Winter Songs ... Arthur ...

[Veryan Lithônion]

“The lark bird's song!

There was some singing…

Then again…

Where did it come from?

How can a person describe how he or she can feel when forced to leave the motherland for fear of death or torture for holding on to your beliefs and for what you feel is worth fighting for? Not only was Veryan subject to this but also to the cruelties of the land he had come to love for the past eleven years. His family traveled to the comfort and protection of Angliaterra only to find the hostilities of the moorland and the hardships of being known once again for now their earnings were just not so good and their only chance to be wealthy enough to keep their household and expectations now was to reach the King Uther; but how were they to reach the knowledge of the Lords of Camelot when they still lived in Cornwall?

Maybe he was too young and brave to even consider how less likely he could have won the battle on his own or even convince people of going back to their lands and leaving others at peace. The soldiers of the traitors fought heartlessly and ruthlessly leaving no life before them and stealing all they could, and the life and possibilities of a young man like Veryan would be gone amiss, vainly and fruitless and, no, he did not want that to happen.

So the only console he had was his parents were fine and healthy and so was he and one day perhaps he would be able to avenge the death of so many innocent people and find his own path, one that could help many and not simply live a meaningless life where he would look up to no one but himself, he wanted to help others. It could be said he was noble by heart though not by possessions. Perhaps that was what made him more eager to arrive to Camelot in the end and make his father well known for his blacksmith skills.

It wakes the dawn;

And so the first thing they did when moving to the outskirts of Camelot was ask for the protection of the Celtic deities of the woods and in doing so offer their services to anyone who wished any king of craft either Veryan or his father could offer though Thalion feared at first to let his son help him since he thought him still inexpert on the arts of forgery but that was why he was still learning right? So perhaps one day his work would be worth what Thalion’s was or perhaps even more.

It was true that you would always make friends wherever you went but they had been friends for such a long time he definitely didn’t want to live years lacking knowledge on his old friends' whereabouts and happenings. They were dearest friends and he knew that he had lost much already to lose such friendship too because of the hardships of life, better said war.

the silver silence now is gone.

Looking at his reflection on the water he sighed and then thought he saw for a moment someone different from who he had been ever since he came to Angliaterra a boy full of joy and life thinking this place to be million times better when in reality things were not what they made him believe to be. His eyes glittered at the reflection of the icy stream as he moved the reins of his horse for him to keep on moving, he had decided the day wasn’t too cold for him to go horseback riding and get a closer encounter with the nature of this mystical land.

It was of course before the voice of the spirits of the woods distracted him and made him wander the land in search for the owner of such fine voice and overwhelming melody. It was said the singing of the spirits could be mournful but Veryan found it exciting for it was different than the culture he was so used to. In his world songs depicted heroes longed for, heroes that could make life be the paradise it could truly turn into and the songs and legends came to be for the creativeness of those who still dreamed with a better life.

It wakes the valley,
greets the land,
with magic none can understand—”

It was then when Veryan devised the very person whose song he had been so curiously following and at times wondered how come an imaginary being could be singing a song of old in the Common Tongue. He smiled at the eloquent thought and then ran a hand through his face and made sure the hood of his dark cloak covered him form the cold frost of morning. Had he gone mad finally? Out of all places he had been told he could find peace of mind near the boundaries of Camelot, near the very land of Avalon the Lady of the lake. And yet it made him feel less assured whether his sudden connections with the woods had anything to do with the sudden chanting he heard.

It was then when it occurred to him and he took out his small wooden flute, it has seen as many years as he himself; he then picked up the tone of the song and began slowly to play the song he had heard but minutes ago. A flute so old his father had taught him to carve as one of his first objects before he began to learn to forge metal weapons and armor. Perhaps it wasn’t a perfect flute but it had a story of its own and certainly great value in the eyes of this young blacksmith apprentice.

Perhaps the song was meant to reach him, perhaps he was meant to play the tune and find something missing. Did this make any sense? What could be so important about a song he heard or thought he even heard?

