daretosee | For fractalsfrozen

For fractalsfrozen | Ice Fae Sigma AU

There's a part of him who knew it'd end up this way. Cast out of the town he'd lived in his entire life, where everyone knew each other like family. In the end it hasn't mattered.

He was a warlock, a friend trying to poison their town with witchcraft and dark magic. Or that's what everyone thought. Change was frightening and right now it wasn't something they were ready for, Harold had feared it, but it hadn't been an excuse to not try to better the lives of the towns people.

Medicine and the advancements in it were not to be trusted, so he'd been cast out, forced out into the harshness of winter and the wilds to fend for himself. Harold packed as much as they allowed him, bundled up in as many layers as he could wear without inhibiting his movement.

The first few days aren't so bad, cold, but thankfully not windy. He's got enough food for maybe a week if he rations it out. Making a fire is dangerous, it draws attention and he's on his own, his only weapon a knife he uses to eat with.

In the end it's not monsters or animals or even ruffians that get him, it's the storm that hits three days in. The wind bites through his clothes and there's no way he could make a fire like this.

So he fights through blinding snow drifts to find a cave or anything he could take shelter in, but his body gives out before he has any luck. The cold is just too much and he collapses, still clutching a blanket tight around himself to try and fight off the wind and snow.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"One human, provided they are mindful, is no inconvenience to me."

The mountain had opened for them to return. If it had objected to Harold being there in the first place, it would have made it clear.

"I am the king of the mountain, the oldest of my kind here. I do what I wish...within reason and if my decision is to have a house guest for the season, they will respect that."

Well...he was the only true one of his kind here. The countless others were different species and types, but Siebren was an elemental born of the mountain itself...proof it was healthy enough to spawn its own fae. If he died, it would create another. It would be different in the way that no two children are the same.

"Besides, the caverns of the mountain are my domain. The others may sometimes come over through the passages that connect them. Most are harmless but there are some I...disagree with. We keep to ourselves, mostly. Hopefully they will not make an appearance. There is...a trouble making ice drake that seems to pop in now and again. She isn't malicious, but she does enjoy teasing humans she finds."

It was a fair warning. The Banshee and the Wraith tended to keep to the lowlands of the mountain range, but even they came up to speak to him.

There's a while lot he's being told, but what he mostly is getting from it is that the fae is here. Alone. That must be very lonely on this mountain, a mountain none are supposed to come on.

His brows knit thinking of it, before his nose crinkles he sneezes. Oh boy. That hot spring had surely helped, but it seemed he still may come down with a cold. Harold tugs the blanket up around his shoulders, wrapping himself up with a little shiver.

"So you live here on your own?" Probably none of his business, but he'd find out soon enough if he was going to be sticking around.

"... is it the way of your people then, keeping watch over the world silently? I mean... there's no villages or towns where you all live together?" This is as good a time as any to learn about the fae.

"Gezondheid."

The human would need food....and extra clothes. Neither would be a problem.
He smiled at Harold's concern-So like a healer to be worries about the well being of others. He softly shook his head.

"No, Harold Winston. I am not alone. I have the mountain...stronger and older than all of us...I have the pixies, the sprites, the brownies...the Grandmother Spiders, the little ice drake...outside I have the rivers...the trees...and...and the stars. All the earth and sky is alive if you listen and look."

He paused.

"I'm told that there are some places where some do. I've never left my mountain. I would not leave it unprotected. The smaller beings...they have small settlements in the trees all down the mountain. IS that not a village?"

"Thank you." Or he's pretty sure he just excused his sneeze. It still amazed him just how kind the fae was. Growing up the stories of them had been used to scare chidren into listening to their parents. Don't misbehave or your father will give you to the faeries!

Sure no doubt there were evil cruel ones out there, but Sigma had been nothing but a gentleman and saved his life. There was evil in all things, as well as good. This fae who ruled ruled the mountain with his jagged horns and claws with pale skin looked like a monster at first glance, but the more Harold's eyes took him in, the more he saw kindness and a softness to him.

"It seems our way of seeing the world is so very different, but I believe you're right." And that's when he realizes- "Oh, just call me Harold, please. Winston is my last name." Did the fae have last names? Would he know what that meant?

"You know you speak wonderfully, I can't imagine human tongue is common to your people?" Or perhaps it was. Who knew how old Sigma was, common tongue could have been passed down through the ages.

"I have listened to human speech for many years. I rarely have anyone to practice it with...and that is how I like to keep it...mostly...but, thank you, Harold. I...I had a friend...long ago. He was an old man who lived alone in a shanty he built on the edge of the forest. I was very young...I hadn't grown into my horns yet...he...taught me human words for things, though I never quite learned to say things back in his lifetime. That was several centuries ago...but I still remember him."

