Theodemar followed Markos and his wife and smiled when he saw their children. ''That is a good idea Markos'' he said and sat down on one of the chairs looking at Rimeth and Jovian from a distance. He smiled as he saw how Jovian showed Rimeth how to put a arrow on the bow.

Rimeth followed Jovian and when he handed her the bow, she smiled and her eyes started to twinkle a little. ''It's pretty'' she said and then quickly ran after Jovian to see what he did. She followed his instructions and held the arrow pointed to the ground as she tried to place it in the bow. It was more difficult that she thought and it kept falling from the bow. ''This.. is.. hard..'' She mumbled she looked at Jovian and smiled, she kept trying and was too stubborn to ask for his help. After a time span of at least ten minutes, it finally worked out well for the blond girl and she got the arrow on the bow. ''There..'' she said, still a little proud of herself and she looked at him, she was at least a head smaller than him and this made her look up at him. ''What is the next step?'' she asked with a big smile.

Markos sat beside Theodemar. “I don’t see your daughter growing up to be a weak, lady-like woman.” He said watching her as she struggled to knock her bow. “She seems willful and strong. I think it’d be good for Jovian to have someone like that, especially if we don’t know what the future holds for our children. War could breakout.” He finished as he scratched his beard, clearly thinking about the future.

Jovian laughed as she struggled. “I was like that too.” He said. “Okay the next step is to aim down the arrow and look at your target.” He said as he showed her. “My dad is a good teacher.” He added in, while concentrating on the target. “When you feel ready, you let go the arrow!” He almost shouted. The arrow released and whizzed through the air. Smacking the outside of the target. “Aw. I’m not the best.” He said ashamed hanging his head, then looking at her. “Now it’s your turn.” He smiled.

Theodemar nodded with a proud smile. ''You are right, she sure will challenge him a lot, but so will he towards her and that is good. They will most likely become a couple to be feared for the strong bond they will get trough the years.. At least I hope they will'' he said and thought back on how he and Amnestria got together. It was kind of like this just, they were older and knew from the start they would marry. ''Of course we do not hope for a war but indeed, it could come to that'' he said.

Rimeth looked at Jovian and listened. ''You are a good teacher too''She said when he said his father was a good teacher. She saw how he aimed and copied him, then waited for his explanation and saw how he shot his arrow. When he pulled himself down a little she frowned, she let her bow fall on the ground. She gave him a little slap on his arm. ''Don't do that!'' she said and looked at him, still with a frown. ''You did great, and are still learning'' she said. Then, as if she suddenly remembered to be good, she laid her hand on his arm and smiled. ''Sorry.. But.. You must be proud of yourself that you can do that already'' she said and then picked up her bow, she had to redo her arrow which, even though it still took a little time, went in faster.

The younger girl aimed for the target and took a deep breath, she had one eye closed and when she slowly opened it, she let go of the arrow. She looked as the arrow whistled trough the air and hit the second ring of the target. Rimeth smiled bright and looked at Jovian. ''That was thanks to you.. You are a great teacher'' she said and gave the boy a hug.

Markos turned around and walked to the table and sat down facing the children. He signaled a servant over. “Get some wine.” The servant bowed and walked away. “I’m having the blacksmith’s of Vinebal making weapons and armor. We’ll have a surplus if it ever comes to a war.” He said focused. “My boy will be capable to defend himself if the time ever comes… I’ll make sure of that.” His hand gripped the side of his chair as he spoke. He was a man of preparation. “The humans in Coreno are beginning to hate anything that’s not them. I’m worried for your safety as well. Your city Vellone is closer to them than we are.” He paused for a moment looking at Theodemar. “You’ll always find a safe place here. Don’t hesitate to contact my family.” He gave a slight nod of respect and looked back at the children, waiting for the wine to come.

Jovian watched her shot. He grew a little jealous of her, but nothing devious. “Wow. I can’t believe you did that. Maybe you just are good at it.” He said with a smile. “You did everything I showed you with the first try. That was really good.” He smiled as she gave him a hug. “So try again.” He urged her. He was excited for her.

Theodemar nodded and he had been hiding his worry. ''I don't like the idea of my wife and son being so close to Coreno...
The Onorine elves are different than most of us, they seem to try very hard to have a good bond with the humans but it is weird'' he said and looked at Rimeth shooting the arrow. He smiled a little proud and then looked at Markos. ''If we have to flee our estate, I'll send my wife and Rimeth first.. Sylvar might join them but I will do what I can to save my city.. You would do the same and I thank you for your reassurance'' he said with a faint smile.

Rimeth looked at Jovian and nodded, she took a new arrow and placed it into the bow, a little struggle just like the second time and once she managed to put it in the bow she looked at him. ''Jovian?'' she asked, she aimed and waited with firing the shot. She looked at the older boy. ''My older brother told me why I was going here.. Is it true? Will we marry when we are older?'' she asked and she then lowered her bow and looked at him with a lot of curiosity in her green eyes.

