Little Flute Player

After four and a half years on this blog, currently my oldest blog that I have here both rp and personal, it’s time to let Nils go. Unfortunately, my muse for him hasn’t been super great as of late and I’ve been having trouble keeping up with the activity needed for FERP. I am so thankful for the people I have met here and the time I got to spend on this blog. It helped be through a really rough time in my life four years ago and, while I’m sad to have to do this, it’s time for me to let him go.

I’ll still be on Knoll’s blog so I’m not leaving FERP for good, but it’s time for Nils to say good bye. Thank you so much, everyone! Maybe one day I’ll bring my small dragon boy back!

“You have my deepest gratitude Nils. Perhaps your urging may fail to yield favorable results, but I appreciate your efforts without question. Though I hadn’t always believed it, I am confident now that I am not alone in raising Roy. That I have the support of my family and dearest friends,” Eliwood replied with a warm smile, “perhaps I am over-concerning myself, but I would like Roy to live without knowing the pain of war or loss, as I had. Though he does not have his mother, I am comforted that he did not have to experience the loss firsthand.”

Seeing Nils’s reaction caused Eliwood to smile apologetically. He hadn’t intended to bring him any discomfort, but he supposed his words had been unsettling. While the lord positioned himself to remain at Roy’s side for the duration of his life, he was well aware of his own weaknesses. While he prayed against an untimely death, sickness did not seem far-fetched. Shaking his head, he brushed away his thoughts.

“Of course. I would very much like to see him grow into a man,” He replied, before he transitioned the subject, “are you taking leave tonight or would you like to stay a while longer?”

Nils smiled again and nodded. “You always have my support, at least. Ninian may not have been able to.....to stay with you, but she was happy while she was here. And happy to give you Roy. And you helped us both so much back then, so you have my support not matter what.”

“Arcadia…and the Dragon’s Gate. I will remember that. Should I ever need to seek them out, I can only hope that I am welcome. Of course, I shall do whatever I must to ensure Roy’s protection. It is my responsibility as his father.” Eliwood replied, grateful for Nils’s insight. Though he never for a moment regretted Roy’s birth, there were times he wished he had a greater understanding of dragons. If Roy’s mother was still alive, he felt that she would know how to monitor their child’s growth. 

“I hope you are right, Nils…I do not wish for him to be alone,” Eliwood replied, taking the child from his arms and back into his own with ease. He studied his infant’s sleeping expression, his eyes softening with a parental fondness, “he means more to me than I could ever express in words, I admit. I…would like to safeguard him to every extent possible.” With those words, he carefully returned Roy to the cradle, gently returning his soft blanket over him.

“Nils…my friend. I have something I must ask of you. If something should happen to me…and Roy becomes unaccepted within Elibe due to his draconic traits…will you take him with you beyond the Dragon’s Gate? I trust that you would keep him safe…I am quite aware it is not a likely scenario, yet, I would feel great relief knowing he would have someone if we encounter misfortune.”

“I’ll see if I can get to Arcadia myself on my way back and tell them about it. I don’t know if I hold any sort of sway or anything, being as young as I am and not being raised there, but hopefully that will make you getting there a little easier.” He wished Athos was still around. The old man probably would have been able to help, considering he’d lived in Arcadia for so long...

Nils smiled at Eliwood’s words. It felt so nice to hear that someone he was related to would be well taken care of. That Eliwood would stick around and be a good dad for Roy. Not that it had ever been a concern but, Nils wouldn’t wish his childhood on anyone. Though Roy’s was already starting out a little too similar with Ninian gone for him to be truly comfortable.

“I suppose that is undeniable, though I often wonder, are those traits mine or did he inherit them from my father, just as I did?” Eliwood replied, wearing a fond expression as he considered the memory of his father. He was certain that Nils remembered him, after the time they had spent together on Dread Isle. Had my father survived the encounter, I am certain he would have been so proud of his grandchild. He thought to himself, before his thoughts returned to that of Roy’s draconic heritage.

