A/N: Hello all! Sorry for the long wait, work got in the way. But I hope to be updating more now. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nintendo owns Fire Emblem.
After Adaven's semi-genial talk with Skrimir in the library, she released herself from the self imposed isolation and ventured out to join in what festivities there were. She met with the group of beorc that she ran across at the fort, learning who they were and what they did from Mist.
The man with the green hair that showed up with her during their first meeting is Boyd. Mist explained that he was the middle brother, the other two having stayed back. The blue haired man is Ike, Mist's brother and the commander of the mercenaries. The dark haired man was their strategist, Soren. Adaven found it interesting that Skrimir valued Soren's opinions to such a high degree. She might have to talk with Soren herself to understand better.
The archer that Adaven nearly mauled, and still wants to, is Shinon who has had a deeply rooted hate for the laguz. Adaven immediately dismisses him as inconsequential. The other two females were named Titania and Marcia, both riders of the horses. When Adaven had asked about the wings, Marcia informed her that her steed is a pegasus. A long discussion followed that lasted well into that night.
The final member of the mercenary band that came to Gallia is a man called Gatrie. Mist intimated to Adaven that him and Shinon are really good friends, and that he probably only came to keep Shinon out of trouble. Whatever the case, Adaven kept her eye on him too. She found that these beorc were pretty easy to get along with, and nothing like she was suspecting. She got to hear their tales of the two different wars, the people they met and befriended and even people they had lost. In return, she told them about her time in Hatari and about herself. By the end of their stay in Gallia, Adaven felt she could call some of them her friends. It made her feel good, and it gave her something to look forward to in the future, since Mist had invited her to their base.
Once the mercenary band had departed, Adaven began to notice a lack of Skrimir's presence. Usually she could hear him doing something, he was always loud. But now the halls and corridors loomed in their silence. It was refreshing at first, since Adaven was able to continue her research unhindered by whatever challenge he wanted to pose. Yet with the more time that passed, the more Adaven became disconcerted. Especially when she hadn't been pestered by him in over a month.
Adaven had come across a symbol that she wasn't familiar with and had finally decided to ask for help when she became fully aware of Skrimir's prolonged absence. In that instant, she set the materials aside and headed out of the library in search of Ranulf. He is the one closest to the prince so he should know what's going on.
She finds Ranulf in the kitchens, joking with one of the cooks. Hearing her enter, one of his ears turns in her direction before he turns his head, grinning. "Adaven~ Here for a snack?"
Adaven shakes her head. "No, I was looking for you." Ranulf blinks, "Me? What for?" he watches her, munching on the biscuit in his hand. "I wanted to ask you about Skrimir."
"Oh?" He hops off the table he was sitting on, walking past her. "Lets take a walk"
Adaven nods and follows him out of the kitchens. There doesn't seem to be a destination in mind, but she allows Ranulf to lead, waiting for him to speak again.
"So, have you taken an interest in Skrimir?" Ranulf immediately asks, turning his bi-colored gaze to Adaven. She raises an eyebrow in response, lips pulling down in a minor frown. "Interested? Hardly." She snorts and shakes her head. "He's an infuriating, loud-mouthed behemoth that thinks the only way to get something is through a challenge of some sort."
Ranulf nods in understanding, but takes note that Adaven said almost the same thing that Skrimir had said. He believes they just might be perfect for each other. Instead of voicing these thoughts, he asks "Then why ask about him?"
Adaven frowns a bit in thought, mulling over her answer. "Because... I haven't seen or heard him since the beorcs where here, and wanted to know where he went."
She must be worried about him, muses Ranulf, watching as Adaven fights for control with her feelings. "Well, there's nothing to be worried over. He has been with the king." "The king? What for?"
Chuckling, Ranulf smiles as he answers, "Why, to learn to be king himself." Seeing the look Adaven is giving him, Ranulf continues his explanation. "You know how there was a war two years ago, correct? When half the continent was turned to stone? At the end of it, King Caineghis abdicated his throne to Skrimir. The king has stayed around to help Skrimir settle into the new role, but I know the king is ready to pass it all over."
Adaven blinks in surprise. "I find it hard to see Skrimir in such a role."
"Granted Skrimir is brash, and can be pretty hot-headed. But he does have a good sense for these things. He will be a good ruler, and he can only get better."
Adaven nods slowly, trying to picture Skrimir as king. She supposes it could be possible, but it's just too outlandish for her at the moment. "Well, I guess I should let him continue that. Maybe you can help me then?"
"Of course. I'll help in anyway that I can." Ranulf smiles. Adaven pulls out a sheet of paper that she drew the symbol on. Unfolding it, she shows it to Ranulf. The symbol has a central point, encompassed by two half circles. From the gaps between the half circles, larger and thicker 's' shaped curves flow out, ending in a long stylized dip pointing both up and down, looking almost like a diamond. There are also smaller lines around the entirety of the main symbol, depicting a shining quality.
"I found this and didn't know what it was. I thought maybe Skrimir might know, or maybe even you." Ranulf studies the drawing, trying to recall anything about a symbol like this before shaking his head. "No...I don't know anything about it unfortunately. Or, if I have seen it somewhere I can't remember." He folds the paper back up handing it over to Adaven. "I have heard of an old tigress who supposedly knows about a lot of odd things. She might be able to help, since this symbol is pretty odd."
