[Gil'dae Cheb] Familial Awakening (Fenn, Pre-Veil & GF'd)

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

28th Brightening of Imperos

Over the period of a few cycles the elf had found himself halfway across the empire in his desperation to separate himself from his mothers broken body. He had needed to flee, to get away from it all, and without a clear destination in mind he had finally halted his journey in Port Alexandrya after hundreds of miles on horseback. There his grieving mind found something to consume itself with and his excess time was spent in quiet reflection. The journey had helped him heal and had capped off most of the pain and resounding grief that had consumed him entirely. He had found the time to find himself again amongst the pool of foreign emotions he was drowning in, and he had found the time to reassess his situation and goals. And he realized vaguely that he was changing, though he did not really see it as a negative development now. A cold ambivalence was beginning to creep over his demeanor, and he had subconsciously began to change in the way he spoke and perceived things. His perspective was shifting too, and he had begun to feel a slight hint of paranoia in the back of his mind. What course his life would take now was anyones guess.

Just in the last few cycles he was able to comprehend the last words of his mother, and they plagued him now for they were the answer to a lifelong question that had remained unspoken since his childhood musings. "Gil'dae.. Quinnor, Gil'dae." he could still hear the faint words part from his mothers lips, could feel her last warm breath on his cheek. The realization of what she had meant then, that she had not departed from her sanity and taken to unconscious muttering had struck him not long ago. And he had decided that he would once and for all investigate this name and shine some light on his paternal ancestry. For if his mother said he was a Gil'dae, sired from one bearing their name, he was indeed a Gil'dae. He doubted of course that their reaction would be anything positive, that a side of his family he had never met would want any part in the life of an illegitimate bastard child forsaken by his maternal family as well, but he needed to do this for himself. It would plague his mind brightening and darkening if he did not relent to the fervent desire to do so. The name Gil'dae sounded oddly familiar though, he had heard it before but he did not recall where.

The raven haired Syl'rosian cantered along the forest path atop his midnight black stallion, admiring the exotic beauty of his homeland. The great trees and woodland were masterpieces in their own right and it could be said they were sculpted by the hands of Carmelyn herself. Ancient trees decked in a splendorous raiment of Automn colors arched over the path like a stone tunnel and he was purely contented for a few moments lost among the rich beauty of the land. A blot was growing far down the path he noticed, which he eventually realized to be the iron gate which was the method of entrance into the property he had been told. He had procured directions to Starshadow Keep easily enough. Gil'dae Cheb was the well known home of the family and directions were bestowed upon the elven rider without too much hesitation.

The elf dismounted the horse carefully when he had reached it, noting that this was indeed the proper place as the name and crest of House Gil'dae was worked into the iron. He regarded the gate apprehensively, before gently nudging it open and embarking down the cobble path leading his horse along by the reigns behind him.

[Larien Gil'dae]

OOC: Jumping in with permission from Erai

IC: A tune, soft and wordless, lilted from the young woman's lips as she rode along through the Tawnleaf, perched atop her white Sandbred mare. Fionn's hooves thudded quietly on the forest floor, the sound muffled by the packed dirt and foliage as they traveled along at a gentle jog. The merry sound of the jingling bit chimed quietly through the crisp autumn air, providing a bright rhythm as a backdrop to her song. It wasn't a song about any subject in particular for there were no words, merely an emotion, a feeling - happiness. It had been quite a long time - perhaps even a full era - since last she had expressed herself in such a way. Then again, it had been quite a long time since last she had been truly happy.

Since returning to the Cheb, Larien had flourished - her slanted cheeks slowly growing rosier and her eerie light green eyes acquiring a playful twinkle - slowly under the attention of her cousin Fenn and the beauty of the Tawnleaf. She truly was a "lovely Gil'dae child" once more, with her auburn hair braided loosely down her back, a few flowers that had yet to wither in the cooler temperature entwined with the sleek locks shimmering in hues of gold, red, and brown beneath the twin suns and a soft riding dress of light blue linen embroidered with silver thread clinging to her form. Her cloak she had left behind on that particular brightening, instead wishing to feel the cool breezes dancing across her skin.

