[PK] Walking in the Wind Before all Went Dark

[XoxoMinnieXoxo 784]

 

 

 

As the cold of the winter hit the far north, a traveler and his loyal stead trudged alone in pitch darkness, the occasional twinkle of the stars above casting a faint glint of light amidst the darkness. The wind howled furiously, whipping snow into their faces as they trudged forward. The traveler was far from his prime years, far from what he accomplished back in his youth. His joints ached, his muscles were sore, and his eyes were heavy with fatigue and his heart heavy with grief that he had yet to deal with. Yet, he pushed on, with the limited strength and energy he had left, using his stead as a crutch at times. His mind wandered through various memories that were familiar and brought a sense of warmth to the man, helping him to bypass the journey through the harsh night. 

Each memory served as a beacon, guiding him through the tempestuous journey and reminding him of the love and joy he had once known. They were a testament to a life well-lived, filled with laughter, adventure, and bonds that transcended time and distance. He recalled the gentle laughter of his beloved wife, Cosima Rostova, as they danced under a canopy of stars, her eyes shining brighter than any constellation. Her warmth had always been his refuge, a sanctuary where he found peace and comfort from a young age and throughout his life leading up to present times. Even now, the thought of her embrace filled him with a sense of solace and renewed his resolve to keep moving forward, as if she were still beside him, whispering words of encouragement, and awaiting his arrival. In his satchel, he carried a bundle of letters he had written to her over the years that he was apart from her, each one a testament to their enduring love. Though penned with trembling hands, the words flowed with sincerity and devotion, capturing the essence of their shared moments and dreams. As he trudged onward, he found solace in knowing that these letters held a piece of her, a connection to the past that warmed his heart even on the coldest of nights. He also recalled the laughter and mischief in the eyes of his son, Thorin Rostova, as they embarked on countless adventures together. Those days of exploring the wilderness, teaching Thorin to fish, and watching him grow into a strong and compassionate young man were among his most cherished memories. Despite the distance and the years that had passed, he felt Thorin's presence in his heart, and it spurred him onward through the blizzard, determined to reunite with his family once more. Allerick Rostova, the lone traveler, regretted many things he had done, many of which caused rifts between his beloved family due to his own choices made from the loss of both of his parents, first the unexpected passing of his mother, Yelena Rostova. Her death had left a void in his heart that he struggled to fill, leading him down a path of solitude and self-imposed exile. Allerick and Yelena had unresolved conflicts before she passed. He wished he had taken the time to reconcile with her, and now he was left to deal with the guilt of not being able to say goodbye. The pain of her absence shadowed his decisions, often clouding his judgment and creating distance between him and those he held dear. When he thought nothing worse could happen, Allerick's father Bo Rostova shortly passed soon after. Bo's passing further shattered Allerick's already fragile world, leaving him with an overwhelming feeling of isolation. The loss of both parents in such a short span of time deepened his grief and heightened his sense of abandonment, causing him to withdraw even further from the people who cared about him. It was this compounded sorrow that drove him to seek solace in distant lands, hoping to find peace and redemption far from the memories that haunted him, in an attempt to forget the life he was currently living. Yet, in the midst of his journey, memories of his estranged brother, Baran Rostova, would surface unexpectedly. Baran, who had always been the more grounded of the two, had tried to reach out and mend the rift between them after their parents' passing. Allerick regretted pushing him away, unable to face the reminders of the family he had lost, and now, with every step, he wished for a chance to reconcile and share in the strength they both needed.

 

 

Just before setting out for his family, Allerick had penned three heartfelt letters, one to Cosima, one to his son, Thorin, and one to his estranged brother, Baran. Allerick was hoping to mend the rift between them after many years apart.

In the letter to Cosima, Allerick poured out his regrets and longing for the time they had lost, expressing his deep love and the hope that she would find happiness despite his absence. He apologized for the choices that had driven them apart and shared his desire for her to move forward without the burden of their past.

"Cosima, my love for you has never wavered, despite the many miles that separate us within this realm. From youth, I knew it would be you, and always it would be you, which is why I pursued you despite the wishes of my family and since then, having the honor to call you my wife has been a privilege for me each day. Since writing this, I hold many regrets about my own decisions that formed this divide between us that should've never been created to begin with, and with such I fail to express how ashamed I am for it. For the choices of my own that has caused us to be driven apart, I hope in my absence you found happiness shared with family of your own. In hopes of turning a new leaf, I share a desire with you to move forward to begin anew, and heal the weighing burden of our past."

