{Video (Open to Both Courts)/Action}

[rangerandking]

{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.}

Comments

[rangerandking]

{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.

[bondedgryphon]

[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?

[rangerandking]

{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.

[bondedgryphon]

[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.]

[rangerandking]

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?

[bondedgryphon]

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.]