At the name of where you were born spoken Galathor's eyes widen. As you hold out the spoon another of the elf servants comes. He bows his head as he takes the spoon from your grasp and brings it to his master. Galathor takes the spoon and looks it over as he flips it over. He looks at the crest for only a moment then laughs. "This is just a spoon. It means nothing." But as he spit the words Erica spoke up, "That spoon means everything." With Taleasin holding her steady Erica walked up to the elf. He wore a look of distaste at the woman, your mother. She held out her hand to him. With every look of disgust he could manage Galathor handed the spoon off to her never allowing their skin to touch. "This is the token I left him with as a baby, before you had him taken away." The look of disgust on his face only grew into anger. "How dare you. I told you you were to give him up..." But before he could continue Erica interrupted, "I did give him up, but you said nothing about not being able to leave him with something. I left him proof that he had a family, a home, if he could only find it."
Then he continued spitefully of her, "He is no family of ours. Get out! Get out right now!" But as he finished his words the female elf next to him spoke up, "Enough!" Up until this time she had been quietly watching the scene, but when she, at last, spoke the room fell silent. In a softer, but still firm voice she said, "Haven't you done enough to this boy already? He's more than proven himself worthy of the name he wears by finding his way back home, despite your best efforts. He doesn't deserve the disrespect you are showing him." She didn't take her eyes off of her husband until she finished speaking to him. He stayed quiet. She then turned her dark green eyed gaze on you. "My name is Esmerelda Hamadrell. I am your grandmother." She smiles at you. "Welcome home, grandson. Please ignore your grandfather. He often forgets his manners."

Izayah stayed silent during the tirade and disbelief of Galathor. He'd honestly expected nothing less. He had expected that he'd be tossed out and disavowed - again - without much ado really. But when Galathor turned his anger on Erica, instinct caused him to take a step forward with intent - just one step, no more. And he didn't reach for any weapons or anything.

But things cooled down quickly after that thanks to his...grandmother. Just as things were possibly going to turn very ugly, her voice cracked out sharply and Izayah instinctively responded as he would have in military days. He snapped his spine right and his heels clicked together. He barely stopped himself from saluting her, she reminded him so much of a drill instructor he had known.

After her introduction, he gave her a half-bow. "Thank you. It's...been a long and bumpy ride."

"I'd imagine so, unfortunately, but you made it here which speaks volumes. Try as he might, even your grandfather cannot deny the character it takes to make it that far. I am interested to hear any stories there are about your journeys and how you found your way home. Please regale me." She sat on the edge of her throne giving you her full attention.

Izayah hesitated, glancing at her and then his other family members. "Are you sure? I'm not much of a storyteller really, and some of what I've been through isn't for the faint of heart." He didn't look at anyone in particular. He was striving to keep his accent out of his speech as well.

But if pressed on or urged to do so, he would give highlights of his 'journey'. He'd tell about how he ran away from the orphanage without going in to too many details of why; how he'd started stealing to survive; how he'd been caught and given the option of imprisonment or military service; how he'd become a scout and learned his calling as a ranger; how he'd heard rumors of the Hamadrell name and come looking, not really holding out hope but hoping nonetheless.

The only thing he didn't mention at all was Twitch. He wasn't taking a chance that the mouse would be killed by overzealous guards or frightened elves.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Sat 03 July 2021.

"Your story is one surely worth telling." She answers then listens to your tale. You see a wash of emotions run thru her face as you mention running away and having to steal to survive. When you finish she speaks up. "As long as our family stays intact in our position here you should never need to steal to survive again. I'm sorry you had to go through such rough times. How did you manage to find Gabriella?"

Izayah looked at his grandmother when she spoke after he finished his story. At her question he actually glanced at Gabriella and let out a chuckle. "As far as I know? Pure chance." He gave a shrug and a smile. "Maybe fate."

