A Family ~März~

He’s heard this before, from a faraway memory. He’s dreamt of it many times, of the comforting words of a woman long forgotten and buried. Elef’s reassurance causes for the little prince to sob harder, his emotions spilling all over the place. He heaves a few times, trying to once again to gather his bearings during this period.

These reassuring words, oh they’ve been said to him twice– from the two people he had gotten comfortable with, before their demise. He slowly raises his head, revealing his tear stained face. At least for now, his breath has slowed down, despite some tears still falling down his cheeks. 

“Thank you, Va-Vati, I’m glad to know….” He says, his voice cracking a bit while saying this, he takes another deep breath, and seems to have calmed a bit now, and there seems to be a deep resolve in his red eyes. “ I couldn’t protect the people I loved before you because I was weak, I still am weak….” 

He wears a tired apologetic smile now, “…Vati, do you think you can help me get stronger?”

Such good eyes.

Elefseus couldn’t help but to appreciate the determination in the kid’s eyes. Did he look like that in the long, long past? Hurt and scared, März still had a fire in his eyes. A smile came to the adult’s lips. His son was already strong, he just needed to realize his potential.

“Of course. Let’s protect those we treasure together.” He patted März’s head before holding his hand once again. “Strength isn’t just fighting prowess, but many other things... it’ll be hard, but I’m sure you can do it.”

He looked away for a moment, wondering about what to do. Self-defense was an important skill to have, but he wanted to give him other weapons... Wars were far from the only battlefield at the castle.

“I’ll teach you everything I know, so no enemy brings you fear anymore. For now, thought, let’s go to sleep... I’m sure you are tired.”

The child from that day would never find himself broken, driven to the abyss, like those before him. The wolf would bare his fangs to destiny over and over just for that sake.

The Princess Sleeping in a Tower of Roses @prinzessinrosen

A curse over her, since she was a baby, it predicted that at her fifteenth birthday she would prick with a spindle and then fall asleep for a century, her kingdom would accompany her. Despite of all the way to prevent it, it happened. She was sleeping in the tower of roses, on a bed made of flowers, waiting patiently for her charming prince to wake her up; oh, and she truly knew how that was supposed to happen: a love kiss from her promised man, from the person that would love her since the very instant they saw each other. Rose was totally looking forward to that part of the curse, finding love and having a happy life.

The predictons also said a little detail, while the whole kingdom would be covered in roses and thorns, those would leave free access to the promised prince.

And there she was, sleeping peacefully, on her skin and her features there wasn’t a sign of the pass of time, she still looked like a teenager despite of the century.

The moment their lips touched, her eyes opened slowly and tried to focus on her love. Yet the light was so difficult to handle right now, everything she could see was the silhouette of a young man before me. Despite of not being able to see well right now, her eyes showed life and a huge happiness, followed by a bright smile.

Elefseus broke the kiss almost inmediately, uncomfortable as he was with doing it to an unconcious stranger. It worked nevertheless: to his incredulity, her eyes opened as soon as their lips touched, the century sleep over. His heart skipped a beat at the sight. Was it due to the surprise or because the young princess was surprisingly beautiful? He didn’t know, perhaps it was a mix of those two.

But she looked happy － he had done the right thing after all. Relief invaded his entire self at the realization of a work well done. He wanted to run and tell everyone about it, but he had to stay by her side for the time being. It would be cruel to leave the princess by herself at the moment, even if Polydeuces was the most indicated to help these people in the long run. After all, he had the wisdom that Elefseus, still young and inexperienced, lacked.

The prince sighed. He would do his very best to help these people until Polydeuces arrived to the scene. It was the least he could do after breaking the curse. With that determination, he offered his hand to her.

“How are you feeling, princess?” He asked, a gentle smile in his lips.

nature walk

When Elefseus ruffles her white locks, the princess giggles into her hands, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. Who knows if her tutor was already hot in pursuit to drag her back into her room? She couldn’t have that, she just left and needed some time to break. Four hours of studies felt like a lot for her, truthfully. 