He paused and canted his head.

"Last name....I...I do not know of that concept. We simply have one name. Could you explain it to me?"

Now that it seemed he had a human friend again...for the moment...he could ask when something presented itself that he did not understand.

Centuries. Harold's head would spin if it could. He can't imagine living so long, a human life is nothing compared to that. Winter is but a blink of the eye to Sigma he's sure.

"You've certainly grown into them now." He smiles with a little sniffle. Definitely coming down with a cold.

"I don't blame you for keeping your distance from us, humans don't handle things um... delicately, especially things they don't understand." Most don't, some can. His town being one example.

"Oh well- Harold is my name, the one you call me. Winston is... erm... it's the name for my family, it's how humans keep track of them. Who belongs to which family." That makes sense right? "We all have different first names, well except for me haha, my father was Harold too." A common thing with men pasing down their first names to their sons. He won't get into that. One step at a time.

He could not help but smile a little at that compliment.

"Thank you."

A clawed hand smoothed his hair so that it fell more evenly between his clear, icy horns as he continued to listen.

"So multiple humans in the same family can have the same first name and last name but the last name is always the same but the first name is usually different but can be the same? I think I understand."

He leaned forward at the sniffle.

"It seems you've caught a chill from the mountain. Perhaps we can make you a remedy to shorten its duration, yes?"

He wasn't sure if fae medicine would work on Harold, but it was certainly worth a shot.

Is... is the fae preening at that? Harold would chuckle if he wasn't too busy sniffling again, his nose is going to run away on him.

"I think you've got it in a nutshell. Honestly I think us humans make things needlessly complicated on purpose." And then he's shaking his head a little, tugging the blanket tighter around himself.

"No I think it's just-" A harsh sneeze interrupts him, and he'll look sheepish as he excuses himself, "I've already been a nuisance today, I suppose I should just relent and be a good patient." Harold tries to laugh a little, but it devolves into a bit of coughing.

"Oof, I have to say it's no fun having the tables turned on me like this." Being the patient instead of the healer. He'll be good though, no fussing.

He was. It was silly, especially for a fae of his age. He was still quite proud of his horns. He kept them looking as good as he could. He'd broken one of them when he was younger and since then had been careful to keep them in better condition. To his relief, it had grown back after a few seasons.

He nodded to his right.

"Come this way. We shall see if my medicine works on you."

The two of them made their way through the mountain cavern, passing many glowing crystals in several different colors. They illuminated the space, revealing it to not be a tight cave, but a large open cavern. Hot springs steamed and occasionally geysers would spray. They passed pools with glowing fish and aquatic lizards. They seemed to pay the fae and his guest no mind.

They finally reached a side cavern with a square of ice on the wall. With a wave of his hand, Siebren caused the ice to move away. Beneath its surface were shelves filled with bottles, vials and bowls made from ice. Each contained a different herb or flower.

They were impressive horns and there's no age on beauty or appreciating it. Harold wonders of they're made of ice some how, they're truly fascinating.

Nodding he follows the fae, careful as he walks, he's barefoot now, still wrapped up in the blanket as he trails behind Sigma. It's hard to not gape, to stare, it's magnificent in here. Expansive and some how dark yet filled with light and life.

Harold most definitely stumbles a few times caught up in it all, at least until they arrive where Sigma meant to bring him. When he shows him his expansive collection of herbs and flowers... it's like what he did before he was exiled. Had this sort of practice of mixing herbs and things from the earth come from the fae? He had to wonder.

"This is amazing, Sigma... this is what I did back home, before-" Another coughing fit interrupts him, once it passes he fixes his glasses clearing his throat.

"It seems I could learn a thing or two from you." Or more. Paddding over to the display he carefully reaches out, before thinking again and stops, looking to the fae.

"May I?" He'd just like to peek at your ingredients. He has so much he's never seen before. So much that he didn't know what it could be used for.

Siebren put a clawed hand on Harold's back to offer him a bit of support in the coughing fit. Yes, they would need thyme for that...and honey. He had that in the pantry. They would have to made some herbal tea.. He smiled a little at Harold's enthusiasm. He nodded and gestured towards his collection.

"Of course. Be my guest."

He can gather what he needs when the human is done.

"Thank you." He's careful as he looks at things, gingerly holding bowls and containers to have a peek. Sniffing lightly to try and guess what some of the dried ingredients are. Many are dried to prolong their use, he knows that much.