A few candlemarks she had spent wandering the familiar paths of the Tawnleaf before finally turning Fionn about towards the Cheb once more. Her stomach rumbled softly in complaint as Larien wondered idly at the time. When had she last eaten? Her mind distracted with thoughts of a warm bowl of soup and a cup of elfin tea, the young woman clucked her mount into a brisker trot even as her happy song still curled from her lips, the wordless notes dripping off her tongue like thick honey. Arriving at Starshadow mere moments after the other, Larien slowed Fionn to a gentle walk as they passed through the gates. Her startling green eyes sparkled as they alighted upon the figure of another horse and rider pair, though the rider was dismounted and walking alongside.

The sound of the horses' hooves against the cobblestones rang out loudly, surely alerting the man to the approach of another from behind him. If not, then Larien's call of, "Vedui," would surely do the trick. Her song abandoned for the time being, the young woman drew her mount up alongside the man, gazing down upon him with a warm smile curling the corners of her full lips upwards. "Have you come to see Arwen Calairiel?" she questioned softly, her melodious voice lilting gently from her parted lips. Larien was used to strangers visiting the Cheb, though they were never of course for her. Usually they were there to see Cala, the current head of the house on some business or other. Unfortunately for this stranger, Larien wasn't sure if her cousin was currently at the keep. She was always coming and going.

Halting Fionn with a soft pull of the reins, Larien then dismounted from the Sandbred in one elegant motion, landing gently on the ground. Glancing up at the sound of yet another's approach, the young woman spared a warm smile for the stablehand that was coming towards them. "K'suil will take your horse for you," she said, turning her eerily light green gaze upon the strange elf man once more. Suddenly, Larien realized her rudeness and hurried to remedy it by extending one of her slender hands towards the other, laughing softly as she introduced herself.

"Forgive me, my name is Larien Gil'dae."

[Fenn Gil'dae]

Fenn heard what he thought was conversation near the stables and walked out into the slightly chilly air to see who it was talking this late. As usual, Fenn was up fairly late writing poetry and drinking wine under the moonlight. It was his nightly schedule as determined by "the muse within" as he would said if asked. The soft grass beneath his feet was cold and therefore chilling his pale toes, but he enjoyed the feeling on his skin. He walked quietly, so as not to alarm whoever was speaking.

He peaked around the corner of the stable and saw that one of the voices was that of Larien. He stepped into the light and approached the two of them, switching from grass to cobblestone beneath his heals. Apparently his cousin was meeting a man late at night, perhaps a lover? Perhaps a secret husband or would-be fiance? He could not see the man's face, but if he moved closer he might have been able to make it out.

"Larien?" he said, a question begging details of the situation.

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

The soft sound of horse hooves clattering against cobblestone alerted the keen eared Syl'rosian to the presence of another. He halted his slow march towards the manor and instead turned towards the figure on horseback which was approaching. She was a fair site to behold, an elven maiden of some nobility, quite beautiful on horseback. The thin elf bent his sickly frame in a light bow towards to woman and reciprocated the elven greeting while bent. "Vendui, Arwen. " He became aware at once that he was at a loss for words, he had been so determined to hasten to Gil'dae Cheb that he had not payed thought to what he might say once he did manage to arrive after his journey. He mentally chastised himself for his lack of foresight.

He shook his head gently, obsidian locks of unkempt black falling in his face. He was not aware of who the lady was that she spoke about, however he knew it was not her who he sought in coming here this brightening. He was here to see his father, though now he did not know exactly what he was going to do if he managed to attain audience with the him. "No, I am not here for Arwen Calairiel. There is another that I seek my lady, he is named Quinnor, Quinnor Gil'dae I think. Is he in residence, would I be allowed to see him?". He hoped that his deviation from returning straight to Imperia was not going to prove a futile journey. Time, the elves had much of it, yet it was such a valuable commodity that he could not afford to squander.

The Imperian Aedile nodded thanks, and relinquished the reins of his horse to the attendant. He shook his head once more, smiling graciously. "No need my Lady, forgive me,". He moved foward to take her hand with both of his own. Gil'dae she had said. Then she was family, no doubt a cousin of some degree. "My name own is Eraisuithon Nan'tathren, I am the Senior Aedile of Syl'rosia's neighbour to the north, Imperia, although I was born here." He doubted his family name would be recollected by Larien. It was not a house of any great importance in the combine or in politics.

