Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Elves of All Kinds (1x1)

That evening was difficult for Saelhil. However, as morning rolled around, he had made his decision.

"Raeliel," he said, coming to her as she was making breakfast, Belle in the make-shift cradle that they toted around the house to let Belle be near them at all times. He cleared his throat a bit. "I'm coming south with you." He took a few steps closer. "I'm leaving the elders in charge; they've been through more winters than I have and they will know what to do for our people... I don't want to leave you alone for the whole winter. If something happened to Belle and I wasn't there, I don't know if I could forgive myself."

Raeliel had stayed by him and spent time with him throughout the night, and in the morning she'd gotten up to go make breakfast. As she heard her name being called, she looked up and smiled. "Hey, Saelhil." She listened as he took and she smiled in relief. "...Alright." She set the breakfast things aside and turned to hug him tightly. "...I'm honestly glad. I couldn't imagine spending a whole Winter without you." She held him close, then kissed his cheek and let go. "When do we leave?"

Saelhil held her tightly when she hugged him, and smiled gently at her. "We need to leave as soon as possible; the first snow should be coming in soon, and I don't want to travel with Belle in the snow." He glanced at the little girl, then back to his wife. "Are Valenthion and Talainna still sleeping? Or are they outside? We need to tell them that we're leaving soon."

Raeliel smiled. "Alright. We'll pack up tonight and leave first thing in the morning." She looked at the baby, then looked to the door. "They're still in bed. I can go wake them up if you'd like." She left him with the baby and hurried to go stir the children. "Valenthion, Talainna, it's time to wake up. We need to pack up, we're going away for the winter. We're going somewhere nice and warm."

Talainna shifted, and glanced over towards Raeliel. "Mm...? Where?" She yawned and smiled sleepily.

Valenthion sat up, rubbing his eyes and trying to flatten out his hair. "Why are we leaving?" He stretched his arms. "Is everything okay?"

Raeliel smiled gently. "South, to where it's warmer. Nothing's wrong, don't worry. We are just going somewhere warmer because the winter would be really dangerous for Belle while she's still young." She helped them both up and kissed Valenthion on the forehead. "We want to head out before the first snow, so we're going to pack up today and leave tomorrow. It'll be fun, a family trip!"

Valenthion hugged Raeliel's waist tightly as she placed a kiss on his forehead, before releasing her, only for the boy to be hugged by Talainna.

"That means we'll get to swim while there's snow here!" she exclaimed happily, giggling cheerfully. She grabbed Valenthion's hand and looked up at Raeliel. "Do you think we'll go to an island? I've always wanted to go and see the flowers and the tropical elves..." She grinned happily.

"I'd rather stay here..." Valenthion murmured under his breath.

"But that's boring... It'll be fun!" Talainna assured him.

Raeliel smiled gently and touched Valenthion's cheek. "Don't worry, Valenthion, it will be great. It will be nice and warm, and all of us will be safe and healthy. In winter sickness comes a lot. I don't want any of you to get sick, and if Belle got sick then she could die because she's still so little. So it's kind of like a vacation, to keep everyone happy and healthy. It will be fun, honey, don't worry."

She took his hand. "Come on, Talainna can help you get packed up." She smiled. "After breakfast, though. Are you two hungry?"

Valenthion hesitated, then nodded slightly. The three of them trekked downstairs for breakfast towards the kitchen, where Saelhil was waiting. The elf was carrying Belle, checking over the food to make sure it wouldn't overcook. When he notice his family appear, he smiled with some relief.

"Good morning, everyone." He kissed Talainna and ruffled Valenthion's hair, glancing at Raeliel. "Well... Ready for breakfast?"

Raeliel smiled and nodded. "Yes, we're all ready." She went to help everyone get breakfast, then she took the baby to feed her as well. She scooted over to Saelhil and whispered quietly so Valenthion wouldn't hear them. "Valenthion is a little hesitant about the trip. Try to keep it upbeat so he can look forward to it." She understood that a new place would be scary for someone like Valenthion, who couldn't see.

