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"Our Parents"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl

Adapted from the stories of Aranelion and Elianaron Brokenstar, as told to them by their mother, memories of their father, and their own personal knowledge.

Part 1: The Commencement

   Before we were born, our parents both led fruitful lives; our father was a Captain of the Guardian, none other than the guardian of the famed Master Emerald, the cherished treasure of the legendary echidna race.  Our mother was the most beloved maiden of her village, loved and desired by all, the most eligible maiden around.  Every male around wanted her, and yet she won over our father’s heart in the end.

   The only problem was, our mother was not a member of our father’s tribe; infact, she wasn’t even an echidna.  She was a hedgehog of the Valordian village of hedgehogs, and the story of their love, one she used to tell us in our youth as we begged her for a bedtime story at night, is one we both remember fondly, and with such vivid detail, as we shall attempt to illustrate with the upcoming passages.

   First, we should tell more about our mother and father, who they were, what they looked like, and everything about them that we can muster to remember.

   As we said before, our father, being one of the two Captains of the Guardian of the Master Emerald, was one of the highest ranking echidnas of the Angel Island tribe.  He was best friends with the guardian, closer to him than the other guard, having grown up together in their youth, and even distantly related to one another through the bloodline of Kashoku the Great, the first great king of the echidnas; our father descended from one of his distant grandsons that was slain in a battle for power that split the echidna tribe forever.  The guardian, the father of our dear friend Hinsei Hidama and his brother Knuckles the Echidna, was descended from the brother of that same distant grandson that survived the battle for power, taking over guardianship of the Master Emerald for himself, passing it on to his descendents up until present day, and giving the title of “Captains of the Guardian” to his young nephews that lived to survive his brother.

   That meant that our father had special privileges even the other captain did not; the Guardian was more willing to give him time away from his duties, which was a good thing, considering our father was quite the adventurer, and loved to explore the wide world around him that Angel Island gracefully floated over.  He would take short leaves, three days tops, to explore the world around him, as far as he could in such short time, then return to Angel Island to give the guardian extended time to spend with his beloved, even giving the other captain a break to spend with his family in exchange for covering for him for longer than he was required to.

   The village elders, who basically ruled under the command of the Guardian, never appreciated this adventurous spirit our father possessed and found it to be abnormal, not consistent with how echidnas were supposed to act.  He was a Captain of the Guardian, and instead of giving his position the care and respect it deserved, he made deals with his best friend like a naughty child to get out of what he was born to do.  What was even more disturbing to them was that our father, coming into the age of adulthood, the age of twenty, and an age when most echidna males had given their heart to a maiden, refused to give his heart to anyone.  Infact, our father had gone as far to turn down the love of a girl who was ready to give her heart to him, having given his heart to the love of adventure and not ready to settle down yet.

   It was outrageous and insulting to his bloodline, and many times he was caught under the anger of the village elders, complaining that he needed to father an heir to succeed him as the sons of the fallen distant grandson of Kashoku had done.  Our father was dishonoring Lord Kashoku by not taking a wife, but again, the Guardian came to his aid, arguing back that Kashoku the Great was also adventurous, leaving home many times when his wife Mitsukai was with child, and thus was a loose-cannon in the same way our father was.

   Nobody dared argue with the Guardian, descended from Kashoku himself, nor with his knowledge of their fabled king, and thus our father escaped persecution once more, forever indebted to his best friend for his kindness and understanding, and always coming to his rescue, allowing him to follow his heart.  This is part of what would determine our father’s fate in the end, for he had already sworn to protect the Guardian to the death, and for anyone who knows what would later happen to Angel Island, would know what this would later mean for our father.

   Of course now was not a time of chaos and tragedy, for it was this mercy and pardon from the village elders and the best wishes of his friend that our father was allowed to continue exploring the wide world.  However, the Guardian even expressed concern that our father had yet to feel the desire to settle down.  Expecting to father his first child sometime within the next year or so, he tried his best to convey this urgency to his friend, our father…that he could not die and let his lineage die with him.  He would have to leave someone to succeed him; son or daughter, it didn’t matter, just that he would have the cause to very soon in the future, especially when the Guardian planned to father his first heir within the cycle of one more flow of seasons.

