draconigena440

[draconigena440]

"Oh I didn't say that." Artur said with a teasing look in his eyes when Harley mentioned nerf dart guns. He and his brother loved playing with the young ones in the family. Hell the whole family just loved playing no matter what their age.

"How have you and your family handled the fires little one?" Vladimir asked as he joined the two and pulled Harley into a one armed hug before kissing the top of her head. "It's just Artur and I here at the moment but Vlad, Nicholas, Vladimir, Gavril and even Jack are all gathering information for me so I know were to start here."

Okay, so maybe it had been a seriously uncool, dweebish thing to do. But then again, she was a total dweeb. So it had definitely been on brand for her. Besides, she could tell that uncle Artur was totally amused and unbothered.. because he knew she was about as violent as a butterfly stuck in the icing on a cupcake. Legit weaksauce.

❝ Oh!! Uhhh, ❞ it wasn't the goofiest thing she'd ever done around any of them, but that didn't exactly take the embarrassment factor down any when her grandfather appeared. ❝ Hi, Grandpa. ❞

❝ — So that's a negative on the nerf dart guns then? ❞ Feigning a weary sigh, she relented and reached out to run her fingers through her uncle's fur. ❝ Okay, I'll settle for just the snackies. This time. ❞

[draconigena440]

Vladimir was beyond exhausted and in pain but as usual he had hit the ground running as soon as he landed in the US. Therefore it was a rare moment he began to drift off while sitting at the desk in the office of his hotel suite before something in the main room suddenly had him sitting straight up and immediately going on edge, "Shite." He whispered under his breath before realizing who it was.

"Harley?!" He called out as he slowly got to his feet and grabbing the cane he used when his back was bothering him. He then cocked his head and smiled when he saw his granddaughter standing in the middle of the main room singing to Artur.

"Well your cousin Vlad won't stand for violence so let us find you a snack little dragon." Artur said with a smile before gently rubbing against the young woman.

❝ I crave Snackies and Viooolenceee. ❞ Yes, she'd just randomly started singing out of nowhere. Yes, she would continue singing until she got her snackies.. and successfully committed some form of violence.

Open

[draconigena440]

OOC:

I'm sorry for this but I can't really help but feel I should just give up trying to keep going on any of my blogs. Does anyone even want me and my muses. I'm trying to clean up and add stuff to a few and I'm considering bringing one back.

And to be clear, I'm not talking about people going through it right now. I'M going through it right now, feeling very lost and alone. Hence, in this post, I just need to know my effort and my presence are wanted.

[draconigena440]

Jack and Artur had smiled a little at Orm's confusion, considering Jack still dressed in 18th-century clothing and had been about to say something before Vladimir had joined them. It was not lost on any of them that the Atlantian had gone ridged when the knight appeared.

Vladimir shook his head sadly and dropped his hand down back to his side but before he could reply, a galleon much larger than the Black Pearl suddenly dove out of the water just inches away from the Pearl and bobbed on the surface of the water for a moment as it settled.

"REALLY David?!" Sparrow yelled at the other ship since he was VERY familiar with the vessel's captain, and the former man loved to make Jack's life a living hell at times. The only thing that kept everyone from being drenched was that Vladimir used his abilities with the elements to deflect the wave that would have washed over the deck back into the sea. The Romani pirate then jumped a good foot backward when Davy Jones suddenly appeared right before him. "Yer a bloody bastard!" He said before wincing and wrapping an arm around his midsection as pain pierced his abdomen.

"David, kindly stop tormenting your cousin and take him to his cabin and make him lay down," Vladimir ordered in the tone he used when he was not amused, not bothering to look over at the two. He then smiled softly when Colpyso suddenly appeared in her human form as her lover winced at the tone and went to do as ordered. "Hello, my Lady. I am glad you and David are here."

"Such a handsome man ye have become, Orm," Colpyso said with a kind smile as she approached the young Atlantian and gently ran her long, dark fingers over his cheek. "But such pain him is conditioned to hide. Not too unlike yer grandfather when I first met em so long ago on a beach in Britannia."

