Older Brothers and Sage Advice

Young Lord Aedan and Young Lord Aeker
Summer 755 Of the New Age 
Glenwood, Glenmore

Aedan

Aedan paced. It was unlike him to be anything less that gently happy and outwardly jovial, but there were serious matters weighing on his mind these days. As a young Lord, he was expected to behave like a proper royal rather than the colt he still was deep down.

His mother had recently given birth to a wee baby princess, and for some reason that had triggered something in him. Perhaps he didn't like the idea that his little sister- the little mewling ball of golden legs and lashes at his mother's side- would be given away to some stag some day and he might not be able to protect her. He lived in fear that some day he himself would be tasked with looking after a princess like his father before him, but luckily that seemed unlikely. Aedan wasn't gifted in magic, he was light in build and in color, and he wasn't well versed in the politics of the herd. His older brother had warranted a princess of his own, but Aeker was a proper stag. Big, dark, handsome. Strong, well respected. His father's favorite.

Aedan really couldn't hold that against him. He secretly suspected that he was his mother's favorite, anyway. 

But now he needed his brother's advice. He couldn't go to his parents for help; they would never understand. Should he give up his claim to his family title and live a life of relative freedom? Or would it break his mother's heart to have him leave? Whatever he chose, he needed to do it soon. This was tearing him up inside in a way he couldn't deal with on his own. 

And so he found himself approaching the little Glen where Aeker spent his days. Aeker's betrothed wasn't there, but that was no surprise. His brother let the princess spend her time as she desired.

"Aeker? Brother?" Aedan called out as he got closer.

Aeker

The heavy royal stag wandered back into his usual glade. He had spent the majority of his day in a meeting of sorts with other various lords, each discussing their various political views of current events, tradition, and the like. While Aeker had said little he listened attentively as he had been taught to, no matter the boredom and irritation at some of the brash comments made.

Stopping short he saw his typical area was quite dull, as if the nutrients had simply left it. Sighing exasperatedly, he came to it and sent out tendrils of magic, allowing whatever minerals around to return the small green shoots. In several moments the grass was revived and the vivid green returned. Relaxing into the now lush grass, Aeker's mind wandered to various subjects that actually did concern him. His young mate was still cold towards him, afraid he would use her like any other lord would. Much as he didn't want to be tied to any one doe, Aeker still hated knowing he was feared and disliked. He sighed and looked around.

Perhaps he could visit his mother and sister later today. The little princess, while somewhat pale like her mother desired, her eyes were an unsettling color which worried him. Not only was she a princess but she also had a trait that could be considered as tainted by some. He was concerned for her, but he doubted anyone take action against her due to her young age. Aeker only hoped it wouldn't cause her trouble in the future.

Suddenly a voice called him from his musings. It was unmistakably his younger brother Aedan. Rising, he turned to face his brother. "Aedan," he said, dipping his head slightly as a smile touched his face. "What brings you here?" he inquired lightly, sensing uneasiness on his brother.

Aedan

Aedan found himself looking around to see if anyone was there to overhear. There were no guards in sight nor gossiping hoof-maidens so it seemed the coast was clear.

"I've been thinking," he said.

That in itself was usual. Not that Aedan was thinking, but that he was sharing those thoughts with others. Normally all that came out of his mouth was jokes and flirtations and gentle conviviality. Sweet and superficial things.

"I think... I think we all know I'm a lousy Royal." That was true. He couldn't take the protocols seriously and about the only thing he had in common with other royal stags was that the ladies occasionally didn't seem to mind being the center of his attention.

"I've been wondering if... I've been wondering if I should join the Guard." He looked up then, meeting his brother's eye. He'd never said those words out loud before, and he wasn't sure what the fallout from them might be. He thought Aeker at least would approve- his brother was all about honor- but he had no way to know for sure.

Aeker

Aeker's brow knit for a moment. A guard? Aedan had certainly not been the best royal, but did he realize what he could be giving up? While it was unlikely his younger brother would be granted anything so prestigious as a Princess doe, being a guard may run off any other decent royal does he may have had access to. On the flip side, Aeker knew if Aedan was not happy, does would mean nothing really. He sighed thoughtfully and studied his brother for a moment. "Being a guard would be an honor for certain, brother. You understand that the Guard has many more rules than the ones you are accustomed too? You will lose all claim to your royalty and any fawns you have will be considered little more than commoners. And," he paused with a chuckle," Mother may not be pleased," he added playfully.

They both knew well their mother's sense of propriety and Aeker was unsure what her reaction would be to one of her sons deciding not to be a member of Glenmore's royal society. Meanwhile, Aedan was not exactly what would be considered a proper royal stag simply on the basis of his pale coat. Many saw him as doe-like and sometimes treated him as lesser for it. "If it would be better for you, I say do it. It would definitely give you the opportunity to do more than lay around Great Oak and talk," Aeker said, watching for his younger brother's reaction.

Aedan

"I think I can handle the Gaurd's rules. 'Follow orders' and 'Don't talk back to your Officer' are a bit easier to follow than 'Don't avoid your demented great-uncle even if he does smell like rotting cabbage' and 'Remind commoners of their place when they don't bow as you walk by'," Aedan quipped. "If any does choose to consort with a Guard rather than a Royal I figure that's their decision. I'm not so concerned about my hypothetical future progeny to let that hold me back. Certainly the fear of losing a hypothetical princess isn't a problem for me."

He scuffed the dirt with a hoof and, after a moment of intense concentration, was able to make a single tiny rainlily emerge from its hibernation and unfurl. "It's not like I have the magical potential or political importance to merit a princess anyway."

He did swish his tail at the comment which was meant as a joke but hit home instead. "You are correct, I think. Mother won't take it well." He cared very deeply for his family and their opinions, his mother most of all. "That's perhaps what worries me most."

Aedan closed his eyes. "Joining the Guard would make me happy, I think. You know how I hate being cooped up here. To be able to explore the kingdom... to actually be able to do something useful with my life...," He glanced at his brother. "Not to imply that you're not, of course. But I can't live up to the kind of royal that you are. That father is. I just want to be measured on my own merits, you know?"

He could always count on his stoic brother to be an honest sounding-board and tell him when he was being a fool. He trusted Aeker would do so now, if such was warranted.

Aeker

Aeker twitched at the princess comment, thinking of his own pale mate.

The heavy stag nodded kindly. There was no doubt Aedan would be an excellent guard, especially since he seemed as if he may actually enjoy it. "Then I say do it. If you wish, I can help you break it to mother."

Aedan

Aedan chuckled. "Your help in that endevour would be very much appreciated. I doubt she will be pleased." 

He nodded absently. Somehow he'd expected Aeker to take more convincing... but thinking about it, his older brother was all about integrity. He would never pressure his little brother into keeping his ill-fitting role no matter how much honor was at stake. 

"Aeker... Thank you."