He turned to look to the newcomer, bowing and offering a greeting to someone he presumed to be another Gil'dae. "Vendui" he spoke simply, smiling, trying earnestly to appear humble in the presences of the two.

[Larien Gil'dae]

Larien graced the other with a warm smile even as her eerily light green eyes scanned across his form, taking him in inch by inch. There was a rather sickly aura about him which was only strengthened by his abnormally thin frame -- odd for even one of their kind. His unkept raven hair falling in curtains on either side of his thin face was also taken into account, as were his deep sapphire eyes. She met his gaze fully with her own pale emeralds, listening carefully as he admitted that he was not there to meet with Calairiel. Her smile faltered slightly as the name of the one he did seek completely absorbed into her conscious thoughts. Quinnor. A brief moment of panic flashed through her body, shining within her strange eyes as she kept them focused upon the gaze of the other. The last time one had come searching for Quinnor -- an elven man much like this one as a matter of fact -- it had been because Quinnor was his father... making the strange elf her brother. Well, half-brother at least.

Sub-consciously, Larien tilted her head slightly to the side, her auburn locks spilling over her shoulder in a scented waterfall as she regarded him quietly. Eladrian had shared her oddly colored eyes, whereas this elven man sported a pair of brooding blue. He also did not possess the Gil'dae platinum hair... and his sickeningly thin form was nothing like any of her other cousins. Put at ease, the young woman released her breath in a soft sigh as her lips curled upwards in a warm smile once more. "I'm afraid that no one has seen or even heard from Quinnor Gil'dae for... well, he disappeared right after I was born. Or so I've been told... my father was not the most honorable of men, you see." But before Larien could continue in her explanation, the soft sound of someone speaking her name stopped her cold. A flush, warm and pink, crawled across her pale skin, starting at the hollow of her throat and flaming upwards to the very tips of her delicately pointed ears. "Fenn!" She gasped as she spun around to meet the quicksilver gaze of her cousin, the fingers of her right hand balling into a nervous fist around the skirts of her riding dress.

Her status as the Gil'dae bastard had always been a source of immense personal embarrassment for the young woman... though to her knowledge, the only Gil'daes that were aware of her lineage were Motito and Tyav'ondo... and Motito was dead while Tyav...? She hadn't seen him in many eras. There was no doubt in her mind that Tito had also imparted the secret to Eri'Lariel... but Eri too had disappeared, most likely returning to Trelore to be with those of her kind. Did the others know? Such painful topics weren't to be taken as light dinner conversation... and frankly, Larien would have preferred no one know the truth of the matter... but the servants were prone to gossip. Did Fenn know that she was Quinnor's bastard? A mistake, brought on by a night of drunken lovemaking? Hoping her cousin would interpret her flush as being a mere product of her pleasure at seeing him, she beckoned him closer with a wave of her thin fingers.

"Fenn, this is our guest, Eraisuithon," the name of the other rolled smoothly off of her tongue as she gestured politely between the two men. "Eraisuithon, my cousin Fenn Gil'dae." With the introductions out of the way, Larien then hurried to cover for her slight slip as she returned her startlingly green gaze to the stranger. "Imperia? I've never visited there, though I have seen much of the empire... is it truly as dangerous a place as the rumors say?"

[Fenn Gil'dae]

Fenn walked into the light, smiling at his cousin. She was beautiful by moonlight, that was for certain. Her auburn hair seemed to dance in the moonlight over her shoulders. On any other darkening, he would have been unable to take his eyes off her, but this darkening there was a stranger in their midsts. At least Fenn thought he was a stranger.

As the platinum-haired Gil'dae made his way towards them, he came to find this stranger quite recognizable, though he couldn't place it at first. The Gil'dae brothers were known for their cunning intellects, stubborn pride and keen senses... not for their average memories and dry wit. Once Larien had introduced the two, he decided to speak first on the matter, likely usurping Eraisuithon.

"Vendui, again" he said to Erai, a smile upon his lips. "You're quite the dedicated Aedile, bringing your business to my very door." He grinned and gave Erai a wink, knowing good and well that he probably wasn't there on business. Then he looked to his cousin with a grin and said, "Actually, we've met before cousin, in Imperia."