"No, Orm did not like what I would see and hear when I would look in on you in my way," Vladimir said as he pulled down the hood of the cloak he wore so Orm could see his face. "When you were about five, your mother begged me to take you, and we tried, with the help of Jack, Colpyso, and the being you know as Davy Jones." He then gently pulled him into his arms and used his abilities to offer the love and calm he needed. "We offer you nothing but love and acceptance, little one, I promise you. No tricks or ulterior motives."

He had begun to think he should leave. He could eventually get a message to Arthur and their mother that things hadn't worked out quite as they'd hoped.. but that he would be fine, regardless, and would find his way back to them when the time was right. This had been a mistake from the second mother had dreamt it up..

But then the Ship appeared, and he realized quickly enough that it had come to collect him — another wretched idea. Was Arthur aware of this? Had he afforded this vessel and everyone aboard a measure of ptotection? Or was this potentially an ambush just waiting to happen??

He had nothing but the Surface Dweller clothes he now wore, clothes that Arthur had picked out for him.. that he didn't care for the look or feel of, but had been assured would help him blend in. ( To some degree, at least. ) — He had nothing, and he said nothing as he stepped aboard without incident, then took a moment to look around before turning his gaze back to the Captain.. his.. cousin? And the large creature that was with him. ( What was that? He'd never seen one before. — Their uncle?? How could that possibly be?? )

His confusion was glaringly apparent; it had knitted his fair brows tightly together and had parted his lips with the beginnings of a question.. one the arrival of what he could only guess was the main man to whose hands mother had entrusted his care ( as if he were still a child ) prevented him from posing.

His posture grew rigid immediately. His broad shoulders squared themselves up and rolled back into a position with which they were more accustomed. — He stood before his elder like a Soldier being appraised by a ruthless Commander, not as a family member being met for the first time. ❝ — I cannot imagine you enjoyed what you saw then, ❞ he replied tersely, his gaze fixed straight ahead. ❝ I had never heard of any of you until only a few days ago.. ❞

[draconigena440]

Vladimir hadn't been able to join his grandson Jack on the pirate's beloved Pearl in several years, but the letter Sparrow had brought from Atlanna had changed everything, and the knight took to the sea again with his brother Artur and sailed to the coordinates where he was told Orm would be waiting. As old as he was and as challenging it was for Vladimir to climb into the tail ship's rigging, it was there he felt the most at home since he had spent most of his Royal Navy and White Star Line careers getting into hard-to-reach places.

He had been way up the main mast of the Pearl when they got to their destination and was slowly making his way down as Jack welcomed Orm abord.

"Mind yer step, cousin," Jack said with a warm, crooked smile as Artur slowly came over, considering he was in his true form. "Ta Pearl has her own mind and hasn't gotten the measure of ye yet. But welcome, and here comes Uncle Artur."

The bear looked up at his Atlantian nephew and smiled, "Hello, little one." He said before looking over his shoulder as his brother came out of the mist.

"My Gods…" Vladimir said before smiling kindly. "You look like your mother and some of your cousins." He stopped just before embracing Orm but did place a hand on the young man's shoulder so he could feel the truth of his next words. "I am so sorry it has taken so long for us to meet. Despite our bloodline, Artur and I are still very much human, and your father never allowed your mother to bring you to meet us but that has not stopped us from loving you and watching you grow from afar."

@Draconigena440:

His presence there flew in the face of everything with which he'd been taught.. no, poisoned all his life. In truth, were it not for his mother's pleas, he would be elsewhere.. perhaps in that abandoned Fisherman's shack he'd found just far away enough from Tom's lighthouse to protect Arthur's family, but close enough to the water for him to feel somewhat at home - despite the fact he had to be careful about when and where he entered those waters, and how deep down he swam at any given time.

He would rather be with their mother, trying to make up for all the time with her that he'd been robbed of by his father's hatred.. and then deceit. But Atlanna's main focus was now torn between Tom, the love of her life, and Arthur - with his young family and still being new to the throne of Atlantis. He was a burden she should not have to bear, and THAT was the reason he'd finally agreed to let her send him away to ' family ' he did not know.. and wasn't sure he'd any desire to.