He'll happily look around while Sigma does what he needs to, trying to stay out of the way. Mostly just low-key jealous of the fae's supplies. Not like it mattered right now, no one wanted his healing services or help.

"You have a great amount of knowledge and healing here, I know only a drop of it." A lamentful statement, he could only dream of knowing so much.

Watching Harold look through his collection of medicinal herbs. It was like watching a proverbial kid in a candy store.Sigma flexed his fingers, freezing some of the moisture in the air into a bowl. He fished around the cabinet and retrieved the herbs he needed, placing them in the bowl for later use.

"If you see anything you want, help yourself, just tell me if it is the last of anything so that I can replenish it in the Spring."

He smiled.

"It was not gathered overnight...it was over many years and collected from others. If you have questions, I would be happy to tell you. I have scrolls and some books detailing recipes. As a healer, I think you would find them useful."

Harold only notices Sigma making a bowl seemingly out of thin air by chance. A flicker at the corner of his eye. His gaze turns to try and see more, but by then it's all done.

"Oh no I wouldn't- I couldn't take from you." This wasn't for him to take, this was hard work for years and years. He'll perk a little at the mention of scrolls and books though.

"I would love to read anything you'd allow, I'd be lucky to learn an ounce of what you know." He's lucky to even be alive on the presence of the fae.

Sigma finished his gathering-putting all the bits of herbs that he needed into his ice bowl. He put everything back carefully.

"My offer stands. If you need anything, let me know. Now come, we shall brew you some honey tea and get you to bed to rest."

With a wave of his hand, the ice froze over the cabinet, effectively closing it. He motioned with his head.

"We need to get honey and a mug from the pantry. The hot water would surely melt my ice before you could finish your tea."

They made their way a little further down to another enclave with a boiling spring and a much larger ice cabinet. Sigma waved his hand over it and the layer of ice melted away revealing ice containers of food and wooden mugs and plates. He picked up a mug and dumped the contents of his bowl into a mug and in a swift motion, scooped the mug through the boiling water, filling it. Satisfied, he reached back into the food cabinet for the honey which he poured into the mug. He offered the concoction to Harold.

"Here. Drink it once it is cool enough. It will help with your cough."

Sigma nodded toward the food cupboard.

"Do you need anything to eat?"

Sigma reached into a jar and retrieved a preserved fish from an ice jar and ate it in a single go.

There were other...non fish related foods-dried meat jerky, nuts and dried fruit.

"Thank you, you're very gracious." He bows his head to him slightly. With a bit more coughing he'll follow the fae, padding along while curios eyes try to take everything in.

"Honey...?" He tilts his head slightly, what would honey do? Yes it tasted lovely and sweet, great for baked goods, but helping with a cough?

When the tea is offered to him he holds the cup gingerly, it's quite hot after all. With a little 'thank you' he blows on his tea, sipping carefully to test it. Oh... it's still way to hot, but the honey added a very nice flavor, not that it was the point of it.

"I'm not hungry at the moment, but I appreciate it. I appreciate everything you've done for me." Truly. Without the fae's help he'd have been dead hours ago.

Siebren nodded.

"Yes. Honey has strong anti-bacterial properties."

The human was grateful...not a typical trait of the race as a whole...but present in individuals. While he avoided humans for the most part, he had crossed paths with a few that were notable exceptions. It seemed he had plucked another from the snow. He had done nothing but thank him since he arrived. The fae smiled and put a clawed hand on Harold's shoulder.

"I think you need to rest, my friend. Let the medicine work, let your body rest and your mind and heart heal."

"That's wonderful." He'll have to jot that down, he hoped his backpack was okay and that his things inside weren't soaked through. He had a few journals with all his studies and information in them in there, he'd hate to lose them.

"Mm, I have to agree. It will be nice to sleep in a proper bed after being out in the wilds for days now." Harold tries to ignore just how big that hand on his shoulder is, how big Sigma is compared to him. He should feel scared a part of him thinks, but he's not. It wouldn't matter how terrifying the fae could or did look, he didn't actually, Harold thought he looked quite neat, he'd been only kind to him. So he had no reason to fear him.

So with his advice he'll shuffle back to where he'd woken up, consider looking for his bag, or asking for it, but then decides to be a good patient, sitting in bed to finish his tea before curling up in bed under the covers. Only the top of his head peeks out, mused hair still drying from the hot spring. If he sleeps for far too long it's only because he'd been so worn down from being outside in that storm, in almost dying and the cold trying to cause havoc inside him.

Siebren had not had a human in his home since the old man. He found that caring for his guest was not difficult and was not unlike caring for any of the injured fae or other forest creatures he took in that were injured.

