Ardyn & Arryn - 12
Somnus - 9

Ardyn let a soft hum leave his throat as he read through the scroll he had taken with him. With a light breeze and the warm autumn sun it was making for a good day to spend outside to enjoy some reading. Having laid out a large blanket with several small pillows, in case he would need them later on, he sat with crossed legs waiting. It had been a feeling Ardyn had. That something was going to happen and felt the need to prepare.

It wasn't the first time he's had these feelings. Most times, it came in the form of his sister needing him for comfort or just to be there as they both have since their beginning. The same was for Arryn when he was in need of her presence. From scary storms when they were just young children, to now as more responsibility was being put onto them as both the eldest of the three. Both were there at any moment to give a hug or just to be sitting side by side to bask in each other's aura.

A sudden sharp sting was felt in Ardyn's chest making a hand come up to rub the spot even if it was not from his side. A frown curled at the corners of his lips knowing that whatever it was he had prepared for was now happening. So he waited until the sounds of steps headed his way. Without glancing at who it could have been, Ardyn continued to read his scroll.

A weight fell onto his back as thin arms claimed each side of his shoulders. A chin rested on top of his crown letting their weight fully press him forwards an inch. Ardyn gazed down at the hands of his sister as they crossed over knowing she was kneeling at his back. The pale orange shawl that was wrapped around her shoulder cocooned him as well. Her hair had done the same blocking his view of his scroll.

"What has you so aggravated?" He asked.

"I was just told this, but I am now to be the heir-apparent to the Stella Lux." She grounded out.

Ardyn tensed at that announcement. "What? Why? Doesn't Uncle Felixus still have several years to produce an heir?" If this was true that would mean his sister would have to leave here to live within the mountain castle of Custos. She would have to leave him and excluding small two day trips they've never been that far apart.

A sigh left Arryn as she nuzzled with her cheek on the crown of his head. "If he could produce an heir with his husband, I think he would."

"Felixus got married?! When?"

She snorted as she pushed off of her brother's back to sit at his side. "Just this past summer. Apparently, because he had never shown much interest in marrying any woman the Lux council introduced to him over the years, they came to a deal that Felixus would be able to marry the person he actually loved. In exchange, they could pick the heir to the throne that was close to his bloodline. You being already meant for a throne yourself could not be picked, so, that left our brother or me to be chosen." Here she let her head fall to lay on his upper arm needing the physical touch of comfort.

"How did they choose between the two?" Ardyn asked. "It can't be because of you being the elder either."

"Being as I take to the Fenix side of appearance they chose me. And the fact that they are more matriarchal than here. You know, Uncle Felixus was only given the throne because Mother deemed herself unworthy of the seat." Ardyn raised a brow at that. Stories of their Mother's land was given to them so they could know who they were on the other half of their lineage, but knowledge of their own

Mother during her time living there was a bit of a mystery. "What do you mean?"

"Mother told me it was because she could never bring herself to appear before the Egg. Like all those that would take to the throne, it is tradition to appear before the Egg to gain the Seraphim's Blessing. This blessing is what gives the ruler the Inner Light and their wings. It also binds the ruler to the Egg. If they were to die later on in life, they could be transformed into a flame that would forever be a companion to the Egg for when the Seraphim finally rebirths. That binding also grants the living ruler the ability to commune with the Flames of the past rulers."

Ardyn nodded storing all she said as he took an arm and wrapped it around her smaller frame. "When do you have to leave?"

"They have allowed me to stay until our thirteenth birthday." She replied snuggling more into his side as he tightened his hold. That was only six months from now, seven if you counted it being more towards the end of April as they were only mid-October. "Then I will have five years to learn before I am given the throne."

"What? Again, Uncle Felixus is still young, yet. He's only just now turning fifty-one." Arryn laid a hand over his that held the scroll to stop the crumbling of the thick paper and the slight glow of his magic. She could feel the anger and sadness coming from him just as he could feel her own sadness and worry. "It was in the deal. Felixus would stay to help train me to take over during those five years and the next year after to make sure I would be able to rule. Afterwards, he will still be available for me if I have a need for him, but Felixus never wanted the throne to begin with. He only did so because of Mother and the fact the Egg only gave the Blessing to him and not the other two potentials."

"I don't want you to leave." Ardyn whispered moving to wrap her in both arms to bring her closer into his chest. "I won't feel whole without you by my side."

Arryn nuzzled his chest as she wove her arms around his waist to hold tight. "I know. At least you will have Somnus here with you." Ardyn chuckled at that. "I would prefer my dear sister over him any day. I can still take him in our spars." Arryn snorted. "But for how much longer, hmm? He's slowly getting to your level that I can see him becoming an even match with you, my dear brother." Ardyn let out a scuff. "As if."