❛ You're not alone in this, little brother. ❜ Funny, he felt more alone now than he had as a child, curled tightly in a ball on the floor - trying desperately not to weep as hunger ravaged his beaten and broken body; after all, tears were precious water that should not be wasted. Tears were a sickening sign of weakness.. but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerously close to shedding some, now.

Where was this man that was supposed to be waiting for him? The one mother had said was so anxious to finally meet him - as if he was actually supposed to believe that was little more than an attempt to soothe his nerves. ( An attempt that had failed, miserably, at that. ) Was he really here? Or had he, perhaps, changed his mind while Orm had been en route to this place?

[draconigena440]

The knight quickly moved out of Lorraine's way and tied his lower shoulder-length hair back while reading Ed and Lorraine's lips as best he could. Father Gordon and Drew had spared no detail about how Ed's heart attack happened, so when he saw Ed say, "Arne! It's got Arne." he called his vampire grandson Vlad through the telepathic bond that they had and told him to bring in the military grade phone that they had.

"What's the number, Lorraine?" Vlad asked when he came in with the phone and heard her tell his grandfather she needed to find a phone.

Lorraine had just barely been cognizant of anything since the night they'd arrived at Brookfield General, still feeling Ed's wild, frantic pulse pounding against her fingertips, and haunted by the pain in his eyes. The way he'd struggled just to breathe.. She'd been trying desperately to maintain some degree of composure, mainly for Judy's sake, but for Ed's as well. And all that effort had consumed her ability to truly focus. It had robbed her of greater strength than even the years she'd spent being plagued by visions of Ed's death - the fate Valak had destined him for, which had narrowly been averted in Enfield.

This was so much worse; she'd held him, as the Glatzels had cradled David, and she'd felt him slipping away. She'd felt it.

She'd thought she was dreaming when she'd heard it; his voice was so weak and raspy. But then she'd heard Vladimir speak to him once more, and she forced herself to pick her head up and open her eyes. " Ed!! " He was awake! At last. She sprang up from her chair and quickly made her way up to the head of the bed - trying to avoid colliding with his Grandfather in her rush to reach him. Her hands were outstretched, and quickly found their way to cradle his face - to sweep their trembling fingers over his cheeks and forehead with the utmost gentility and reverance.

❝ Lorraine, you.. have to call —  ❞

" Shhh, no darling. Your Grandfather's right — "

❝ The Glatzels. ❞

" Honey, everything's fine. David's safe. We — "

❝ Arne! It's got Arne. ❞

That's the last thing he remembered clearly. That's what he'd needed to tell her before.. everything had faded but the pain. Arne had saved David. Arne had saved his life as well, but now he was in grave danger. And though Ed wanted nothing more than to comfort Lorraine and seek his own solace in both her and his grandfather.. that was more important. — They had to find a way to save Arne.

Lorraine's gaze leapt from Ed's pale, pained features to Vladimir's. She was torn between wanting to remain at Ed's side and heeding his wishes. " — I have to find a phone, " she sighed after a few moments of warring with herself, " I'll be right back. "

[draconigena440]

Vladimir wasn't surprised that Lorraine hadn't noticed his presence during the week that he had been there, considering he had hit the ground running as soon as he had got to the hospital and worked with Ed's doctors and Father Gordon but he had tried his best to be a supportive presence in the best way he knew how by using his vast years of knowledge of both medicine and the supernatural to help the man they both loved.

He had used his abilities to support the human body off and on for the week leading up to taking Warren off the ventilator and pushed himself a bit past his limits, so that's what helped contribute to the Edward slip, but it also did give the immortal an indicator of the man's mental capacity because the knight felt Ed's annoyance through his touch, "Lorraine's on your right little one." He said before stiffly getting to his feet from his sitting position on the bed when Ed looked in that direction.