“Perhaps you are right. In any case, I will keep a close eye on his growth. Should I see anything out of the ordinary, I will attempt to do my research. While there aren’t many materials available to the general public, my status may lend my bargaining.” He stated, knowing that most texts on dragons were quite difficult to obtain due to the power of the prejudice in Elibe.

Watching Nils handle Roy brought warmth to his heart and even more so than before, he felt grateful that he had come to visit. If only he could remain without the concerns to his health…

“Do you think the air of Elibe will affect him, as it does for yourself and…his mother?”

“Mm.....Maybe?” He wasn’t sure how it all worked. Suddenly, Nils found himself desperately wondering what his and Ninian’s mother looked like. The only thing he could remember of her was the fins on her tail and down her back. He was sure she was beautiful, like Ninian was.

“I know I don’t visit super often....And if you start seeing things that you’re worried about, go looking for Arcadia and send someone to the Dragon’s Gate. The dragons in the desert will be able to help until I can.” He was sure that the small dragonling would be welcomed, and his father. Athos and Nergal had been welcome, once upon a time, after all.

Nils looked up at Eliwood and smiled. “I think he’ll be okay. I can feel it...He’s human enough that he’ll be okay.” He pressed a little kiss to Roy’s head and offered him back to Eliwood.

Nils followed Eliwood easily. It was nice, being able to just hang out and talk to his friend without the threat of being kidnapped or assassinated. He had missed this. He wished his sister were here to enjoy it with him.

“I mean that makes sense. If I wasn’t born before the Scouring, I probably would have been hidden away Arcadia instead of past the Dragon’s Gate.” It had also made him glad that he hadn’t been able to transform their first go around here. “I know people around here don’t like dragons much.”

Nils stared at the child for a moment before nodding slowly. “S-Sure. Just…uh…” He struggled to remember how to place his arms correctly to hold a baby before settling on what seemed to be right. At least, he was copying Eliwood, so it had to be right.

The lord chuckled softly at the concentrated expression on Nils’s face as he adjusted his arms, though there was no intent of malice behind his feelings of humor. Instead, he was tickled by the caution and care Nils choose to exercise when it came to the infant. Carefully, he transferred Roy into his arms, guiding him to ensure that he supported the baby’s head and neck properly. Once his son was nestled safely in Nils’s arms, he pulled away, with a fond expression. Peering over Nils’s shoulder, he spoke,

“Though he appears much like me, I see so much of her in his face. It often reminds me that he is as much of her child as he is mine,” Eliwood shifted his feet, his gaze remaining proud, “it won’t be long before he will no longer fit in your arms…I am certain of it. I have thought of his heritage quite frequently. Despite his dragon blood, it seems he has aged quite normally, well, aged as a human would.” He paused.

“He looks like her...” He said softly. “He has your hair, though....And your eyes.” It was amazing how children looked like their parents. He couldn’t help but wonder how much he and Ninian had gotten from their mother. He knew they at least got their hair color from Nergal. “He might slow down on aging later....”

half-draconic-bard‌:

Nils frowned at the man’s answer. He didn’t know what he was hoping for but that wasn’t it. He jogged after the other for a bit in silence before breaking it again. “Who hired you? What kind of man was it? I only know a couple of guys who would hire someone to save me instead of coming themselves. I hope it wasn’t another mean man. Because there are some mean guys who wanted to catch me besides these guys who did.”

“I don’t judge a man’s morals, kid.” Volke urned back to the bard. “I just take their job and their money.”

“Is that so…?” Eliwood responded, wearing somewhat of a worried expression. While as a father he was incredibly proud of Roy’s heritage as well as that of his late wife, Elibe as a continent was still largely prejudiced against dragons. He feared what would come of Roy, if the other nobles outside his friends would learn of the truth. It was an issue he certainly desired to tackle early on as a protective measure, he did not wish to tell Roy of his mixed blood until he was mature enough to not only handle the truth, but to be able to responsibility guard himself.

