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{He is drawn to the forest with the same intensity some crave drink or food. Underneath the trees, he is at peace and his senses are alert. Behind him, a short distance away Ehtyarion is grazing, his large white ears swiveling this way and that to catch the sounds of the forest.

Aragorn glances at the unicorn, smiling to himself before he goes back to fletching some arrows. His hands are deft and practiced as he works and he rises when one arrow is done. Picking up his bow - something he carved and fitted himself - he nocks the arrow and takes careful aim at a soft target. Said target is composed of moss and leaves that he has nailed to a tree.

The arrow flies true and hits the mark. Ehtyarion makes an indignant sound and Aragorn speaks softly as he retrieves the arrow:}

Av-'osto, Ehtyarion, av-'osto. {"Don't be afraid, Ehtyarion, don't be afraid." He chuckles as the unicorn tosses his mane imperiously.}

Goheno nin, hîr vuin. {"Forgive me, my lord." Stowing the arrow in his bushel, he places a hand over his heart and bows. With a quick, graceful trot, Ehtyarion closes the space between them and nudges his velvet soft muzzle against Aragorn's cheek. The man strokes his fingers through the unicorn's mane, eyes soft.}

As the chill grows, our companions become dearer to us. {His attention shifts to the Locket.} Surround yourself with laughter and warmth no matter the obstacles. Even if death should separate us, the bonds we forge will not dissipate.

{Gathering his bow and fletching materials, he stows them away on the unicorn's back. He has fashioned a special saddle for the proud creature - something light, durable and soft. Once everything is secured, he swings himself easily into the saddle, Locket in hand.}

There is much to see; much to enjoy. {Positioning the Locket just so - away from him and towards the trees - he urges Ehtyarion into a quick trot. The beauty of the forest is easy to see - emerald greens, browns, reds and even golds pass in front of the screen. Aragorn lets the view speak for itself before closing the Locket with a click.}

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[Zhaneel enjoyed exploring the vast Drabwurld, even if she avoided some of the darker and more threatening regions closest to Cart Scima. Daily her flights took her places unlike any she had even seen before upon Velgarth and showed her creatures beyond anything the Pelagirs could possibly offer.

Today, her flight carries her over the canopy of trees, wings fanned as she slowly (for her) skirted the limbs and leaves. It's the familiar sound of a bow that catches her ear and ear tufts flick in the direction of the sound. She changes course, catching sight of the mounted ranger as he rides away on his mount.

She glides overhead, following his path from above on wings that serve nearly as silently as an owls'. She catches sight of his bow, secured to his saddle, and thrums low in her chest.]

'Twas you I heard, then? Shooting a bow?

[Her voice carries down through the trees, lilting and curious. She isn't intending on startling he or his mount... she hadn't really intended to speak at all, so much as watch the pair.]

{The unfamiliar voice draws his gaze upwards and he tilts his head, not quite sure if his eyes are playing tricks on him. She almost resembles one of the Eagles, yet there are noted differences and Aragorn can't help but slow Ehtyarion so he can have a better look at her. With one hand holding the reins, he gives her an honest answer:}

Your ears tell you the truth. {His features soften and he adds:} I would not aim an arrow at you, my lady. My weapons are meant orcs and other horrors this land has bred.

{Rangers are thoughtful hunters. They do not take from the land more than it can offer and, when the need for food rises, they kill only those animals that are full-grown and not meant to continue their species. If such prey can't be found, they eat that which the land provides - nuts, berries, various plants etc..}

[Zhaneel keeps up with the unicorn as its clipping along with ease, but as Aragorn draws his mount up to study the gryphon overhead it becomes more difficult than an easy glide. Honestly, a bird could only move so slowly through the air without losing altitude and a gryphon was no different. She waits for an opening in the trees and drops down through them, landing a bit heavily on the forest floor.

She shakes out her feathers, resettling her wings into place along her back.

Gryphon studies Ranger, even as he studies her. She did not see too many men mounted upon the unicorns of Drabwurld, as the creatures were particularly finicky about whom try granted such coveted permission to. And for her part, she knew there were not many gryphons about this world, either, leaving many quite curious and questioning toward her.

She thrums low in her chest, the sound something like a pure and yet different and inclines her head to Aragorn.]

