symptoms didn't align with any poison she knew of. She sat slouched in her favorite chair in her study staring out the window, her mind busy mulling over what was wrong with her. She had been bored with infiltration lately, but she had thought that her recent successes in Sartania had cured her of that. Where was Thal, anyways? She thought back to the last time she had seen him. A smile crept across her face as she remembered that night. As quickly as the smile came, it vanished as she did a few mental calculations.

Oh no. No, that couldn't be happening to her. She rushed to grab a pen and paper.

Thal,

I need to speak with you. Come see me at once.

Adine

Ordering for a messenger, she began pacing the room and wondering what she would say, how Thalathafn would respond, and what on earth they would do next.

Thalathafn swayed lazily in the saddle on his return from Treror. Up til that point the trip was uneventful, the monsters of Arempos had been dispatched before he arrived and only a short distance lay ahead before he reached the city. It was a warm spring morning and his thoughts naturally strayed to Adine. He looked forward to his return home, though not the home of his past that he had searched for, but the new home that he had found. At that very moment, almost upon a cue, the messenger rode up the road that he rode down. Upon seeing Thalathafn there at the head of a column of men, the man rushed to deliver his message, a note from Adine. The note brought with it a sense of concern. First and foremost Thalathafn was concerned for her, then for himself and lastly for them. Judging from the tone of the note he wondered if Adine was upset with him. But even as he considered this, he spurred his horse forward to what ever fortune may hold, for his concern for her outweighed the rest.

As she heard Thalathafn's arrival announced, Adine wiped the tears from her eyes and quickly attempted to make herself look presentable, even though she knew she must look like a mess. Thalathafn rushed to come see her and she was a bit glad to see how concerned he was. She remained sitting in her chair. "Something terrible has happened," she said, covering her face with her hands as she started crying again. "I think...I think I'm pregnant," whispering the last.

Part II

Thalathafn was glad when he saw Adine was alright, until she began crying. She was upset, but why? Maybe he was too late. What did she say? shes pregnant? but why was she crying. All these things circled in Thalathafn's head as he hurried over to her seat and knelt before her chair so they were at eye level. "...and you are upset?" Thalathafn questioned with a degree of confusion. "Everything is going to be alright, I am here now." He reassured her as he brought her head to rest against his shoulder.

At Thalathafn's reassurances, Adine stopped crying and calmed down a bit. "Of course I'm upset," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I've never seen myself having a child! How exactly am I supposed to do anything with an infant? And even if I was able to get away, what sort of mother willingly goes throwing her life into danger of execution? This life is the only one I know."

She felt herself starting to cry again but fought to maintain control, searching Thalathafn's face for clues to his reaction. "There's a thousand thoughts running through my head, a thousand questions, and I'm so scared."

She remembered his look of confusion. "You're all right with this?"

"Undoubtedly your life will be changed with a child, but you might find you will have changed as well. Adine, you will be a great mother. And I would very much like to be the father of your child, but we would need to have a wedding arranged soon. You are certain you are pregnant? have you spoken with the master surgeon, or royal physician, or the apothecary or midwives? Have you written to your family?" Thalathafn paused realizing now that he was rambling with questions.

"Everything will be alright." Thalathafn took her hand, "An infant can't be much different than a pet snake, they are both hairless and will try to swallow anything. Although the infant may be less toxic in the literal sense. We can find a wet nurse to help sort out the other differences as well." Thalathafn smiled a genuin smile, "And I will always be here with you. So are you ready to be a mother?"

Adine grasped Thalathafn's hand tight. "I'm much more ready now than I was. And, to start answering some of your questions, as soon as I wrote to you I went to the apothecary and he confirmed it. I haven't told anyone else. My parents will be horrified and my sisters only slightly less so. Besides, I haven't spoken with anyone in my family for ages." She started considering her options.