She'd prayed. She'd prayed over him until her knees ached, and her throat was raw. She'd wept. She'd wept until the column of his neck, the shoulder and chest of his hospital gown was soaked with her tears; always at night, when Judy had either gone to the house to rest or back to school. Always at night, when Father Gordon and Drew had taken their leave.. and when she'd thought everyone else was far too busy to notice.

❛ He's doing well, all things considered. ❜ ❛ The fact he survived the surgery, alone, is promising. ❜ ❛ We'll know more when we can bring him out of the coma and take him off the machines. ❜ ❛ We'll see where we stand tomorrow.. ❜ Tomorrow had come without her realizing; at some point she'd fallen asleep with her head pillowed on his right bicep and her fingers laced tightly through his - something else she hadn't actually realized until she'd heard Ed's grandfather talking to him.

His eyelids were unbearably.. impossibly heavy, but he'd managed to pry them open with a flutter of long, fair lashes. His vision was horribly blurred and further hindered by the sunlight streaming through the windows, but even so, he could tell that the features above him didn't belong to the one person he wanted to see most: Lorraine. The hands he felt weren't hers either..

❛ Edward. ❜ Despite his weakened, confused state, that struck an especially raw nerve deep within him.. but the only response he could offer was to do exactly as he'd been told - curling his long fingers in around his grandfather's hands and squeezing lightly - with all the strength he could muster.

❝ L-L-Lor..raine?? ❞ It was broken and raspy, but he'd managed it.

[draconigena440]

To say Vladimir was exhausted was a massive understatement, considering he had dropped everything, flown halfway across the world as soon as his granddaughter Judy had called him about Ed's heart attack, and hadn't stopped since. Still, he knew he couldn't stop or rest just yet. After almost a week, Ed was stable enough to be brought out of sedation.

The knight did manage a smile when Warren slowly opened his eyes and moved to have Ed's hands around his, "Edward if you can hear me, I need you to squeeze my hands." He said before wincing when he realized he had called Ed Edward.

[draconigena440]

The former knight looked up and smiled when his grandson spoke, "You know better than that little one." He said before setting the papers he was sorting through back in the dispatch box and standing up before going around the large desk. He was barefoot and wearing the loose black clothing he wore when he didn't have to worry about time periods since the pattern was from his own time. "I always want to see you and the others when I'm in town."

Well, it was a valid question.. The truth? Yes, he probably would've continued to stand there however long it took for him to be acknowledged. ❝ — I was tryin' real hard not to make a nuisance of myself, ❞ he admitted, then finally shuffled over the threshold looking for all the world like an overgrown toddler that had just been thoroughly scolded.

[draconigena440]

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to come in?" Vladimir asked Shane without looking up from what he was working on. He had only gotten to the hotel where he stayed when in Manhatten a few hours before and had gotten right to work in trying to figure out the mess of paperwork that had been forwarded along while he was in Washington DC.

[draconigena440]

In the few hours since their arrival, Myrddin had started taking care of Vladimir while Vladimir's twins saw to the dragons. It had only been because Uthur had a bond with Targī̆tavah that kept the massive creature from trying to protect Vladimir when Mattias and a few others had come running to help. The older Igriane accepted there was little she could do to help her brother with her son and frankly she was too shaken to actually be of any help so she had let Anna lead her to a room where she had broken down into sobs as soon as she had been left alone.

She was honestly thankful Elsa didn't check on her right away because she too needed time. Time to think, time to pace, and time to pray. She had known Vladimir had been on the verge of a total physical collapse but what she saw and what she felt had gone way beyond that and she suspected there were darker forces involved thanks to her former mother-in-law.

She smiled softly and kindly when Elsa apologized for not checking on her sooner, "I completely understand my dear and frankly I needed space too." Her smile became a little more when her daughter-in-law mentioned Vladimir. "I suspect that is because my brother is keeping him as drugged as possible and his body is finally at the point where he can not do much of anything else. Both my sons are and were as selfless and sometimes foolhardy as their father but Vladimir especially. He was not well enough to fly here at all and he knew it but all he could think about was you and making sure you and Sorren knew of Artur's death from us and not Rome. He adores you both and promised Artur he would protect his memory and Sorren's inheritance with every fiber of his being. Vladimir only was able to know his father because of his abilities and had his inheritance was cruelly ripped away from him."