He cleared his throat lightly. "I was part of a...I guess, expedition you could say...to check out a mysterious area in the Rimewood. Only we weren't the first group to check it out. Gabriella had gone previously but had been captured by some of the inhabitants - kobolds. The kobolds weren't much interested in talking to us so after the fight we freed Gabriella."

He glanced at his sister to see if she wanted to tell her part of the story.

Before Gabriella had the chance to chime in Esmerelda spoke, "It sounds like you sister got extremely lucky." She looked at Gabriella who just bowed her head never taking her eyes off of Esmerelda. "And you," Esmerelda spoke to Gabriella. "You still intend to go back, don't you? Even after seeing the dangers?"

"Yes grandmother I do." Gabriella responded.

Esmerelda sighed as she closed her eyes and her head bowed a little. "Very well then. Izayah," She turns her attention on you. "I know this is a bit forward, but there is a favor I must ask of you. You are welcome here, despite you grandfather, but I must ask if you could watch over your sister and keep her safe. Go with her on her travels and guard her. You are both too precious to lose, but at least if you two are together then you stand a better chance at survival, especially with you training Izayah."

Izayah looked from one woman to the other as they spoke...well, more accurately as Esmeralda spoke to/at Gabriella really. He raised one eyebrow at his sister, not only for her response, but also for the...almost demure way she was acting in front of her grandmother.

He gave a small smile. "Of course. I'd do it anyway likely, so long as I had the time an' I knew she was goin'." His smile widened. "Or I could go with some friends if I knew what t'look for an' she could stay safe at home." He was being a tiny bit of a brat and she knew it.

"Not a chance!" Gabriella spoke before she had the chance to stop herself. Everyone stared at her outburst. She gulped then continued to speak, "Please understand I won't miss seeing everything for myself. I've studied far too long to miss my chance to go out and see everything." She was speaking more to her grandmother and parents than anything.

Esmerelda looked at Gabriella with shock for a short moment, then a smile crossed her face. "Somehow I knew that'd be your answer." With concerned looks on your parents' faces your grandmother continues, "You certainly have my blood in you. There was a time when I wanted to go out and explore too, but duty called for other things for me. Enjoy your opportunity and experience, but do be careful and keep each other safe." The looks of concern on your parents' faces hadn't left.

Izayah mostly stifled an amused burst of laughter in to a very amused snort at Gabriella's response. He quickly covered his mouth by pretending to rub his beard momentarily. He raised an eyebrow and mouthed "Me too." at her.

He looked between the two once again and smiled. "I always TRY t'be careful." He looked down and quietly said, "don't always work out that way though."

He gave a head bow to Esmerelda. "I have to say, it's been a pleasure to meet you, Grandmother." There was only a slight emphasis on the one word. While he might not like his grandfather's attitude or manner, it was still nice to know he had family.

Taleasin gave a small smirk at the way you had said it was a pleasure to meet you, grandmother.

Esmerelda smiles at you, "It is good to have finally met you as well, grandson. Have fun and be safe." She then turns her attention to Erica whose look of concern had yet to disappear. "Erica, dear, try not to worry too much. They have our blood in them after all. They'll be just fine." Erica gave a half hearted smile for a moment, but the look of concern still remained on her face.

Galathor sits silently brooding as his wife speaks while the human in the dingy clothing to Galathor's right seemed to be fidgety.

Izayah waited for a long moment, not moving, but his eyes were sweeping around. He saw the human. And not just a human, but one dressed in less-than-great clothes. He'd noticed him when he'd entered, but it wouldn't have been polite to make mention of something like that before introductions were taken care of and what not.

But that was over. So he turned slowly to face the other human. Then he turned to his sister, stepping close to her as if to quietly speak with her...which he then did, "Who's the human over there? Don't look dressed for this place?"

He kept his tone quiet and light of emotion. He didn't want to tip anything just yet.

Gabriella listened keenly as you took more notice in the single human besides your mother that was in the room to the right of Galathor (he's been there since you arrived and didn't just arrive himself). "Rigby..." She spoke his name in whispered disgust.

