eachdraidh | [Video / Open to Both Courts]

[Who doesn't like waking to a present? He recalls asking for a Tayledras bond-bird, but there is a big difference between asking and receiving. The white raven is three times the size of a normal raven and she has clearly told the Herald-Mage that her name is "Alshoa".

Silver eyes glowing with delight and pride, Vanyel tugs on a leather gauntlet and coaxes the raven onto his wrist. She steps into place and flutters her magnificent wings, her blue eyes keen and sharp.]

The Fairies have given me my first boon. Her name is Alshoa, which means "spirit" in Tayledras. She is a bond-bird - a common companion for Tayledras Mages. [He strokes over her breast feathers with two fingers.] I had not thought I would ever have one.

[He snickers at her response, giving her an admonishing look.]

I did not mean it that way. She doesn't approve of anyone "having her", it seems. She is free to choose her Master, though I sincerely hope she chooses me.

[The raven makes a soft sound, walking further up his arm and onto his shoulder.]

Tokast, alsh'sh'aen. ["Thank you, soul-sister."]

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Birds are meant to fly. Keeping her caged would be a cruelty. [He carefully feeds her tidbits of meat.] And I would prefer to send her to those I trust.

[ Maglor visibly starts at the sentiment ]

You do me a kindness, Vanyel, although I do not know that I would trust myself, let alone allow another to trust me. But if she flies to me, she will always have a welcome here.

[Alshoa tap taps the Locket screen, peering at Maglor with one bright eye. Vanyel seems to be listening to her, his eyes unfocused. Then he smiles warmly and sets her on the back of a chair.]

She is a proud creature, Maglor. If she sensed danger, she would fight to return to me. You needn't worry about her being naive.

[He pauses before adding:]

And she tells me you have...a voice of song? [Birds can only communicate so well and their phrases are sometimes exceptionally simple (and thus confusing).]

Lovely and intelligent. [ He smiles at Alosha, and for a brief moment the teasing young prince of long ago surfaces to twinkle at her brightly ] I am glad you will not be without such joy.

[ Maglor blinks at that ] That... [ a crooked smile ] That is very kind of her to say so, and doubtless my mother would agree with her - it is, after all, what I was named for.

[She lifts her beak proudly, her chest expanding as she displays her pure white plumage.]

She seems determined to stay. I am grateful for that. [He gives her another treat, watching her eat delicately, holding the meat with her talons.]

Is that so? I'm not surprised she would notice the quality of your voice. The Tayledras enjoy their music and even use songs to heal.

She is truly lovely and I am glad.

[ Maglor smiles and ducks his head in a pleased bow ]

Are the Tayledras her race?

The Tayledras are human. They are often called Hawkbrothers because of their connection with birds. [Birds of prey in particular.] Most never set eyes upon them as they tend to blend in with the forest. Even their homes are up in the trees.

Ahh [ Maglor hums thoughtfully and tips his head playfully at Vanyel ]

Does that make you one, now that you have such a lovely companion?

They sound a fascinating people - like our Silvan kin, they seem, a folk of wood and tree.

No. [He looks more than a little pleased that Maglor would think so, however.] Some of my children will be.

[Because he helped two of his dear friends - both Tayledras Mages - have children. Twins, in fact.]

That explains them well. Tayledras Mages are magnificent to look upon because their work with leylines and nodes bleaches their hair white and their eyes blue.

[Maybe some of his white hairs are now explained.]

[ Maglor tips his head and eyes the white in Vanyel's hair in curiosity ]

Did you take a wife amongst them then? Or foster young ones? Forgive me if I am too forward - but I am to take it that the colouring of the hair is specific to those who work with such things?

The Silvan and Sindar... ah, the Woodland Prince, young Legolas is Silvan, at least in part, but his colouring suggests Sindar, I think. White hair is unusual amongst the Eldar, and Silver is specific to those from the royal line of Thingol and his close kin.

[ Like Celebrian and her father, he thinks in amusement. ]

I did not. [He smiles a little, shaking his head.] I'm beyond my bashfulness. [Okay not really, but he can talk about it.] I provided seed after a surrogate was chosen. They asked it of me and I wanted to give them the joy of holding a child in their arms.

[He keeps in contact with all of his children, though he lets their parents raise them. To them, he's just "Uncle Van" until they are old enough to understand and that's fine by him.]

Brightstar and Featherfire are twins - a boy and a girl. They are being raised by my Tayledras mentors - who are both male. Then there is Arden, who is being raised by two female fighters. They are now retired and they wished to fill their lives with rearing a child they could call their own.

And lastly, but not in the least, there is Jisa. She is growing fast and the daughter of King Randale and his consort Healer Shavri.

[Tilting his head curiously, he frowns.]

Perhaps the color has something to do with magic in your world too?

[ An eyebrow crooks up You humans are weiiiiiird ]

It ... seems a strange way of doing things, but I suppose as long as all concerned were content...

But four children is a goodly number, my congratulations, Vanyel.

[ He shakes his head ]

I suspect, for starters, that we do not mean quite the same thing when we say 'magic', Vanyel - I have seen you work the magic of your world a little, and no such powers do the Eldar have, although there is much we can accomplish that might seem thus to others. No - the royal line of Elwe all have that silver hair, it is seemingly a trait of that line, with no relation to anything else. My grandmother Miriel was of that line, although not directly so. Here, you may meet the Lord Celeborn and his daughter, the Lady Celebrian, and the lord is a close kinsman to Elwe.

[Video / Open to Both Courts]

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private video .......I swear I hit post on this B|

private video - getting sick suuuucks.

/pettings feeling better tho?