   Our father, although tired of having everyone try to dictate his life, would never object to the advise and concern of his best friend and distant cousin; yet while he knew this is true, he felt even more terrible to have to admit there just wasn’t anyone in the echidna village that he could give his heart to and actually mean it; quote, “I hear your words and acknowledge their truth and urgency, but at the same time I express my regret and shame that there is no maiden yet that I have given my heart to, and thus far in my life feel I could ever have a future with.”

   The Guardian knew this was a sensitive and trying subject for our father, and as was his demeanor he was both compassionate and understanding; quote, “Then your heart’s wish realized lies beyond the borders of our kingdom, and thus you must search longer for it.  It is my wish that you find the love and care you seek, and will do my utmost best to see you through to the end.”

   What this meant was the Guardian was willing to help our father find his true love, and yet we are unsure if either of them anticipated that she would not be an echidna, for at least two other tribes of echidnas existed in the world.  There were the echidnas of Spirit Island, the floating island sister kingdom to Angel Island where half of the ancient tribe of Kashoku retreated after the battle for power.  His distant grand daughter and her followers took their precious relic, the Master Jewel, and retreated to this haven on the other side of the globe, remaining broken from the other tribe, and yet connected through the Master Emerald and Master Jewel, even after the battle.

   The other major tribe of echidnas was the Northern Kingdom Echidnas; they had no connection with the tribe of Kashoku, but ruled their own kingdom beside a colony of Greyfoxes, with whom they forged a strong alliance, the strongest bond seen between the echidnas and any race, for while the echidnas were legendary, since their ancient alliance with the hedgehogs dissolved, they became largely disconnected with the world around them, except for a few, wandering echidnas, that still roamed the wide world making friends outside their race, our father included in this list.

   So of course he could have found an eligible echidna maiden from any of these places, and the Guardian knew this; however, he could never anticipate where our father would realize his true heart.  On one of his first journeys following this conversation and realization, our father set his sights on Valordian Forest, where a village of hedgehogs was said to live, and a place our father was longing to explore, having put it off for some time because of the availability of time to make it through her wondrous depths.

   Now, however, he had the blessing of the Guardian and a two week leave, enough time to travel to the Northern Kingdom and back after spending of few days within her borders.  Our father had every intention to go there and visit his distant kindred, but could not help but take a field trip to Valordian for a few days, sacrificing but a few in the Northern Kingdom, or so he thought, for it was this part of the journey that would change his life forever, and ultimately lead him in the direction the rest of this tale will follow.

   It only takes a two day trek, a day and half if you’re fast enough, to make it from Angel Island to Valordian Village, which is why our father never had ample time to explore it, only leaving for two or three days at a time.  He was most excited about this trip, not having any concern for his safety; he was an expert swordsman and spearman of the echidna tribe, as well as being skilled in the martial arts, the ancient fighting techniques of his kindred, and wielding a pair of daggers with lethal force.  He was perfectly capable of protecting himself, but at the same time wasn’t the least bit concerned about being attacked in the first place.  He was sure should he run into any of the Valordian hedgehogs that he would be able to explain his presence in the area and move on without any trouble, especially when he expressed no intention to harm in any way; he was wrong.

   The hedgehogs of Valordian Village, though a farming village and peace loving race, still remembered the dissolved alliance between the hedgehogs and echidnas.  Though it was never clear what dissolved it in the end, apparently the Valordian Hedgehogs were the last to get the message of it, if they ever got it at all, which is sad considering they lived almost continually in the shadow of Angel Island, the center of the echidna defense in the area.

   Our mother spoke of an attack on the Valordian Hedgehogs some years in the past, and when the echidnas didn’t come to their aid, the hedgehogs believed the echidnas broke the alliance instead of it simply having dissolved on its own.  They had become quite hostile to any intrusion from the outside; other hedgehogs were tolerable, but any other race, especially echidnas, headed into uncertain danger, only, our father, like the rest of the echidnas, was still unaware of this deep-seeded and unnecessary anger.