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

The white horse shook its mane wildly and snorted. It hated walking in mud and Arthur had dragged the poor beast out into the countryside of Avalon, where the mud was thick and wet and its hooves clogged with the stuff quickly and easily.
Arthur smiled at the poor creatures mood and patted his head affectionately- somethign he would never have done 6 weeks ago. Some of the people he had met in Camelot had really changed him, although whether it was for better or worse he could not have said.

As the prince and his steed reached the top of the hill, the view was incredible. It was a clear day and the air was fresh, signalling that perhaps spring was finally on its way. It had been a long hard winter and Arthur knew that it meant great losses to his people, but the view from that point was so inspriring that he felt a new hope burning in the pit of his stomach. He knew not what he was hoping for, but it could only be good. Couldn't it?

He began descending the hill, thoughtfully guiding his horse to the snowier patches- although there was not so much of it up here now the sun was out. The descent was much more gradual on this side and it led into a small copse of trees that was much snowier. Arthur led his horse there with a smile, the poor thing deserved a break from the sludge.

As the pair crossed the threshold into the trees Arthur began to hear a tune. At first it was faint, almost lost in the light wind that ruffled his hair and the horses mane, but as Arthur venrtured deeper the melody became louder. Intrigued he followed the sound to a small clearing in the centre of the copse where the snow still lay thick and heavy on the ground. Little drifts fell from the canopy every few minutes when enough of the snow melted to cause the leaves to lift. Arthur laughed as his horse snorted in disgust.

[Veryan Lithônion]

Veryan was truly focused playing the soft tune that had inspired his senses and certainly it had all been done by the Lady of the Lake for he had heard of great tales about her and how she inspired the land he now walked upon. It was in respect and devotion he played and though it was a simple flute he carved he knew that it released beautiful sound for suddenly there were birds flying around Veryan and it was then when he once again connected with nature. He smiled and continued playing until he saw some birds flying randomly as it to flee form a presence.

He suddenly stopped playing and felt the cool breeze of the wind as if it wished to tell him of a person’s presence. He closed his eyes softly and then felt the presence of the elements engulf him as if they could control him and make him feel one with the woods. There was a rider and his horse approaching to his music but he did not know who they were.

He caressed his horse’s dark mane and then descended slowly from his own horse as he began walking toward the unknown figures. He moved at one with nature, like a small piece of dirt, noiseless and shadeless, as if the noise of the leaves falling were the same as that movement of his cloak shaken by the wind and his horse followed behind him steadily but assured of Veryan’s leadership as they came out of the common path and ventures through the forest to where the elements took him.

It was then when Veryan, placing his hand against a tree log could see who the rider was and to his amazement it was the Prince of Camelot, Arthur himself! He felt honored but at the same time undeserving of such friendly and benevolent company but he simply said nothing and made sure the Prince could not hear his movements nor know he was spying on who his follower was. Once he was as far as he deemed necessary he then caressed his horse’s mane and then said, loud enough for Arthur to hear, “Forgive me Highness for disrupting your leisure ride along the woods, I could not stop myself from playing this rustic flute.”

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur sat upon his horse listening to the rise and fall of the melody that was floating out of the trees, and then almost before it had truly begun, it was done. Arthur broke from the trancelike state the tune had left him in and shook his head.
It was only then he noticed the boy standing in front of him, his own horse in tow. Where had he come from? Arthur wondered and as the boy began to speak he raised an eyebrow.

"So it was you who broke the natural silence of the woods with your tune?" He asked, with a slightly sardonic tone to his voice. Arthur had been suprised by the boys sudden appearance and had not appreciated it too much and the overzelousness of his apology made him even more suspicious. Besides, this could be another of those blasted brotherhood members for all he knew, and this time Arthur was taking no chances.
But in truth the tune had been pretty and a welcome difference to his morning ride so Arthur decided not to be too harsh.

"What are you doing so far out here?" Arthur asked, this time with much less hostility in his voice. "I am afraid I have not seen you around here before. I am prince Arthur as you seem to already know! But your name?"
He smiled, dismounted and offered the stranger a firm hand. Perhaps he would turn out to be a man of good and noble birth whos friendship Arthur would not have to keep a secret. Then again with a father like Uther, one never knew when things were suitable.