"Still, I suppose I do need to let them know eventually. They will accept the news gladly if I preface it with my marriage but..." she stopped and looked him straight in the eyes. "Thal, I don't want you marrying me just because I'm pregnant. Marriage is another thing I never saw myself entering into and I'm nearly as frightened of that as I am of a baby. I'd love for you to be with me but I don't want you here out of obligation."

Thalathafn was somewhat confused for he did not sense the coital link and feel the obligation Adine was referring to. What obligation did he have except wanting to be with her. "Maybe the expectations of those around you from early childhood have influence your expectations of yourself. But from spending the past year with you, I can tell you they are wrong, unless you don't consider me a good noble." Thalathafn flashed a smirk. "I am here because I want to be. I came to Arcaea looking for my home, instead I found a locket, and now that locket is with you. A home is not complete without children and you are my home."

Interlude

"Well then," said Adine with a shrug. "Let's get married. And while you're certainly not always good..." she smirked back at him, "I'd certainly not have you any other way."

As they sat, Adine considered the last few days. "Can you believe it, Thal? Last week I was escaping guards with a sackful of stolen gold, today I'm getting married and having a child. I don't know the first thing about planning a wedding. When do you think we should have it? Obviously soon before I get any fatter, then I'll never look pretty in a dress."

"How about at the beginning of summer, the weather will be nice and warm." Thalathafn commented as the two of them sat on the wooden floor; Adine having slid of her chair to where Thalathafn knelt before. "We can have the ceremony here at our estate in the great hall. I assume we will be having some sort of ceremony. Oh then we will need a priest and we should probably ask for a royal blessing before the date. I assume you've never considered what type of ceremony you'd like since you never considered marriage, but what type of ceremony would you like?" Thalathafn asked.

Adine rested her chin in her hands. The room felt like it was spinning and she wasn't sure if it was because of the pregnancy or the marriage or both. "'Our estate'. That's a new thought. Sounds good though. And I want a small wedding, don't really care who officiates. I'll probably have to invite my parents, and my sisters. I'm not that acquainted with many people here, I've just a few names I'll want on the list...but feel free to invite whomever you like."

The blasted room kept spinning and she shut her eyes. "It's all so much to take in right now. I feel like I must be going mad." She opened her eyes and attempted a wry grin at Thalathafn. "No idea how I'll be these next few months. You may end up regretting that proposal, love."

The Wedding

Part I

Summer sun glowed through the dull white windows of the great hall. On the opposite wall hung rich tapestries stretching to the floor. The servants busily prepared the great hall for the occasion. A handful of minstrels were practicing their trade in the raised gallery and a juggler entertained the guests in the courtyard. A small feast was being prepared in the kitchen. The tables were parted to either side of the hall to make room for the ceremony.

Thalathafn patrolled the great hall in a light, sleeveless, black tunic embroidered with fine silver thread. Underneath he wore a maroon shirt to match the colours of his family crest. His straw coloured hair was braided back upon itself and entwined with silver weave. Everything looked to be in place except for the priest. Thalathafn left his pageboy to oversee the rest of the preparations as he went to look for Adine.

Dressed in a plain priest's robe, Dren swept through the great hall. He was somewhat rushed - important discoveries regarding the nature of the Aenil had just been made - but understood the importance of the occasion to those involved. It would be a somewhat simpler affair than the King and Queen's wedding, thanks to both the rank of those involved and the time constraints of a war, but Dren intended to do his best to make the wedding something to remember. Spotting the page boy, the Kandurell walked over.

"You wouldn't mind informing the bride and groom of my arrival, lad? Time is short, however sacred marriage may be, and the Aenil wait for no man."

The sound of the minstrels could be heard faintly in the room Adine was preparing in. Some very last minute adjustments had had to be made on her lilac dress to accommodate her now slightly more ample figure but all in all she did not look too different, at least from the front and back. The silver embroidery on the dress helped to mask her pregnancy as well. She wore as jewelry only the locket Thalathafn had given her. Now if only she could get her hair to look as good as the rest of her. She muttered a few curses as her shoulder-length red curls refused to cooperate once more.