   Even so, he walked into the sheltered woods of Valordian unafraid and ready to fulfill his heart’s desire, blissfully unaware of the hidden part of his heart that was about to be unlocked on this journey.  As he made his way into the forest’s edge, he was immediately captivated; whether by the streams of light that managed to squeeze their way through the thick canopy in dozens of pinnacles of light, or by the humid, but cool blanket of dew that hung in the atmosphere, he felt lulled into a dream by what he saw, and yet it would only serve as a backdrop to the soul that would be the spotlight of this euphoric dream come true.

   He froze, seeing a figure come into the area of light before him; it was a hedgehog maiden.  She was a yellow hedgehog, had long flowing locks of hair, and a ruffle of soft and short bangs, barely draping over her warm blue eyes.  She wore a long, light blue dress, covered by a grass green and sheer shawl, and sandals with light lavender straps.  She wore a necklace of braided black leather with a teardrop shaped opal pendant, for opal was her birthstone, and she loved the vivid colors of the gem.  Her hair hung down to the back of her knees, while the dress fell to her ankles.  She wore lavender ribbons in her hair right below her ears, and wore a white lily behind her right ear.

   The maiden he beheld was our mother, Lady Aerealei, a young maiden of Valordian Village.  She was loved by all, and was the most eligible lady in the village.  All the young males loved her, from the warriors to scholars; they would give her flowers, do favors for her, bring her gifts, sing her songs, anything they could do to win over her heart, and yet, like our father, until that time, she had given her heart to no one.

   Of course, this is when her life would change forever, and when she tells the tale to us, this is the time she recalls with the most pleasure; the day she met our father, that evening in fair Valordian.

   Quote, “Oh, your father stood strong, brave, and fair as his eyes fell on me.  When I first caught glimpse of him standing there, I was afraid at first, but any fear died away immediately once I took a better look.  I returned his frozen and smitten gaze with my own.  He was so handsome, and I shall never forget my first sight of him; you, my sons, have his gentle eyes, filled with a thirst for life and telling of the love and care in your souls.  They were a rich, bluish purple, unlike I had ever seen before, and thus far have seen in you alone besides; he was tall, much taller than any hedgehog warrior; a tuft of white fur graced his proud chest; his hair was brushed into dreadlocks much like your own, tipped in white, and graced with a single white band just above this with a stripe of red between them.  He wore a long black cape lined with blue satin, his long red tail framed against it.  A black leather belt ran around his waist, serving as a place to latch his sword scabbard, which held his sword, Akrenar.  Two smaller sheaths, on the right side of his belt, as opposed to his sword sheath on the left, held his daggers, Tempest and Twilight.  He wore boots, black with a dark blue stripe running down them, with sharp blades on the back of each, another weapon he carried, for self defense alone; I had no fear of him, for I perceived at once that he was a kind and loving soul.”

   It was always a touching moment for our mother to remember, for though she was still in slight wariness of this newcomer, she was immediately captivated by him in a way no other had ever done to her heart.  She wasn’t going to let her fear keep her from finding out more about him.

   Our father, frozen with love, slowly melted into awareness as she approached him.  Our mother took small and patient steps towards him, keeping her eyes on him, trying to figure out more about him.  A smile slowly formed on his face; before she could complete her walk to him, he quickly bowed, taking his cape in his right hand, wrapping is across his chest and abdomen as he did so, kneeling down, and lowering his head in respectful admiration.

   She was immediately flattered by his good manners, and his courtesy continued when he remained silent once she approached him.  He simply raised his eyes enough to look at her, a signal that he was ready to hear her speak; instead of taking control of a conversation that she was the one to have the intention to start.  Our mother, needless to say, was quickly growing more infatuated with our father, for he already showed better manners than even the most enthusiastic of the warriors trying to win over her heart; he respected her, rather than just desired her.  He loved her and all that she was, which at that time even included us, his sons that he didn’t even know yet, but gave his love to all the same through his deep love and admiration of her and her heart.

