Aiken Dune

Aiken was born to a small but loving family in Dune's Hold. She was a singleton, as her brother had been before her, but Zora was excited to have a baby around to play with on his visits home- as he was a ward, in F'allis. Because of the business of running the hold whilst her husband played war games, Lady Kiera handed Aiken off to a wet nurse after she had physically recovered enough to return to work.

Miss Lyre fed Aiken and did most of the raising of her during the day while Lady Kiera worked. She played with her, sang to her when she put her down for naps, and to this day Aiken holds a strong affinity for her.

News came eventually of exciting news- Aiken's big brother was returning home for a visit. She was only 2 moons old at the time, but was so excited to meet her brother. He too was excited to meet his new sister.

Aiken was only 3 moons old when her brother left from his visit. Young Lord Zora Dune was 12 moons old at the time, and promised he'd return soon to the upset child before him, putting on a brave face as he left everything he'd ever known once again.

As Aiken grew more independent, she began to visit both the Council Chambers and other proceedings, but also training with her father Lord Azazel. He seemed to enjoy his child much more now that she could walk, talk, and hold a sword properly.

Aiken began to feel uncomfortable with herself when she was around 8 moons old, and she couldn't get anywhere asking Azazel and Kiera about it, so ultimately the young cat went to Miss Lyre. Her childhood caretaker and occasional babysitter helped parse through her feelings until they got to the root of the problem.

Aiken was a he, not a she. He felt like a boy, like his brother. When he told his parents, they were very supportive, and frankly, Azazel seemed deeply pleased with himself and the circumstances. Another son to train in swordfighting and horseback riding, instead of needlework and polite etiquette.

Young Lord Aiken made his first friend during this time- another young tom, a squire in training to be a knight named Rey. Aiken and Rey sparred together and generally was eager to spend time with him. It was a great, loyal friendship.

Eventually, Aiken's birthday approached, and he turned a year old.

Aiken's 18th moon eventually came around, and he was quite the skilled horseman and swordfighter. He, however, unlike Zora, had never had his magic present- and his family was forced to accept that Aiken was likely magicless. A lovely coming of age ceremony was thrown for him, and he was celebrated... though he missed Zora's absence greatly.

Finally, when Aiken was 20 moons old, Zora returned on his coming home journey before the wedding. It was a trip to show Dune's Hold how happy he was, that he was thriving, and pleased to be married. Aiken was just happy his brother was home, and greeted him with open eyes and a great smile. They had written, but it was fantastic to be reunited.

For the following moon, they played like brothers- sparring, racing horses, wrestling. They spent most of their time together. However, that moon soon came to an end, and to make it in time for his wedding, Zora would have to leave.

Unfortunately, it was the last time Aiken would see his brother. On their return trip, accompanied by Lord Azazel, the party was set upon by a large group of bandits, and everyone was killed.

In an attempt to fix the now impossible relationship between F'allis and Dune's Hold, Aiken was chosen to be betrothed to Princess Pharaoh... except, she refused. She would not marry the brother of her dead finace. Furthermore, the king pointed out that Aiken and Pharaoh could not have produced biological kits- leaving one option that was better.

Aiken would marry Prince Tobias, the younger son of the king, still joining their families and allowing for Aiken to produce heirs for Dune's Hold as well as F'allis.

After an awkwardly tense goodbye with Lady Kiera, Aiken has just made it to Castle Sakura, where he met his betrothed for the first time. Aiken knows the rumors about Tobias- though he isn't sure he believes them- but he understood where the strangeness could cause fear. He was afraid here too- though not because of Tobias in particular, but the entire new environment.