The young princess wears a toothy grin up to her father, appreciative of his affection. 

“Ohh, does it have to do with grown up things?” She questions, tilting her head to the side.  This kind of thing, she recalls is something she’ll have to do down the line. The second part of his sentence is expected, so she replies without any hesitation. There wasn’t any need to lie to her father, because telling the truth was a good thing to do.

“I…do have class now, but my current lesson just ended! I was falling asleep Vati, and thought it’d be best to get some fresh air so I can wake up a bit.”

The years had passed, but Elefseus was still impressed to see how healthy their daughter was in spite of her condition. So full of energy and joy... Her smile was enough to make everything he had gone through for her sake more than worth it. She was that wonderful, the most wonderful girl.

“Yes, it’s something that allows us to make everyone happy.” He didn’t want to be overbearing, but he couldn’t help but to try and instill a sense of duty on her. “Just as happy as we are.”

The tenderness in his eyes only grew when she explained her problem. She was like her mother in that regard too, there was no doubt about that, so he knew better than sending her back to her studies. He didn’t want to spend the afternoon and evening searching for her in the forest after she snuck out.

“I see, then there are no helping it! Where do you want to go, lil’ one?” Elefseus poked her nose with a giggle. “How about a horse ride? I could even let you use the reins.”

First rule as a father: make learning a game.

send a symbol to give my muse...

○: a hug ●: a kiss (feel free to specify where) □: a flower crown ■: a nudge in the side ♤: an uncomfortably long stare ♡: a hair ruffling ♢: a push from behind ♧: a backhand slap ☆: a fronthand slap ¤: a book to read 》: a pat on the back ¡: an apology ¿: a gift

A Family ~März~

He isn’t sure why he tells Elefseus this. 

He’s embarrassed that he’s been unable to tell his mother, but after everything that has happened and the similarities between her and that woman. He clams up. Although there were some differences, like with their appearances – it left an everlasting impact onto his psyche. But eventually he will tell her of the horrors he’s endured. The young prince continues to sob, fresh tears continue to roll down his cheeks. 

“…e-every c-chance of happiness I had was snatched away,” he mutters into Elef’s chest, “s-seven times….” He’s counted. Each encounter is ingrained into his memory, despite wanting to forget about everything. He swallows heavily, trying to get control of his emotions once more. But having held this in for so long, he’s finally reached his catharsis. “S-Sometimes, I wish death took me swifter –– b-but that…that never happened.”

He closes his eyes, sniffling. “ I-I am too…’cuz, I wouldn’t of me-met e-either of you.”

As März cried out all his anguish in his arms, Elefseus said nothing. He understood it way too well, he had lived through similar experiences. Life hadn’t been kind with either... and both had something else in common: lasting happiness didn’t reach them until they met with Rose. She was truly a wonderful woman, flaws and all.

“This time nobody will snatch that happiness away, I promise. I won’t allow it.” His voice was slightly cracked by emotion. “You are our son now, März, and we’ll protect you from all that may harm you. It’s over.”

If only he could do something like this for every kind suffering the same misery... If only he could protect everyone from this kind of pain. He did his best as a king, but it was obvious that hadn’t been enough for kids like März. Elefseus never entertained that train of thought for long, however, and cut it right there. He was already doing as much as he could as a ruler... and the fear to listen at the voice of death again had never gone away. He couldn’t totally escape from his ‘father’, after all.

nature walk

Etiquette, the history of their country, the studies of politics – oh, it put poor Lafrenze to sleep. That’s why she slips out of her room quickly, before her next tutor can come teach her about something unimportant. The light pitter patter of feet can be heard as she hurries down the grand hallway. She checks every room, before storming in – in case she runs into someone that’ll shoo her back to her studies. When she finally happens upon her Father’s study, and sees him inside – the creak and groan of the door is heard and it isn’t long till the princess hurries to his side.