   Quote, “I was almost paralyzed with happiness and awe, for every male, some bright and kind, had never given me this kind of respect, simply giving me the chance to speak.  He remained bowed, bent on his knees, his cloak wrapped tightly around him, silent, waiting for me to speak, before he would rise, and begin introductions.  He treated me unlike anyone ever had before, and I knew right then, my sons, that this was the one my soul was meant to unite with; we were soul mates, born to be together, to love each other, to create life, and to die for, only to be reunited for all eternity.”

   It is touching to hear her speak of our father with such deep affection, especially when she felt this way from the moment she met him.

   She bowed her head, curtseying gently as she spoke, “Greetings, my Lord; what brings you to fair Valordian this night?”

   Our father now rose slowly, smiling warmly, but proudly, and responded, “Good evening, my Lady.  My name is Armundae, and I hail from Angel Island.  I’m afraid I have no intention further, save exploring the reaches of Valordian’s woods, in your realm tonight, so you must pardon me if I have intruded on you or your people.  I mean you no harm or conquest.”

   “Oh, you have provided no intrusion Armundae, and yet you have already captivated my interest with your presence,” she replied.  Giggling softly, she added, “My name is Aerealei, and might I ask, what about Valordian Forest interests you so?”

   To this, our father smiled, with a toothy grin not unlike our own though it varies between us, and replied, “Why, Lady Aerealei, for years I have grown fond of the wide world below and beyond the reaches of my native Angel Island, and your forest, glorious on the horizon, has teased me with her beauty, taunting me for the little time I have to stray from my position, though I have always longed to explore her.  Now, my dear friend, the Guardian himself, has bestowed me with a two week leave from my post, allowing me to wander further.”

   He paused, giving our mother a controlled and methodical gaze, before he added, “Although, if I am honestly en route to causing a problem for you and your people perhaps I should sway elsewhere?  It is of no want in my heart to cause trouble.”

   Our mother let out a hesitant, but soft gasp of breath in response, neither out of fear or surprise, but instead, she worried for our father.  Already she was smitten with him, but knew he wandered into danger should he cross the hedgehogs of her village, armed with not just a sword, but two daggers and sharp blades on the backs of his boots.  Though she knew they were only for his protection, she was afraid they would misunderstand and try to harm him, remembering how the echidnas supposedly abandoned them in their hour of need, and that civil war would be soon to follow.  However, she wanted our father to be able to take in the sights of the surrounding woods, while at the same time giving her the opportunity to know him better, so she used her popularity in the village to her advantage, remembering the cabana belonging to the village leader, built on the edge of Valordian lake outside of the village.

   She was invited to stay there in the past, and she knew if she could get our father in and out of it safely that the two of them could stay there together while she gave him a tour of Valordian woods.  It was a full proof plan, she figured, because the Village leader was hoping his son would win over her heart, and in trying to please her, allowed her to use his private retreat at her leisure, and she wouldn’t be bothered.  Now, all she had to do was guide our father Armundae to it without raising suspicion and they would be on their way.  Already, they were beginning to take risks for this growing attraction they had for one another, and it was only a precursor to what risks and sacrifices were to come.

   But again, this was a time of happiness and new beginnings; our mother quickly smiled, quickly taking our father’s hand and exclaimed softly, “Come with me; though my kindred may not appreciate your presence, I will embrace it.  I’ll be more than happy to show you through our fair forest, and provide you shelter during your stay.  If it is exploration of Valordian that you came for, then that is what you shall be graced with.”

   Our father, if startled for a moment by her enthusiasm, was no less captivated by her, and as eager as he was to explore Valordian Forest, the chance to get to know our mother, Lady Aerealei, better, was just as exciting.  With a nod, he replied, “Lead the way my lady; I put my trust in you and your guiding footsteps.”

   They paused for only one more smile between them, our mother’s widening brightly as she tugged on our father’s arm, leading him into the deep paths of Valordian Forest.  That first walk was the beginning of their future together, and like the dimly lit path before them, it was filled with promise and joy in the journey to come.