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

Eraisuithon was indeed very much a portrait of ill health and sickliness. Emaciated and unnaturally pale he was prone to frequent headaches and the common cold, his thin frame appearing almost frail under even mild exertion. He was rife with the degenerate characteristics of his mother he was realizing, they along with his raven hair and sapphire orbs were traits he had received from her. It must of been that, because he clearly did not exhibit many of his father's traits, atleast, if this splendorous specimen of an elf maiden was a fair representation of his paternal heredity he could be sure he did not. He was not phased by this new knowledge that he had a sibling but instead he found himself reciprocating the stare of his half-sister, surveying her as if she had torn aside a mask and flung away her costume to the ground. He felt.. amazement, that he could have a sister (although she was one that only shared half of his blood she was a sister nonetheless!). Perhaps she too knew the pain of illegitimacy and the sorrow that stemmed from that.

A feeling of self-consciousness began to creep its way over the elf kin, his weary eyes descending to stare at his feet. Yet, despite their similar heredity she was so beautiful and fair. She carried such an heir of nobility and grace, brimming with elegance and radiating eloquence. He secretly longed to be noble like the her and bear proudly a noteworthy name."Ah, yes, of course.." He began softly in response to her earlier statement, speaking largely under his breath. "I thought that much too.." There might of been a time when he would of expanded, revealed his own secret then and there, but he did not. Not yet.

It was only after a few moments that Eraisuithon realized who Fenn was, connecting his face and name to the elf that he had met and spoken to about a brewery in Imperia not more than a few months ago. A thin smile worked it's way over his face despite his inner-turmoil, and he offered an outstretched hand towards the elf. "Not quite" He corrected with a little bit of a chuckle. It was not affairs of official business that drove him here today. He turned his eyes back to Larien to address her question in his quiet tone. "I would say that yes, it very well is my lady. Though, of late criminal activity has subsided since the meteors some time ago, I fear that it will only rebound all the stronger in these coming times. Of course, though, it does not pose a great danger to those that take the proper precautions." Like bodyguards for example, Eraisuithon had six in his employ.

[Larien Gil'dae]

The brightening had been a long one thus far for the young woman and as the two men exchanged words, Larien found herself covering a small yawn with the back of her hand. What she wouldn't have done for a cup of elfin tea right then... Widening her eyes in an expression of attention as Eraisuithon returned his sapphire gaze to her, Larien nodded along with his words even as her fingers stroked absentmindedly along her embroidered skirts. The proper precautions. Try as she might, the elven maiden couldn't help but feel a sickening shiver crawl up her spine as her mind flickered back to a time not so long ago when she had been the captive of a band of vagabonds... all because she hadn't taken the proper precautions. Smiling softly, she forced a light laugh from her lips, dropping her light green gaze to stare at the cobblestones. "It sounds positively..." the coy response would have been 'charming', though sadly Larien had never been and never would be able to be coy.

Blunt honesty was the only thing she could manage. "Unpleasant."

A faint blush painted itself across her angular cheeks again as she glanced up at Eraisuithon from behind her dark eyelashes, an apologetic smile on her lips. Flicking her eerily light green gaze towards Fenn, she spared a slightly warmer smile for her cousin before glancing back towards their guest. "But you must be tired. I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem if you stayed the darkening, or however long you'd like..." Her eyes found Fenn's once more as her words ended on a slight questioning note. She didn't want to overstep any boundaries by inviting a stranger into the Cheb but it did seem as though Fenn had met him before and she had never known a guest to be turned away.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't have been more help in your search..."

[Fenn Gil'dae]

Fenn stepped forward at his cousin's question, noticing at once that this version of the Aedile he had met before was a much thinner, more ghostly version. Something did not seem right about this elf, but Fenn couldn't put his finger on it. It was odd that he would show up late in the brightening, as if a house accepted casual guests after dark. It was also odd that he had come to House Gil'dae, though he had Fenn had met before it didn't seem logical. Something was odd indeed, and this elf did not look healthy.

