Moving on, moving forward.

Bonding time.

Gavriel watched as his son ran the blade of his sword along the whetstone lovingly. Aedion's eyes shone as he marvelled at the blade. Gavriel took a deep breath, trying to work up the courage to approach Aedion.
He wondered to himself about who had raised Aedion. Was he safe as a child? Happy? Did he have people he saw as his parents? Or was he alone? Did he have a father? Guilt and a twinge of envy flicked through his body.

He studied the sword in Aedion's hands. It looked old and as if it had seen many battles. The hilt was made of bone and had many nicks flecking it. How many battles had his son been in? Gavriel's eyes flicked over to the shield sitting by the fireplace. Dints and scratches riddled the shields surface.

He was so young.

"Are you just going to stand there watching me or are you going to get us both a drink?" Aedion said, running the whetstone along his blade again.

Gavriel was pushed into action, walking over to the cooling box and taking out a bottle of wine and grabbing two glasses.
He walked over to Aedion and sat down, filling a glass and passing it to him.
As Aedion gently rested his sword against a small side table Gavriel studied it closer.
"Fine weapon you got there." He said, clearing his voice awkwardly.
Aedion leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his drink, "I know."
Gavriel shifted in his seat and Aedion gave him a funny look, "You uncomfortable old man?"
Gavriel looked up in surprise, "Old man?" Thinking he was calling him that due to him being his father.
"Yeah, you're old."
Gavriel could see the smirk fighting to show on Aedion's lips. He was messing with him.
"Where did you get the sword?"
Aedion had been swirling his drink in his glass but at this he froze for a moment before continuing with his swirling.
"It was a gift." He said simply, vaguely.
"From who?" Gavriel pushed, surely this wasn't a touchy subject, it's just a sword.
Aedion sat up and eyed him, "What's it matter?"
"You were just looking at it very lovingly before and I was just curious."
Obviously Aedion would be wary of him.
"It was from Aelin." He sighed and leaned back in his chair.
Understanding flooded Gavriel. A gift from his queen.
"What's it's importance?"
Aedion hesitated, looking at Gavriel. He could see a flicker of pain on his son's face.
He looked away and said almost too quiet to hear, "It's the sword of Orinth. It was her father's."
"Oh," Gavriel was surprised. How close was his son to the queen?
So many questions ran through his head. He wanted answers to all of them, but he doubted he would get them easily.
The two of them sat there in awkward silence for what felt like an age, until Fenrys walked in and saved them.
"Oooohhh having a little heart to heart aye?" He said. Gavriel rolled his eyes but Aedion chuckled.
"Far from it," Aedion sat up and turned towards Fenrys who was grabbing a glass, "probably the most awkward encounter I've ever had."
Gavriel cringed.
Fenrys laughed, "Dear Gavriel isn't the best at conversation."
Gavriel's scowl deepened into a glare.
"Seriously though, what were you guys talking about."
"Just my sword." Aedion said, clearly relieved that Fenrys was here.
"Oh this beast?" Fenrys went to grab the sword, looking to Aedion for permission.
Aedion nodded and Fenrys picked it up.
"How old is it?"
"Pretty damn old." Aedion replied, recalling how old would be too much of a bother right now.
"Aelin gave it to him," Gavriel stated, Aedion looking at him and tilting his head to the side.
"Yeah, it was her father's," Aedion cleared his throat and poured himself another glass.
"You and Aelin seem pretty close, huh?" Fenrys said, running his hands along the sword, he looked up at Aedion.
"Oh?" Aedion said, "Yeah. We've known each other for a while."
"How longs a while?" Gavriel questioned.
"Pretty much since she was born." He replied looking up at the roof.
Gavriel and Fenrys went quiet, looking at each other. Fenrys shrugged at the surprise in Gavriel's eyes.
"You've known each other since birth?"
"Basically since she was born, I'm five years older."
"Yeah and he never lets me forget." Aelin's voice sounded from the hall.
Aedion grinned and sat up, "Well if you didn't play high and mighty all the time I wouldn't have to cut you down to size." mischief gleamed in his eyes.
Aelin swung into the room, mock-outrage on her face, "Says you, Mr. Ego-as-big-as-the-sun."
She grinned as she grabbed a glass, "Ohhh everyone is drinking today."
"Someone's in a good mood," Aedion quipped, "I wonder why..."
"If you're insinuating what I think you're insinuating then I suggest you don't," Aelin sat down next to Aedion and took a sip of her drink, raising an eyebrow.
Aedion merely smirked and Aelin, in turn, punched him in the arm making him out right laugh.
"You're insufferable," Aelin shook her head, though grinning, "A major pain in the ass."
"Yeah well at least I didn't used to shove paper up my nose,"
Aelin gasped and shook Aedion's arm violently, "WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?! They can hear you, you know!"
Gavriel chuckled as he watched them both. Aelin was still yelling about the absurdity of Aedion telling them, while Aedion laughed until there were tears in his eyes.
Rowan walked in just then and smiled at the two of them, shaking his head.
"See what I have to deal with." He said to Fenrys.
"Doesn't seem that bad to me," Fenrys replied. They smiled knowingly at each other. And for the first time in a long time, he saw genuine happiness in the two of them, as well as them not being at each other's necks.

They all drank and laughed together until they were all thoroughly intoxicated.

"Hey, where is Lysandra?" Aedion said, his voice still full of laughter.
"I think I saw her going up stairs," Aelin answered, "You gonna pay her a visit aye cousin?" She teased.
"Of course I am," Aedion said as if it were obvious, making Aelin laugh.
He walked out the door turning to look at Aelin, he stuck his tongue out at her, she did the same in return.
He disappeared up the stairs, they sat in silence listening to his retreating footsteps.
Gavriel looked up and froze.
Aelin was watching at him.