Description
"Our Parents"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl

Adapted from the stories of Aranelion and Elianaron Brokenstar, as told to them by their mother, memories of their father, and their own personal knowledge.

Part 1: The Commencement

   Before we were born, our parents both led fruitful lives; our father was a Captain of the Guardian, none other than the guardian of the famed Master Emerald, the cherished treasure of the legendary echidna race.  Our mother was the most beloved maiden of her village, loved and desired by all, the most eligible maiden around.  Every male around wanted her, and yet she won over our father’s heart in the end.

   The only problem was, our mother was not a member of our father’s tribe; infact, she wasn’t even an echidna.  She was a hedgehog of the Valordian village of hedgehogs, and the story of their love, one she used to tell us in our youth as we begged her for a bedtime story at night, is one we both remember fondly, and with such vivid detail, as we shall attempt to illustrate with the upcoming passages.

   First, we should tell more about our mother and father, who they were, what they looked like, and everything about them that we can muster to remember.

   As we said before, our father, being one of the two Captains of the Guardian of the Master Emerald, was one of the highest ranking echidnas of the Angel Island tribe.  He was best friends with the guardian, closer to him than the other guard, having grown up together in their youth, and even distantly related to one another through the bloodline of Kashoku the Great, the first great king of the echidnas; our father descended from one of his distant grandsons that was slain in a battle for power that split the echidna tribe forever.  The guardian, the father of our dear friend Hinsei Hidama and his brother Knuckles the Echidna, was descended from the brother of that same distant grandson that survived the battle for power, taking over guardianship of the Master Emerald for himself, passing it on to his descendents up until present day, and giving the title of “Captains of the Guardian” to his young nephews that lived to survive his brother.

   That meant that our father had special privileges even the other captain did not; the Guardian was more willing to give him time away from his duties, which was a good thing, considering our father was quite the adventurer, and loved to explore the wide world around him that Angel Island gracefully floated over.  He would take short leaves, three days tops, to explore the world around him, as far as he could in such short time, then return to Angel Island to give the guardian extended time to spend with his beloved, even giving the other captain a break to spend with his family in exchange for covering for him for longer than he was required to.

   The village elders, who basically ruled under the command of the Guardian, never appreciated this adventurous spirit our father possessed and found it to be abnormal, not consistent with how echidnas were supposed to act.  He was a Captain of the Guardian, and instead of giving his position the care and respect it deserved, he made deals with his best friend like a naughty child to get out of what he was born to do.  What was even more disturbing to them was that our father, coming into the age of adulthood, the age of twenty, and an age when most echidna males had given their heart to a maiden, refused to give his heart to anyone.  Infact, our father had gone as far to turn down the love of a girl who was ready to give her heart to him, having given his heart to the love of adventure and not ready to settle down yet.

   It was outrageous and insulting to his bloodline, and many times he was caught under the anger of the village elders, complaining that he needed to father an heir to succeed him as the sons of the fallen distant grandson of Kashoku had done.  Our father was dishonoring Lord Kashoku by not taking a wife, but again, the Guardian came to his aid, arguing back that Kashoku the Great was also adventurous, leaving home many times when his wife Mitsukai was with child, and thus was a loose-cannon in the same way our father was.

   Nobody dared argue with the Guardian, descended from Kashoku himself, nor with his knowledge of their fabled king, and thus our father escaped persecution once more, forever indebted to his best friend for his kindness and understanding, and always coming to his rescue, allowing him to follow his heart.  This is part of what would determine our father’s fate in the end, for he had already sworn to protect the Guardian to the death, and for anyone who knows what would later happen to Angel Island, would know what this would later mean for our father.

   Of course now was not a time of chaos and tragedy, for it was this mercy and pardon from the village elders and the best wishes of his friend that our father was allowed to continue exploring the wide world.  However, the Guardian even expressed concern that our father had yet to feel the desire to settle down.  Expecting to father his first child sometime within the next year or so, he tried his best to convey this urgency to his friend, our father…that he could not die and let his lineage die with him.  He would have to leave someone to succeed him; son or daughter, it didn’t matter, just that he would have the cause to very soon in the future, especially when the Guardian planned to father his first heir within the cycle of one more flow of seasons.