"Adine, how many times have you been told to watch your language!" a familiar voice spoke behind her. Adine whirled around to see her older sister Ktrien standing there with a smile on her face. She stood dumbfounded staring at this unexpected guest.

"Ktrien...what are you...when did you get here?" Adine sputtered as Ktrien walked over to embrace her.

"As soon as Mother and Father got your letter they practically ordered me onto the first ship here to witness this momentous occasion and make sure it wasn't one of your pranks. And now I see it most certainly isn't. Now, let me help you with your hair like I used to when you were little." Adine submitted, glad for the help and the time to think.

Once Ktrien was done, Adine took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Oddly enough she was not anxious but excited though the two emotions were hard to distinguish at times. Just then she heard a knock at the door and Thalathafn calling for her.

Thalathafn could hear the two women within and did not want to intrude. "Adine dearest, how are you doing?" he asked from the other side of the door. "The preparations are in place once the priest arrives we will be ready to begin." No sooner did he finish his sentence, a servant approached to inform him the priest had arrive and the guests were being ushered into the hall. "I'll wait for you at the end of the hall and when you are ready we can begin."

Part II

After Thalathafn informed them that the priest had arrived, Ktrien kissed Adine on the forehead and left to join the rest of the guests. Adine checked her appearance one last time, breathed deep, and joined Thalathafn at the end of the hall. As much as she had been afraid of this day, she could not keep a smile from her face.

Thalathafn stood for a moment paralyzed as he saw Adine approached, even his heart and his breath stood still in that brief second. "You look...stunning." Thalathafn returned a smile of his own. Taking Adines hand, Thalathafn lead her through the parting guests towards the dais where Dren was waiting. Stepping up onto the ledge Thalathafn nodded to the priest, "Thank you for coming on such short notice, you may begin."

Dren was giving the page and a bridesmaid some whispered instructions when Thalathafn and Adine arrived. He turned and rose, smiling.

"Then the ceremony can begin?"

The priest brushed himself down as the children hurried off, assumed a noble expression and announced,

"Welcome! We are here today to witness the solemn and holy binding of Sir Thalathafn and Lady Adine in marriage. The Aenil are with us, blessing this union, and it is as proof of their consent that I stand here today."

Lowering his voice slightly, he continued.

"I must first caution you both of the solemnity of the marital pact that you are both about to undertake. The Aenil know your minds and hearts; if either of you is not pure of intent then you must not be joined in matrimony."

"Adine Evadne, are you certain that you wish to be married to Thalathafn Urominiel?" Dren waited for her reply, then continued, "Thalathafn Urominiel, are you certain that you wish to be married to Adine Evadne?"

Thalathafn looked into Adines gray eyes. "I have never been more certain in my life."

At hearing Thalathafn's words of commitment to her, Adine's heart felt like it was in her throat. She had already voiced her vow of loyalty and she had never meant words more in her life. This may not have been the way she envisioned her life going but she was determined to make it fantastic. She took Thal's hand and squeezed it gently, waiting for the priest to continue.

Part III

The page and bridesmaid stepped forwards with bowls of water, while Dren handed a small carved ship to the bride, and one to the groom. In accordance with the ceremony of twin ships, each was set afloat on a bowl of water.

"Although we may not all remember it," Dren announced, "the Aenil surround us every moment of our lives. Just as water can be found everywhere that humans reside, so too are the Aenil drawn to us, permeating our plane with their influence. Like water, the Aenil are necessary for our survival, for it is they who provide our spiritual nourishment. Just as we are tossed about on the waters of life, and go through much spiritual turmoil, these two ships represent the journeys that Adine and Thalathafn have taken up to this point."

As the sound of Dren's voice echoed through the Great Hall, the two bowls of water were poured into a larger basin. The ships pitched and rolled unsteadily. At the high priest's motion, the bride and groom stepped forwards to pick the masts from each of the ships. Dren scooped the models up and replaced them with a larger and more ornate one; the sails were then placed into slots on this ship.