“Come, friend,” He replied, gesturing Nils to follow him through one of the ornate hallways, silent in the night though welcoming like a warm blanket, “I am not quite certain when I shall tell Roy everything. As much as I wish it weren’t so, Elibe still harbors much distaste for dragons. I do not wish for anything to happen to him.” He began, before quickly adding.

“That isn’t to say I will never tell him–that is far from my intentions. I do wish for him to know everything about his mother and himself. But when? I am uncertain.” 

Finally, the two arrived in a nursery, stocked with everything a baby would ever need and more. Approaching the cradle, Eliwood carefully lifted the sleeping infant into his arms. Then, he turned to face Nils, offering the child to him.

“Would you like to hold him? It’s been so long…he may be heavier than you’re expecting.” He said with a soft laugh.

Nils followed Eliwood easily. It was nice, being able to just hang out and talk to his friend without the threat of being kidnapped or assassinated. He had missed this. He wished his sister were here to enjoy it with him.

“I mean that makes sense. If I wasn’t born before the Scouring, I probably would have been hidden away Arcadia instead of past the Dragon’s Gate.” It had also made him glad that he hadn’t been able to transform their first go around here. “I know people around here don’t like dragons much.”

“I bet it was!” Nils nodded in agreement. He opened his mouth to say something else after a moment, but cut himself off with a gasp when Eliwood mentioned his son.

“Really?! I haven’t been gone that long, right?” He attempted to count however long he had been gone on his fingers, but stopped part way through. Time was weird between Elibe and the Dragon Gate.

Then he remembered humans, even ones that had a bit of dragon blood, aged and matured differently from him. “It’s amazing he can walk now! That’s really awesome, Lord Eliwood!” He skipped a bit and linked his hands behind his back.

“This might be a weird question, but does he have any dragon-y bits? I know Nini and I didn’t have many tells that we were dragons, but I’m kinda curious…”

As Eliwood recalled, Nils’s last visit took place when Roy was about six months old, a few months after Ninian had passed away. After the loss of his wife, he had promptly welcomed Nils to visit at any time, as he was all too familiar of the pain she left behind. In addition to this, he was determined to allow Nils to remain involved in Roy’s life, as well as to maintain their friendship. He enjoyed hearing from him and was thankful he was doing so well, given the unfortunate circumstances.

“It’s been about six months already,” Eliwood said with a soft laugh, humored by Nils’s display, “I assure you, it is quite a sight to see! He seems to be quite interested in investigating everything he can. I was fortunate enough to be present when he did take his first steps and I am certain the memory will be forever imprinted on my mind, clear as day.” He brushed a few stray strands of hair out of his face, drawing his hand away the moment Nils mentioned Roy’s dragon heritage.

“In truth, I have yet to notice anything myself. He seems to be developing as a normal human would, but I admit, I do not know much of dragons and their growth myself.” He conceded. He stood from his chair, a smile taking over his features.

“I’m glad he’s doing good! I can’t say I know much about dragon growth, either. Just that at some point he’ll start figuring out how to transform. And wouldn’t be surprised if the first time was on accident...” Maybe he should look into procuring a dragonstone for his nephew, just in case.

Shortly after the two of them hid, a group of bandits came past the tree Volke was in. At the passing of the group, Volke dropped out of the tree and began to set upon the bandits with a silent grace. As the last one fell with a knife through his back, he proceeded to beckon the boy out of hiding. “It’s safe for now. We should get going.”

Nils shut his eyes as Volke dealt with the bandits. He didn’t care for fighting, and while he had seen his fair share of assassinations in his life, he still didn’t care to see it. He peeked his eyes open and crawled out of his hiding spot when the other beckoned him out.

Nils nodded and grinned. He was glad Eliwood liked him visiting and he was always glad to visit. It was lonely on the other side of the dragon gate and he was glad whenever he could find time to make it to Pherae.

The castle was a very nice change to his travelling on the road, as well. He made a mental note to see if Eliwood could take him to visit Hector and Lyndis while he was in the area. He would understand if the lord couldn’t, but it would be nice.

