eachdraidh | [Video / Open to Both Courts]

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[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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I am glad, Vanyel, that you have had a long-held wish granted. She is lovely.

I shall send her to visit you often. She is good company. [Even if Mindspeech with her is less fulfilling than Mindspeech with Yfandes.]

[ A quiet smile ]

Ah now, far be it from me to part two friends only newly discovered! I would not mind meeting her, but do not trouble yourself on my part.

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.

[ Both Harry and a crow are visible in the locket's image. ]

What exactly is a bond-bird?

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.

[Zhaneel looks on with pleasure, her facial feathers fluffing up around her beak. She had not spoken with Vanyel since the incident with the fear dogs nearly a week ago.]

She is lovely, sh'el. [Golden eyes are pleased.] A more common companion would not suit you. [A shame that the gryphon does not know about Companions. Sorry, kitling, there weren't Companions before the Founding.]

A handsome bird. I am glad to hear that you have been given such a gift.

A magnificent bird.

I understand she is highly intelligent and therefore was never trained, but do you possess falconry knowledge?

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.]

[Alshoa watches the crow avidly, sending Vanyel a vague sense of surprise.]

A bird which has the ability to bond with a Mage. They are generally touched by magic, which causes them to grow larger than their natural cousins. The magic also gives them enough intelligence to speak.

[Mentally, that is.]

I see you have a handsome companion yourself.

Edited 2014-11-28 09:22 (UTC)

[He brightens at the sight of her, relieved to see her doing so well.]

I fear she knows. [And that's fine by him. Yfandes had been a proud lady too.] Since I was torn from Yfandes's side, I think the Fairies are trying to make up for it.

[Alshoa butts her head against the Locket, making soft crooning sounds at Zhaneel.]

Thank you, Lady Idril. I only hope I can give her adequate company.

I wish I had learned more from the Tayledras where bond-birds are concerned, but she will tell me what fails my notice. [Alshoa isn't a shy bird nor is she so young that she's unsure of their bond.] The Fairies have given me an almost mature bond over-night, which is unheard of in the Vale. Bond-birds and Mages must spend years together before possessing a bond this strong.

I do. Her name's Linnaea.

[ The crow clacks her beak and tilts her head. Curious, curious. ]

So, they sound a bit like a familiar, but not quite. We usually have owls or cats, sometimes a toad, and it doesn't really get bigger, but I do think they end up smarter.

[She thrums low in her throat, chortling in amusement as she nods her beak once.]

Well, or course she does... a bright and brilliant lady such as she will clearly know her worth.

[Zhaneel cocks her head to one side, eyeing the white raven with keen interest.]

The faeries seem to do their part in making us comfortable here. [Mostly.]

The power of the Monarchs is nothing to dismiss. But am I correct in assuming you are unable to teach falconry to another then?

[ 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. ]

Of that, I am sure.

I would not dismiss nor doubt their power. [He doesn't have a death wish ~~anymore~~.] It can be taught to some degree, however if you are unable to hear their voice, the bond will be difficult.

You are too kind. I hope you find yourself in the company of such a fine companion.

I cannot complain overmuch about their hospitality. [He just wishes they hadn't kidnapped them first.] Would you mind teaching Alshoa about these lands?

Edited 2014-12-15 04:49 (UTC)

A proper name for a intelligent lady. [Magic has a strange effect on many creatures.] Those that dwell near Nodes or Heartstones are visibly changed - usually for the better. But I could do without the Cold Drakes.

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?

I have taken a young golden eagle to train, but have only texts and memories of a comrade of mine skilled in it. I would like to learn if you are willing. There is no magic involved in this.

I would be happy to lend you a hand. Alshoa should be able to help it go quicker for you too. It's nice to have someone who can relay messages.

Much appreciated. I am called Saber. What may I do in exchange?

I'm Vanyel and you don't need to worry about that. I'll enjoy seeing your eagle.

Well met, Vanyel. I have named my eagle Bedivere. Still, should there come something I can do in exchange, please let me know.

I am of the Unseelie, though, so there are limits as to what I am willing to do.

[He chuckles and shrugs his shoulders.]

We are enemies in the eyes of this world, but I don't accept new enemies easily. I have enough already in my world.

[More than enough.]

I prefer to not have enemies until it is time to have them. I am a knight, Vanyel. I have my duty, but I also have honor.

[ 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.

[Zhaneel fluffs up her facial feathers, beak gaping in a gryphonic grin as she bobs her head once.]

It would be my pleasure, sh'el... I think she will settle in quite quickly once she learns the paths best flown.

She chose it herself.

[ Linn shrugs, in as much as a bird can, and hops off his shoulder to go do something more interesting. Have fun talking on the lockets, Harry, she's got a book to read. ]

What's a Cold Drake?

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[Video / Open to Both Courts]

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