"Lady Adine and Sir Thalathafn, may the Aenil bless you. May Rhamiel, who has guided you on the path to wisdom, watch over you. May Onias, who has guided you on the path to honour, watch over you. May Nurn, who has guided you on the path to stoicism, watch over you.

"Speak your vows, and you will be proclaimed wed, under the sight of man and wife."

Thalathafn returned Adine's clutch and their hands remained entwined as Dren had finished the ceremony. Now he was asked for vows which were left forgotten with the wedding arrangements. He searched Adine's eyes for words and then he began. "I came to Arcaea looking for my home, and I have found it." His voice was soft and only audible to the front half of the hall. "Your unique grace and charm has stolen my heart. Your warmth and concern rekindled it. Through the fields of destruction and the cruelty of war, you have lead me to see a world outside of all that. Adine Evadne you are my world and I will cherish the days ahead together."

The beauty and honesty of Thalathafn's vows struck Adine, leaving her momentarily forgetful of the vows she had been considering. Panic seized her as she scrambled to remember what she was going to say. Was she making the right choice? Wasn't she just going to disappoint him? The warmth in his eyes encouraged her and strengthened her resolve.

"Thalathafn Urominiel, you are my life now. You give me strength, hope, and a reason to come home." Her voice became more steady and clear as she went on. "You are the one man I could ever devote myself to so fully. You have changed me in so many ways and I don't want you to ever stop. Thal, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into because now that I've found you, I'm never letting you go."

Part IV

Thalathafn kissed her as she finished her vows and so they were wed. Music again rung out in the halls and the guests parted ways, some out towards the courtyard, some to dance and others to offer their congratulations. One guest in particular stood out amongst the crowd, he walked with a swagger in his step and looked the part of a seasoned vagabond. Even with his advancing age, he exuded an air of confidence about him. "Well boy, so we finally meet and you could not have picked a better occasion, although another location would have been preferable." Aralaiquedi's eyes lowered to the floor as unfortunate thoughts siphoned their way into his head. But he quickly pushed those aside and forced a smile to his face. "It is nice to travel the world again."

Thalathafn could guess who the man was by the way he spoke. "Uncle, so glad you could make it on such short notice. I hope the trip was as comfortable as sea travel can be."

Aralaiquedi smiled "When I was your age the sea was my second home.." then his smiled faded "..and I regret that. I guess it is convention to offer some advice for your marriage." His tone grew more serious. "You have a wonderful woman here." He gestured to Adine. "Don't make the same mistakes I did. My wanderlust caused me to overlook what should be held most dear. I saw the continents while missing my children's childhood. I knew the inner workings of most realms better than I did my family..." Aralaiquedi furled his brow, overwhelmed with exhumed emotions. "I'm sorry but I can't stay on this wretched island. I wish you all the best and remember what I said." His harsh tone contrasted the pleasant nature of his well wishes as he turned to leave just as quickly as he appeared.

Thalathafn looked at Adine confounded by what just happened. "Shall we dance?"

The Tale of Zaedric

Part I

A new day had dawned and it would be one that would be unforgettable. The first rays of sunlight filtered through lapses between buildings. The morning air was cool not yet touched by the summer sun. Thalathafn stood behind Adine, his arms around her (or as far as they could reach) facing the window at height of the lonely tower of their estate. And through that window they watched the shadows stretching through the city, dark distorted forms of towers and bastions, rooftops and ramparts. The shadows receded as light crept across the city waking it from its summer slumber. And the two observers in the lonely tower thought about their weeks and months spent together, how their lives had changed and the new little life they were expecting. "Maybe we should discuss a name for the baby." Thalathafn broke the silence.

"A name for the baby, yes, that would be a good idea," mused Adine as she gazed upon the dawn. "He'll be arriving any day now, or she'll, especially if your child knows what's best. The baby's already a few days late and I'm sick of being pregnant." She looked down at Thalathafn's arms not quite making it all the way around her and sighed morosely. "Anyways. I want a good strong name for him, or her, and it should be fairly easily pronounceable," she said with a grin, jabbing Thalathafn with one elbow. "Don't want some poor girl only using a nickname for him for months because she wasn't sure how to say his bloody name."