“Of course. It is no problem for me.” Markos nodded back to him. It wasn’t fun to think about for either of them, but as rulers and leaders, they had to deal with actions of others. For Markos it was much better to be over prepared than under prepared. He watched the children talk and wonder what they were saying. What did two children have to say to each other he wondered. It had been so long since he was a child.

Jovian ears perked up when Rimeth said his name. He looked over to her listening. “Yes, it’s true. It’s weird to think about. My dad said we have to marry each other, there is no choice.” He paused for a second and shrugged, “I guess we can play a lot together.” He said and smiled. "Why what do you think?" He asked curiously.

Theodemar looked over at where Markos was looking at and saw the two children talk. ''Are you as curious as I am?'' he asked and smiled a little. He too felt curiosity when he sees them talk, he knew Rimeth could sometimes be quite blunt and he simply hoped that she would be nice to Jovian. It would be a disaster if she would hurt the boy or if they would not grow up being well, at least friends.

Rimeth nodded as she heard him out. ''Play together sounds good'' she said and nodded, she raised the bow again and with all the power she had, she pulled the wire of the bow and aimed. ''If I miss.. We do something.. you like to do, if I hit.. we are gonna do something I like.. Deal?'' she asked and looked at him one more time before letting go of the arrow. The arrow had quite some speed but because of the speed and because Rimeth wasn't that big, the arrow was unstable and even though it did hit the hay and got stuck in it, it was not on the target and Rimeth pouted a little.

“Indeed.” He said watching the children. The servant came with the wine, sitting it on the table. “Here you are sir.” She said and left. Markos poured some wine in the glass, “Would anyone like some?” He asked everyone at the table. “Yes please.” Eva answered walking over to the table grabbing some. “Thank you dear. A gentleman.” She said bending over and giving him a quick kiss. She walked back to her spot that she was at, watching her little boy.

“It’s okay.” Jovian encouraged her, patting her on the back. “Like you said earlier, we are still learning.” He smiled putting his hands on his hips looking around. “What should we do?” He asked her and thought about what they could do. “First one to my spot in the tree wins!” He said starting to run over to a tree that he climbs on all the time. “I’m pretty good at climbing trees!” He shouted behind him. “Catch me if you can!”

Theademar smiled and nodded. He looked at the children from the corner of his eyes. ''Ah.. I see... Rimeth got a little cocky'' he said with a little chuckle. ''Yes, some wine will do me good'' he said and saw Jovian run towards a tree. He knew what was gonna happen and he smiled.

Rimeth looked at Jovian and listened to what he said. When he started running she looked after him. ''Unfair, you went ahead'' she said but instead of crying, she grabbed her skirt, held it up a little and started to run as fast as she could. She was not gonna get to him before he would get to the tree she knew that for sure. She saw how he climbed and looked back back. She quickly undid a few buttons ans her skirt would fall on the ground, revealing a pair of trousers and she started to climb. ''You are mean Jov..
Going ahead of me, but I'll get you'' she said and climbed as fast as she could. She was not very skilled but she could climb quite well for her age and was getting close to him.

Markos poured some wine for Theodemar. He looked at the children as they climbed up the tree. He grabbed the glass of wine and handed it to Theodemar. “Here you are.” He said handing it to him, and pouring himself a drink. “Do you think its safe for them to climb on trees honey?” Eva asked from across the pavilion. “Yes dear. We’re natural born tree climbers.” Markos said. Eva sighed as she watched the children.

Jovian laughed as he climbed up the tree. “You’re fast, and you're keeping up!” He smiled looking down at her as she slowly caught up. “You can try to catch me!” He taunted her jokingly. They grew close to the top where he had a little spot set up. Some wood to make a couple seats.

Theodemar smiled and took a sip of his drink. He looked at how the children climbed the tree and heard the worry in Eva her voice. "Amnes would have asked the same, I think it's a mother instinct" he said and looked how Rimeth tried to get to Jovian as quick as she could.

Rimeth looked at him with the determination of a hunter. "I'll catch you indeed" she said and looked around. She saw a few branches that where thick enough for her and she climbed to them. She then looked at Jovial, he was about half a feet away from her. She started climbing as fast as she could but also saw that he was fast. She knew she wouldn't catch him but she now had a new goal, one day she would

Eva looked over to Theodemar when he said that and gave a polite smile before looking back at the children, slightly gripping the vertical wood support.

Rain began to sprinkle onto the onlookers, as well as on the children climbing the tree. A slight breeze could be felt. Eva’s hair blew slightly, showing her neck and pointy ears. She put her hand up, trying to tuck some hair behind her ears as she watched.