“I’ve been doing alright! Mostly I’ve been kind of lonely. I miss all of you that we travelled with before. It’s not the same, going from such a big group to almost no one…..At least the trip here wasn’t so bad! I didn’t really run into trouble until what you saved me from just now.”

The marquess’ expression shifted to a gentle one, nodding once in understanding. He was sure that it was difficult to remain alone beyond the Dragon’s Gate…where the air was safe and could sustain Nils. Though he wouldn’t admit such guilt openly, he felt solely responsible for Nils’ loneliness. Had he truly known how short her life would become as a result of remaining in Elibe, he would have never allowed it.

“I am grateful I was able to aid you when I had. Surely it was St. Elimine’s grace that led me to you in time,” Eliwood responded with a warm smile, “it is my hope that luck continues to remain on your side, in any case.” After a brief moment of silence, a content expression overtook his features.

“Really?! I haven’t been gone that long, right?” He attempted to count however long he had been gone on his fingers, but stopped part way through. Time was weird between Elibe and the Dragon Gate.

Then he remembered humans, even ones that had a bit of dragon blood, aged and matured differently from him. “It’s amazing he can walk now! That’s really awesome, Lord Eliwood!” He skipped a bit and linked his hands behind his back.

“He was a big meanie! Well, he wasn’t always a big meanie and then he became one. It’s a really long story..” One he wasn’t so sure he wanted to get into at the moment. He was glad when the subject shifted to the fact that he was an ice dragon instead. It was a much easier topic.

“Uh huh! My mama and Ninian and I were born in Ilia in Elibe. It’s a really really cold area of the continent! So we can breathe ice and we don’t have wings but we have fins for swimming!” He wanted to show her his dragon form, since he had gotten to see hers, but he was really nervous about it and didn’t want to ask to borrow her dragonstone for it. Doing so sounded so impolite and weird. “My dad wasn’t a dragon but my mama was. So Ninian and me are only half. A silent dragon sound really cool!”

“Woah,” Kanna gasped, genuinely in awe over Nils’s unique capabilities, “you have fins? And you can live in the cold? That’s so amazing Nils! So neat! I could never do that. I don’t like wearing shoes.” The girl admitted, wearing a small pout as she raised her leg, presenting her bare foot as if to solidify her statement. Upon hearing Nils explain that he too wasn’t a full-blooded dragon, she lowered her leg and a new light formed in her eyes.

“Really? Really, really? You aren’t a full dragon?” Kanna asked, clenching her fists zealously as she leaned in closer to his face, as if doing so would allow for her to understand whether or not the boy was speaking the truth. After studying him for a moment, she decided to take his words as sincere, and hugged him without hesitation.

“Really!” He giggled as she hugged him, and hugged her back gently. He hadn’t had too many hugs from people besides Ninian or the people he’d traveled with in Elibe, so it was a little strange.

Shortly after the two of them hid, a group of bandits came past the tree Volke was in. At the passing of the group, Volke dropped out of the tree and began to set upon the bandits with a silent grace. As the last one fell with a knife through his back, he proceeded to beckon the boy out of hiding. “It’s safe for now. We should get going.”

Nils shut his eyes as Volke dealt with the bandits. He didn’t care for fighting, and while he had seen his fair share of assassinations in his life, he still didn’t care to see it. He peeked his eyes open and crawled out of his hiding spot when the other beckoned him out.

Draconic Aura [Open]

“Uncle Nils? What’s going on, what’s happening?” He looked around quickly, not sure where to look before spotting the small half-dragon. He bent down, trying to figure out what exactly to do. He attempted to make himself as small as possible, not quite sure how he transformed or how to change back.

“Hey uncle, how am I supposed to change back? I don’t have a dragonstone because I didn’t know I could transform.” This was truly the weirdest day Roy had so far, but he desperately hoped Nils had an answer.

“I guess it would be your first time changing, huh?” Nils sighed and reached out to pat Roy on the nose gently. “It’s okay. Mostly first you just need to calm down.” Frankly, Nils was amazed he had been able to transform without a dragonstone in the first place.