Elsa took several deep breaths before she knocked on the door of the room Igraine will be calling her's during her stay. She adored her mother-in-law and she didn't want her being overwhelmed with so much happening to cause her to appear numb, though that is what she feels at the moment. She wrapped her hand around Arthur's wedding band. It now hung on a thin gold chain around her neck and she carried his rosary beads in her pocket.

"Hi," she spoke softly and smiled gently as she entered the room. "Today has been ...a lot. Too much. I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner. I needed space. But I want to make sure you're ok, as ok as you can be under the circumstances. I'm relieved to hear that Vladamir is actually resting. The incident sounds quite traumatic for all of you --especially you." Elsa sat down at her bedside.

"I was thinking that after Arthur's service you and I could have some time alone together. Just the two of us, and Sorren of course. I need some time away to grieve in private and I think I'd like to share that time with you."

[draconigena440]

Vladimir had been forced by pain and nausea to sit down in the nearest chair after his sister-in-law left and was unable to move for quite a while before making what some might think as a foolish decision to use the last of his strength to wrap himself in the hooded cloak he had brought with him and sneak out of the castle and the surrounding town in the direction of where he could sense his brother's dragon had wandered. He got the creature to almost lie down in the snow and pulled himself into the saddle just as an even more massive shadow passed overhead. His red and black dragon Targī̆tavah flew over and landed just next to them with four very familiar people in the saddle and on his back.

Targī̆tavah looked over at Caledonia with his human and gave a distressed roar that was so deep and loud it would have been heard for miles. Vladimir knew better than to push the creature he inherited from his grandfather and slid off Caledonia's back as his mother, son, daughter, and uncle dismounted and managed to make it over to Targī̆tavah before collapsing right in front of Myrddin and his mother.

"VLADIMIR!" The older Igraine screamed in terror when her younger son stopped breathing and his heart followed soon after.

"PAPA!" The twins Uthur and Igraine screamed before their arrival had been noticed and people were running out of the gates towards them. "HELP!!!"

After what seemed like forever but in reality was only about a minute Vladimir suddenly gasped in a ragged breath and looked around him with absolute terror in his eyes before rolling over onto his side and violently throwing up what was mostly blood. At the same time that was happening the last bits of control he had over his abilities finally collapsed and there was a loud sonic boom that erupted overhead before he mercifully passed out.

Elsa took a napkin from the tray left at the bedside and used it to pluck the precious token from his hands. Tears once again filled her eyes and she pressed her lips to the golden band and then held it to her breast. "Thank you," she nods, now having the possession of his that held all the value in the world for her. Their wedding bands are a symbol of their never-ending love.

A soft knock at the door followed by the voice of Mattias forced her to compose herself again.

"Majesty?" His tone was gentle. "The prisoner was successfully extradited three hours ago. He's being confined while aboard the Golden Crocus. The captain tells me he's cooperative. He seemed glad to be leaving."

"Hmm," Elsa replied. "Perhaps he's reevaluated his priorities. See that's secured in a cell until his presence in tomorrow's privy council is required."

"As you wish, Majesty." Mattias bowed and held the door for his Queen.

"Vladamir, rest, eat, and please consider that walk." She smiles before leaving him.

[draconigena440]

"Thank you," Vladimir said after Elsa finished speaking and taking out extra blankets for him. By that time he had his pain a bit more under control and he was able to think a little more considering he knew he was beginning to run a fever. The knight then remembered something else Artur left for Elsa and returned to his bag. "Wait Elsa." He said before finding what he was looking for. He put one of his riding gloves on so he could give her the item safely if he did it very carefully and brought over Artur's wedding band.

"Take it slowly with the tips of your fingers." He instructed. "The glove will act as a bit of a block but you may feel why I have to be so careful right now."

