Here for you

"I won't tell anyone, young master. You don't need to be strong for me."

Troka and Ashhelm were captured on the night of Alastair's wedding, held hostage with the knife pointed at the other's throat rather than their own. Troka's own virtue, loyalty, was ultimately used against him. To spare the life of his mentor and friend, he did unspeakable things. Eventually the gentle, innocent boy was worn down to raw nerves. He eventually broke when his captors tortured himself and his mentor side by side. Unable to bear the trinity of agony, he became their puppet. Even after their rescue, the hands of the enemy remained on his soul and Troka wandered for years, fearing and despising himself. Eventually, the war forced Troka to return to the other knights, but he never allowed the pain of his experience to show. At least, not until he was forced to face the children that he had helped sire during his time in bondage.

Nearly killing them, Troka instead retreated into solitude. As always, his mentor haunted his shadow, ever watchful of the boy he calls son.

It's very likely that Ashhelm is the only person ever to see Troka cry following his torment on Stormguard. Of everyone, he knows what happened and genuinely understands the burden the young man carries.

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Where as my first father's day tribute for Okhong was a little more lighthearted, this one's a little more somber. While Troka has never claimed Ash as a father figure, the elderly elf has been quite open with how he sees Troka- both as his master and as his son. He related to him and was awed by him since their first encounter and he has been something of a shadow ever since. I thought it was a fitting enough tribute!

This scene actually follows right after this one. >> ...and for those of you that are morbidly curious, those little ones are now motherless following this scene. Erm. But they may be better off for it. Now daddy just needs to work on his...daddy skills. XD


...now if only I could get the belated mother's day tribute to work. XD

Troka belongs to - She deserves a hug after the week she's had. ;3;
Ash belongs to me!