Markos looked up at the sky for a second, analyzing the weather. It hadn’t seemed like there would be a storm. He still wanted to take shelter from the light rain, and be comfortable inside their home. “Let’s go inside!” He shouted at the children, loud enough for them to hear.

Jovian’s ears perked when he had heard his father. He was roughly two footholds away from the spot in the tree. “Dang.” He said looking down at Rimeth. “We have to go back.” He said giving her a disappointed look, starting to climb down. “I can’t disobey my dad.” He said looking down for a spot to put his foot. Markos wasn’t the type of father you could keep waiting.

Theodemar felt the rain too and looked at Rimeth, a little worry shaded his face now. He never had seen Rimeth climb a tree that high, and now the rain could make the tree slippery even if it was just a little rain. He got up and waited for his daughter to get out of the tree but also slowly walked towards the tree just in case.

Rimeth looked at Jovian and sighed. ''Too bad...'' she said and looked down, she had not realized she had been this high. She swallowed and tried not to show her concern. She slowly climbed down and was really careful with every step she took. She looked at Jovian who was above her and bit her lip but didn't ask him, she didn't want to make him think she would be a burden. She kept climbing down slowly and very carefully watching every step. She held on tight and felt how her hands got wet and also slippery. She swallowed and closed her eyes tight. ''Jovian.. I.. I'm scared... C-Can you help me? I.. I've never been this high in a tree..'' she said and held on tight to the branch she stood on.

Theodemar heard what his daughter said and something inside him wanted to go and help his little girl but he didn't, this would be good for their bond and that too is what they needed. He kept his mouth shut and watched the children climb down.

Markos sipped on his wine watching the children. He wasn’t very concerned for Jovian. He seemed confident. He looked over at Eva, and she was obviously worried. It had looked like her fingers would dig into the wood of the post if she had enough strength to do so. Eva’s gaze was focused. Markos looked back at the children as they slowly made their descent.

Jovian took another step down. It foot slipped off the branch, but he was firmly balanced and had grip on both hands. His concentration was broken when Rimeth told him she was scared. He looked over to her. “Okay, stay there.” He said as he slowly worked his way to where she was at. “Okay.” He said finding a spot to stand. He stuck out his hand, “Hold my hand on your way down.” He said and added, “But make sure you have good spots to put your feet and hands. You can do it!” He said trying to encourage her. The rain hadn’t started down pouring yet. They still had time before it became truly dangerous.

Theodemar saw that everything was going to be alright and waited near the tree for both children, he had picked up the skirt of Rimeth her dress and looked at the two children and looked at how Jovian took hold of Rimeth her hand and was helping her down.

Rimeth looked at Jovian and when he took her hand, she held it and nodded. She did as he said and very carefully she was going down, making sure she was standing on thick and strong branches. She still was a little scared but also felt more save now Jovian was helping her. ''Thank you Jovian...'' she whispered and looked at him for a moment. She felt that the rain wasn't pouring that much yet but since it had been the highest she had ever been, she had felt the creeps for a moment. This really helped her find courage again, she looked at Jovian for a moment with a little smile.

After a short moment, she looked down and saw that they had reached the ground and she slowly let go on Jovian's hand, she jumped from the last branch and saw her father. ''Daddy, Jovian is a great friend.. He helped me down when I was scared and he is really nice!'' she said and her father nodded. He gave her her skirt and she placed it back around her little waist and looked at Jovian. ''Let's do a race.. The first one inside wins'' she said, she didn't really know the way but she liked to race and test if she was faster than him.

Jovian smiled, “Okay!” He said running off to the house. Eva and Markos looked at each other and smiled. Eva chuckled lightly moving into the house.

Markos looked over at Theodemar. He motioned his hands to follow them inside. Once everyone was inside they all moved into the dining room where the fire was, keeping them warm. The servant put a fresh piece of wood into the fire to make sure it was enough to please everyone. The servant then walked out of the room.

Markos walked near the fire with Theodemar. “Will you depart back to Vellone?” He asked curiously.

“Aw do they have to go father?” Jovian overheard his dad.

“Yes son. They are a busy family like us.” Markos answered his son looking at him then back at Theodemar. Jovian hung his head a little then ran off and grabbed a toy from his toy area. He brought one back for Rimeth.

“Here.” He said handing it to her. It was a elf archer doll. “You can have it if you want.” Jovian said shrugging. “Mine is better anyway.” He said showing her the doll. It was a elf swordsman in armor. “He’s the best.” He said moving the dolls arm with the sword acting like he was sword fighting.

Rimeth laughed some and then ran after Jovian, she kept close to him and even though she didn't win the little race, she did now know how to go inside the house.