I do appreciate the reassurance, my lord, though it was not a fear I found myself with. [In truth, there were times when Zhaneel should likely show more caution, like approaching an unknown figure with a bow, but they were deep in Seelie lands and she felt safe enough.]

I am called Zhaneel... might I ask your names? [She's learned enough about unicorns that she includes the creature in her question.]

{He hides a wince at her landing, gently urging Ehtyarion forward. The unicorn tosses his head uncertainly, pawing at the ground with one of his dangerously sharp hooves. Yet, with a soft phrase spoken in Elvish, Aragorn soothes the creature's discomfort. He runs a hand down Ehtyarion's arched neck as he visibly relaxes, his intelligent eyes curious rather than disdainful.}

I am relieved to hear such. {His voice is filled with genuine warmth.} Lady Zhaneel, I am Aragorn and this is my companion, Ehtyarion.

{The unicorn bobs his head and glances back at Aragorn as the man slides off of his back. With a gentle touch to the creature's muzzle, Aragorn keeps him calm.}

We often visit these trees and hunt our foes together.

[Zhaneel watches the pair with a degree of wariness, particularly the unicorn's horn. Having met and spoken with Jack while he was a unicorn, she knew well to respect the creature's horn as the formidable weapon it is.

She makes certain not to move any closer to the already uneasy animal, allowing Aragorn to slowly draw closer to her as he speaks soothingly to the unicorn in a language she doesn't know.

When he introduces himself and the unicorn, Zhaneel nods her beak to both in turn.]

Well met, Aragorn and Ehtyarion. [The names are unfamiliar, but they play off her tongue well enough.] But I am no Lady... [Her facial feathers rise and flatten several times in embarrassment.
She's just going to focus on that last bit, because it was far easier to talk about that then her ever being a 'lady.']

And do you oft encounter such foes?

{He places himself between Ehtyarion and Zhaneel - but not out of fear that the unicorn will become defensive. Rather he wants to see the Gryphon's full splendor without a fussy unicorn trying to steal the spotlight.}

What are you, then? {Amusement laces his words - quiet and gentle. He doesn't mean to tease her, yet her reaction is rather charming.} More often than I like.

{Foes never seem to run out.}

I seek to keep the Seelie lands safe.

[Zhaneel's gaze moves from man to unicorn and back again as Aragorn takes his place before his mount. She can't help but fidget a little under the full weight of his gaze, still coming to terms that she might be anything other than a disappointment.

At his teasing question, her ear tufts flick back and then forward again, twitching. If she were human, she'd be blushing, but as it stands she ducks her head and looks at him with one eye.]

A grrryphon... no more, no lessss. [The hissing is syllabants and trilling is all a result of her embarrassment.

His answer draws her full gaze again, ears flicking forward as she shifts her weight from one side to the other.]

Such a path, serving as a protector and champion, is a good one... if not full of its own dangers and threats. Do you do so alone, Aragorn? Just yourself and Ehtyarion? [Her voice is soft and curious, tinged with concern.]

The Gryphons are a magnificent species - that I do not doubt - however you are a lady with kindness in your voice. {Yes his ears are good enough to pick up slight fluctuations in another's tone. All he can sense in hers is curiosity and then...concern. On his behalf.}

There are those who would offer me aid readily if I asked. I have not thus far, so it falls on Ehtyarion and myself to travel alone.

{There is no sadness in that prospect. He is accustomed to the silence of solitude.}

What of yourself? Where are your companions?

Mmm, I merely give back the kindness I receive in turn. [She'd never been referred to as a 'lady' before. In truth, most of what she'd been referred to in the past had been rude and wholly unacceptable in more gentile conditions and company. She flicks an ear slightly at his response, but seems to consider it before nodding once, shifting her wings a bit along her back.]

So long as you know that they are there should you need them... It is one thing to choose to travel alone and another to be left that way. [It was a lesson hard learned and her tone might sound as one that has. She flicks and ear at his question, wings giving a half shrug as she looks away briefly before flicking her golden eyes to him again.]

I have one from my world... another of my kind named Aubri. There are... not many others. [For this post came before the feast, where she met so many new people.] I am... not terribly outspoken, nor have I met too many. [She had mostly kept to herself since arriving, busting herself with flight circuits and patrols of the Seelie territories.] I have grown rather accustomed to it. [Accustomed to it, yes, but it was incredibly lonely at times.]

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