In his letter to Thorin, he expressed his pride in his son and his sorrow for not being present at crucial moments in his life. Allerick urged Thorin to be strong and assured him of his unwavering love, hoping that Thorin would understand his actions and forgive him. In his letter to Thorin, Allerick unknowingly missed the chance to congratulate his son on becoming a father and starting a family of his own. Had he known, he would have expressed his joy and excitement at the prospect of being a grandfather. Despite this, Allerick's words were filled with a deep, abiding love and a hope that Thorin would find happiness and fulfillment in his own life.

"Thorin, there is so much to say and not enough time in the day to say it all. Let me start off my saying just how proud I am to call you my son, even with the grim reality that I have abandoned the majority of and missed numerous crucial moments of your upbringing. Since the moment you were born, my love for you has never wavered throughout my old worn mind. I simply hope that despite my absence, you might understand my foolish actions of self-isolation, and here's to a small hope of forgiveness from you. By the time I am writing this, and the many years that have passed since I last saw you, I assume you are now all grown up, navigating the obstacles that life brings. I hope that you will embrace each challenge with courage and resilience, carving out a path filled with success and happiness, and I hope that you find love and joy in the family you build, surrounded by people who support and cherish you my dear son."

In his letter to Baran, Allerick acknowledged the mistakes that had led to their estrangement, admitting his role in the misunderstandings and conflicts. He expressed a sincere wish to reconcile and rebuild their brotherly bond, emphasizing that life was too short to let past grievances stand between them. Allerick invited Baran to join him in healing old wounds and starting anew, hoping that they could create new memories together.

 

"Baran, so much has happened between us from a young age which has deepened the estrangement between you and I with our varying differences. I will admit majority of our misunderstandings could have been easily fixed if I had been less stubborn and more forgiving towards you. As your older brother, I should have been there for you in times of need, instead I turned my back on you after both mother and father passed away. With such I carry that heavy burden every time I open my eyes, and I wish I could reconcile and rebuild our once unwavering bond. I hope with time that has passed, we can start anew and bridge the gap that created this distance between us."

 

As Allerick trudged forward, lost in memories of his loved ones, a sudden, sharp pain pierced through him. Before he could comprehend what was happening, his vision blurred, and the icy landscape around him faded into darkness. Having fallen to his knees, he cupped both hands around the aching places in his body in order to ease the agony. He realized with horror that an arrow had struck him, its shaft protruding from his side and staining the snow beneath him with crimson. In those final moments, his thoughts lingered on, mainly about Cosima, Thorin, and the family he so desperately wished to reunite with, but his journey had ended abruptly, leaving his dreams unfulfilled as he lay lifeless face down within the snow that soon stained red.

 

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[OOC] 

 

I'd like to take the time to first and foremost thank everyone who has been apart of this character's background and story. From the thrilling battles to the heartfelt friendships made along the way, each moment has contributed to Allerick's growth and development from his birth to until his death. The unexpected twists and challenges have shaped the journey, making it truly unforgettable for me when playing this character. These experiences have left a lasting impact that I will cherish for a long time. I also want to send appreciation towards Ravenmire as a whole for not only being a large part of my life for the past few years but also to those who I’ve grown close with over that time.

 

While there have been good times and some unfavorable , Ravenmire and all who are a part of it shall have a special place within my heart!

 

I want to let it be known that this was a personal PK choosing, one that was a difficult choice to make but due to life away from LOTC, I came back from a mini hiatus knowing I cant allocate the needed time to upkeep the needed time dedicated to continue playing this character. However, this is not a goodbye, but a see you later!

[Lirinya 4021]

Sat within the small home she had rented many miles away from family, huddled by the fire with a glass of wine, Cosima read the letter a third time around.

 

In truth, she had assumed Allerick dead years ago; she assumed he had thought the same for her. The loss had been mourned moons and moons ago, with a conclusion drawn that he had likely done as his mother once had, ridden out into the frigid wastes of the north and never returned.

 

But it made the truth no easier. In fact, it made it much worse. Her love for him had never wained- he had been a constant since they were children, writting letters whilst their travel had been denied because of war, or that crucial visit to Ravenmire when it all changed.

 

Their wedding had been hasty, and small. Respective families had been unable to attend for their own reasons, and Cosima had been grateful. Once upon a time, she had never wished to wed at all and instead simply wanted to live her days within a library of her own creation. Something she had partially achieved.

 

"Realistically, you had been the perfect partner," Cosima spoke solemly to the letter in hand, as though it would offered a verbal reply. "But there is no moving forward, there never has been. My life has been tied to you well before we wed, and I am unable to move from that. Years- thirty or more of being by your side. It is ingrained in me, now."

 

"May I meet you in the skies soon."