   Our father, although tired of having everyone try to dictate his life, would never object to the advise and concern of his best friend and distant cousin; yet while he knew this is true, he felt even more terrible to have to admit there just wasn’t anyone in the echidna village that he could give his heart to and actually mean it; quote, “I hear your words and acknowledge their truth and urgency, but at the same time I express my regret and shame that there is no maiden yet that I have given my heart to, and thus far in my life feel I could ever have a future with.”

   The Guardian knew this was a sensitive and trying subject for our father, and as was his demeanor he was both compassionate and understanding; quote, “Then your heart’s wish realized lies beyond the borders of our kingdom, and thus you must search longer for it.  It is my wish that you find the love and care you seek, and will do my utmost best to see you through to the end.”

   What this meant was the Guardian was willing to help our father find his true love, and yet we are unsure if either of them anticipated that she would not be an echidna, for at least two other tribes of echidnas existed in the world.  There were the echidnas of Spirit Island, the floating island sister kingdom to Angel Island where half of the ancient tribe of Kashoku retreated after the battle for power.  His distant grand daughter and her followers took their precious relic, the Master Jewel, and retreated to this haven on the other side of the globe, remaining broken from the other tribe, and yet connected through the Master Emerald and Master Jewel, even after the battle.

   The other major tribe of echidnas was the Northern Kingdom Echidnas; they had no connection with the tribe of Kashoku, but ruled their own kingdom beside a colony of Greyfoxes, with whom they forged a strong alliance, the strongest bond seen between the echidnas and any race, for while the echidnas were legendary, since their ancient alliance with the hedgehogs dissolved, they became largely disconnected with the world around them, except for a few, wandering echidnas, that still roamed the wide world making friends outside their race, our father included in this list.

   So of course he could have found an eligible echidna maiden from any of these places, and the Guardian knew this; however, he could never anticipate where our father would realize his true heart.  On one of his first journeys following this conversation and realization, our father set his sights on Valordian Forest, where a village of hedgehogs was said to live, and a place our father was longing to explore, having put it off for some time because of the availability of time to make it through her wondrous depths.

   Now, however, he had the blessing of the Guardian and a two week leave, enough time to travel to the Northern Kingdom and back after spending of few days within her borders.  Our father had every intention to go there and visit his distant kindred, but could not help but take a field trip to Valordian for a few days, sacrificing but a few in the Northern Kingdom, or so he thought, for it was this part of the journey that would change his life forever, and ultimately lead him in the direction the rest of this tale will follow.

   It only takes a two day trek, a day and half if you’re fast enough, to make it from Angel Island to Valordian Village, which is why our father never had ample time to explore it, only leaving for two or three days at a time.  He was most excited about this trip, not having any concern for his safety; he was an expert swordsman and spearman of the echidna tribe, as well as being skilled in the martial arts, the ancient fighting techniques of his kindred, and wielding a pair of daggers with lethal force.  He was perfectly capable of protecting himself, but at the same time wasn’t the least bit concerned about being attacked in the first place.  He was sure should he run into any of the Valordian hedgehogs that he would be able to explain his presence in the area and move on without any trouble, especially when he expressed no intention to harm in any way; he was wrong.

   The hedgehogs of Valordian Village, though a farming village and peace loving race, still remembered the dissolved alliance between the hedgehogs and echidnas.  Though it was never clear what dissolved it in the end, apparently the Valordian Hedgehogs were the last to get the message of it, if they ever got it at all, which is sad considering they lived almost continually in the shadow of Angel Island, the center of the echidna defense in the area.

   Our mother spoke of an attack on the Valordian Hedgehogs some years in the past, and when the echidnas didn’t come to their aid, the hedgehogs believed the echidnas broke the alliance instead of it simply having dissolved on its own.  They had become quite hostile to any intrusion from the outside; other hedgehogs were tolerable, but any other race, especially echidnas, headed into uncertain danger, only, our father, like the rest of the echidnas, was still unaware of this deep-seeded and unnecessary anger.