Saelhil paused mid-bite to listen to Raeliel. After a moment, he nodded, smiling gently. "Mm." He didn't doubt Valenthion would feel uneasy about moving for a while, but he was sure the boy would come to love the ocean they would be staying near. For now, Talainna was explaining in great detail what fun it would be, playing in sand instead of snow.

Raeliel finished feeding Belle, then rocked the girl gently as she ate her own breakfast. Once she had eaten herself, she got up and went to put Belle in her crib and roll it around. "Talainna, can you help Valenthion pack up after breakfast? Saelhil, do you think you could take care of some of our things while I take care of Belle?"

Talainna looked up at Raeliel's asking, and nodded, quickly moving off with Valenthion in tow. Likewise, Saelhil went to pack their things.


The next morning, after goodbyes were said and instructions were given, the little family was off, travelling south through the crisp air. Saelhil rode with Valenthion, while Raeliel and Talainna had their own horses. Strapped securely to Raeliel's horse's saddle was Belle, in a bundle of blankets tucked into an open basket, to keep her from falling out, and to keep her warm and protected. It would take a few hours of travelling, but eventually they would come to the shore, where the air was warm and moist and filled with the strong scent of salt and the fresh sea air-- just the thing to strengthen one's lungs.

Raeliel rode along with her baby, making sure the child was safe and secure. Belle cried a lot during the trip, and there were a couple breathing problems, but nothing beyond the daily. She was relieved when they finally reached the shore, however. Belle had stopped crying and was currently snoozing away. "Saelhil, how long until we reach where we're staying?" She just hoped it was nearby. Belle would wake up soon very hungry, and if they stopped again, the other kids would probably be very stressed.

Saelhil offered a tired smile. "Just a few minutes. There." He motioned to the small fishing village ahead. They would get there rather quickly, with few problems.

The village was small, quiet. It was populated by elves different than proper or natural--they were coastal elves, from the islands. That meant tanned skin and dark hair. They were a kind people, very welcoming to strangers and very open. The moment they knew a stranger's name, that stranger was now treated like family. However, this only applied to elves; other creatures were to be treated as wild animals. They were wary of other races, and didn't take kindly to them.

As they rode through the village towards the small home they would be staying in, the coastals greeted them cheerfully, welcoming them warmly to the village. There were perhaps a maximum of fifty elves living in the village, and thus five newcomers were exciting news.

Raeliel nodded and rode with them through the village. She smiled at them as well and waved, but she didn't talk until they got to the house they were staying at. She knew how the coastal elves treated other beings, so once she disembarked she pulled Saelhil aside to whisper to him. "What do we do about Valenthion? Do you think they will treat him poorly because he's only half elf? I don't want him abused or neglected while we're here, Saelhil, it's supposed to be a good time for everyone." She then went to take Belle down in her basket, and she made sure Valenthion got help off of the horse he was on too.

She had to take Belle in to feed her right away, because upon getting off the horse the baby started crying. Once Belle was fed, though, she was carried around in Raeliel's arms and was much calmer.

"We'll address that when it comes up," Saelhil said softly, also having thought of that. He let her go inside, then let the two children start exploring the house while he began unpacking. It was small, only one story, with just two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a small den. But it was cozy and clean, and would suffice for the upcoming winter.

Raeliel didn't mind the small house. It was cute and cozy, and very family feeling. Talainna and Valenthion could share the one bedroom while she and Saelhil shared the other bedroom with Belle. It was perfect. She settled into the den with Belle, and once the baby was asleep she hurried to help Saelhil unpack and get things settled in. She also made sure to keep an eye on the children and make sure they didn't stray from the house yet.

Once Raeliel came to help him, Saelhil took a breath. "We should go to the beach today," he suggested. "Help the kids get used to the area before getting them involved with the villagers...After a meal, of course, to let them get a break after travelling." He smoothed back his hair and shut the trunk he had been unloading clothes into.

Raeliel listened to Saelhil and nodded. "That sounds like a good idea." She smiled softly at him. "Should I go start on a meal then?" If he gave her the okay, she'd head off to make them all something to eat. Once that was taken care of, she smiled. "Alright everyone, time to eat!" She liked the small house; it was easier to round everyone up for meals.