Of course you can stay," Fenn said, moving to the side to get a straight view of Larien, looking at her with a sense of warning, "That is, if you do not carry a plague with you, brother."

Fenn was being serious, very serious. The frail elf before him could be sick and infect the entire family, a risk Fenn wasn't willing to take, especially with Cala great with child. A place to rest his head they could give, but if he was wrought with plague, it would have to be in the stables. Fenn only hoped this elf would act civil about the question and hopefully answer honestly. The knife in Fenn's boot hoped the same.

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

Imperia indeed could be characterized as unpleasant, it would not be an unjust statement at all. The elf took no offense to what Larien said, instead he simply nodded and enjoyed the frankness she exhibited in voicing her opinion. The city was not a place that the faint of heart or mentally weak could easily survive in for extended amounts of time, or hope to prosper. The port was cut up into various independent little factions all pursuing all their own goals, all vying for power and hoping to cut their own little niches into the landscape. Gangs ruled the streets, pirates the seas, corrupt bureaucrats the government. Ruthless and powerful men that would not stop at anything. Despite it's shortcomings the elf could not help but feel an attachment the the cruel stone buildings and haunting gray architecture. Those that could stand the heat could prosper there, they could see their own goals realized. He'd seen it happen before, he knew the power of an unrelenting spirit and ambition.

The offer of residence for the night left the Imperian Aedile in a state caught between perplexed and shocked. He could not understand why someone would make such a charitable gesture to a stranger, it seemed irrational to him, but on the other hand he glowed with appreciation in the knowledge of a family which showed such decency. He couldn't accept of course, but that did not devalue the noble gesture any. "I could not impose upon you." He said simply taking a moment to brush off the dust that had accumulated on his fine silken trousers during his ride.

His eyes lingered on the garment which was as dark his hair, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. Fenn's accusation stung and resonated throughout his mind. He drew himself upright and considered calling for his horse to be returned. "I do not carry a plague." He felt involuntary disdain and could not easily mask disgust in his voice. He was aware of his ill health, but degenerate genes, a lack of nutrition and a dislike for the suns were not contagious. His regular neglect of himself furthered by the last cycles of riding were the only factors to blame. Saying he carried a plague was a ridiculous notion, he felt as he had now as he had for double the lifespan of a human. His mother, she had died and been buried, by perhaps a plague- but that was indeed a month ago. Symptom would of shown themselves if he had of contracted any disease. His eyes swept across Fenn but rested on Larien. "I fear my mothers characteristics are dominant in myself, more so than our father." Like a curtain thrown aside, so to was his purpose in visiting revealed.

[Larien Gil'dae]

Larien had enough fierce pride of her own to recognize it in another. The combination of Fenn's frank question and Eraisuithon's disdain was enough to cause her already pale features to blanche visibly. In truth, she had also pondered at the elven man's health, but she had not been so concerned as to fear that he carried a plague with him. "He meant no offense," the young woman replied quietly, torn between defending her cousin and soothing their wounded guest. Taking a step towards the latter, she held out a slender hand to him, meaning to lay it on his arm in a friendly gesture... but his words caused her pause. No, more than pause. Her entire heart stopped beating for a full second. Our father. That statement couldn't have been for Fenn, for Eraisuithon's sapphire eyes rested upon her. There was no one else out there with the trio, save for K'suil lurking nearby in the stables.

"Another," was the only thing Larien could manage, her voice little more than a strangled breath. Her hand, still outstretched towards the stranger -- no, her brother -- wavered momentarily before falling limply to her side like a wounded bird. Indeed, the young elven woman appeared to be quite wounded -- her eerily light green eyes shimmered painfully with the hurt of the knowledge that there was another Gil'dae bastard, spawned by the lecherous Quinnor... and that she had had to find out in such a manner.

When she had met Eladrian, her initial response had been anger, but with Eraisuithon... all she had for him was silence. Her chest heaved as she forced air into her lungs, focusing on each breath. In. Out. It was something to do as her mind scrambled to make sense of it all. The sickly elven man before her was her brother. In. Out. Eraisuithon. In. Out. Her brother... a determination settled about her features as she finally reached her decision -- a strength that was not all out of place on the young woman despite her delicate appearance. Taking another step forward towards the dark-haired elf, Larien lifted her hand slowly, her fingers trembling lightly. "I know your pain," she whispered for his ears alone as her fingertips grazed gently along his cheek. With a sad smile, she withdrew her hand, moving to take a step back before she was turning her face towards Fenn. Her eyes were pleading as she stood between the two men -- both sharing her blood. "Fenn," she lilted, her lips caressing around his name as she formed the word. "He is my brother. We cannot turn him away."

