Talulah;

[Talulah]

It’s a soft time, Talulah knows. War doesn’t tear into the lands or the horses. Magic doesn’t pull at them like puppets on a string. Friendships form between the kingdoms, but none of the relationships demand anything extraordinary. It’s a time of blessed quiet everywhere, it seems. Even the light that filters through the trees today is warm, soft. It highlights the fact that Ramiel and the other children his age know only peace; they have grown up in a largely forgiving time. It hasn’t always been the case (and wasn’t for Talulah or her mother) and she is sure it will not be for much longer. Peace brings out the best in some and the worst in others. It’s as if the stillness breaks these individuals, as if they need the ripples in otherwise calm waters in order to feel something. Already, Talulah can feel the edges of their disruption lapping against her heels. It had started when Tiberios was stolen and continued when Tiphon went after him. The stirrings of unrest - the need to destroy a family that had been content before one of their own was taken – became a forecast of things to come. Now, the mare is glad to have her family together again (glad to breath in Tiphon and to see Tiberios when he wants to be seen) but she can’t shake the other fears. They creep up on her in the most inopportune times. They tingle along her solid skin, even now, cradled as she is against the father of her child. She can’t predict the future, of course. But it seems almost inevitable. Ramiel shares none of these fears. As he listens to his father teach him what it means to be a good man, a good ruler, he feels only hope in his heart. The kind of hope that is sure of itself, confident that it will do right in this world. He knows he is neither brash nor impulsive, but he thinks maybe he is also too ready to prove himself sometimes. Too proud by half. As a child, this pride had perhaps kept him out of trouble. He was proud of obeying the rules until Joscelin convinced him otherwise. She had taught him that small rebellions were okay, too. They had jumped headfirst into their childhood adventures – the exact opposite of what Tiphon was telling him to do now – but Ramiel realizes the difference. Even though he had followed his sister with abandon, he had always thought ahead while doing so. He had always tried to anticipate the different scenarios, at least. One of them had to, and he knew it wouldn't be his lively sister. Not that her boisterousness is right or wrong, it’s simply the opposite of the black colt’s personality. They are a good balance to each other, he thinks, then wonders what her place is in all of this. Will she be the queen? He would gladly share the mantle with her, but he wonders if that’s what she wants. Ramiel doesn’t even consider that she might leave – that loss would be far too painful. Tiphon assures him that he will be there to help, and the load on his shoulders lightens a bit. Of course his father would be there, why had he worried he might not be? He’d have all of their support: “you, Mom and Joscelin,” he says, looking happily between his parents. Talulah smiles and nudges him after Tiphon does, overwhelming pride for the small family they are beating in her chest. Even after living decades in the Dale, she hardly imagined her life would turn out as it has. She can scarcely believe her good fortune; it all came about when the golden stallion came into the picture. She remembers the very moment she saw him with her father, remembers the mix of emotions at seeing the chestnut for the first – and last – time. Her father and her son were both met because of Tiphon. And she realizes now that it doesn’t matter if he finds comfort in other mares. What they share is outside of politics and even other romances. Although ideally it would be different, she can separate the two. “A son to raise and a lifetime to look forward to,” she agrees with the angel, leaning more heavily against him. No matter what the future holds, she will always treasure these moments with Tiphon and Ramiel. They make her feel whole and alive, and a life without them is as unimaginable to her as it is to Tiphon. t a l u l a h lady of the Dale

reference //info

ooc: we can wrap this thread up if you want and/or start a new one? seeing as Ramiel has aged a bit...lol