He periodically checked in on Harold, laying an extra blanket or two while the human slept. Outside the cave, the wind howled and snow whipped about...but as all things...it passed...and when it did it was time to venture out an assess the damage and see if there was anything he could do for any of the creatures that lived on the mountain.

He was about to leave...but then paused...perhaps the human would like to accompany him? If he was not indeed still ill. He made his way to Harold's cavern to see if he was awake yet.

"Harold? Are you awake?"

He doesn't know how long he's been asleep, does it really matter? Harold just knows he wakes up warm, snuggled in a nest if blankets and more comfortable than he's ever been. Someone is saying his name and he peeks out from the blankets to try and focus on... oh.

Oh that's a fae. That's still very much the very tall very large ice fae who'd saved his life. He'd dreamt that it had all been a misunderstanding, that he was let back into his town and things were fine.

But here was Sigma and Harold felt bad about the pang of disappointment. Not the fae's fault at all and he felt bad even feeling it. Wiping the sleep from his eyes he'll sit up finding his glasses and putting them on with a yawn. Excuse his messy hair.

"Yes, good morn- er... hello, Sigma." Was it morning? He couldn't tell in here. "Is everything okay?"

Siebren nodded.

"It is indeed morning, but you slept a full day...so it may not be the morning you expect."

The fae smiled, a little impishly. That human's messy morning hair was certainly more adorable than he had anticipated.

"The storm has passed and I would like to survey the mountain...to check for damage and injured fae and animals. Would you care to join me?"

He held up a smaller fur lined...and trimmed robe.

"This was mine when I was smaller. It should fit you a bit better for outside travel...not that you don't wear my shirts well."

Edited (he forgot to mention that cute bed head) 2019-12-19 05:47 (UTC)

Had it really been a full day? Guess his body needed it. He feels much better than when he'd gone to bed originally, though there's was still a lingering in the back of his throat. Pesky thing.

"Oh, I'd love to join you, but um... I'm rather hungry." All that sleeping had worked up an appetite! He'll take the offered robe and finds himself flushing at the fae's comment. Does he wear the shirt well? It just feels like he's wearing a large sleeping gown. Harold would have figured he looked childish and silly.

Well. He'll take well.

"I can't imagine you bring any smaller, especially my size." He says it good naturedly. "Thank you, it looks very warm."

Well, the damage wasn't going anywhere. They could stop for breakfast first.
"It was long ago. All fae start out as children...like humans."

Harold's face was red...was he still sick? The human was a grown man and he would tell him honestly if he was feeling well or not for this excursion. Oh. Food. He'd forgotten about that. He really must keep better track of that. The fae made a not to himself to keep on top of making sure that Harold had enough to eat.

"Of course. We can definitely stop by the pantry before heading out."

They made their way back to where they had stopped to make the medicinal tea. With a wave of his hand, the ice melted revealing Sigma's food storage.

"Please, Harold...help yourself...and please ask me if you have any questions."

He smiled, glad that his robe fit the human a bit better. It would keep him warm in the snow outside.

Yes. He's still sick. Mhm. Not totally untrue, some lingering sniffles and a small cough, but much better than before. Harold has the mind to put on his socks and boots that have dried while he slept.

The far, may be able to go out with no shoes, but he was human. Also Sigma could float over the snow. No doubt he had some natural resistance to the chill as well.

"It must take hundreds, thousands of years for your kind to grow old." He'd love to learn about them, know more. Most of what humans knew of the far were stories passed down, fairy tales basically.

None of it could be proven. Thanking Sigma first, he'll eat from the food provided, his stomach growling it's thanks too. He finishes it off with a cup of tea, with honey, to warm up real good before they head out.

"... so do you often have humans who travel your mountain? I mean, have any come up here to see if you're real?" It's not like there weren't tales of a great ice king on the mountain, but the mountain was dangerous so anyone smart wouldn't travel it anyway.

"Yes...it takes thousands of years for us to grow old. Some of us can even be immortal...though...once never knows until they live long enough."

He said immortal not invulnerable. He doesn't want to share that yet...and probably not for some time. Fae are entitled to their secrets. Merely letting a human know they had weaknesses-iron...control by name...anything of the sort was not to be discussed. He respected the old ways as much as he respected the mountain that bore him.

He waited for Harold to finish, though he answered his questions freely.

"Not terribly often. It is not hospitable for them...many of the others...do not fancy humans and make the going harder. You are the first human to make it this high up in years."

For fractalsfrozen | Ice Fae Sigma AU

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