Amorthon Blackwood

Forgotten Memories - Pt.1

(Below is the first of what will be several glimpses into Amorthon’s past. He has no memory - currently - of these events.)

It could’ve passed for a picture perfect scene. Two high back chairs a comfortable distance from a cozy fire, the two adults lounging comfortably, one in each chair, skimming through their choice of reading material, oblivious to the nine-year-old and his companion - a small lynx- huddled conspiratorially by the foot of the stairs. Quiet footsteps, a motion for his four-legged friend to follow just like they’d done hundreds of times before. Just a little farther…the boy’s tongue was stuck out in concentration, that floorboard creaks aaand that one doesn’t. Okay, just a liiittle more. Almost ther- “Ruidor.” The boy froze, turning slowly to meet the gaze of his unamused mother. “Y-yes minn’da?” He straightened, holding his hands behind his back as he offered her his most ‘innocent, I totally wasn’t trying to sneak out’ smile, hoping against hope that MAYBE it would work. “Just where do you think you’re sneaking off to?” “Nowhere!” A pointed stare. “Um…I mean, out to the stables?” “At this hour?” “Just for a little while! We wanted to see the foal!”

His mother sighed, gently closing her book as she stood and turned to face her youngest son. “…You mean, you wanted to sneak out and see if you could stay up all night and somehow avoid your lessons in the morning.” “N-no!” A quirked brow. “Maybe?” An irritated sigh and crossed arms, oh, he was in trouble. “…Yes…” The blonde woman shook her head as she closed the distance between where she’d previously been sitting and the pair. The lynx made a small noise before diving behind the small elf. The boy looked over his shoulder, offering the lynx an irritated, “…traitor” before turning his attention back to his mother and offering a shy, embarrassed smile. 

Corviya sighed, leaning over and pressing a small kiss to the crown of the boy’s head. “Stubborn boy. One, you’re not getting out of your lessons. Two, you know I don’t like you going out to the stables by yourself after dark. Especially now that we don’t have nearly as many stable hands that can keep an eye on you.” “But I used to go with Xai -” He let the sentence go unfinished as he caught the irritated huff from the man still settled in front of the fire. His ears drooped as he turned his attention back to his mother.

“…Oh, dear heart-” She brushed his bangs away from his eyes. “- I know you miss your brother, but he’ll be home again soon enough, and he’d much rather have you safe and in one piece than to find out you were hurt wandering the stables, and the woods, at night…don’t you think?” The boy shifted his weight from one foot to the other, pout firmly in place. “I…guess.” “So…now you’re going to do what?” “…Go to bed and not try to sneak out…again.” He looked up, his ears perking up just a bit at the smile his response had earned him. “That’s my boy.  Now, off to bed with both of you. You can see the foal and write to Xaithan about it tomorrow.” “….Okaaay.” He dragged the word out before giving his mother a hug and turning back towards the stairs. “G’night minn’da…and father….” He paused for just a moment, waiting for a response, before his mother’s hand on his shoulder guided him towards the stairs. He looked up only to be met with a small, sad smile. With a short nod, he trudged his way up the stairs, the lynx trailing behind him. The last thing he heard that night…the echoing of raised, angry voices.