Her pale green eyes flashed as they returned to clash against Eraisuithon's blue. "Please." It was all she said to him. It was all she could say.

[Fenn Gil'dae]

Fenn nodded, knowing Larien to be right. Fenn couldn't help but notice the connection though. Not long before, he himself had been sitting before this elf discussing business and possibly investment in Imperia by House Gil'dae, and now... here he was at their door, claiming to be a long-lost cousin of sorts.

Fenn shrugged and took Erai's horse by the lead. "I will lead you and your steed to stable. Then you shall come in and have a late meal with Larien and myself." It wasn't really a question or suggestion... it simply was how the darkening was going to play out. And it would give them ample time to talk and explore this fellow elf.

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

Eraisuithon did nothing after the words fell gracelessly off of his tongue. He did not move or speak any more great revelations, but instead his eyes simply remained fixated upon the gentle features of Larien's face. She was beautiful and fair, proud and noble. To believe half of her stemmed from the same source as him, that she was his half-sister by the same father. His gaze turned downward towards the leaf laden ground, his eyelashes batting once or twice when she spoke her one word response. Some emotion was evident in her voice. Was it disdain, shock, horror? He could not read it, the single word was spoken too fast to discern. He couldn't be sure of how she felt. But he felt exposed. Now that the long harbored secret was out the Syl'rosian immediately felt dirtier- and less worthy altogether. This small occasion was the first time he had revealed his own illegitimacy to anyone- first time he had ever felt the need to- and now he felt naked.

Her fingers felt pleasant on his pallid skin, his face which betrayed his misbegotten feelings visibly softened with the words that followed the slight caress. They were words he could come to terms with, could for some reason believe and felt were honest and wholesome. Perhaps she did understand, perhaps she knew the lingering pain and unrelenting guilt. A restless sigh passed through the elf's dry lips as she withdrew and began to speak with Fenn. The sound of her pleading with the other Gil'dae strained the sinews of his heart. He had already said that he would not be staying, already. He had meant what he had said but-

He nodded his head. One single swift nod conveying that he would, a clear gesture denoting his acceptance of the situation. He could not deny his half-sister's request as much as he felt undeserving of it.. His reserve at staying had been wiped aside the moment she turned again to look at him and spoke that single word which resonated like a note on the struck string of a violin.. "Please.." It was so simple, but held a deeper tone of yearning still. "I.. Yes. I mean, thank you, I appreciate the offer. I'll- if you would have me I would stay a while." He spoke no more, waiting to be led wherever his hosts would take him.

[Larien Gil'dae]

There was something about Eraisuithon that drew Larien to his person. Despite the fact that they had only known each other for a grand total of a few minutes, the young elven woman was surprised to realize that she had feelings for the other. Perhaps it was his sickly appearance or his abnormally slight build, but the longer the maiden looked upon her half-brother, the stronger those feelings became -- a desire to protect him being the strongest of them all. She read the rawness of his emotions upon his face as easily as bold letters penned neatly upon a piece of parchment, for they struck a chord deep within her own soul. Once she had felt that same nakedness upon learning of her bastard status... a nakedness that had only worsened when she had then discovered who her father truly was. Well, more thrust upon her than discovered. She had been resentful at first... then the feeling of betrayal had set in. The fact that her supposed father, Quendil Calafalas, had been just as clueless as she had softened the blow somewhat, but only somewhat.

But after all the eras that had passed... after all she had been through -- the good, the bad, and yes, even the ugly -- Larien admitted to herself that she would not change a thing if given the chance. Well, she would change one thing -- perhaps even two, if she wanted to be completely honest with herself -- but the ability to change the past was not within her abilities and so, she tried to not linger upon it lest she go crazy. Yet, try as she might, Larien couldn't help but envision a pair of midnight eyes gazing loving