With a light tug to the cloth of his clothes, Lafrenze looks up toward her Father, with a expectant look. She and Elef are quite close, and he was very understanding therefore she hopes he allows for her to sneak away for a bit. She was going to be subtle about her needs, because she knows he is probably busy. But she had her hopes.

“Vati,” She whispers quietly, and she tugs again, unsure whether or not he felt her, “…..Vati? What are you up to?”

Another dawn brought with it another busy day for Elefseus. Although they were in peace with the nearby kingdoms and Elef’s measures were proving succesful in keeping crime at bay, the work needed to keep the status quo was overwhelming for a man still unused to his increasing responsibilities. Not like if he would ever complain: his work made everyone’s lives better, after all.

With that in mind, Elefseus pulled another letter from his desk. He was tired, sure, but he could wait a bit more for a break. At least, of course, until he felt tug and heared the sweet voice of his dear daughter. When did she get in...? Had she inherited her mother’s talent to sneak out?

Well, it didn’t matter. He was happy to see her.

“Lafrenze!” He kneeled in front of her, a warm smile in his lips. “I was reading a letter, but that doesn’t matter. What are you doing here? I thought you had class now.”

His hand, so big in comparison with hers, ruffled her hair a bit before resting in her shoulder. He was so glad to see Lafrenze. There was no better medicine than some time spent with her or Rose, his lovely family.

《 Welcome to the House of All Worlds. 》

《 My name is Saga Alvane. Walking through the Songlines, I’ve visited more universes than any other before ― and yet I’m far from seeing them all. Why don’t you take a rest for a bit, traveller, and listen to the stories of this grandma? 》

Guidelines ⁑ About Saga

A Family ~März~

His cries, originally –– they would not be heard. That’s why for the longest time he refrained from doing so; it was perceived as a weakness. He vaguely remembers the feeling of being held and being comforted. But over the years those gentle touches were replaced with rougher ones. Being touched made him feel uncomfortable because he wasn’t safe, but the difference now is he is safe. There was some reluctance from März when Elefseus embraces him. But he wraps his tiny arms around the man’s body, returning the embrace. 

There was a slight tremble in his body, as he lightly sobs when burying his head into the other’s chest.

“Y-Yes,” He confirms through his sobs, at some points of his life he wanted to die. It seemed like a better option but he kept trucking along, despite the obstacles thrown his way. Because if he didn’t–– he would never have met with Rose, nor gotten to know her.

Despite Elef saying it was okay to cry, he tried to keep his sobs muted. He didn’t want to disturb anyone from his sobs. It was out of habit to keep his voice down and quiet, because he didn’t want to be a nuisance . The comforting touches from Elef’s hand relaxes him, causing for März to keep his body closer. 

“…I didn’t wanna live,” he mumbles into Elefseus’s chest, “ It wasn’t fair…it wasn’t fair, Vati; I was just kept as a trophy t’some. But I’m s-so g-glad you t-took me in.”

Elefseus kept with the caresses all the while, wanting him to feel safe. In that crying boy, he saw himself more than anything. His confessions between sobs, his reluctant hug... everything strengthened the desire to shield him from his pain. He wanted März to be happy, never again to suffer through the hardships Moira had given him in the past.

He wanted to be the blind poet to the slave boy this time around. His heart ached to help, to bring a bit of justice to this world, as strongly as ever; and so he lowered his head to whisper at him, embracing him.

“Yes... Destiny isn’t fair, it has never been.” A smirk tainted with sadness crossed his lips. “And wanting to die is fair in that situation, but I’m glad you kept going in spite of that. You are a brave young boy. Not everything can be avoided, but you won’t know if it’s possible unless you try and try until the very end.”

In spite of his efforts, he had lost plenty of things... but he had won other fights. His sister lived on thanks to that. He rebuilt his family after tragedy struck them with Lafrenze thanks to that. If the one brother he never knew were to look at the man he had become, he would be proud of him. The cynic in Elefseus had waned with the pass of the years.