Theodemar had followed the children on a normal pace and looked at Markos when he asked if they were gonna depart back home and nodded. Rimeth, who too had heard them looked at her father a little sad. ''But Daddy.. We traveled so long and Jovian and I could only play for a few hours..'' she said. Theodemar smiled a little at his daughter. ''They will come over around your birthday again and I promise you will see each other soon again'' he said, Rimeth sighed and looked down. Only to look up again when Jovian came back with two dolls, she smiled a little and took hold of the elf archer. She looked at it and saw a long braid coming from the helm of the doll and she smiled some more. ''It looks really great, thank you'' Rimeth said and giggled a little from how he played with the doll. ''But, from far away my doll could still attack yours while hidden'' she said and let the doll do a arrow-shooting movement.

Theodemar smiled at seeing the children and then looked out of the window. Rimeth, time to say goodbye now.. Maybe next time Jovian can come and stay for a few days at our place or you can stay for a few days here'' he said and Rimeth nodded. The young girl gave Jovian a hug and then ran to her father. She bowed for Markos and Eva. ''Thank you for having us.. It really was nice to be here'' she said with a smile. ''Markos my friend, we will see each other again soon. Eva, it was a pleasure to see you again'' Theodemar said and picked his daughter up from the floor and followed a servant back to his horse on which he would place Rimeth and then sat down himself. He rode off, back to his home city Vellone.

“Bye.” Jovian said slightly pouting from his new friend leaving so soon.

“Goodbye friend.” Markos said as he watched Theodeomar getting ready to go.

“Goodbye, always a pleasure to have your company Theodemar.” Eva said as he walked out the door. Jovian waved as they left.


Jovian journeyed to Vellone on his own this time. It was a long ride from Vinebal to Vellone, roughly taking 5 days to get there. He rode his horse past the property of the Avalor family. Eventually reaching the main entrance to their estate. A couple guards came down to greet him.

“My lord Sabinus, it’s been quite some time.” The guard greeted him and slightly bowed.

“Thank you. You still seem the same.” Jovian said to the guard. He remembered him from when he was younger.

“Let me escort you to the Avalor mansion.” He said motioning his hand in a direction. Jovian nodded and followed the guard to the door of their mansion and knocked 3 times loudly.

Rimeth got up on the horse and as her father was letting it walk away, she waved until she couldn't see Jovian anymore. She felt kinda sad and hoped they would soon see each other again.



Rimeth had been woken up early by her personal maidens, they had helped her dress and such for today as today she was getting to see her fiance again. She had kind of been in a fight with herself, she liked the idea of seeing Jovian again but also wondered how he would be now. They had not seen each other for quite a while because the travel was too dangerous thanks to the humans.

Walking around in her green dress she felt a bit bored. Through the years, Rimeth had almost perfected her archery skills and to please her mother, she had done her best with a few more feminine hobbies like drawing and painting. Rimeth took her bow and arrow and even though she knew that she probably would get scolded at, she climbed in a tree, holding her skirt up just enough to climb and hid in a tree close to the front door, knowing Jovian could arrive any moment. The young female was right, only ten minutes in the tree or she saw the male elf walking up the front door, she heard his loud knock and aimed a arrow, well.. a practise arrow, she waited until her mother opened the door. "Welcome Jovian, I'll let the servants get Rimeth, she is probably in her room" Amnestria said with a sweet smile. Rimeth grinned and let go of the arrow, it whistled trough the door inside the big house and hit the stairs. Rimeth started to laugh right away when she saw her mother's shocked face and climbed out of the tree, of course her dress got thorn a little on the hem of the skirt. "Rimeth Avalor! Look at your dress.. get to your room and change at once, I am done with these games of you.. Give me those, you will get them back once I spoke with your father" Amnestria said and Rimeth mumbled something.

The young female elf walked inside, gave her bow and arrows to her mother and sighed. She looked at Jovian and gave him a little smile. "Good to see you again Sir Jovian" she said and then disappeared to her room upstairs. "I apologize for her behaviour.. Sometimes she is just so wild.. Please follow my servants to your rooms and take your time to settle" Amnestria said and then walked of to her daughter's room

Jovian darted backward as he saw the arrow fly by, going into the house. He looked up to see Rimeth laughing. He was happy that she’d kept up her practice in the bow and arrow. He figured she would be a fantastic shot. “Good to see you as well miss Alavor.” Jovian smiled slightly bowing as she walked past him and her mother.

“It’s quite alright.” Jovian said to Amnestria. Jovian nodded to her when she said to follow her servants. He followed them to his room. He figured Rimeth would have changed a little bit. Maybe calming down a little, but it hadn’t seem she did. It didn’t particularly bother him though.

“This is your room sir.” The servant said motioning his hand into the room and walking off a second afterwards. Jovian walked into the room, looking around. It was a nice room. The dresser had a good dark wood finish on it. The bed had matched the style. He settled down and put his things where they needed to go. He sat on the bed and lied down putting his head on the pillow, with his feet hanging off the side. He thought about his journey here.