"I expect they'll come. Bold risk to take during the winter but I suppose dragons aren't bothered by the cold and wind." She mused and busied herself with taking out extra blankets for him. "When I feel emotionally or magically suppressed I walk around the fjord. Find a quiet spot and just ...let go. There's no one my ice could possibly hurt there. If one were inclined to warmer magic the winter snow would be just as safe." She laid the blankets on a chaise that sat by the windows.

"I'll leave you to your rest. When your family arrives I'll send them up here to see to your needs. I do hope you'll consider that walk."

[draconigena440]

"We'll get you settled into another room and leave Esca to keep you company," Vladimir said with a smile before sighing when he saw Nicholas standing outside his office with royal boxes. "I have to do the other half of my job." His vampire cousin had graciously done all he could to keep the political stuff Vladimir had to do at bay for the past few weeks but he knew he had to get back at it sometime.

"Good to see you awake little one," Nicholas said to Gabriel as the bed was rolled into the hospital room that was right by Vladimir's office.

Once the bed was locked in place Escan carefully jumped up onto the bed and laid his head on Gabriel's chest while wagging his tail.

❝ — Neither one of you should've, ❞ he murmured. It hadn't been scolding, no. It was concern; he was a hell of a lot more concerned for their sakes than his own. ( Truth be told, he wasn't concerned about himself in the slightest.. but he knew better than to say something like that aloud - especially around his Grandfather. )

❝ Well, I'm sorry to the both of you, too. ❞ He glanced back as far as he could when the sound of rhythmic claw clicking announced Esca's presence. ❝ — I just.. I don't.. I can't even figure out why I would've been up there, anyway. But I guess that's not so important now. ❞

[draconigena440]

Vladimir gave his sister-in-law a lopsided smile when she brought up her pregnancy, "I can not help that my brother's dragon is like an overgrown pup and that his child was quite insistent for attention." He said before she reached out and touched the rosary. My faith in the Gods was the one thing that my grandmother and the Romans could not take away from me and just because my belief is and was different from yours and my brothers does not mean I do not believe in a greater plan. His faith in your God often bolstered my belief in mine."

"No." He said when she offered him time with the rosary before showing her the crucifix in his hand again before going back over to the bed. "This is one of the things he left me." The knight then picked up the cloak of a Roman soldier he intended to use as part of the blankets. "And this…" He was glad his back was turned to her because it was when she said he should let himself heal that his back and stomach left him breathless for a moment. "Thank you." He whispered when he could keep his voice from betraying his body. "But I suspect one or more of my family members have followed me so I would prepare your people to see a much bigger dragon."

"You know, a lady usually likes telling people she's expecting herself but you're taking all the fun out of it." She softly laughs, tears in her eyes. She had to take a shaky breath before she touched the rosary herself. "Arthur was devout in this father than there are forces greater than man. Be it one omnipotent God or a menagerie of them. He had faith that there was a greater plan. We share that faith. Nothing happens for no reason. Even this loss, the pain of our grief has a purpose and He surely knew I would need reminding of that." Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. Her fingers caressed the beads. She brought them to her lips and kissed them.

"Thank you for bringing it to me ...if you need to hold onto it for a while that's ok. I think he's already left me the best parts of himself." Her hand briefly touched her abdomen to soothe herself.

"The weather has turned so no one is coming or going for a few days. There will be two ships departing as soon as the snowstorm passes. I know the urgency you feel to go back home. I took the liberty of sending a hawk to Hadrian's wall so they know you arrived here safely, that you're resting, albeit a little against your will." She chuckles softly as she teases him. "Take this time to heal, Vladamir."

[draconigena440]

Vladimir had sighed quietly and followed Elsa and Anna into the castle before letting her physician help him out of his armor but explained his fear and his aversion to most touch. He let the physician carefully examine him and wasn't surprised when he was told what he already knew. He was having a flair of his stomach problems and his back had been aggravated in the battle he had been in just before he had gotten word Artur was dying and the hard riding he had done to get home in time hadn't helped.

