It will be strange, to be in Kirkwall without her. I'm inclined to linger, to keep my grandsons clear of the war, but I keep turning corners and expecting to see her there.
[But Thranduil isn't wrong, not about Thomas' readiness for responsibility or about Romain's inclination to handle Thomas' training personally. Regardless of what his father may have to say about it.]
But that's so. I'll have to see if Guilfoyle plans to stay. If not, I'll need at least one or two more capable men on staff.
Would he rebuke you, for teaching him early? Unlucky is the Man who has an untried heir, [ thranduil says, which he says with enough weight that he heard it somewhere, probably, and also do the boys have a dad if thranduil has not met him? ]
Guilfoyle will stay, if I ask it. What weapons do your grandsons train with?
[Confidently said, but almost with a hint of regret. His legitimate son and his illegitimate son would both me more convenient with their temperaments reversed. But that is not today's problem.]
Their education is well-rounded, and Raoul is still bit young to specialize. But Thomas favors sword and shield. He has always been drawn to the chevaliers, for all he knows it is not a path open to him.
[ then that's carte blanche, if romain approves, and romain is a reasonable man, as men go. ]
I intended, [ he says, and it is slow, and painful as legolas' second disappearance, ] to give what came with me and my kin from Arda to my children, had there been any. But perhaps they will be of use to either of your grandsons.
[That quiets him a bit (not that he'd been especially otherwise before). He inclines his head, for all he knows Thranduil can't see, and thinks it through.]
If you are sure. Weapons, then?
[Given the tendency of Thranduil's earlier question.]
[The pause isn't hesitation, precisely. Romain is a deliberate man, and seldom inclined to say yes to anything at all without weighing it.]
Yes, if you like. At least as long as we're all in Kirkwall. However things play out, Thomas and his brother will be facing a world in a different shape than the one they were born into. More knowledge may give them an edge they will need.
[Romain plans to make them the best players of the Game he can with the time he has left, and he has some more practical skills to pass on. But Orlais is invaded, and the Chantry is in danger of splintering. It's an unorthodox time, and a bit of flexibility wouldn't go amiss.]
Thomas is serious but bright. He'll push back if he thinks he needs to, but not simply to demonstrate his independence, as a rule. Raoul takes his brother's lead, still; we'll see how long that lasts.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[It's not really soft. It's quiet, though.]
It will be strange, to be in Kirkwall without her. I'm inclined to linger, to keep my grandsons clear of the war, but I keep turning corners and expecting to see her there.
no subject
[ he's... considering. ]
no subject
Thomas is 14.
[And inclined to fancy himself old enough to be a soldier, or would if his grandfather had not put his foot down.]
no subject
[ say, looking into his niece's murder. ]
no subject
His father is still alive.
[But Thranduil isn't wrong, not about Thomas' readiness for responsibility or about Romain's inclination to handle Thomas' training personally. Regardless of what his father may have to say about it.]
But that's so. I'll have to see if Guilfoyle plans to stay. If not, I'll need at least one or two more capable men on staff.
[Bodyguards, if not by that name.]
no subject
Guilfoyle will stay, if I ask it. What weapons do your grandsons train with?
[ this is elven loyalty: generational. ]
no subject
[Confidently said, but almost with a hint of regret. His legitimate son and his illegitimate son would both me more convenient with their temperaments reversed. But that is not today's problem.]
Their education is well-rounded, and Raoul is still bit young to specialize. But Thomas favors sword and shield. He has always been drawn to the chevaliers, for all he knows it is not a path open to him.
no subject
I intended, [ he says, and it is slow, and painful as legolas' second disappearance, ] to give what came with me and my kin from Arda to my children, had there been any. But perhaps they will be of use to either of your grandsons.
no subject
If you are sure. Weapons, then?
[Given the tendency of Thranduil's earlier question.]
no subject
no subject
Yes, if you like. At least as long as we're all in Kirkwall. However things play out, Thomas and his brother will be facing a world in a different shape than the one they were born into. More knowledge may give them an edge they will need.
[Romain plans to make them the best players of the Game he can with the time he has left, and he has some more practical skills to pass on. But Orlais is invaded, and the Chantry is in danger of splintering. It's an unorthodox time, and a bit of flexibility wouldn't go amiss.]
Thomas is serious but bright. He'll push back if he thinks he needs to, but not simply to demonstrate his independence, as a rule. Raoul takes his brother's lead, still; we'll see how long that lasts.