   Even so, he walked into the sheltered woods of Valordian unafraid and ready to fulfill his heart’s desire, blissfully unaware of the hidden part of his heart that was about to be unlocked on this journey.  As he made his way into the forest’s edge, he was immediately captivated; whether by the streams of light that managed to squeeze their way through the thick canopy in dozens of pinnacles of light, or by the humid, but cool blanket of dew that hung in the atmosphere, he felt lulled into a dream by what he saw, and yet it would only serve as a backdrop to the soul that would be the spotlight of this euphoric dream come true.

   He froze, seeing a figure come into the area of light before him; it was a hedgehog maiden.  She was a yellow hedgehog, had long flowing locks of hair, and a ruffle of soft and short bangs, barely draping over her warm blue eyes.  She wore a long, light blue dress, covered by a grass green and sheer shawl, and sandals with light lavender straps.  She wore a necklace of braided black leather with a teardrop shaped opal pendant, for opal was her birthstone, and she loved the vivid colors of the gem.  Her hair hung down to the back of her knees, while the dress fell to her ankles.  She wore lavender ribbons in her hair right below her ears, and wore a white lily behind her right ear.

   The maiden he beheld was our mother, Lady Aerealei, a young maiden of Valordian Village.  She was loved by all, and was the most eligible lady in the village.  All the young males loved her, from the warriors to scholars; they would give her flowers, do favors for her, bring her gifts, sing her songs, anything they could do to win over her heart, and yet, like our father, until that time, she had given her heart to no one.

   Of course, this is when her life would change forever, and when she tells the tale to us, this is the time she recalls with the most pleasure; the day she met our father, that evening in fair Valordian.

   Quote, “Oh, your father stood strong, brave, and fair as his eyes fell on me.  When I first caught glimpse of him standing there, I was afraid at first, but any fear died away immediately once I took a better look.  I returned his frozen and smitten gaze with my own.  He was so handsome, and I shall never forget my first sight of him; you, my sons, have his gentle eyes, filled with a thirst for life and telling of the love and care in your souls.  They were a rich, bluish purple, unlike I had ever seen before, and thus far have seen in you alone besides; he was tall, much taller than any hedgehog warrior; a tuft of white fur graced his proud chest; his hair was brushed into dreadlocks much like your own, tipped in white, and graced with a single white band just above this with a stripe of red between them.  He wore a long black cape lined with blue satin, his long red tail framed against it.  A black leather belt ran around his waist, serving as a place to latch his sword scabbard, which held his sword, Akrenar.  Two smaller sheaths, on the right side of his belt, as opposed to his sword sheath on the left, held his daggers, Tempest and Twilight.  He wore boots, black with a dark blue stripe running down them, with sharp blades on the back of each, another weapon he carried, for self defense alone; I had no fear of him, for I perceived at once that he was a kind and loving soul.”

   It was always a touching moment for our mother to remember, for though she was still in slight wariness of this newcomer, she was immediately captivated by him in a way no other had ever done to her heart.  She wasn’t going to let her fear keep her from finding out more about him.

   Our father, frozen with love, slowly melted into awareness as she approached him.  Our mother took small and patient steps towards him, keeping her eyes on him, trying to figure out more about him.  A smile slowly formed on his face; before she could complete her walk to him, he quickly bowed, taking his cape in his right hand, wrapping is across his chest and abdomen as he did so, kneeling down, and lowering his head in respectful admiration.

   She was immediately flattered by his good manners, and his courtesy continued when he remained silent once she approached him.  He simply raised his eyes enough to look at her, a signal that he was ready to hear her speak; instead of taking control of a conversation that she was the one to have the intention to start.  Our mother, needless to say, was quickly growing more infatuated with our father, for he already showed better manners than even the most enthusiastic of the warriors trying to win over her heart; he respected her, rather than just desired her.  He loved her and all that she was, which at that time even included us, his sons that he didn’t even know yet, but gave his love to all the same through his deep love and admiration of her and her heart.

