The Black Knight of Tyr: The Littlest Things

[Killthorne]

He heard a wooden plank creak from outside his bedroom. Being as exhausted as he was from travelling to and fro from Shadowdale and Daggerdale, and somewhat half-asleep from arriving so late in the night, his hand instinctively reached for the dagger he kept near the headboard of his bed. He opened one eye slightly, and strained his ear harder. The sound of the feet on the wooden floor were small stepped and barefoot, and light as feathers. He smiled tiredly, and his hand let go of the handle to the dagger.

" DAAA-EEEE!!" his children squealed with delight in unison, as they both leaped onto the bed and on top of him.

"OOF!" Arakiel grunted out as both wrapped their arms around him in the tightest hugs, a child of four winters could muster. Arakiel sighed happily as they continued to hold on, and chuckled at the surprising hold they had on him.

After a moment's embrace, Xavien and Teia moved to his sides and let him turn over to look at them both. He smiled proudly at them, rubbing his face momentarily. Their eyes showed surprise still, and the love he sorely needed from them. He brushed Teia's blonde bangs from her hazel eyes and touched her nose softly, causing small giggles to escape her ecstatic smile. Arakiel turned to his son who was giggling with his sister, and tossed his hair about a bit, causing a slight rat's nest at the top of his shiny black hair. Both children giggled a bit longer, and he wrapped his arms around both and held them for what seemed a lifetime.

" Da-ee? Did you bring anytin' back from Shao-day-wil?" Teia, the confident and seemingly never afraid girl looked into his eyes. Arakiel bit his lip as he knew he had been so busy with other things there, that he had forgotten a gift. His brow furrowed, and she knew right away and grinned. By Tyr, he loved her understanding and compassion that seemed natural for her. She was stubborn and willful at times, but a good explanation on why her way was not always given to her, usually set her at ease quickly.

" Actually, I do have some comfrey. " Arakiel remembered with a half-grin.

" Com-fwee?" Xavien asked inquisitively, his nose crinkled. His voice was soft spoken, but underneath it's tone was strength. Arakiel looked into his son's iridescent green eyes and nodded to him. Xavien was the quiet one usually, his observations seemed more important to him than speaking his mind. He also had a way with nature that seemed to match his gentle side. The Fangs, the large white lions that guarded Daggersprings, seemed to love Xavien as if he was their own cub as Arakiel and Arien have more than once, noted.

"Aye Xavien, comfrey. It's a plant that helps you heal faster in-case ya' get hurt," Arakiel informed them both. " I hope ta' be havin' yer mother plant it in her garden, so we can grow more o' it."

Both children nodded, listening attentively. Arakiel looked at both their faces and shook his head, as he was amazed at their lack of selfishness and want. His brow creased at this, and he laid a hand on both their shoulders gently.

" But next time I go there," Arakiel grinned, " I'll be sure ta' bring ya' back somethin' neat."

Their eyes lit up as any child would, and they both bounced on the bed a couple times excitedly. Arakiel wished at that moment, that all things evil could see them as they were at this precise moment. He longed that those of evil heart and mind could be swayed to believe that it was these little moments in life that should bring the most satisfaction and joy. His mind drew his thoughts inward, and he knew it would never be so. He saw the images of the Embergreens as they were strewn about their homeland, torn, slashed, and burned by drow. The images of the children killed brought a deeper pain, a deeper anger to his heart, one that called for him to serve justice cold to those that had wrought such violence upon the innocent.

He cast those angry thoughts aside immediately though, at his children's faces looking up at him with wonderous love.

" Now... let's get ya' both dressed an' we'll go bother Nina fer some breakfast aye?" Arakiel grinned at them, as he moved to the side of the bed, his twins skipping back to their bedroom in utter joy at the return of their father.

~Killthorne~

[Virvaldin]

Very good Kill. Didn't know you were a writer

[Mikayla]

Where did my reply to this go? I wrote a reply to this - praising Killi no less, and now its gone! Oh well, good writing Killi.

[Mizbiz]

Awwww!

Lovely story, Killthorne.

[Miles]

Nicely done Kill...I'm looking forward to some retellings of our earlier exploits.