#start of something baaaaad

It was far colder there than it had any right to be. Forget that the land was called Frostfire, and snow was constantly falling, melting and then falling again in a vicious cycle that kept the landscape covered in a thick blanket of white. By every right, Cersae should have hated the cold… Instead, she loved it; treasured it as a reminder of where her future lies now. High atop the crested hill where Grimfang’s fortress sat, the Elvin woman sat on the stoop leading into the hut that she and her husband had claimed as their own. A warm mug was nestled in her hands; steam rising from the rim as her fel-green gaze followed their son through his overly boisterous bounding through the snow banks.  The delighted laughter that squealed from the young boy reminded her so very much of his father, and the asshole got so much say in him already that it really was a bit unfair he’d gotten the laughter too. Truth be told…she’d have it no other way. The elongated ears were all her; that’s for certain, but his jade colored skin and dark hair were entirely Grimfang. Even Sadaak’s facial expressions were small miniature replicas of his father and Cersae was grateful for the reminder when her lover was away. It was in moments like these that she shed the heavy steel-studded leathers and masks to enjoy what little peace that was offered. Here, in these stolen moments behind fortified walls, she was Cersae – Mah’men and wife, and little more. She wished Grim was here. Exhaling quietly, Cersae lifted the mug to her lips; savoring the long draw of the bitter liquid and the warmth it provided as she watched their son take a nosedive into an embankment. A hand lifted as she watched some of the grunt’s rush forward to help him, but they weren’t raising an invalid. If Sadaak were truly hurt, the piercing howl would be ten times louder than his current complaints, and he’d be asking for his ‘mah’men, Boppa, or Ruru.’   It took a moment, and Sadaak righted himself; large blue eyes finding her before he giggled and Cersae scrunched her nose at him, “You’re giving Boppa’s men plenty to worry over, you know that, squirt?” Sadaak laughed; babbling to himself so softly that she couldn’t hear as he ran off again into the snow. A few of the wolves followed suit; chasing and knocking each other over while their boy squealed with laughter. No worries of the war or lines bleeding between blue and red…at least, not yet. Even now, he was training; learning…learning to follow tracks, to listen to his companions…to follow in his father’s footsteps. The clearing of a throat beside her drew Cersae from her thoughts; her gaze shifting to the grunt who stood there, albeit a bit sheepishly, as he held a package in his hands.  Plainly wrapped, with brown paper and twine, it was the size of a teacup and looked dwarfed in the other orc’s hands.  Her brow arched and she murmured, “Well, now he’s just being lazy if he’s getting you to do his handy work…”  Cersae’s voice was tinged with humor, but the grunt shook his head quickly and thrust out the package.

“No m-my la-“ “Cersae…is fine,” she mused; watching the grunt with an amused expression as she took the package from his hands and watched as he returned –hastily- to his duties. She couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped her, before she lifted her gaze to keep an eye on Sadaak. He was a few yards away; playing with one of the troll guards that had knelt to talk to the boy. Tiny green hands rubbed along the male’s tusks, and Cersae sent him an apologetic smile before turning her attention back to the box in her hands. Lips pursed, she rolled her eyes playfully as she murmured to herself, “Smooth, lover. Very smooth…”   Tugging at the twine, the string gave way and the paper unraveled to a simply made, small wooden box with a latch and hinges.  One more look to her son, and Cersae then opened the lid with a ‘click’; her brow furrowing at the violet-green lily that rested atop a clear-looking crystal.  Blinking, she lifted the flower by its stem; the delicate plant looking as though it flexed and moved on its own…as if it were breathing…

Setting the flower beside her, she reached for the crystal next; a warm pulse of energy shocked her fingertips before the clear crystal began pulsing steadily. The soft blue-white light was soothing, and she thought perhaps that this could be a gift for Sadaak. Palming the crystal, she felt the thrum from it’s power; a steady thumping against her hand much akin to that of a heartbeat. Something soothing…something-