The sun rose higher in the morning sky as the couple thought in their tower above the city. "I don't know, something starting with Z, I've always liked Z, it's cheeky," Adine finally said. "What do you think?"

"You know I always liked having a unique name and Z is fairly unique." Thalathafn smirked. "How about Zenith or Zaedric or Zamil if its a boy and for a girl how about Zephyr or Zelda or Zoe. Maybe we can decide over breakfast." Thalathafn took Adines arm and the pair spiraled down the staircase wrapped around the interior of the tower. Breakfast was laid out on the table when they arrived. "The midwives must be getting restless waiting around here for the past few days." Thalathafn said as they sat down. "And it would be easier to pick a name if we knew whether it's a boy or a girl."

"You know, if it's a boy, I quite like Zaedric --" Adine stopped as a wave of pain crashed over her. She was glad she was sitting. Food was of no interest to her (for the first time in months) and she sat puzzled for a moment. "That was odd. Your child can kick like a horse but that was different." They continued discussing names for a few minutes until Adine cried out in pain again. "Thal..." she said, a bit breathless, "I think you should get the midwives..."

Part II

Thalathafn was half way to the door before stopping. Thinking better of it, he dispatched a servant to fetch the midwives and returned to take Adine's hand. "Are you alright?" He asked with concern. He could see she was not, but was baffled at what to do next. Maybe he should have gone to get the midwives after all. Soon, a horde of women rushed into the dining hall and carried Adine along with the bench on which she sat to a more private room. Thalathafn followed but was stopped at the door by a young women. "My lord, I will ask that you wait here while the birthing takes place." Reluctantly, he agreed, taking one last glance as Adine vanished behind the veil.

After that frantic moment of excitement Thalathafn was left alone in the hall, allowed only to listen to the bustling within. Although the hall was now empty and deathly calm, his insides still raced and yet there was nothing that he could do. He paced back and forth, but that was no good, it allowed him too much time to think, to worry.

He stopped the next women to exit the room. "Is there anything I can do besides this unbearable waiting?" Thalathafn asked.

The women thought for a moment. "Yes of course my lord, you could go to the kitchen and boil a large pot of water, it would help us out greatly." She said before hurrying off in the opposite direction. Thalathafn rushed to the kitchen and scooped a pot full of water. Placing it onto the stove he began fanning the smoldering embers til they raged and engulfed the log.

Thalathafn sat adding wood to the fire all the while wondering what the water was needed for. But he soon gave up that train of thought, ceding expertise of childbirth to the midwife and was content with the task he was given. His thoughts wandered to fatherhood. He never did know his real father. He wondered what kind of father he would be. What if he was as clueless about fatherhood as he was about childbirth. He began to fear that prospect when he was interrupted.

"Lord, if you continue to stuff logs into the stove, I'm afraid it may burst." the pageboy smirked. "You are worried about becoming a father, but I assure you my lord you have nothing to worry about." He crouched down beside Thalathafn pulling burning pieces of wood from the satiated stove. "Having a child is like taking on a page, you pass on your knowledge to them; teach them about honour, battles, chivalry, and what it means to be a noble."

"And if its a girl?" Thalathafn smiled.

"Well, I hadn't thought about that. I suppose it would be much the same, except maybe etiquette instead of chivalry."

Thalathafn shrugged. He didn't have much of a choice and didn't even want to think about the alternative. That was what brought him into the kitchen in the first place. Standing up, Thalathafn peeked under the lid to see the first bubbles rising. He signaled for his page to continue fanning the crackling fire. Once the the water was to a rolling boil, Thalathafn and his page each took a handle of the pot and hoisted it off the stove. Together they carried the large pot of boiling water back towards the room.