   Quote, “I was almost paralyzed with happiness and awe, for every male, some bright and kind, had never given me this kind of respect, simply giving me the chance to speak.  He remained bowed, bent on his knees, his cloak wrapped tightly around him, silent, waiting for me to speak, before he would rise, and begin introductions.  He treated me unlike anyone ever had before, and I knew right then, my sons, that this was the one my soul was meant to unite with; we were soul mates, born to be together, to love each other, to create life, and to die for, only to be reunited for all eternity.”

   It is touching to hear her speak of our father with such deep affection, especially when she felt this way from the moment she met him.

   She bowed her head, curtseying gently as she spoke, “Greetings, my Lord; what brings you to fair Valordian this night?”

   Our father now rose slowly, smiling warmly, but proudly, and responded, “Good evening, my Lady.  My name is Armundae, and I hail from Angel Island.  I’m afraid I have no intention further, save exploring the reaches of Valordian’s woods, in your realm tonight, so you must pardon me if I have intruded on you or your people.  I mean you no harm or conquest.”

   “Oh, you have provided no intrusion Armundae, and yet you have already captivated my interest with your presence,” she replied.  Giggling softly, she added, “My name is Aerealei, and might I ask, what about Valordian Forest interests you so?”

   To this, our father smiled, with a toothy grin not unlike our own though it varies between us, and replied, “Why, Lady Aerealei, for years I have grown fond of the wide world below and beyond the reaches of my native Angel Island, and your forest, glorious on the horizon, has teased me with her beauty, taunting me for the little time I have to stray from my position, though I have always longed to explore her.  Now, my dear friend, the Guardian himself, has bestowed me with a two week leave from my post, allowing me to wander further.”

   He paused, giving our mother a controlled and methodical gaze, before he added, “Although, if I am honestly en route to causing a problem for you and your people perhaps I should sway elsewhere?  It is of no want in my heart to cause trouble.”

   Our mother let out a hesitant, but soft gasp of breath in response, neither out of fear or surprise, but instead, she worried for our father.  Already she was smitten with him, but knew he wandered into danger should he cross the hedgehogs of her village, armed with not just a sword, but two daggers and sharp blades on the backs of his boots.  Though she knew they were only for his protection, she was afraid they would misunderstand and try to harm him, remembering how the echidnas supposedly abandoned them in their hour of need, and that civil war would be soon to follow.  However, she wanted our father to be able to take in the sights of the surrounding woods, while at the same time giving her the opportunity to know him better, so she used her popularity in the village to her advantage, remembering the cabana belonging to the village leader, built on the edge of Valordian lake outside of the village.

   She was invited to stay there in the past, and she knew if she could get our father in and out of it safely that the two of them could stay there together while she gave him a tour of Valordian woods.  It was a full proof plan, she figured, because the Village leader was hoping his son would win over her heart, and in trying to please her, allowed her to use his private retreat at her leisure, and she wouldn’t be bothered.  Now, all she had to do was guide our father Armundae to it without raising suspicion and they would be on their way.  Already, they were beginning to take risks for this growing attraction they had for one another, and it was only a precursor to what risks and sacrifices were to come.

   But again, this was a time of happiness and new beginnings; our mother quickly smiled, quickly taking our father’s hand and exclaimed softly, “Come with me; though my kindred may not appreciate your presence, I will embrace it.  I’ll be more than happy to show you through our fair forest, and provide you shelter during your stay.  If it is exploration of Valordian that you came for, then that is what you shall be graced with.”

   Our father, if startled for a moment by her enthusiasm, was no less captivated by her, and as eager as he was to explore Valordian Forest, the chance to get to know our mother, Lady Aerealei, better, was just as exciting.  With a nod, he replied, “Lead the way my lady; I put my trust in you and your guiding footsteps.”

   They paused for only one more smile between them, our mother’s widening brightly as she tugged on our father’s arm, leading him into the deep paths of Valordian Forest.  That first walk was the beginning of their future together, and like the dimly lit path before them, it was filled with promise and joy in the journey to come.