"Is there any way you can take me there?"
Ranulf shakes his head. "Not yet. I'm not sure if she is still alive, or where she is for that matter. I've heard she likes to move a lot. Let me do some investigating, and when I find something I'll let you know. Deal?"
"Deal" Adaven nods. She is not about to let this opportunity pass, and it may be the only clue she has to figure out what happened to the lionesses. Just to be thorough, she will ask Skrimir when she gets the chance, and maybe even the king. She talks with Ranulf for a little while longer until he has to head off to make his daily rounds. Left to her own devices, Adaven roams the castle. She hasn't explored too much since she arrived, and figures now would be the perfect chance to do so while giving her a break from all the reading she had been doing.
Her journey takes her through several different halls, all leading to various areas. She finds a couple more gardens like the one she frequently visits, only better kept. She finds the training yard where the soldiers practice their fighting, spotting Ranulf with them at one point before waving and continuing on. There were several storage rooms, and one even contained a tunnel that she would have to explore later. It probably led to a safe house somewhere.
Not wanting to intrude too much in the castle and find herself in private rooms, Adaven slips outside to head into town. Many of the servants have talked about the marketplace, and Adaven makes that a priority. She is not disappointed for there are various stalls selling a myriad of items. She walks by all of them, inspecting some more closely and even purchasing some of the wares, or treats that are available.
Halfway through she noticed she had some stalkers. Pretending like she hadn't seen them, Adaven makes it to the center of the market where a giant pole is situated, a tethered ball hanging from the top. She takes a seat on a vacant bench, lazily swinging her tail and pretends to watch the crowd. Her attention remains on her stalkers, hearing them creep up on her. Just as they are about to pounce, Adaven turns and scoops them up. "Gotcha!"
Squeals and shrieks of laughter erupt from the kids she scooped up as they try to squirm away. Adaven laughs and holds them, walking around the pole as she carries them before sitting with them and lets them go. As soon as they are free from her grasp, they immediately turn and pounce on her. In good humor Adaven falls back with a dramatic gasp, earning more squeals of delight as the kids climb all over her.
Adaven plays with the cubs as she would the pups back in Hatari, having fun with them but also honing some of their instincts at the same time. She enjoys herself, but finds that she misses her family in Hatari. It makes her wonder how Nailah and Volug are doing, the two she is closest to. She resolves to return as soon as she can, turning her attention back to the cubs.
They are all in different states of exhaustion, having depleted their energy in the many games they played with Adaven. She smiles at them, giving each one a treat from the bag she had previously bought. All of them perk up at the reward, whining when their parents come to gather them. Standing up, Adaven smiles at them and promises to come back to play again, earning elated cheers. The parents nod and thank Adaven, taking their charges home. Adaven watches as they all leave, then starts making her way back to the castle.
It was hard for Skrimir to concentrate and focus on such matters. Ruling a country was turning out to be a vast and laborious task. Two years ago his uncle had abdicated the throne to him, yet he hadn't taken the full responsibility. After that talk with Adaven, something clicked within and Skrimir had sought his uncle out to start speeding up the process. Skrimir didn't realize just how much learning had to be put into it.
"Nephew." Skrimir is drawn from his thoughts, looking towards his uncle as they continue their walk. "Uncle?"
The king walks with him, watching the younger lion. "I was saying that you should know your lands and your people like the back of your hand. A good practice is to visit the different villages throughout the country."
"Is that why we are here?" Skrimir questions, walking with his uncle through the village just outside the castle, looking at the wares of some of the market place vendors.
"It is always good for your people to see you. It instills in them a trust for you that you can't get by hiding behind walls. If they see you and know you care for them, then they will support you and fight for you if you have to call upon them."
Skrimir nods as he listens, walking with his uncle and observing how he interacts with the market inhabitors. Skrimir hopes one day he can be a king as great as his uncle, so takes care to watch carefully. At one point he is distracted by two kids running past his legs to the market center. Following their path with his eyes, Skrimir sees them join a group of cubs already in the process of tackling Adaven. Curious, he watches the event unfold, taking in the peals of laughter from both the children and Adaven. He wonders if this is the true Adaven, finding that he likes it and wanting to see this side of her more.
He watches them play a moment longer, smiling to himself at the simple purity of it before the cubs are off chasing Adaven. Another moment passes with him staring down the path they fled before Skrimir turns back to his uncle. The king had been watching Skrimir, taking note on how his nephew seemed almost entranced. He had a feeling it would be good for both Skrimir and Adaven to explore their budding feelings, but he kept his silence for the time being. It was for Skrimir to figure out in his own way.
Returning to the castle, Skrimir accompanied his uncle to the throne hall where the king would retire for the night. Bidding his uncle a goodnight, Skrimir turns to head to his own quarters, stopping at the hand on his shoulder. He looks back to face his uncle.
"You should start thinking about a mate, Nephew. You will take the throne, in full, soon and the people will expect you to have heirs. While not urgent immediately, it's something to keep in the back of your mind." The king squeezes Skrimir's shoulder, retreating into the throne hall.
Skrimir treks back to his rooms, frowning in thought over his uncle's words. How could he think about that right now? There's so much more going on, what with the learning and the duties and all. How could he possibly think of choosing a mate?
How come he could only think of Adaven?