Getting a better look at him he seems older than he may have appeared at first. He keeps a hood over most of his face, but from the little details you can discern he is wrinkled and is still fidgeting quiet a bit as he stays close to the wall beside the throne on which Galathor sits.

Izayah glanced away from the now-named man for a moment to look at his sister Gabriella and raised one eyebrow. "That was some emotion there." But then he shook his head. "That name doesn't mean anything to me. Should I go introduce myself?"

He turned and slowly began to move away from his sister but deliberately giving her a chance to stop him if that was a bad idea or she objected.

OOC: FYI, I did mention that Izayah had noticed the man when he (Izayah) had entered, but realize that sentence may not have been clear by the way it was written.

No problem just making sure things are clear.

Your sister grabs your arm and pulls you back to where you were not forcefully, but enough that you notice the tug and can choose to follow it. Either way, before you get too far you hear her whisper to you, "You've forgotten already? Rigby is the name of the man who took you away as a baby. Disgusting man. He works for grandfather."

He allowed himself to be tugged back. He looked at Gabriella with a knowing look. "Yes, well, a lot of information came my way recently." He looked to Rigby and back at her, "So you're sayin' I shouldn't go say hello." There was a teasing amusement to his voice.

He paused and then smiled at her. "So. What else is on the agenda today?"

"Well, that's up to you. Was there anything else you wanted to see or do before we leave off?" Gabriella asked genuinely curious at your answer.

Izayah thought about it for a moment before finally shaking his head. He smiled at her, and there was a bit of joy and sadness mixed together in his eyes. "No. I think this has been...more than I could have ever have hoped for, even despite some things." His eyes flicked to his grandfather. "Or people."

He put one arm around her shoulders, giving her a side hug. "An'...after nearly gettin' killed by kobolds, you still wanna go back out an' adventure, huh?" He raised an eyebrow at her, "Even if it means havin' t'put up with me along the way?"

Gabriella hugged you back as you did, but then gives you a small, playful nudge with her elbow to your gut, "It's me you'll have to put up with and I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'd rather die doing something I love than at home 'safe' doing nothing."

Izayah gave her shoulder a squeeze and chuckled. "Well...certainly sounds like we're related, that's for sure." He released her then. "We headin' back t'morrow? Or should we stay an' drive our family nuts for another day or so?"

"Tomorrow, before we can be tempted to stay too long. Tonight we can enjoy our last meal with mom and dad before we go back."

Izayah looked over at Gabriella and gave her a nod of agreement. "Sounds good t'me."

He smiled, "An' when're you plannin' yer next...expedition?"

The day progressed with no further incident thanks to your grandmother. You soon find it is time to leave the house of Galathor and Esmerelda. You follow your family back to their home where they once again show you inside and treat you to a meal for the night. After finishing the meal with general talking of well wishes and hopes of a safe return your mother hugs both you and your sister tightly, again probably more so than she should have. Your father helps her back to their room after she finishes and wishes you both a good night's rest. Your sister retires to her room as well wishing you a fair rest and then closes the door. Once you return to your room and lay down for the night you fall asleep. In the morning when you awaken you are fully rested. You may feel a bit hesitant to leave your new found family, but its good to know you have something to return to. Your family helps find you a caravan and hires two of the wagons one for you and your sister and one for food and supplies. They make sure you have a solid start to your journey back before saying their goodbyes and your mother tearing up at the knowledge of you two leaving, but nevertheless she wishes you both the best and to be safe. Your father gives you a firm hug and then to Gabriella then wishes you both the same. Your journey back to the Rimewood begins.

And well done this completes the Izayah Meets the Family thread. Hope you enjoyed and sorry it took so long to complete it. It got caught right as we started our vacation pretty much. Congratulations for completing this part of your story. You now have inspiration. Use it wisely. ^_^

Thank you! This has been fun and a bit wild! And no worries about the delays, it wasn't a problem!!