When Elsa came in with something for him to eat he was sitting on the edge of the bed staring at something in his hand. It was Artur's crucifix, something his brother never took off, "Thank you…" He said before clearing his throat and carefully standing. "Will you put it on the table for me? I promise you I will eat, I just can not be touched right now."

He then looked at the crucifix again before showing it to her as he fought back tears, "He left this to me…" He said before holding it against his heart and looking up at the ceiling. "Why? I am a pagan and will always will be you bloody Roman-raised Sarmatian." He then looked at Elsa and went over to his bag before pulling out a small leather pouch. "He left this for you though and understands if you rather it eventually go to Sorren or the baby."

He then went over and poured the contents of the pouch on the table. It was Artur's rosary. It was made out of two types of stone one white and the other black and it had little symbols delicately carved into the beads. The cross also had a depiction of the crucified Christ carved into it. It was simple yet made by a true artist. I made this for him for our first birthdays together after He found me when I was fourteen. The symbols represent the Gods my parents, sister and our men worship. He didn’t become a Catholic until he joined the army considering it was a requirement at the time that Roman Officers be Christian but he never totally gave up the pagan beliefs he was raised with. It was his way of staying true to himself and his heritage."

"We'll see what the doctor says," Elsa replies, and leaves no room for argument. "Mattias please see to it that Caldonia is led to a safe place to rest and hunt and then I'd like to see you in the council chambers."

The General nods and bows to his Queen. As the group is walking away he can be heard talking to the dragon.

"So what do you prefer? Venison?"

The longer Elsa tried to maintain her composure the harder the snow fell outside. It was already several inches deep by evening. She had left Vladamir in the care of her personal doctor for much-needed treatment and rest. She was glad that she heard there had been minimal protest involved.

The kingdom had begun its period of grief. The staff and citizens wore black and most people remained in their homes. Arendelle's flag was lowered to half-mast and every portrait of their late King was shrowed in black.

Changed into a black dress and hair pinned up as appropriate, she softly knocked on Vladamir's door. A tray of food in hand.

"Hi," she whispers and smiles, a bittersweet expression. "You need to eat so Olina made her famous tomato bisque and a few other things to entice your appetite. If you don't eat it now I'll have to funnel it into your mother later so let's just make this easy on the both of us." She tries to make a joke.

[draconigena440]

The Sarmatian/Celt sighed softly considering he knew it was no use fighting with Elsa and was a bit thankful Caledonia had moved closer so he could get his things off the saddle, "Caledonia is only about fifteen years old so he does not eat much." He said to Mattias as he gently pushed on the dragon's head to get the creature's attention and laid his forehead against Caledonia's as he whispered in a language that was only spoken by Dragonriders. It was the combination of Sarmattian, Dacian, and Britianic Galiec spoken by Artur and his family.

"And they eat Livestock but I just told him to mind himself so he will only hunt wild game and stay well away from places he should not be. "Like horses in our father's Sarmatian heritage, the dragon is sacred and more like a brother, sister, or father or mother. It's something that is shared between the Britons, Dacians, and Sarmatians. He had a bond with Artur and he has a partial bond with me but his rightful place is with my nephew."

The knight looked away for a moment to contain his emotions when he caught a glimpse of the baby and saw how much Sorren looked like him and Artur. He thought his nephew had Elsa's nose but the rest was Artur's, "I can only stay a night at most considering I need to find passage back to Britain and pray a blockade has not started and I have a small tent I can put up well out of the way of the town. The last thing I tend to do is intrude."

"You must be exhausted and you definitely need to be seen by a physician, let's get you to a room of your own, take some of those medicines of yours, maybe eat something substantial and then we can have some time together to talk just you and I." She smiles as best she can given the mood they all share. Soon she will have to tell her people their beloved king is gone. The words are already something she cannot bring herself to speak aloud. already soft flakes of snow have begun to fall and coat the ground.

"I'm sorry we don't have dragon barns," Mattias tries to add some humor. "What does the big guy eat? Livestock? Damsels?"

Anna brought Sorren back to Elsa and hugged her sister, squishing the sleeping infant between them. "I've got you," she whispers.