[Veryan Lithônion]

His silver-blue eyes could tell the Prince was not too eager to make Veryan’s acquaintance or so it seemed by the expression of estrangement and surprise in his eyes and the stiffness of his body. The spirits of the woods assured him so it seemed that things would not be a simple ‘hello Highness’ here, he would have to earn the young man’s trust and he truly was glad of doing so with every single person he met. He wondered where the rumors of a beautiful City blessed with fertile lands and happy people came from, for it all looked like a dark vast place covered in frost and every man striving to survive looking behind their shoulders constantly.

Well, he would be honest with the Prince’s questions and if he still felt him uneasy about Veryan’s presence then he would bid him farewell and send upon him all the blessings he had been bestowed upon before he left his house in order to enjoy himself for a bit. The wind blew gently as if the elements could speak to him, telling him things would work out fine but how could he trust that? Ever since he was young he hand confronted uneasiness, uncertainty and a life of eternal wandering leaving his homeland behind and constantly moving around like a chess piece on a board. He only hoped this time he would be able to live, even if just for a day.

"So it was you who broke the natural silence of the woods with your tune?"

Veryan then thought that perhaps his natural cheerfulness could help him out ease the Prince’s alerted nerves, “Aye, Highness, but I dare not blame it all on my tune but the Lady of the Lake, I merely played what she sang to me but minutes ago.” Hopefully the people of Camelot had not forgotten her yet, the Lady of Avalon still mingled with those who would stick to the Old faith and grace them with her songs and comfort though it seemed more vague and distant now, could it be there were utterly few believers in these lands nowadays? Pity… They knew about her even back at the island he came from, perhaps it was all the commotion what blinded people from looking forth. He then chuckled and said putting his flute away, “Though I confess I could never play as beautiful as she sings.”

"What are you doing so far out here?"

So far so good, he seemed less alert and rather more willing to talk for a while so he smiled and then said, “I’m afraid I grew up amidst nature and whenever I am not working with my father at the forge I come for a ride, to walk or simply to feel the spirits of the woods among me. They averted me of your presence though I knew not it was the very Prince of Camelot at that point so dragged by innate curiosity I decided to see who it was, forgive me if I startled you good Lord but I am afraid I am still rather new to the City and ignore its dangers.”

"I am afraid I have not seen you around here before. I am prince Arthur, as you seem to already know! But your name?"

He smiled and then said, “You are correct Highness, I am not from Camelot though I came from Cornwall not long ago, and my father thought it would be best for the family business to settle near the City of Camelot.” He then removed the hood from his face with his hand wearing his typical black leather fingerless gloves and said after bowing his head, “Veryan Lithônion, Lord, son of Thalion the blacksmith.”

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur witheld a grimace at the spoken recognition of the Lady of the Lake. It had been far before his time when Nimueh had first appeared, a high priestess of the old religion. She had been the roundabout cause of Arthur's mothers death and she had become the sole reason Uther hated and feared magic. She returned many years after the great purge to exact her revenge on Uther but Merlin had managed to defeat her and she hadn't been seen in many, many months.

Whether she was the true lady of the lake still remained to be seen. Arthur thought it was all a ridiculour myth, having had met her several times. Perhaps she had merely been seen by passers by while at the lake and it had earned her the name. Either way he decided to ignore all mention of her in the hope that Veryan wouldn't notice.

He posed his second question and was relieved to hear that it was nature that had alerted the boy to his coming and not Nimueh. Perhaps he had magic and it had not been the Lady at all but his own manefestation of his talent?
"A blacksmith eh?" Arthur smiled wide, happy that this boy seemed to pose no threat. "We will all benefit greatly from having a new smith in town for our nearest is in Avalon, and he is much more of a shoer than a weaponsmith!" He laughed and clapped a hand onto Veryan's back. The boy was roughly the same height as him and stood a little bulkier- though from muscle not fat. He looked as though he might have some skill in fighting and Athur made a mental note to invite him to join the knights at some point.