They were greeted at the door by one of the midwives. "Congratulations Lord Thalathafn, its a healthy baby boy." Thalathafn shoved the large pot over to his page (nearly causing the boy to tip over) before hurrying in to see Adine. All of his worries were brushed aside when he saw Adine laying in the bed, a soft smile on her face, holding the infant in her arms. Thalathafn knelt beside them, brushed the sweat from Adine's brow before kissing each their foreheads. And the midwives; they were ready to enjoy a large pot of tea.

That herb the midwives had given Adine was every bit as good as she had planned. Giving birth started just as horrific as she'd ever heard but as soon as they gave her the medicine it just faded away. Now she looked down at the little baby boy she held in her arms. He was bald as could be and looked, well, like a bit of a wrinkled mess. But he was hers, hers and Thal's, and she was actually quite proud of him. Now she just had to figure out how on earth to raise a child. She stared down at her son, lost in thought, though admittedly still hazy.

As Thalathafn rushed to her side and kissed their foreheads she smiled more. "Thal, come meet your son. Zaedric Thalathafn Urominiel." She patted the space next to her on the bed and he sat down beside her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. She rested her head on his shoulder and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

The End of Thalathafn's Tale

The sun rose today as it did the day before. Its first rays stretched across the field falling upon the tallest turrets of the upper wall. The walls stood as they had the years before, their presence dating back to the dawn of the empire. The defenders took up their routine positions as they had many times before, but this time their numbers were few and their courage wavered. Thalathafn calmly surveyed the opposing force as he had done before each battle. It would be a trying siege, but the walls would hold. He returned to his unit and left them with the following words: "Today we fight not only to defend the crown. We fight to defend our homes. We fight to defend our families. We can not fail. We will not fail."

At day break the horns sounded, the siege engines groaned forward, the arrows took flight and the battle cries pierced the tranquil morn. Thalathafn could only watched in anticipation as the enemy neared. He drew his sword and raised it high, the sun glistening off the blade. His men took to their positions on the defences under a hail of arrows. One opportune arrow found an exposed patch and struck Thalathafn's arm as he signal the anti-siege defences. He winched in pain as his men lit the logs and sent them hurling down on the invaders. With only time to pluck the arrow before the first wave was on top of them, Thalathafn raised his sword again while his blood tracked down its edge. He knocked the first few back over the walls, but there were too many and soon the the Cathay forces had etched out footholds along the battlements.

Thalathafn barked orders to hold the flanks and defend their section of the wall. And while his men fought valiantly they fell one by one. The battle raged atop the battlements, the advantage see-sawed on a whimsical scale. In a brief moment, Thalathafn was struck from behind throwing him forward into oncoming spears. He felt an intense pain and then he felt it no more. He cut through the spear shafts and fell two of the wielders before falling to his knees. The weight of the world hung from his eyelids and he felt the warmth drain from his body. He was cold though the sun was now shining over them; those that lay dead and dying on the walls.

He slowly opened his eyes to see the endless expanse of sky filling with light, then he opened them no more. The cold lifted from his body and he felt comfortable as his mind drifted back to his childhood; the garden wall draped in vines, the woodlands at the back of family estate where he trained his skills, those lazy trips with the trade caravans. Then came the numerous tournaments, then the ugly side of war. And then he met Adine and his life was changed forever. It was fated from the time they met, for she was different, strong yet graceful, mischievous yet enchanting. Each day he spent with her was different and unique, not because it had to be, but because it was. And he loved each facet of her that she cared to show. Not least of which was her nurturing side as a mother and he rested knowing she would be the one to raise their son.

In the moments before he passed from this world, Thalathafn heard the victory cries of his men, and then he heard no more. But he knew the attackers had been driven back; he had done his duty and tomorrow the sun would rise on the walls of Ossaet again. Although he lay there longing for his wife's arms and the sound of her voice, he took comfort knowing she was safe, at home where his heart was. And as the last driblet of life drained from his body, Thalathafn smiled, for he had deceived death and kept a part of him tucked away forever with Adine.