"Do you have any plans for today?" Arthur asked removing the leather gloves that had been keeping his knuckled warm while riding.

[Veryan Lithônion]

He noticed how suddenly the Prince’s face seemed rather concerned or hurt at Veryan’s words and he ran a hand through his golden hair wondering what it could have been that he said or did that upset him so but perhaps other things could be said to make this better? No, he did not even know what he had said that made the Prince suddenly turn gloomy and so he feared that saying anything else could make things worse. He hated this uncomfortable feeling and though he wasn’t aware still of the happenings of Camelot, he seemed unsure if it would be beneficial to him acquiring such knowledge.

He was unsure.

"A blacksmith eh? We will all benefit greatly from having a new smith in town for our nearest is in Avalon, and he is much more of a shoer than a weapon smith!"

Veryan smiled when Arthur spoke regaining his cheerfulness though he was a bit estranged the Prince should have such shift of moods but then again at least he was pleased and gave him great news knowing that they needed a blacksmith and surely his father, Thalion, would do an amazing job at it as well. He usually did, and that was why his work was so highly appreciated among the people and so they were eager to spread the word, which was good for his father’s business though it somehow let others know where Veryan lived and his hiding would surely not last forever.

He chuckled regaining his cheerfulness and then said, “Indeed I thank you milord for my father went through much trouble and a rather long and tedious journey to reach your blessed kingdom. I dare say he possesses outstanding talent, not because he is my father, but a blessed man at that.”

"Do you have any plans for today?"

He watched him remove his gloves and it unconsciously made him move his hands together to make sure he was still wearing his own gloves. He tried to ignore the sudden cold wind though it somewhat did not affect him much these days and said, “I confess I was simply enjoying my day off from daily duty Lord, is there anything you would need me do?” If he needed help Veryan would not hesitate in assisting him even if this was his day off he loved helping others and surely this would be a good moment to make friends for hew as still new to the land and who better to advice him and speak on the happenings of Camelot than Prince Arthur himself?

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was please to see that Veryan was proud of his father. Although his own father had his moments, generally Arthur was proud to be his son and usually Uther returned the feeling.
He had met many though, to whom father and son relationships were not important. He could not understand why the man who raised you did not deserve your gratitude and thanks, whether that be by spending time with him or by helping him in his profession as Veryan did.
It also pleased him to know that a talented smith was going to be in the city centre, where there had been a want of one for some months. Perhaps the king would even have him declared as the royal blacksmith after a time- if he was as good as his son claimed of course.

"Is there anything you would need me do?" Veryan asked. Arthur pondered for a moment. Was there anything he could use this boy for? He had to admit there was nothing that needed immediate attention, but at the same time it was always handy to have a willing hand and the company was nice seeing as most of his friends had travelled home to their own kingdoms for the winter.

"I am not in need of a servant at present," he replied with a merry smile, "But I am always in need of a hunting partner? I have one tomorrow should you be interested of course?"

[Veryan Lithônion]

He could tell very well that his words pleased Arthur greatly and in many ways made them connect better, for when you come across someone you don’t know but share a common ground well that is the beginning of friendship. Not that Veryan knew much about the Prince but he expected him to be a young lad like himself, friendly and strong-willed and thus far he did behave as such though Veryan couldn’t have much to say on the matter being a foreigner to these lands but perhaps in the near future he would be able to judge the people of Camelot through his own streams of thought.

Who would not be proud of being Thalion’s son? The man was honorable, benevolent and a good father and husband. It was true that sometimes he lacked patience and did not entirely like some of Veryan’s ideas to innovate their blacksmithing market but that simply came for the difference of age and how used Thalion was to have an unquestioned say at everything related to such profession so suddenly having someone with different views speak his mind, was not the most encouraging thing in the world. Though certainly few shared such bond as Veryan and his father did, and he pitied them for who could ever live this life alone?

He smiled at Arthur and thought that perhaps a little demonstration of his father’s talent would not hurt anyone now would it? So he looked behind him as his own horse approached and smiled it was as if through the elements of nature he had felt his presence and need and the horse came, encouraged by the spirits. He then looked inside a pouch the horse carried on the side and took out a beautiful silver blade with inscriptions in it –link-. He lightly removed the scarlet cloth that protected it and presented it to Arthur, “This is something a noble of Camelot requested of my father and I am meant to deliver it this evening for the man had businesses elsewhere till eve.” If he could have his father appreciated by the Court of Camelot then he would surely earn what he truly deserved out of such hard work as being a blacksmith encompassed and though both Thalion and Veryan enjoyed said office they had to admit it was tiring.

"I am not in need of a servant at present… But I am always in need of a hunting partner? I have one tomorrow should you be interested of.”

A servant? Surely Veryan was a blacksmith and not a wealthy one but he feared he could never be anyone’s servant but his own still he smiled for the Prince’s words truly encouraged him, “I confess I am good at hunting for it was an office that granted my family and people food without having to pay for expensive meat.” He then chuckled, “I am commonly said to be good at it as well.”

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur stared, eyes wide as he saw the blade Veryan pulled out. He truly had never seen a blade as well forged as this one. Every aspect of it was perfect- balance, design and size. He would definitely be visiting Thalion later this week, for a new blade was always an exciting prospect for a Knight such as Arthur.

He let his new friend put the blade away and listened as the boy confessed his talent at hunting.
"Well we can certainly put the skills to the test tomorrow!" he smiled and held out a hand to Veryan.
"I really need to be getting back to the castle now, but rest assured i will be visiting you and your father very soon, and of course tomorrow we hunt!" In one swift movement he was back on his horse and galloping off back up the hill. He couldnt be sure but he was reletively certain that he was late for training and his knights would not be best please. He urged his horse to ride faster, ignoring his displeasure at having to tread through the last remains of the snow.

[Veryan Lithônion]

He smiled cunningly the moment Arthur looked at the weapon Veryan presented him with so that he could see his and his father’s talent for this could certainly mean his father would have more work and a better pay if this came to please the Lords of Camelot. To judge by the young man’s gestures and how he examined the blade he seemed to know a lot about said weapons and certainly that meant he also knew of the good qualities of said weapon and hoped that this would indeed ensure the royals of the land would look upon his father.

He smiled at Arthur as he placed the weapon back in place and then noticed how the young Prince seemed truly eager to go hunting with the young blacksmith and it sort of opened up the door for him into befriending someone form these lands allowing him to also get in touch with the people and culture as well as traditions of the land he was as thrilled as Arthur, for his friendship would surely be something to treasure in years passing by.

"Well we can certainly put the skills to the test tomorrow!"

He smiled and held cordially Arthur’s hand and then watched him as he got on his horse while he said, “Indeed we will, milord, I hope you do not trust your skills too much and don’t mind being beaten.” He winked and smirked as he looked at the Prince’s horse as it twitched its ears eager for some speed.

"I really need to be getting back to the castle now, but rest assured I will be visiting you and your father very soon, and of course tomorrow we hunt!"

He smiled surely the Prince would like to meet him at this very spot the next morning and quite early to catch animals on their way to have breakfast and so he nodded to the Prince’s words and then said, “Safe journey to you, milord!” He smiled and then got o his own horse hoisting the reins in order for a gentle gallop to take him back to his father’s home.

Icicles could be sent to fall from the trees’ branches as he trotted along and some times he had to place his arm to protect his head form being hit by some heavy ones but he did not mind, he knew that somehow his connection with the elements was much helpful and so he didn’t fret when it came to things like weather. He smiled gently as he stopped his horse at the to of the hill to look at the sunset and then turned back to his homestead.

His father was still at the forge so he helped his mother with whatever needed tending to before he went to bed early with the excuse of going hunting with a friend, normally he would have told him it was the Prince he was meeting with but he did not want his parents to worry about anything so he simply helped with some chores and then finally went to bed after a well deserved late dinner.